Saltcoats stakes his claim for Premier’s Cup glory
Following torrential rain along the NSW East Coast, Saturday’s meeting was postponed and several key races for the 2025/26 season were cancelled. The $160,000 Prevision Air Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m) was rescheduled to Wednesday, 13 August, where Saltcoats (Ardrossan) scored decisively by 2.23 lengths.
Already a Listed winner of the Auckland TR Auckland Futurity Stakes at two, the Chris Waller-trained five-year-old may back up into the Gr.3 Premier’s Cup on Saturday, 23 August following this impressive performance.
“He’s a Kiwi, so he has that advantage on his side. He’s just a lovely horse, a pleasure to ride, and he made my life pretty easy then,” said jockey Zac Lloyd post-race.
Bred by Lib Petagna’s JML Bloodstock, Saltcoats races in the colours of prominent owner Ozzie Kheir and is out of the Savabeel mare Savanite.
From just three small crops totalling 139 foals, the son of Redoute’s Choice has produced 36 winners and 10 stakes performers, including Group 2 winner Yaldi and Group 3 winners Ardalio and Beau Dazzler. With two strong crops in the pipeline – 80 current two-year-olds and 126 yearlings – his influence is only set to grow.
The Corner with Garry Chittick
It is not the easiest role, that of Chairman of our Thoroughbred Racing Board. Like all chairmanships, one’s mind is rarely not occupied with the responsibility. To our Chairman, I say thanks. A lifetime in the industry, Chairman of our largest club, it is difficult to identify someone more suited to the role.
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Savabeel filly Chispa enhanced her Queensland Oaks credentials with a dominant Randwick victory for Chris Waller and James McDonald, with the Pencarrow Stud-bred and raced filly surging clear over 1800 metres in impressive fashion.
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