The boys begin with the Group 1 Moir Stakes, where My Gladiola finally secured the Group 1 breakthrough her career deserved. Settling just off the speed under Jamie Mott, the John McArdle-trained mare produced a powerful late surge to run down the brave Cavalry Girl, who again enhanced her reputation after nearly leading throughout. Favourite Natural Fling was excellent in defeat, finishing third despite taking on older horses at just her fourth start, while the race itself further strengthened the sprinting ranks heading towards the Manikato Stakes and Champions Sprint later in the carnival.
Attention then turns to the Concorde Stakes at Randwick, where exciting Ciaron Maher-trained mare Tempted made a dazzling return to racing and immediately thrust herself into The Everest conversation. Sent out a short-priced favourite, Tempted proved far too strong over the 1000-metre journey, defeating defending race winner Headwall with Beadman filling third. The boys discuss whether the performance was good enough to secure a slot in Australia’s richest sprint and assess how Tempted now measures up against the elite sprinters she is likely to encounter deeper into the spring.
The Chelmsford Stakes produced another vintage display from Lindermann, who bounced back from his disappointing Winx Stakes run to successfully defend his title. Allowed to dictate proceedings under Nash Rawiller, the Chris Waller-trained gelding controlled the race from the front before kicking strongly in the straight to defeat Ceolwulf, with champion mare Fangirl finishing third in what may prove to be the final start of her extraordinary career. The boys examine whether Lindermann can now launch another serious campaign through races such as the King Charles III Stakes and discuss what the result means for several of Sydney’s leading weight-for-age horses.
The discussion also extends internationally as Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising continued his preparations for a return to Australia with another dominant performance at Sha Tin. Already established as one of the world’s premier sprinters and the reigning Everest champion, Ka Ying Rising again showcased the explosive speed and professionalism that made him such a dominant force last season. The boys discuss the prospect of an Everest defence, how he compares with the emerging Australian challengers, and whether any local horse currently possesses the raw ability required to dethrone him should he return to Sydney next month.
To finish the show, Adam, Chris and Matty cast an early eye towards next weekend’s Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington. With Beiwacht coming off his dominant Memsie Stakes victory, Mr Brightside expected to improve sharply second-up, and several spring contenders likely to converge on headquarters, the race is already shaping as one of the most important weight-for-age contests of the early carnival. The boys discuss the likely form lines, identify the horses they are keen to follow, and assess which runners could emerge as genuine Cox Plate and Champions Stakes contenders in one of the key lead-ups of the Victorian spring.