Grand Final weekend in the Golden Rose: CWR Preview 26th September 2026

Event Recap & Preview (Golden Rose Grand Final Weekend – 26 September 2026)

Weekend highlights (racing results & notable performances)

• Ben Melham recorded a Group 1 double, with:

  • Angel Capraro winning a well-deserved Group 1.
  • Commentary suggesting a trajectory that could be heading toward the Everest.

• Birdman

  • Discussed as having run well enough to be considered a favorite for second, but “flew away” / lost the race.
  • Overall consensus: he’s back in great shape and improving with each preparation.

• Sydney / Melbourne-style prep mentions

  • Dekima Lady Boulevard: returning well, with optimism about a potential Epsom opportunity.
  • The field was described as potentially not complete, improving chances to get in.

• Eagle Farm

  • Sienna won with Vanessa riding.
  • Sienna Gilmore achieved a two-winner double at Eagle Farm.

• Wednesday races

  • Saffron Veil (“Itchy”): won and was described as well-deserved; the rider was said to have returned her to the original owner soon.
  • Unstoppable: described as consistent across a long preparation (~49 weeks), producing 2–3 wins and over $400,000 earned for that run of form.
  • Indigo Star (Doomben): finally won his first race after a long time, described as doing it in style.

Saturday preview: key Golden Rose lead-ins (draws, barriers, form)

Track/conditions note:

• Rosehill had rain overnight.
• There were hopes it holds for racing, and horses were described as being set up more calmly for the week.

Earlier races mentioned (not the Golden Rose itself)

• Golden Rose Day – “first runner of the day” (4th race)

  • Multiple contenders and barriers were referenced, including:
    • Medatsu: barrier 4
    • Natural Ruler: expected to be ready again after a fantastic prior run
    • Pin Hole: barrier 10
    • Another runner briefly mentioned with barrier seven

• Irresistible Pools and Spas Handicap

  • Korensky: expected to need more confidence and his “spark” back.

• Grant Burge Heritage Stakes

  • Amalong: broke from the five-wall barrier
  • Commentary: immature, but “boy is he good,” implying he may still be months from his peak.

• In the Golden Pendant

  • Lazura: barrier 5
  • Expected to improve after a first comeback run; also noted as the heaviest mare in the field, but with a good draw.

Golden Rose feature race (Yulong Golden Rose) lead-in

• The panel emphasized barrier/draw positions and matchups.

Yulong Golden Rose (main focus)

Draw / barrier framework mentioned

• Discussion included how running numbers are “filled in” after early draw references.
• A correction was made regarding earlier raffle outcomes (including mention of Zoustar sweeping from top in a prior draw).

Individual horses discussed

• Champion

  • Described as having no obvious issues.
  • Expectation: finish strongly.
  • Noted as unlucky not to win the Golden Slipper, with that race otherwise going to the Sires’ Produce winner.

• Tromboult

  • From barrier 11
  • Exciting profile, with comparisons to Autumn Sun.
  • Mentioned winning the JJ Atkins and expected to suit 1400m.

• Saint Gotthard

  • Coming from the 9th row
  • Praise for Tuesday morning work and a strong comeback.

• Stormy Marco (Craig Williams)

  • At number 12
  • Compared to Trombone/Tromboult in prior encounters.
  • View: may not beat that rival at best, but could still be in contention for another major target.

• Central Europe

  • Mentioned as last in the panel’s ordering.
  • Tied to a tricky gate, but described positively as underrated.

• Tricky Gate

  • Explicit praise: son of Frankel and “exciting.”

• Stormy Milo

  • Mentioned last, but subtitles provided less structured detail about barrier/role compared to other runners.

Note: No explicit Golden Rose race result is provided in the subtitles. This section is presented as a preview, focusing on draws and expectations rather than final outcomes.

Other races previewed (Sunday / Caulfield / Manikato / etc.)

Caulfield (Sunday) preview notes

• Discussion of Kauto and Caulfield with a large draw, including whether he could fit a 1000 Guineas campaign.
• Reference to MR Ella beating Trombol in “debut,” but the meaning was unclear due to subtitle errors.
• Diameter
  • “Very bad luck” last time, but a better spot in the next run.
• Hendrix
  • Mentioned with a difficult barrier situation/complications.
  • Rail position discussed:
    • Railings at 13 meters in Group 1 Day 1
    • Debate about how that correlates with track condition.

Ladbrokes Manikato (Sunday)

• Light banter about betting/caps/brands, plus a draw detail:
  • Lucky Bay
    • “exit three” / good draw
    • Described as making connections happy
• The panel questioned whether to move the horse outside for a better Golden Rose exit, then concluded they were happy with the plan.

Other locations

• Mornington (Saturday): general prep and a “city six” reference.
• Toowoomba
  • Horses included:
    • Liberty Park (post position 11)
    • Unlimited (exit four) for the Toowoomba Cup
  • 60 kilos mentioned
  • Additional draw/exit details appeared with minor subtitle corruption.

Presenters / sources (as referenced)

• Kyle Sandilands
• Kyle Stefanovic
• Charlie (co-host/panelist referenced throughout)
• James (mentioned in training/tactics discussions)
• Craig Williams
• Damien Lane
• Jason
• Stephen Arnold
• Vanessa (noted as riding Sienna)
• Additional named people as “connections/trainers/riders” (not a complete list; included those referenced in subtitles)