Cover image courtesy of Sportpix
A big task ahead for the classy Lady Shenandoah
The gifted 3-year-old filly Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel) will need to break several records if she is to taste success in the G1 Coolmore Classic at Rosehill on Saturday.
She aims to become the first 3-year-old to win the race since Typhoon Tracy (Red Ransom) in 2009, and will be carrying the heaviest weight for a filly of her age since Assertive Lass (Zeditave) in 1997, who carried 55.5kg to victory with Shane Dye in the saddle.
Despite the challenge, there is a strong belief that this dual Group 1-winning filly, already successful at the highest level over 1400 and 1600 metres, has both the talent and potential to pull it off. That confidence is reflected in Chris Waller’s decision to run her from a wide draw in this elite company, rather than opting for the G2 Phar Lap Stakes, a race he has previously used for stars in recent times like Zougotcha (Zoustar), Hungry Heart (Frankel {GB}), Funstar (Adelaide {Ire}), Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}), Unforgotten (Fastnet Rock) and Foxplay (Foxwedge).
Lady Of Camelot and Lady Shenandoah battle it out in the G1 Surround Stakes | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Lady Shenandoah comes into the race in outstanding form, Lady Of Camelot (Written Tycoon), last year’s Golden Slipper heroine, has finished runner-up to her in both the G2 Light Fingers Stakes and the G1 Surround Stakes this preparation. The step up to 1500 metres looks ideal, and she is primed to peak and take on the older mares in what promises to be a thrilling contest.
Victory won’t come easy, though. She faces 13 high-class rivals, including fellow Group 1 winners such as Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}), who returned to top form with victory in the G2 Guy Walter Stakes, Manaal (Tassort), and Lady Of Camelot, who pushed her close last time and now benefits from a 0.5kg weight swing. Other strong contenders include Firestorm (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}), Alsephina (Star Turn), Coeur Volante (NZ) (Proisir) and Olentia (Zoustar), who are all proven Group winners.
The figures around the Showdown
The VOBIS Sires Showdown is always a fiercely contested affair, offering a lucrative opportunity for 2-year-old horses. Eligible runners must be VOBIS Silver-nominated and sired by a VOBIS Sires stallion, if they upgrade to Gold they will receive an automatic upgrade to VOBIS Platinum. Making them eligible for this $1 million event.
Where things get particularly interesting is when we analyse the purchase prices of these contenders, and the potential windfall for their connections.
Of the 2025 field, six runners were home-bred or not offered at a public sale, while the remaining nine were purchased for a combined total of $1,208,799—averaging $134,311 each. Remarkably, this is only just over $200,000 more for the cost of the nine horses, than the total prize money on offer in the race.
Gallery: Contenders range from a $800 bargain to a $520,000 splurge
The price range among this year’s contenders is considerable. At one end of the spectrum, Stars Aligned (Lucky Vega {Ire}) was snapped up for just $800 at the 2024 Inglis February (Early) Online Sale. At the other, Winmar (Written Tycoon) cost connections a more hefty $520,000 at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
For the nine sale-ring purchases, the financial upside is significant—100 per cent would win back their purchase price with a victory, and 89 per cent would do so even if they finished second.
The highly rated second favourite, Mcgaw (I Am Immortal), trained by Emma-Lee and David Browne, was secured by Sparta Racing Pty Ltd for just $14,000 at the 2024 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale from the draft of Stonehouse Thoroughbreds. To put that into perspective, Mcgaw’s purchase price could have been paid 39.3 times over from the $550,000 winner’s prize alone.
Mcgaw as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Historically, this race has proven to be a golden opportunity for owners. The previous six winners of the race were purchased at an average price of $100,333, highlighting how the VOBIS Sires Showdown continues to offer owners the chance to secure a life-changing payday. The 2025 edition looks set to be no different.
Jenni off the canvas
Not long ago, it seemed the career of ‘The Iron Mare’ was over. But on Saturday, Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) takes her place in what looks to be a suitable G2 Sportsbet Peter Young Stakes over a mile, where she faces just five rivals under highly favourable weight-for-age conditions.
Owner Tony Ottobre had announced Pride Of Jenni’s retirement after the seven-year-old mare bled when well beaten in the G1 Champions Mile last spring. From there, attention and discussion turned to choosing a stallion for the three-time Group 1 winner, who has amassed just over $10 million in prize money. There was even talk of the logistics required to have her served by Japan’s outstanding racehorse and extremely exciting sire, Equinox (Jpn).
However, after serving her mandatory ban, Pride Of Jenni’s condition and demeanour convinced connections to put her back in training. Since then, the team has been delighted with her progress and were encouraged as she showcased her trademark bold, front-running style at the Cranbourne jump-outs on March 3, winning impressively.
Pride Of Jenni | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
One intriguing aspect of this race is her lack of a first-up record—Pride Of Jenni is yet to win in eight first-up attempts. But her jockey, Craig Newitt, remains unfazed, telling Racenet:
“Yes, she’s had eight first-up starts for no wins, but if you go back through those runs, they’ve all been over 1400 metres, which is short of her best trip,” Newitt explained.
“All I can do is rely on Ciaron’s training to have her ready for her first-up run without having the screws right down.
“I’ve done a heap of work on her, and she’s coming along very well. I’ll be going there thinking she’s going to be very hard to beat.”
“I’ve done a heap of work on her (Pride Of Jenni), and she’s coming along very well. I’ll be going there thinking she’s going to be very hard to beat.” - Craig Newitt
She won’t have it all her own way, though. Among her challengers is the talented G1 Victorian Oaks-winning Kingman (GB) mare, Zardozi, who ran a brilliant third in the G2 Blamey Stakes a fortnight ago. Also in the mix is Que Tempesta (Ire), trained by Ben, Will, and JD Hayes. The Territories (Ire) gelding should have gained significant benefit from his first Australian preparation and has looked sharp in recent jump-outs and trials.
If Pride Of Jenni does claim victory first-up, the Caulfield grandstand might just erupt. Melbourne Racing Club Chairman, John Kanga, has vowed to shout the bar, promising that every patron on course, whether a member or a general admission ticket holder, will receive a free drink if the superstar mare salutes in her comeback race.
Craig Newitt | Image courtesy of Tasracing
Is the Millennium form the right form?
The R. Listed Inglis Millennium is always a fiercely contested race for Inglis 2-year-old graduates, but few could have predicted the depth of form emerging from the 2025 edition.
The impressive winner Rivellino (Too Darn Hot {GB}) has since franked the form with another dominant victory in the G2 Skyline Stakes and now heads to the G1 Golden Slipper, with Hugh Bowman booked to ride. Meanwhile, the runner-up Within The Law (Lucky Vega {Ire}) went on to produce a thrilling finish in the G2 Sweet Embrace Stakes, nailing Bellazaine (Zousain) right on the post at Randwick. She also looks a great hope in the big one in a couple of weeks.
Rivellino | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Now, two fillies from that same Inglis Millennium form line, Artistic Venture (Trapeze Artist) and Open Secret (King’s Legacy), who finished third and sixth respectively—take their place in Saturday’s G3 Racing and Sports Magic Night Stakes, hoping to launch themselves into Golden Slipper contention.
Co-trainer of Artistic Venture, Tom Charlton, is cautiously optimistic about her chances:
“She’s been racing really well—she didn’t have much luck last time but ran home strongly. She’s been improving with each run, training well, and from a tricky barrier, she’ll need a few things to go her way.
“To get into the Slipper, she’d have to win, but if she does, we’d certainly give it strong consideration. It maps as an interesting race, with a few horses having their first starts, which adds to the intrigue. The favourite (Strada Varenna) will likely set the pace out in front, so it could be a challenge from where she gets, but she’s a smart filly.”
Gallery: Two fillies step into the G3 Magic Night Stakes, eyeing a Golden Slipper spot
Meanwhile, Open Secret was brave in the Inglis Millennium, covering extra ground from a wide trip, before next time finishing sixth in the G2 Sweet Embrace Stakes. With blinkers applied for the first time, she shapes as a strong each-way contender.
The G3 Pago Pago Stakes also provides an opportunity for a talented colt to sneak in the back-door of the G1 Golden Slipper field, talented Darley colt Comedy (Snitzel) and Extractor (Spirit Of Boom) look right on the cusp of the field.
The other most likely hopes that are down the order of entry and need to charge to victory in order to secure a Slipper spot are Skyhook (written Tycoon), United States (Snitzel), and State Visit (Wootton Basset {GB}).
Practice makes perfect for Vauban?
The talented stayer Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) will make his first start for the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable on Saturday in the G3 Asahi Super Dry Sky High Stakes, following his purchase by Australian Bloodstock in partnership with the Waterhouse and Bott team.
Previously trained in Ireland by Willie Mullins, Vauban has twice travelled to Australia to contest the G1 Melbourne Cup, where he failed to meet market expectations—finishing 14th and 11th, despite starting at single-figure odds on both occasions.
His struggles weren’t solely down to performance; he became noticeably warm and, at times, agitated in the parade ring. With temperatures forecast to reach 35°C at Rosehill on Saturday, the key question is whether he can handle the occasion and the heat.
Vauban (Fr) | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
The Waterhouse and Bott team have worked extensively on keeping Vauban composed before his public outings, focusing on acclimatisation and exposure to Sydney’s racing environment. Adrian Bott told Racing.com:
“I've been really pleased with everything we've seen from him at home in his work, the way he has conducted himself in his trials,” Bott said.
“He's had a couple of looks at the racetrack on race day already, through an exhibition gallop and also going out to have a walk around the mounting yard earlier in the preparation.
“It all seems to be falling into place for him. He looks to have settled in really well, so I like what we're seeing initially. Now he's got to take that to the races and handle the race-day pressure.”
“It all seems to be falling into place for him (Vauban). He looks to have settled in really well, so I like what we're seeing initially. Now he's got to take that to the races and handle the race-day pressure.” - Adrian Bott
Vauban has had plenty of preparation for his first-up assignment, including trials at Warwick Farm and Randwick, as well as multiple exhibition gallops.
“He's always going to be a bit excitable before the races, as plenty of the Europeans are when they come down, but the main thing is getting him to adapt to the Australian style of racing,” Bott added.
In terms of expectations, Bott acknowledged that the 2000 metres trip is well short of Vauban’s best, and this run is more about setting a platform for future targets that may feature races such as the G1 Tancred Stakes and the G1 Sydney Cup.
“It's an important race for him on Saturday, but there's a good deal of improvement to come.”
Adrian Bott | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
However, it won’t be an easy task. Vauban faces strong opposition, including meeting the in-form Lindermann (Lonhro), who this preparation has placed behind Fangirl (Sebring) and Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock), as well as Group 1 winner Arapaho (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who appears to be nearing peak fitness and must be respected.
