Saturday, 16th May 2026
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Global Breeding, Racing and Sales News

  • NEW Saturday Black Type Schedule

    Friday, 15th May 2026
    BTP

    • 11:33 AM: LR Champagne Stakes (1600m) Ellerslie
    • 12.15 PM: LR Yarraman Park Woodlands Stake (1100m) Scone
    • 1.33 PM: Gr2 Seven Spirit Of Boom Classic (1200m) Doomben
    • 1.46 PM: LR Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m) Otaki
    • 2.08 PM: LR Bernborough Handicap (1600m) Doomben
    • 2.35 PM: LR Coolmore Denise's Joy Stakes (1100m) Scone
    • 2.43 PM: LR Magic Millions Bright Shadow (1110m) Doomben
    • 3.10 PM: LR Ortensia Stakes (1100m) Scone
    • 3.22 PM: Gr3 JRA Chairman's Handicap (2000m) Doomben
    • 3.50 PM: Gr3 Arrowfield Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) Scone
    • 4.02 PM: Gr1 Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000 (1200m) Doomben
    • 4.10 PM: LR Hilton Nicholas Straight Six (1200m) Flemington
    • 4.30 PM: LR Lexus Andrew Ramsden (2800m) Flemington
    • 4.30 PM: LR Darley Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) Scone
    • 4.38 PM: Gr3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) Doomben
    • 6.15 PM: Gr3 Belmont Sprint (1400m) Belmont

  • Gr1 Doomben 10,000 Preview & Selections

    Friday, 15th May 2026
    2026 BTP Sires

    A race that has long served as the ignition switch for Queensland’s winter carnival again shapes as a brutal examination of elite sprinting depth, with today’s Gr1 Doomben 10,000 bringing together proven weight-for-age performers, emerging talent and a handful of horses looking to revive stalled autumn campaigns. The 1200m assignment at Doomben has historically favoured hardened sprinters capable of absorbing pressure from the outset, and with a soft track forecast alongside the circuit’s notoriously unforgiving turning layout, tactical positioning could prove every bit as important as raw ability. Past winners such as Apache Cat, Redzel, Eduardo, Bella Nipotina and Sunshine In Paris underline the class normally required to win the race, and the latest edition appears no easier. Much of the market attention has centred around Grafterburners, who arrives with the profile of a horse still climbing through the grades despite already competing at the highest level. Several analysts have marked him as the horse to beat and there is substance behind the confidence. His recent performances have carried a blend of tactical speed and sustained closing strength that often translates well to Doomben, while the anticipated softer conditions appear another tick in his favour. The key query is whether he can absorb pressure if caught exposed early around the bend, but on balance he looks the runner with the least downside. Devil Night has also attracted strong support from specialist judges and shapes as the major danger. There has been a noticeable maturity to his racing this preparation, particularly in the way he has relaxed before producing a sharp final sectional. If the race becomes genuinely run from the 600m, he profiles as one of the strongest late closers in the field. Jimmysstar commands respect on historical ratings and class alone, while Private Harry remains the wildcard. Chris Waller’s sprinter has been mentioned by several observers as a horse capable of surprising at odds if the race tempo becomes chaotic and the leaders overdo it.  The Doomben 10,000 rarely rewards sentiment and usually exposes any weakness under sustained pressure. With proven Group performers scattered throughout the field, there should be no cheap sectionals at any stage. Predicted top four:

    1. Grafterburners
    2. Devil Night
    3. Jimmysstar
    4. Private Harry

  • Waterhouse-Bott's Chairmans Double Whammy

    Friday, 15th May 2026
    A return to Brisbane's winter carnival has again sparked optimism inside the Tulloch Lodge operation, with the JRA Chairman's Handicap looming as another important launching pad for the powerful stable partnership of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. Last year the race proved the beginning of an extraordinary Australian rise for Sir Delius, and while the multiple Group 1 winner will not travel north this season, the stable believes a new pair of contenders can make their presence felt in the 2000m feature. Leading the charge will be Just Fine and Alalcance, who both completed their final serious hit-out on the Doomben course proper on Tuesday morning under the watchful eye of Bott. Tim Clark has been booked for Just Fine, while Martin Harley takes the ride aboard Alalcance as the pair commence their respective Brisbane winter campaigns. "They worked up as a pair together," Bott said. "They are just kicking off their campaigns or their winter campaigns here. "I've got some more targets in store for them, but they both worked up nicely on Tuesday morning." Although both gallopers have contested Group races during the past 12 months, neither has yet managed to secure a breakthrough at that level. Even so, the stable remains confident the Queensland carnival can provide the ideal environment for horses capable of elevating themselves through the grades, much like Sir Delius did 12 months ago. Back then, the son of Frankel arrived in Queensland with promise attached to his name, but few could have predicted the heights he would subsequently reach. Carrying strong market support on a Heavy 8 track, Sir Delius captured the JRA Chairman's Handicap before developing into one of the country's premier middle-distance performers. Since that victory, the five-year-old entire has amassed three Group 1 triumphs and added two further placings in elite company. His latest performance at Randwick in April only enhanced his reputation when he demolished a high-class Queen Elizabeth Stakes field in emphatic fashion. "He's been excellent for the stable," Bott said. "It is a shame we couldn't bring him up this year. "He just obviously had a bigger autumn campaign than last time. "It was a great place to kick him off, no doubt." The Waterhouse and Bott stable has long enjoyed notable success during the Brisbane winter, a carnival the operation strategically targets each year. Sir Delius added his name to an honour roll that already included Stampede, who won the race in 2017, while Waterhouse herself claimed the event in 2004 with So Assertive partnered by Chris Munce. Beyond the JRA Chairman's Handicap, the stable's Queensland record has featured major victories from Alligator Blood, Hawaii Five Oh, Knights Order and Converge. "I love it," Bott said. "It's such a great carnival. We see, year in, year out, the results off the back of it. "Horses continue to come through here and go on and perform, particularly very well through the early part of the spring for us."

    Sir Delius

    Could the Waterhouse Bott stable unearth another Sir Delius (pic: Mark Gatt)

  • Danny Shum Leapfrogs Newnham and Fownes

    Friday, 15th May 2026
    An enthralling Hong Kong trainers' premiership battle took another dramatic turn at Happy Valley on Wednesday night when Danny Shum surged to the top of the standings with a decisive treble that reshaped the championship picture. Victories with Romantic Gladiator, General Redwood and Leading Agility lifted Shum to 54 wins for the season, enough to edge past Mark Newnham and Caspar Fownes and become the first trainer outside that pair to hold the outright lead since September. The premiership race has tightened significantly in recent weeks, with only nine wins separating the top six trainers as the season enters its closing stages. Newnham sits on 52 victories, Fownes on 51, while David Hayes, Francis Lui and John Size remain firmly within striking distance. Despite the growing pressure, Shum said horse welfare would remain his overriding priority. "I will try my best for the championship, but the main thing for me is the horses," Shum said. "I won't push them any harder just to win it, their health and happiness is the main priority for me." The stable's headline performer on the night was Romantic Gladiator, who delivered a polished display in the Class 3 French May Trophy Handicap over 1650m under Zac Purton. Formerly unbeaten in two starts in England when known as Amakhala Warrior, the lightly raced three-year-old collected a HK$1.5 million PP Bonus after settling perfectly from barrier one before producing a strong finishing effort. Purton felt the gelding still had considerable improvement ahead of him. "He's done a good job as a lightly-raced three-year-old to settle in here as he has," Purton said. "But he still has do it (win), he was a bit aggressive in the run and he's still learning – he has to relax a bit better." Shum echoed those sentiments, believing the horse's best form may emerge next season once he learns to settle more efficiently. General Redwood added a second course-and-distance victory for the stable in the Saint-Cloud Handicap under Angus Chung before Leading Agility completed the treble with his maiden success for Lyle Hewitson. While Shum stole the spotlight, several of his premiership rivals also landed important blows. John Size kept himself firmly in contention after Nebraskan continued his remarkable turnaround with a second straight victory despite beginning his Hong Kong career with 29 consecutive defeats. Francis Lui also strengthened his title hopes when Packing Angel returned to winning form in the Class 2 ParisLongchamp Handicap under Harry Bentley. The former Hong Kong Derby placegetter has steadily rebuilt his form following knee surgery after last season's Derby campaign. Purton's double on the program pushed his career Hong Kong tally to 1992 wins, highlighted by another trademark ride aboard The Azure, who stormed from the rear to score in the Saint-Cloud Handicap. "I had no choice from the gate but to go back, he travelled like a winner all the way," Purton said. Elsewhere on the card, Ethan Brown recorded his second Hong Kong victory aboard Podium for David Eustace before preparing to return to Australia for Saturday's Doomben 10,000 meeting.

  • Smooth Chino Might Not Leave On a High

    Friday, 15th May 2026
    A changing of the guard could be on display when the winter racing season resumes at Belmont on Saturday, where emerging talent meets proven class in the Group 3 Drummond Golf Belmont Sprint (1400m). Fresh from a polished Northam Stakes triumph, Smooth Chino is expected to command strong support as he chases another feature success for trainer Indianna Weinert. The son of ultra reliable stallion Maschino resumed in style over 1300m, linking again with Austin Galati as the pair maintained a flawless six-from-six association. Installed a $2.20 favourite, the chestnut shapes as a fitting standard-bearer for Weinert before the stable relocates much of its operation from regional Western Australia to South Australia in the coming weeks. A victory in Saturday's feature would provide another significant milestone before that transition begins. Yet the assignment carries far more depth than a simple farewell celebration. Veteran galloper Western Empire looms as the major obstacle, with the former star attempting to remind racing fans of the quality that once made him the dominant force in the state. Now eight, the gelding has amassed nearly $3.5 million in prizemoney during a career that has stretched across several seasons at the elite level. His lead-up work has suggested he is ready to perform fresh. The bay won both of his recent Lark Hill trials on April 20 and May 4, and the reunion with William Pike adds another layer of intrigue. The pair have not combined since last year's Lee Steere Stakes, though Western Empire's credentials at 1400m remain compelling after his Gold Rush victory over the trip in 2024. Rope Them In also deserves another chance after finishing five lengths behind Smooth Chino at Northam. The gelding was later found to have returned with an elevated heart rate, helping explain the below-par effort. Paul Harvey, successful in his only previous ride aboard him, regains the mount this weekend. West Star continues to race consistently and was only a length-and-a-half from the winner when third in the Northam Stakes, while outsider Diamond Scene adds further intrigue after producing a first-up win during his previous campaign despite being better known as a stayer.

  • All Systems Go for Doyle's Churchill's Choice

    Friday, 15th May 2026
    A breakthrough victory at Hawkesbury has Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle convinced Churchill's Choice can continue her resurgence when she steps out in Friday's Listed Scone Cup at the Hunter's premier carnival meeting. After enduring a frustrating 16-month stretch without a win, the four-year-old mare rediscovered her best form with a powerful finishing effort in the Group 3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup over 1600m earlier this month, a performance that not only delivered overdue black-type success but significantly elevated her future broodmare value. Doyle believes a subtle but crucial tactical adjustment played a decisive role in the turnaround. Regan Bayliss partnered Churchill's Choice under race conditions for the first time at Hawkesbury and, according to the trainer, his willingness to improve into the race much earlier than previous riders transformed the mare's performance profile. "She gets back and runs on, and those sorts of horses need a bit to go their way and she was making things even harder by dropping the bridle at around the 600m," Doyle said. "That's when you should be getting into the race but she was going backwards." Doyle explained to racenet.com.au that Bayliss recognised the issue quickly and prevented the mare from losing touch during the critical middle stages. "Regan changed that up at Hawkesbury and it was the first time a rider has got on their bike on her so early," he said. "There was no flat spot at Hawkesbury and that's what changed the outcome." Churchill's Choice rises from 54kg to 56kg for Friday's assignment, though Doyle noted the increase was softened by the handicap scale rising overall following acceptance time. Importantly, the mare has drawn favourably in barrier three, giving Bayliss options to keep her away from the rail and positioned where she can build through her gears naturally. "Those at the top of the weights have gone up a kilo so according to the handicapper it's not as strong as Hawkesbury," Doyle said. "We won't be going to the fence on her and the plan will be to put her into the moving line so he can get moving when he wants to go." The Scone Cup headlines the opening day of the Scone carnival, a two-day showcase featuring six black-type races and more than $2.2 million in prizemoney across 18 races. Victory would also secure valuable qualification into the lucrative Big Dance later in the year. Doyle is confident conditions will again favour his mare, with the track expected to remain in the soft range following light showers through the Hunter region during the week. "I'd expect it will be a good four or a soft five and that will suit her perfectly," he said. "She's really bounced out of the Hawkesbury win and it will do her confidence the world of good." Churchill's Choice has been installed among the leading chances in early betting, with Doyle hopeful the mare can now build on the confidence and tactical clarity that reignited her career at Hawkesbury.

  • Frankel's Star Family in The Spotlight Again

    Friday, 15th May 2026
    A decade after Frankel produced his first runner and first winner, another branch of the extraordinary Juddmonte dynasty stepped forward at York when impeccably bred filly Legacy Link claimed her maiden Group triumph in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes. The John and Thady Gosden-trained three-year-old dug deep in a stirring duel with Felicitas before asserting late to secure the prestigious Oaks trial, further enhancing one of the most celebrated pedigrees in modern thoroughbred breeding. By Dubawi and out of the Galileo mare Chiasma, Legacy Link combines two of the most influential bloodlines in the sport, reports racingpost.com, and now shapes as another high-class representative of the famed Juddmonte family. Rider Colin Keane, who partnered the filly to victory, was quick to acknowledge the privilege of sitting aboard such a royally bred performer. "These are the pedigrees; it's a privilege to be riding fillies like this," Keane told Racing TV. "I'd imagine she'll come on a lot from today. I think she'll appreciate going a mile and a half, I think that's where you might see the best of her." Legacy Link's family tree reads like a roll call of elite international talent. Her dam Chiasma is the sole full-sister to unbeaten champion Frankel and fellow Group 1-winning stayer Noble Mission, while also being a three-parts sister to Group 3 winner Bullet Train. Although Chiasma never earned black type herself, she displayed ample ability during her racing career, winning comfortably over 2400m at Kempton before retiring to the broodmare paddock. Her first foal has now become a Group winner. The influence of the wider family extends well beyond Frankel. Chiasma's half-sister Joyeuse, by Oasis Dream, became a dual Listed winner and multiple Group performer before excelling as a producer. Her offspring include Group 1-placed Maximal, Jubiloso, Mill Reef Stakes winner Array and Group 3 placegetter Jouncy. Another daughter, Jovial, produced Jonquil, last season's unlucky French 2000 Guineas runner-up and Celebration Mile winner, with Keane set to reunite with him in Saturday's Lockinge Stakes. Elsewhere in the family, Frankel's relations continue to shape breeding operations across the globe. Kikkuli, a son of Kingman, has relocated to South Africa for stallion duties at Paardeberg Stud, while Bullet Train, Morpheus, Proconsul and Noble Mission all stand at stud in various jurisdictions. Legacy Link also added another important chapter to the remarkable Dubawi-Galileo cross, becoming Dubawi's 204th individual Group winner and the 16th Group or Graded scorer bred from the cross. That golden formula has already produced luminaries including Night Of Thunder, Ghaiyyath and Henry Longfellow. Her Musidora triumph continued the progression she hinted at during a promising juvenile season. After debuting behind Evolutionist at Newmarket, she broke through at Haydock before finishing a brave fourth in the Fillies' Mile behind champion filly Precise. Juddmonte's famous family appears far from finished, either, with Chiasma also producing a two-year-old full-sister to Legacy Link named Zhuri and a yearling colt, while visiting Wootton Bassett last season.

  • Tron Arrives Like a Bolt Out of the Blue

    Friday, 15th May 2026
    Natural talent and long-range planning combined in impressive fashion at Randwick Kensington on Wednesday, where emerging colt Tron Bolt announced himself as a serious player for next month’s $1 million JJ Atkins with a dominant maiden victory over 1400m. The son of Toronado gave champion trainer Chris Waller another high-class juvenile prospect to aim toward Queensland after surging clear in the Hawaii Five Oh @ Vinery Stud 2YO Handicap under James McDonald. Settling behind the speed before angling into clear running, Tron Bolt quickly put the race beyond doubt, accelerating strongly to defeat Rolling Home by three lengths, with favourite Unhinged back in third. According to racenet.com.au, the performance immediately reshaped markets for the JJ Atkins at Eagle Farm, with the colt’s quote slashed dramatically following the convincing display. Waller said the stable had held a strong opinion of the colt from the beginning, despite his defeat on debut. “I was very impressed,” Waller said. “As I touched on pre-race, he was a nice Ready To Run horse and impressed us since day one. I wouldn't say I was surprised he was beaten on debut but it was certainly no surprise to see him win as well as he did today.” The Hall of Fame trainer now appears to have another legitimate hand for the Queensland juvenile feature alongside Stormy Marco, Nations League and stablemate The Roaring Sun, who currently shares the second line of betting with Tron Bolt. Waller confirmed highly regarded youngster St Gotthard had already been sent to the spelling paddock, increasing the focus on Tron Bolt’s winter campaign. The colt is likely to head next either to the Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes at Eagle Farm on May 30 or a 1300m assignment at Rosehill on the same day before potentially pressing on toward the JJ Atkins mile. “Ideally he would win that or run well and go to the JJ Atkins,” Waller said. “He will get a mile easy. We’ve had it in mind for him for a while, he obviously needed to win today. He is just a lovely scopey horse so that's what we are thinking a mile.” Tron Bolt’s rise has already attracted significant attention through the sales ring. Raised at Victoria’s renowned Gilgai Farm - home of champions including Black Caviar, All Too Hard, Jameka and Masked Crusader -  the colt first sold for $250,000 at the Australian Easter Yearling Sale before returning to Riverside later in the year to top the Inglis Ready 2 Run Sale at $900,000. His explosive breeze-up gallop, clocked at a blistering 10.05 seconds for 200m, made him the standout performer of the sale. The colt is the first foal from Sunshine Coast Guineas winner Baccarat Baby, whose eight-win career earned more than half a million dollars in prizemoney. Wednesday’s performance suggested her son may now be on the verge of building an even bigger reputation of his own.

  • Additional National Broodmare Supplementaries

    Friday, 15th May 2026
    Fresh depth has been added to this month’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, with another wave of supplementary entries strengthening what is already shaping as one of the most commercially appealing catalogues in recent years. A collection of stakes performers, emerging juvenile prospects and well-related broodmares has now joined the Gold Coast auction, which will be conducted across May 26 and 27. Among the headline additions is the exciting Snitzel filly Free Flying, whose pedigree and early racetrack performances make her one of the more intriguing juvenile prospects to enter the sale. Catalogued as Lot 555 in the Newington Farm Premium Consignment, the filly has already displayed stakes-level talent in limited appearances. She finished runner-up on debut in the Listed Magic Millions Debutant Stakes at Caulfield before later producing a close fourth placing in the Listed Merson Cooper Stakes. Free Flying carries an exceptionally strong pedigree page. She is out of Ennis Hill, herself a daughter of Group 2 Reisling Stakes winner Hips Don’t Lie, while the family also includes champion juvenile filly Learning To Fly. The same draft also features La Gitana, another juvenile stakes performer from the celebrated family. The Home Affairs filly has finished placed at both starts in stakes company and is scheduled to contest Saturday’s Listed Woodlands Stakes at Scone. Several other black-type fillies and mares have also been added to the catalogue, including Kitty Flash, a multiple winner and four-time Group placegetter by Ace High, and Phenom, the Zoustar mare who has earned more than $159,000 and performed creditably at stakes level in Melbourne and Adelaide. Chris Waller-trained Canara joins the sale after a recent Eagle Farm victory and prior black-type placing in the Listed Bill Carter Stakes, while Cavity Bay enters with more than $355,000 in earnings and placings in the Moonee Valley Fillies Classic and South Australia Fillies Classic. Other supplementary additions include Cosmic Ride and Crickets Chirping, both stakes-performed mares with commercial pedigrees and proven versatility on the track. The broodmare section has also received a significant boost, particularly through the inclusion of several mares carrying covers to elite sires. Imported stakes winner Always inthe Munny heads to the sale in foal to champion sire I Am Invincible after producing promising juvenile Written in Munny, who finished fourth in the Group 3 Canonbury Stakes this season. Stakes-winning mare Oz Empress, a granddaughter of New Zealand champion Princess Coup, will be offered in foal to Ole Kirk. Another mare carrying an I Am Invincible pregnancy is Skagerrak, already proven as a Group-producing broodmare through Maribyrnong Plate winner Krakarib. The international virtual session has also gained further quality through the inclusion of Not Guilty, the stakes-winning daughter of Not A Single Doubt who was covered by emerging sire Super Seth last spring. With supplementary entries remaining open until Friday, Magic Millions officials are anticipating further additions before the final catalogue is locked away.

  • Pride Hoping to See Clear Path to Stradbroke

    Friday, 15th May 2026
    Consistency has become the defining trait of Estadio Mestalla’s career, and trainer Joe Pride is hoping the tough gelding can again demonstrate those qualities when he tackles the Listed Luskin Star Stakes at Scone on Saturday. While the race itself carries valuable black-type status, racingnsw.com.au reports Pride’s broader focus is fixed firmly on next month’s Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, with the experienced seven-year-old needing to confirm he remains on track for a Brisbane winter campaign. Estadio Mestalla resumes his rise through the sprinting ranks carrying a sizeable 61kg in the 1300m feature, a weight Pride admits appears unusual for the race conditions but not necessarily beyond the gelding’s capabilities. Since joining Pride’s stable late in 2023, Estadio Mestalla has developed from a benchmark-level horse into a seasoned stakes performer whose rating has climbed dramatically from 77 to 111. That progression now sees him conceding weight to horses of genuine top-class quality, including Group 1 winner Linebacker. Pride believes the gelding’s toughness and balance allow him to absorb heavier imposts more effectively than many rivals. “Generally you wouldn’t want a small weak horse to carry a big weight but he’s a well balanced horse,” Pride said. “And quality helps him carry weight.” The gelding resumed in the Hawkesbury Rush over 1100m earlier this month, finishing sixth in a performance Pride considered far stronger than it may have appeared on paper. “I thought his first run was super,” he said. “I don’t like Hawkesbury as a track for a horse like him so I thought he ran very well and he’s a horse that races well fresh and builds into a prep.” Pride expects the same natural improvement Estadio Mestalla displayed during his previous preparation, when he produced several high-quality performances after racing second-up in The Hunter despite an awkward draw. “He ran really well in the Hunter second-up last preparation off a poor draw,” Pride said. “He has a good draw here, he’s always in the finish. When I say the finish I mean the first five or six, he doesn’t know anything else.” That reliability has made the gelding one of Pride’s favourite stable horses. “He’s become very genuine the longer I’ve had him, I love him,” he said. “He’s such an honest horse and he races over a wide range of distances.” The gelding’s durability was highlighted during the spring when he carried 63kg to a first-up victory before adding further Group placings in races such as The Gong, The Ingham and the Summer Cup. Pride expects Saturday’s assignment to set him up ideally for a third-up peak deeper into the carnival. “I’m very happy with him, he will peak third-up but he will run a very nice race at Scone,” he said. Jason Collett reunites with Estadio Mestalla after previously winning aboard him and partnering the gelding in last year’s Summer Cup.

  • Esperanza Can Add to Eureka Stud Emotion

    Friday, 15th May 2026
    An already emotional Queensland winter carnival will take on even deeper meaning at Doomben on Saturday when Esperanza contests the Group 2 Spirit Of Boom Classic just days after the sudden passing of her celebrated sire, reports punters.com.au. For Eureka Stud principal Scott McAlpine, the race represents far more than another feature event. It will be the first major raceday since Spirit Of Boom’s unexpected death last week, an event that triggered an outpouring of grief and support from across the global breeding and racing industry. McAlpine admitted the emotional weight of the occasion had already begun to hit home as messages flooded in following the loss of one of Queensland’s most influential stallions. “It was a very sad and hectic day when Spirit Of Boom passed away last week and so many people sent texts and contacted me, I started to get very cut up (emotional) by the end of the day,” McAlpine said. The possibility of Esperanza winning the race named in honour of her sire would create an extraordinary moment for the family behind Eureka Stud. “It would definitely be a very emotional moment if Esperanza could win in Spirit Of Boom’s honour on Saturday,” he said. “It is a tough race, but we hope the racing gods can smile on us. I will be trackside with (son) Angus and (wife) Grania and we will be cheering hard.” Trained by Rex Lipp, Esperanza has already shown enough talent during her debut preparation to suggest she belongs among Queensland’s better juveniles. The filly announced herself with an upset victory at Doomben on debut in February when successful at $17, immediately rewarding the patience of connections who elected to retain her rather than offer her through a yearling sale. She has not returned to the winner’s circle since, but her runner-up effort behind Swift Dragon in the rich QTIS Jewel 2YO confirmed her quality against stronger opposition. More recently, Esperanza finished sixth in the Listed Calaway Gal Stakes at Eagle Farm, though connections were prepared to forgive the performance given the heavy track conditions. McAlpine believes the return to firmer footing and the rise to 1200m can help the filly rebound in Saturday’s feature. “We were going to race her in the Bill Carter Stakes (for 2YO fillies) but we liked the look of this race on Saturday given it’s 1200m,” he said. “We always thought Esperanza was a lovely filly and she never went to any sale. This is only her first preparation and she has done an amazing job.” McAlpine said careful placement and spacing between runs had helped the filly maintain her form throughout a demanding juvenile campaign. “We have spaced her runs out and she just keeps giving for us,” he said. “You just have to forget the run the other day when the track was no good and the weather was bad.” Saturday’s race now carries emotional significance well beyond prizemoney or black type.

  • The Western Front Ready for Ramsden Battle

    Friday, 15th May 2026
    Dreams of Melbourne Cup glory will move a step closer to reality for a large and enthusiastic ownership group if emerging stayer The Western Front can continue his rise through the grades at Flemington on Saturday. Victory in the Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes over 2800m would secure the gelding an automatic ballot exemption into this year’s Melbourne Cup, adding enormous significance to a race already carrying rich staying tradition. According to loveracing.nz, the son of War Decree arrives at the feature in career-best form after successive metropolitan victories, including a dominant BM84 win over 2500m at Flemington on ANZAC Day. That performance further strengthened the growing belief within the Lindsay Park stable that the lightly raced five-year-old is only now beginning to reach his full staying potential. Trained by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, The Western Front races in the colours of Ace Bloodstock alongside a group of Lindsay Park clients, with close to 20 owners sharing in the journey. Co-trainer JD Hayes said the atmosphere surrounding the horse had continued building as he climbed through the grades. “We’re really excited,” Hayes said. “The ownership group is having a terrific ride with him, going through the grades. It was great to buy him with the Ace Bloodstock boys and hopefully this is just the beginning of the journey.” Hayes expects the owners’ enclosure at Flemington to be lively again if the gelding produces another strong staying display. “Hopefully, they’ll again be vocal there on Saturday, that’s the plan,” he said. “You’ve got to enjoy the good times, and the way this horse is going, there should be plenty more to come.” The Western Front’s rise has been anything but conventional. Bred in New Zealand by the late Kevin Hickman, the gelding was initially purchased online by trainer Ralph Manning for just NZ$1300 before eventually being secured privately by Ace Bloodstock following two quiet trials across the Tasman. Hayes said patience had been crucial with the horse, who took considerable time to physically mature after arriving in Australia. “We bought him out of a trial in New Zealand and when he came over, he still had plenty of developing and furnishing to do,” Hayes said. “He’s just come of age now. The next two years, hopefully it’s full of wins and lots of prize money.” Since stepping beyond 2000m, The Western Front has rapidly established himself as a genuine staying prospect, winning six of his 16 starts and earning more than $250,000 in prizemoney. His transformation has been particularly striking given that less than a year ago he was contesting modest provincial races in South Australia. “Ever since he’s got past 2000 metres, he’s come into his own with two dominant wins,” Hayes said. “We’ve always liked him and had a nice opinion of him. Just being a stayer, we had to take him through his grades and learn his craft.” Luke Currie, who partnered the gelding to victory at Flemington last start, retains the ride in Saturday’s Andrew Ramsden.

    The Western Front

    $1,300 bargain buy The Western Front (pic: Bruno Cannatelli)
Amarina Farm
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Bell River Thoroughbreds
Berkeley Park Stud
Bhima Thoroughbreds
Blue Gum Farm
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Clear Mountain Fairview
Coolmore Stud
Cressfield
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Kingstar Farm
Lime Country Thoroughbreds
Mill Park Stud
Murrulla Stud
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2025 BTR Stud Stallions

BTP STUD STALLIONS

Sire
A Lot Established
Acrobat Established
Al Maher Established
Alabama Express Established
All American Established
All Too Hard Established
Alpine Eagle Established
Alpine Edge 3rd Season
Anamoe 1st crop 2YOs
Anders Established
Artie Schiller Established
Awesome Rock Established
Barbados Established
Barbaric Established
Best Of Bordeaux Established
Better Than Ready Established
Bivouac Established
Brave Smash Established
Brazen Beau Established
Bruckner 1st crop 2YOs
Bull Point Established
Bullbars Established
Cape Of Good Hope 1st crop 2YOs
Capitalist Established
Captivant Established
Castelvecchio Established
City Of Troy Established
Cliff's Edge Established
Cogburn 2nd Season
Cool Aza Beel Established
D'argento Established
Danerich Established
Dash For Cash Established
De Gaulle Established
Delaware Established
Denman Established
Dirty Work Established
Dissident Established
Don Corleone 3rd Season
Doubtland Established
Dubious Established
Dundeel Established
Ellsberg 1st crop 2YOs
Encryption Established
Exceedance Established
Exosphere Established
Extreme Choice Established
Farnan Established
Flying Artie Established
Foxwedge Established
Frankel My Dear Established
Gingerbread Man Established
Gold Standard Established
Graff Established
Grunt Established
Hallowed Crown Established
Harry Angel Established
Hawaii Five Oh 3rd Season
Headwater Established
Hellbent Established
Hitotsu 1st crop 2YOs
Home Affairs Established
I Am Immortal Established
I Am Invincible Established
Ilovethiscity Established
Invader Established
Jacquinot 1st crop 2YOs
Ka Ying Master 1st crop 2YOs
Kermadec Established
King Colorado 3rd Season
King's Legacy Established
Lead Artist 1st Season
Lofty Strike 3rd Season
Lord Of The Sky Established
Love Conquers All Established
Manhattan Rain Established
Maschino Established
Master Of Design Established
Maurice Established
Merchant Navy Established
Mo'unga 3rd Season
Murtajill Established
My Admiration Established
Needs Further Established
Nicconi Established
Nostradamus Established
Officiating 3rd Season
Ole Kirk Established
Pariah Established
Pierata Established
Pierro Established
Pinatubo Established
Playing God Established
Portland Sky Established
Power Established
Pride Of Dubai Established
Private Life Established
Puissance De Lune Established
Rebel Dane Established
Rich Enuff Established
Rommel Established
Rubick Established
Russian Camelot Established
Russian Revolution Established
Safeguard Established
Sandbar Established
Sessions Established
Shaft Established
Shalaa Established
Shamoline Warrior Established
Shamus Award Established
Shinzo Established
Shooting To Win Established
Sidestep Established
Sizzling Established
Skilled Established
Smart Missile Established
Snitzel Established
So Secret Established
So You Think Established
Soul Patch Established
Southport Tycoon 2nd Season
Spirit Of Boom Established
Squamosa Established
St Mark's Basilica Established
Star Turn Established
Star Witness Established
Street Boss Established
Super One Established
Supido Established
Swear Established
Sweet Ride 3rd Season
Switzerland Established
The Autumn Sun Established
The Brothers War Established
Time To Reign Established
Too Darn Hot Established
Toorak Toff Established
Top Echelon Established
Topicus 1st Season
Toronado Established
Trapeze Artist Established
Turffontein Established
Unite And Conquer Established
Universal Ruler Established
Vancouver Established
Vandeek Established
Victor Ludorum Established
Von Costa De Hero Established
Wandjina Established
Winning Rupert Established
Wooded Established
Wootton Bassett Established
Worthy Cause Established
Written By Established
Written Tycoon Established
Xtravagant Established
Your Song Established
Zousain Established
Zoustar Established