Trainer Mick Nolan’s Stylish Secret (NZ) (Sweet Orange) produced a plucky front-running performance to deny in-form mare Sun Gift (NZ) (Savabeel) when winning the Ule Hoof Oil Handicap (2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Given a perfect ride by apprentice Luke Cartwright, Stylish Secret enjoyed a breather mid-race and filled up the lungs enough to stave off the challenge of Sun Gift as the pair cleared out by more than three lengths from third-placed American Wolf (NZ) (Tivaci). The diminutive son of Sweet Orange carried just 52.5kg after Cartwright’s claim and…
Day: 31 January 2026
Patterson goes back-to-back in Lowland
Robbie Patterson looks to have another serious Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) contender on his hands following Ultimate Habit’s victory at Trentham on Saturday. The promising daughter of Embellish broke through for her maiden win in the Gr.2 Jennian Homes Lowland Stakes (2100m), a race Patterson won last year with Leicy Lucy before she won the Oaks, and he is looking forward to shooting for back-to-back wins in the Classic at its new home of Ellerslie next month. “We are definitely going to go to the…
Liguria takes out Ellerslie juvenile feature
Exciting filly Liguria (NZ) (Snitzel) opened her winning account in fine style with a courageous victory at stakes level when she claimed the Gr.3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic (1200m) at Ellerslie. The impeccably bred daughter of Snitzel didn’t disgrace herself when finishing fourth on debut at the venue on Boxing Day and that experience stood her in good stead for Saturday’s juvenile feature that carries the name of the late New Zealand training legend Colin Jillings. Bearing the colours of Cambridge Stud principals Brendan and Jo Linday, who bred and…