October, a four-year-old gelding, scored an eye-catching win at Eagle Farm today in his first start in Australia since relocating to the Tony And Maddysen Sears stable, after formerly racing in Singapore.
Contributing to the merit of the son of Ocean Park’s fifth career win was the fact that he was racing first-up after a seven month break from racing, which included a settling in process in his new surroundings after switching countries … an immediate step up to the 1400m trip … and last, but not least, the fight he showed in a highly pressured finish to get the better of the more fancied Castillian.
“We’ve got to thank (owner) Eric Koh,” said co-trainer Maddysen Sears. “He got in contact with us and wanted us to take on a handful of horses from Singapore and this is the first one we have raced.
“We’ve kicked off the partnership really well and the horses we haven’t stepped out yet are also really nice horses.
“He had good form in Singapore. He trialled well behind Yellow Brick when not asked for much in that trial … and that horse (Castillian) was there to beat him. They fought it out the whole way up the straight.
“I think he will definitely improve off that.”
All five of October’s career wins have come over 1400m, including a hot spot of form in Singapore where October landed three successive wins in August and September 2024 … and Sears believes the gelding will get further.
“He is by Ocean Park so he is going to get out further in trip,” stated Sears.
October was a pick-up ride for Emily Lang, who added another win to her premiership leading tally. The ride came about at very short notice after Cody Collis picked up a knock.
A great battle in the Sky Racing Hcp at Eagle Farm with October on the inside winning first up! 📸@emilyyplang | @SearsMaddy | @MS_SearsRacing | @BrisRacingClub pic.twitter.com/CADcsFuUg2
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 7, 2025
