Mark Twain allegedly said that history doesn't repeat itself but it often rhymes. On Saturday at Moonee Valley, history did repeat itself – albeit in a blanket finish – as a champion mare, master trainer, and world-class jockey combined to close an era of the Cox Plate in unforgettable fashion. According to racing.com, the crowd rose as Via Sistina, under James McDonald, outlasted Chris Waller stablemate Buckaroo and the former's fellow Yulong-owned rival Treasurethe Moment in a pulsating finish that underlined her stature among the greats. It was a race of layers – strategy, stamina, and spirit – all converging in one relentless final furlong where three horses refused to yield until the last stride. From sixth in running, McDonald bided his time before the tempo lifted. Damian Lane made an audacious early move on Treasurethe Moment approaching the bend, forcing Via Sistina to circle wide and launch earlier than Waller might have liked. Buckaroo came with them, setting up a desperate three-way fight in the shadows of the post. The mare clawed her way past the leaders in the final 100 metres, and by the roar of the Valley it was clear another name would join the pantheon of repeat Cox Plate winners alongside Phar Lap, Sunline, Northerly, and Winx. The margin was narrow, but the moment immense. "It was a great race, a classic Cox Plate," said an emotional Waller, who has now claimed the race six times. "James had to get going early and he was five-wide at the school – you don't go before the school. Treasurethe Moment was awesome, she gave us something to chase. I'm glad Via won, but Buckaroo has run out of his skin." His first Cox Plate came with Winx in 2015, and the emotion was no less genuine this time. "First one was special; these are bonuses," he reflected. The win vindicated his quiet belief through two defeats in the Makybe Diva and Turnbull Stakes, when Via Sistina still rated off the charts. "All the data said she was flying," he added. "You just have to trust the process; don't panic, don't change anything, let the horses do the talking. She had to dig deep. I knew she could, and she did." For McDonald, the victory sealed a fourth consecutive Cox Plate crown, a streak that began with Anamoe in 2022 and continued with Romantic Warrior before twin triumphs aboard Via Sistina. "I'm so proud of her," he said. "She deserves to be spoken of in the same breath as Sunline and those sorts of horses. I'm just rapt that it was a proper run Cox Plate – [the] best horse shone through, and she deserves everything she gets. This one's a relief too. I love this place, I'm blessed to ride champion racehorses, blessed to be part of a champion stable, and how Hughey [Bowman] did it with Winx four times, I'll never know." The admiration between trainer and jockey ran both ways. "James is loyal and meticulous," Waller said. "He's worked months on this and only had eyes for her. He's the ultimate professional." McDonald returned the praise: "Waller's a genius, and the team behind her is exceptional – they just love their horses." With her second Cox Plate and fifteenth career win, Via Sistina's earnings s ared beyond $17.5 million, the mare's connections content to pause before plotting what may yet be a farewell lap for a champion who has already secured immortality.
NZB Ready to Run Footage Now Online
Weekend, 27th October 2025
Footage from one of the most anticipated lead-ups to New Zealand Bloodstock's 2025 Ready to Run Sale is now live, with all Breeze Up videos available to view online at nzb.co.nz. The two-day showcase at Te Rapa Racecourse saw more than 380 juveniles take to the turf, each covering the final 200 metres of their gallop under timed conditions. Day One of the Breeze Ups, held on Monday 20 October, produced an average time of 10.88 seconds across 184 two-year-olds. A brief morning shower cleared to fine weather, with wind gusts strengthening into the evening at up to 5.9 m/s (21.2 km/h). The track was rated a Soft 6 throughout. The following day, a further 202 juveniles breezed under mostly windy skies, recording an average time of 10.93. Gusts reached 7.4 m/s (26.7 km/h) and the track was rated a Soft 5. Combined across both sessions, the overall average time was 10.91. Each individual gallop has been captured in high-definition video and is now available for viewing on NZB's website, complete with weather conditions, wind speeds and directions for every lot. The videos include extended footage from near the 500-metre mark, allowing prospective buyers to assess each horse's stride and transition into full gallop. NZB has also published data from its anemometer recordings to assist buyers in interpreting the effect of wind during each run, along with a technical guide detailing the system's measurements. Videos are downloadable via Vimeo by selecting preferred size and quality settings. Broadcast coverage of the Breeze Ups will air lot-by-lot on Trackside in New Zealand, with times to be confirmed, and will also feature on Racing.com in Australia on Monday 27 October between 6 a.m. and 9.30 a.m. The Ready to Run Sale itself will see 480 catalogued two-year-olds go under the hammer from 10 a.m. on 12 and 13 November at the Karaka Sales Centre. Buyers wishing to attend in person can enquire about accommodation via travel@nzb.co.nz, while NZB and New Zealand-based agents remain available for private inspections and evaluations during on-farm parades, which commence on Thursday 30 October. A full parade schedule is available on the NZB website.
Six or Sticks for Indomitable Te Akau Stable
Weekend, 27th October 2025
In another formidable display of its local dominance on Saturday, Te Akau Racing snared six victories within three hours across New Zealand, highlighted by a Riccarton double that reinforced the stable's stranglehold on the nation's spring classics. At the centre of it all was Origin Of Love, whose gritty success in the Gr3 War Decree Stakes (1600 m) marked Te Akau's seventh triumph in the race, adding her name to an illustrious honour roll that includes Noverre, Hall Of Fame, Risque, Burgundy, King's Ransom and Tell A Tale. The Snitzel filly's win, backed by the team's depth and precision, continued a lineage of excellence that now stretches over fifteen years. Raced by the Te Akau 2024 Magic Fillies Breeding Syndicate, Origin Of Love lined up as the $3.40 second favourite behind her stablemate War Of Silence. Joe Doyle positioned her beautifully on the rail behind Student Of War and Shoma, though she raced a shade keen through the first 600 metres. As the field straightened, Doyle angled her clear, and the filly responded with determination, gathering in the leaders before staving off late bids from War Of Silence and Professional Lad to score narrowly. "She's a talented filly," Doyle said. "She travelled a bit strongly and she's still a touch green, but she's very likeable. We got the split when we needed it, and she's got a good constitution. Even if you're not on Te Akau's best one, you could still be on the best one." It was a moment of vindication for the stable's patient handling of a filly bred to stay. A daughter of Camelot mare Re Edit, a three-time Australian winner and Gr2 placegetter, Origin Of Love was a A$440,000 purchase by David Ellis at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She has now won twice from four starts for $76,040 in earnings. TAB markets reacted swiftly, tightening her to $21 for the Gr1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600 m) and $26 for the 2000 Guineas a week later. Walker described her as "a great-walking filly with a really good pedigree by the late, great Snitzel, and Joe gave her a perfect ride. She's improving all the time and peaking right when it matters. It's terrific to get a black-type win for her owners and breeders." At Ellerslie, the premiership leaders unveiled another classic prospect when Belle Cheval, a Savabeel filly having only her second start, stormed home to claim the TAB 1400 m. Sent out a well-backed $18 into $6 chance after an eye-catching debut third at Taup?, she settled worse than midfield before unleashing a blistering turn of foot to win by two-and-a-half lengths. "What I liked about her," Craig Grylls said, "was how she relaxed even when they slowed the tempo. She switched off beautifully and then changed legs and took off." Bred and co-owned by David Archer, Belle Cheval is a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner (The) Bostonian, both out of Keepa Cheval – herself a half-sister to Mufhasa, the 10-time Group 1 champion who carried the same colours to fame.
Origin of Love formed part of a big kiwi day for Te Akau (pic: Ajay Berry Race Images South)
Laced Up Heels Confirmed In Foal to Zoustar
Weekend, 27th October 2025
A promising new chapter has opened for Geisel Park's broodmare band with confirmation that Laced Up Heels has tested in foal on her first cover to champion sire Zoustar. The result provided an upbeat end to a rewarding week for the Western Australian Myalup operation and came barely two years after the mare's defining moment on the track, when she defeated future superstar Amelia's Jewel in the LR Burgess Queen Stakes at Ascot. By Toronado from the Exceed And Excel mare A City Girl, Laced Up Heels was retired earlier this year following a short but spirited campaign highlighted by a fast-finishing second in the $200,000 The Joey (1200m), where she came from last to finish within a length of Twain's Angel. Purchased for $100,000 at the 2021 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale, she proved a valuable addition to Geisel Park's broodmare roster, her pedigree further strengthened by the exploits of second dam Lady Knockout, winner of the Belmont Guineas–Oaks double and Flemington's Gr3 Matron Stakes, and third dam Prime Again, who captured the Gr2 WA Champion Fillies for breeder Dallas Dempster. Stud manager Conor Dunlop described the Zoustar result as a welcome lift following an emotional fortnight for the team. "The Laced Up Heels news came on top of another good weekend for our stallions," he said. "And that followed the amazing response to find a foster mare for an Aysar colt from our mare Cosmic Jeuney, who sadly died in surgery due to post-foaling complications. We were overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone who reached out, and 'Cosmo' has now bonded beautifully with his foster mother. It was a truly heart-warming outcome." Dunlop also thanked Yarradale Stud for its assistance and described the community spirit as "a reminder of how strong this industry can be in moments that really matter." Among the mares to remain at Geisel Park, Cosmic Jeuney's yearling filly by Playing God has already caught Dunlop's eye as a likely six-figure candidate for the 2026 Perth Magic Millions. Her own dam Impressive Jeuney won the 2010 WA Oaks and finished runner-up to Playing God in that year's Kingston Town Classic, underlining the family's depth. Meanwhile, resident sire Winning Rupert continues to enhance his reputation, rising to second behind Playing God on the WA Sires Table after his sprinter Iowna Merc was narrowly beaten in the Gr3 Sydney Stakes at Randwick. The $2 million feature produced contrasting fortunes for connections, with the difference between victory and defeat measured in both a bob of the head and $776,500 in prizemoney. Jockey Ash Morgan praised the gelding's effort, describing him as "a superstar who deserves to win a big prize." Trainer Bjorn Baker, already twice a Quokka hero with Overpass, has since nominated Iowna Merc for the Railway Stakes and Gold Rush in Perth.
Transatlantic Franks His Gr1 Toorak Win
Weekend, 27th October 2025
A streak of dominant spring form reached new heights at Randwick where Transatlantic produced another emphatic display to claim the $1 million Five Diamonds Prelude and underline his standing among the nation's elite milers. A fortnight after landing his maiden Group 1 in the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield, the Tony Gollan-trained son of Snitzel scarcely broke sweat, striding clear for a contemptuous 2.2-length victory that left rivals toiling. Bred by Go Bloodstock and offered through Segenhoe Stud's Easter draft, the bay was purchased for $360,000 by Gollan in partnership with Harbour Equine and respected judge John Foote. Now an eight-time winner from 21 starts with earnings approaching $1.9 million, Transatlantic continues to repay the faith of a team that had long seen flashes of star quality. "He was a beautiful yearling but he just needed time," recalled Segenhoe's Peter O'Brien. "John Foote, who is a judge I respect as much as anyone, loved him and bought him for Tony and I couldn't rate the horse more highly, so we went in thankfully. He's really the measure of Tony – he's said all along the horse was good, and isn't he proving it now." Gollan's meticulous conditioning again showed as the gelding cruised through the week, leaving connections confident of another major strike. Attention now turns to the $2 million Five Diamonds at Rosehill on November 8, where Transatlantic will attempt to complete a rich treble of spring plunder. For Segenhoe, the success extends a golden run of Easter graduates delivering at the highest level. "Tony has managed him superbly, and we're proud of the ongoing success of Segenhoe and Easter," O'Brien said. Moonee Valley's Cox Plate Day provided further cause for Inglis celebration when Easter graduates dominated the undercard. Exciting colt Napoleonic, by Wootton Bassett, led home an Inglis trifecta in the Gr3 Red Anchor Stakes, charging from near last to win with ease under James McDonald for trainers John O'Shea and Tom Charlton. Bred by Bill Frost and sold through Widden for $360,000 to Dean Hawthorne on behalf of Jonathan Munz, the three-year-old now boasts three wins from six starts. "He's a lovely horse and he'll only get better with racing," Charlton said. Later on the card, the improving grey Salty Pearl backed up from her close-up Thousand Guineas performance to capture the Gr2 Fillies Classic for Ciaron Maher and Adrien Senechaud's Starblue Consultancy, rewarding their eye for value after paying $75,000 for the filly at the Classic Sale. Meanwhile, the consistent Von Hauke (Savabeel) collected the Gr2 Crystal Mile for Cliff Brown, pushing his prizemoney towards $950,000 and capping another banner afternoon for Australasian sales graduates.
$1 million Five Diamonds Prelude winner Transatlantic (pic: Mark Gatt)
Gerard Looks for Guineas History to Repeat
Weekend, 27th October 2025
A proven blueprint for classic success could be about to repeat itself as Matamata trainer Pam Gerard sets her sights on another tilt at the New Zealand 2000 Guineas, twelve months after Savaglee blazed a spring trail through the same path. That campaign delivered the Savabeel colt four wins from five starts, including the rescheduled Gr2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) and a dominant three-length triumph in the Gr1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m). This season Gerard returns to the same race with another rising star in last-start Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) winner Affirmative Action, accompanied by stablemate Romanoff. Affirmative Action burst onto the scene at Taupo in August with a promising third on debut before announcing himself in the Colin Meads with an all-the-way performance that defied his $70 starting price. The victory rocketed him into genuine Guineas contention, with bookmakers installing him an $8 chance for the $700,000 feature on November 15. But Gerard has again had to juggle weather-related setbacks, just as she did with Savaglee last year, with Affirmative Action scratched on race morning from the Gr2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) after Te Rapa came up a Heavy 9 on September 27. “Everything’s been good with him in this campaign, apart from the weather,” Gerard said. “It’s been far from ideal, but it is what it is and we can’t control it. He’s done some nice bits of work at home, and he went up to Auckland for an exhibition gallop between races last Saturday. That brought him on nicely and I think he’s going into Monday as fit as we can get him without lining him up on raceday.” A son of The Everest winner Yes Yes Yes, Affirmative Action is expected to relish the step to 1400 metres and Gerard isn’t fazed by his wide draw in barrier 10. “He’s a big, strong horse who relaxes beautifully in his races, so I don’t think he’ll have any trouble going further,” she said. “And the fact that he’s a big, rangy horse who likes to get rolling means that being out a bit wider keeps him out of trouble. I don’t see it as a disadvantage.” Stablemate Romanoff, who showed flashes of promise as a juvenile, returns as a gelding and is beginning to put the pieces together after finishing third behind Lubeck and Cream Tart at Rotorua. “That was a good enough effort fresh,” Gerard explained. “He’s got some talent. He trialled against horses like La Dorada in his younger days and was very competitive. His coltiness just started to get to him towards the end of that preparation. He’s back as a gelding now and showing more promising signs.” George Rooke will again partner Affirmative Action, while Vinnie Colgan rides Romanoff, with both remaining live entries for the Guineas depending on Monday’s results.
Beadman Could Well Live up to Moniker
Weekend, 27th October 2025
The next potential star of the Snowden stable will be unveiled on Saturday when highly regarded colt Beadman bids to stamp his name among the country’s premier sprinters in the Gr1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington. Named after former champion jockey Darren beadman, the colt Beadmanb – he's by late Arrowfield champion sire Snitzel – has been a project of patience and precision, according to racenet.com.au, and Peter Snowden believes the colt is ready to justify the confidence that’s surrounded him since day one. Last Friday’s jumpout down the famous straight in Melbourne provided a valuable preview, Beadman finishing second behind Balastier while the highly accomplished Gr1 Golden Rose winner Beiwacht ran third. “He seemed pretty focused and jumped out nicely,” Snowden said after the workout. “We weren’t worried about the leader, we were just trialling the horse, that’s all. We held him up early and the last 300 metres he worked to the line—he was really good.” Beiwacht heads the Coolmore market at $2.80 ahead of fellow Godolphin-owned Tentyris ($3.50), with Beadman on the third line at $5. The colt’s recent second in the Gr2 Roman Consul Stakes at Randwick was full of merit after being severely held up for a run (see below), and with form around quality opposition – Napoleonic, who finished fourth that day, franked the race by bolting in with the Gr3 Red Anchor Stakes last weekend – the platform for Group 1 success looks solid. Beadman has never missed a placing in five starts and is already twice a winner including a sensation Listed success in Queensland. “He’s a smart horse, let me tell you,” Snowden said. “Everything I’ve done with him, he’s done easily. He’s still very raw and learning his craft, but he’s very, very talented. I hope to see the best of him here.” Hidden Motive, winner of the Roman Consul and the other jumpout at Flemington last week, sits at $18 in Coolmore markets. Snowden, who famously captured the Coolmore with Sepoy in 2011, has tailored Beadman’s preparation with that same long-range vision. “He’s only lightly raced but keeps improving, and he’s a beautiful individual with a great attitude,” he said. “It didn’t faze him at all down the straight, which is always good to see before you race here [at Flemington]. He’s very talented.” The colt arrived in Melbourne last week and will be partnered by Blake Shinn. Beadman spearheads a measured but potent carnival assault for the Snowdens, with several other stable runners including Akaysha and Miss Freelove expected to line up in the Gr3 Vanity (1400m) during Cup week.
Blue-Blooded Hydrangea Son Wins 2YO Group 1
Weekend, 27th October 2025
Dominance has become almost expected from Aidan O'Brien in late-season features, and Saturday's Gr1 William Hill Futurity Trophy at Doncaster merely confirmed the pattern. The master of Ballydoyle saddled the first three home, with Hawk Mountain prevailing over stablemates Action and Benvenuto Cellini to seal another British trainers' title. Despite being the outsider of the trio, the Wootton Bassett colt delivered the most authority when it counted, fighting off Action in the slogging ground to score by half a length, while the well-fancied Benvenuto Cellini faded into third after struggling to pick up. The victory marked O'Brien's twelfth Futurity and his twenty-third Group 1 for the year, a tally that underlines his enduring supremacy. "He's a lovely big horse who stays and has pace and a great mind, so he's very exciting," the trainer said, referencing Hawk Mountain's dam Hydrangea, herself a high-class performer by Galileo. "We thought Action would be more of a middle-distance type next year, and he didn't surrender, but the winner might stay a miler before stepping up in trip. He's big, but athletic and so chilled — he's hardly blowing, which is unusual. He's 100 per cent homebred and it's been a massive team effort from start to finish. Christophe said Benvenuto Cellini didn't go in the ground, but he kept coming, and they're three lovely horses." Ronan Whelan, who also partnered Hawk Mountain to his Beresford Stakes win, again delivered a patient, polished ride. "He's still very babyish, and my biggest job in the last furlong was keeping him straight and getting him to go forward," Whelan said. "He's quite idle, but there's plenty left in the tank. In the Beresford he was ears pricked, dossing, and when the others came I just gave him a reminder and he took off. It's hard to know where his ceiling is yet. It's my second Group 1 for them this year and my first being down there full time – it's nice to deliver and feel part of it." The winner's pedigree gives away why expectations are so high. Hawk Mountain is the fourth foal out of Hydrangea, who combined the speed to capture the Matron Stakes over a mile with the stamina to claim the British Champions Fillies & Mares over a mile and a half. Her other offspring include Dubawi's Listed winner Wingspan, runner-up in the Fillies & Mares last year, and the Listed Tetrarch Stakes winner Officer. Hydrangea herself is a full sister to Group 1 winners The United States and Hermosa — the latter completing the English-Irish 1000 Guineas double – and to Salsa, whose Wootton Bassett daughter Whirl has become one of Ballydoyle's leading fillies with victories in the Nassau and Pretty Polly. From the famed Strauss family of Last Tycoon and Zipping, Hydrangea has a yearling full brother to Hawk Mountain, a colt foal by Justify, and is back in foal to him for 2026.
Drifting Hustler Gives Market Opinion the Flick
Weekend, 27th October 2025
Consistency met class at The Valley where a tough, tactical edition of the Gr3 Tesio Stakes (2040m) saw a mare on the rise deliver her most convincing statement yet. With a copybook ride from Jordan Childs, She's A Hustler tracked the speed before overpowering Sea What I See in the straight, confirming herself a genuine force at middle distance. Initially, a strong favourite when markets opened, she drifted alarmingly before post time but showed that the market isn't always right. The race was run without tempo for much of the journey, but when pressure finally came from the half-mile, the daughter of Ace High dug deep, exposing the resilience that has marked every start since crossing the Tasman to join Grahame Begg's team. Since debuting with a placing at Matamata for Roger James and Robert Wellwood, the five-year-old has evolved into a model of reliability, her record now standing at six wins and three seconds from nine starts. Saturday's success represented her first at stakes level and continued a meticulous preparation that has seen Begg lift the bar incrementally each run. Stable representative Rohan Hughes summed it up simply: "Winners win, don't they. She has a great record and Grahame has been careful in the way he's raised the bar for her. We targeted this race a long way out. She had to absorb a lot of pressure from the half-mile onwards, but she's very, very genuine. Horses like her have it psychologically – they're competitive, and their record shows it." Hughes revealed that the team had initially considered the Gr3 Coongy (2000m) before electing to head straight to The Valley. The move proved inspired, with the mare producing a sustained run after two strong jump-outs since her September Benchmark 78 victory. The plan now centres on the Gr2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) at Flemington, a race likely to suit her style and progression. "She's still lightly raced and inexperienced," Hughes noted. "She's a big, scopey Ace High mare and in time she'll develop into a nice staying horse. Twelve months down the track, she could have a role to play in the spring carnival." Childs, who has formed a growing understanding with Begg's runners, paid tribute to both trainer and horse. "Full credit to Grahame and the team, it was a good training performance," he said. "It's been a while between runs, and stepping up to 2000 metres today she was excellent. She jumps well, makes her own luck and just keeps finding. They went early, she came off the bridle, but once she got her revs up, she powered through the line. I don't think more distance will trouble her. She's a very exciting horse for the future." By Rich Hill Stud stallion Ace High and out of Snow Petal, a winning daughter of Group 1 mare Zirna, she was secured by Phill Cataldo for $70,000 from the Rich Hill draft at Karaka Book 1 in 2022.
Sales info: $100,000 yearling at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale
Hellbent Golden Eagle Contender Fully Lit
Weekend, 27th October 2025
Even with a sharp weight rise looming, Adrian Bott remains optimistic that the ever-tough Fully Lit can again punch above his weight in Saturday’s $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Royal Randwick. The gelding has been one of the revelations of the season, reports punters.com.au, remarkably fronting up for another feature assignment more than five months after kicking off his campaign. In that time, he’s continued to thrive and improve with every run. His runner-up performance behind Autumn Glow in the Gr1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) last start underlined both his durability and class, with Chris Waller’s mare proving just too strong in the closing stages. Set to meet her again on Saturday, Fully Lit faces a 7.5 kg rise in the return to set-weights conditions after carrying just 50 kg in the Epsom. Bott, who trains in partnership with Gai Waterhouse, said the team has tailored his build-up carefully for the challenge. “He is coming in with the right form,” he said. “There will be different weight conditions here for him. He was well weighted before, so there’s probably going to be a bit of a difference going into the Golden Eagle, but I still thought he ran a great race in the Epsom. Things didn’t go his way on the day, but he’s going really well.” The Tulloch Lodge gelding was given a freshen after his Epsom effort, bypassing another start in favour of a trial at Randwick on October 20, where he cruised through a 1050 m heat under Regan Bayliss. “He’s in great order and ticked over beautifully in that trial,” Bott said. “I liked the manner in which he did it and he seems in really good shape. He looks fantastic.” That effort followed a third placing in the Gr3 Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle, confirming he remains in peak form ahead of his latest test. Rated a $26 chance for the Golden Eagle, Fully Lit could be the stable’s lone representative in the rich Randwick feature, though the team is weighing up a possible back-up for Gerringong, who ran a brave second to Stefi Magnetica in last Saturday’s $2 million Invitation. “She could maybe back up,” Bott said. “Her run was unreal. She was there for a long way and was really tough. We’ll make a decision with her early in the week.” Gerringong sits as a $101 outsider, while Autumn Glow has tightened into even-money favouritism for the race.
