Few weeks on the calendar hold as much promise for Te Akau Racing as the one that pairs the Karaka Millions with NZB's National Yearling Sale, and this year's festivities began with a performance that hit just the right note. A debut runner delivered immediate reward when a Mega Maiden bonus at Wanganui was secured, setting the tone for a week focused on emerging talent and new ownership dreams. The filly, Bolli Belle, at the centre of attention, acquired for $75,000 from Westbury Stud's Book 1 Karaka draft, showed a maturity beyond her three years to claim Monday's $18,500 NZB Mega Maiden Series (1340m) and collect a $10,360 winner's cheque. The victory also unlocked a further $25,000 in Mega Maiden bonuses, of which $20,000 went to her ownership group, with trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson sharing the remaining $5,000. The result was particularly sweet given the setbacks faced in recent outings, where a succession of wide barriers had led to scratchings and patient frustration. Stable apprentice Hayley Hassman was tasked with guiding the filly from a prominent position, sitting on the outside of the well-fancied Sierra Leone. Once the straightened field gave her clear running, Hassman pressed forward and the response was decisive—three and a half lengths the official margin, confirming what the stable had suspected about her potential. Mark Walker praised both rider and ownership group in the aftermath. "It was a really good win, and I thank the owners for their patience. We've just had so many wide draws with the filly of late, which resulted in her being scratched. It was a competitive ride by Hayley to put her in the race, and she's a filly that will just keep improving. She's got plenty of size and scope to her and just requires continuing to develop and filling out her frame." That sense of promise extended beyond the finish line, with David Ellis observing that the bonus win was the perfect way to introduce many syndicate members to racing ownership. "The week started well with Bolli Belle, raced mostly by new owners to racing, winning by three and a half lengths on debut," he commented on the Te Akau Racing website, encapsulating the mood around the stable. The NZB Mega Maiden Series, supported by Entain, distributes $1 million in bonuses across 40 non-Saturday New Zealand maiden races annually. Last season's initiative paid out to connections from Pukekohe Park to Gore, with Terry Lines notably taking out two bonuses with Suavetta and Reprobate. Monday's result made Bolli Belle the sixth horse to strike in the 2025–26 series, and attention now turns to the next Mega Maiden race over 1600m at Ascot Park on Thursday.
Bolli Belle secured a nice bonus for connections (pic: Te Akau Racing)
Pride Counting on Patience Being a Virtue
Wednesday, 21st January 2026
Change of plans is nothing new in the training game, but Joe Pride approaches each curveball with pragmatism and calm. That approach comes to the fore this week as talented mare Big Red Tequila lines up in the All Too Hard Yearlings Handicap (1000m), a target that wasn't even on the radar when her program was mapped out just a fortnight ago. Initially, Pride had aimed her at The Lakes meeting at Wyong, where short-priced favouritism beckoned, but after pausing on the day due to uncertain conditions, he now finds himself welcoming a rain-affected track at Kensington. Handling the wet is not something that gives him pause. In fact, Pride is quietly optimistic, telling racingnsw.com.au, "She's really good in the wet, she won a Canterbury maiden on a really heavy track." With more rain expected midweek, he believes the surface will only be to her advantage. "It's going to be wet to some degree and that will only help her." There's every indication she'll cope, both with the change in distance – dropping to 1000m – and the break between runs, with Pride's confidence growing thanks to solid form lines. A recent third behind Ice Kool in a strong Benchmark 72 at Randwick suggests she's ready for the next step. No trial was deemed necessary in the lead-up for the mare by Shamus Award, and Pride sees no reason to doubt her readiness. "On the fresh side, without a trial in between, I would have thought 1000m is all right. She was ready to go at 1100m the other day," he said, noting the flexibility of class horses to handle slight shifts in distance. "There's two ways of looking at it. You could say 1000m races are for 1000m horses but class carries horses a long way. She's carrying into this race some pretty good form. She's lightly raced, she tries hard, she's a nice type of mare. She's got plenty going for her, I'm sure she'll win some Saturday races for the stable." Another lightly raced member of Pride's team, Vanlee, holds a nomination as well. Her performance as runner-up to Lull at Canterbury on New Year's Day caught the eye, and Pride is weighing up whether to run, depending on track conditions. "It was a good run the other day, it didn't quite go her way first-up but I thought she ran well," he observed. "I'd be concerned if it was a real genuine heavy track, I don't think it will be but I might take her out if it was heavy. A soft track would be okay." On Tuesday afternoon, Vanlee was at $8 eachway odds, with Big Red Tequila joint $2.80 favourite with the Peter Snowden-trained Nazwah.
Heat Stroke Hastens Far Too Easy Retirement
Wednesday, 21st January 2026
News that Far Too Easy’s retirement had finally arrived settled over the Gold Coast stables with a mix of pride and heartbreak, a moment every racing partnership dreads yet somehow expects, reveals punters.com.au. On a searing Saturday, after watching his stable star falter from heat stress in the $1 million Magic Millions Snippets, David McColm realised the chapter he’d shared with the seven-year-old All Too Hard gelding was closing for good. Nine wins and a glittering $2.4 million in prizemoney across 29 starts had already secured Far Too Easy’s place among country racing’s best-loved heroes, but the sight of the brave sprinter struggling past the post made the decision feel both sudden and inevitable. The formal farewell was held on Tuesday, when the McColm stable and their circle of loyal owners gathered to toast a horse whose journey had become their own. “It was distressing, he was pretty crook afterwards,” McColm confided to Punters, still raw from the emotion of the weekend. The call to retire him came late that evening, shared over drinks and memories with wife Jude and longtime friends Donald and Mary Wardlaw – an end marked not by racing’s roar, but by the quieter solidarity of those who’d travelled every step together. “For us being a small stable, it’s a little bit of an emotional decision and certainly not one that we’ve taken lightly,” McColm reflected. “But we’ve known for quite a while that he was closer to the end of his career than the beginning.” A lingering battle with foot problems had shadowed the campaign for the past year. “To see him under stress like that on Saturday was not nice. We are just so proud of him, he’s been tremendous to us.” Hints that retirement was looming had surfaced as far back as six months ago, and his recent second-up effort, a gritty fifth in the Falvelon Quality, suggested the spark was dimming despite flashes of former brilliance. “He is getting on and he’s done such a wonderful job for us,” McColm acknowedged. What set Far Too Easy apart wasn’t just the trophies or cheques, but a spirit that seemed incapable of giving less than everything. “Even when he was not at his best, he still put in 100 per cent and he just tried so hard. He’s been a dream to have around and in the stable. These types of horses don’t come around often so he’ll certainly be missed.” The ultimate high came in October 2024 when, after three near-misses, the gelding finally conquered The Kosciuszko under Craig Williams, a fitting reward for years of near-glory and heartbreaking close calls against rivals like Front Page. “Far Too Easy was a sectional star in every Kosciuszko – even when he ran second he was sensational. When he won it was definitely a career highlight and very emotional.”
Al Quoz Sprint Litmus Test for Fast Network
Wednesday, 21st January 2026
A test against the reigning sprint star at Sha Tin this weekend may determine whether Dennis Yip maps out an international campaign for his stable’s in-form five-year-old. Fast Network, fresh off a sharp trial win at Conghua last Friday, is poised for another shot at Timeform Horse of the Year Ka Ying Rising in Sunday’s Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m), a race that scmp.com reports will likely decide if Dubai becomes the next stop for the talented gelding. Having finished third behind Ka Ying Rising in the recent Hong Kong Sprint, Fast Network (Wrote) continues to progress and is now edging closer to his first overseas assignment. The focus is squarely on how he shapes up against the world’s best sprinter, with his trainer carefully weighing up a possible tilt at the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai. “He’s in really good form. He trialled at Conghua and went really well,” Yip noted, pointing to the trial performance as an encouraging sign. Jockey James McDonald, who was aboard for the impressive runner-up finish to Ka Ying Rising in the Group 2 Sprint Cup in November and again in the Hong Kong Sprint, is set to partner the gelding once more. Connections are confident that a bold showing will confirm Fast Network’s readiness for a global test, especially with his proven record against elite company on home soil. Should plans progress, Fast Network would be aiming to become just the fourth Hong Kong-trained horse to claim the Al Quoz Sprint crown, joining the ranks of California Spangle (2024), Amber Sky (2014), and Joy And Fun (2010). The race, offering a prize pool of US$1.5 million, has grown in prestige and remains a coveted target for Hong Kong’s best speedsters. Meanwhile, the Dubai World Cup meeting is set to feature a strong Hong Kong presence across several dirt features. Mark Newnham’s Talents Ambition is among the Godolphin Mile hopefuls, while Manfred Man’s Self Improvement and Chris So’s Sing Dragon are both targeting the Golden Shaheen. Adding further intrigue, Lucky Sweynesse, one of the region’s most prolific Group One winners and a former superstar sprinter,will stretch out to a mile for the first time in Sunday’s Stewards’ Cup, underlining the ambition of Hong Kong trainers this season.
The Monarch is Gone, Long Live the Monarch
Wednesday, 21st January 2026
A seismic shift has rippled through the ranks of Australian racing with the retirement of 12-time Group 1 heroine Via Sistina, whose near-invincibility on the turf over the past two seasons has left a vacuum that contenders old and new now jostle to fill. In the wake of her departure, racing.com reports the landscape feels less predictable – an open invitation for a new standard-bearer to emerge, whether from familiar faces, up-and-comers, or the ever-intriguing overseas acquisitions waiting in the wings. The start of the year finds the hierarchy in flux, with the coveted title of Australia’s premier active galloper up for grabs as mid-season approaches. Within weeks, the top echelon has been further thinned by the news that Mr Brightside, himself an eight-year-old stalwart, will see his campaign halted by a season-ending injury. These twin departures have cracked the door for the next generation, hinting at a coming-of-age for a cluster of younger talent whose credentials have been partially masked by the enduring shadow cast by their elders. As a result, autumn looms as a proving ground for both the established five- and six-year-olds and a surging band of four-year-olds eager to force a ratings shake-up. Ceowulf currently leads the way among active horses with a 119 rating. Now five, he sits just ahead of six-year-old Jimmysstar, who holds a share of second on the rating table. Both retain plenty of racing ahead, yet the sense persists that the next leap in ratings is most likely to come from the emerging brigade – four-year-olds who have signalled their intentions late last year and now look primed to assert themselves. Autumn Glow, Lady Shenandoah, and Treasurethe Moment, each now rated 115 after strong late-season efforts, have put their names firmly in the frame. The possibilities extend further. Chris Waller’s high opinion of Aeliana, a four-year-old rated 112, is no secret, with the suggestion she could eventually inherit the crown vacated by Via Sistina. Trinity College, another four-year-old now in the Yulong colours and a multi-million dollar purchase after placing in a French Group 1, is expected to return with purpose. The likes of Ceowulf may face limitations in further boosting his credentials, with all four Group 1 wins coming at a mile. Meanwhile, Sir Delius (117) returns from a welfare-mandated spell just as Pride Of Jenni, Antino, and Fangirl – all members of the older brigade – resume campaigns with the hope of one more top-level highlight. Giga Kick’s resurgence as he targets the Lightning Stakes and TJ Smith only adds to the sense that, in the post–Via Sistina era, there are more questions than answers, and a rare opportunity for a new order to announce itself.
Autumn Glow (gold and black silks) is still untapped (pic: supplied)
Key 4YOs Return Ahead of HKJC Classic Series
Wednesday, 21st January 2026
Patience paid off across the board at Sha Tin on Sunday, as several promising four-year-olds returned from setbacks or signaled readiness for greater challenges ahead. According to racenet.com.au, amid the glare of the Hong Kong Classic Series build-up, Patch Of Cosmo’s fighting return from a tendon injury proved the day’s most compelling story, but there was no shortage of rising stars making their presence felt. After almost a year on the sidelines, Super Seth gelding Patch Of Cosmo had plenty of doubters to silence and a difficult draw to overcome. His neck victory in the Class 2 over Aerodynamics and Pope Cody, clocked in a smart 1:34.53, underscored both toughness and latent ability. Zac Purton, quick to credit Manfred Man’s handling of the horse’s rehabilitation, acknowledged just how difficult it is for a horse to step straight into the cauldron of Class 3 company, carrying weight, after a long injury layoff. “That’s not easy to do,” Purton remarked. Looking ahead, he felt Patch Of Cosmo deserved a shot at the Hong Kong Classic Mile, adding that for a lightly raced galloper, “there’s plenty more there.” David Hayes had every reason to be upbeat about Akashvani, whose emphatic front-running win in the second section of the Class 3 Fencing Handicap confirmed both talent and tactical speed. Avdulla had the 72-rater humming along, forging clear to score by three lengths, and Hayes expects a rating boost to put him firmly in Classic Mile calculations. “That was his best win in Hong Kong,” Hayes said, suggesting a mile will suit even better if the draw is kind. Earlier, Emblazon enhanced his own credentials for Cody Mo and Chau with a tenacious display in the first section of the Fencing Handicap, bringing up his third win from six attempts. Later in the day, Francis Lui continued a hot streak, saddling a treble thanks to Lucky Twin Stars, Hot Delight, and Amazing Partners. Vincent Ho, aboard Hot Delight, praised the young horse’s versatility after a tough run from a wide barrier. Lui himself noted the good judgment of owner Peter Law, who entrusted him with the progressive gelding. Jamie Richards joined the party with a double, courtesy of City Gold Banner’s patient, last-to-first win under Purton in the 1000m Medallists Cup, and Cool Boy’s gritty Class 4 Cycling Handicap success with James Orman. In the final event, Irishman Dylan Browne McMonagle broke his local duck, guiding Flow Water Flow home for John Size, and was quick to credit Size’s ongoing support. On a day rich in comebacks and breakout performances, Sha Tin’s Four-Year-Old Series picture became just that little bit clearer – while the road to March’s Derby now features a handful of fresh, determined faces.
Patch of Cosmo has returned in fine fettle from a tendon injury (pic: hkjc.com)
Forster Ready to Get Best Out of Bold Bidder
Wednesday, 21st January 2026
A reputation for getting the best out of tried horses is what sets Desleigh Forster apart in Queensland’s competitive training ranks, notes racingqueensland.com.au. The Eagle Farm horsewoman has built her career on patience, precise placement, and a hands-on approach that has seen her become one of the most respected conditioners in the state, with the crowning achievement of a Group 1 victory in the 2022 Kingsford Smith Cup with Apache Chase. That top sprinter delivered a string of high-level performances under Forster’s guidance, retiring with nine wins from 26 starts and banking over $2.1 million. Forster’s attention to detail and her reputation for individual care are central reasons why owners Ron and Judy Wanless have entrusted her with Bold Bidder, a former Sydney galloper looking for a fresh start. The four-year-old by Fastnet Rock has seen a succession of stables since beginning his career with Bjorn Baker, moving from Kembla Grange to the Eagle Farm set-up of Matthew Hoysted, then briefly to Toowoomba with Troy Pascoe. After three unplaced runs for Pascoe, the Wanlesses opted for another change, sending Bold Bidder to a trainer they’ve worked with before – and one who knows how to turn a horse around. A second at Lismore over 1120 metres marked Bold Bidder’s debut for Forster, who now lines him up from barrier seven in Wednesday’s Class 2 Handicap at Ipswich. There’s no grand plan for the gelding, but Forster sees reason for optimism. “He’s a nice horse and there’s nothing wrong with him,” she said. “He was entered for two races at Ipswich, but Ron only runs from good barriers. There are no big plans for him and we’ll just see how he goes but he’s been working well so I’m hopeful he’ll run well.” The mutual trust between Forster and her long-time clients is evident. “I’ve known Ron and Judy a long time and I’ve trained quite a few horses for them,” Forster added. “They’re wonderful people to train for.” The stable’s day at Ipswich will also feature Queen Of Light, a four-year-old So You Think mare previously prepared by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman in Victoria. She made her first start for Forster at Lismore earlier this month, finishing a close fourth in a maiden. With the move north and Forster’s steady hand, connections are hoping she, too, will soon find her feet in Queensland company.
Froggy Newitt Dazzles on Hobart Feature Card
Wednesday, 21st January 2026
Front-running tactics and expert timing proved decisive for Craig ‘Froggy’ Newitt on Sunday at Hobart, where the in-form jockey stamped his authority with a clean sweep of the card’s three feature races and four wins overall. According to tasracing.com.au, the track’s bias towards on-speed runners only sharpened Newitt’s advantage, and he made the most of every opportunity on a day that rewarded bold intent. Newitt’s feature-race roll began in the Kevin Sharkie Lady Lynette, a compact field but one boasting depth. Sanniya, heavily favoured for her first Hobart assignment and lumping topweight, showed no signs of hesitation, seizing the lead from the jump. Despite a late challenge from Press For Boom, the 3YO filly maintained her composure, pulling clear for a comfortable win as Zany Girl finished third after missing the start. Looking ahead, the bulk of this field, including Sanniya, is expected to progress to the Group 3 Mystic Journey Stakes, where the set weights will further tilt conditions in her favour. Trainer Barry Campbell, clearly delighted, quipped that a lighter impost next start was “just what we wanted.” A short time later, the Geard Family Blackflash Stakes delivered a test of nerves. Newitt’s mount, Swift Force, had things her own way in front but caught her jockey off guard by shying at a shadow late, still having enough in reserve to win by more than a length over Prince of Khatun and Geegees Missile. In just her second outing, the lightly raced filly underscored the potential that prompted her connections to invest at last year’s Tasmanian Magic Millions Sale. “She’s still learning and did that on raw ability – she just needs more racing to polish her manners,” Newitt reflected. Momentum continued in the day’s longest feature, the Aviso TAS Insurance Brokers Summer Cup, where Newitt again dictated terms from the front, this time on Victorian visitor Bank Maur. A strong, sustained gallop saw off all comers, with Devonport Cup winner Asva and the honest Wineglass Bay chasing in vain as heavily backed favourite Ziryab was posted wide and faded late. Trainer Richard Laming now sets his sights on the Gr3 Hobart Cup, with Bank Maur primed to shoulder a bigger weight against even stiffer opposition after this commanding display. The program closed with Newitt guiding First Line to a well-judged victory for John Keys, bookending a day when the veteran rider’s mastery was plain for all to see. If Sunday is any indication, the road to Tasmania’s autumn features will run straight through the hands of Craig Newitt.
Craig Newitt put on a riding clinic (pic: tasracing.com.au)
Birchley Hoping Luck Strikes a Third Time
Wednesday, 21st January 2026
Queensland trainer Liam Birchley is no stranger to Karaka Millions 2YO raids, having lifted the trophy with Sister Havana in 2010 and Hardline in 2015. Now, he returns to Ellerslie with Dream Roca and Vanzadee, both bringing recent wins and positive reports from their final jumpouts at the Sunshine Coast. Both fillies earned their places the hard way, each winning last start and pleasing their trainer with sharp 1200m work. Birchley says he doesn’t specifically target this race with yearling purchases, instead letting the horses show him they deserve the trip. “They’ve both put their hands up,” he explains. “They’ve done everything right at home and on the water walker, and then blew out the cobwebs at the Sunshine Coast last week. I’m delighted to bring them over.” Dream Roca, by El Roca, cost $75,000 from Westbury Stud’s Book 2 draft at Karaka. Vanzadee, by Vanbrugh, was a $26,000 buy from HGT Bloodstock. Birchley can’t split them on recent work or race form. “They both went over 1200m, kept a good gallop, and looked right on target for Ellerslie,” he says. On paper, neither filly looks a pure sprinter – Dream Roca’s out of a Redwood mare, and Vanzadee’s pedigree also suggests distance – but Birchley notes both show good early speed and can sustain it, a vital asset for the high-pressure Karaka Millions. “These races are often won by horses who are strong at the finish. Both fillies fit that profile.” Birchley’s confidence is buoyed by the form around both runners. Vanzadee, after a tongue tie resolved earlier issues, beat Double Cool, who went on to place in the Gold Coast 2YO Classic. Dream Roca defeated Rarotonga, a winner over Vanzadee previously. “Their form ties in well,” Birchley adds. The fillies and their trainer arrived in New Zealand the Sunday before the race, aiming to get a look at Ellerslie in open trackwork and hoping for favourable barriers. “You really want to draw inside – the first 400 metres can be frantic and a wide alley makes life difficult.” As well as preparing his two fillies, Birchley will be coordinating a large group of Australian owners, with more than forty involved in Vanzadee, including his sister Colleen. Dream Roca’s owners include Mark Baker and former Ellerslie chief executive Cameron George. “It’s a great week for clients; New Zealand Bloodstock always puts on a fantastic show, and people love the behind-the-scenes access.” With both fillies thriving and their form stacking up, Birchley hopes luck and a good draw are the final ingredients for another memorable Karaka Millions tilt.
Curlin 4YO Looking to Rewrite Pecking Order
Wednesday, 21st January 2026
A welcome return to familiar surroundings has marked the next chapter for Journalism, the star colt whose dazzling 3-year-old campaign made him a household name on both US coasts last season, reports bloodhorse.com. Back at Santa Anita following a refreshing winter spell at Bridlewood Farm in Florida, the multiple Grade 1 winner was out on the main track Saturday morning, jogging for the first time since shipping west. Trainer Michael McCarthy was quick to note his charge’s wellbeing: “It seemed like the ship went fine – he’s full of himself,” McCarthy said, adding, “Happy he’s back.” Few in the country could match the breadth of Journalism’s achievements last year. Alongside victories in the Santa Anita Derby and the Preakness, he swept the GI Haskell at Monmouth Park and the GII San Felipe at his home track. The only thing missing from a perfect record was a major classic win—he ran gallant seconds in the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and the GI Pacific Classic, before closing the year with a credible fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar, competing gamely against older rivals. Recognition followed swiftly, with Journalism being named a finalist for the Eclipse Award as North America’s outstanding 3-year-old male of 2025. The divisional prize, however, is tipped to land with east-coast star Sovereignty, who bagged five of six starts, including the Kentucky Derby, Belmont, and Travers. McCarthy revealed that Journalism did not miss a beat during his break, staying in light training at Bridlewood and primed to resume galloping at Santa Anita within days. Longer-term plans are still fluid, though the Metropolitan Handicap at Saratoga in June looms as a tantalizing early-season goal. “We’ll see how it goes here over the next couple of months. But yeah, that’s certainly something to think about,” McCarthy said. Owned by an elite syndicate headed by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Bridlewood Farm, as well as Coolmore’s Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, Journalism embarks on his four-year-old season with a record of 11: 6-3-1 and $4,348,880 in the bank.
