Williams still on Mr B’s side
Craig Williams knows the unforgettable ride with Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) is going to end at some point, but he is excited about embarking on a sixth Spring Carnival with the gelding.
The champion hoop will reunite with the Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained nine-year-old in this Saturday's A$750,000 Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
The 1400-metre weight-for-age contest is a race Williams and Mr Brightside combined to win in 2023, while they have also finished second the past two years.
Saturday will be Williams' 45th race ride on the son of Bullbars, on whom he has won 18 times, including the Memsie, a hat-trick of Makybe Diva Stakes (Gr.1, 1600m), two Futurity Stakes (Gr.1, 1400m), a Doncaster Mile (Gr.1, 1600m) and an Orr Stakes (Gr.1, 1400m) at the highest level.
"I've been lucky to ride 90 Group One winners in my career, and I've ridden some phenomenal horses, but I've won more Group One races on him than any other horse.
"That just tells you what he means to me.
"The other part that makes it so special is that I was part of his development. I won his maiden on him and was part of his placement and his development to be that horse.
"He didn't just step out and become a Group One horse.
"The (Hayes) boys have just managed him so well and I'm looking forward to him being back at the racetrack."
Some suggested the end might be near after he was shaded by Café Millenium (Not A Single Doubt) in a track gallop at Sandown last Saturday, but Williams and the Hayes brothers were happy with what they saw.
Similar concerns were raised ahead of last year's Memsie Stakes following a seemingly plain final jumpout, but Mr Brightside rebounded to beat home all bar Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express) in Victoria's first Group One of the season before a third-straight Makybe Diva Stakes win.
Williams pointed to the fact that Mr Brightside has not raced since his fifth placing in the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington last November to back his belief that he is on track.
"My job is to ride him on raceday, in trials and a couple of gallops and he's never been an impressive worker," Williams said.
"He has worked better before, but he's never been what you would say is an impressive worker and he has had a little bit longer layoff this time.
"He seems like he's going really well."
Mr Brightside is striving to become the 12th multiple winner of the Memsie Stakes, but only the second dual winner in non-consecutive years, alongside Sir Boom (Jugah) (1996/99).
He took on seven individual Group One winners in last year's Memsie Stakes and again has a star-studded list of rivals to contend with this year with Treasurethe Moment, Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto), Autumn Boy (The Autumn Sun), Beiwacht (Bivouac) and Cosmic Crusader (NZ) (Maurice) among 12 elite-level winners in the 17 entries. - NZ Racing Desk
Mare overcomes adversity to hit Group heights
A major injury suffered as a youngster didn’t stop Brah Spring (NZ) enjoying a lucrative racing career with following stakes success as a broodmare for Little Avondale Stud.
The Darci Brahma mare claimed seven victories, with her daughter Prima Bella (NZ) (Per Incanto) surpassing that mark at Randwick on Saturday when she added the Gr.3 Toy Show Quality (1100m) to her record.
“She’s a really good mare and when the other horse headed her, that race day fitness came to the fore,” Little Avondale’s Sam Williams said. “She’s tough and eight wins from 15 starts now is outstanding.”
Her homebred mother Brah Spring also displayed fighting qualities to overcome early adversity to star on and off the track.
“She hurt herself as a foal and we did a CT on her and she had damaged her inner ear and was completely deaf in her right ear,” Williams said.
“She used to race with it flopping out to the right and carried her head slightly to the right.”
Prima Bella was offered by Sledmere Stud on behalf of Little Avondale at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, selling for A$320,000, and carries the familiar silks of Group One-winning owners Francis and Christine Cook.
“They saw her as a yearling, it was during COVID and we couldn’t fly to Australia that year, and Christine told me that she said to Francis don’t come home without buying that filly,” Williams said.
“They are big fans of Per Incanto and race a lot of them. Last week Tauto Bar (NZ) won in their colours and Evaporate (NZ) ran third (in the Gr.2 PB Lawrence Stakes, 1400m).
“After Prima Bella, we sent the mare to Time Test and missed to Super Seth, and then we decided to sell her a couple of years ago.”
The Matthew Smith-trained Prima Bella claims Group winner and producer Sound Lover (NZ) (Sound Reason) as her third dam.
“She’s the fifth stakes-winning Per Incanto horse who is a direct descendant of (foundation mare) Sound Lover, that’s outstanding,” Williams said.
“She was my favourite mare when I came home, and we raced her with the O’Sullivan family and then left four black type horses (Philosophe, Magnum, Men At Work, Sir Lovesalot).
“She had 13 foals with 11 winners, and between them won 56 races.”
Little Avondale continues to breed from Brah Spring’s stakes-winning half-sister Pure Incanto (NZ) (Per Incanto) (Listed Power Turf Sprint, 1200m).
“She’s got a really sharp Proisir colt at foot, we sold (for A$200,000) a Proisir at the Easter Sale this year, and she’s in foal to Satono Aladdin,” Williams.
“We own Belluci Babe (NZ) (Per Incanto) as well, she’s just foaled a Zoustar filly the other day and she’s going to Home Affairs this season.
“We still own a number of the family. Mour Magic (NZ) (Per Incanto) is Belluci Babe’s unraced sister and she’s in foal to Super Seth and will go to Return To Conquer.” - Paul Vettise
Lucky Magic casts his spell in Gold Vase
Lucky Magic (NZ) (Mendelssohn) smashed the course record when he was successful in the RM150,000 Ipoh Ladies Gold Vase (1400m) at Ipoh on Sunday.
Trainer HY Cheng declared afterwards that the Mendelssohn galloper has yet to regain his peak form after being out of action for seven months since finishing third in the Piala Emas Sultan Selangor (2000m) last December.
Lucky Magic resumed in a Supreme A event event over 1400m last month, beating the high-rated Platinum Emperor (NZ) (Sweynesse).
That run took some of the rough edges off the gelding and although coming up against some smart gallopers – both visiting and home based runners – in the Gold Vase today, punters sent him off the odds-on favourite, with Bernardo Pinheiro riding at the track for the first time since 2020.
Staged for the first time over 1400m, the 2026 edition of the Gold Vase was an eventful one.
Lucky Magic raced up to leader Eruption at the 200m and started to pull away soon after. From the chasing pack emerged Winning Stride and he was the one who ran Lucky Magic closest at the line. Eruption held on for third, followed by Flying Nemo and Good Friendship.
Lucky Magic stopped the clock at 1min 21.05secs, 1.36 second faster than the previous record by Heavenly Warrior just a couple of months ago.
Today’s success for Lucky Magic followed that of his Penang Gold Cup (2000m) win in 2024 and the Selangor Gold Cup (1600m) last year.
His biggest win, however, came in the RM1mil Selangor Mile last year.
For Cheng, the work continues to get Lucky Magic in tip-top shape for two major assigments ahead – the RM300,000 NZB Ready To Run Open Championship (1400m) on Sep 5 and the Selangor Gold Cup at the end of next month.
For Pinheiro, it was another feather in the cap for the Brazilian who has been riding in a rich vein of form of late.
“I managed two winners here (at Ipoh) in 2019 and last rode here in the Perak Derby on Black Thorn in 2020,” recalled Pinheiro.
On the Gold Vase, he said: “The pace was fast, so I had to get him (Lucky Magic) going early.
“I was racing wide early but managed to get him in to the rails. I switched him out making the turn into the straight and he fought every inch of the way to the line.
“The other horses were coming at us at the finish but I knew he would never give up.
“I am very lucky to be given the ride on the horse (for the first time). A big thanks to Cheng and the owners.”
Purchased by Cheng for NZ$75,000 from the draft of Prima Park at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run sale, Lucky Magic has now won 11 races in 16 starts. - turfonline.com
Joshua Smith
Joshua Smith
Joshua Smith
NZ Stallion Awards
The Centaine Award
Sire whose NZ-conceived progeny have the highest earnings worldwide.
The Dewar Stallion Trophy
Sire whose progeny have the highest combined earnings in Australia and New Zealand.
The Grosvenor Award
Leading Sires by earnings in New Zealand.
NZ BRED WINNERS
BIG MAX (NZ) 2020 by Charm Spirit (IRE) out of Red Robyn by Iffraaj (GB)
Breeder: J D & J H Bayly; NZ
Race: Selangor TC Class 5B H. 1275
Sale: 2022 National Yearling Sale – Book 2 V: Windsor Park Stud $34000 P: Pertab Racing
2022 Ready To Run Sale V: Pertab Racing $120000 P: Mr L Khoo Peng Ann / Isdale Racing
TOP SHOW (NZ) 2019 by Zacinto (GB) out of Always Happy (USA) by Aldebaran (USA)
Breeder: C Elias; Waikato; NZ
Race: Selangor TC Class 5B H. 1275
NAVARRE REGENT (NZ) 2023 by Super Seth (AUS) out of Indomitable by Danehill (USA)
Breeder: Pencarrow Thoroughbreds Ltd; Waikato; NZ
Race: Selangor TC Maiden 1200
Sale: 2025 Ready To Run Sale V: Prima Park $60000 P: Simon Dunderdale / Pinhook Bloodstock International
COOL SIXTY-ONE (MY) Cavani (NZ) 2018 by Vespa out of Marie Doree (FR) by River Bay (USA)
Breeder: Wellfield Holdings Ltd; Central; NZ
Race: Selangor TC Class 3 H. 1300
COMMANDER JONES (NZ) 2020 by Charm Spirit (IRE) out of Zuma by Mastercraftsman (IRE)
Breeder: Windsor Park Stud Ltd; Waikato; NZ
Race: Selangor TC Class 5A H. 1500
DIAMOND HEART (MY) Superb Sweynesse (NZ) 2019 by Sweynesse (AUS) out of Dowellbyme by Dubawi (IRE)
Breeder: J P Clapham; Auckland; NZ
Race: Perak TC Class 5B H. 1200
LUCKY MAGIC (NZ) 2020 by Mendelssohn (USA) out of No Love Letters (GB) by Roderic O’Connor (IRE)
Breeder: J Crowley; NZ
Race: Ipoh Ladies Gold Vase 1400
Sale: 2022 National Yearling Sale – Book 1 V: Prima Park $35000 P: Mr B Kwok
2022 Ready To Run Sale V: Prima Park $75000 P: HY Cheng Racing Stable
BABY BISCUIT (MY) Mr Dobalino (NZ) 2021 by Vanbrugh (AUS) out of Chile by Volksraad (GB)
Breeder: Windsor Park Stud Ltd; Waikato; NZ
Race: Perak TC Class 4B H. 1300
Sale: 2023 National Yearling Sale – Book 2 V: Windsor Park Stud $57500 P: Pertab Bloodstock Ltd / Pertab Livestock Ltd
SPEEDY SAMURAI (MY) Sovereigns Gold (NZ) 2021 by Ten Sovereigns (IRE) out of Buymore by Zabeel
Breeder: Valachi Downs Stud Ltd; Canterbury; NZ
Race: Perak TC Class 4A H. 1300
Sale: 2022 National Weanling Sale V: Valachi Downs $12500 P: Mr BM Donoghue
2023 Ready To Run Sale V: BMD Bloodstock $75000 P: HY Investments
GOD’S GIFT (NZ) 2016 by Haradasun (AUS) out of Criquette by Forensic Evidence (IRE)
Breeder: Ms D Clark & M G Gordon; Canterbury; NZ
Race: Perak TC Class 5B H. 1600
Sale:2018 National Yearling Sale - Book 3 V: Long Acres Stud $8000 P: Miss ML Whitehead
2018 Ready to Run Sale V: Kiltannon Stables Ltd $28000 P: D M Logan B/stock
Global NZ-bred winners
2026-08-15 / 2026-08-22
AUSTRALIA
Almanzor : Andy Win (NZ)(Waguar by Thewayyouare) 2020;
16 Aug 2026, 1st Ballarat TC Grand National S/chase 4500m
Sold by Carlaw Park at National Weanling Sale for $55000
Almanzor : Almanzas (NZ)(Zaspin by Zabeel) 2022;
18 Aug 2026, 1st Clarence River JC Congratulations Matthew Dunn H. 1430m
Sold by Little Avondale Stud at National Yearling Sale for $100000
Almanzor : Mr Miller (NZ)(Miss Miller by Pins) 2022;
19 Aug 2026, 1st ATC Catanach's Jewellers H. 1400m
Almanzor : Foire de Trone (NZ)(City Fair by Zamindar) 2021;
22 Aug 2026, 1st ATC Jersey Day Andrew Wisemantel H. 2400m
Almanzor : Diamond Show (NZ)(Zenella by Zabeel) 2021;
22 Aug 2026, 1st BRC Gibson H. 2200m
Ardrossan : Shiny Love (NZ)(Miss Rule by Bachelor Duke) 2021;
20 Aug 2026, 1st Mackay TC Ladbrokes H. 1800m
Sold by Prima Park at National Yearling Sale for $30000
Sold by Prima Park at Ready to Run Sale for $100000
Belardo : Vin Santo (NZ)(La Praline by Anabaa) 2021;
16 Aug 2026, 1st SCTC Robilliard Building & Design H. 1000m
Circus Maximus : Gus the Great (NZ)(Astor by Iffraaj) 2022;
20 Aug 2026, 1st Hawkesbury RC Brad Widdup Champion Local Trainer H. 1300m
Sold by Trelawney Stud Ltd at Ready to Run Sale for $100000
Circus Maximus : Stuntman (NZ)(Viviane by Volksraad) 2022;
18 Aug 2026, 1st Ballarat TC Brandt Maiden P. 1400m
Circus Maximus : Gold Chariot (NZ)(O'Lovely by O'Reilly) 2022;
19 Aug 2026, 1st MRC Ive H. 1600m
Sold by Windsor Park Stud at National Yearling Sale for $160000
Contributer : Hard Questions (NZ)(Curraghmore Girl by Duke Of Marmalade) 2018;
16 Aug 2026, 1st Carnarvon RC Bus West H. 1600m
Sold by Valachi Downs at National Yearling Sale for $20000
Echoes of Heaven : Believe in Angels (NZ)(Jet Charged by Thewayyouare) 2020;
16 Aug 2026, 1st SCTC Stanley River Thoroughbreds H. 1000m
Embellish : Bold Soul (NZ)(Twin Soul by Singspiel) 2020;
16 Aug 2026, 1st Ballarat TC Ian Larkin Memorial Maiden Hurdle 3250m
Sold by Te Keeti Bloodstock Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $20000
Hello Youmzain : Attractiveness (NZ)(Hot in High Heels by High Chaparral) 2022;
15 Aug 2026, 1st ATC Midway H. 1500m
Sold by Blandford Lodge at National Yearling Sale for $120000
Hello Youmzain : Concrete Storm (NZ)(Black Sav by Savabeel) 2023;
22 Aug 2026, 1st Newcastle JC Tooheys Maiden H. 1400m
Sold by Kilgravin Lodge at National Yearling Sale for $120000
Iffraaj : Satay Chicken (NZ)(Satay by Keeper) 2018;
15 Aug 2026, 1st Quorn JC Saltbush Civil Services H. 1400m
Maurice : Cosmic Crusader (NZ)(Cosmic Storm by Street Sense) 2020;
15 Aug 2026, 1st MRC PB Lawrence S.Gr.21400m
Ocean Park : Ocean's Jen (NZ)(Really Reputable by O'Reilly) 2017;
22 Aug 2026, 1st Kununurra ARC Tabtouch H. 1350m
Sold by Waikato Stud Ltd at Karaka May Sale for $32000
Ocean Park : Farraige (NZ)(Laurelling by Highest Honor) 2020;
22 Aug 2026, 1st Port Macquarie RC Camden Haven Cup 1512m
Per Incanto : Prima Bella (NZ)(Brah Spring by Darci Brahma) 2020;
22 Aug 2026, 1st ATC Toy Show H.Gr.31100m
Pierro : Pressurised (NZ)(Galaxy Star by Redoute's Choice) 2022;
19 Aug 2026, 1st MRC Sportsbet H. 2400m
Proisir : Orange Tsunami (NZ)(Ready Steady by Perfectly Ready) 2022;
15 Aug 2026, 1st Illawarra TC Audenzia ITC Horse of the Year H. 1500m
Sold by Haunui Farm at National Weanling and Broodmare Sale for $60000
Redwood : Reddivo (NZ)(Diva In Red by High Yield) 2018;
20 Aug 2026, 1st Warrnambool RC Hire Australia Highweight H. 3100m
Sold by Cambria Park at National Yearling Sale for $50000
Reliable Man : The Cunning Fox (NZ)(Cross Rate by Green Tune) 2018;
16 Aug 2026, 1st Ballarat TC JJ Houlahan Hurdle 3250m
Savabeel : Taka Speed (NZ)(Toffee Nose by Toorak Toff) 2021;
15 Aug 2026, 1st MRC Remembering Diatribe H. 2000m
Sold by Curraghmore at Ready to Run Sale for $300000
Savabeel : Sattva (NZ)(Mawzoona by Fastnet Rock) 2022;
15 Aug 2026, 1st Warracknabeal TC Marong Family Hotel Maiden P. 1200m
Sold by Waikato Stud Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $240000
Savabeel : Let it Beel (NZ)(Let it Rock by Fastnet Rock) 2022;
21 Aug 2026, 1st Sale TC Johnson Plumbing and Gas H. 1200m
So You Think : Think Like Paddy (NZ)(Sunny Rose by Tavistock) 2021;
21 Aug 2026, 1st Tweed River JC CMT Equipment and Calibrations H. 1550m
Sold by Carlaw Park at National Yearling Sale for $180000
St Mark's Basilica : Saintly Dancer (NZ)(Thinkyoucandance by So You Think) 2023;
19 Aug 2026, 1st MRC Sportsbet Maiden P. 1200m
Super Seth : Cignetti (NZ)(Touting by Savabeel) 2023;
21 Aug 2026, 1st Sale TC Programmed Property Services Maiden P. 1400m
Sold by Ohukia Lodge at Ready to Run Sale for $220000
Super Seth : Centennial Park (NZ)(Savoia by Charge Forward) 2021;
15 Aug 2026, 1st Toowoomba TC Empire of Japan H. 1210m
Sold by Wentwood Grange at National Yearling Sale for $260000
Sweynesse : Starwalker (NZ)(Stars Colliding by No Excuse Needed) 2020;
15 Aug 2026, 1st WATC Vale Greg Matta Make it Matta H. 2100m
Tavistock : Mr Invincible (NZ)(Botanic by Stravinsky) 2018;
22 Aug 2026, 1st Cobar Miners' RC Erica Chambers Memorial Trophy 1400m
Time Test : Fast Tempo (NZ)(Cordal by Tavistock) 2021;
22 Aug 2026, 1st SAJC Canadian Club H. 1400m
Sold by HGT Bloodstock Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $25000
Tivaci : Mission Taichi (NZ)(She's Deluxe by Savabeel) 2021;
20 Aug 2026, 1st Warrnambool RC Warrnambool Maiden Highweight P. 2000m
Tivaci : Hamner Springs (NZ)(Save the Stars by Savabeel) 2021;
19 Aug 2026, 1st Strathalbyn RC Community Bank Fleurieu Bendigo Bank H. 1600m
Turn Me Loose : Merlin Beach (NZ)(Viviane by Volksraad) 2021;
19 Aug 2026, 1st TRC Olive Tree Catering H. 2400m
Sold by Windsor Park Stud at National Yearling Sale for $160000
Turn Me Loose : Split (NZ)(Cry for Terre by Street Cry) 2019;
16 Aug 2026, 1st Ballarat TC Manhari Gotta Take Care Hurdle 3600m
Vadamos : Vamore (NZ)(No More Doubt by Redoute's Choice) 2021;
15 Aug 2026, 1st Quorn JC Great Northern Lodge Maiden H. 1200m
Sold by Rich Hill Stud at National Yearling Sale for $25000
Vadamos : Spicy Wings (NZ)(Donizetti by Darci Brahma) 2021;
21 Aug 2026, 1st Tweed River JC Toka Love Ya DNT H. 1200m
What's the Story : Chur Nibble (NZ)(Geisha by Ishiguru) 2020;
19 Aug 2026, 1st Strathalbyn RC Victor Harbor Motor Co H. 1350m
MALAYSIA
Derryn : Mega Crusader (NZ)(Pakapunch by Per Incanto) 2022;
16 Aug 2026, 1st Selangor TC Class 4 H. 1275m
Sweynesse : Swey City Flyer (NZ)(Cape City Flyer by Volksraad) 2022;
16 Aug 2026, 1st Selangor TC Class 4 H. 1600m
Sold by Pertab Racing at Ready to Run Sale for $45000
Sold by Windsor Park Stud at National Yearling Sale for $45000
U S Navy Flag : Sunny Day (NZ)(Lady Pentire by Pentire) 2020;
16 Aug 2026, 1st Selangor TC Class 5 H. 1020m
Sold by Kiltannon Stables Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $4000
PHILIPPINES
American Pharoah : Usir (NZ)(Away Cruising by Darci Brahma) 2021;
16 Aug 2026, 1st Philippine JC Class 1 & 2 H. 1650m
Sold by The Oaks Stud at National Yearling Sale for $70000
