March was truly delightful month, highlighted by the successful Champions Day at Ellerslie, which included WELL WRITTEN's narrow victory over BELLE CHEVAL in the NZB Kiwi. We witnessed an Australian win the Auckland Cup and Sydney's Autumn carnival kicked off which saw James McDonald become the greatest G1 riding jockey in Australian history.

The Autumn Racing Carnival is now in full swing and will continue throughout April with a number of feature Group 1 contests, including the time honoured Doncaster Handicap and Sydney Cup. The Kiwi's are across the Tasman and we wish them all the best. OHOPE WINS could be a star in the Waller stable, but Te Akau have their best over there and they too can leave an imprint.

DONCASTER HANDICAP (1600m) 4/4 Randwick

TJ SMITH STAKES (1200m) 4/4 Randwick

AUSTRALIAN DERBY 4/4 Randwick

SIRES' PRODUCE STAKES 4/4 Randwick

QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES 11/4 Randwick

QUEEN OF THE TURF STAKES 11/4 Randwick

AUSTRALIAN OAKS 11/4 Randwick

SYDNEY CUP 11/4 Randwick

ARROWFIELD SPRINT 11/4 Randwick

ALL-AGED STAKES 18/4 Randwick

THE QUOKKA 18/4 Ascot

The blockbuster event Champions Day held at Ellerslie on March 7 provided us with a mountain of thrills, spills and drama over the ten races. Plenty had come to soak up the atmosphere and see the wonder filly WELL WRITTEN going for another big win, this time in the $4M NZB KIWI up against a number of strong three-year-olds. After a good ride by Cartwright just off the pace, the Marsh-trained filly hovered pass the leaders and took control in straight. But just when you thought it was all over and a done deal, one horse made a stunning challenge from the rear of the field to make a race of it.

The Te Akau-trained BELLE CHEVAL had been settled at the rear throughout the first half of the 1500m contest, before swinging out into the middle of the track and slicing a path between runners. The classy SAVABEEL filly then closed off powerfully with a fine turn-of-foot to dive at Well Written right on the line, with little separating them. The big crowd who had been yelling for thd star filly in the Yulong colours fell silent as it turned to a hum with people asking - did she hold on?

Commentator George Simons announced, "it's close, it's very close" before the photo finish came up quickly on the big screen. Racegoers erupted again as it showed Well Written had held on by a nose, the barest of margins. But wait! The siren goes off and a protest has been lodged - 2nd against 1st. Is she going to lose it in the enquiry room maybe? An end on shot then showed Well Written moving out, while Belle Cheval has drifted inwards slightly, although no contact had been make between the two champion horses. After a period of time waiting for the result to be confirmed, Simon's announces the enquiry has been dismissed and all placing stand.

Belle Cheval truly distinguished herself and earned her spot through a remarkable performance, demonstrating her exceptional talent by competing so effectively with such a special filly. The other Te Akau runner HE WHO DARES held onto 3rd place, while the Australian visitor ASAKURA finished in 4th place from the widest gate, which well and truly paid for the trip, taking home a tidy $350,000. The connections of both Te Akau placegetters shouldn't be left too disappointed, picking up $600,000 for 2nd and $450,000 for third place. But Well Written ended up the big financial winner, snaring the first prize of $1.2million and taking her overall earnings to $2,615,000 in winning all of her six starts, including the 3YO Karaka Millions race in January. The connections will now likely put her aside and aim for a lucrative Australian campaign in the spring, with possibly the $10M Golden Eagle at Randwick the main target.

NZ DERBY

The 2026 New Zealand Derby looked like a race that would be dominated once again by Derby king Roger James and his training partner Robert Wellwood, and thats exactly how it played out on Champions Day. Our selections were spot on, with ROAD TO PARIS mounting a powerful and sustained finish to gather in stablemate AUTUMN GLORY after coming from dead last going into the final turn. The CIRCUS MAXIMUS gelding, guided by English jockey George Rooke came widest as they circled into the straight and wound up strongly to overhaul the newly aquired Yulong runner, with GENEVA finishing off well into 3rd place. The 2nd-placed horse lodged a protest against it's stablemate, before connections of the 3rd-placed horse Geneva also lodged a protest against Autumn Glory in 2nd. All protests were dismissed, with Roger James forced to give testimony and defend both his runners.

It has been a considerable period since ROAD TO PARIS unceremoniously dislodged Masa Hashizume on the Trentham turf during the Wellington Stakes, despite appearing to be a strong contender at that early stage in his career. However, his recent performance in the Avondale Guineas indicated that his staying ability may surpass that of most competitors over the 2400m distance.

AUTUMN GLORY and THAT'S GOLD will now likely head straight to Australia for new owners Yulong, but it was the Ron and Judy Wanless gelding who took full honours on the day. It is quite possible that we will witness him competing against these two horses in significant Australian events during the spring, as Roger James will undoubtedly have a strategy mapped out for the horse's future. Potentially, a Cup challenge in Melbourne is on the horizon, as his strengths lie in long distance endurance events and he will win more races with this kind of staying prowess, either across there and/or at home.

BONECRUSHER STAKES

If LEGARTO was to be retired after the WFA Group 1 Bonecrusher Stakes at Ellerslie, many where hopeful the grand Kiwi mare could do her trainers and connections proud with a big run to wrap it all up - and she didn't disappoint on the day. In what may well be the mighty mare's last ever race in New Zealand, champion jockey Opie Bosson shot her to the front with 150m to go and she crossed the line to deliver another fine win, with a safe margin back to the Wexford trained WAITAK in 2nd, and TUXEDO holding onto 3rd position. Husband and wife training team, Ken and Bev Kelso were thrilled with her performance to capture a second Group 1 in a row after claiming the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke at Te Rapa in February.

At the time we stated the horse had never looked in better shape physically when bringing up Opie's 100th G1 ride and she had held that majestic condition superbly. Bev had stated she did look fat in the early part of the season, but more work saw her physique tighten up significantly. Connections may now consider having a crack at the $2M Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March, 28, which would very likely be her last ever race start. With $3,163,000 in the bank, no one could deny the six-year-old PROISIR mare a happy retirement and she will go out on a high as one of the great New Zealand middle-distance runners of the modern era. We wish her well.

KING'S PLATE

The Gr.3 Kings Plate (1200m) sprint threw up some real drama on the day and a scarey moment for jockey Samantha Collett aboard star sprint mare, ALABAMA LASS. After a disappointing run in the Gr.1 Railway on Karaka Millions night, a turnaround in fortunes was expected, but just as she looked the winner after scooting away along the rail with 200m to go, the mare was spooked in an instant and lept up into the air and straight through the running rail. Collett was thrown to the ground while the horse was in full sprint mode and ALABAMA EXPRESS somehow stayed on her feet to go over the top of the jockey without causing any serious injury to both horse or rider. It appeared the first clip by Collett shocked her to jump to the right, but thankfully Alabama Lass returned unharmed from the incident and underwent a thorough veterinary examination in the aftermath of the race. It's was fortuitous for the James/Wellwood trained SWEYNESDAY who came through to claim the win with Masa Hashizume aboard after drawing out wider, and Roger James was philosophical about the result.

“It’s not the way you want to win a race as I was standing next to one of the owners of Alabama Lass, who I know very well, while I used to show jump many years ago with Ken and Bev (Kelso),” James said.

“I feel for them but we will take it." The $3M Gr.1 Stradbroke (1400m) at Eagle Farm un June now comes into mind and could become may a reality for SWEYNESDAY now that he has a few more dollars in the bank. He is a classy sprinter by SWEYNESSE who finished 3rd to JIGSAW in the Gr.1 Railway in January and the horse has an incredible affinity with Ellerslie, having won 5 from 8 on the course, with two second placings and a third, so yet to finish out of the money on the Auckland track. However, he appears to have matured significantly during this preparation period and could potentially compete at a higher echelon among some of the best Australian sprinters.

AUCKLAND CUP

The Australian raiders continued with their summer of success in New Zealand, and in particular Ellerslie when the Henry Dwyer trained PARADISE STORM proved victorious in the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m). Dean Yendall had finished runner-up aboard his travelling buddy COTE ALANTIQUE in the King's Plate three races earlier, but all honours in the big staying event went to his stablemate, who with Joe Doyle in the saddle wouldn't be denied victory after a grueling two miles where he found something extra nearing the line.Racing three-wide with cover, Joe Doyle wasn’t content with the sedate pace in the race, sending his charge forward down the back straight to sit outside leader Just Charlie. Paradise Storm loomed ominously at the turn and shot away from the pack when asked the question by Doyle and carried OTI Racing’s silks to a commanding win. Upset Wellington Cup winner MANZOR BLUE would hold onto 2nd place for trainer Lisa Latta and prove the five-year-old mare has a strong staying future, with another Australian, AGE OF SAIL claiming 3rd position for Newcastle trainer Kris Lee, ahead of Avondale Cup winner, FINAL RETURN. The Pitman trained ROSSO failed to turn up and another Australian BRAYDEN STAR was disappointing, but possibly burdened by the 58kg topweight.

SISTEMA STAKES

We have been blessed to witness some fine two-year-olds emerge so far this season, but none has probably been any more impressive then the Te Akau trained LARA ANITPOVA, who kept her unbeaten record intact when winning the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) quite convincingly. It was expected being so heavily favoured as vastly superior to her competitors and at very short odds in the market. The Walker/Bergerson team have taken their time to allow the RUSSIAN REVOLUTION filly to fill out a bit more and hand selected the most optimal races to provide more confidence.

After winning on debut at Te Aroha in early December, the team then travelled to Wellington to claim the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m), before winning the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders in wet conditions three weeks prior. Being Australian bred she wasn't eligible for the Karaka Millions, so this was the obvious path, with only the Sistema and Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes the only two Group ones for the juveniles each season.

Her exceptional acceleration from the starting gate and sustained high pace equip the filly with the ideal attributes to establish an early lead and position herself advantageously before unleashing a powerful burst of speed in the final stretch. LIGUIRA, a filly by SNITZEL owned by Cambridge Stud, secured second place following her victory in the Gr.3 Colin Jillings Classic at Ellerslie, thereby establishing herself as a prominent emerging talent within this season's impressive cohort of juvenile horses. SWORD OF STATE gelding STATE OF VALOUR finished a commendable 3rd place, paying $12.40 on the tote. He could see LARA now travel back to Wellington and wrap up her campaign with a second Group one, although she could be slightly more vulnerable of being run down at the 1400m distance.

DUBAI CLASSIC

It was a coming of age performance by the Ken Harrison trained MOXIE in the Gr.2 Dubai Classic (1400m) at Ellerslie and a great result and first Group winner for the small time Cambridge-based handler. The four-year-old STRASBOURG mare was aided by a nice freshen up, which really allowed her in the impetus to sprint hard that final bit with fresh legs and defeat more accomplished performers, like QUINTESSA, TOMADACHI, MARY SHAN and the two Chris Waller runners, including the second-placed CHICA MOJITO. She had already displayed her fine ability at the 1400m distance this season, winning twice at Pukekohe towards the end of last year, then finishing 3rd to SPECIAL SAKURA in the Fulton Family Stakes (1500m) in late January. A cheap purchase, the mare has now really established herself as a high quality performer.

Bred by Hormac Bloodstock, MOXIE is out of winning Pentire mare PEARLY KATE, a full-sister to Group 3 performer CALM CUSTOMER and half-sister to stakes performer SOUTHERN COURAGE. Moxie was offered through Lyndhurst Farm's 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Yearling Sale draft where she was purchased by Harrison for $10,000. She has gone on to win five of her 11 starts to date and has earned just shy of $500,000 in prizemoney. Harrison claimed his first winner as a trainer with KINGS RAG at Kumara in 2011, with his best horse before Moxie, the NICCONI gelding NOT IDEAL, who spent three years in Hong Kong before returning to NZ as a six-year-old and won 7 from 33 with $1.1million in earnings.

As champion jockey JAMES MCDONALD, (simply known as JMAC to the fans) fast approached a significant milestone in his career, he maintained that one man defines true greatness in the sport. McDonald moved to within two wins of DAMIEN Oliver’s Australian record of 129 Group one victories after partnering JOLIESTAR to victory in the Gr.1 Canterbury Stakes at Randwick The win took McDonald to 127 career Group 1 triumphs, pushing him past George Moore on the all-time list and leaving him just two wins shy of Oliver’s long-standing mark. JMac then rode LAZZURA to win the Gr.1 Coolmore Classic to go one off equaling the record with #128. Despite closing in on the record, McDonald was quick to pay tribute to the retired champion rider.

“There’s only ever one GOAT and that’s Damien Oliver,” McDonald said.

Joliestar’s success also continued the remarkable partnership between McDonald and champion trainer Chris Waller, and he credits Waller for the success of their long-standing partnership. With McDonald within touching distance of Oliver’s record, the spotlight remained firmly on the champion rider as the autumn carnival continued until Rosehill on March 21. McDonald took out the Gr.1 Ranvet on AEILANA with the perfect ride to equal the record, before a fine steer to guide AUTUMN BOY to victory and claim 130 Group one wind, the most by any jockey on Australian record. The Waller/McDonald combo also surpassed T.J Smith/George Moore record pf most trainer/jockey G1 victories in what was a special moment for them both.

James McDonald thanked John O'Shea for his support when first arriving in Sydney and believed without hid early guidance, he may not have achieved to this high level as a determined young man starting out in the tough Melbourne, then Sydney jockeys room. He then made it three Group one's in a row and 131 when winning the Gr.1 George Ryder on AUTUMN GLOW, the sensational Waller mare who made it 11 wins straight. JMac only rated Hong Kong star ROMANTIC WARRIOR as the one horse he has ridden superior to this star mare over the mile. How many more this remarkable young Kiwi can reach in the saddle is difficult to know, but he has many good years still ahead of him. Surely the New Zealand Halberg Awards cannot ignore him any longer and he is recognised as Sportsman of the Year

J-Mac's five best horses

ROMANTIC WARRIOR
There’s no doubt about who sits at the top of this list. McDonald has won more Group 1s on Romantic Warrior than he has on any other galloper, this is the horse that has taken him around the world with top level success in Hong Kong, Australia, Japan and Dubai, while Romantic Warrior also holds the honour of being the highest prize money earner in racing history. Since their association began in November 2022, McDonald has been aboard the Danny Shum trained gelding for twelve of his thirteen G1 wins, highlighted by his 2023 Cox Plate triumph, where McDonald played a vital role in the horse’s preparation, as well as his record four Hong Kong Cup victories

VERRY ELLEEGANT
One of the defining images of McDonald in his career to date is the look of sheer disbelief on his face as he crossed the line on Verry Elleegant in her 2021 Melbourne Cup victory. McDonald won nine G1s on the talented but quirky mare, who undoubtedly wouldn’t have been easy to ride. At this point in time, Verry Elleegant also represents the pinnacle of McDonald’s association with fellow Kiwi expat Chris Waller, who he’s shared 50 G1 wins with. McDonald was part of Verry Elleegant’s career ever since she joined Waller’s stable, where she transformed from a highly promising three-year-old in 2019 to a classy mare who’d captured Australia’s biggest staying races upon her departure to Europe in 2022

VIA SISTINA
Of the 130 G1 winners that McDonald has ridden, few have been as spectacular as his 2024 Cox Plate romp on Via Sistina. Certainly, that will be a day that will long live in McDonald’s memory, as the imported mare demolished her rivals by eight lengths, breaking the 2040m track record at Moonee Valley that had been set by Winx, all while providing McDonald with his one hundredth victory at the highest level. While that was clearly her standout performance, McDonald and Via Sistina dominated Australia’s weight for age middle distance races ever since her Aussie debut in March 2024, where the Yulong owned mare won the Ranvet Stakes. In a two-year period, the pair won nine races at the elite level, with two Cox Plates featuring amongst them

NATURE STRIP
Just like he was with Verry Elleegant, McDonald was part of the development of Nature Strip, the best sprinter that he’s been associated with in his career. McDonald’s first ride on the speedy chestnut was when he won his first G1 in the 2019 Galaxy, however, McDonald saw his progression first-hand from a rough diamond to the polished gem that he was at his peak in 2021 and 2022. Nature Strip’s defining moment was his blitz in the 2022 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, where he annihilated a strong international at a meeting that McDonald has the greatest respect for. As well as enabling McDonald to exhibit his talents on the world stage, Nature Strip clung on to win the 2021 Everest for McDonald, on top of his three T.J. Smith Stakes trophies that he accumulated in the autumn from 2020 to 2022. 

IT’S A DUNDEEL
Picking a fifth horse for this list proved a tough task, but It’s A Dundeel has got the nod here at the expense of 2022 Cox Plate hero Anamoe and Hong Kong superstar, Voyage Bubble. Murray Baker’s little colt was a special horse for McDonald in the early stages of his career, and the young hoop was in the saddle for 18 of his 19 starts, including his six G1 wins. It’s A Dundeel dominated the Sydney autumn as a three-year-old in 2013, bolting up to win the ATC Derby that year by six lengths, while later that year, he became the only horse to defeat superstar Atlantic Jewel when he prevailed in the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield. McDonald was up in the saddle the day the It’s A Dundeel farewelled racing in style with his triumph in the 2014 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, in what was the first year of The Championships. For McDonald, It’s A Dundeel helped him prove himself as someone that trainers could reliably go to in the big moments

The former New Zealand trainer BJORN BAKER now based at Warwick Farm has been on a roll claiming prestigious Group 1 races The Newmarket at Flemington and Futurity Stakes at Caulfield. A popular and charismatic individual, Baker has long felt his class sprinter CABALLUS was capable of winning the Newmarket Handicap, and the history of the race has had pondering a dream result at Flemington in early March.

CABALLUS confirmed his class and his liking for Flemington’s historic straight-six course with a superb front-running performance by Craig Newitt to claim the $2 million feature. Newitt rode a fabulous race on the winner as he controlled the tempo mid-race and then went for it inside the 400-metre mark. He was out on his legs on the line but had enough in hand to beat the outsider GALLANT SON ($61) and the Waller-trained ANGEL CAPITAL. He beat home the hot favourites TENTYRIS and MY GLADIOLA at odds of $18.00.  Previously, the I AM INVINCIBLE gelding had claimed the Gr.3 Rising Fast Stakes in November, bolted away to win the Gr.3 George Moore at Doomben in December and finished runner-up to JOLIESTAR in the Gr.2 Expressway at Randwick as a warm up act.

Baker achieved significant Group 1 success two weeks prior when the enigmatic gelding PERCILES secured a Group 1 victory on his 16th attempt in the Futurity Stakes. Pericles had proven to be a frustrating galloper at the highest level with four seconds and two thirds. Pericles was bred at Northwood Park, Seymour, the stud in Victoria standing the fantastic stallion STREET BOSS. For him to achieve Group One glory and near on $7 million prizemoney is remarkable.

Baker has also achieved success with his high-quality juvenile stock, as both WARWOVEN and PARADOXIUM were being prepared for the Golden Slipper in late March. STEFI MAGNETICA has been a star for the stable winning both the Gr.1 Doncaster and Stradbroke as well as ARAPAHO, the Gr.1 Sydney Cup winner last season. Add in the classic old sprinter OVERPASS who still has some spring in his step and the Magic Millions winner from last year O'OLE. Expect more future success from the Bjorn Baker stable as his team extends to include more high-quality gallopers and this guy knows how to gain results.

His father Murray Baker started training at Woodville in the 1970s. Murray has won many major races on both sides of the Tasman with leading horses such as BONNEVAL, DAL CIELO, THE PHANTOM, TURN ME LOOSE, THE CHOSEN ONE the great DUNDEEL, winner of the Australian Triple Crown and Caulfield Cup winner MONGOLIAN KHAN. Baker senior played a pivotal role in the professional development of both his son, Bjorn, and Andrew Forsman, through a collaborative training partnership. Baker yielded over 1800 victories in New Zealand, with an additional 60 wins in Australia. Furthermore, they achieved 270 stakes and group race victories, including 48 in Australia, and secured 57 Group One wins, 22 of which were in Australia.

Brendon and Jo Lindsay have continued to achieve success in Sydney, with their star sprinter JOLIESTAR winning the Gr.1 Canterbury Stakes at Randwick carrying the studs famed black and yellpw chequers. A three-time Group 1 winning mare, JOLIESTAR is a class act who was put in a great spot by James McDonald and from there she did the rest. The ZOUSTAR mare was coming off a strong fresh up victory in the Gr.2 Expressway at Randwick to begin her campaign after a tough three-run spring prep where she won the Gr.2 The Shorts before finishing 5th in the Everest to KA YING RISING and 3rd in the VRC Sprint behind GIGA KICK.

Two weeks earlier, JAARFFI had achieved victory in the Gr.1 Otaki-Maori Classic at Ellerslie to give the owners their first Group 1 on New Zealand soil this season. The IFFRAAJ mare out of Cambridge Studs own broodmare PRIDE OF TRALEE was close up in a number of runs, finishing 2nd in the Legacy Lodge Sprint and Zabeel Classic and 3rd in the Thoroughbred Breeders and Cal Isuzu Stakes. With her 4th placing to LEGARTO in the Gr.1 Bonecrusher Stakes, the six-year-old brought up a million dollars in stake earnings with 5 wins and 8 placings from 25 starts. She will probably head to the breeding barn at some point soon as one of the studs most successful local runners.

LIGUIRA, a two-year-old, has emerged as another exceptional performer this year. Lance Noble, Cambridge Studs private trainer, claimed a notable result early in his tenure when he returned to his former home track to win the 2020 Matamata Breeders' Stakes with VERNAZZA and was planning on following the same path with her daughter, LIGURIA before a seriously wet track forced them to scratch from the Group 2 Waikato race. The SNITZEL filly is a grand daughter of ZONDA, who was bred by Brendan and Jo Lindsay nearly 20 years ago. LIGUIRA finished 4th on debut in a strong two-year-old field, before returning to Ellerslie to deliver a commanding performance in winning the Gr.2 Colin Jillings Classic. He ran on splendidly to finish runner up to LARA ANTIPOVA in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes and has amassed $174,000 in only three raceday starts.

It is always prudent to consider any runner representing Cambridge Stud from their Karaka based farm, as the racing stable manages approximately 30 racehorses, primarily focusing on fillies and mares as valuable racing and breeding assets. In recent seasons, notable horses in their famous colours have included the celebrated two-time New Zealand Horse of the Year, PROBABEEL, Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner KAHMA LASS, Gr.1 Queensland Derby victor PINARELLO, and Gr.1 headline acts, JOLIESTAR and SNAZZYTAVI.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs winger ALEX JOHNSTON had to wait until this season to break KEN IRVINE's long standing try scoring record. One of the clubs favourite sons, Alex Johnston endured a long hot summer waiting for his next crack at becoming the game's greatest ever tryscorer. His last try came in Round 25 against the Dragons in a 40-0 victory at Accor Stadium.

As we entered the 2026 season - Johnston's 13th in the Rabbitohs red and green - all eyes turned to the understated wingers bid to break Ken Irvine's premiership record of 212 tries that has stood for more than five decades. Irvine scored an incredible 171 tries in 178 games for North Sydney between 1958-70, before moving to Manly and racking up 41 tries in 60 games. He also won back-to-back premierships with the Sea Eagles in 1972-73.

Johnston also has a premiership to his name having bagged 21 tries in 18 games in his debut season in 2014 as the Bunnies broke a 43-year premiership drought. A.J scored just prior to halftime against the Dolphins ar Suncorp Stadium to go one away from equaling the record with his 211th try. On 13 March 2026, Johnston scored early in the contest against the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium, before Latrell Mitchell broke away down the sideline to feed him the ball one minute into the second half. AJ burst away to score his 213th career try and break the 50 year old record. Finally, he had achieved what seemed almost impossible.

Despite explicit instructions to refrain from entering the playing field, a significant number of spectators breached the perimeter to join the celebration of this individual's remarkable accomplishment. Play was suspended for fifteen minutes while order was re-established, and the players retired to the changing rooms until the spectators had vacated the pitch and returned to their seats. This event stands as a landmark achievement in the sport's history, establishing a record that is unlikely to be surpassed in the contemporary era. As one of the most prolific try-scorers in NRL history, Johnston boasts at least 16 career hat-tricks, including two hauls of five tries - against the Panthers in 2017 and Roosters in 2020.

Following a significant break from racing, and after a single preparatory run back at Wanganui, the NZ-based, MyRacehorse syndicated two-year-old INCANDESCENT recommenced his campaign at Pukekohe in March, with the G1 Sistema Stakes not seen as an achievable objective this season. Co-trainer Robert Wellwood proposed a deliberate and cautious approach towards the geldings three-year-old's campaign in the spring, suggesting that it would be more beneficial to avoid placing the PER INCANTO juvenile in highly competitive races against significantly faster, speed-based horses. Additionally, it would be wise to avoid overexerting his body as he continues to mature and grow into his frame, despite the gelding already possessing a remarkably strong physique.

Given Roger James's established operational methods, this outcome is not entirely unexpected. It is challenging to critique the stables strategic approach, especially when you consider the consistent success of their three-year-old this season, exemplified by horses such as NZ Derby winner ROAD TO PARIS, Waikato Guineas victor and Derby runner-up AUTUMN GLORY, plus FAIRY DREAM and WAIMEA BAY who quinelled the Desert Gold Stakes at Trentham. 

Following INCANDESCENT's impressive debut victory at Ellerslie, where the horse demonstrated a strong closing charge from well back to win stylishly, it is wise that we allow additional time for the thoroughbred to mature and develop its stamina for mile-distance races. That was pretty much the assessment of jockey Masa Hashizume and co-trainer Robert Wellwood after the horse powered up to run third at Pukekohe behind SO FEAR and SECRET SCHEMER over 1200m. Masa stated, "he'll make a spot on three-year-old miler," which was very encouraging.

This careful approach could yield significant results next season, particularly with the 3YO Karaka Millions and NZB KIWI identified as realistic target races for early 2027. Putting the horse aside is the obvious move, but there may be a couple more chances to test his ability and gain further experience before the winter months arrive.

Windsor Park Stud and Mapperley Stud have collaborated to form a syndicate agreement to retain SAVAGLEE in New Zealand as a stallion following the recently retired horse's entry onto the open market. Savaglee, who will join CIRCUS MAXIMUS, AUGUSTE RODIN, PADDINGTON, PROFONDO, SHAMEXPRESS, VANBURGH and TURN ME LOOSE at Windsor Park, while ARMORY stands in association at Mapperley. After two average runs back this period, it was obvious to Pam Gerard that he wasn't his old self, with owner Dick Karreman from Oaks Stud happy to go out on top while still ahead and in healthy condition.

The exceptional SAVABEEL colt wiped the floor with his competitors, but did run into VELOCIOUS in his two-year-old season, but still managed to win the Gr.3 Matamata Slipper in February 2024. He resumed in August to win at Tauranga fresh up, then ran 2nd in the Sir Colin Meads Trophy before going on a roll to win the Gr.2 Hawkes Bay Guineas, Gr.2 Sarten Memorial and the Gr.1 NZ 2000 Guineas. SAVAGLEE came back in January to claim the Gr.2 Levin Classic, run 3rd in the BDC Sprint against the older horses and finish 2nd to FEROCE in the Gr.1 Australian Guineas. Savaglee scored the third fastest NZ 2000 Guineas on record would should bode well for the speed elements of his offspring.

SAVAGLEE is incredibly well related being out of the O'REILLY mare GLEE, and originally a $400,000 purchase from the Karaka Sale Waikato Stud's draft of 2024. SAVAGLEE oozes quality and style and is a magnificent physical specimen. Together with his race performance and pedigree he really looks the total stud package. He will stand at an introductory fee of NZ$17,500 (plus GST), with limited nominations available.

Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne and her brother Patrick have confirmed the end of their training partnership. It comes just days after a fatal road accident involving a truck driver and three of their horses - six survived. 59 year old Peter Butler died after the horse transport truck he was driving rolled onto its roof and went over an embankment in Meredith, 46km north-west of Geelong in Victoria, on March 16. Payne Racing were quick to pass on their sincere condolences to Butler's family and friends.

Payne snared her first win as a trainer in 2018 before retiring from riding in 2024 - the same year she first teamed up with her sibling after previously guiding his horses to just under 100 career wins. The duo announced they are going their separate ways, with Patrick taking over the Plumpton operation.

Michelle - who famously won the Melbourne Cup in 2015 on board rank outsider PRINCE OF PENZANCE - will turn her attention to a smaller team in Ballarat. We wish to inform you that Patrick and Michelle have decided to dissolve the current training partnership as of April 1, 2026,' the statement read. Payne's unforgettable 2015 triumph at Flemington saw her become the first woman to win the race that stops a nation. Jamie Melham followed suit last year when she rode HALF YOURS to victory over 3200 metres ahead of GOODIE TWO SHOES and MIDDLE EARTH.