21/10/2026
The Mildura Wrap, From first to last
💯Coad closing in on the century
Trainer Aaron Coad is edging closer to the magical 100 training wins, with Lower Manhattan bringing up win 97 for the team. Driven by Wayne Hill the four year old started his Victorian racing career with a bang. Starting from outside the back row over the short trip, Hill managed to find a position in the running line early as the tempo remained hot throughout. Hill made his move down the back straight on the final occasion, with Lower Manhattan quickly sprinting into contention before putting the head in front rounding the home turn. From there, he put the race to bed in impressive fashion, racing away to score by 4.3m in a slick mile rate of 1:56 flat.
🤵🏻♂️Alby is back and he means business
We haven't seen much of Alex 'Alby' Ashwood at Mildura in recent times, but he certainly made his presence felt on his return. Ashwood brought a float load of horses up from the Bendigo region and made the trip well worth it, recording a training double and a second placing from three runners, while also completing a driving treble. The two year old Bettorbust kicked off Ashwood's winning night, with the $1.45 favourite having plenty of market support heading into the race and he certainly delivered. Drawn outside the front row, Ashwood elected to go back to the tail of the field before making his move a lap to travel. The odds on favourite worked his way around to sit outside the leader, and from there it became a race in two. Bettorbust proved too strong in the run home, pulling away to score by an impressive 8.4m, recording his second lifetime win, with both wins coming at the Mildura circuit. Ashwood didn't have to wait long to find the winners circle again, completing a race to race training and driving double aboard the four year old mare Sheer Me, who also recorded her second career victory. Beginning from barrier three, Ashwood initially found a position in the running line before working his way to the lead with two laps remaining. Once in front, Ashwood was able to slacken the tempo before asking Sheer Me for the supreme effort off the back straight on the final occasion. The mare responded in style, putting a gap on her rivals and racing away to score by 8.3m. Ashwood wasn't finished yet, completing his driving treble when partnering the Mark Thompson trained two year old The End to his maiden victory. Well supported in the market, The End carried plenty of expectations into the race and he didn't disappoint. As the lone runner off the back row, Ashwood wasted little time moving away from the pegs before putting the favourite into the race, taking on the leaders the tough way. The gelding showed his class in the run home, proving far too strong for his rivals and racing away to break his maiden by 5.7m.
🌟Jack lands four
Jack Laugher added another 4 wins to his impressive career tally of 1108 wins, with three of those coming from the Naomi Kerr Stable, giving Kerr a training treble. The combination of Laugher and Kerr kicked off their winning night by taking out the fast class race with a well deserved victory for Prioritise. The five year old gelding has started this prep strongly, recording a second, fourth and now a win, smashing his personal best mile rate by 3.6 seconds, stopping the clock at a slick 1:55.1. Beginning from barrier two on the second row, Laugher settled in the back half of the field, allowing the leaders spend their petrol early before making his move with a lap to travel. Laugher was able to flush out a trail into the race and patiently waited for the right moment to unleash Prioritise's finishing sprint. The gelding show plenty of determination in the run home, fighting off the stable mate to score by a head in an impressive performance. The Laugher and Kerr combination wasted no time returning to the winners circle, completing a race to race double with the exciting three year old pacer The Golden Hook. The gelding has now recorded 4 wins in the past 5 starts, a tremendous training effort from Naomi Kerr. Starting as the $1.90 favourite from barrier one of the second row, The Golden Hook carried plenty of expectations on his shoulders. Laugher was quick to move away from the pegs, settling in the second half of the field before allowing the race to unfold in front of him. Rounding the home bend, Laugher pulled The Golden Hook into the clear, setting up a thrilling battle with Keayang Shadowbox. The pair went stride for stride up the home straight, but The Golden Hook dug deep to prevail by a neck on the line. Rounding out Naomi Kerr's training treble, Laugher partnered Fleur Bella to back to back victories with a perfectly rated drive. Beginning from barrier three Laugher urged the mare forward to take up the lead before dropping anchor out in front. After controlling the tempo through a 63 second first half, Laugher had given Fleur Bella every opportunity to finish the race strongly. Laugher lifted the tempo down the back on the final occasion, looking to put a winning break on the field before the challengers could get close. Fleur Bella responded strongly, holding her rivals at bay to score by 2.8m. Laugher wasn't finished yet, rounding out his driving quartet in the final race of the night aboard the Zac Steenhuis trained two year old Phils Boy, who broke his maiden at just his third career start. Starting as the $1.60 favourite, Phils Boy had plenty of market support, and he certainly didn't let his supporters down. Laugher didn't bustle the youngster out of the gate, instead allowing the early speed to settle before finding the perfect one out one back position. Showing plenty of patience, Laugher allowed Phils Boy to travel comfortably before presenting the favourite with clear running rounding the final bend. Once he saw daylight, Phils Boy put the race beyond doubt, sprinting away from his rivals to break his maiden in impressive fashion by 9.1 metres.
🔥Shirley's at it again
Shirley Not is absolutely airborne for trainer Danny Weinert, making it back to back victories and an impressive three wins from her past five starts. Beginning from barrier two, driver Scott Torney elected to let the early speed cross before settling towards the rear of the field in second last position. Torney couldn't have asked for a better trip into the race, finding the perfect trail behind Shes Poppy and tracking her every move as the race unfolded. Turning for home, Shirley Not was presented with daylight, and the four year old mare wasted no time unleashing a brilliant finishing sprint. Torney got everything out of Shirley Not in a thrilling dash to the line, with the mare digging deep to prevail by the narrowest of margins, a short half head. And at juicy odds of $23, she certainly rewarded those who stuck with her.
💪🏻Keayang Crippa delivers
Overcoming a tricky front row draw, the Luke Watson trained and driven Keayang Crippa produced a determined performance to claim victory. The seven year old gelding was allowed to slide forward in the early stages, with Watson making a clever tactical move to secure the perfect one out one back position. Stalking the pacesetters throughout, Watson bided his time before presenting Keayang Crippa with clear running approaching the 400m mark. The gelding responded beautifully, quickly sprinting into contention before putting his head in front. From there, Keayang Crippa refused to let his rivals past, digging deep in a determined finish to hold on and score by a head.
What a night it was at Mildura! From dominant performances to nail biting finishes, the racing certainly didn't disappoint. Milestones are getting closer, winning streaks are continuing, and a few familiar faces reminded us exactly what they're capable of. Congratulations to all winning connections, and we look forward to seeing what our next meeting has in store!
