The Gardens Race 8 - Mark Hughes Foundation Stayers Stake
JOANNE (2) finished fourth last time at this track but could not have been more impressive a few runs back in her enormous 35.36 win at Richmond over 622m. Can return to winning form here if runs up to best figures. FADE TO BLACK (1) is a well performed dog and winner of 18 races who is worth forgiving after finishing out of the placings at this track (42.30). Should be about the money. MEPUNGA LARA (7) has a strong record this trip with 12 wins and eight placings from 27 starts. In the money last time at this track (42.35) in a NG, finishing a 8 length second. Looks a key chance on best figures. VODKA AND ICE (4) is a last-start placegetter who should be thereabouts.
Stats
Comments
Suited by inside box. Latest effort finished 4th over 715m at this track beaten 11 lengths (42.30) behind Electrify in a NG on April 24. Key chance on best form.
Last Starts 7 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Ran | Win | BON | A1s | Box | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/7 | 24/04/2026 | 20 | NG | $10,500.00 | The Gardens | 715m | 0:42.30 | 0:41.48 | 0:41.48 | N/A | 8 |
| 11.8L | $3.60 |
| 6/8 | 04/04/2026 | 35 | NG | $10,900.00 | Wentworth Park | 720m | 0:42.37 | 0:41.75 | 0:41.75 | N/A | 5 |
| 8.8L | $10.00 |
| 8/8 | 28/02/2026 | 7 | S/E Group 1 | $152,500.00 | The Meadows | 730m | 0:43.14 | 0:42.67 | 0:42.67 | N/A | 2 |
| 7.3L | $4.50 |
| 4/6 | 21/02/2026 | 7 | SPEC H | $10,380.00 | The Meadows | 730m | 0:42.69 | 0:42.48 | 0:42.24 | N/A | 8 |
| 3.1L | $1.50 |
| 2/8 | 14/02/2026 | 9 | S/E Group 1 | $110,000.00 | The Meadows | 730m | 0:42.45 | 0:42.33 | 0:42.33 | N/A | 8 |
| 1.7L | $6.00 |
| 1/8 | 05/02/2026 | 7 | OPEN | $143,750.00 | Q Parklands | 710m | 0:40.85 | 0:40.85 | 0:40.85 | N/A | 5 |
| 2.5L | $9.50 |
Stats
Comments
Missed the frame latest (42.53) when fourth over 715m at this track in a NG. Has two successes and two minors from six starts from box 2. Leading player.
Last Starts 7 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Ran | Win | BON | A1s | Box | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/8 | 24/04/2026 | 14 | NG | $10,500.00 | The Gardens | 715m | 0:42.53 | 0:41.86 | 0:41.48 | N/A | 5 |
| 9.5L | $4.80 |
| 2/8 | 10/04/2026 | 14 | GR 5 | $8,900.00 | Richmond | 622m | 0:35.68 | 0:35.59 | 0:35.59 | N/A | 4 |
| 1.3L | $1.40 |
| 1/8 | 27/03/2026 | 6 | GR 5 | $8,900.00 | Richmond | 622m | 0:35.36 | 0:35.36 | 0:35.36 | N/A | 4 |
| 5.0L | $1.80 |
| 6/8 | 21/03/2026 | 7 | NG | $34,000.00 | Wentworth Park | 520m | 0:29.84 | 0:29.44 | 0:29.24 | N/A | 6 |
| 5.8L | $9.50 |
| 2/7 | 14/03/2026 | 15 | NG | $10,500.00 | Wentworth Park | 520m | 0:29.57 | 0:29.54 | 0:29.38 | N/A | 3 |
| 0.5L | $4.80 |
| 8/8 | 27/02/2026 | 7 | NG | $54,000.00 | Richmond | 520m | 0:30.22 | 0:29.63 | 0:29.11 | N/A | 8 |
| 8.3L | $8.00 |
Stats
Comments
Has been in the minor money the last two runs, the latest at big odds finishing third (42.50) at this track. Has a low draw. Will need plenty of luck.
Last Starts 7 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Ran | Win | BON | A1s | Box | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/8 | 24/04/2026 | 13 | NG | $10,500.00 | The Gardens | 715m | 0:42.50 | 0:41.86 | 0:41.48 | N/A | 1 |
| 9.3L | $16.00 |
| 2/8 | 11/04/2026 | 9 | OPEN | $18,500.00 | Q Lakeside | 642m | 0:36.26 | 0:35.98 | 0:35.98 | N/A | 1 |
| 4.0L | $10.00 |
| 4/5 | 02/04/2026 | 14 | GR 5 | $11,000.00 | Q Parklands | 710m | 0:42.21 | 0:41.56 | 0:41.36 | N/A | 8 |
| 9.3L | $3.70 |
| 1/7 | 19/03/2026 | 7 | GR 5 | $11,000.00 | Q Parklands | 710m | 0:41.29 | 0:41.29 | 0:41.29 | N/A | 5 |
| 8.0L | $2.60 |
| 2/7 | 12/03/2026 | 8 | GR 5 | $11,000.00 | Q Parklands | 710m | 0:41.67 | 0:41.50 | 0:41.47 | N/A | 6 |
| 2.5L | $4.20 |
| 2/6 | 04/03/2026 | 6 | OPEN | $4,600.00 | Rockhampton | 510m | 0:29.81 | 0:29.63 | 0:29.63 | N/A | 4 |
| 2.5L | $7.00 |
Stats
Comments
Got back last start and could only manage third but before that won easily by 9 lengths at this track (41.52) beating Soiree in a NG on April 18. Hasn't been far away recently and can feature in the finish.
Last Starts 7 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Ran | Win | BON | A1s | Box | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/8 | 24/04/2026 | 6 | NG | $10,500.00 | The Gardens | 715m | 0:42.40 | 0:41.77 | 0:41.48 | N/A | 3 |
| 9.0L | $2.80 |
| 1/8 | 18/04/2026 | 7 | NG | $34,000.00 | The Gardens | 715m | 0:41.52 | 0:41.52 | 0:41.52 | N/A | 1 |
| 9.3L | $4.80 |
| 7/8 | 11/04/2026 | 7 | NG | $100,000.00 | Wentworth Park | 720m | 0:42.17 | 0:41.51 | 0:41.51 | N/A | 4 |
| 9.3L | $8.50 |
| 1/8 | 04/04/2026 | 7 | NG | $10,900.00 | Wentworth Park | 720m | 0:41.93 | 0:41.93 | 0:41.75 | N/A | 5 |
| 1.3L | $4.00 |
| 7/8 | 28/03/2026 | 14 | NG | $125,000.00 | Dubbo | 605m | 0:35.24 | 0:34.65 | 0:34.65 | N/A | 8 |
| 8.3L | $26.00 |
| 2/5 | 14/03/2026 | 14 | NG | $10,500.00 | Dubbo | 605m | 0:34.59 | 0:34.44 | 0:34.44 | N/A | 1 |
| 2.0L | $8.50 |
| 99/1 | 14/02/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | The Meadows | 730m | N/A | - | N/A | N/A | 3 |
| 99L | $0.00 |
| 99/1 | 11/07/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Goulburn | 440m | N/A | 0:25.55 | N/A | N/A | 1 |
| 0L | $0.00 |
Stats
Comments
Has been out of the money of late. Could only manage sixth last time out over 715m at this track. Others preferred on this occasion.
Last Starts 7 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Ran | Win | BON | A1s | Box | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/8 | 24/04/2026 | 6 | NG | $10,500.00 | The Gardens | 715m | 0:42.72 | 0:41.77 | 0:41.48 | N/A | 8 |
| 13.5L | $101.00 |
| 4/8 | 18/04/2026 | 8 | NG | $10,500.00 | Wentworth Park | 520m | 0:30.17 | 0:29.76 | 0:29.56 | N/A | 5 |
| 5.8L | $101.00 |
| 5/6 | 10/04/2026 | 6 | GR 3/4 | $3,460.00 | Goulburn | 440m | 0:25.22 | 0:24.61 | 0:24.61 | N/A | 8 |
| 8.8L | $67.00 |
| 8/8 | 04/04/2026 | 7 | NG | $10,900.00 | Wentworth Park | 720m | 0:44.21 | 0:41.93 | 0:41.75 | N/A | 3 |
| 32.5L | $35.00 |
| 8/8 | 28/03/2026 | 7 | NG | $10,900.00 | Wentworth Park | 720m | 0:42.61 | 0:41.86 | 0:41.86 | N/A | 7 |
| 10.5L | $35.00 |
| 2/5 | 21/03/2026 | 7 | NG | $10,900.00 | Wentworth Park | 720m | 0:42.23 | 0:42.06 | 0:42.06 | N/A | 8 |
| 2.3L | $19.00 |
Stats
Comments
Form has been solid with minor placings at her last three starts. Last time out finished 2nd in a NG on April 24 over 715m at this track behind Ayden's Warrior beaten 8 lengths (42.35). Top-three hope with the right run.
Last Starts 7 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Ran | Win | BON | A1s | Box | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/8 | 24/04/2026 | 13 | NG | $10,500.00 | The Gardens | 715m | 0:42.35 | 0:41.77 | 0:41.48 | N/A | 7 |
| 8.3L | $2.80 |
| 3/8 | 11/04/2026 | 7 | NG | $100,000.00 | Wentworth Park | 720m | 0:41.76 | 0:41.51 | 0:41.51 | N/A | 3 |
| 3.5L | $4.40 |
| 2/8 | 04/04/2026 | 7 | NG | $10,900.00 | Wentworth Park | 720m | 0:42.07 | 0:41.75 | 0:41.75 | N/A | 1 |
| 4.5L | $3.70 |
| 1/8 | 28/03/2026 | 14 | NG | $10,900.00 | Wentworth Park | 720m | 0:41.86 | 0:41.86 | 0:41.86 | N/A | 1 |
| 1.0L | $1.80 |
| 1/8 | 14/03/2026 | 7 | OPEN | $179,390.00 | Cannington | 715m | 0:41.75 | 0:41.75 | 0:41.75 | N/A | 3 |
| 1.8L | $2.40 |
| 1/6 | 07/03/2026 | 7 | OPEN | $19,820.00 | Cannington | 715m | 0:41.67 | 0:41.67 | 0:41.56 | N/A | 2 |
| 7.3L | $1.70 |
Stats
Comments
Was out of placings last time (30.41) at Wentworth Park in a Grade 4/5, finishing fourth and beaten 8 lengths. Has four successes and six minors from 15 starts from box 8. Tough field and looking to others this time.
Last Starts 6 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Ran | Win | BON | A1s | Box | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/8 | 25/04/2026 | 5 | GR 4/5 | $9,650.00 | Wentworth Park | 520m | 0:30.41 | 0:29.85 | 0:29.65 | N/A | 5 |
| 8.0L | $26.00 |
| 3/5 | 20/04/2026 | 2 | GR 5 | $3,140.00 | Maitland | 565m | 0:32.03 | 0:31.86 | 0:31.86 | N/A | 1 |
| 2.3L | $2.90 |
| 6/8 | 18/04/2026 | 7 | GR 4/5 | $9,650.00 | Wentworth Park | 520m | 0:30.36 | 0:29.76 | 0:29.56 | N/A | 2 |
| 8.5L | $16.00 |
| 1/6 | 11/04/2026 | 6 | GR 5 | $8,900.00 | Wentworth Park | 520m | 0:29.92 | 0:29.92 | 0:29.12 | N/A | 2 |
| 1.0L | $9.50 |
| 6/8 | 05/04/2026 | 10 | GR 5 | $8,900.00 | Wentworth Park | 520m | 0:30.10 | 0:29.80 | 0:29.44 | N/A | 6 |
| 4.3L | $21.00 |
| 5/5 | 26/03/2026 | 5 | GR 4/5 | $6,310.00 | Wentworth Park | 520m | 0:30.21 | 0:29.56 | 0:29.56 | N/A | 2 |
| 9.3L | $9.50 |