Welcome to The Great Game Wrap, where spring continues to heat up. We saw Everest contenders stake their claims, some exciting three-year-olds emerge and a hugely popular Group 1 victory at Sandown.
Here's everything that mattered from another big Saturday in the great game.
Bangkok Hottie turns the tables on Pembrey
The Furious Stakes, another leg of Sydney's Princess Series, looked set to be another stepping stone towards The Everest for Pembrey, who was one of the best bets of the day.
But unlike last start, Pembrey wasn't afforded an easy time in front and was already looking vulnerable entering the straight.
Bangkok Hottie quickly took advantage, sweeping past the favourite for a dominant victory, while Chilly Girl was excellent in second.
Bangkok Hottie was immediately crunched from $11 into $5 for the Group 1 Flight Stakes, which shapes as the ultimate grand final on Epsom Day. Before then, the fillies head to the Tea Rose Stakes in two weeks.
Well Written is Sydney bound
Across the Tasman at Ellerslie, Well Written maintained her unbeaten record with a brilliant victory in the Group 1 Proisir Plate.
Sent out a $1.50 favourite, the four-year-old mare had to run down a quality rival in Alabama Lass, eventually getting on top to make it seven wins from seven.
The victory delivered Well Written her first Group 1 at weight-for-age level as well as a $500,000 bonus, and now she's coming to Sydney.
The Epsom Handicap is expected to be her first major target before a possible tilt at the $10 million Golden Eagle, where she could meet superstar Sheza Alibi.
Sydney, here she comes.
Pretty Baby puts on a show
Pretty Baby absolutely seared the turf in the Atlantic Jewel Stakes, putting her rivals away by almost four lengths in one of the most visually impressive performances of the day.
The exciting filly has now put together four straight wins, with Jamie Melham declaring afterwards: "She's something else, this horse."
The ultimate target is the Group 1 Thousand Guineas, and on what we saw Saturday, she deserves to be considered a major player.
Blind Raise puts his hand up for the Guineas
Blind Raise was one of the better-backed runners of the day and delivered comfortably under a lovely ride from Blake Shinn in the McKenzie Stakes.
The lightly raced gelding handled the wet conditions and put his rivals away emphatically, immediately firming into around $8 for the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas.
He could now head to either the Caulfield Guineas Prelude or Bill Stutt Stakes before lining up in the $3 million Guineas at just his sixth career start.
There was plenty to like about Blind Raise, but several of the beaten runners with big spring ambitions will need to improve sharply.
Headley Grange gets there in the Tramway
The Tramway Stakes produced one of the finishes of the day, with heavily backed favourite Idle Flyer unable to get the job done.
The ultra-consistent Soothsayer looked to have the race won after establishing a commanding advantage at the 200m, but Headley Grange refused to lie down and managed to bob him right on the line.
Attica was another runner to take from the race, finishing off strongly and suggesting he is right on track to feature in some of the bigger spring races, including the Epsom Handicap.
Evaporate makes a statement
Down to Sandown for the So You Think Stakes, where the race looked to set up perfectly for Evaporate when nominations came out — and that's exactly how it unfolded.
Under a vigorous ride from Blake Shinn, Evaporate was caught a little flat-footed at the top of the straight before his big engine kicked into gear.
Once it did, the result was never really in doubt.
After knocking on the door at Group 1 level, Evaporate has arguably never been better placed to finally climb that mountain. The Group 1 Toorak Handicap at Caulfield in just over a month looks an ideal target.
Tempted confirms her Everest credentials
Before the Concorde Stakes, there was some debate about whether Tempted deserved to be considered Australia's best sprinter.
After it, the argument became considerably stronger.
Tempted loves Randwick and put a quality field away quickly, confirming herself as one of Australia's leading chances for The Everest.
There was also plenty to like about Headwall, who won this race last year and hadn't started since. His second placing was an outstanding return and a terrific Everest trial in its own right.
Tempted is expected to have one more run in the Premiere Stakes before The Everest. Everyone knows Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising is the horse to beat — but after Saturday, there is just a hint that Tempted might be capable of making him work for it.
My Gladiola finally gets her Group 1
The Group 1 Moir Stakes produced one of the most popular top-level victories we've seen in some time, with My Gladiola finally getting her moment.
Jamie Mott gave her a beautiful ride for trainer John McArdle, and after runner-up finishes in both the Coolmore Stud Stakes and Lightning Stakes, My Gladiola finally cast aside the bridesmaid tag.
The boom mare and filly Cavalry Girl and Natural Fling were excellent in second and third, but the experience and strength of My Gladiola proved decisive.
She now looks set for a huge spring, particularly in the major sprint races down the Flemington straight.
Lindermann does it again in the Chelmsford
You would think they might have learnt from last year.
Lindermann won the Chelmsford Stakes 12 months ago after being allowed an easy time in front, and it was a case of the same again in 2026.
Nash Rawiller gets on with Lindermann as well as any horse he has ridden in his illustrious career, and once again he was allowed to jog-trot out in front. When Rawiller asked him to go in the Randwick straight, Lindermann kicked clear and the rest simply couldn't catch him.
Ceolwulf, one of the country's best milers, ran on strongly for second and looks right on track for his bigger spring targets.
Champion mare Fangirl battled on for third, but there is now a real possibility we have seen her on a racetrack for the final time, with her best racing days appearing to be behind her.
For Lindermann and Rawiller, though, it was déjà vu all over again.
Ninja secures an Everest slot
And we have another confirmed runner for The Everest.
Ninja has become the first local challenger secured for the 2026 edition, with the Michael Freedman-trained four-year-old locked in to represent Fairway Thoroughbreds.
The talented sprinter now has his place in the 10th edition of the $20 million TAB Everest.
With Ninja locked in, Tempted flying and Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising looming large, The Everest picture is starting to get very interesting.
Editorial at The Daily Punt, covering Australian racing and sport with an eye for where the value sits.
Betting should be fun, not a way to make money. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit, and for free, confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
