Scholtz's Say
Saturday Racing Preview with Chris Scholtz - 25th October 2025
Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the Cox Plate and Spring Champion Stakes meetings at Moonee Valley and Randwick on October 25 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners for October 24-28.
Good 4; Rail True
W.S. COX PLATE (Race 10)
(6) VIA SISTINA: Last year's eight lengths winner in record time has been unchallenged as the best WFA performer in Australia for the last 18 months and while she has been beaten in her most recent starts there is no doubt her prep has been designed to have her peak on this day. The small field with no defined leader after the scratching of GLOBE makes tactics crucial with James McDonald – chasing his fourth successive Cox Plate win - certain to shadow every move by Blake Shinn on ANTINO. My only knock for the mare is that she is now an 8YO - only one horse of that age plus one 9YO have won the Cox Plate in 103 years - but her record of 14 wins from 27 starts capped by last year's huge winning rating tells you she got better with age. Now she has to do it again!
(2) ANTINO: He's no pushover with his excellent G1 form over the last 12 months confirming his place among our elite performers, more so his prep runs this spring where he has been equally as good as VIA SISTINA. He's also in the veteran class as a 7YO (10 Cox Plate winners) but has a sharper turn of foot than the mare and Blake Shinn is certain to try and exploit that asset at a crucial stage.
(8) AELIANA: Has followed the same spring program as her stablemate VIA SISTINA and while her efforts have been encouraging everybody has been waiting for this 4YO mare to find the autumn form that saw her smash her rivals in one of the highest rating modern day ATC Derbys at Randwick. She has lacked notable finishing speed in her lead up races (maybe she's better in Sydney) but is sure to be strong late if the Cox Plate becomes it's normal high pressure contest over the last 600m. Four time winner Hugh Bowman flying in from Hong Kong for the ride is also a bonus.
(7) TREASURETHE MOMENT: After her super 3YO season, when she won eight races in succession from 1400m to 2400m - including three G1s - this 4YO mare looked to have it all in front of her this spring after resuming with a brilliant win in the G1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield. An attack of colic then derailed her program and seems to have left her lacking the sharp edge we saw first-up in her two subsequent starts. Take it that she has been nursed carefully towards this grand final and we know her best is good enough to beat this field.
(4) BUCKAROO: Another 7YO and notably this import has had the identical number of starts as ANTINO (29) but has recorded only five wins compared to the Queenslanders 13 victories. We do know he's a tough warhorse with G1 winning form under wfa conditions but would be at much shorter odds on a rain affected track. Lacks the sprint of the top contenders but if it's a slog they will know he's in the race.
(9) NEPOTINA: The only 3YO in the field – the age group has won 20 Cox Plates - and with his light weight should not be dismissed as a first three chance after an improved effort over 1600m in the Caulfield Guineas. Showed real talent to win the G1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) at only his third start last season and comes from a stable renowned for having their runners peak in target races.
(6) VIA SISTINA; (2) Antino; (8) Aeliana; (7) Treasurethe Moment; (4) Buckaroo; (8) Nepotina
RACE 6 - (9) SHE'S UNUSUAL
RACE 8 – (5) CHARM STONE
RACE 9 – (1) OBSERVER
For Value
RACE 2 – (8) SNOW MERCY
RACE 3 – (4) ROHESIA
RACE 4 – (5) RUSKA ROMA
Selections
RACE 1: (7) BEAST MODE; (8) Don't Hope Do; (9) Tonkin; (3) Red Hot Nicc
RACE 2: (8) SNOW MERCY; (1) Prince Tycoon; (2) Napoleonic; (4) St Edward
RACE 3: (4) ROHESIA; (12) Tres Magnifique; (2) Stardom; (11) Excenia
RACE 4: (5) RUSKA ROMA; (1) Salty Pearl; (3) Enviable; (6) Sunlit Serenade
RACE 5: (4) FUTURE HISTORY; (2) Point King; (1) Middle Earth; (3) Casino Seventeen
RACE 6: (9) SHE'S UNUSUAL; (8) She's A Hustler; (11) Terrestar; (6) Movin' Out
RACE 7: (5) GOLDEN PATH; (8) Oh Too Good; (3) Desert Lightning; (4) Rise At Dawn
RACE 8: (5) CHARM STONE; (7) Nuance; (8) Bridal Waltz; (3) Tropicus
RACE 9: (1) OBSERVER; (3) Options; (5) Providence; (6) O'Sheamus
RACE 10: (6) VIA SISTINA; (2) Antino; (8) Aeliana; (7) Treasurethe Moment ; (4) Buckaroo; (8) Nepotina
Good 4 - Rail 7m 1600m-WP; 5m WP-1600m
Best Bets
RACE 5 - (8) MISS FREELOVE: Stamped herself as a filly on the up with a super impressive win in fast time over 1100m at Warwick Farm where she looped the field from last at the 500m and surged away under 59.5kg to win by 2.5 lengths. Sure to appreciate the extra trip and her figures indicate she can rise to this class with a significant 5.5kg drop in weight.
RACE 8 - (1) ATTICA: Strong trial for this when he did it the hard way coming from last and wide to beat them easily in the Dulcify over 1600m at this course on October 4 for his second win in only three starts. Astute stable is enjoying a big spring and giving him an easy 1200m trial in the interim ensures he's ready for 2000m. Holds massive scope for improvement.
RACE 9 - (2) MANAAL: Top class mare is well placed from a favourable draw to maintain her winning sequence with the compressed set weight and penalties conditions very much in her favour. She's come back in strong form winning the G2 Sheraco (1200m) and G2 Golden Pendant (1400m) at Rosehill and should be at her peak for the return to Randwick where she boasts four wins including a G1 victory over this distance.
Selections
RACE 1: (2) DEFENSEMEN; (4) King Campania; (3) Green Kirk; (7) Pearl Of Dubai
RACE 2: (9) UPWARDLY MOBILE; (3) Poisen Point; (7) Write Your Own; (12) King Jerry
RACE 3: (2) BROADWAY BOUNCER; (9) Zounaka; (3) Mafia; (6) Motoscafo
RACE 4: (9) POINT AND SHOOT; (10) Fortune; (4) Kintyre; (12) Super Helpful
RACE 5: (8) MISS FREELOVE; (2) Grand Eagle; (1) Memo; (3) Pallaton
RACE 6: (1) LINDERMANN; (6) Maison Louis; (4) Militarize; (3) Kovalica
RACE 7: (4) RUINATION; (1) Rivellino; (2) Ohope; (5) Fermoy
RACE 8: (1) ATTICA; (6) Federalist; (2) Shangri La Boy; (3) San Giovanni
RACE 9: (2) MANAAL; (3) Miss Roumbini; (1) Stefi Magnetica; (4) Firestorm
RACE 10: (9) CAFÉ MILLENIUM; (1) Transatlantic; (10) Saltcoats; (5) General Salute
RACE 1 – (2) DEFENSEMEN: Quality youngster cost $1.4 million. Professional trial with plenty in reserve.
RACE 2 – (9) UPWARDLY MOBILE: Working up to a Highway win. This trip and track will suit.
RACE 3 – (2) BROADWAY BOUNCER: Has needed recent racing. Expect improvement from good draw.
RACE 4 – (9) POINT AND SHOOT: Disappointing race. Poor value but rates to win on the quick back up.
RACE 6 – (1) LINDERMANN: Sydney's current WFA star meets the same rivals. It means they face another challenge to run him down.
RACE 7 – (4) RUINATION: Impressive wins before he tackled 1600m for the first time. Took a good one to beat him.
RACE 10 – (9) CAFÉ MILLENIUM: Going great guns in Melbourne and has Randwick form on the board. Follow the stable lead.
NOTED TRIAL WATCH RUNNERS – October 22-25
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Lord Elrond (R1); Defensemen (R1); Green Kirk (R1); Skyglider (R5); Stefi Magnetica (R9); Pounce (R10)
KEMBLA GRANGE SATURDAY: Artgirl (R4); Revolutionary Star (R6)
NEWCASTLE MONDAY: Difensivo (R2)
HAWKESBURY TUESDAY: Casserousse (R2); Gatwick (R2); Fast Track (R5)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Regal Problem; Mortal Halo; Spirit Of Wealth; Naifah; Frosty Girl; Straight Sets; Linebacker; Ka Ying Rising; Chalet; Sun God; Nitro; Margin Call; Taxation; Real Baker; Rubi's Serve; My Bella Vista; Lightning Glory; Zealously; Istolea Merc; Beechworth; Shiki; Hayek; Ripley; Marhoona; Extreme Diamond; Argryos; Fortune; Joliestar
TRIAL POINTERS
WARWICK FARM October 17: Godolphin filly CASSEROUSSE had only one start last season and has trialled up nicely in two outings for her new trainer. Improved on her second placing in her resuming trial to win this 801m heat in fast time (46.95; 33.28), coming off the back of the leader at the 350m and sprinting to the line under a soft ride for a dominant win.
ROSEHILL October 13: The 2YO ranks have been looking a bit thin but a nice trial from DEFENSEMEN points to a good debut. He was a strong winner of his 900m heat (55.65; 35.39). A good effort from the G1 winner STEFI MAGNETICA to finish a close second to the highly rated Beiwacht in the quickest of the three heats over 1030m (61.68; 34.54).
BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – October 24-26
MOONEE VALLEY FRIDAY: Bold Secret (R2); Regal Azmon (R6)
MOONEE VALLEY SATURDAY: Enviable (R4); Real Class (R6); Klabel (R8); Observer (R9); Buckaroo (R10)
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Zondee (R4); Memo (R5); Farnicle (R7); Queen Of Clubs (R7/R8); Federalist (R8); More Territories (R9)
SALE SUNDAY: Helix (R9)
BLACKBOOKERS (Selected October 18- Follow Next 3 Starts)
CABALLUS; CALL DA VINCI; CHATTERLEY; CHURCHILL'S CHOICE; SABAJ; SIR ARTIE
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Chergui; Half Yours; Ole Dancer; Tentyris; Clear Thinking; Point Barrow; Disneck; Navy Pilot; Federer; Gala Queen; Gilded Water; Half Yours; Reflect; Pareto; Zelgaria; My Gladiola; Desert Lightning; Apocalyptic; Changingoftheguard; Bunker Hut; Show Em Howl; Bullion Boy; Monkhana; Point Barrow; Saltcoats
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