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Gai & Adrian TV 26th December 2025

Sly Boots returns to the races at Royal Randwick on Sunday to contest the $160,000 Benchmark 78 Handicap over 1600 metres with jockey Regan Bayliss booked to ride.

Playing By The Rules

Will Hudson aids us with programming and identifies who he thinks is the best placed horse each weekend.  Sly Boots, Saturday 27th December, Randwick, Race 6: Sly Boots returned to action with a terrific effort to finish third at Randwick earlier this month. He now finds himself carrying the same weight and he’s in the same grade of race, but he’s stretching out to the mile which is a big tick and should be ideal for him second-up. Regan gets on well with this horse and despite being a five year old, he remarked after his last run that he thinks the penny is finally starting to drop with him. This is a lovely race for him on paper that ticks all the boxes, so if he turns up on song he should be right in the finish.

Gai's Tip Sheet

Wednesday 24th DECEMBER - WAGGARail Position: TrueMYSTERIOUS MASTER - Race 7, 1000m, Z Wadick 59.0kgMysterious Master ran a good race at Newcastle last time with Zac aboard. Time may reveal the winner to be a smart horse, and he just seemed to run out of steam late so as discussed he now drops back to 1000 metres. The emphasis on speed should suit him on everything we've seen from him thus far this preparation, and we've put the blinkers on to sharpen him up further and to try and ensure his mind is entirely on the task at hand. Zac will be positive from barrier 5 to try and get him rolling along on or close to the speed, and the long home straight at Wagga should suit him. This won't be an easy race given the money on offer, but he's coming back to a realistic level and if he can cope with the drop in trip we see no reason why he won't be fighting out the finish.Friday 26th DECEMBER - BEAUMONT NEWCASTLERail Position: TrueSTATE SECRET - Race 2, 1350m, Z Wadick A 57.5kgState Secret is delighting Adrian and I ahead of this assignment. He has taken a big step forward since his encouraging debut at Canberra, and that outing did him the world of good. He showed his inexperience when placed under pressure, but he still fought on bravely to the line and he's learned a huge amount from it. He strips fitter with that race day experience under his belt, so stepping up to 1350 metres looks the ideal progression at this stage. Zac’s claim at this level is an added advantage, and he should be able to use the horse’s tactical speed to his advantage to roll forward and land in a handy position where he can make his own luck on or close to the front end. He will be well suited by this expansive track and long home straight, so if he takes the natural improvement we expect him to from his debut he should run a very competitive race and hopefully be in the finish for you once again.KNIGHTS EMPEROR - Race 4, 1200m, Z Wadick A 57.5kgKnights Emperor is delighting Adrian and I ahead of his debut. He has done everything right in the lead into his first start, and his two trials have given him the right foundation for race day. He improved on his first trial to finish a close fifth in his latest one, where he showed a lot of determination when placed under pressure and kept battling away gamely through the line. These trials have given him a very good educational grounding and fitness base for this assignment, and he has continued to progress nicely at home since. He’s a relatively straightforward gelding who gets on with the job, and we expect Zac to be prominent from barrier 10 to try and get across and control the race from the front. 1200 metres is a suitable starting point for him, and Newcastle's an expansive track with a long home straight so he'll have every opportunity to balance up and hit topflight down the running. He's debuting against some horses with good form for this grade so it won't be easy, but we are looking forward to seeing him get to the races and we hope to see him run a very competitive race to get his career off to an encouraging start.THE LITTLE GENERAL - Race 5, 1350m, Z Wadick A 57.0kgAdrian and I couldn’t be happier with The Little General coming into this assignment. He has kept improving this preparation and we were thrilled with his dominant Hawkesbury win, where he controlled the race from start to finish. He has come through that run in excellent order and hasn't missed a beat since, so he's full of confidence ahead of this outing. He’s a horse with good tactical speed and we expect Zac to be positive early from barrier 10 to try and roll forward and take up the running. This would allow him to control the tempo and make his own luck on the speed, and his turn of foot would be all the more effective. He wasn't stopping through the line at Hawkesbury, so this extra 50 metres looks well within range, and with his confidence high and his rock-solid race fitness we expect him to run another very competitive race and be in the finish.Friday 26th DECEMBER - ROYAL RANDWICKRail Position: +8m Entire BOTTLES OF SHELLS - Race 2, 1200m, R King 55.0kgBottle Of Shells has been pleasing us since her debut run earlier this month. Whilst the result looks a touch disappointing on paper, both Nash and Adrian were positive about the performance. She ran a good race without a lot of luck after slightly missing the start, being caught wide as a result and then having to do plenty of work which just told late. She has taken plenty of natural improvement from that run and, with better luck in running, we feel she can measure up in a race of this class. She will appreciate getting to a bigger track and stepping up to 1200 metres, and both of these factors should allow her to settle into a more comfortable rhythm in the middle stages which will then hopefully enable her to finish her race strongly. Rachel gets a terrific tune out of our horses and we think she will suit her well, so if she enjoys a smooth run in transit we expect her to take a big step forward and be competitive in this. MAJOR BEEL - Race 7, 2000m, R King 56.5kgMajor Beel is delighting Adrian and I ahead of this outing. He has come through his latest win in terrific order, and it really was a fantastic effort where he showed so much tenacity to out battle his rivals. He has since had a trial to keep him ticking over and he has continued to please us at home, so we can't fault him ahead of this. It's a slight step up in grade to Group 3 company so it demands a bit more from him, but he is a proven Stakes race performer and 2000 metres is his sweet spot so this race is as a no brainer for him as the summer goes on. Moreover, the depth of his Listed ATC Cup win has also received a nice boost with Future History going on to win the Listed Christmas Cup at Randwick, so this gives us further confidence. Rachel got a terrific tune out of him last time so we're thrilled that she maintains the partnership here, and if he can get into a comfortable tempo and switch off in the run we see no reason why he won't deliver his trademark kick and be battling out the finish once again. SHANGRI LA SPRING - Race 7, 2000m, R Bayliss 54.0kgShangri La Spring has come back in terrific order since his last run and Adrian and I have been very pleased with how he has trained on. He was excellent when finishing second in the Listed ATC Cup at Rosehill over 2000 metres last time, and it was a brave performance as he kept battling away right to the line. He has since had a trial at Kensington to keep him ticking over and he couldn’t have been more impressive there when winning the heat with Regan aboard, so he comes into this race spot on. The depth of that ATC Cup form has also received a nice boost with Future History going on to win the Listed Christmas Cup at Randwick, so this gives us further confidence. This is a step up to Group 3 company so it’s tougher, but that last run over 2000 metres has given him the right foundation to tackle the distance again and he’s a tough horse so we do think there's more to come from him. If he enjoys a smooth run in transit and gets luck at the right times, we see no reason why he won't be fighting out the finish. Saturday 27th DECEMBER - ROYAL RANDWICKRail Position: +10m 1000m to Winning Post, 8m remainderCOLLECT YOUR CASH - Race 4, 1600m, R King 57.5kgAdrian and I have been very happy with how Collect Your Cash has come through his latest run at Randwick. He didn’t perform to expectations when finishing eighth, but we feel it was an off day and it's not unusual for a horse to race flat second-up off the back of a big effort first-up. Importantly, he has come out of that race well and he's bouncing along at home which is the key. He's dropping back to 1600 metres which isn't our usual preference, but in his case it's a distance that seems to suit him well and Rachel will be positive from barrier 5 to try and land in a forward spot where she can get him travelling strongly throughout. There's only seven runners but it's a tricky little race so it won't be easy, but if he bounces back to his best form there's no reason why he can't make his presence felt.SLY BOOTS - Race 6, 1600m, R Bayliss 58.5kgSly Boots is delighting Adrian and I ahead of this assignment. He was very good when resuming at Randwick a fortnight ago, and we particularly liked the way he travelled through the race before hitting the line strongly. He has taken plenty of improvement from that run and he comes here in great order, so we can't fault him. Stepping up to 1600 metres is ideal for him at this stage of the campaign, and Regan knows him inside out so he will allow him to find his feet early, settle where he’s comfortable and build into the race from the 600 metres. If he reproduces his Randwick effort and takes the natural improvement we expect him to, he should run a very competitive race and be right in the finish.NEWFOUNDLAND - Race 9, 2000m, A Roper 61.0kgNewfoundland is coming up beautifully ahead of this first-up run. His two trials have done their job in getting him fitter, and Adrian and I are very pleased with how he is tracking. He’s a wonderfully genuine stayer who's rarely run a bad race, so whilst his best form is over further 2000 metres is a suitable enough starting point. Anna’s claim is a handy advantage in this grade, and she should be able to land in the first half of the field from barrier 3 and have him travelling comfortably in a rhythm in the middle stages. If the leaders set a genuine gallop it will suit him because all he does is stay, and we expect him to be doing his best work through the line so fingers crossed he can run competitively to get his preparation off to an encouraging start.SHAMARKAND- Race 9, 2000m, R Bayliss 57.5kgShamarkand is progressing pleasingly ahead of his first-up run. Adrian and I have been very happy with how he has been training since the latest of his three trials, and these hit outs have given him a solid fitness base to kick off his preparation with. He's a dour stayer without much speed at all, so 2000 metres is very much a starting point and we expect him to find even this trip to be on the short side. With that said, we've put blinkers on in an attempt to liven him up and try and get him travelling a bit more positively in the run. Regan will see where he lands from barrier 13, but ideally he'd at least settle in midfield to try and pique the horse's interest rather than lobbing around out the back. If the leaders set a genuine gallop it'll suit him, and we just hope to see him either put himself into the race or close off strongly to show he's in good order and to get his preparation off to an encouraging start. SUNDAY 28th DECEMBER - CANBERRAMISS FARNAN - Race 1, 1100m, L Beuzelin 56.0kgMiss Farnan is delighting Adrian and I ahead of her debut. She has done everything right in the lead-up to this race, and her two trials with Louis aboard have been excellent. We love the professionalism and tenacity she's shown, and these trials have given her a very good fitness base and educational grounding for a sharp 1000 metres first-up. Louis knows her well and should be able to have her travelling comfortably in a handy position from barrier 4 before asking her to quicken from the home turn to try and put the race to bed. She's a fast filly and this is a lovely starting point for her, so if she brings her trial form to race day she should be hard to beat here. RUSKANA - Race 3, 1300m, L Beuzelin 57.5kgRuskana is progressing pleasingly since his latest trial, and Adrian and I have been very happy with how he has come to hand ahead of his debut. He has had three trials to prepare for this, so they’ve given him a strong educational grounding as he's had the chance to learn what it's all about. These hit-outs have also built a very solid fitness base for 1300 metres first-up, and he has continued to please us in his training at home since his latest trial. Louis knows him well and he will be positive from barrier 11 to try and get forward into a prominent position so that he isn't being dictated to by the rest of the field. He's debuting at a realistic level and whilst he'll improve for the experience, he's forward enough to run a big race so we hope to see him saluting the judge for you to get his career off to the best possible start. WHACK ATTACK - Race 5, 1600m, Z Wadick 57.5kgWhack Attack is progressing pleasingly, and Adrian and I have been very happy with how he has come through last week's run at Goulburn. He produced a solid effort to finish fourth in Class 1 company in what was a strong race for the grade, and we expect him to take further natural improvement from it as he gradually becomes a more seasoned gelding. Stepping up to 1600 metres looks a positive move at this stage as all he does is keep galloping at the one pace, and Zac should be able to have him travelling comfortably in the run from barrier 4 before he starts to up the tempo from the 800 metres. He won well at this track first-up so he has course form which can count for a lot, and if he can improve over the longer trip we see no reason why he won't be right in the finish. 

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Stable Spotlight

Wootton Bassett: The Tattersalls Triple Play

Our recent trip to the Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale in Newmarket was a sensationally successful raid, further cementing Tulloch Lodge's formidable reputation at this international auction. The numbers speak for themselves: this sale has been the source of our Group 1 Underwood and Turnbull Stakes winner Sir Delius, Group 1 Metropolitan winner Just Fine, Group 1 Canterbury Stakes winner Royal Patronage and Sydney Cup hero Knights Order, demonstrating that we know how to secure value and top-tier talent.

This year, we have locked in three elite European prospects by the late, great, worldwide sensation WOOTTON BASSETT who are primed for immediate impact once they land Down Under. These three top-class prospects represent the perfect blend of immediate racing firepower and exceptional long-term opportunity, offering you the chance to fast-track your success by investing in proven talent.

Please find additional information on our Tattersalls HIT Sale purchases below.



LOT 531 - TRIBAL NATION (Wotton Bassett x Indian Blessing) - 3YO Gelding:

Purchase Price: 200,000 guineas (approx. A$440K)

Sales: 2025 Tattersalls Horses In Training Sale

Shares Available: Yes

Colours Available: Yes

Profile:

  • A 3YO gelding by the late, great, worldwide sensation, WOOTTON BASSETT.
  • Timeform rating 101 (to compare, Royal Patronage had a Timeform rating of 105 as a 4YO at the time of purchase)
  • From a mare who was a Champion miler by Sepoy, followed by stamina influences Halling, Rainbow Quest & Mill Reef through his dam sires
  • Raced in the Britannia Stakes over 1600 metres at Royal Ascot in June, beaten just 2 ¾ lengths in a 30-horse field. This is a very good form race we follow closely every year.
  • Purchased from the same stable that gave us WHITE MARLIN (Joseph O'Brien), and the same ownership that we secured NEW ENDEAVOUR from (Teme Valley).
  • He has won from 1400m-1600m, effective on all going, and 3rd last time out in rich Irish Handicap, the Sovereign Path
  • Aspirational race targets = think the Epsom, the Doncaster, the Five Diamonds and the 40 x $1m+ races open to him from 1400m-2200m in the next 18 months!

Form:

Broke his maiden impressively at Galway over 7f. Has already mixed it with Group 1-class colts: ran in the G3 “Red Rocks” Stakes at Leopardstown behind Henri Matisse and Arizona Blaze, giving you a hard line to top-level form. Physically scopey; mentality rock- solid; the right profile to climb into Stakes company.

Winning rider Dylan Browne McMonagle: “He is a gorgeous horse... a nice horse who will only get better.”

Type:

Lovely, big, strong gelding with great size and scope. A ‘bombproof attitude’ and a fluid, free-flowing action. He is very much his father’s son.

  • View his Racing Post profile here. 
  • View his race replays here. 
  • View his Tattersalls Sales page and pedigree here.





Lot 674 SWAGMAN (Wootton Bassett x Secretina) - 3YO Colt

Purchase Price: 260,000 guineas (approx. A$520K)

Sales: 2025 Tattersalls Horses In Training Sale

Shares Available: Yes

Colours Available: No

Profile

  • A 3YO colt by the late, great, worldwide sensation, WOOTTON BASSETT.
  • Timeform rating 110
  • From a mare by Champion Broodmare Sire GALILEO, just like Saturday's Cox Plate quinella in VIA SISTINA & BUCKAROO
  • A huge pedigree behind him, a family full of top-class international Group 1 winners
  • Beaten only 4 lengths in the Group 2 Qatar Prix Niel at Longchamp the start before last behind Cualificar, Godolphin’s G1 placed & G2 winning colt, and just over two lengths behind Coolmore’s G1 and G2 winning son of Wootton Bassett, Tennessee Stud.
  • Purchased at the same sale & from the same connections that raced SIR DELIUS & THE OFFER - both Group 1 winners for our stable
  • He has won from 1400m-2000m up to Group 3 level, and effective on all going
  • Aspirational race targets = think the Brisbane Winter Carnival (Cup and Q22), the Epsom, the Metropolitan, Caulfield and Melbourne Cups and the 45 x $1m+ races open to him from 1400m-3200m in the next 18 months!

Form:

Swagman’s early education was patient and deliberate. Trained by Aidan O’Brien at Ballydoyle, he began his career at the Curragh, finishing third to subsequent G1 winner Hotazhell. He then broke his maiden stylishly at Naas, in a race that has since produced multiple winners, before returning to finish second to Hotazhell in the G3 Tyros Stakes.

After a break Swagman returned in 2025 by winning the 1m2f G3 Classic Trial at Sandow. He stayed the trip powerfully, forging clear by three-quarters of a length from Windlord, a highly regarded colt now rated 107 and a Listed winner in his own right. In the race he also beat Damysus now a G3 winner and rated 109, he is being aimed for G1 races in Europe in 2026.

 

Ryan Moore after winning the Classic Trial: “He only had three runs last year but his last one was a very good one behind Hotazhell in the Tyros. He’s done well from two to three and when I got on him in the paddock, I thought he had got stronger. He’s straightforward and seems to stay well. I’m happy with what he did today — he’s a nice horse to look forward to.”

Aidan O’Brien after winning the Classic Trial: “We were delighted with him. He started growing on us last year and he’s turned-out a much bigger horse this season. There’s plenty to look forward to.”

Notable Performers (Wootton Bassett × Galileo Cross)

  • Al Riffa 5yo– Group 1 National Stakes winner at two; Irish St. Ledger winner; Melbourne Cup favorite
  • Puerto Pico 2yo- Group 1 ParisLongchamp Criterium International and Prix Jean- Luc Lagardere winner
  • Hawk Mountain 2yo – Group 1 Futurity Trophy winner and Group 2 Bersford Stakes winner (Epsom Derby favourite )
  • Maranoa Charlie – Group 1 ParisLongchamp Prix de la Foret winner

Type

This colt is just like his dad, and he looked more and more impressive every time we inspected him. He has a real presence and 'swagger' about him. 

  • View his Racing Post profile here. 
  • View his race replays here. 
  • View his Tattersalls Sales page and pedigree here.





Lot 675 THRICE (Wootton Bassett x Mississippilanding) - 3YO Colt:

Purchase Price: 320,000 guineas (approx. A$640K)

Sales: 2025 Tattersalls Horses In Training Sale

Shares Available: Yes

Colours Available: No

 

Profile:

  • A 3YO colt by the late, great, worldwide sensation, WOOTTON BASSETT.
  • Timeform rating 108
  • A lightly raced (7 starts) 3YO Colt by world leading sire WOOTTON BASSETT, just like our own ROYAL PATRONAGE
  • He has come out of very strong form races, including his start before last in the Group 1 Irish Derby where he finished 4 ½ lengths behind Coolmore’s multiple Group 1 winning colt, Lambourn.
  • From a mare by Champion broodmare sire GALILEO, just like Saturday's Cox Plate quinella in VIA SISTINA & BUCKAROO
  • Bought in the same sale & from the same connections that raced SIR DELIUS & THE OFFER - both Group 1 winners for our stable
  • He has won from 1400m-2000m up to Group 3 level, and effective on all going
  • Aspirational race targets = think the Brisbane Winter Carnival (Cup and Q22), the Epsom, the Metropolitan, Caulfield and Melbourne Cups and the 45 x $1m+ races open to him from 1400m-3200m in the next 18 months!

 

Form:

Thrice’s first taste of victory came in a maiden race at Listowel in 2024. At the age of two, this win served as an important foundational moment. Facing relatively green competition, Thrice, ridden by Ryan Moore, was sent off as the heavy 1/4 favourite. Despite Moore's observation that the colt was "a bit babyish" and "got a little lost" on the bends, Thrice demonstrated his class by pulling away decisively in the straight to win by four lengths. This performance was a clear signal of his raw ability.

However, it was his victory in the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh on May 23, 2025, that truly tested and affirmed his potential. In this far more competitive race, Thrice finished second across the line after a dramatic 1 mile and 2 furlong contest. The race outcome was not settled on the track but in the stewards' room, where a lengthy inquiry followed a controversial finish. The stewards found that the horse that crossed the line first, Reyenzi, had caused interference to another horse, Emit, who in turn hampered Thrice. Despite the interference, Thrice, at 12-1 odds, had shown impressive tenacity to finish a close second. The stewards ultimately demoted Reyenzi, awarding the Group 3 victory to Thrice. This win demonstrated not just his raw speed but also his resilience and ability to handle pressure.

Race time: The 2025 Gallinule went in 2:04.46, one of the sharper clockings in recent renewals.

Notable Performers (Wootton Bassett × Galileo Cross):

  • Al Riffa 5yo– Group 1 National Stakes winner at two; Irish St. Ledger winner; Melbourne Cup favorite
  • Puerto Pico 2yo- Group 1 ParisLongchamp Criterium International and Prix Jean- Luc Lagardere winner
  • Hawk Mountain 2yo – Group 1 Futurity Trophy winner and Group 2 Bersford Stakes winner (Epsom Derby favourite )
  • Maranoa Charlie – Group 1 ParisLongchamp Prix de la Foret winner

Type

Although he’s not your typical deep coloured Wootton Bassett, he is very much in the mould of the stallion. An absolute standout on physical, and the market agreed!

  • View his Racing Post profile here. 
  • View his race replays here. 
  • View his Tattersalls Sales page and pedigree here.



For more information, or to secure a share in any one of these exciting, young prospects, please get in touch with the Bloodstock team.


Happy Racing,  

Gai & Adrian

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HORSES AVAILABLE

Maurice/Flying Evelyn '23

MAURICE is widely regarded as the greatest Japanese racehorse to ever stand at stud outside of Japan. A true champion, he secured six Group 1 wins during his illustrious career, including the G1 HKJC Hong Kong Mile, G1 Kyoto Mile Championship, G1 Tokyo Yasuda Kinen, G1 Hong Kong Cup, G1 Tokyo Tennosho, and the G1 HKJC Champions Mile. Named Horse of the Year, Champion Sprinter, and Champion Miler in Japan in 2015, he amassed over $11 million in prizemoney. His legacy continues as a sire, with his progeny delivering 6 G1 winners, 30 Stakes winners, and 66 Stakes performers, including standout horses like Hitotsu and Mazu. Gai and Adrian are the leading trainers when it comes to Maurice’s progeny, with multiple Black Type winners, including Azula, Ganbare, and Kibou. This classy filly comes from the same family as BOLLINGER, the Group 1 Coolmore Classic winner, adding yet another layer of brilliance to her pedigree. 

Pinatubo/Teramia '23

This colt is by PINATUBO, the Champion European 2YO Colt of 2019, who dominated his juvenile season with an unbeaten record, securing six victories, including the prestigious Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes and Group 1 National Stakes. At three, he continued his elite form, adding the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat to his impressive résumé. A son of the legendary SHAMARDAL, Pinatubo hails from a family of champions, sharing bloodlines with Invincible Spirit, Kodiac, and Pride of Dubai, all renowned sires in their own right. On the dam’s side, this colt is out of TERAMIA, a 3-time winning mare by the highly successful DEEP FIELD. Her pedigree is packed with black-type, featuring Stakes and Group winners throughout the page, reinforcing a lineage of proven performance. Handpicked by Gai, he stood out for his exceptional build, athletic style, and free-flowing movement. With a pedigree stacked with champions and speed influences on both sides, this colt fits the exact mould we look for at Tulloch Lodge.

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