Briasa And Private Harry Clash In Premiere
Spring Sprint Stars Target Group Two Prize
Briasa will be reuniting with his old rivals when lining up for Team Hawkes in the Gr.2 Premiere Stakes at Randwick this weekend. The Smart Missile gelding, who captured the Gr.1 TJ Smith Stakes at the track in April, most recently finished runner-up to Joliestar in the Gr.2 The Shorts over 1100 metres in September, beaten by a length and a quarter.
Meanwhile, Private Harry returns seeking redemption after suffering his first career defeat in that same race, where the Nathan Doyle-trained speedster encountered significant trouble at the start before finishing fifth. The Gr.1 Galaxy winner had been unbeaten through five starts prior to that setback.
The A$1 million (US$650,000) contest over 1200 metres forms a crucial stepping stone towards the Gr.1 TAB Everest, with several runners targeting Australia's richest turf race, worth A$20 million, which is scheduled for later in October at the same venue. Run under weight-for-age conditions, the race has attracted a quality field of twelve nominations representing some of the country's most powerful stables.
With three slots in the Gr.1 TAB Everest yet to be confirmed for Godolphin, Coolmore and Mulberry Racing, this represents one of the final preparations for the showpiece sprint, making this potentially the last roll of the dice for horses seeking an entry into the richest race on turf.
TJ Smith Winner Shows Elite Credentials
Briasa achieved his breakthrough at the highest level when defeating dual Quokka champion Overpass by a head in the A$3 million TJ Smith Stakes. Coming from fourth position at the top of the straight, jockey Tyler Schiller timed the run perfectly, allowing the gelding to surge forward inside the final furlong to claim his first Group One trophy. That performance took his career record to seven wins from just nine starts for trainers Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes.
The slight step up to 1200 metres should suit perfectly, particularly given his Group Two victory in The Hunter at 1300 metres at Newcastle last November. Following his TJ Smith Stakes victory, Briasa secured a coveted slot in The TAB Everest through prominent owners Max Whitby, Steve McCann, Colin Madden and Neil Werrett. His fourth-place finish in the Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate at Rosehill first up during autumn demonstrated his ability to fire fresh, making him a leading contender.
Galaxy Hero Seeking Important Rebound
Private Harry maintained an undefeated record through five starts when brilliantly capturing the Gr.1 Galaxy at Rosehill on Golden Slipper Day, defeating older rivals Front Page by three-quarters of a length with Uncommon James finishing third. The gelding showed exceptional acceleration under Ashley Morgan to claim Doyle's first Group One victory.
However, disaster struck at the start of The Shorts when Private Harry knuckled badly and nearly fell, then copped a bump from Briasa. Part owner Sean Driver explained the catastrophic beginning. "It was just a disaster as the gates opened, he nearly came down out of the gates. He was driven forward, and we ran 32 seconds in the first 600 metres. You can't finish races off when you're running 32 seconds in your first 600 metres."
In a significant development, Morgan has been replaced as jockey. With a new pilot aboard, Private Harry presents as a genuine danger. His record now stands at five wins from six starts, with his other victories including the A$3 million Magic Millions Sunlight 3YO Plate in January, along with wins at Rosehill, Hawkesbury and a Newcastle maiden on debut. Owned in partnership between Kurrinda Bloodstock and Yulong Investments, the gelding has already secured his slot in The TAB Everest.
Dual Group One Winner Returns
Jimmysstar brings an enviable record of two Group One victories already during the current season for trainer Ciaron Maher. The New Zealand-bred Per Incanto gelding began his autumn campaign with a stunning first-up win in the Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield in February, overcoming barrier 14 to defeat She's Bulletproof by one and a quarter lengths before capturing the Gr.1 All Aged Stakes over 1400 metres at Randwick in April.
Coming with a powerful late burst under jockey Ethan Brown in that latter contest, Jimmysstar defeated Joliestar and Sunshine In Paris to pocket the A$1.5 million prize. The 5YO has won nine of his 18 starts with five additional placings, amassing over A$2.1 million in prize money. Originally racing in New Zealand with Guy Lowry before transferring to Australian ownership, his proven ability at the venue, combined with his tactical versatility, makes him a serious threat.
His autumn campaign also included a third placing in the William Reid Stakes over 1200 metres and fourth in the TJ Smith Stakes at the same distance, demonstrating consistent form at the highest level.
Stradbroke Winner May Travel South
War Machine brings Group One glory from the Queensland winter carnival, having captured the A$3 million Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm in June. The New Zealand-bred son of Harry Angel defeated Yellow Brick by three-quarters of a length in an emotional victory for trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes and connections of the late trainer Mike Moroney. Jockey Tim Clark partnered the gelding to that memorable success, wearing a black armband in memory of Moroney and bloodstock agent Michael Wallace.
Since joining the Hayes stable, War Machine boasts a perfect three from three record, including the Gr.3 BRC Sprint at Doomben over 1350 metres, leading into his Stradbroke triumph. His career earnings now exceed A$2.48 million from six wins in thirteen starts. However, his participation remains uncertain as connections have dual accepted the gelding for both this race and the Gilgai Stakes at Flemington on the same day.
Hayes confirmed the situation after War Machine was ruled out of the Gr.1 Manikato Stakes following a minor foot abscess. "He'll run Turnbull Day at Flemington or in Sydney in the Premiere, so he'll be dual accepted that day and we'll choose which will be the best race for him."
The gelding was originally trained by the late Mike Moroney and won three of his first five starts, including the Bendigo Guineas. Bred by the Wallace family, War Machine was passed in at the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka but won his only trial at Foxton by six lengths before his private purchase. The ownership group includes Ballymore Stables, R & C Legh Racing and a syndicate including former All Black coach John Hart.
Experienced Performers Complete Quality Field
Mazu seeks to go one better than his runner-up finish in this race twelve months ago for trainer Joseph Pride. The 6YO Maurice gelding ran second to winner Airman, with Bella Nipotina filling third. That performance continued his excellent record in the race, having also finished second in 2022.
Most recently winning the Gr.3 Hall Mark Stakes at Randwick in April for the second consecutive year, Mazu reunited with jockey Jamie Melham to defeat stablemate Coal Crusher by one and a half lengths. With career earnings exceeding A$7.8 million and major wins including the 2022 Gr.1 Doomben 10,000 and Gr.2 Arrowfield Sprint, Mazu brings proven quality. The gelding by Maurice out of the Flying Spur mare Chatelaine has had 36 race starts for nine wins. He also finished third in the Gr.1 TJ Smith Stakes in 2023, showing his ability to compete at the highest level.
Champion trainer Chris Waller saddles up Generosity, who finished third in The Shorts behind Joliestar and Briasa. The 4YO Divine Prophet mare out of Orabelle relocated from Perth to Waller's powerful Sydney stable and has shown she belongs at this level, including a third-place finish in the Gr.1 Quokka over 1200 metres at Ascot in April. With 21 starts for four wins, including the Listed Gwynne Classic over 1400 metres, Generosity has demonstrated her ability to handle quality opposition.
Jedibeel won the Gr.2 Challenge Stakes over 1000 metres in March for trainer Brad Widdup, showing a brilliant turn of foot after 84 days between runs. Ridden by Tyler Schiller, the New Zealand-bred Savabeel gelding out of Starry charged home from off the pace to win by just over a length. The 5YO finished eighth in The Shorts after running ninth in the Gr.1 Galaxy earlier during the season. With 18 starts for eight wins and over A$816,150 in stakes, Jedibeel possesses the class to feature prominently. Racing in the bumble bee colours of Sydney businessman Mike Gregg and his grandson Locky Sheridan, the gelding is Widdup's best horse with a Timeform Rating of 116.
Pride also saddles up Dragonstone and In Flight alongside Mazu, making him the leading trainer by representation with three runners. Bjorn Baker sends out Iowna Merc, while Maher has a second runner in Nadal alongside Jimmysstar. Clayton Douglas prepares Tiger Shark to complete the twelve nominations.
The quality and depth of the field ensures a competitive renewal of one of spring racing's most important sprint contests.
1. Briasa (T: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes / J: Tyler Schiller)
2. Dragonstone (T: Joseph Pride / J: Not specified)
3. Generosity (T: Chris Waller / J: Not specified)
4. In Flight (T: Joseph Pride / J: Not specified)
5. Iowna Merc (T: Bjorn Baker / J: Not specified)
6. Jedibeel (T: Brad Widdup / J: Tyler Schiller)
7. Jimmysstar (T: Ciaron Maher / J: Ethan Brown)
8. Mazu (T: Joseph Pride / J: Jamie Melham)
9. Nadal (T: Ciaron Maher / J: Not specified)
10. Private Harry (T: Nathan Doyle / J: Tim Clark - Ashley Morgan replaced)
11. Tiger Shark (T: Clayton Douglas / J: Not specified)
12. War Machine (T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes / J: Tim Clark - dual accepted with Gilgai Stakes)