Our review of racing around Australia on Saturday, October 18, headlined by $20 million Group 1 The Everest and the $5 million Group 1 Caulfield Cup. Check out all the highlights and lowlights here.
Star Performer
Ka Ying Rising (The Everest)
There was a mountain worth of build-up, and in the end, the hype was real. The Hong Kong champion silenced any doubters by producing the best win in The Everest since its inception in 2017. Everyone had their opinion on the horse and the bookies took him on late, starting even-money or close enough to it across the board, but he showed exactly why he’s the world’s best sprinter. Jumped handily out of the barriers to sit just behind Mazu and Overpass with Zac Purton able to find the fence. Angled out at the top of the straight and when Purton pressed go, it was all over. Went to the line under a pretty firm grip with the three-year-old filly Tempted being the best of our local brigade, running on for second. While ‘only’ 2L covered the first six home, it certainly felt more dominant as the champ delivered the goods to put an exclamation mark on the $20m sprint.
THE BEST IN THE WORLD
KA YING RISING DOES IT IMPRESSIVELY
— Archie (@abracing0) October 18, 2025
That was phenomenal.
Ka Ying Rising has destroyed them 👏
They couldn’t even pin him in, looked superior at every point, on the schnaff.
— Pete (@RiskForRewards) October 18, 2025 
Front Bar Fodder
RANDWICK
Ceolwulf goes back-to back in King Charles
Joe Pride kept the blinkers as the ace up his sleeve for Ceolwulf and it paid off in spades with the five-year-old galloper going back-to-back in the G1 King Charles III Stakes. Pride Of Jenni took a while to work across and didn’t kick away like she normally does as Mr Brightside stuck to her, and Ceolwulf got a handy run just behind the speed. Pride Of Jenni angled off the fence at the top of the straight and it opened the run right up for Chad Schofield, who shot through and from there it was all over. As Schofield said in his post-race interview, he made a top-class field look second rate.
CEOLWULF – KING OF THE KING CHARLES 👑
Back-to-back in the King Charles III for Ceolwulf who silences the doubters! A mighty run from Mr Brightside for second in a brilliant contest 👏 pic.twitter.com/I5G3ngMSAx
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 18, 2025
Linebacker franks form out of ‘that’ trial
He won the most talked about barrier trial of the year and translated it to raceday with a romp in the Silver Eagle. Drew wide and had the top weight to carry but the cream rose to the top with Linebacker handing down a belting. Was wide the whole way throughout but travelled up comfortably at the top of the straight and nothing ever looked like running him down.
Rothfire turns back the clock and wins Sydney Stakes
The Queensland veteran has no doubt had his hurdles throughout his career but was able to turn the clock back and win the Sydney Stakes in good style. He had not won in Sydney since his Run To The Rose romp as a three-year-old and he’s now eight, so there’s been a good deal of water go under the bridge in the time since. Iowna Merc hit the front and looked like he might just go on with it before Zac Purton found the gaps and he exploded through to score.
Arrowfield wins the Kosciuszko with Clear Thinking
A very promising mare that had been set for the race first-up from a break and she was too good for them. A horse originally bought just to be a broodmare, Paul Messarra quickly realised she had plenty of ability and she’s now won five from seven. There were no doubt a few anxious moments at the 300m mark when she was strung up with nowhere to go but Tyler Schiller was able to find the gaps and she displayed a sharp turn of foot.
CAULFIELD
Caulfield Cup wash-up
Half Yours and Jamie Kah were the stars of the show but there was plenty to take out of the Caulfield Cup from a futures perspective. River Of Stars ran out of her skin for 2nd at 100-1, adding plenty of spice to exotics. Her stablemate though, Valiant King, produced arguably the run of the race – at least from a Melbourne Cup perspective. He produced the fastest final 600m, 400m and 200m splits of the race, storming home from 16th at the 400m to run 3rd. Fourth-placegetter Presage Nocturne also produced an outstanding Melbourne Cup trial and will be starting much shorter than his Caulfield Cup odds of $61. Unfortunately the Cup dream might be over for local hope Revelare, who beat just one runner home – finishing more than a dozen lengths from the winner.
TAB have Half Yours as a $3.50 favourite for the Melbourne Cup … which isn’t overly appealing this far out, while Valiant King has firmed into $11.
Valiant King with all the quickest closing sectionals of the Caulfield Cup; from the 1000m in 59.07, 47.37, 35.82, 24.02, 12.06.
— Aidan Rodley (@AidanRodley) October 18, 2025
MORPHETTVILLE
Kick Your Knees Up ends two city droughts at Morphettville
Speedy mare Kick Your Knees Up led them up over 1200m, and while she kicked on the turn, she was running in quicksand late and just held on at the line as the chasing pack stormed home. The heart-stopping result secured Gawler training pair Kerri McAnulty and Clint Binnie their first city winner in 3-1/2 years. A good steer from jockey Dylan Caboche landed the win, and he also broke a city drought, nailing his first metro win as a jockey since November 2022. A great result for all involved, but they were made to earn it!
AROUND THE GROUNDS
Maiden win continues to elude $3m filly
The $3m filly Ernaux, bought for the enormous price by Resolute Racing and counts Coolmore in the ownership, has battled at the races. She’s now a five-start maiden after resuming at Newcastle in a six-horse field, given every hope and really petering out in the finish. In her defence, she was rolled here by another expensive purchase in the Waller stable, $600,000 yearling Beverly Hills. That’s as close to Hollywood as Ernaux’s getting, we reckon. That’s her below in the No.5 saddlecloth running an uninspiring fourth.
Flemington stable goes bang … at the picnics
Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin are G1 winners, but not beneath heading to the lowest rung of racing – the picnics (non-TAB meetings). That was where they headed with Antiquus, the 4YO mare having been given her chance in town earlier this prep (was only beaten 3L) but had regressed in country company since. A step right back to Yea, and utilising the apprentice’s claim, to get a narrow win.
Two-horse race opens the card at Bendigo
A dearth of horses meant only two 2YOs went into battle in the 1000m dash at Bendigo. It turned out to be quite the race as the outsider Dance The Boogie ($2.60) headed the fav but it was Knurl ($1.40) – owned by Godolphin with the McEvoy stable – that fought back admirably to cruise home by 3.25L.
Best Win
RANDWICK
Ka Ying Rising (Race 7)
He had to do it all away from home for the first time, and he did it with consummate ease. While the margin might not have been ‘panels’, he had the travel factor to deal with and was still too classy for the locals. Delivered on the hype, and many won’t forget this one.
That was soft. KA YING RISING belts them in The Everest
— Punters+ (@Punters) October 18, 2025 
Crystal Ball
BLACKBOOKER
Deal Done Fast (Caulfield R2)
This was an excellent Derby trial from the Dundeel colt. He was flushed out a long way from home and his swooping run out wide looked very short-lived. However, after losing ground around the home turn, he kicked back strongly in the straight and came again under pressure to be beaten less than a length. The big Flemington track and a bit more ground should be suitable. He’s currently paying around $17 for the Derby with the corporates.
WINNER’S THAT WON’T WIN THEIR NEXT START
Travolta (Randwick R2)
The race was run at a leisurely tempo and it gave this horse every chance to run the distance out. If it was a genuine staying contest, which he’ll more likely get at his last start, we can’t see him winning.
Punters Pearler
Jamie Melham on Half Yours (Caulfield Cup)
It’s been somewhat of a lean patch for Jamie Melham but she was at her brilliant best on Half Yours in the Caulfield Cup. The subject of very strong backing, jumping a $2.50 favourite, the main sticking point for the McEvoy-trained galloper looked to be the inside gate in the big field. However, Kah was able to hold a position forward of midfield from barrier two, making sure she wasn’t shunted onto the rail. With Adelaide River doing his best Pride Of Jenni impersonation out in front, Kah was able to edge out wider and wider as the race progressed to the point where she had nothing but clear air in front of her from the 300m. With a full head of steam and ample galloping room, the favourite lengthened nicely to run down the 100-1 outsider River Of Stars.
HALF YOURS AND JAMIE MELHAM – IT’S HISTORY AT CAULFIELD 🏆
The favourite swamps them late to win a remarkable Caulfield Cup! The McEvoy father and son combo have done it as Jamie Melham becomes the first woman to ride the winner of the 2400M Classic 💪 pic.twitter.com/e56lVA3dW5
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 18, 2025 
Sat Slaughter
Andrew Mallyon (Brave Call – Eagle Farm R3)
The English import looked to have plenty to give when letting rip late, but it was far too late – and he was in front not that long after the post (see below). Many thought Mallyon could’ve got rolling a bit earlier, and we don’t disagree. Only beaten 0.73L and was humming once revved up.
Not a lot of urgency on the heavily supported BRAVE CALL there at #EAGLEFARM
— Lachlan Mosley (@BlackBookRacing) October 18, 2025
A Mallyon has the slaughter wrapped up with Brave Call at Eagle Farm no one will beat that one
— ShaneB (@sdboland) October 18, 2025
Somewhat ironically, Brave Call was a lucky winner when No Retreat shied at the winning line at Windsor (UK) in August last year. The good luck he got there was given back in spades here when going under when he probably should’ve won or gone very close.
James Doyle offers an intriguing insight into why NO RETREAT got beat at Windsor in dramatic fashion.
Just an unfortunate circumstance…pic.twitter.com/QHsorip5vu
— Stephen R Power (@racingblogger) August 19, 2024 Saints
Panova (Randwick R1)
History suggests there’s a future Group 1 star to come out of this Reginald Allen Quality. Panova came down the centre of the track in the opener after settling in a position a little worse than midfield when Tommy Berry didn’t panic from the wide barrier. Smart win.
Idle Flyer (Randwick R4)
She had the punters doing backflips (literally) after getting the cash in the fourth. Caught wide from the barrier but the pace was genuine and she was able to capitalise.
Rothfire (Randwick R6)
Such a likeable horse and it was great to see him break through and score another big race win. The old boy has still got it, now an 8YO and winning at Randwick on Everest day is a credit to his trainer Rob Heathcote and the team around him.
Bacash (Caulfield R1)
The 3YO colt has been up for a while, breaking his maiden in June, but the Hayes brothers have done an excellent job to keep him racing at the top of his game well into the spring. Once Zahra shouldered him into the clear, he sprinted quickly to put a gap on his rivals.
Spicy Lu/Nash Rawiller (Caulfield R3)
The Olive-trained filly hadn’t figured in three runs to open this spring campaign but the booking of Nash Rawiller saw her bounce back to winning form. Rawiller was positive early from barrier 12 and as is his strength, he was able to control the race from the front. Spicy Lu landed some decent bets too, jumping at $6 after $8 was offered.
Tentyris (Caulfield R4)
Zahra had to zig and zag down the straight after finding himself in a very awkward spot at the 400m but luckily for him and plenty of punters, Tentyris was good enough to explode late and land the prize. It was an outstanding win from the Godolphin colt who is now into $4.50 for the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) behind Beiwacht at $3.50 (with TAB).
Stretan Angel (Caulfield R5)
The Stokes-trained swooper broke a long run of outs dating back to October 2023 when she dashed home out wide to take out the Listed Alinghi Stakes (1100m). The leaders hit the wall with 100m to run and the backmarkers launched, with Lachy Neindorf landing a big Caulfield Cup day winner.
Rey Magnerio (Caulfield R6)
It would have just about been the ‘slaughter of the year’, let alone the dreaded Saturday Slaughter, but Rey Magnerio ($7.50) got Jye McNeil out of trouble in the Herald Sun Sprint (1000m). The ultra-consistent Griffiths-trained sprinter looked to be absolutely bolting in behind runners but just had nowhere to go until very late in the piece. When a slender gap opened up, he drove through it to deny Tassie mare Geegees Mistruth. He would have been something beaten but the racing gods looked after McNeil.
Ole Dancer (Caulfield R7)
All credit to the winner here, who sat outside of the hot-favourite Apocalyptic ($1.90) throughout and was simply too tough. The favourites paired off in a battle of two of Victoria’s leading jockeys, Blake Shinn and Mark Zahra, with Shinn certainly showing a bit more intent than he did on Ole Dancer in the Thousand Guineas Prelude!
OLE DANCER IN AN EPIC 🤯
Ole Dancer and Apocalyptic put on a show as Blake Shinn and Mark Zahra go at it all the way in the Thousand Guineas, what a race 👏 pic.twitter.com/0oRuYC1DLe
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 18, 2025
Private Eye (Caulfield R8)
The old boy was simply a class above in the G3 Moonga Stakes (1400m). The weight conditions of the race suited him down to the ground and Rawiller rode him to perfection in almost a carbon copy of the G2 PB Lawrence win over the same route earlier this spring. Queenslander Payline was unlucky to miss out on a place (not Shinn’s finest steer) but Private Eye’s win was soft.
Abounding (Caulfield R10)
The Queensland visitor really deserved this one. Shinn got things wrong on her at The Valley when she was arguably a good thing beaten but he atoned with a peach of a ride here. She sat off a strong tempo and put her rivals away with ease once Shinn got her to the outside in the straight.
Abounding caps off a brilliant Caulfield Cup Day!
Blake Shinn with a double and Robert Heathcote with feature wins in Sydney and Melbourne, a day to remember 👏 pic.twitter.com/ILMZF1TdLG
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 18, 2025
Golden Horizon (Morphettville R1)
Cruised to a strong 3/4 length win over Common Interest on Saturday, he copped a solid bump from that gelding at the 900m, but it didn’t seem to affect him. He’s now won two from four starts, alongside two second placings. Trainer Travis Doudle may eye a race in Victoria now.
Guru Warrior (Morphettville R4)
Was too strong for his rivals over 2006m but he almost threw it away late, racing erratically and running wide under jockey Jason Holder as Savatoff remained in the hunt to his inside. Ultimately hung on by a length, but not without giving a few a heart attack.
Freedom Flame (Morphettville R7, Hill Smith Stakes)
Settled third throughout and let down strongly at the 300m under a quality steer from apprentice jockey Taylor Johnstone. The result handed trainer Andrew Gluyas a hat-trick of Hill Smith Stakes wins and six overall in the race. The stable will now weigh up a trip across the border, with the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes looming as a possibility for a filly who thrived stepping up to 1800m.
Shady Thinker (Morphettville R8)
The So You Think gelding was the best horse in the race on Saturday, and showed his class pushing into the clear at the 250m and winning first-up. He’s now won three from four career starts and is a horse with serious upside. It was an impressive return against a decent field and over 1200m.
Ben Price (Morphettville)
Price was in brilliant form on Saturday, nailing a treble. He bookended the 10-race card with wins aboard Golden Horizon and Sparkup in the final race, with Sparkup saluted at a lazy $51! He produced a smart steer on talented sprinter Wiggum in race six, winning a driving finish alongside Mt Niseko.
Ryan Maloney (Eagle Farm)
He’s leading the Brisbane premiership with a corking strike-rate this season (25%), and he banged in a double in the six races with Bossed Up ($3.40) and Party For Two ($2.30F). Was a whisker away from a treble aboard Mazis ($3.80) too.
Martin Harley (Eagle Farm)
Gave Mr Worthington ($13) a great ride to hit the winner’s stall. Less than 2L covered eight of the nine runners.
Sinners
J-Mac (Randwick)
Went winner-less on a big day, which is not what we’ve come to expect from him, on the back of a winner-less Caulfield Guineas day for him last week. He’s, of course, got Via Sistina coming up in the Cox Plate this week. He’ll be particularly hungry to impact off some quiet weeks by his ridiculously high standards.
Sam Hawkens (Randwick R2)
The well-backed galloper in the St Leger fired absolutely zero shots for William Haggas. Led them up at a slow tempo and was gone at the top of the straight. J-Mac probably went too slow on the galloper and it allowed Travolta to get right into the race.
Swiftfalcon (Randwick R3)
You just can’t trust him. Got well back and looked like he was going to go straight past them but Vivy Air kicked and he couldn’t run her down.
Generosity (Randwick R6)
She got pretty far back but to be fair, never looked like she was going to be winning. Well backed into $2.40 but the bookies took the lot.
Ernaux (Newcastle R2)
The $3 million filly remains winless after her unplaced effort first-up at Newcastle. Pulled her head off in the middle stages of the race, loomed at the 300m mark before dropping out of it.
Harmonic Dancer (Morphettville R1)
Is a gelding that the Stokes yard have a high opinion of, but he’s failed on two occasions now at $1.45 (debut) and $2.25 on Saturday.
Talent Scout (Morphettville R7)
Talent Scout rolled forward but was under pressure quickly and faded out to finish eighth.
Kirkeby (Eagle Farm R1)
When Connecticut was making hard work of putting this race away, we somehow don’t think jockey Jake Bayliss was too perturbed in context. One of the horses he was trying to see off was Kirkeby, who hasn’t won in well over two years. Waller had him well placed here in a BM78 with a 3kg claim, but not even that could do it.
Brisbane weather
Lightning in the area saw the last three races abandoned.
Engine Of War (Caulfield R2)
One of the Derby favourites coming into the race, he might not even be there now after this inglorious display. In a race where there was just 1.21L separating the first six across the line, Engine Of War ($2.70) finished a clear second-last – only beating home the despised outsider Fabulous Fiano.
Nadal (Caulfield R6)
He’s been scratched about five times this spring but he finally made his return to racing here and punters launched, backing him into $5. Zahra got him to the outside in the straight but he just plodded home, only really acting as a speed hump for the winner Rey Magnerio.
Andrea Atzeni (Caulfield Cup)
Atzeni joined a long list of international jockeys who have got it wrong in big Australian features. After jumping from barrier five aboard Meydaan, Atzeni ended up three-wide without cover for much of the race. The Cristford-trained runner, who was a noted drifter in betting, actually stuck on quite well to be beaten under 5L. Punters who backed Miraval Rose in the last wouldn’t have been thrilled with his work on Sassy Boom either – playing the role of ultimate pest up on the speed.
Vauban (Caulfield Cup)
To be fair to him, he wasn’t exactly given every hope with the ride. But it was still another underwhelming performance from the import in an Australian Group 1. One day it might all click for him … but you might be dead-broke by the time that day comes around.
The Winners