Flemington Blackbookers November 7 – Horses to Follow from Champions Day

Here are our blackbookers and horses to follow from the action.

A promising return from Options in Race 2, with the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained galloper finishing third at long odds in his first appearance since finishing down the track in the Queensland Derby (2400m) back in May. The four-year-old showed plenty of talent during the spring of 2025, winning the Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington before finding Observer too strong in the Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) and Victoria Derby (2500m). He failed to come on during his autumn preparation, but there was plenty to like about his return over 1600m on Saturday. Settling back in the field, Options was doing his best work late as Superfabulistic proved far too strong at the business end, rattling home to claim the minor placing at $51. It was an encouraging first-up performance from a galloper with some ability, and he is certainly worth considering at his next start.

Pinhole looks a genuine Melbourne Cup prospect for 2027 following his impressive victory in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m), while Torranzino is another worth following after finishing third at big odds. The Chris Waller-trained Pinhole was desperately unlucky to miss a start in Tuesday's Melbourne Cup (3200m), sitting 25th in the order of entry, but made amends with a dominant performance under James McDonald. The four-year-old had been impressive winning at Caulfield two starts earlier before having little luck in the Moonee Valley Cup (2500m), and he was able to settle much better on Saturday before sweeping past the leaders approaching the 300m and drawing clear to score by 2¾ lengths. Waller has already identified next year's Melbourne Cup as the long-term target, with the son of Frankel now qualified for the race. Torranzino was also excellent, with the Paul Preusker-trained seven-year-old producing a strong staying performance to finish third at $26. The gelding continues to prove competitive in quality staying company and should remain a horse to follow whenever he strikes suitable conditions over the longer distances. The Zipping Classic (2400m), Sandown Cup (3200m), Ballarat Cup (2200m) and Pakenham Cup (2500m) are among a stack of suitable targets over the next month or so. 

Point Barrow announced herself as a genuine Group 1 sprinter with a brilliant victory in the Champions Sprint (1200m), while Everest champion Tempted can be forgiven for suffering her first defeat of 2026. The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Point Barrow had been specifically set for the $3 million feature after successive Group 3 victories at Caulfield, and Mark Zahra produced another perfectly timed ride aboard the four-year-old. Settling back in the field, she initially tracked Tempted before Zahra elected to remain closer to the centre of the straight rather than follow the favourite towards the outside, a decision that proved decisive as Point Barrow burst through a gap and held off Plaintiff and Skybird in a thrilling finish. She has now won eight of her 13 starts and established herself among the country's leading sprinting mares, with the major autumn sprints an obvious option, although connections have yet to confirm her next target. 

Tempted, meanwhile, was far from disgraced in finishing fifth at her first attempt down the Flemington straight. Chad Schofield followed Joliestar into the race but was carried wider than anticipated, potentially onto inferior ground, before Tempted quickened to hit the front approaching the 100m and peaked on her run late. A post-race endoscopic examination also revealed exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage, which may have affected her performance, and she will require veterinary clearance before racing or officially trialling again. Trainer Ciaron Maher confirmed she would head for a spell following a remarkable preparation highlighted by her victory over Ka Ying Rising in The Everest (1200m). An international campaign in 2027 had been under consideration, although her future programme remains unconfirmed.