William Pike chases a fourth Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on Tuesday, partnering $17 outsider Moonwalk in the Listed $125,000 contest for Grant and Alana Williams.
Hayden King
Who are the riders to look out for in Tuesday’s great race? Racing writer Hayden King casts his eye over the hoops who could make the biggest impact.
In-form jockey Mark Zahra will need to rely on all his big race skill when he partners Irish raider Al Riffa in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup (3200m) after the stallion was dealt an unfortunate blow in gate 19.
“Three to go.” They were the words of admiring trainer Bernie Miller after watching reigning WA Horse of the Year Jokers Grin successfully return in the Group 3 $200,000 Prince Of Wales Stakes (1000m) at Ascot
Warm favourite Observer justified his lofty reputation by landing the Group 1 $2 million Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington, dominating the race from the front under red-hot jockey Mark Zahra.
Observer will enter Saturday’s Group 1 $2 million Victoria Derby (2500m) as one of the shortest favourites in memory as the last start winner attempts to buck the trend of fancies in the race.
The trainer of Melbourne Cup favourite and last start Caulfield Cup winner Half Yours says he’s ‘better than ever’ as the Australian-bred horse attempts to defend an international assault on the race.
One of the favourites for next Tuesday’s Group 1 $10 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington is only a “50/50” chance to take his place in the field with connections hemming and hawing.
Gary Hall Jr will be back for a shot at redemption in the $350,000 2026 Ultimate Driver Championship at Albion Park in February next year after the champion reinsman finished second in last year’s series.
Undefeated three-year-old Heeza Phoenix further promoted his Group 2 $500,000 WA Guineas (1600m) claims when completing a maintenance trial at Belmont on Monday morning.
King Of Light announced himself as the real deal and the top seed for next month’s WA Guineas with a brilliant triumph in the Listed $125,000 Belgravia Stakes (1200m) at Ascot.
The Cox Plate is regarded by Australia’s most astute punters as the nation’s premier race. At weight-for-age, generally the best horse on the day will win and that’s what occurred in the 2025 and final edition.
