Racing
Talking Points: Saturday - 23rd of August 2025
All the key insights following the first Group 1 of the racing season.
Winx Stakes:
Via Sistina held off her young challengers to score the Winx with a RAS Rating of 121, up a point on what she's done in her two fresh efforts in the last 12 months. The race was only moderately run, but she finished off similarly to her first-up win in this race last year.
The ground wasn't as heavy as Makybe Diva Stakes Day last year at Flemington (where Via was beaten), though importantly, the rating is there and shows she's back on song for another Cox Plate assault.
Connections of Aeliana, Arapaho and Ceolwulf will all be happy with what they saw with Saturday proving a nice kickoff point for the Spring ahead, even with Joe Pride's charge stopping by the Winx Stand for a schooner midrace.
Aeliana clocked the fastest last 600m of the race (0.12 faster than Via) and the question still lingers – Cox Plate or Caulfield Cup? It sounds like all roads lead to Moonee Valley in late October, so trying to find her race in the lead-up could be the way to make some cash out of her if Via continues on her current trajectory.
One set of connections who may be a little disappointed are those of Gringotts, with the gelding there to win on Saturday before finishing back in fifth.
He didn't run too far off his form – posting a 113 figure on what may prove to be an unsuitable surface, though it's hard to see where he breaks through this Spring with the Nation's mile stocks proving rather strong.
With the likes of Fangirl, Autumn Glow and the fact he's already finished behind Ceolwulf who – whether by circumstance or design – was given none, it doesn't paint a positive picture for the next few runs at least. The Crystal Mile on Cox Plate Day is a race right in his wheelhouse, but if they're aiming at higher targets, he may be one we should leave through to the keeper.
Chris the "Ladies Man":
Plenty of hype surrounding the unbeaten Autumn Glow heading into the Toy Show on Saturday and she didn't disappoint, running away to win impressively in good time and with seemingly more in store.
While she didn't win by a big space, she still ran to 114 with RAS to keep the unbeaten streak alive and looks primed for the Epsom. While down on her solo run in the autumn (117 there), it's a lovely starting point for a mare who looks capable of taking the next step.
Despite arguing in the morning that we shouldn't be racing on Saturday, Waller then made it a hat-trick with Lazzura winning the Show County and running to 116 for RAS, and yes that is higher than Autumn Glow's rating on the same card, but let's explain.
By RAS measure, both the Show County and the Toy Show were of equal strength, so it then comes down to weights and margins. Lazzura carried more weight than Autumn Glow and won by further, hence her rating being higher on Saturday.
While I would still be Team Glow if they were to face head-to-head (the market would be too), it's a good reminder that while the most recent piece of evidence is the most important, there is always more to the story when doing the form.
Carlyon Stakes:
You've just got to applaud the Corstens & Larkin team for their handling of Baraqiel, but a big part of that also goes to his owners.
Trying to sell to owners that this 6YO gelding full of problems is really a 119-rated speed machine would be a hard one, particularly when he'd only been sighted once at the jump outs leading into his first preparation.
But it's all paying off now with the son of Snitzel posting the highest figure we've seen in the Carlyon for some time and with plenty of substance, even with a slight hiccup pre-race.
He looks a big chance in the Moir off that rating, which would be fitting for an industry thirsty for another heartwarming storyline to follow.
Around The Grounds:
In the early hours of Sunday morning, some were waking up, others only just getting to bed, though a historically significant event was happening before our very eyes.
Sovereignty became the first horse since 1995 to win the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes and Travers, posting a RAS rating of 131.
In doing so, Sovereignty becomes just the fourth horse in 2025 to run to 130 or more, joining Calandagan (131 twice), Field of Gold and Ka Ying Rising (132) on an elite list.
Disappointingly, we're unlikely to see Sovereignty run again until the Breeder's Cup in November, though the dirt scene in the USA is firing on all cylinders at the moment, with plenty of Group 1 talent running around and mouthwatering matchups happening regularly.
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