By James Lamb, Jett Hatton, Luke Sheehan and Tyler Maund
Our review of racing around Australia on Saturday, October 11, headlined by the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield. Check out all the highlights and lowlights here.
Star Performer
Autumn Boy (Caulfield Guineas)
You could argue Observer should have won the Guineas but Autumn Boy got the breaks (and a terrific D Lane ride) and landed the prize. “Beautiful colt that just takes everything in his stride, very easy to deal with and a great turn of foot when needed. So you need that to win these big races, and when he joined in, he really joined in,” Lane said.
Autumn Boy is now an $11 chance (with Sportsbet) for the Cox Plate in a year where there are question marks on a number of the big guns.
LIKE FATHER LIKE SON ☀️
Autumn Boy wins a dramatic Caulfield Guineas, joining his sire The Autumn Sun as a Guineas Champion! Damian Lane and Chris Waller go back-to-back in the 3YO Classic 🤝 pic.twitter.com/XztL6fOBNU
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 11, 2025 
Front Bar Fodder
CAULFIELD
Tough day for the swoopers
The firm track (Good 3) certainly favoured the on-pacers, with the majority of winners travelling close to the inside rail in the straight. We did see a couple of notable exceptions though in Point Barrow (R2) and Giga Kick (R9). More on him below …
Giga is back
Many thought he was cooked but Giga Kick showed he can still be a factor at the top level with a barnstorming first-up win in the G2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m). He was taken back in a hot race tempo-wise and the Clayton Douglas-trained gelding relaxed beautifully for Mark Zahra. The widest runner at the top of the straight, The Everest winner let down like the Giga Kick of old – sailing home to win impressively, seemingly with a bit more in the tank too.
ROSEHILL
Headley Grange overcomes barrier to win Alan Brown
It was a terrible barrier for Headley Grange in the Alan Brown but it didn’t matter at all. He copped a check when the barriers opened too, and went back to the tail. They went along hard and from there, Nash Rawiller stayed patient. Let rip at the top of the straight, he showed his sharp turn of foot and was able to gun down the topweight and fav, Gringotts. General Salute was third and probably should have finished much closer to the winner.
Class reigns supreme in Hill Stakes
Lindermann has solidified himself as a genuine weight-for-age horse now and that was on show in Hill Stakes. He drew barrier 15 of 15 and had to work early but after the first third of the race, he settled and got into a nice rhythm. Kicked away at the top of the straight and put the $2m field to the sword to race away with it. Will be interesting to see where they go next with him. He did beat Cox Plate favourite Sir Delius a few starts ago.
Gangsta Granny holds off a flying Monte Supreme
Not many mares in Sydney are in better form than Monte Supreme but Gangsta Granny was able to hold her off in The Nivison. Bonita Queen set a red hot tempo and Zac Lloyd had Gangsta Granny in third with plenty of room to work with. She hit the front at the 350m mark and was paddling late after chasing that hot tempo, but she built a big enough break to hold on.
Storm Boy’s brother claims maiden stakes win
Shangri La Boy might be able to do what his infamous brother was unable to do and win a Group 1. Was up to 1800m for the first time in the Gloaming Stakes and loved every metre of it. Jumped cleanly and led them up at a strong clip. When they swung for home, he put a few more lengths on his rivals and nothing ever looked like it was going to run him down. Will be hard to beat in the Spring Champion Stakes in a few weeks’ time.
Private who? Hidden Motive stands up for Doyle
The connections of Private Harry copped plenty of stick when the horse didn’t quite come up in the spring but they’ve got another stakes winner now following Hidden Motive taking out the G2 Roman Consul. Ash Morgan utilised the inside barrier and took Hidden Motive straight to the front and from there, he couldn’t be run down. Marhoona jumped quickly and settled outside the eventual winner but was plain. As for Beadman, he was probably the best thing beaten all day (in Sydney at least).
Best Win
CAULFIELD
Point Barrow (Caulfield R2)
She’s a poor beginner and she’s still as green as grass – wanting to duck in sharply under pressure – but Point Barrow possesses one hell of a motor. The Freedman-trained filly was still a mile off the leader with a furlong to run but sprouted wings under Stackhouse to arrive in the nick of time. There is a very good race in her future.
The win actually got better as the day went on, with the backmarkers struggling to make any impression out wide in most Caulfield races.
ROSEHILL
Lindermann (Rosehill R8)
We’ve touched on this bloke plenty throughout the review but it was a super win in the $2m Hill Stakes. Did all the work early but still made a decent field look like a bunch of C-graders.
EAGLE FARM
He’s Heaven (Eagle Farm R9)
Absolutely hooned out in front from the wide draw, and while leaders did seem to be advantaged on Saturday, this was dominant margin-wise in the finish.
MURRAY BRIDGE
Cartoon Graveyard (Murray Bridge Gold Cup R8)
The Tasmanian mare settled midfield under Crowther, who peeled out behind Sir Kingsford at the 450m and let down powerfully to charge away with a dominant win in the Murray Bridge Cup. The win landed a second Cup victory for Crowther in combination with the Will Clarken stable. Crowther rode the mare to perfection, sitting midfield on the rail before exposing the mare just as the field turned for home.
Crystal Ball
NOT-SO-OBVIOUS BLACKBOOKER
Airman (Rosehill R9)
General Salute was the obvious blackbooker out of the race but Airman’s run was sneaky good. He’s going super and will win a decent race shortly. On the back up after running in the Gilgai last week and he actually loomed like he was going to win the race. Battled on super for fourth.
WINNERS THAT WON’T WIN NEXT START
Brayden Star (Caulfield R3)
He’s a talented horse on his day but the import has never won two races in a row in Australia and he was extremely lucky to get away with this one. Plymouth turned it up and Whisky On The Hill was a good thing beaten in third.
Hidden Motive (Rosehill R4)
Was no doubt a great win from this Nathan Doyle-trained galloper but Beadman was a good thing beaten. If you run that race 10 times, Beadman probably wins nine of them.
Beadman the greatest moral beaten on any racetrack anywhere today including Kembla. Sickening watch. Needed to begin fast & be put right there to hold its spot. Can’t believe Marhoona crossed him. Ends up in the worst spot in the race.
— Matthew Zammit (@matthewjzammit) October 11, 2025 
Punters Pearler
Blake Shinn on Globe (G1 Might And Power)
Putting the state of our ‘elite’ WFA racing to the side for a moment, Shinn delivered a front-running clinic aboard Globe in the Might And Power. It was a tactical affair and Shinn rated the pace to perfection, clocking near-identical 200m splits from the 1400m to the 800m before revving things up when the two favourites tried to apply some pressure. The breather he gave his mount in the middle stages of the race allowed Globe to sprint home quickly on a track that favoured leaders all day.
Blake Shinn at his very, very best.
— Tom Hackett (@ResidentRainman) October 11, 2025
Blake Shinn a great judge of tempo. Globe right horse in the right race and it all comes together.
Buckaroo…still think maybe next week would be a better option than the week after?
— Andrew Hawkins (@AndrewNJHawkins) October 11, 2025 
Saturday Slaughter
Ethan Brown on Observer (G1 Caulfield Guineas)
Brown just had one of those days dirty days in the saddle. It started with Amleto in the opener (wide no cover the trip), and things got worse across the Group 1s. Sepals, heavily-backed into $2.50 favouritism in the Toorak, was a total disaster after copping an early check – but we’re not pointing the finger at Brown there, clearly something went amiss with the horse. However, he’d probably like his time again on Observer in the Guineas. A fast start saw him end up behind the leader, with the eventual winner Autumn Boy right on his back. Lane wanted to get off the fence turning for home – which won him the race – while Brown persisted for a run on the inside that never eventuated. He managed to get off heels approaching the 100m mark but the horse (Autumn Boy) had well and truly bolted. The margin was 2.5L but you could argue Observer was a good thing licked at $20.
LIKE FATHER LIKE SON ☀️
Autumn Boy wins a dramatic Caulfield Guineas, joining his sire The Autumn Sun as a Guineas Champion! Damian Lane and Chris Waller go back-to-back in the 3YO Classic 🤝 pic.twitter.com/XztL6fOBNU
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 11, 2025 
Saints
Modella (Rosehill R2)
Well backed into odds on and won as such. Zac Lloyd got her into a perfect position, midfield along the fence but he was able to angle off it halfway through the race. Slightly held up at the top of the straight but he was able to burst into the clear and from there, Modella showed a sharp turn of foot to win.
Ohope (Rosehill R5)
Got a red-hot speed set by Duke Of Arrakis and Farnicle, and was able to capitalise. Showed a sharp turn of foot to get the win and looked to have the race at his mercy a long way out.
Gangsta Granny (Rosehill R7)
She didn’t have much luck last time out and the start before, it took Autumn Glow to run her down. She’s racing in super form this prep and rewarded her followers with a win.
Lindermann (Rosehill R8)
He’s just a belter of a horse. Overcame the draw and won with plenty in hand.
Lindermann, what do they do with him? Would have loved to see him lead up in a Cox Plate the way he’s going but going elsewhere?
— Andrew Hawkins (@AndrewNJHawkins) October 11, 2025
Blindedbythelight (Caulfield R1)
The Moody and Coleman-trained galloper brought up a hat-trick of wins with a tough victory in the opener. In an on-pace dominated affair, she was able to outgun Al Duca who was brave with 8.5kg more than the winner.
Oh Too Good (Caulfield R4)
Kevin Daffy’s stable star (by default – it’s his only horse!) chalked up yet another win, bouncing back hard from an underwhelming effort at The Valley. He’s now won 6 from 15 and his career prizemoney is climbing towards $1m.
Zou Sensation (Caulfield R5)
The Corstens and Larkin stable have done a remarkable job to keep Zou Sensation racing in this sort of form for such a long period of time. He’s basically been in work since April, going from an unplaced effort in BM84 grade to being highly-competitive in Group and Listed races. He was simply too quick for the hot favourite King Zephyr in the Weekend Hussler (1400m).
Transatlantic (Caulfield R7)
It was a repeat of the Sandown Stakes, except this time Transatlantic stuck his nose out to deny Evaporate. It really looked like the runner-up was going to edge past the Queenslander but Zahra got plenty out of the Gollan visitor to take out G1 Toorak.
TRANSATLANTIC ❤️💛
It’s Tony Gollan in the Toorak again! Transatlantic goes all the way and gives the Queenslander’s another big one 💪 pic.twitter.com/y5l9wHHKh4
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 11, 2025
Virtual Illusion (Murray Bridge R1)
The gelding backed up his impressive debut win with a nice come-from-behind victory in Saturday’s opener. Jockey Caitlin Munro said the 3YO had a look around when he hit the front, suggesting he is still working his caper out. Seems destined for a bright future for the Richard and Chantelle Jolly yard.
Caitlyn Munro (Murray Bridge R1)
Munro’s steer aboard Virtual Illusion was the apprentice hoop’s first city winner, and it was no doubt a big thrill in front of a packed Murray Bridge Cup Day crowd.
Inhabit (Murray Bridge R2)
The filly jumped as a $1.75 favourite with Sportsbet but she was made to earn victory by a determined Blandford Baron. Inhabit piloted the field, was held together until the 350m but didn’t quite kick away when Pannell went for her. Despite looking vulnerable for a moment, she knuckled down strongly to fend off a challenge from Blandford Baron, saluting a one-length winner in a professional performance.
Darknconfidential (Murray Bridge R3)
Darknconfidential made it a hat-trick of wins, staving off Arugamama for a 1/2 length win over 2000m. Darknconfidential settled midfield under Jason Holder, and loomed up full of running at the 300m, sweeping past Test The Law. Stuart Gower has this gelding flying and options later this preparation include the Listed John Letts Cup (1800m) and Skybeau Series Final (2500m).
Chicago Storm (Murray Bridge R4)
Huge performance from the veteran sprinter first-up, levelling up to Fancify and proving too strong over 1100m. The David Aldridge-trained galloper has now eclipsed $500k in prizemoney, with 10 wins from 30 starts, and is set for a 1500m contest around The Valley in the coming weeks.
Todd Pannell & Jason Holder (Murray Bridge)
The gun veterans were in good form on Saturday, nailing a double each on the program. Holder is particularly airborne at the moment, after scoring a treble on last Saturday’s Morphettville meeting.
Tavs (Eagle Farm R10)
In the ‘get out stakes’, the well-tried Mark Currie trained galloper circled them from miles back to get the job done and send a few punters home with a winner. While he coasted into it a treat at the 300m, Justin Huxtable threw everything at him late to see off Tony Gollan’s Amur and make sure of it when winning by half-a-length.
Walsh Bay (Queensland Cup)
Look, they didn’t hoon mid-race, and only when Tapildoodledo made a run and fired things up under Du Plessis did it get interesting. Walsh Bay looked like she was going to win by 4L hard-held at the 200m, but So You Are kicked back remarkably to make her earn it. Regardless, she’s a 4YO mare on a five-race winning streak, having won first up over 1200m and now riding it all the way to a 2400m victory. Before this prep, she’d been to the mile once and tailed off to run a long last in that attempt. Fair bit of improvement after the spell!
Ryan Maloney (Eagle Farm)
Took his share of riding honours with a double. Royal Mover ($4.80) is now 2/2 after Voodoo Lass ($4.40) claimed the 1400m race for 3YOs.
Damien Thornton (Eagle Farm)
Joined Maloney with honours with multiple winners, riding 60kg topweight Ouroboros ($2.60) to victory in a 1200m Class 3, before lifting Walsh Bay ($3.50) to a thrilling Queensland Cup win over So You Are.
Express Payment (Eagle Farm R6)
Babies bring all the luck. Jockey Jake Bayliss and his partner Holly (who works for Rob Heathcote) just welcomed a little bub, Stella, into the world, and the Heathcote-trained galloper was able to win second-up here to help celebrate the occasion.
Andrew Angelone (Hamilton)
You never forget your first winner, and Andrew surely won’t – in a field of just five, up against trainers such as Moody/Coleman, Maher, O’Brien and Dabernig, Angelone picked up his first winner at big odds. His first runner was a tick over two years ago, and with only a small team it can be a hard nut to crack, but he took down the big stables on Saturday. Kudos.
Hamilton Race 1 | Star Of Omaha
Racing is underway on Hamilton Cup Day 🏆 Andrew Angelone gets his first win as a trainer as the roughie of the field takes out the first, leading all the way.
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0 pic.twitter.com/AcnZ7aJapY
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 11, 2025 
Sinners
Marhoona (Rosehill R4)
Thought she was given every possible chance but raced plain in third. Settled outside the eventual winner but didn’t have much to offer when called upon. Did finish third but on that performance, the jury’s out.
Plymouth (Caulfield R3)
He appeared to have the Herbert Power (2400m) shot to bits, especially with his main danger Whisky On The Hill hopelessly held-up in behind, but Plymouth seemed to have a real think about it late. Brayden Star, who has been a hard horse to catch on the punt, simply wanted it more at the business end.
Treasurethe Moment (Caulfield R6)
It was a frontrunning masterclass from Shinn on Globe but the $1.60 favourite was still disappointing. The Cox Plate is now very much up in the air for the Laurie mare. “We’ll see how she pulls up,” Laurie said post-race.
Wodeton (Caulfield R8)
Truckloaded in betting to jump a $2.80 fixed odds favourite, but much shorter on the World Pool, Wodeton was expected to put his best hoof forward in the Guineas. He had the back of the eventual runner-up Planet Red at the top of the straight but was dropped by that galloper and left gasping for air. He faded to finish 10th in an inglorious display that spells the end of the hype around him. He pulled up with some lameness, but you’d be a brave punter to be forgiving.
Fancify (Murray Bridge R4)
She’s a classy mare, but she had every hope on Saturday under Pannell and has been rolled at $7, $2.35, $3.20, $12 and $1.65 in her last five starts.
Capitalex (Murray Bridge R6)
Was slow out and never threatened in the dash home, just whacking away for eighth.
Simply Excels (Eagle Farm R2)
Given it looked favourable to be up on speed, it was a poor one from this guy to bottom out as bad as he did (beaten 6.1L). Granted, it was his worst run of his eight career starts comfortably, so you can forgive him a poor one second-up.
Aldolfito (Eagle Farm R6)
Proving to be a hard horse to catch, as he disappointed here as a $5.50 shot. Won at Ipswich in May at each-way odds, but has mixed his form around that.
The Winners