Racing should wait for spring’s blockbuster clash
The best thing for racing this spring will be if Autumn Glow and Sheza Alibi don’t clash in Saturday’s Winx Stakes.
While it is the race everyone wants to see, we want to see it when both are at their top.
It will be better for both mares to further build their impressive resumes.
They have already competed, and by staying apart it allow that to continue.
The anticipation for the clash will increase.
Opinions will be divided.
Chris Waller will keep Autumn Glow to trips around the mile with a program if well-established program in Sydney, which will see her in the King Charles III Stakes on Everest day.
However, there is the lure of the TAB slot in The Everest for her, should Waller and John Messara decide they can beat Ka Ying Rising.
Make no mistake, the only reason Autumn Glow will be in the $20 million showcase is if she can beat the Hong Kong superstar.
Sheza Abili can continue her unbeaten run in the blinkers through the Memsie Stakes and Makybe Diva Stakes, which look a tougher road than Sydney.
The likes of Cosmic Crusader and Sir Delius standing in the way.
The spring is set to be one of the best in Australia this century because of the quality and depth of competition at the top level, especially around the mile trip.
Freer plunge delivers Melbourne Cup contender
Australian Bloodstock have done it again with Wine Dark Sea booking a ticket to the Melbourne Cup winning at Newbury on Friday.
He landed big bets from $15 to $4.50 as he took out the Geoffery Freer Stakes beating a field that included Dubai Honour.
In a week where the Melbourne Cup-winning syndicator lost Al Riffa for this year’s edition, Wine Dark Sea converted a long-term plan by passing the ballot clauses.
“I believe the Melbourne Cup is the long-term aim,” Harry Charlton’s assistant trainer Matt Fielding said.
“It would be a dream, and it’s nice to have runners in big races across the world. He’s won it well and galloped out very well to the line. Stamina wasn’t an issue, and he enjoyed himself out front.”
Wine Dark Sea showed a changed a foot to win and impressed jockey Hector Crouch, who knew what was required from the race.
“He was very tenacious,” Crouch said. He was bought with the aim to go down to Melbourne, and he needed to finish third or better today to qualify, so we’ve done a bit better than that.
“Hopefully he continues his progress down there.”
Gamble landed!
Well-backed before the off, Wine Dark Sea bounces back to form in style in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes…@HectorCrouch @HarryJCharlton pic.twitter.com/G72sIZVnnP
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 15, 2026
Trainers warm to Sleip app
There is a growing acceptance of the Sleip app by NSW trainers, who are using technology for horses with gait problems.
The app was made a condition licencing this season to the dismay of many trainers and still has a few minor problems.
Trainers felt it was forced on them without any consultation, other than an announcement at meeting with the Racing NSW veterinary department.
“The problem was the way they communicated it to us in the first place,” a trainer, who didn’t want to be identified told Betsy. “It was like this is happening and you guys just have to get on with it.
“But as we have worked with the app, it is a good tool and something we need for welfare issues.
“We take a video of every horse when they come back into the stable, but I’m using it for other horses as well.
“Especially for horses that trot up with a funny action. We can take a few videos and they can see that their action doesn’t change.
“It saves a few arguments.”
There is a working group of trainers that are trialling the app and having meeting with the top end of Racing NSW about their experiences using it.
“The good thing about it is that they are listening now and want to get our feedback,” another trainer said.
“If we can work together on something like this it shows what can be done with a bit of consultation.”
One for the punters
Central Europe ran into third in the Rosebud after overracing, but crucially beat home all the other contenders for the Golden Rose from the race. It was only his third start, and he still does a bit wrong, but he looks a good one in the making. It will be interesting which path Waller takes with him. The top level in the Run To The Rose or the Up And Coming Stakes over 1300m in a couple of weeks, which looks ideal.
One from the stewards
Stayer Piggyback was a stand out from the stewards report after they questioned apprentice Shannon Llewwllyn. “She said, however, that rounding the home turn Piggyback commenced to lay in, which resulted in the horse becoming awkwardly placed outside of the heels of Floating in the early part of the home straight. She said
that Piggyback then proved somewhat reluctant to shift out, which resulted in her being unable to fully test the horse until after passing the 200m. She added that once into clear running and balanced up, Piggyback closed the race off well.” Piggyback will get better out in trip.
One for the bookies
The Vain Stakes has been a good horses’ race, but I think Hard Kick and his rivals will struggle to measure up to the better three-year-olds in coming months. Smart filly Natural Fling went much quicker.
One for the futures
Attica was beaten by a sharper rival in the Spring Preview and is starting to look like more of a stayer than a miler. The $51 in the Caulfield Cup might be a good bet.
