Pride Of Jenni is so bloody good for racing. She ensures races are truly run, and that is exactly what this sport should be about. Genuine contest. Proper racing.
One can only hope when Jenni finally retires there’s another bold front-runner or two ready to take her place.
The 2026 Australian Cup will go down as one of the best in recent memory. I’ll never forget Lonhro lifting himself off the canvas, Greg Miles’ call of “go Lonhro, go” etched forever in the mind. This edition deserves to sit alongside the very best we’ve seen this century.
Furthermore, despite some early criticism, the move to late March has clearly worked. With the Queen Elizabeth just a fortnight away, it makes little sense for trainers to have their stars at 2000m in early March. The progression now from All-Star Mile to Australian Cup to Queen Elizabeth is outstanding for high-quality weight-for-age horses.
Liam O’Keeffe is a master of his craft, and there was no chance Flemington would play moderately two meetings in a row. With the rail back in the true, the track raced evenly.
Rain in the lead-up and again on race morning had the track in the heavy range early, but Flemington’s drying profile came to the fore. It improved rapidly through the day and likely finished around a Soft 6.
BUY
Satono Glow (Race 3)
Was heavily backed on debut before producing a strong turn-of-foot to win at Warwick Farm.
She was even more impressive in Saturday’s Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes. Time was poor, but it was the only 1200m race on the card and no doubt the track dried out significantly as the day went on. With this girl – happy to trust the visual – and everything says to me she’s going to be a terrific 1400/1600m horse in time.
Loved the debut of Salann, too. Ben Brisbourne has a nice filly on his hands, and I reckon a race like the Anzac Day Stakes over 1400m in late-April would be ideal for her.
Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes | Satono Glow
Satono Glow might be a STAR ⭐️🤯 She remains unbeaten, dismantling a field of quality fillies.
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0 pic.twitter.com/uyjCIFQhdq— Racing.com (@Racing) March 28, 2026
Zakouma (Race 5)
Another fairly obvious horse to follow but this bloke could seriously be top shelf. His turn of foot over staying trips is elite, producing the 6th best last 200m split of the entire meeting. The 2000m won’t be the bottom of his distance range and I wonder if they now eye off the Mornington Cup into Andrew Ramdsen and try to get him qualified for the Melbourne Cup?
Zakouma IMPRESSIVE 💥
The favourite wins coming away with the Wizard of the West aboard! Grahame Begg has a progressive stayer on his hands 👏@grahame_begg pic.twitter.com/ijUCL1JrX2
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) March 28, 2026
Highland Blaze (Race 7)
One for the ‘Bool blackbook.
Wow, what a return from last year’s Grand National Hurdle winner. He had won two hurdle trials leading into Saturday’s Roy Higgins and the way he smashed the line on the flat suggests he simply couldn’t be going better. His only hurdling defeat came in last year’s Australian Hurdle when he had a few excuses – whatever they aim up at next he’s going to take a tonne of beating.
Apulia/Sabaj (Race 8)
Apulia has been building so well into his campaign. He was a touch flattered by the brutal tempo, no doubt, but he was outstanding late. Not sure where they go next, but he’s ready to win.
Sabaj is racing a mile out of his grade but he was excellent in both the All-Star Mile and the Australian Cup. Not sure where they go next with him, but if they avoid the top-liners in the Queen Elizabeth there has to be a race in the offing at his next start.
HOLD
Legacy Bound (Race 6)
On face value, he was bog average.
However, not willing to sack him just yet as he didn’t look at all comfortable on the rain-affected going. Not sure he is quite up to this grade as yet but assume they will look for something in SA over the next month and in the right race, back on top of the ground, I wouldn’t be sacking just yet.
Flemington Race 5 I Thanks Gorgeous@JyeMcNeil takes Thanks Gorgeous through her gears for her second win-in-a-row 🌟
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0 pic.twitter.com/6Q94FgWfoK— Racing.com (@Racing) January 17, 2026
SELL
She’s An Artist (Race 1)
Can’t sell a horse twice. But I am!
She hasn’t lived up to the early hype. There’s no doubt she ran a big number in her career, and it’s possible that she has the potential to run a big PB on her day but struggles to replicate it with any consistency.
Flemington Race 1 | Pop Award
They’re off & racing at Flemington! It’s a family affair as Pop Award wins the opener for Lyn Tolson & Leonie Proctor, ridden by Luke Cartwright 👏
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0 pic.twitter.com/RgMs2m9FPK— Racing.com (@Racing) March 28, 2026
She won a shallow form race first-up this campaign and has frankly disappointed (at least vs market expectations) in two runs since. Surely, she won’t go around favourite again for a while.
Justadeel (Race 10)
Justadeel was fancied to win the last on the card but couldn’t have been more plain. Had a soft run in transit and just wilted late, has handled soft ground before, too. He had every chance to put them away in the Echuca Cup when a short-priced favourite the start prior. Not sure he’s going as well this campaign as he was last time in.
Flemington Race 10 | Al Duca
Al Duca fends them off to win the last under @CWilliamsJockey 👌
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0 pic.twitter.com/HX4dgaNxwS— Racing.com (@Racing) March 28, 2026
