Caviar's Prince breaks through

Prince of Caviar (Sebring) has broken his maiden at Bendigo, becoming the second of Black Caviar's progeny to win a race.

The 3-year-old colt, who is owned by the same connections as his famous mum, prevailed at his fourth start, fighting off Hurricane Fighter (NZ) (Savabeel), with Sealed (Dundeel ({NZ}) in third.

He joins his half-sister Oscietra (Exceed and Excel) as a racetrack winner much to the delight of one of his owners, Gary Wilkie.

"It's a very special win, we’ve been waiting for four starts and he performed exceptionally well," Wilkie said.

"It’s nice to get the maiden out of the road and we're looking forward to see what he can do."

Co-trainer Wayne Hawkes said he wasn't sure if Prince of Caviar would continue on this campaign but that his best was still at least six months' away.

"He didn't know how to put them away but I've said it 100 times, he'll be so much better in the autumn," he said.

Winx set for three-peat

Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) looks destined to become the third horse to win Australian Racehorse of the Year for a third time after nominations were released for the awards night to be held in Melbourne next Thursday.

There are five finalists in seven categories for awards, nominated by over 50 of the nation’s racing media and handicappers.

Winx is nominated for the Champion Middle Distance category, which she is expected to win as well as the overall honours as the Australian Racehorse of the Year, joining Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) and Sunline (Desert Sun {GB}) as three-time winners of the award.

Triple G1 winner Trapeze Artist is expected to win the Champion Sprinter award, while Melbourne Cup winner Rekindling (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}) should win the Champion Stayer award.

The categories for the Champion Two-Year-Old as well as Champion Three-Year-Old colt and filly, which are separate awards, are expected to be more competitive.

Chris Waller and Hugh Bowman are already guaranteed to win the awards as the Champion Trainer and Jockey for the season as they have the most Group 1 wins.

Oliver remains in Moir doubt

Damien Oliver remains in some doubt for the ride on Spright (Hinchinbrook) in Friday night's G1 Charter Keck Cramer Moir S. at Moonee Valley.

Oliver injured his leg in a mishap in the barriers at Flemington on Wednesday and while scans confirmed it is just bruising, he is in a race against time to take the ride on Spright as well as four others on Friday.

Oliver has no commitments on Saturday as he’ll be watching the West Coast Eagles in their AFL Grand Final, but feels he should be fine to ride at Caulfield on Sunday where he has five more rides including one aboard Grunt (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ} in the G1 Hyland Race Colours Underwood S.

"I'm pretty certain I'll be right by Sunday," Oliver told RSN. "It’s a bit stiff and sore but I'm down the beach walking in the water."

"The horse pinned my legs but fortunately there's no serious damage."

McEvoy 2yos dominate Flemington jumpouts

Tony McEvoy-trained 2yos dominated the jumpouts at Flemington on Thursday morning with the trainer taking out three of the four heats as he stepped out nine runners.

The Astrologist (Zoustar) took out the first heat of the morning, looking every bit a colt who could go on and contest Victoria's first 2-year-old race, the Maribyrnong Trial at Flemington on October 6.

Balaabel (Not a Single Doubt) knuckled down to win the fillies' first heat, beating stablemate Night Passage (Not a Single Doubt), while Grand Scholar (Wandjina) was impressive in holding off I Am (I Am Invincible) in the final of the four heats.

McEvoy's Wedgetail (Foxwedge) finished second in the fastest heat of the day, beaten by Lindsay Park's Fanaar (Stratum).

McEvoy admitted he has his strongest collection of 2-year-old talent ever heading in to the new season.

"I bought up strong this year so I've got a tremendous group of babies," he told Racing.com.

"It's a time I love, it’s very exciting, with nine trialling this morning and the next 24-48 hours will determine which ones are set to go off to the races.

Stayer ready to peak in Metrop

Patrick Erin (NZ) (Gallant Guru) will be tested at Group One level for the second time in Australia on Saturday and his trainer Chris Waller believes the distance and track conditions should be in his favour.

The gelding, formerly trained in New Zealand by Brian and Shane Anderton, will step up to 2400 metres in the Gr.1 The Metropolitan after finishing fourth last time out in the Gr.3 Kingston Town Stakes.

“I am very excited by this horse’s chances, the soft track certainly won’t worry him and he is a very tough horse,” Waller said.

“Forget his age, he is typical of a horse like Who Shot Thebarman, in fact he is from the same area, if not the same farm Who Shot Thebarman was born.

“They are good, tough New Zealand horses and will excel stepping up to this trip.

“He has only had the two runs this preparation but he is a lightly framed horse and very clean-winded, so he is ready to peak on Saturday.

“The good draw (barrier 4) will afford him a nice run, he has a good jockey aboard (Corey Brown), so there is plenty to like about his chances.”

Another former New Zealand galloper that will step out for Waller in the same race is The Lord Mayor (NZ) (Rock ‘n’ Pop), who was formerly with Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott.

“He has won his last two, he ran fourth in the New Zealand Derby after doing a lot of work,” Waller said. “Based on that, I think he will improve stepping up to 2400m.

“Jay Ford rides from gate seven and he is backing up within seven days, but I don’t see that as being a problem as he is a very fit and healthy horse and I think he is a genuine light-weight chance.”

Smart 3YO likely to bypass Avondale

A horror gate is likely to keep the unbeaten filly Media Sensation (I Am Invincible) at home on Saturday.

Byerley Park co-trainer Peter Williams said the filly is a doubtful starter in Saturday’s Auckland Alarms 3YO at Avondale after she drew the outside barrier of 11.

She probably won’t be going because of the wide draw. She’s drawn 11 and there’s a fair bit of speed inside her. We’ll just see, but we’re in no hurry with her.”

Media Sensation created a big impression when comfortably winning both her starts last season.

The Williams stable has the Sarah Green and Ger Beemsterboer-owned filly entered for the Gr. 1 Gavelhouse.com 1000 Guineas at Riccarton on November 17 and she already has two trials under her belt.

“Her first trial at Te Rapa was good but her second trial (at Avondale) was a bit disappointing,” Williams said. “She’s had a couple of minor issues, mainly seasonal and that she’d done a bit well, but she looks like she’s over that now. She’s had two starts for two wins and you can’t do any better than that.”

Bel Esprit nomination auctioned for Behind The Barriers

A 2018 nomination to Bel Esprit will be auctioned from 9am Friday through Inglis Digital as part of Sun Stud’s Behind The Barriers promotion.

Behind The Barriers is an initiative designed to combat mental illness in the thoroughbred industry, where 1 in 3 workers are sufferers.

Bel Esprit stands at $11,000 inc. GST with the winning bid announced on Racing.com following the Group One AJ Moir Stakes at approximately 10pm on Friday.

Chelsea kicks early winning goal

Matamata teenager Chelsea Burdan won’t ever forget her first race day ride.

The apprentice got her career away to a dream start at Waipukurau on Thursday when she guided stable runner Lady Zeraph (NZ) (Makfi {GB }) to a narrow victory in the New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Pearl Series Race.

They settled just off the pace and Burdan brought the 4-year-old home with a sustained finish to score by a nose.

Trained by Jamie Richards, Lady Zeraph was making her first appearance of the season and she has now won two of her four starts.

She was a NZ$120,000 purchase by Te Akau principal David Ellis out of Wellfield Lodge’s Karaka draft in 2016.

Lady Zeraph is a daughter of the Zabeel (NZ) Zatiger, who was a multiple winner and placed in the G3 Manawatu Cup.

She is a three-quarter sister to the stakes winner and G1 Caulfield Cup runner-up Laebeel (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and the dam of the multiple Group 3 winner Larry’s Never Late (NZ) (Pentire {GB}).