Thames Set for Winning Return at Warwick Farm After Stable Change
A talented former Godolphin mare is poised to make a powerful return to racing for her new home stable at Wednesday's Warwick Farm meeting. Thames, a four-year-old daughter of champion sire Lonhro, hasn't raced since finishing a close third in the Listed Denise's Joy Stakes at Scone last May.
From Godolphin to Portelli: A New Chapter Begins
After being spelled through the winter of 2025, Thames was transferred to the stable of trainer Garry Portelli following the announcement that Godolphin's head Australian trainer James Cummings would be relocating to Hong Kong for the 2026-27 season. This move saw several well-performed metropolitan gallopers dispersed to other established stables across the country.
Thames brings an impressive record to her new connections, having missed a place only three times from ten career starts since debuting in the winter of 2024. The mare was particularly consistent during her Victorian campaign early last year, placing in four consecutive races up to Benchmark 70 level before her narrow defeat at Scone.
Strong Trial Form Signals Readiness
Following her stable change, Thames was given two trials last October before being turned out again. She recently signaled her readiness for a racing return with an eye-catching performance, sweeping home from the back to win a Kembla Grange trial just four weeks ago.
On Wednesday, Thames tackles a Benchmark 72 Handicap for mares over 1100 metres at Warwick Farm. She opened on the second line of betting around $5.00, behind another four-year-old mare Big Red Tequila who has won two of her three starts this campaign for trainer Joe Pride and opened as the $3.20 favourite.
Quality Supporting Cast at Warwick Farm
The race before Thames's return will also capture attention when exciting filly Samarelle resumes in a Benchmark 72 over 1200 metres for the John O'Shea and Tom Charlton stable. The talented three-year-old, bred along staying lines, hasn't started since finishing a close second at only her third start in much tougher Group 3 company at Randwick last October.
Fitted with two trials and winning the latest impressively over 1050 metres, Samarelle opened around $3.20 favourite ahead of Signor Tortoni ($4.40) who is second-up via a dominant trial win, and Clear Proof ($6.50) coming off a last-start Benchmark 64 victory.
Neil Evans' Warwick Farm Tips and Analysis
With the track rated a Soft 5 and rail out 3 metres, racing analyst Neil Evans has provided his insights for the Warwick Farm meeting:
Race 4: Double Vision can break through at her second start after missing narrowly on debut at the Kensington track. The emerging mare by prolific sprint sire Shalaa represents the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable.
Race 5: Journeyman makes his debut for the Richard and Will Freedman camp and represents terrific value after three trials in 27 days with key gear changes in play.
Race 7: Clancy is well placed to go back-to-back after surging home to win a similar affair on the Kensington track when hard in the market. The progressive four-year-old has plenty of scope and suits the conditions.
Best Bets: Race 4 Number 8 Samarelle and Race 7 Number 1 Clancy
Best Value: Race 3 Number 4 Decorum
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