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.