Arguably going into this year's $1.5m Gr1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) in better form than in the past two years when he has won the lucrative sprint race at Ascot, the Bjorn Baker trained Overpass ( Vancouver-Walkway, by Exceed And Excel) comes off a fourth place finish in the $20m Gr1 The Everest (1200m), beaten less than a length and a half by Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress), who has since franked his win with a facile Group 2 victory in Hong Kong last Sunday. To add further credit to the race, third placegetter Jimmysstar (Per Incanto) has gone on to win twice, including a last start victory over fellow Everest runner Angel Capital (Harry Angel) in the Gr1 CF Orr Stakes, while Magic Time (Hellbent) who had finished last in the Everest went within a whisker at her next start of winning the Gr1 Champions Sprint, finishing second to previous Everest winner Giga Kick (Scissor Kick). The unknown surrounds the local Western Australian runners with Jokers Grin (Maschino-Walk in Beauty, by Barely a Moment) coming into the race off some outstanding form. With nine wins and two second placed efforts from 12 starts highlighted by victories at his last three starts including relegating Overpass into fifth in the $5m Quokka (1200m) in April, the Bernie Miller trained gelding is yet to step up to Gr1 level but has looked good in two Gr3 victories since resuming from a spell. Only having her second start for new trainer Ciaron Maher when fifth in the Gr1 Champions Sprint, the Gr1-winning 5YO mare Benedetta (Hellbent-Whatalovelyday, by Domesday) still needs to improve, but it would not surprise to see her run very well, especially with her former jockey Daniel Stackhouse in the saddle.
Colour Looks Right for Blue Sapphire Stakes
Friday, 28th November 2025
With three Godolphin bred and raced runners in Saturday's $250,000 Gr3 Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield, the norm is starting to be that each is trained by a different trainer, and that is once again the case here. Coming into the race off the back of a last start win at just her second start, the Tony and Calvin McEvoy trained Motorsports (Street Boss-Jorda, by Exceed And Excel), looks to join the likes of Tentyris, Tempted and Green Spaces as stakes winner so far this season for Street Boss, who is currently has the lead over I Am Invincible in the Leading Three-Year-Old Sires race. Set to be ridden by Harry Coffey, the 3YO filly is the second foal of her Group 3-winning dam and come Saturday will jump from barrier 8 in the 10-horse field. With three runs under her belt where she has already recorded a first, second and third placed effort, the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Caffettiera (Too Darn Hot-Estaminet, by Lonhro) finished second last Saturday behind Too Darn Hot gelding Maldini, and the fact that she is set to back up suggests she is right in this. With five placed efforts from his eight starts to date including a Listed second at two, Ben, Will & JD Hayes' Chergui (Frosted-Essaouira (Exceed And Excel) was a last start fourth as the favourite, racing over 1100m at Caulfield. Having carried 61kg last time out, the gelding drops sharply in weight while the rise in trip should also be a positive.
Bosson on 99 Group 1 Wins Ahead of Feature
Friday, 28th November 2025
One of New Zealand racing's most accomplished jockeys is back in the frame for a milestone moment after receiving medical clearance to return to the saddle. Opie Bosson, who has been sidelined since early November with concussion, will resume race riding next week with his sights set firmly on Trentham. The incident that forced his absence occurred at the Avondale meeting on November 6, where he was unseated after pulling up on one of his mounts. Diagnosed with concussion, Bosson was ruled out under standard protocols, with no timeline offered until he passed each stage of recovery. Earlier this week, he resumed trackwork, and by Wednesday he was fully cleared just in time to prepare for Group 1 duties, although he'll miss this weekend's engagements. Exactly a year ago, Bosson partnered Ladies Man to victory in the TAB Mufhasa Classic on the same Trentham card, bringing his Group 1 tally to 99. The wait for triple figures has stretched longer than anyone expected, interrupted first by his recurring battle with weight and then by his decision last Christmas to walk away from riding altogether. That hiatus lasted nearly eight months, until the call of competition brought him back for the start of the new season. The comeback gathered immediate momentum. Bosson surged to the top of the premiership table early, but has since been overtaken by Craig Grylls, who now leads comfortably with 46 wins. Bosson is locked in second alongside Joe Doyle on 28, but Grylls' lighter riding weight and relentless booking rate have made it a one-horse race for the title. Still, Bosson's return adds a layer of intrigue to the season's key races. His manager and close friend Michael Coleman confirmed that Bosson will have a couple of tune-up rides at Rotorua midweek before heading south. "Opie's just happy to be cleared to ride again and get back into it," said Coleman. "That should set him up nicely for Trentham on Saturday." His key booking is Captured By Love, who is set to take her place in the TAB Classic after finishing second to Legarto in a trial on Wednesday. That performance followed her Group 3 victory in the Windsor Park Stud Canterbury Breeders' Stakes at Riccarton earlier this month. Co-trainer Sam Bergerson was satisfied with her lead-in. "Legarto won well but our mare did all we wanted; it was a tidy gallop and will have cleaned her up nicely for Trentham," he said. "It's shaping to be a very good field, but we're looking forward to having Opie back on top. He doesn't need any incentive, just having him back in action is enough, but it would be quite something to see him get his 100th Group 1."
Oppie Bosson needs a single Gr1 win to make it 100 (pic: Kenton Wright Race Images)
Jack Ready to Explode in Eclipse Stakes
Friday, 28th November 2025
Charging home into second place last time out behind the reinvigorated Apulia (Fiorente) in the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes (1600m), the Ciaron Maher trained $1.6m earner Detonator Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry-Red Delicious, by No Excuse Needed) looks ideally placed to take out Saturday's Gr3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield. While not having won since victorious in the $1m The Gong in November 2023, the Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock-raced gelding is a winner up to 2100m, so the 1800m should suit him perfectly. With connections of Apulia sending him to Perth where he has been nominated for the Gr1 Railway Stakes (1800m) and the Gr2 Perth Cup (2400m), surely Detonator Jack has the ability to win here. A winner over 1800m in the greys race at Flemington during the Malebounre Cup carnival, the Gavin Bedggood trained Kingswood (Roaring Lion-All At Sea, by Sea The Stars) is another who has found form, after not having won since October 2024. Asked to carry 60kg, the John Allen ridden gelding has drawn barrier seven in the ten-horse field and with two previous wins over 1800m, the grey is right in this. Starting the second favourite in the Chester Manifold Stakes before finishing third, Paul Preusker's Poison Chalice (NZ) (Savabeel-Urban, by O'Reilly) is a previous 1800m winner and also finished a narrow second in this race last year, suggesting he's a leading chance here.
Distance Rise Gives Oughton Recognition
Friday, 28th November 2025
With four of his seven career wins coming over 1350m, the distance of Saturday's Listed Recognition Stakes, the Melissa Kelly trained Oughton (More Than Ready-La Fluorescent, by General Nediym) will be chasing back-to-back wins in the race (see below) after carrying just 53kg to victory last year. Off a last start third over 1200m at Listed Keith Noud Stakes, the $900,000 Magic Millions yearling sale graduate looks ready not peak third up. With Robbie Dolan in the saddle, the last time the gelding was at 1350m, he was a class above in the Listed Eye Liner Stakes at Ipswich, and come Saturday, even from barrier 11 in the 15-horse field he looks a leading show at securing his third black type win. If successful, he will add a nice pedigree update to his Magic Millions yearling sale bound Spirit Of Boom half-brother set to sell as Lot 1087 as part of the Goodwood Farm draft. A winner of the Listed Daybreak Lover back in April, Tony Gollan's Boomtown Boss was a last start winner first up over Epic Proportions (Better Than Ready), with that runner up coming out at his next start and winning at Listed level by a length and a quarter. Second up on Saturday, Boomtown Boss looks to capitalise on his quality second up record of two wins and a second from three runs.
False Favourite or Give Another Chance
Friday, 28th November 2025
While things may not have gone to plan last start when resuming in the lucrative The Hunter as the race favourite, with the John O'Shea and Tom Charlton trained Yorkshire (Snitzel-Chanteline, by Majesticperfection) diagnosed post-race with cardiac arrhythmia after finishing last in the field of 16, punters have once again installed the 5YO gelding as favourite ahead of a host of seasoned stakes performers. If you ignore his last start, then he has six wins and two placed efforts from his first eight starts which would see the son of Champion sire Snitzel ready for a shot at black type racing. Drawn gate one with Zac Lloyd in the saddle, Yorkshire does look to get a lot of favours, as long as he doesn't get stuck behind tiring horses in the run to the line. Second at his most recent two starts and ready to finally breakthrough, Joe Pride's Accredited (All Too Hard-Well Credentialled, by O'Reilly) clearly has the form on the board, and while gate 12 might not suit, the 6YO gelding looks set for another big run. Going slightly wide, the Kris Lees trained You Wahng (So You Think-Wahng Wah, by Casino Prince) has not been seen since winning the Gr1 Queensland Oaks (2000m) in the Winter, and heading into her first run as a 4YO, the mare has trialled quite well and forward showing could be on the cards.
Pike Makes Another Weight-Influenced Gr1 Call
Friday, 28th November 2025
Few riders weigh big-race decisions quite like William Pike, and fewer still can match the scrutiny he draws when those calls go public. Ahead of next week’s Gr1 Northerly Stakes at Ascot, the champion jockey faced one of the trickier choices of his career, and has opted for emerging star King Of Light over last Saturday’s Railway Stakes winner, Watch Me Rock. Both gallopers have strong claims. King Of Light, trained by Dan Morton, remains unbeaten from five starts – all under Pike – while the Grant and Alana Williams-prepared Watch Me Rock is fresh off a dominant Gr1 triumph (see below). Pike’s decision, he admitted, ultimately came down to weight, a similar scenario to that that he faced ahead of the Railway Stakes. Under weight-for-age conditions, King Of Light will carry 52.5kg, compared to 59kg for his older rival. “This really was one of the hardest decisions of my career,” Pike told racing.com. “I just can't dismiss the weight factor and the three-year-old record in this race. My past successes have been on the three-year-olds, so I suppose I'm somewhat sticking with what works.” That history includes wins on Perfect Reflection in 2015 and Arcadia Queen in 2018 – both Peters-owned fillies, both only three at the time. While Pike leaned on data, sentiment and instinct still played their part. “I've chased every form analyst around, trying to split them,” he said. “Everyone was heavily in the favour of King Of Light, but I really think they're underselling Watch Me Rock.” Pike made it clear that confidence in one doesn’t equal doubt in the other. “It was not an easy decision at all,” he said. “I won't be surprised if it's the wrong one, nor will I be surprised if it's the right one.” Recent history also lends weight to his thinking. Amelia’s Jewel won the Northerly as a three-year-old in 2022, following in the hoofprints of Kay Cee (2019), Itsahymn (2013), Playing God (2010), Megatic (2007) and Old Comrade (2000). When it comes to this 1800m weight-for-age classic, youthful brilliance has often had the final say.
Wickson and Hush New HTBA Leaders
Friday, 28th November 2025
A landmark moment in Australian breeding leadership unfolded at the recent AGM of the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, with the unanimous election of the HTBA’s first female President and Vice-President team. The reins have now passed to Liesl Wickson and Alison Hush, who step into the roles of President and Vice-President respectively—both bringing decades of experience, deep industry knowledge, and a shared passion for the thoroughbred. Wickson, who thanked outgoing president Barley Ward-Thomas for his support and mentorship, acknowledged the responsibility of the transition. “He has been an approachable and patient mentor that I will continue to lean on as I move into his sizeable shoes,” she said. With over 25 years immersed in the equine industry, Wickson has accumulated domestic and international expertise across breeding, foaling and operations. She has worked with elite vendor Cressfield since 2006, currently serving as Operations Manager at one of the most respected nurseries in the country. Her journey began with a pony named Tanzy, a first endurance event by age ten, and a career that has included formative stints in Abu Dhabi and New Zealand before settling in Scone. An Applied Science Equine Studies graduate with Distinction, she has received numerous accolades including the HTBA Employee of the Year Award for Leadership and the Australian Stud and Stable Staff Leadership Award. A three-time recipient of the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence and a past scholarship recipient to Kentucky’s Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Wickson has served on the HTBA Committee for three years and as Vice President for the past two. Hush brings a complementary blend of grassroots horsemanship and communications expertise. Her fascination with horses began as a schoolgirl in Sydney’s north-western suburbs, sparked by the sight of a grey and nurtured through pony club, dressage training, and academic pursuits in journalism and public relations. She has spent more than two decades in the breeding industry, preparing yearlings and managing agistment operations, before founding Davali Thoroughbreds with husband David in 2014. From humble beginnings, the business has grown steadily, developing a reputation for producing well-prepared stock and racetrack results. Hush has been a member of the HTBA since 2004 and joined the Committee in 2017. The association also recognised the service of Barley Ward-Thomas and ongoing office bearers Paddy Power and Ross Cole for their continued counsel. Their work, alongside the broader Committee, reinforces the HTBA’s motto: “Breeders of Champions and Champions of Breeders.”
Bowman and Ho Claim Coveted Final IJC Spots
Friday, 28th November 2025
Qualification for the prestigious Longines International Jockeys’ Championship came down to the wire on a dramatic Wednesday night at Happy Valley, where Hugh Bowman and Vincent Ho both secured their spots in the December 10 showcase with strong performances under pressure. According to scmp.com, Bowman’s path to qualification was anything but smooth. Needing at least one win to overtake Luke Ferraris in the standings, he suffered two agonising near misses – first in section one of the Glenfinnan Viaduct Handicap when Flow Water Flow was denied in a photo by Somelovefromabove, then again by a nose in the very next race. It wasn’t until section three of the Class Four Kylesku Bridge Handicap that he finally broke through, guiding Allcash to a neck victory over Ferraris to snatch the IJC berth. “It’s always a privilege to ride in the IJC and I came here tonight with some strong chances and we had a really good night,” said Bowman. “Allcash was strong. He trialled well recently and his better form is on the all-weather track – we were aware of that – but he’s got points in hand and he showed that tonight.” The fight for the local rider’s position proved just as tense. Jerry Chau briefly looked to have stolen it when he steered Meowth through a tight gap along the rail to land section two of the Clyde Arc Handicap. But the final say belonged to Ho, who delivered under immense pressure with back-to-back victories. The first came aboard The Boom Box in the Glen Ogle Viaduct Handicap, with a smart ride from the rear culminating in a late surge past King Lotus. Trainer Chris So credited the winning tactic to his jockey’s input. “It was a good idea from the jockey… he suggested we go further [in distance], and he was right.” Ho capped the evening with a polished win on King Miles in the concluding Culloden Bridge Handicap, sealing his IJC qualification and reflecting on the comeback journey that brought him here. “It means a lot… after seven months and the comeback, there are a lot of uncertainties,” he said. “I want to ride the best I can and repay the support the owners, trainers and the Club have given me.”
She's apples for Hugh Bowman who has snuck into the Longines IJC
A Collective Sigh of Relief for British Racing
Friday, 28th November 2025
British racing secured a vital policy victory on Wednesday as Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed in her Autumn Statement that the duty rate for betting on horse racing would remain untouched at 15%, sparing the sport from a potentially damaging fiscal overhaul. According to a report by theguardian.com, the announcement came after months of concerted lobbying under the “Axe The Racing Tax” banner, a campaign launched in response to a Treasury proposal to unify all betting and gaming duties into a single rate. That plan, had it proceeded, would have seen horse racing’s current levy effectively diluted alongside high-turnover online casino and slot machine operators, which bear significantly different risk profiles in terms of gambling-related harm. Instead, the government opted to target those higher-risk verticals directly. The Remote Gaming Duty (RGD) on online slots and casino games will nearly double – from 21% to 40% – while online sports betting (excluding racing) will rise from 15% to 25%. Fixed odds betting terminals and in-shop betting, along with horse racing bets, remain unchanged, preserving the current 15% duty plus the 10% racing levy for online wagers on the sport. Charles Allen, recently appointed chair of the British Horseracing Authority, acknowledged the widespread effort behind the scenes. “I would like to commend the chancellor and the government for listening to the concerns of British racing and offering their clear support for our sport,” he said. “And thank everyone who has played their part across the sport, standing as one to communicate our message.” Martin Cruddace, CEO of Arena Racing Company and a key architect of the campaign, warned early on that aligning racing with online casino taxation would “gravely impact our industry.” He welcomed the clarity offered in the final decision. “As a sport and industry, we continue to offer a real contribution to this country, supporting communities and culture. I am so glad the government has recognised that fact.” The outcome echoes recommendations made by the Social Market Foundation in July. Dr James Noyes, one of the report’s authors, called the policy “a correction long overdue,” saying it finally differentiates between forms of gambling based on social impact. Increased pressure on online gaming operators may even lift racing’s digital profile. With racing bets now carrying a total 25% deduction – 15% duty and 10% levy – they sit on par with non-racing bets in tax burden, potentially levelling the commercial playing field. The budget also allocated £26 million in additional funding to the Gambling Commission to help address concerns around unlicensed offshore gambling. For the BHA, the broader message was one of unity. “Our sport is often criticised for being fragmented,” said acting BHA chief executive Brant Dunshea. “This campaign shows what can be achieved when we come together with a shared purpose.”
