Crystal ball: Horses, trainers, jockeys set for bumper 2024-25

A new racing season brings optimism and a fresh start for trainers, jockeys and horses. Gilbert Gardiner and Brad Waters forecast the stars of the turf set for a bumper 2024-25.

Ones to watch: (clockwise from top left) Trainer Matt Laurie, Stanley Express, jockey Celine Gaudray and Stretan Angel.

A new racing season brings optimism and a fresh start for trainers, jockeys and horses.

The nature of the beast means the major players will again be at the forefront, but racing writers Gilbert Gardiner and Brad Waters have forecast the stars of the turf — human and equine — that will challenge the status quo in the 2024/25 season.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

BRAD WATERS’ HORSES TO FOLLOW

STANLEY EXPRESS
Powerful sprinter that won a $1m race on debut in the autumn. No reason he can’t measure up in good races in the spring.

PHOTOGRAPH
Godolphin filly that has shown an electric turn of foot. She could progress to become a 1000 Guineas contender.

IMMEDIACY
Immediacy went from maiden winner to Group 2 winner in three starts in the autumn. He’ll develop into a classy four-year-old this season.

TOBEORNOTTOBE
Tobeornottobe showed plenty of fight in three autumn runs. She’ll be stronger this season and can feature in three-year-old sprints.

STRETAN ANGEL
Won a Group 2 race and narrowly beaten in the Group 1 Goodwood as a three-year-old. Tipping her to notch a Group 1 win this season.

Exciting three-year-old Stanley Express is likely to be aimed at the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes in the spring. Racing Photos via Getty Images.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

GILBERT GARDINER’S HORSES TO FOLLOW

SEA WHAT I SEE
Surged through her grades last campaign, going from maiden to Listed winner. A Group 1 contender-in-waiting, exciting 12 month ahead.

BERKSHIRE BREEZE
Treated inferior opposition with contempt to date but in the right hands to take the next step.

I AM VELVET
Green as grass yet unbeaten in three starts. If trainer Phillip Stokes can get her to run straight at the finish anything is possible.

LOVELYCUT
Recency bias potentially, but burst onto the scene with two sharp wins last month. Big brother King of Hastings won six of 33 and banked almost $700,000 prizemoney.

ANOTHER WIL
Jamie Kah has described this horse as a “freak” in the past. Endorsements do not get much better.

Jamie Kah sitting up on Another Wil. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

JOCKEYS

JAYLAH KENNEDY
Enjoyed a terrific first full season, notching 68 wins. The pocket rocket is strong in a finish and could notch a ton this season if she continues to develop.

BEN MELHAM
Missed a large chunk of last season through injury but managed to post almost a quarter of his 34 wins in stakes races. If his body holds up, Melham could be in for a massive 2024/25.

THOMAS STOCKDALE
Nailed the steepest learning curve – apprentice to senior – with hard work and dedication.

ETHAN BROWN
Enjoyed his share of early success, three Group 1s, and setbacks, but back on track and primed to enter the peak of his career.

CELINE GAUDRAY
All but completed her apprenticeship with flying colours with a top five finish in the Melbourne jockeys’ premiership. The next step is the hardest but Celine ‘the Machine’ is up to the challenge.

Apprentice Jaylah Kennedy could build on an impressive 2023/24 campaign next season. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

TRAINERS

MARK WALKER
Imperatriz underpinned Te Akau Racing’s season but the trans-Tasman operation has steadily compiled a team that could bring more than last season’s 15 city wins in 2024/25.

CLINTON MCDONALD
With the likes of Hayasugi, Stanley Express, Star Patrol and Angel Capital in his stable, the Cranbourne has enough firepower to be worth following, especially during the spring.

NICK RYAN
The former top jockey notched 17 city wins last season and has a Victoria Derby chance in Red Aces. A maiden Group 1 win could be in the offing this season.

MATT LAURIE
Astute horseman with a keen eye for a colt especially, has the banner stallion prospect in Coleman to fly the flag in the spring.

TONY AND CALVIN McEVOY
Endured a couple of lean seasons after the retirement of stable stars but since refilled the barn with smart two and three-year-olds, the foundation for success.

Trainer Mark Walker with Opie Bosson after Imperatriz won the William Reid Stakes at The Valley. Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Originally published as Crystal ball: Horses, trainers, jockeys set for bumper 2024-25