Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Spring racing for 2023 is now in the books, and what a spring it was! We saw Without A Fight (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) become the first horse in 22 years to take out both the G1 Caulfield Cup and G1 Melbourne Cup, while Ozzmosis (Zoustar) was a breathtaking winner of the G1 Coolmore Stud S. at Flemington.
With the dust now settled, it’s high time to examine some of the most recognisable thoroughbreds, and what races they are looking to target in the coming months.
Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni {Fr} x Bumbasina {Ire})
For the first time, Western Australia’s beloved mare Amelia’s Jewel ventured to the eastern seaboard, in a campaign that yielded mixed results. Her first run was an impressive victory in the G2 Let’s Elope S. at Flemington, before progressing to smash the track record over 1600 metres at Moonee Valley in the G2 Stocks S., defeating dual Group 1-winner Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) and Group 2 victress Deny Knowledge (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai) in the process.
She lost her way a bit after that, putting in a plain performance in the G1 Toorak H. before an ugly incident in the $10 million Golden Eagle at Rosehill leaving jockey Damian Lane saying, “Glad I came back in the jockey's room alive,” in the aftermath.
Amelia's Jewel | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Now back in Perth, trainer Simon A Miller will target redemption in The Quokka, a race in which she was narrowly defeated by Overpass (Vancouver) in the 2023 edition. Now worth $5 million, the G3 Roma Cup over 1100 metres, a race she took out last year when defeating Red Can Man (Gingerbread Man) this year, looms as the likely kickoff run.
Beyond that, Brisbane and Adelaide beckon as options, with the G1 Robert Sangster S. over 1200 metres presenting as the preferred opportunity in the city of churches. Should owner-breeder Peter Walsh elect for a Brisbane campaign, where races like the G1 Doomben 10,000 and the G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup are potential targets at weight for age.
Imperatriz (I Am Invincible x Berimbau)
Arguably the horse of the spring, Imperatriz ruled the sprinting roost in Melbourne with an iron fist, victorious in the McEwen, G1 Moir S., G1 Manikato S. and G1 Champions Sprint across her four starts.
Her incredible spring has racing enthusiasts eagerly awaiting her return, which according to David Ellis of Te Akau Racing, will likely be in Australia.
Imperatriz | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Asked in mid-November on RSN if a race like the Black Caviar Lightning over 1000 metres fits into the agenda, Ellis said, “Yep, for sure, that’d be a nice race to kick her off in.”
Beyond attempting to add an incredible fourth Melbourne Group 1 sprint to her sparkling record, Imperatriz could be the flagbearer for Australian-bred horses on the international stage, with Royal Ascot also touted as a serious option for the superstar mare.
I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel x Make A Wish {NZ})
Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman’s sprinting star enjoyed a relatively light spring, running third in the G1 Memsie S. in early September, before placing second in The Everest. Sent for a rest after his Everest run, where he closed off strongly to miss by just 0.4l, he has a number of options ahead of him for the autumn.
I Wish I Win (NZ) | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
One race already ruled out by Moody is The All-Star Mile, telling SEN, “He won’t be ready for The All-Star Mile (in March) so he’ll go down the sprinting path again.”
This leaves the TJ Smith as his likely major target, setting up a chance for him to retain the title he so impressively won in 2023. Another option left on the table at this stage is a run in Brisbane, potentially giving Moody a chance to taste major success back in his home state of Queensland.
“He (I Wish I Win) won’t be ready for The All-Star Mile (in March) so he’ll go down the sprinting path again.” - Peter Moody
The two weight-for-age sprinting races, the Doomben 10,000 and the Kingsford-Smith Cup, both present as viable options should Moody and Coleman elect to go (further) north.
Ozzmosis (Zoustar x No More Tears {NZ})
Causing a minor upset in the Coolmore Stud S. at Flemington, Ozzmosis got his spring back on track at the final opportunity, having had a lot of hype around him dissipate after a third-placed finish in the G2 Roman Consul S. at Rosehill in October.
The victory at Flemington, which all but guarantees him a future as a stallion, isn’t the end of the road for the exciting sprinter as far as racing is concerned, with trainer Bjorn Baker keen to test his 3-year-old colt against some of the best older horses.
Ozzmosis | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Another runner that could appear in the Black Caviar Lightning, potentially giving the race almost all of the best sprinters in the country to put on a race for the ages, he may also progress on to contest the G1 Newmarket H. at Flemington, contested down the famous straight course over 1400 metres.
Think About It (So You Think {NZ} x Tiare)
Taking almost all before him throughout 2023, the rise and rise of Think About It is almost certain to be one of the stories of the racing year, even with just under a shade of a month still to play out.
Having taken out The Everest, prizemoney isn’t exactly in short supply for connections, but the gelding will have plenty of opportunities to add to his earnings throughout an autumn campaign in Sydney.
Think About It | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
The primary target is the G1 Doncaster H., giving him an opportunity to add his name to an illustrious honour roll. Also on the agenda at this stage is a run in the G1 Canterbury S. and the G1 George Ryder S.
Speaking to RadioTAB in late November, Brave Pride, son of trainer Joseph, also confirmed that a Queensland winter preparation is unlikely, in order to have the gelding fit and firing for the spring.
Without A Fight (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire} x Khor Sheed {GB})
Earning his place in Australian racing history by taking out the Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double, Without A Fight has been a revelation since transferring to Anthony and Sam Freedman’s stable after a midfield finish in the 2022 Melbourne Cup.
Dominating in Queensland earlier this year, including a strong win in the G2 The Q22 S. over 2200 metres, heading north for some sunshine remains a possibility for the 7-year-old gelding, who sits just shy of $10 million in prizemoney.
Without A Fight (Ire) | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Prior to any campaign deep into the autumn, the G1 Australian Cup in March over 2000 metres was floated by Sam Freedman to Racing.com as a potential pipe-opener.
“He’s having a little break. He’s in great order. Maybe the Australian Cup first-up,” he said.
“He’s (Without A Fight) having a little break. He’s in great order. Maybe the Australian Cup first-up (in March).” - Sam Freedman
With firmer going seemingly his preferred surface, a Sydney campaign may present challenges, should the sustained rain seen in previous years descend upon the harbour city.
Looking beyond the autumn, Without A Fight could join legendary racehorses Might And Power (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and Rising Fast (NZ) (Alonzo {GB}) as the only horses to win a Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup and G1 WS Cox Plate, with the latter an early target for the spring of 2024.
Racking up the miles
With the resumption of international travel and relatively free movement, forays to Europe and beyond have become a viable option.
The Astrologist (Zoustar) made the trip in 2023, running a narrow second in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan. He is scheduled to travel again, although this time there are a number of other Australian-trained horses likely to join him.
Asfoora (Flying Artie) will be aimed at the G1 Oakleigh Plate in February, after which Henry Dwyer hopes to travel the talented mare to the United Kingdom for a run in a 1000-metre Group 1, with options in Ireland and France also on the table.
Gallery: Some of the Australian horses looking to make international appearances, images courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Star Patrol (Starspangledbanner) will have a Dubai campaign in March, targeting the Al Quoz Sprint as trainer Clinton McDonald attempts to find a winnable Group 1 for his 5-year-old gelding.
Deny Knowledge will skip the autumn, with a potential trip to Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup Carnival on the agenda, as revealed by The Thoroughbred Report in November.
Bits and pieces
Coal Crusher (Turffontein) will target the G2 Expressway S. first-up, with races like the G1 William Reid S. also an option if he shows strong form.
Insurrection (Russian Revolution) may travel to Perth for a run in The Quokka.
Magic Time (Hellbent) has qualified for The All-Star Mile thanks to her win in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S. in the final stanza of spring.
Obamburumai (Jpn) (Discreet Cat {USA}) may return to Australia for a run in The Doncaster, having taken out the Golden Eagle in spring.
Overpass will return to Perth in April for a defence of The Quokka.
Overpass, winner of Saturday's G1 Winterbottom S., will return to Perth in April to defend his The Quokka title | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
Pride Of Jenni could end up in The All-Star Mile in March, with a tilt at the G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot a possibility, according to co-trainer Ciaron Maher.
Private Eye (Al Maher) has Melbourne in his sights for an autumn campaign.
Shinzo (Snitzel) will return for an autumn campaign, Chris Waller confirmed at the Australian Racing Hall of Fame dinner in November.
