Star-studded nominations for spring carnival features

Ben Dorries - Wednesday September 27

Grey flash Chautauqua and emerging sprint star Vega Magic headline the nominations for the $1 million Manikato Stakes and $1 million Darley Classic during the Melbourne spring carnival.

Advertisement
New sprint star Vega Magic is among those entered in rich Melbourne spring carnival sprints Photo: Darryl Sherer

There have been 60 entries for the Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on October 27 and 62 entries for the Darley Classic (1200m) at Flemington on November 11.

Golden Slipper winner She Will Reign, who will resume on Friday night in the Group I Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley, is one nine three-year-old's nominated to take on the older horses in the Manikato.

Chautauqua and Vega Magic are currently the top two in betting for $10 million The Everest at Randwick on October 14.

Nominations have also been taken for the Victoria Derby and VRC Oaks.

The Derby has attracted 98 nominations with James Cummings, who won the Derby last year with Prized Icon, having entered five horses for Godolphin.

Unbeaten colt and Derby favourite Royal Symphony – one four nominations for Tony McEvoy – is the headline entry in the Derby.

Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have four Derby hopefuls including the unraced Hotel Amour – a grandson of Let's Elope by fellow Melbourne Cup winner American.

A total of 92 entries have been received for the VRC Oaks with Team Hayes and Dabernig providing nine of them including Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) winner Catchy.

The only filly nominated in the Derby is the John Sargent-trained Luvaluva who is also among 92 entered for the VRC Oaks.

More will be known about the quality of various Derby and Oaks contenders after racing at Flemington on Wednesday.

A ballot exemption into the Oaks is up for grabs for the winner of Wednesday's Oaks trial (1800m) at Flemington while the winner of the Victoria Derby Trial (1800m) is guaranteed a start in the Derby.

Meanwhile, glamour mare Winx headlines the crop of second acceptors for the Cox Plate on October 28.

Five internationally trained horses remain in the race and they are Kaspersky (Jane Chapple-Hyam), Johannes Vermeer and Taj Mahal (Aidan O'Brien), Folkswood (Charlie Appleby) and Riven Light (Willie Mullins).

There are 70 first acceptances for the Caulfield Cup on October 21, including Darren Weir-trained Japanese galloper Admire Deus who arrived in Australia on Tuesday.

Japanese galloper Admire Deus has arrived Down Under

There are a further seven internationally trained horses still in the Caulfield Cup (2400m).

The Appleby-trained Francis of Assisi and Kidmenever will be joined by Marmelo (Hugh Morrison), Johannes Vermeer (Aidan O'Brien), Wall of Fire (Hugo Palmer) and the Willie Mullins-trained duo of Wicklow Brave and Riven Light.

Caulfield Guineas second acceptors closed with 59 in the mix including the $2.50 favourite Royal Symphony and Golden Rose winner Trapeze Artist.

Catchy is still among the entries to take on the colts and geldings and is also one of 45 second acceptors for the Thousand Guineas for fillies on October 14, the same day as the Caulfield Guineas.

Check out some of the big spring carnival nominations

Manikato Stakes

Victoria Derby

VRC Oaks

Darley Classic

Advertisment
More Reading...
Winning Hat-Trick for Gold Standard 2YO
When an unheralded sire produces a Group I winner in their first crop as happened for Sebring stallion Gold Standard it can take a long time for the benefit of that early splash to take effect, but in his case the wait is nearly over and in the meantime Destiny’s Summit is a good reminder as to his merit.
One to Watch Wins Again in Saturday Class
The half-brother to Group II winner Stretan Angel, lightly raced three year-old Brutal gelding Glorious Moments was in a class of his own at Randwick on Saturday.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.
First SW For So You Think Stallion Tamasa As Cicala Takes Out Lightning
One of just three named foals by the So You Think stallion Tamasa, the Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea trained 3yo filly Cicala remained unbeaten, going three from three by winning the $120,000 Listed SAJC Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville.
Exciting Farnan Colt Wins for Mulberry Racing
A standout in the mounting yard on type at Randwick on Saturday, Farnan colt Nashville Jack has also been an eye-catcher at the recent trials in Sydney and he delivered on potential when resuming from a spell with a stylish win.
Season Finale Flourish for So You Think
Coolmore stalwart So You Think is powering to the end of the Australian racing season with a six winner flurry on Saturday highlighted by a winning treble at Randwick led by his progressive mare Oh Diamond Lil.
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 26
Here is the full list of 86 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
Hello Youmzain Filly Wins NZ Last Stakes Race of Season
Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
Consecutive Black Type Victories For Snitzel Filly Bridal Waltz
Stepping up to open company is always a tough task, but 3yo Snitzel filly Bridal Waltz graduated from a last start Listed win over her own age to win the $200,000 Group 3 MRC Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.