08 April 2026
New Zealand Oaks winner set for another classic performance
The Chris Waller Racing team has been buoyed by the feedback from champion hoop James McDonald as Ohope Wins (NZ) (Ocean Park) strives to bounce back from a last start defeat and add the Australian Oaks to her New Zealand classic triumph.
Starting a short-priced favourite at her local debut in the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m), Ohope Wins was widely expected to prove a class above her rivals despite having had five weeks between runs and dropping 400m in journey.
But while she presented at the top of the straight, she was unable to reel in the leaders, finishing fourth, and given the weight of expectation the result was disappointing.
Waller's assistant trainer, Charlie Duckworth, doesn't think that will be the case in the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
"James (McDonald) galloped her (on Tuesday) morning and said she feels more switched on, like a better horse today than when he rode her in the race," Duckworth said.
"I don't know whether it's a case of the way we train, or things change, but up to the distance I think she will justify the hype she had prior to her run in the Vinery, because they all thought she was just about unbeatable."
Punters are also keeping faith in the filly to rebound with Ohope Wins a $2.40 favourite, ahead of Saturday's impressive Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) victor Profoundly (Farnan) at $3.50.
Waller has won the Australian Oaks four times, most recently with Hungry Heart (Frankel) in 2021. - NZ Racing Desk
Satono's Rapid Rise Has Charlton Glowing For Championships Test
It’s all happening in quick time for promising filly Satono Glow (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) and trainer Tom Charlton would like to think she can keep the ball rolling in what is her biggest test at Randwick on Saturday.
The two-year-old only made her debut a month ago in a Warwick Farm maiden and took a big step to Group 3 level scoring in dominant fashion at Flemington just 17 days later.
There’s a 14 day turnaround for this time for Satono Glow into the Group 2 $1 million TAB Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) but Charlton says she’s thrived since returning from Melbourne.
“She’s got to where she has very naturally and it’s all happened quickly for her, you can see in her greenness when she does race she’s inclined to do a few things wrong,’’ he said.
“When she hits the front she has a good look around so hopefully she can keep improving.
“It looks a decent enough race, some similar promising types coming into it, as you’d expect for a feature two-year-old fillies race.
“She has a fantastic demeanour, took her trip incredibly well and has only thrived since. We’ll give it a go and hopefully she can run well.”
Zac Lloyd trialled Satono Glow prior to her debut win and the Percy Sykes will be his first race ride on the filly.
Satono Glow, $4 with TAB on Wednesday, was a $260,000 purchase at Karaka and interestingly, both her wins have come on soft tracks.
Charlton would like to think it’s a bonus that she can handle those conditions because on the surface he said the filly should be every bit as good on top of the ground.
“From our perspective there’s no reason why she’d be a wet tracker,’’ he said.
“She has a beautiful low action and it’s just been the way it’s fallen that she’s run on soft tracks and obviously handled it.
“We buy around five fillies a year for a fillies group and, being from a New Zealand sale, she always looked like she would come to hand reasonably quick.
“She’s not overly big but she’s very athletic and powerful behind the saddle.” - By Ray Hickson
Ka Ying Rising aims to extend streak at FWD Champions Day
Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) will headline FWD Champions Day alongside Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) as the two highest-rated horses in the world seek records and glory against a strong international contingent at Hong Kong’s spring flagship meeting on Sunday, 26 April.
Competing for a record HK$78 million in prizemoney across the HK$30 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m), HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) and HK$24 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m), FWD Champions Day’s top-level features include 13 individual Group 1 winners among 38 selected runners (excluding reserves).
Record breaking sprinter Ka Ying Rising will chase a second Chairman’s Sprint Prize crown when he lines up searching for his 20th consecutive win, a record previously held by Silent Witness (Silent Witness) – who won 17 successive races – for a Hong Kong-trained horse.
David Hayes’ Hong Kong Horse of the Year (2024/25), first in the March edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings ahead of Romantic Warrior, can capture a second Hong Kong Speed Series bonus (HK$5 million), if he is successful again.
Sha Tin’s 1200m (1m 07.12s) and 1400m (1m 19.36s) course record holder, Ka Ying Rising, is currently on a 19-race winning streak, and faces familiar foe Satono Reve (Lord Kanaloa) once again, who is twice placed in top-level races behind the eight-time Group 1 winner.
Mr Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “FWD Champions Day is always an outstanding day of racing, and we are delighted at the quality of the 2026 renewal.
“We have 13 visitors from overseas, including Masquerade Ball and Royal Champion, who will test the mighty Romantic Warrior in what shapes as one the FWD QEII Cup’s best renewals. Ka Ying Rising has won 19 races in a row, and his continued streak adds an increasing layer of excitement. In addition, our exciting four-year-olds will rise to the Group 1 challenge, including Invincible Ibis (Hellbent), Little Paradise (Toronado) and Stormy Grove (Toronado).” - Hong Kong Jockey Club
NZ Racing Desk
Dennis Ryan
Paul Vettise
