SEASON 2024-25 Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald enjoyed their first Flemington Group 1 win as a training partnership when Sunshine In Paris proved too strong for her opposition in the $3 million Darley Champions Sprint (1200m) with James McDonald in the saddle. Warhorse Mr Brightside won an amazing eighth Group 1 race and seventh with Craig Williams on his back when his class shone through in the $3 million VRC Champions Mile (1600m), holding off the powerful finish of Antino with Fangirl in third. It was a record-breaking week for James McDonald, who, with 11 wins across the week, four at Group 1 level, surpassed his previous record of 10 in 2021 to claim the Ron Hutchinson Award as leading jockey. Ciaron Maher took out the Bart Cummings Award for leading trainer with five wins, highlighted by an Oaks Day treble. SUMMER & AUTUMN RACING The girls were to the fore as the Flemington Racing Spectacular kicked off in sizzling style with mares filling the first three placings in Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m). Ballarat trainer Mitch Freedman reminded the racing world of his talent as his miler-come-sprinter Skybird produced a spectacular turn of foot to defeat Stretan Angel and Benedetta and deliver Freedman’s second career Group 1 triumph. The feel-good stories continued a fortnight later in the Group 1 Howden Australian Guineas (1600m) when another young trainer, Dom Sutton, claimed his maiden victory at the elite level courtesy of Feroce, a horse part-owned by AFL premiership heroes Craig McRae, Tory Dickson and Justin Leppitsch. The $1 million Inglis Sprint went the way of Queenslander Kelly Schweida and his grey filly El Morzillo, a $50,000 buy from the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, proving yet again that fast horses don’t have to cost a fortune. It was a triumph for Godolphin and trainer James Cummings in the $2.5 million Group 1 All-Star Mile (1600m) as Tom Kitten landed a winning blow to deny crowd favourite Mr Brightside in a nail-biting finish. Later, the running of the timehonoured Group 1 Yulong Newmarket Handicap (1200m) was the playground for an explosive Joliestar who ran rampant down the straight six course to give trainer Chris Waller his second victory in the Newmarket, 11 years after Brazen Beau won the race. Star filly Treasurethe Moment won the 2024 Crown Oaks after winning the Wakeful Stakes on Derby Day, becoming the 39th filly to complete the double. (George Sal/Racing Photos)
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