Caulfield Race 5 - Tobin Brothers Vain Stakes (G3)
The Vain Stakes sees a lot of classy returning 3yo types and CLOSER TO FREE (2) is one having proved an impressive winner of the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude on debut, beating subsequent Golden Slipper winner Guest House. He was very brave in the Blue Diamond and then went too hard in the Slipper, he should improve into his second campaign and take catching. Not sure what to do with HARD KICK (3) who was poor first up at Flemington as a $2 favourite. The debut win was fast, around a bend first time here and we'll get a much better price. CONFEDERATION (7) resumes. He was well backed on debut in the G3 Canonbury for strong connections, respecting Waller bringing him down here at double figures. BIG WIGS (4) ran on for a good win in the Showdown here before a spell, he might give better horses a start here though. MYHRO'S RULER (9) was a dominant Echuca maiden winner fresh and the time there said he could measure up.
Jockey: Declan Bates
Weight: 58kgs
Stats
Comments
Dual acceptor. Resuming after a four-and-a-half months break. Finished off last campaign eighth of 13 at Randwick in the G1 Sires Prod April 4 over 1400m, soft track; 8 len behind Campione D'italia with 56.5kg at $10. On debut third of 9 at this track in the LR Debutant Stks October 15 over 1000m, 1.0 len behind Torture carrying 58kg at $4.40. Potentially a bit more exposed than a few rivals.
Last Starts 10 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8 | 04/08/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Warwick Farm | 900m | Soft | Regan Bayliss | 0:52.93 | - | 0 |
| 0.41L | $0.00 | |
| 3/9 | 21/07/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Warwick Farm | 900m | Soft | Louise Day | 0:53.99 | - | 0 |
| 1.57L | $0.00 | |
| 8/13 | 04/04/2026 | 28 | G1 OPEN 2 | $1,114,500.00 | Randwick | 1400m | Soft 7 | Zac Lloyd | 56.5kg | 1:24.80 | 5-3-8 | 1 |
| 8.0L | $10.00 |
| 6/8 | 07/03/2026 | 49 | G2 OPEN CG 2 | $302,000.00 | Randwick | 1200m | Good 4 | Zac Lloyd | 56.5kg | 1:10.37 | 7-7-6 | 7 |
| 3.9L | $9.00 |
| 2/13 | 17/01/2026 | 21 | LR OPEN 2 | $3,000,000.00 | Gold Coast | 1200m | Good 4 | Ethan Brown | 57kg | 1:09.71 | 6-5-2 | 4 |
| 1.1L | $4.40 |
| 2/8 | 27/12/2025 | 53 | G3 OPEN 2 | $300,000.00 | Eagle Farm | 1200m | Soft 5 | Ethan Brown | 57kg | 1:11.02 | 7-5-2 | 8 |
| 1.6L | $1.80 |
| 1/12 | 04/11/2025 | 20 | G3 OPEN 2 | $243,645.00 | Flemington | 1000m | Soft 6 | Ethan Brown | 58kg | 0:58.79 | 4-5-1 | 2 |
| 0.4L | $5.00 |
| 3/9 | 15/10/2025 | - | LR OPEN 2 | $200,750.00 | Caulfield | 1000m | Good 4 | Mark Zahra | 58kg | 0:57.55 | 8-8-3 | 1 |
| 1.0L | $4.40 |
Jockey: Mark Zahra
Weight: 58kgs
Stats
Comments
Racing first-up today. Finished off last preparation second last of 16 at Rosehill in the G1 G Slipper March 21 over 1200m, soft track; 8 len behind Guest House with 56.5kg at $8. At his first start won by 1.0 len this track G3 Bd/Prel Cg February 7 over 1100m defeating Guest House carrying 57kg at $13. Classy colt who will be very hard to catch.
Last Starts 11 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/8 | 03/08/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Flemington | 800m | Mark Zahra | 0:46.02 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 3/6 | 24/07/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Flemington | 800m | Mark Zahra | 0:48.01 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 15/16 | 21/03/2026 | 28 | G1 OPEN 2 | $5,000,000.00 | Rosehill | 1200m | Soft 5 | Jamie Melham | 56.5kg | 1:10.53 | 1-1-15 | 14 |
| 8.2L | $8.00 |
| 2/16 | 21/02/2026 | 14 | G1 OPEN 2 | $2,024,000.00 | Caulfield | 1200m | Good 4 | Michael Dee | 57kg | 1:10.12 | 2-2-2 | 7 |
| 0.8L | $4.60 |
| 1/8 | 07/02/2026 | - | G3 OPEN CG 2 | $350,750.00 | Caulfield | 1100m | Good 4 | Michael Dee | 57kg | 1:03.10 | 2-1-1 | 7 |
| 1.0L | $13.00 |
Jockey: Damian Lane
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Third race start. Strong on debut as favourite; won by 2.75 len in the LR Talindert Stakes at Flemington on February 14 over 1100m defeating Zambales carrying 57kg at $3. Went for a break before returning did the work up front then tired 6th of 8 at Flemington on July 18 over 1000m, slow going 5 len behind Riverina Lulu carrying 57.5kg at $2. Plain disappointing fresh but is much better than that.
Last Starts 7 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/6 | 07/08/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Flemington | 800m | Damian Lane | 0:47.87 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 6/8 | 18/07/2026 | 154 | OPEN 2 | $150,000.00 | Flemington | 1000m | Soft 6 | Jackson Radley | 57.5kg | 0:58.27 | 1-1-6 | 6 |
| 5.0L | $2.00 |
| 1/7 | 03/07/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Werribee | 800m | Daniel Stackhouse | 0:48.02 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 1/7 | 14/02/2026 | - | LR OPEN 2 | $176,200.00 | Flemington | 1100m | Good 4 | Damian Lane | 57kg | 1:03.90 | 1-1-1 | 4 |
| 2.8L | $3.00 |
Jockey: Lachlan Neindorf
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Racing first-up today. Not seen since winning by nose this track Vobis Showdown March 14 over 1200m defeating Miss Chanel with 58kg at $3.70. On debut second in a small field at Morphettville 2yo Hcp January 31 over 1050m, 2.25 len behind Ole Go carrying 59kg at $4.60. Nice type who will be running on late.
Last Starts 10 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/8 | 04/08/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Pakenham Synthetic | 1000m | Synthetic | Adam Mccabe | 1:01.56 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | |
| 2/8 | 21/07/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Pakenham Synthetic | 750m | Synthetic | Lachlan Neindorf | 0:44.65 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | |
| 1/12 | 14/03/2026 | 20 | OPEN 2 | $1,000,000.00 | Caulfield | 1200m | Good 4 | Lachlan Neindorf | 58kg | 1:09.88 | 11-10-1 | 12 |
| 0.1L | $3.70 |
| 2/11 | 22/02/2026 | 22 | MDN 2 | $55,000.00 | Ballarat | 1100m | Good 4 | Lachlan Neindorf | 58kg | 1:04.23 | 10-9-2 | 7 |
| 3.3L | $12.00 |
| 2/4 | 31/01/2026 | - | OPEN 2 | $65,000.00 | Morphettville | 1050m | Good 4 | Jacob Opperman | 59kg | 1:01.10 | 4-4-2 | 3 |
| 2.2L | $4.60 |
Jockey: Chad Schofield
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Dual acceptor. Racing first-up today. Finished off last campaign tenth of 13 at Randwick in the G1 Sires Prod April 4 over 1400m, soft track; 14 len behind Campione D'italia with 56.5kg at $41. On debut fifth of 8 at Randwick 2yo Mdn January 3 over 1000m, soft track; 2.5 len behind Knightsbridge carrying 57kg at $12. Market best guide.
Last Starts 14 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/8 | 31/07/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Randwick | 1045m | Soft | Chad Schofield | 1:03.89 | - | 0 |
| 1.48L | $0.00 | |
| 2/6 | 20/07/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Randwick | 745m | Heavy | Chad Schofield | 0:44.88 | - | 0 |
| 2.67L | $0.00 | |
| 10/13 | 04/04/2026 | 21 | G1 OPEN 2 | $1,114,500.00 | Randwick | 1400m | Soft 7 | Sam Clipperton | 56.5kg | 1:24.80 | 4-6-10 | 6 |
| 14.2L | $41.00 |
| 2/9 | 14/03/2026 | 28 | G3 OPEN CG 2 | $251,000.00 | Rosehill | 1200m | Good 4 | Sam Clipperton | 56.5kg | 1:10.41 | 4-3-2 | 3 |
| 1.0L | $41.00 |
| 8/10 | 14/02/2026 | 28 | OPEN 2 | $160,000.00 | Randwick | 1100m | Good 4 | Sam Clipperton | 57.5kg | 1:03.93 | 5-7-8 | 10 |
| 5.2L | $8.50 |
| 1/9 | 17/01/2026 | 14 | OPEN 2 | $160,000.00 | Rosehill | 1100m | Soft 7 | Sam Clipperton | 58kg | 1:04.83 | 4-3-1 | 2 |
| 1.3L | $3.30 |
| 5/8 | 03/01/2026 | - | MDN 2 | $160,000.00 | Randwick | 1000m | Soft 5 | Sam Clipperton | 57kg | 0:58.03 | 8-8-5 | 7 |
| 2.6L | $12.00 |
Jockey: Michael Dee
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Lining up for just third start. At very big odds at debut, 4th of 8 at Flemington on July 18 over 1000m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Riverina Lulu with 54kg at $91. Last start came from midfield and won by a head at Flemington on August 1 over 1000m defeating Santa Barbara with 55kg at $16. Has done nothing wrong but the bar will keep going up.
Last Starts 13 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/10 | 01/08/2026 | 14 | OPEN 3 | $150,000.00 | Flemington | 1000m | Good 4 | Michael Dee | 55kg | 0:57.30 | 5-6-1 | 4 |
| 0.2L | $16.00 |
| 4/8 | 18/07/2026 | - | OPEN 2 | $150,000.00 | Flemington | 1000m | Soft 6 | Jett Stanley | 54kg | 0:58.27 | 5-4-4 | 4 |
| 3.3L | $91.00 |
| 2/8 | 29/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Cranbourne | 800m | Joe Bowditch | 0:48.52 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 7/10 | 15/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Cranbourne | 800m | Joe Bowditch | 0:48.50 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Ben Melham
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Racing first-up today. Finished off last campaign second last of 9 at Rosehill in the G2 Silver Slp February 21 over 1100m, 6 len behind Stretan Ruler carrying 56.5kg at $5. On debut second in a small field at Rosehill in the G3 Canonbury January 31 over 1100m, 1.75 len behind Hidrix carrying 55kg at $3.40. Has shown good ability, wary of top yard bringing him here.
Last Starts 7 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/5 | 07/08/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Flemington | 1000m | Damian Lane | - | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 2/8 | 24/07/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Rosehill | 900m | Soft | James McDonald | 0:56.23 | - | 0 |
| 0.49L | $0.00 | |
| 8/9 | 21/02/2026 | 21 | G2 OPEN 2 | $302,000.00 | Rosehill | 1100m | Good 4 | James McDonald | 56.5kg | 1:03.64 | 7-7-8 | 3 |
| 6.6L | $5.00 |
| 2/6 | 31/01/2026 | - | G3 OPEN CG 2 | $251,000.00 | Rosehill | 1100m | Good 4 | James McDonald | 55kg | 1:04.03 | 3-3-2 | 3 |
| 1.7L | $3.40 |
Jockey: Ethan Brown
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Claiming his maiden victory on debut; favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 0.8 len at Sale on July 26 over 1000m on a soft track defeating All That And More carrying 58kg at $2.35. Very promising, wouldn't shock if he took a step forward.
Last Starts 19 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/10 | 26/07/2026 | - | MDN 2 | $42,500.00 | Sale | 1000m | Soft 6 | Jye Mcneil | 58kg | 0:59.36 | 2-2-1 | 5 |
| 0.8L | $2.35 |
| 3/6 | 16/07/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Caulfield Heath | 800m | Soft | Harry Coffey | 0:48.50 | - | 0 |
| 2.96L | $0.00 | |
| 1/10 | 01/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Cranbourne | 800m | Mark Zahra | 0:47.34 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Jamie Mott
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Second-up. First start ran last in a small field in the LR Valley Pearl (St Albans Stakes) at this track on March 21 over 1200m, 11 len behind Rich On Bubbles with 58kg at $4.80. Went for a spell before returning favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 6 len at Echuca on July 24 over 1000m in heavy going defeating Imperial Valley with 58kg at $1.80. Dominant fresh, respecting despite a sharp jump in grade.
Last Starts 21 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/7 | 24/07/2026 | 125 | MDN 2 | $32,000.00 | Echuca | 1000m | Heavy 9 | Jamie Mott | 58kg | 1:01.22 | 2-2-1 | 6 |
| 6.0L | $1.80 |
| 1/7 | 15/07/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Mornington | 1000m | Jamie Mott | 0:56.53 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 1/10 | 01/07/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Caulfield | 800m | Jamie Mott | 0:51.67 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 6/6 | 21/03/2026 | - | LR OPEN 2 | $176,200.00 | Caulfield | 1200m | Good 4 | Jamie Mott | 58kg | 1:10.84 | 1-1-6 | 6 |
| 11.0L | $4.80 |