By James Lamb, Jett Hatton and Tyler Maund
Our review of racing around Australia on Saturday, October 25, headlined by the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley.
Check out all the highlights and lowlights below.
Star Performer
Via Sistina (Cox Plate)
It wasn’t the Cox Plate romp of 2024 but it was just as thrilling, with Via Sistina lifting under pressure to deny her stablemate Buckaroo in a Chris Waller quinella. After making an early wide move under McDonald, the champion mare looked vulnerable in the straight as Buckaroo loomed large on her outside, seemingly travelling the better of the pair. However, the $1.90 favourite found another gear when it mattered to climb off the canvas and get the photo to the roar of the big Valley crowd. It was a fitting way to bring down the curtain on the ‘old Valley’.
Front Bar Fodder
THE VALLEY
The Cox Plate
The big question on everyone’s lips in the lead-up to the Cox Plate was ‘how is going to lead?’ Well, Treasurethe Moment landed in front from barrier one but Ethan Brown whipped around on Light Infantry Man to inject a bit of tempo into the affair. The field strung out and there was no early move from Shinn on Antino, who settled last and stayed there (the stewards’ report may shed more light on his performance). Treasurethe Moment was gallant running third, while Attrition added a bit of spice for first four players. The 3YO Nepotism was outclassed, while Aeliana was just an absolute horror show (more on that further down). Via Sistina’s gritty win made it four Cox Plates in a row for J-Mac.
READ: What the jockeys said after the Cox Plate
RANDWICK
Stefi Magnetica’s class shines in The Invitation
The class horse in The Invitation and she showed it with a big win. Was okay on resumption in the Sheraco Stakes but showed massive improvement second-up and out to 1400m. Settled a shade worse than midfield from barrier six and with Jason Collett in the saddle, she got every possible chance. Had a few to pick up in the straight and with the top weight of 59.5kg on her back, it was no easy task, but she knuckled down with a powerful turn of foot to grab the win right on the line.
Attica shines as Godolphin’s next star
He might be Godolphin’s next weight-for-age performer on what he did to them in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes. Settled well back in the field and gave the favourite, Shangri La Boy, a massive start. But he got into the clear at the 350m mark and you could see at the furlong that he was going to reel in the horse in front. Showed a blistering turn of foot, similar to his mum Savatiano, and gave Godolphin another win in the three-year-old feature after winning it with Tom Kitten a few years ago. Joe Pride has said for a long way that he’s only going to be better in the autumn so we can’t wait to see him there.
ATTICA STORMS HOME TO WIN THE SPRING CHAMPION 🤯
A huge win from the back for Adam Hyeronimus and Joe Pride, running down the favourite Shangri La Boy! pic.twitter.com/H5syDIpybJ
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 25, 2025
Lindermann’s magical spring continues with Craven Plate victory
Most year’s there will be that one horse that takes the step up and stamps themselves as a proper weight-for-age performer and this carnival, it has been Lindermann. Apart from when he copped a bog track first-up from a break, he hasn’t run a bad race and continued the winning run in style with another dominant performance. Led them up in the early stages and got away with it pretty cheap. El Castello tracked him the whole way and was stoked up at the top of the straight but Lindermann was only in first gear. Nash Rawiller asked him for an effort and it was all over from there.
Best Win
THE VALLEY
Napoleonic (R2)
He had the right run, three-wide with cover in a race where the leaders compounded, but it was still a brilliant win from Napoleonic in the G3 Red Anchor (1200m). When McDonald asked him to improve around the runners, the O’Shea and Charlton-trained colt left his rivals standing as he exploded away to score by 4.25L. He’s firmed from $26 into $11 with TAB for the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).
DOOMBEN
Remembrall (Doomben R1)
It was a brilliant debut by Remembrall ($6.50) who gave Lady Of Five, herself a stylish debut winner, a real touch-up in the Doomben opener. Birchley and connections will have a lot of fun with the daughter of Sprit Of Boom.
DEBUT 2YO METRO WINNER FOR SPIRIT OF BOOM
🏇 REMEMBRALL (2f) dashes away from her rivals to win today’s metro QTIS 2YO Plate at Doomben over 1050m for trainer Liam Birchley and jockey Ben Thompson.
💰 QTIS Bonuses $36,750 + 1st prizemoney $48,800.
Bred by Raheen Stud. pic.twitter.com/yhbKR8qymj
— Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland (@QldBreeders) October 25, 2025 
Crystal Ball
WINNERS THAT WON’T WIN AT THEIR NEXT START
Jigsaw (The Valley R8)
Everything fell into place for the veteran in the G2 McEwen Stakes (1200m). One of the speedsters, Tropicus, was withdrawn at the gates, which followed the earlier scratching of Niance. With Tropicus out, Jigsaw managed to get a pretty comfortable lead and Logan Bates was able to control the race from the front. An absolute shocker from the favourite Charm Stone ($2.05) certainly didn’t hurt Jigsaw’s cause either.
Ohope (Randwick R7)
We think if you run that race 10 times, Rivellino wins nine of them. Jason Collett was just too good for Nash Rawiller on this one, keeping Rivellino in a pocket and allowing Ohope to storm away with the race.
Jason Collett he’s gone to another level. Ohope wins the Callander Presnell. Knew he had Ruination covered and his main danger – Rivellino, shuts the gate on Nash. Best ride won the race. He’s flying.
— Will G (@willgotsis) October 25, 2025
Critical of J Collett at times but you could see him look over his shoulder at 600 to keep an eye on Rivellino and made sure it didn’t get out after that
— Matt (@matttassie) October 25, 2025
BLACK BOOKERS
Providence (The Valley R9)
The margin no doubt flattered him, with Zahra basically pulling the winner Observer up to a walk across the line. However, there was plenty to like about Providence’s strong closing effort for 2nd. It’s hard to believe the son of Wootton Bassett is still a maiden but he won’t be for too much longer.
The Pearls (Randwick R8)
This filly has been racing super against the boys and rewarded her connections with a G1 placing. She’ll be hard to beat in the Oaks.
Punters Pearler
Jason Collett on Ohope (Callander-Presnell)
The best horse didn’t win the race but that was because the best ride did. Jason Collett produced a pearler early in the card on Oakfield Jupiter in the Midway and he backed it up with an even better one in the mile feature. Aboard Ohope, he settled in a midfield position but most importantly, in front of the main danger Rivellino. He stoked his horse up a bit earlier than usual and as a result, he kept Rivellino in a pocket with that horse only clear when it was all over. Tracking back to his earlier ride on Oakfield Jupiter. He drew well off the track but was able to find his way across to sit outside the lead and he did it without spending too much petrol.
Jason Collett just completely owned Nash there
— Rhys West (@RhysWest10) October 25, 2025 
Saturday Slaughter
Hugh Bowman on Aeliana (Cox Plate)
You could argue the ‘Slaughter’ was connections picking barrier eight when gate one was available, but that’s probably letting Bowman off the hook. The now Hong Kong-based hoop flew in for the Cox Plate ride on Aeliana but didn’t cover himself in glory. He ended up on the back of $41 chance Light Infantry Man and when that horse unsurprisingly started to feel the pinch before the home turn, Bowman found himself with nowhere to go behind a tiring horse. He was shuffled back to the rear and the Waller mare couldn’t be fully tested in the straight in what was an awful watch for her backers. No doubt if he had his time again, Bowman would do things differently.
“I was reluctant going inside Ethan Brown, but I had no other choice and I took my chance and it didn’t work out,” Bowman said.
Brutal there, had Buckaroo and Aeliana. Thought the latter copped a very ordinary steer!
Too good Via.
— David Pfundt (@davepband) October 25, 2025 
Saints
Beast Mode (The Valley R1)
Beast Mode is really going to miss The Valley. The Hayes-trained speedster was a brilliant winner over 955m late last month and repeated the dose here over 1000m. Once again he showed brilliant early speed to lead and was simply too fast for his rivals, clocking the slick 56.55 seconds.
Stardom (The Valley R3)
J-Mac made it an early double with Stardom fighting tenaciously in the straight to hold off Rohesia who looked to have the race sewn up. It was an ugly watch for those on Tres Magnifique, with the $3.90 favourite finding all sorts of trouble back in the field.
Salty Pearl (The Valley R4)
Ben Allen had to be patient but he had a lapful of horse underneath him and Salty Pearl let down strongly when the gap came for the grey filly. Well-backed to start $2.15 on-course (and just $1.70 on the tote), Salty Pearl appreciated the drop in grade from the G1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) and had no issues at all with the quick back-up.
Star Of India (The Valley R5) and the guy who backed him at 100-1
‘Futures Punter’ (on X) owes Jye McNeil a beer or two after the hoop steered Star Of India to a comfortable win in the JRA Cup (2040m). The Waller gelding jumped at $11 but as much as $101 was offered earlier this week.
She’s A Hustler (The Valley R6)
She’s A Hustler made it 6 wins from just 9 career starts with another impressive display in the G3 Tesio Stakes (2040m). The 5YO mare has been expertly placed by trainer Grahame Begg up to this point and will get an opportunity in Group 2 or Group 1 company soon enough.
Von Hauke (The Valley R7)
Von Hauke finished a close-up 4th in last year’s G2 Crystal Mile but well and truly atoned with a strong victory in this year’s edition. Aided by a lovely Ethan Brown steer, the Cliff Brown-trained galloper saved ground into the straight and got the split after following race favourite Rise At Dawn who faded to finish third.
Observer (The Valley R9)
He might have given them something to catch in the Cox Plate but we’ll never know. Instead, the Godolphin colt beat up on his own age group in the G2 Vase over the same trip. The margin was only 0.5L but it could have been 2L, with Zahra giving the hot favourite a very easy time over the concluding stages, seemingly with an eye to next week’s Derby where Observer is a $1.90 favourite with TAB.
Oakfield Jupiter (Randwick R3)
A handy mare from Damien Lane’s stable that will be winning more races this preparation. Had race fitness and a wide barrier against her first-up from a break but none of that mattered as she gave them a toweling up in the Midway.
Skyglider (Randwick R5)
Talented colt that won in July and was sent to the paddock before returning. Looks like a galloper with a bright future and it would not shock if connections had a crack at the G1 Coolmore with him.
Ohope (Randwick R7)
He’s riding a little win streak now and became the first horse to chalk up the Tapp-Craig, Callander-Presnell double.
Little Fella (Doomben R3)
Ryan Maloney rode confidently on the $1.70 favourite Royal Mover and probably thought he had the race in his keeping when he passed the 200m with a comfortable lead. However, under the strong urgings of Angela Jones, the Mark Currie-trained Little Fella zoomed home along the fence to upset the hot-pot as they drew clear of the rest.
Imposant (Doomben R4)
The Kris Lees-trained mare is enjoying life in Queensland, going one better after a nice 2nd at Doomben earlier this month.
Mr Buster (Doomben R6)
You don’t see many horses back up from Wednesday to Saturday but that’s what Ciaron Maher did with Mr Buster and he made it two wins in the space of four days. He paid $1.70 at the Eagle Farm midweeks and $1.80 here, stepping up in class and distance.
Anemacore (Doomben R8)
She’s a first-up flyer and she did again fresh here, providing her backers with a nice dividend of $6.50. Rodd gave her every chance from barrier two and she was good enough to sprint quickly when the gap opened up in the straight.
Blandford Baron (Morphettville R1)
It was far from an easy watch for connections, as Blandford Baron skipped away to a joint eight-length lead with Got Tickets in the early stages of the opening race. The pair’s speed battle left them alone in front a long way from home, but the colt’s class prevailed, scoring a 1/2 length win. A colt with plenty of upside.
Arugamama (Morphettville R2)
It looked uncertain for a moment when $126 shot Miss Narranga loomed to her outside mid-race, but jockey Taylor Johnstone kept the mare off the fence and regained the lead at the 800m, as Arugamama charged away with an easy six-length win. The Gluyas-trained mare was the class runner in Saturday’s Benchmark 84 (2500m), she may now head to the Australian Heritage Cup (2800m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.
Damelli (Morphettville R3)
Went back from the widest gate, found the rail, got the gaps through the field on straightening and unleashed a brilliant turn of foot to put her well-fancied stablemate Act Natural to the sword. She seems to have a motor.
Sinners
Lachlan Neindorf on Snow Mercy (The Valley R2)
Neinforf had a shocker here. Jumping from barrier four, Snow Mercy somehow ended up posted wide without cover up on a hot speed. She just plodded home in the straight but the ride gave her no hope in what was a clear forgive run.
Prince Tycoon (The Valley R2)
It wasn’t a great race for the on-pacers but Prince Tycoon’s first-up effort was still quite underwhelming. It will be interesting to see what he produces second-up with the added fitness.
She’s Unusual (The Valley R6)
She’s very good on her day but can also produce the occasional stinker. She was poor in the race won by She’s A Hustler.
Movin Out (The Valley R6)
The ride wasn’t flash but Movin Out is racing below her best this preparation and it’s back to the drawing board for Chris Waller. She was crunched in betting from double-figures into $7 but the plunge went badly astray.
Antino (The Valley R10)
This wasn’t the real Antino. You’d have to think vets will find an excuse for his poor Cox Plate performance, because it looked too bad to be true.
Harry Coffey on Options (The Valley R9)
He was probably a touch lucky not to get today’s Slaughter after finding nothing but backsides on Options in the Vase. The wide gate saw Coffey go back and ride for luck and the McEvoy galloper didn’t get any.
Defensemen (Randwick R1)
The bookies knew here. The $1.4 million colt was taken on late and drifted from $2.30 out to $4.20. Travelled comfortably in the straight but was under siege at the 250m mark and finished a well handled third.
Point And Shoot (Randwick R4)
This horse just doesn’t know how to step clean out of the barriers. He missed the kick for the 100th time in a row and had too much ground to make up.
Point and shoot should shack up with Swiftfalcon…
— MJ (@SportsCh4tter) October 25, 2025
Craven Plate field (barring Lindermann)
Aside from the winner, the field in the Craven Plate might be a bunch of ‘has beens’. Barring Democracy Manifest, every horse in the field has a Group 1 to their name and at the time, shaped up as one of the more promising horses in the country. Kovalica was talked up as a future champion following his Queensland Derby win, Militarize started $7.50 in a Cox Plate and El Castello was favourite in the Derby last year. Without being too harsh, none of them will get close to winning another Group 1.
Act Natural (Morphettville R3)
Seemed to have every chance as a short-priced $1.95 favourite. Now has a career record of 8: 0-5-3 and while he’s clearly got ability, he is proving costly for punters. Beaten at $6, $2.40, $3.60, $4.40, $2.50, $3.40, $3.50 and $1.95 in eight starts.
Daryl
Social media wasn’t kind to Daryl Braithwaite after his rendition of Horses before the Cox Plate. If he was a horse, he’d be straight off to the spelling paddock tonight.
Daryl Braithwaite is the worst thing to happen to the Melbourne Spring carnival since PVL
— mitchellbeer (@beermitchell) October 25, 2025 
The Winners