Twilight racing at Canterbury Park delivered a sharp and confident start to the New Year as the Australian Turf Club staged its New Year’s Day Twilight Racing meeting on Thursday, January 1. The atmosphere built steadily through the afternoon before peaking in Race 7, the $200,000 KIA Canterbury Sprint, where a decisive display announced early-season intent and set a strong tone for 2026.
Royal Corporal was quick to make his presence felt in Race 1, the Jacquinot First Yearlings 2026 @ Widden Plate. The three-year-old bay gelding, guided with assurance by Ms A B Collett for trainer Terry Croft, travelled smoothly before asserting late to stop the clock at 1:10.89. Master Zous and Portofino filled the minor placings as the curtain rose on the twilight card.
The focus shifted to stamina in Race 2, the Ranvet Plate, where Barcelo delivered a composed performance over the longer trip. Ridden by S Clipperton and trained by Chris Waller, the three-year-old brown gelding controlled the tempo and crossed the line in 1:58.69, holding Kumbaya and Salt Spray at bay.
Speed returned to the forefront in Race 3, the Hyland Race Colours Plate, as Raskol stamped her authority. The three-year-old chestnut filly, prepared by Peter Snowden and partnered by T Berry, finished strongly in 1:10.41, edging out Royal Silver and Artgirl in a tightly run contest.
Momentum stayed firmly with T Berry in Race 4, the Asahi Super Dry Handicap. This time aboard Lull, a three-year-old bay filly trained by Ciaron Maher for Godolphin, Berry produced a sharp front-running ride. Lull’s winning time of 1:04.11 proved too strong for Vanlee and O’Invincible.
A measured, professional effort defined Race 5, the Agency Real Estate Handicap. Golden Loom, a four-year-old bay gelding from the stable of Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, found his rhythm under T Sherry and pulled clear late to win in 1:32.97, with Monopolistic and Cantarito chasing home.
Consistency was rewarded in Race 6, the First Hitotsu Yearlings Handicap, where Just In Time, a five-year-old chestnut mare trained by Jason Deamer, showed resilience under Z T Lloyd. Her time of 1:12.62 secured victory ahead of Fine Vintage and Zulfiqar.
All roads then led to the feature. King’s Secret rose to the occasion in Race 7, the KIA Canterbury Sprint, producing a polished and authoritative performance. The four-year-old brown gelding, trained by Joseph Pride and ridden by A Adkins, surged late to claim the $200,000 prize in 1:08.68, defeating The Instructor and Barber. Racing in the colours of Proven Thoroughbreds alongside N Dimitrakis, Beams, and other key connections, the win stood as the defining moment of the meeting.
The evening closed with Race 8, the TAB Handicap, where Scarli Japali provided a fitting finale. Trained by Anthony Warren and ridden by Ms C Keatings, Scarli Japali stopped the clock at 1:57.26, finishing ahead of Sunsource and Channelling.
Canterbury Race Results 1 January blended precision, pace, and promise. From emerging three-year-olds to seasoned sprinters, the New Year’s Day Twilight Race meeting offered an early snapshot of the depth and direction Australian racing is set to take in 2026.
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