Ending his most recent campaign with success in the Gr2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m), a race won in the past by the likes of future Gr1 winners Joliestar (Zoustar), Mazu (Maurice) and Wild Ruler (Snitzel), as well as Everest hero Classique Legend (Not A Single Doubt) – and that's in just the last seven years of the race – the Michael Freedman trained Enriched (I Am Invincible-Miss Atom Bomb, by Encosta de Lago) comes into Saturday's $250,000 Gr3 JRA Plate (1200m) off the back of a recent barrier trial win. On that occasion, he defeated stablemates Manaal (Tassort) and Incognito (Stay Inside) with the elite performers Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel) and Beiwacht (Bivouac) in fourth and fifth. Purchased for $450,000 from the draft of Bhima Thoroughbreds at the Inglis Easter yearling sale, Enriched is out of a half-sister to Winx and being by multiple Champion sire I Am Invincible, one would think if the 4YO can secure some Group 1 form, then he'd be a legitimate stallion prospect – noting his sire was only a G3 winner and look at what he's managed to achieve at stud! Weakening late to finish over four lengths off the winner in the recent $1m Magic Millions Sprint at the Gold Coast, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott's The Instructor (Russian Revolution-Right Of Way, by Denman) has some solid stats at the distance of Saturday's race and he looks capable of bouncing back.
Talented Filly Can Continue Consistent Form
Friday, 30th January 2026
Out of the top three just once in her nine-start career, Ciaron Maher's dual stakes placed 3YO filly Jenni Gone Bonkers (Maurice-Lamarque, by Pierro) will be out to continue her consistent form when she carries top weight in Saturday's Robert Hunter Handicap (1800m) at Caulfield. Stepping up to the 1800m for the first time, she has only had one start at Caulfield in the past, when finishing second in the Listed Twilight Glow Stakes (1400m) last prep behind Grahame Begg's Ruska Roma (Super Seth). Out of a blood-sister to Gr1 winners Arcadia Queen (Pierro) and Regal Power (Pierro), winners over 2000m and 2400m respectively, there is no reason to think that Jenni Gone Bonkers won't appreciate the 1800m. A last start winner over 2000m, and third two starts back over 1600m when Jenni Gone Bonkers finished second, the Danny O'Brien trained Our Chief (Tagaloa-Rekindled Choice, by Redoute's Choice) has drawn well in gate one on Saturday and if the drop back in trip does not cause any issues, then the Yulong bred and Inglis Premier yearling sale sold gelding looks capable of another strong showing. Both impressive last start winners over 1600m, Komito (Lope de Vega-Frankieta, by Frankel) and Leveraged Buyout (Dundeel-Rosental, by Pivotal) surely can't be left out on Saturday with both appearing to have improved in each run to date.
Big Sky Can Shine Brightly In Chairman's Stakes
Friday, 30th January 2026
Utterly dominant when winning on debut by two and three quarter lengths, the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr trained Big Sky (Bivouac-Zoom By, by Red Dazzler) will be out to continue his march towards the Gr1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) when he starts favourite in Saturday's Gr3 Chairman's Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield. Currently sitting on the second line of betting behind his stablemate Guest House (Home Affairs) in Blue Diamond betting, Big Sky will jump from barrier 2 with Ben Melham to ride him for the first time with Jordan Childs (who rode him on debut) set to team up with Grahame Begg's Jadiza (Ole Kirk-Jaunty, by O'Reilly), who comes into the race off a jumpout win. Scratched from last weekend's Gr3 Blue Diamond Preview (F), the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained La Gitana (Home Affairs-Hips Don't Lie, by Stravinsky) has pedigree on her side, being a half-sister to Fastnet Rock's stakes winners Ennis Hill (dam of Learning To Fly), Lake Geneva and Acrobat from the family of Gr1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Ozzmosis (Zoustar). From barrier four and with four jumpouts under her belt, the well-bred filly looks capable of continuing the outstanding run of her Coolmore based sire.
Bivouac (pictured) is the sire of Blue Diamond fancy Big Sky (pic: Steve Hart)
Small Field of Seven for QTIS 2YO
Friday, 30th January 2026
Synonymous with Queensland racing, local Champion sire Spirit Of Boom along with Chris and Corey Munce team up in the opening race at Eagle Farm on Saturday with Compel (Spirit Of Boom-Iltizaam, by Exceed And Excel) in the Racecourse Village QTIS 2YO Handicap (1200m). A narrow third in her only trial to date behind Star Of Jamica (Profiteer), who has since come out and won by a length and three quarters, Compel is currently the short-priced favourite with Martin Harley in the saddle from barrier 4. Purchased for just $50,000 at the Magic Millions March yearling Sale from the draft of Eureka Stud by her trainers and Group 1 Bloodstock, the filly is from the extended family of Not A Single Doubt and Snippets, so clearly has pedigree on her side. Another making their debut in the race, the Greg Wright trained Lonesome Star (Lean Mean Machine-New Echelon, by Stratum) looked impressive winning her 800m trial by three and three quarter lengths at Warwick. While that form may not stack up against the city-trained horses, in the small seven-horse field anything is possible and the Jake Bayliss ridden filly should be watched.
Several NZB Filly of The Year Permutations
Friday, 30th January 2026
With the $1 million New Zealand Oaks drawing closer, the contest for the NZB Filly of the Year Series title is set to intensify over the coming weeks, as three pivotal races remain to determine this season’s standout. Saturday’s Gr2 Jennian Homes Lowland Stakes at Trentham, worth $175,000, is the ninth leg of an 11-race series, offering 8 points to the winner, 4 to the runner-up and 2 to third place. At the conclusion of the first eight legs, Well Written and Lollapalooza share the lead with 20 points each. Both are expected to turn their focus to the $4 million NZB Kiwi and are unlikely to add to their current tallies, leaving the door open for a dramatic reshuffle on the leaderboard in the final stages. Attention will soon shift to Te Rapa, where the Gr2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic is scheduled for February 7. This event carries an identical points structure to the Lowland and could further alter the makeup of the leaderboard. The ultimate decider, however, will be the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks, with 12 points on offer to the winner, 7 to second, and 3.5 to third, ensuring the series will remain in play right up until the grand finale. Several contenders sit poised to make their move. Origin Of Love lines up in the Lowland Stakes with 7 points, just one behind the trio of Ohope Wins, Tellum, and Tajana, all sitting on 8. A top-three finish would elevate her into outright third and keep her in the hunt as the pressure mounts. Crimson Sky also returns with points to her name, courtesy of a last-start third in the Desert Gold Stakes. Importantly, a victory in either the Lowland or the Fillies’ Classic—combined with success in the Oaks—could see any filly claim the series title, with a maximum of 20 points still available to those who are yet to win one of the remaining features. The battle for Filly of the Year status promises to be as open as it is fiercely contested. The stage is set for the Lowland Stakes as Race 6 at Trentham on Saturday, with connections keenly aware that a bold performance now could prove decisive in the race for New Zealand’s most coveted filly crown.
Tajana remains in the hunt for line honours (pic: Kenton Wright Race Images)
Damask Rose Set to Bloom in Bellmaine Stakes
Friday, 30th January 2026
With two wins and a third from four previous first up runs, the Mark Walker-trained Damask Rose (Savabeel-Sombreuil, by Flying Spur) will appreciate the inside barrier in Saturday's Gr3 Bellmaine Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield. A winner of last year's Karaka 3YO Million before victory in the $3.5m Listed The Kiwi (1500m) where she defeated the Ben, Will & JD Hayes-trained Evaporate (Per Incanto) who was competitive at Group 1 level in the spring, the mare has been unsuccessful in all four of her Australian starts during the spring, but with a local campaign now under her belt, she looks capable of producing the goods. Left slightly flat footed last start in the Gr3 Standish Handicap (1200m) down the Flemington straight behind Disneck (Trapeze Artist), Richard and Chantelle Jolly's Aviatress (Smart Missile-Twin Star Rocket, by Bel Esprit) should appreciate the step up to 1400m at the fourth start of her campaign and with a win and a second from three starts over the Caulfield 1400m, she looks a leading contender. Drawn wide in gate 10 of 11, the Michael Mehgan entry Bossy Benita (So You Think-Bossy Woman, by Fastnet Rock) has a win and a second from three previous first up runs and coming into Saturday with a recent jumpout victory, the Lachlan Neindorf ridden 4YO mare should not be discounted in a race that looks pretty competitive.
700 Hong Kong Wins for David Hayes
Friday, 30th January 2026
Milestones and emerging talent were the hallmarks of a landmark evening at Happy Valley, where David Hayes celebrated his 700th Hong Kong winner and moved within striking distance of the trainers’ championship lead. The occasion was made all the more notable by a race-to-race double – his fifth winner in the last two meetings – and the tantalising promise of a future Derby contender unveiled on Wednesday night. Fifteen seasons and two spells have been required to amass such a tally, but for the two-time champion trainer, reflection was brief. Hayes’s focus is already fixed firmly on the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby in March, after another successful night underscored his stable’s remarkable momentum. The latest double began with Dylan Browne McMonagle, who rode out his claim in style with a determined victory aboard Romantic Son in the first section of the Class 3 Southorn Handicap over 1200m – a breakthrough win for the young Irishman during his three-month stint in the city. Praise for McMonagle was swift and emphatic. “It was a very good job from Dylan,” said Hayes, an Australian Racing Hall of Famer. “I think he’s a high-class jockey and Hong Kong is just learning how good he is. I think you’ll find it’s just the start of many winners for him.” Confidence in his young rider was soon matched by another Hayes-trained winner, as Keith Yeung guided China Win to success in the O’Brien Handicap (1800m). Yeung’s mount, competing in Class 3 company for the first time, ran down Tony Cruz’s long-time leader Liveandletlive, with a late surge that signalled Derby ambitions might be well placed. With two wins and a second from his last three outings over 1800m, China Win is now being aimed at a Derby start, with Hayes planning to try him over 2000m next. The winning double was particularly sweet, with both winners carrying the Lindsay Park Racing colours, a nod to family tradition that still resonates for Hayes. “It’s good to have a double in my stable colours. That gave me a big thrill.” Elsewhere on the card, another milestone was notched as David Eustace chalked up his 50th Hong Kong win, courtesy of Ragga Bomb’s emphatic three-length success under Hugh Bowman.
China Win carried the famous Hayes livery to success (pic: hkjc.com)
Hayes Goes on the Front Foot for Attention
Friday, 30th January 2026
Meanwhile, blinkers are set to come into play as the Four-Year-Old Classic Series begins in Hong Kong, with David Hayes convinced that the gear change could unlock another dimension for a grey colt whose best Australian form hinted at real talent. The move, timed for Sunday’s HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile, sees Public Attention (NZ) don the headgear for the first time since his import from Australia – a decision the trainer has deliberately held back for this pivotal Sha Tin test over 1600m. Placed at Group 1 level before export, Public Attention has quickly adapted to Hong Kong conditions, running top-four in all three local appearances so far. Stepping up to a mile and reunited with blinkers, the same setup that brought him a Group 3 victory in last year’s Eskimo Prince Stakes in Sydney, connections are hoping for a sharp edge when the pressure is turned up. The Written Tycoon gelding’s Australian credentials are substantial, and his new connections have designs on Hong Kong’s major prizes, with owner Karen Lo also campaigning Cap Ferrat, the reigning BMW Hong Kong Derby winner, and two-time Group 2 winner Straight Arron. “I think he’s been crying out for blinkers,” Hayes explained. “I think he’s primed to run well in what is a really, really competitive race – probably the best this season. He has very good form in Australia. It’ll be first-time blinkers. We’ve resisted putting them on, but we’ve saved it for this race. He raced in them in Australia.” Hayes knows what it takes to peak a horse for this circuit, having captured the Hong Kong Classic Mile twice before. Recent formlines suggest Public Attention is building to a major performance, with strong finishes behind Private Life in last year’s Caulfield Guineas and a midfield effort in New Zealand’s lucrative slot race at Ellerslie further underscoring his depth. Cheek pieces were the gear of choice when he first arrived in Hayes’s yard, netting a second and a third in initial Hong Kong runs, but Sunday’s engagement brings a new layer of expectation. The trainer also saddles Akashvani for the same feature, with Brenton Avdulla to ride Public Attention and Luke Ferraris aboard Akashvani. Sunday’s Classic Mile has drawn a deep field, including contenders like Sagacious Life, Little Paradise, Invincible Ibis, and Circuit Grand Slam. Reserves include Pope Cody, Daryl Flash, and The Golden Knight, among others, ensuring competition for a spot is fierce and the stage is set for a defining performance.
For Graffard the Racing World is His Oyster
Friday, 30th January 2026
A new era of ambition is unfolding for Francis Graffard, as the renowned French trainer sets his sights on keeping a string of horses in the United States – with the ultimate dream of one day winning the Kentucky Derby. After a landmark 2025 season that brought his first Grade 1 American success with Gezora in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, Graffard is openly plotting a broader American campaign. The allure of US turf racing is clear for Graffard, who sees untapped potential for European horses on the American stage. "I love American racing, and I think there's plenty of opportunity, especially on turf," he said in a candid discussion on the BloodHorse Monday podcast. "I need a bit of time to organise myself, but I always think about having a bunch of horses in a stable over there to compete in the meeting at Saratoga. It should be my goal and my objective, because I have a big yard." While expansion is the long-term aim, Graffard is also motivated by the historic prestige of the Kentucky Derby, a race that has drawn the attention of top European trainers for generations. The momentum behind Graffard's aspirations is unmistakable. His breakthrough Breeders' Cup win capped a record-breaking year in which he notched up 14 Group 1 victories for a new French benchmark, including Daryz's triumph in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and Calandagan's coronation as Longines World's Best Racehorse. He became the only trainer to have two horses among the world's top nine, underscoring a season of rare achievement. Reflecting on the Breeders' Cup, Graffard was quick to praise both the event's stature and the opportunities it presents. "The Breeders' Cup is doing a fantastic job to make it a big, special event," he said. "It comes at the perfect time of year for European trainers and I will target all of them – the Breeders' Cup races – don't worry." But his American plans stretch well beyond championship weekends. Kentucky Downs, with its lucrative prize-money and bonus structure for Kentucky-breds, is a specific target. "I think Kentucky Downs is very interesting. Kentucky-breds have extra bonuses and the turf racing really suits the type of horses we have in Europe." There's a growing curiosity about dirt racing, too, sparked by a conversation with Ryan Moore in Hong Kong, who pointed out that the Japan Cup and Kentucky Derby are among the world's most elusive prizes. "I will be looking for dirt horses as well. Hopefully one day I can win the big one," Graffard enthused. As Graffard's ambitions turn west, his achievements are being recognised on the world stage. Princess Zahra Aga Khan accepted a special honour at the Japan Racing Association's Tokyo ceremony after Calandagan became the first foreign-trained horse acknowledged by the JRA for his Japan Cup victory. Calandagan's place as Longines World's Best Racehorse for 2025 is secure, with a return to the Dubai Sheema Classic and a defence of his Japan Cup title in the pipeline. For Graffard, a Kentucky Derby triumph would complete the circle, a crowning moment in a career already defined by bold international ventures.
Neil Werrett Secures The Debut Runner-Up Share
Friday, 30th January 2026
Interest in quality bloodstock remains high, as evidenced by a flurry of bidding that erupted during the latest Magic Millions Digital sale. Among the headline results, a 20 per cent share in recent The Debut runner-up Say You Will found a new home after being keenly contested by eight individual bidders. The final hammer fell at $30,000, with the share ultimately secured by Neil Werrett of Werrett Bloodstock a familiar figure in leading ownership ranks across the country. Munce Racing, acting as agent for an international client, managed the sale and was quick to praise the digital platform for its reach and efficiency. Trainer Chris Munce was enthusiastic about the outcome, describing the experience as “fantastic” and noting, “The support from Magic Millions Digital was fantastic and the results really do speak for themselves.” He went on to say, “A great outcome for our owners and our stable.” The appetite for ownership opportunities didn’t stop there. Another offering from Munce Racing, this time a 20 per cent share in Saxon Spirit, was hotly pursued, with 28 bids pushing the final price to $13,000. Such was the level of interest that bidding continued past the scheduled end time, highlighting just how sought-after the shares were among prospective buyers. Top price honours for the sale went to Lord Momo, an unexposed maiden galloper out of Western Australia. The son of Contributor caught the eye with a powerful second-place finish on debut at Bunbury, storming home from tenth at the 400-metre mark. His performance proved compelling enough for Perth trainer Brandon Fiore to go to $50,000 to secure the horse, fending off interest from buyers in both the west and eastern states. Fiore attributed much of his decision to the ease of the Magic Millions Digital process and the proactive communication from the sales team. “The platform is great,” he said. “I love buying tried horses and the platform is so easy to use.” He singled out Charlotte from Magic Millions Digital for praise, saying her pitch made all the difference in pursuing the purchase. Other successful vendors in the sale included leading outfits like Ciaron Maher Racing, Roll the Dice Racing and Mt Hallowell Stud. With entries for the next sale set to open, the digital platform continues to prove its value in connecting buyers and sellers nationwide.
