This Labour Day, the spotlight truly shone on WARWICK FARM RACECOURSE, located in Sydney’s southwest. From 1:25pm to 4:55pm, seven races unfolded under spring sunshine on October 6, drawing families and racing lovers alike with free entry, food, community spirit, and quality fields. The track buzzed as local fans and holiday crowds gathered — it felt more than just a race day; it felt like a celebration of what racing means to this part of Sydney.
Race 1: HYLAND RACE COLOURS HANDICAP (1:25pm, 1600 metres)
The day opened on a high note as O’SHEAMUS crossed first in 1:37.67, under a controlled, confident ride by D GIBBONS. Trainers JOHN O’SHEA & TOM CHARLTON had the preparation spot on with owners N HOAR, EMINEM RACING (M SCALA), P HALLETT, C RUSSELL, M DAVEY, A LEPPINUS, J FINN, S PARK, I O’SHEA, N BALAFOUTIS, L FREEMAN and P TASKER rejoicing the win. CRUSADER VOYAGE closed strongly to take second, while COMIC CULTURE persevered for the third place.
Race 2: RACING AND SPORTS HANDICAP (2:00pm, 1100 metres)
In the second contest, MISS FREELOVE delivered a sharp finishing burst to prevail in 1:02.76. The ride by T CLARK was well judged, trainer PETER SNOWDEN had timed things just right, and the owners TRILOGY RACING PTY LIMITED (M STENNING), B CORCORAN, N YEOMANS, D WHELAN, J ROUGHLEy and R CHAPMAN celebrated the payoff. WHATALEGACY stayed in contention until late, and SWIFT LEGEND ran on for a well-earned third.
Race 3: INGLIS READY2RACE SALE 16 OCT HANDICAP (2:35pm, 2200 metres)
The third race saw MAJORIAN show grit and class to claim the prize in 2:15.34. C SCHOFIELD piloted a clever ride, Trainers ANNABEL & ROB ARCHIBALD had the horse primed for this moment and the owners A ARGYLE, M D G PONY CLUB (M MALEY), K MORRISS, L GATER, R MORRIS, J GALLAGHER, D GATER, D LABIB and A PRATT savoured the moment. CAPTAIN MAVERICK pushed hard in the final furlongs, and LEADERS LISTEN held on resolutely for a spot.
Race 4: CATANACH’S JEWELLERS HANDICAP (3:10pm, 1600 metres)
Mid-card and stakes lifting, INNCOURT delivered a standout performance in 1:36.21. A MORGAN rode with precision, MATTHEW SMITH’s strategy came into play, and owners MCS RACING (M SMITH), HIRECHA RACING (B QUIN), PRYDE RACING (M PRYDE), W KEIGHRAN, N WILSON, A WILLOUGHBY, M BALLARD, C COOK, C ELKINGTON, M SAADIE, T EDDY, G CARMODY, D SINN, F COOK, P MOSS, P MOSS, P PRENDERGAST, P SIDWELL and S MOSS had cause to feel pride and smile wide. COSMIC LAD stayed hard on the winner’s heels, while HURSTVILLE ZAGREB ran on strongly to round out the podium.
Race 5: OZZMOSIS @ THE CHASE HANDICAP (3:45pm, 1100 metres)
The fifth race brought one of the tougher challenges of the day, and ISTOLEA MERC met it with both speed and composure, finishing in 1:02.78. Jockey A MORGAN made the difference when it mattered, BJORN BAKER’s preparation showed its worth, and owners S DARBY, BJORN BAKER RACING PTY LTD (B BAKER), ISCA CONSULTING 2022 (D MOYLAN), D NICHOLAS, E SCOTT, J CRAIG, P HALL, P SLARK, R HORROCKS and S TATULASCHWILI had reason to celebrate. RANTAN battled hard for second, while EXTRAVAGENT LAD stayed on well to take third.
Race 6: SWITZERLAND @ COOLMORE HANDICAP (4:20pm, 1000 metres)
As the afternoon matured, ZEALOUSLY broke clear in the closing stages to win in 55.96. The ride by K MCEVOY was measured, PETER SNOWDEN’s conditioning paid dividends, and owner SNOWDEN RACING PTY LTD (P SNOWDEN), LAYING UP RACING (P LUTOMSKI), BLACK SOIL BLOODSTOCK PTY LTD (B SIEMSEN), P CALLAS, M ALLEN, M BLACK, G EDWARDS, A GIBSON, A ROWLEY-BATES, D NAUDE, D WOCKNER, L GALLIOTT, P MUNRO, P O’TOOLE, P WARD and S STRACHAN shared the pride. SHEZANALISTER kept pressing until the line, and FLYING FOR FUN stayed persistent for a strong third.
Race 7: TAB HANDICAP (4:55pm, 1400 metres)
The card closed in style with WINSTON HILLS powering home in 1:22.47. Under pressure, N C RAWILLER delivered a composed finish, MATTHEW SMITH’s placement proved well judged, and owners M SMITH and A REID took the triumph. THE REPLICANT gave their all, and IVAN’S HERO held on to round off a satisfying finale.
What a way to spend a public holiday — Warwick Farm delivered a Sunday-style spectacle infused with warmth, competition, and community spirit. The horses, riders, and connections gave it everything, and the crowd responded with energy and appreciation. As the Australian Turf Club schedule shows, Warwick Farm is back in action soon in the coming weeks. But for now, Labour Day 2025 will be fondly remembered as one of those days where racing lived big in southwest Sydney.
For more horse racing news and results, stay tuned to RaceBuzz.
