Graff - New Winner

Unbeaten filly Lara Antipova will head Te Akau’s assault on their home track two-year-old features on Saturday.

Karaka 2026 marked the 100th National Yearling Sale in New Zealand, and it was one for the record books. After an action-packed refreshed format, results have been accumulated from the Book 1, Book 2 and inaugural Karaka Summer Sale sessions, that took place from 25 – 29 January.

Kris Shailer won the Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m) four years ago with Alabama Gold when training in partnership with Stephen Autridge, and this year he is hoping to win it in a solo capacity.

Joining a long legacy of breed-shaping stallions to stand at Waikato Stud, three generations of the Chittick family have placed their confidence in Return To Conquer, with the A$1.3 million yearling and unbeaten Group 1-winning son of the four-time Champion Sire and Champion Two-Year-Old sire, Snitzel, to take his position on the Waikato roster in 2026.

Two key runners in the Group I VRC Lightning Stakes on Saturday that both have winning hopes come from the same female family and it’s a family that is well represented at upcoming sales!

Stakes winning juvenile De Armas has been sold to OTI Racing and will soon join the stable of Chris Waller in Sydney.

Arrowfield Stud have produced countless champions, but Miss Finland holds a special place in their history as a Golden Slipper and VRC Oaks winner.

Sportsbet Caulfield Blue Diamond week will bring together racing, cultural celebrations and key media opportunities at Caulfield Racecourse.  

Cambridge mare Imprevu will be seeking to shed her bridesmaid tag when she heads to Matamata on Saturday to contest the Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m).

Racing fans rejoice, because we are about to launch into serious Melbourne Autumn carnival action with the running of the $1million VRC Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at WFA, the first leg of the southern “Triple Crown” for the speedsters, and (since 2005) the first leg of the Global Sprint Challenge.