2025 Australia Stakes Night Tips & Preview

Viasain is down to race at Pakenham on Thursday night but remains a genuine contender if connections choose to head here instead. 

A three-year-old son to Zousain, this promising young gelding out of the John McArdle stable tackled the Listed Exford Plate at Headquarters when beaten over four lengths to wrap up his maiden prep last September.  

He hasn’t been seen since, but with a win first-up and an impressive jumpout win leading in, he looks well-placed to strike if he’s given the right ride up on the speed.  

Just Like Gaby looks ready to fire first-up for Ciaron Maher.  

The three-year-old filly by Pierata is yet to prove herself at the races, but it’s worth noting she took on tougher contested than this as a two-year-old last year, notably running fourth on debut at Flemington. 

Her run in a Group 3 at Caulfield last August was a complete forgive after shuffling back early in the run, but there has been a lot to like about her preparation leading up to her return. 

Having won a jump out stylishly at Cranbourne on a wet track a couple of weeks ago, this looks an ideal assignment for her to make a statement. 

Zegalo should be racing with a stack of confidence after flying home for a handy win over 2500m at Mornington a few weeks ago. 

The old boy by Zoffany drew all the favours in barrier 2, which he put to good use when quickening smartly to go clear by three-quarters of a length in the end. 

This is a decent step up in trip, but he was far from disgraced over 200m further at Ballarat last year in a hurdle race. 

Hard fit fourth-up with another three-week gap between runs, he should be strong in the finish if he can settle back early from the wide gate. 

Princess Nefertiti is an intriguing runner who is likely to go around at a decent price. 

Ben Brisbourne’s mare is looking to improve on a string or recent placings that dates right back to November, her latest coming at Geelong to start the month where she stalked the speed the whole to way to finish third. 

Her previous start saw her finish two lengths off the promising Ziryab, while she’s also got some nice wet track form if there is any rain about. 

In well with the 2kg claim, a little luck from out wide would see her go close. 

Littlebirdie has been super consistent since resuming in early December last year. 

The four-year-old mare by Shamus Award has had her runs spaced, winning second-up at Cranbourne where she showed a tidy turn of foot to burst into the clear and win by three-quarters of a length. 

Her latest effort saw her land in the money again at Mornington, beaten two lengths by the talented Flying Ace after settling off the speed. 

This is a decent rise in trip out to 2000m for the first time, but everything about the way she’s finished her races recently suggests she can handle it. 

Big Me has been kept on the fresh side after finishing midfield at Flemington on New Year’s Day. 

Nick Ryan’s gelding was checked badly at the start and forced to race three-wide from there on, excuses that saw him finish two lengths off in the end. 

The son of Your Song’s previous performance here at The Valley was encouraging though, running on strongly to finish runner-up behind hat-trick winner Major Share. 

Drawn a good gate this time with Mark Zahra steering, he has genuine claims in a race like this.  

Any rain about will only strengthen Southport Tycoon’s claims further in the feature. 

The dual Group 1 winner already has a serious class edge first-up over his rivals, having last raced in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes where he gave a nice sight out wide to finish 2.2 lengths off Kimochi. 

As expected, his recent jumpout was solid, working home strongly down the outside to finish a narrow second behind Just Folk. 

Proven on wet going and drawn an ideal gate, it’s tough to see him being beaten. 

Interesting setup here for Blistering, who gets out to the mile fourth-up. 

John Pascoe’s mare was 1400m back over 1200m last start at Pakenham, finishing down the order after struggling to run on late off a wide run. 

This is a slightly easier race, and despite the extra weight, there’s still scope for improvement if she can find the same form that saw her finish runner-up two back at Sale.