MyRacehorse
Emma Freedman and MyRacehorse Managing Director Ben Willis have taken a deep dive into the potential 2026 Autumn Carnival plans for four of MyRacehorse’s brightest stars: Apocalyptic, Willydoit, Engine Of War and Space Rider. After a breakout spring that saw Apocalyptic establish herself as one of Australia’s elite fillies, she now turns her attention to an autumn campaign stacked with opportunity and Group 1 ambition. NZ Derby champion Willydoit is gearing up for a return to his dominant best, while rising staying prospect Engine Of War enters the new year ready to capitalise on the foundation built during his spring learning phase. Newly acquired colt Space Rider also shapes as an exciting addition, with the stable confident he can climb to stakes level with further maturity.
Below, we break down the early thinking behind each horse’s pathway and the key autumn targets that could define their next chapters.
Apocalyptic - Autumn Preview
Apocalyptic enters the 2026 Autumn Carnival as one of the most anticipated returning fillies in the country. After a sensational spring that saw her win multiple stakes races and deliver a heart-stopping finish in the Group 1 Flight Stakes, Emma and Ben have outlined a preparation designed to maximise her explosive turn of foot while giving her every chance to build on her already exceptional résumé.
Her likely kick-off point will be the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m), a race well-suited to sharp, high-class fillies resuming from a spell. The Michael Freedman stable believes this distance will allow her to find her rhythm early and provide a strong platform for her first grand final of the preparation, the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m). Historically dominated by elite Flight Stakes graduates, the Surround is a natural target and one that has produced some of Australia’s finest mares.
Beyond that, Emma and Ben outline several flexible pathways depending on her progress, including the Coolmore Classic, Doncaster Mile, and Queen of the Turf Stakes.
If her spring campaign was an arrival, her autumn could be the moment Apocalyptic becomes a household name.
Willydoit - autumn plans
After a measured spring preparation designed around long-term development, Willydoit returns for the 2026 Autumn Carnival with a campaign tailored to unlock his potential. Emma and Ben reflected on his spring, noting that while lightly raced, he showed all the physical and mental progression expected of a Derby-winning New Zealand import now settling into Australian conditions. His autumn plan has been shaped with patience, strength-building, and Group 1 middle-distance targets in mind.
Willydoit is likely to resume in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick, a run that will serve primarily as a conditioning race to bring his fitness forward without placing pressure on him so early in the carnival. His second-up options include two paths depending on performance and recovery: the Group 1 All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington or the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield. Both races would provide a strong test, while allowing the stable to assess his readiness for the campaign’s ultimate goal… the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m).
The Australian Cup has been carefully identified as his grand final, a race that aligns with his staying pedigree, his Derby-winning stamina, and his ability to build momentum deep into a preparation.
With maturity now on his side, Willydoit shapes as one of the most intriguing and exciting 4YOs heading into the autumn.
Engine Of War - autumn plans
Engine Of War enters the 2026 Autumn Carnival as one of MyRacehorse’s most exciting developing stayers, and Emma Freedman and Ben Willis have provided a detailed look into what his next preparation could entail. After working closely with Price Kent Racing, the team is confident that his spring campaign, while still raw and educational, laid the perfect foundation for him to take a major step forward this autumn.
His preparation will be geared toward two major Group 1 staying features: the South Australian Derby in mid-May and the Queensland Derby in early June. Both races are proven platforms for emerging stayers, and his pedigree as a son of Circus Maximus suggests he will thrive as the distances increase and the racing becomes more tactical.
Emma and Ben note that Engine Of War remains a physically imposing, still-maturing colt who will benefit greatly from the experience gained through his spring runs.
The stable believes there is significant improvement to come, and autumn shapes as his moment to announce himself as a top-class staying prospect.
Space rider - autumn plans
Emma Freedman and Ben Willis have taken a close look at Space Rider’s most recent preparation and outlined what the 2026 Autumn Carnival may hold for this exciting new MyRacehorse acquisition. After working collaboratively with the Price & Kent team, the belief is strong that Space Rider is poised to elevate again and potentially secure a stakes victory this campaign. His spring preparation showcased his raw ability, competitiveness, and professionalism, and the team cannot wait to see him step out in the MyRacehorse red for the first time.
Now back in work at Cranbourne, Space Rider has settled in seamlessly and has not put a foot wrong. The stable reports that he has strengthened physically, matured mentally, and appears ready to take on tougher assignments as he transitions from promising colt to genuine Group-class contender. If he can improve even marginally off his spring campaign, the autumn could be something special.
The current preparation outline sees him resuming in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m), before progressing to the Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) second up. His grand final target is the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m), one of Australia’s premier three-year-old races.
Alternative targets, depending on progression, include the Rosehill Guineas, All Aged Stakes or The Goodwood.
We look forward to keeping you updated throughout his preparation.
