If Spirited Defence has a favourite course, it is undoubtedly his home track at Ballarat.

The five-year-old son of National Defence resumed in perfect fashion, recording yet another victory over 1200 metres on the Ballarat Synthetic to register his fourth win at the track and distance.

His record now stands at four wins and a second from five starts over the course and trip, highlighting his remarkable consistency. It was pleasing to see him return in winning fashion for his loyal group of owners.

Reunited with regular rider Johnny Allen, who has partnered the gelding in each of his previous victories, Spirited Defence jumped well from barrier three before settling in fourth position along the rail, tracking the leaders throughout. Travelling comfortably under Allen, he enjoyed an economical run before easing off the fence approaching the home turn.

Spotting a gap at the top of the straight, Spirited Defence accelerated smartly to join The Grumpy Bear at the head of affairs. The pair briefly matched strides, but inside the final 200 metres Spirited Defence asserted his authority. He quickly put the race beyond doubt, drawing clear over the closing stages to score by an impressive two lengths.

The victory takes the Victorian-bred and Victorian-sired gelding's career earnings beyond the $100,000 mark from just 11 starts, further underlining the promise he continues to fulfil. We look forward to seeing his outstanding record at Ballarat continue throughout the preparation.

Brave Carol Halts Magnardo’s Winning Streak in Impressive First-Up Victory

Brave Carol produced a terrific first-up performance to end Magnardo’s bid for a ninth consecutive victory, taking out the 1100-metre contest on her home track on the Ballarat Synthetic.

Ridden confidently by Will Gordon, the four-year-old daughter of Brave Smash proved too strong for her rivals, surging over the final 50 metres to score convincingly despite shouldering the top weight of 61kg.

Lightly raced with just 11 career starts, the success marked the second win of her career and suggested there is still plenty more to come this preparation.

Jumping cleanly from the gates, Brave Carol settled comfortably in midfield, around five lengths off the pace and tracking the heavily fancied Magnardo throughout the running. Travelling strongly into the home turn, Gordon eased her into the clear before asking for her effort. The mare responded in style, sweeping around the favourite and quickly making up ground.

Drawing alongside with 100 metres to run, Brave Carol dug deep in the closing stages and asserted herself late, pulling clear to score by a length at the post.

It was a thoroughly deserved victory and an excellent way to launch her latest campaign. The result also provided another rewarding success for her terrific group of owners, with plenty to look forward to as the preparation unfolds.

Five-year-old Dundeel gelding Easy Dun claimed his second career victory with a magnificent late charge to take out the Benchmark 66 Evergreen Turf Handicap at Bendigo.

Stepping out to the mile third-up, the gelding was primed and ready, partnered by jockey Billy Egan.

Jumping from barrier eleven, the pair immediately took up a position at the rear. Settling into stride, Easy Dun was happy to follow the field, before making his run from the top of the straight, weaving amongst runners looking for a way through. Peeling out at the 200m mark, the pair burst through and stormed home over the concluding stages to win by 0.3L.

It was great to see the gelding back to his best, relishing the step up to the mile and given a perfectly timed ride by Egan.

A winner on debut over 1400m, the Listed-placed gelding has benefited from having his runs spaced this campaign and peaked over the mile here.

Congratulations to connections.

The four-year-old Foxwedge gelding, Foxy Heart, notched his second career victory with a strong win in the ‘Picklebet’s Perks 0–56 Handicap’ at Werribee.

Rock-hard fit following his fourth run this campaign, the gelding relished the step up to 1400m, delivering a solid performance under jockey Mitch Aitken.

Jumping from barrier seven, the pair settled midfield and travelled comfortably throughout. In a race where the field was well strung out, they made a decisive move approaching the 600m mark to build momentum.

Foxy Heart loomed into contention on the turn and issued a strong challenge in the straight, taking the lead inside the final 150m. Finishing powerfully, he was dominant over the last 50m, pulling away to score by 1.5 lengths.

It was a well-deserved result for a fantastic group of patient connections.

The three-year-old daughter of Alabama Express, Sistine Express, broke through for her maiden win at Stawell, taking out the 1300m 'Buzbiz 3YO Maiden Plate' at just her second career start.

Showing strong improvement from her debut, the filly—raced by Seymour Bloodstock—proved too good, claiming the second event on the card with a polished and confident performance.

Jumping from barrier five, the well-supported favourite settled into second position, enjoying the perfect run outside the leader. Partnered by jockey Dean Yendall, Sistine Express travelled strongly throughout.

The pair peeled out on straightening, and under riding from Yendall, the filly quickly found the front. She continued to lengthen, charging down the track to score by 0.4 lengths.

The lightly raced filly will take plenty of improvement from the run—a valuable confidence boost for a youngster with significant upside.

Hellbent mare Sussex Duchess is going from strength to strength this campaign, claiming her third career victory with a dynamic win over 1300m at Geelong.

The mare is enjoying a stellar preparation, finishing outside the placings just once in five starts—a fourth. Stepping out to 1300m, Sussex Duchess, partnered by star hoop Craig Williams, was held up in the straight but stormed home once clear to record an emphatic victory.

The pair jumped well and settled towards the rear of the midfield. Travelling strongly throughout, Sussex Duchess made her move approaching the 600m mark, peeling out in search of clear running. Finding that opportunity at the top of the straight, she charged down the centre of the track.

Digging deep, the mare showed a real will to win, surging past her rivals to secure victory in a thrilling photo finish.

Sussex Duchess has truly come into her own this campaign, maturing both mentally and physically. She’s in terrific order and now reaping the benefits.

Talented four-year-old Body Of Venus (by Royal Meeting) delivered an impressive victory in the final race at Ararat, completing a stable double for the team.

Following the earlier win of Earl Of Gloucester, the mare—ridden by jockey John Allen—produced a powerful late surge to secure victory in a thrilling photo finish, capping a successful day for Seymour Bloodstock and the Noblet Racing stable.

Despite racing three wide throughout and copping a bump on the turn, Body Of Venus showed tremendous determination. Unfazed, she unleashed an impressive turn of foot inside the final 200 metres to storm home and claim the win.

This marked her fourth career victory and her second from as many starts since joining Noblet Racing, underlining her excellent form this preparation.

She continues to go from strength to strength this campaign, and this performance was a clear reflection of her ongoing progression.

A brilliant mid-race decision by in-form jockey Harry Coffey saw Earl Of Gloucester secure his maiden victory in dominant fashion, powering to a spectacular six-length win.

Confident he was aboard a fit horse following pre-race discussions with trainer Andrew Noblet, Coffey—who had been positioned three wide toward the rear—made a decisive move when the tempo eased mid-race. Rolling forward at the right moment proved the winning play, setting up a commanding performance.

The key was maintaining momentum, and the pair delivered a powerful staying display, putting the race beyond doubt well before the finish in Race 3 at Ararat.

Like many stayers, the four-year-old son of Royal Meeting has taken time to find his rhythm. However, the gelding is relishing stepping out over longer distances, and the lightly raced gelding—owned by Seymour Bloodstock—looks set to continue his progression following this confidence-boosting win.

Another outstanding result for the team.

Lightly raced Puissance De Lune mare Fondled delivered a dominant on-pace display to break her maiden second-up at Kyneton.

At just her fifth career start, the progressive four-year-old left nothing to chance in the Hygain Maiden Plate (1218m), producing an assertive performance

Ridden confidently by John Allen, Fondled began cleanly from barrier three and quickly worked into a forward position. Travelling strongly throughout, she stalked the leader before taking control on the home turn. Once asked for an effort, she responded impressively, extending over the final 100 metres to score by a length and a half.

Having shown plenty of promise in her first preparation with two consecutive runner-up finishes, it was pleasing to see the mare return this campaign stronger and more mature. Known as “Paris” around the stable, she put it all together, improving from her first-up run to come away the victor.

Bred and raced by Seymour Bloodstock, the result marks another rewarding milestone for the team.

New acquisition, 4YO mare Body Of Venus made an immediate impact for the Noblet Racing stable, scoring an impressive first-up victory in the BM56 Manhari Handicap over 1100m at Horsham.

Expertly guided by jockey Cian MacRedmond, the daughter of Royal Meeting jumped from barrier five and settled midfield. Travelling well throughout, she maintained her momentum and waited for the right moment to strike. Angling out to take a gap as they turned for home, the pair burst through, with the mare producing a strong kick to secure a 1.25-length win in the final stages.

It was a perfectly timed ride and a solid performance from the pair. MacRedmond was full of praise post-race, noting the mare “put the race to bed in three strides,” adding that her two recent jump-outs had her primed for the fresh assignment.

The Seymour Bloodstock-owned mare has now recorded three career wins and looks set for a promising campaign ahead.