Point Barrow green, but impressive…
Favourite backers got the lot in race two at Caulfield, although it wasn’t without heart palpitations.
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Point Barrow was heavily backed throughout the week, firming from $3 into $2.40, before starting $2.60.
She was expected to get back in the field – which she did – but as they turned for home it looked as though the Queenslander Vein Girl had pinched a winning break. However, she tired late, and was nailed by Point Barrow and the Chris Waller-trained Surf’s Up.
POINT BARROW 💥
A massive win from the back! She’s a very good filly ⭐@DanielStack33 @FreedmanRacing pic.twitter.com/Sx5pJ6ZiIf
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 11, 2025
Point Barrow was still very wayward under Daniel Stackhouse, as she was on debut at Caulfield last November. She looks like she has plenty of improvement to come.
Brayden Star breaks drought in Herbert Power
Brayden Star won his first race since the 2023 Benalla Cup, fighting strongly to win the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes at his third attempt.
The 7YO gelding tracked the leader – Smokin’ Romans – looming up at the top of the straight. At one point, the favourite and 2025 Benalla Cup winner looked like he was going to go straight past Brayden Star, but to his credit he dug deep to win.
BRAYDEN STAR ⭐
A thrilling Herbert Power as @CWilliamsJockey lifts Brayden Star to a dogged victory! Those on Whisky On The Hill may need just that 😬 🥃@busuttin pic.twitter.com/QGnDblCTIW
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 11, 2025
He will now back-up in next week’s Caulfield Cup where he is currently a $34 chance at Bet365.
“The other horse had him cold, but he was strong,” said trainer Trent Busuttin.
Brayden Star was removed from last year’s Melbourne Cup after CT scans revealed he was “at a heightened risk of injury,” according to Racing Victoria.
When pressed on the horse’s soundness, Busuttin stated: “he’s the soundest horse you’ll ever see.”
“He’s never had a shot of cortisone or anything. The Melbourne Cup is a different standard, the scans are what they are but we were as flat as anything when he was scratched out of the Cup, because we knew there was nothing wrong with the horse.”
Globe causes boilover in the Might And Power
Small fields can often be tactical, and that was the case with Saturday’s four-horse Might And Power Stakes.
Globe looked the only speed horse in the race and jockey Blake Shinn certainly made the most of that controlling the tempo to a nicety before kicking away form the two big guns in betting: Treasurethe Moment and Buckaroo.
GLOBE 🌏
An upset in the Might And Power as Blake Shinn produces a frontrunning masterclass in the small field!
Treasurethe Moment and Buckaroo fill the placings, can they still win their Spring targets 🤔 pic.twitter.com/voi1gZ5S7T
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 11, 2025
Globe went along at sedate sectionals in the mid-stages of the race – 12.46, 12.96, 12.51 seconds from the 1800m to the 800m mark. But from that point on, Shinn got the gelding rolling, clocking an 11.68-second split from the 800-600m mark, and at the point he started to stretch his more-fancied rivals, who weren’t able to match it with Globe.
Treasurethe Moment’s trainer Matt Laurie was a touch disappointed with his star mare’s performance: “On fave value she was a touch disappointing.”
A Cox Plate start now in jeopardy. “Ideally you’re winning this, and winning this well, heading to a Cox Plate. So we have to think twice about that and see how she pulls up.”
Shangri La Boy belts them in the Gloaming
In typical Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott style, Shangri La Boy lead them from the outset in the 1800m Group 3 Gloaming Stakes, running his rivals into the ground.
A son of Gai Waterhouse’s star 2YO Triple Crown winner, Pierro and a half brother to Storm Boy, Shangri La Boy won the Gloaming at just start number three, having won a 1400m Maiden the start prior.
A slice of paradise! 🌴
Shangri La Boy is impressive in winning the G3 Gloaming Stakes at start number 3!@GaiWaterhouse1 @aus_turf_club pic.twitter.com/tpeQ8UiTUg
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 11, 2025
Co-trainer Adrian Bott confirmed Shangri La Boy would now press on to the 2000m Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes.
“I think we have to, the manner in which he won that,” said Bott.
“That would have been the only concern coming here today. It was a good test because, as I said, he was 1400m metres up to 1800m; he was only on a relatively quick turnaround, on a 10-day turnaround from a Wednesday meeting here, so an excellent effort in that regard.”
Autumn Boy does as Dad did
The Autumn Sun produced one of the most visually impressive Caulfield Guineas wins in recent years when he belted his rivals in the 2018 edition of the race.
His deeds at stud are starting to match his racetrack exploits, his reputation being further enhanced with his son, Autumn Boy, claiming Saturday’s Caulfield Guineas.
It was a case of deja vu for trainer Chris Waller and jockey Damian Lane, who claimed the race in 2024 with Private Life.
Lane settled Autumn Boy forward of midfield from the inside alley before quickly finding clean air at the top of the straight. Once clear, he let down with a strong turn-of-foot.
LIKE FATHER LIKE SON ☀️
Autumn Boy wins a dramatic Caulfield Guineas, joining his sire The Autumn Sun as a Guineas Champion! Damian Lane and Chris Waller go back-to-back in the 3YO Classic 🤝 pic.twitter.com/XztL6fOBNU
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 11, 2025
Planet Red relished a stronger tempo and stepping to the mile, working home well into second.
It was a hard-luck story for Godolphin and Ciaron Maher with Observer. The colt was bolting for a run coming around the home turn and for much of the straight, only getting clear once the race was over to run third.
