The Last Dance – The Equinics Race 24 – The Shayne Dye Stakes
Geeze! What a Galah!!!
If this reaches ya, I’m still kickin’—though me head’s poundin’ like a dunny door in a gale, and me poor old dog “Digger” looks like he’s about ready to drop off the perch altogether.
Now, look, I know I was supposed to be glammed up with the silver-tail crowd under the posh palms at Ascot today for Day 2 of the Equinics. But a funny bloody thing happens when you mix a day of heavy “research” over cold tins at Eagle Farm with a midnight redeye across the Nullarbor. Somewhere around thirty-thousand feet, after a few too many amber fluids from a bloody saint of a flight attendant, me internal compass went completely off the air.
When we touched down in the West, I must’ve hopped straight into the tray of a rusty Hilux with some bloke who swore on his mother’s life he was headin’ “just down the road near the track.”
Well, stone the crows, the track he meant wasn’t Ascot! I woke up mid-arvo under a blazing sun on a patch of red dirt, surrounded by corrugated iron, stubby coolers, and a mob of bushies in Akubras older than Captain Cook. Turns out I’m currently anchored at the Kulin Bush Races, roughly three hours east of where I’m supposed to be, with red dust in me ears and zero recollection of how me suitcase got here.
I just checked me phone—which finally found half a bar of service behind a water tank—to see forty-seven missed calls and an email chain from me editor that reads like an indictment from the High Court. I get it, mate. The big syndicate owners are waiting on me preview on the final race of the Equinics.
So, without me fancy computer contraptions or algorithms out here in the red dirt, this one’s brought to you raw, unfiltered, and powered purely by gut instinct, a world-class hangover, and a never ending supply of tinnies supplied by me new best mate Wally. (seems he won a few bob yesterday on the Local TAB).
And their off!! (or is it me)?
Perth-AUS (PTH) Sunday, August 16, 2026 — 15:50:00 EST
EQUINICS – Race 24. SHAYNE DYE STAKES
Grade II / Group 2 – Sponsored – Purse: $30,000
Restricted to 3 Year Olds, Fillies Only – Owner Restricted 10 Furlongs | 2000 Metres – Fast Dirt
No, 1 KAT MARIE – Trained by: Beerkeg – Representing: MIDAS
Jockey: D Brock Pre Post Odds: 11/1
Breeding: INTO MISCHIEF x DEPUTY MINISTER x DANZIG
Dingo’s Diagnosis
Strewth, this filly’s a dirt-track dynamo through and through, mate — nine of her ten starts have come on the sandy stuff, and she’s racked up two wins, two places and two shows from eight tries at these longer route trips, the kind of numbers that don’t lie. Her recent starts have all sat in that 9-to-12 furlong zone, with one crack at tonight’s exact ten-furlong trip back in April where she saluted home third — so she’s no stranger to this kind of grind. Only query is that extra furlong stretchin’ out tonight compared to most of her recent runs, mate — like askin’ a bloke who’s happy walkin’ ten Ks to go and do eleven, might just find them legs a touch heavier in the home straight.
Right surface, right zone, just gotta find that one extra furlong in the tan
No. 2 CANDY TAPS – Trainer: Fdllodge20 – Representing: Universal Racing Club
Jockey: G Aggulotto Pre Post Odds: 10/1
Breeding: TAPIT x CANDY RIDE x DEHERE
Dingo’s Diagnosis
This filly’s spent the bulk of her career campin’ around eight to eight-and-a-half furlongs, mate, and she’s cashed in there and at shorter trips too — three wins from twelve overall, a stakes win, and graded black-type against genuine Group 1 heat. But push her out beyond that and the wheels start wobblin’ — her only crack past nine furlongs was the Royal Heiress at a full twelve panels, and she got dusted by more than twelve lengths, draggin’ in seventh. Tonight’s ten furlongs sits smack in the no-man’s-land between her happy zone and the one time she went longer and copped a hidin’ for her trouble.
Comfortable up to a mile and a bit — past that, she’s swimmin’ in the deep end.
No. 3 EQUIVALENCY – Trainer: – Neonshadow Representing: Florida Racing Club
Jockey: V Kendall Pre Post Odds: 13/1
Breeding: CHARLATAN x JUSTIFY x AMERICAN PHAROAH
Dingo’s Diagnosis
Now here’s one that’s never so much as dipped a toe on the turf or the poly, mate — nine starts, nine of ’em on the dirt, and she’s banked over a hundred grand doin’ it her way. Six route tries have brought three trophies home, and that June effort at Maryland was a beauty — she rolled up like a road train on the Nullarbor and left ’em fourteen lengths adrift by the post. But she followed it with a flatter third next time out, and here’s the rub: every route she’s run has capped out around the nine-furlong mark, never further. Tonight’s full ten furlongs is uncharted territory, like sendin’ a young jackaroo out past the back paddock for the first time — could handle it just fine, could also find himself a bit lost when the sun starts sinkin’.
Proven on dirt, unproven at the trip — tonight she finds out if the tank goes the extra distance.
No. 4 NURSERY – Trainer: Sledge4 – Representing: Noerthwest Racing Circuit
Jockey: N Lebreche Pre Post Odds: 15/1
Breeding: MASTERY x FED BIZ x SEEKING THE GOLD
Dingo’s Diagnosis
Cripes, this filly’s climbed the ladder quick, mate — kicked off in the maiden claimers over in Japan and worked her way right up through allowance and claim ranks to open stakes company, winning three of six on the dirt at route trips along the way. But here’s the crux of it: her only previous crack at Group grade was that Group II tilt back in May, and she got done like a dinner, beaten seven and a quarter lengths home in eleventh of thirteen — miles off the pace she showed in the ungraded stakes she won the month before. She backed that up with another flat run last start in open stakes company too, so the form’s trending the wrong way right when the grade’s steppin’ up again. Add in she’s never tackled anything past nine furlongs, and tonight’s ask is a fair bit tougher than anything she’s cracked yet.
“Class has snuck up on her quicker than a willy-willy — tonight’s the acid test.”
No. 5 LA DEL DARLEY – Trainer: Haack – Representing: Latinos Del Mundo
Jockey: J Harzheim Pre Post Odds: 10/1
Breeding: STREET SENSE x BERNARDINI x STORM CAT
Dingo’s Diagnosis
Now this one’s been building steam like a diesel ute up Mount Isa, mate — two flops early as a two-year-old, danglin’ at the back of the field both times, but she’s turned the switch on since and hasn’t looked back. Three straight wins on end now, every one of ’em a real get-out-of-jail closer, comin’ from tenth, sixth and thirteenth respectively to burst clear late. Best of all, that last win was at tonight’s exact ten-furlong trip in stakes grade, and she did it the hard way, buried at the tail early before unwindin’ a seven-length demolition job down the outside. Dirt suits, the trip suits, and she’s already banked the class credentials this grade demands — the only question is whether she can keep findin’ that same gear when the writing’s on the wall.
“Comes from the clouds every time — if she times her run right, she’ll be harder to stop than a Bondi Tram.”
No. 6 RUNNING FORE GOLD – Trainer: Chips4u2c – Representing: Orphan Racing
Jockey: M Rafferty Pre Post Odds: 5/1
Breeding: GUN RUNNER x SEEKING THE GOLD x SEATTLE SLEW
Dingo’s Diagnosis
Strewth, this one’s on a tear that’d put a bushfire to shame, mate — four wins on the bounce now, and she’s done it the same way every time, sittin’ off the speed mid-pack before windin’ up and mowin’ ’em down in the straight. Last time out she stretched that streak into Group III company, reelin’ in the leaders from fifth to salute by a length and a quarter, so the class question looks well and truly answered. Only thing she hasn’t shown us yet is this exact ten-furlong trip — everything’s come at nine or shorter — but with that turn of foot and the fitness she’s carryin’, stretchin’ out looks more opportunity than obstacle.
“Sits back like she’s waitin’ on the billy to boil, then comes home like the jug’s just whistled.”
No. 7 ZOEY’S REIGN – Trainer: – Jwsonny Representing: East -West Connection
Jockey: K Ledwith Pre Post Odds: 4/1
Breeding: CONSTITUTION x WAR FRONT x EMPIRE MAKER
Dingo’s Diagnosis
Now this one’s the real deal, mate, top of the tree and no mistakin’ it — seven wins from nine, over two million banked, and four of those wins have come in Group I company, which is a different sport altogether to what most of this field’s been swimmin’ in. She’s not always flash out the gates, often danglin’ mid-field or worse early, but she’s got a turn of foot that eats up the ground somethin’ fierce, closin’ from tenth, twentieth and eleventh in her last three Group I scores alone. Never faced this exact ten-furlong trip, true, but she’s handled everything from six furlongs to nine with the same late sting, and with class this far above the rest, that’s a query she starts with plenty in the bank to answer. She’s even shown she can peel through off-track goin’ twice without missin’ a beat.
“Rest of ’em may be racin’ for second — she’s the boss cocky of this paddock.”
No. 8 TETE WHAMAGEDDON – Trainer: Sabbath – Representing: European Union Racing Organisation
Jockey: E Bernstein Pre Post Odds: 9/1
Breeding: AUTHENTIC x EMPIRE MAKER x DUBAI MILLENNIUM
Dingo’s Diagnosis
This filly’s chased the dollar right round Europe, mate — Germany, Sweden, Norway, movin’ from track to track like a drover shiftin’ cattle to greener country, but wherever she’s landed, she’s found the money three times from five, and every single start’s come at route trips or further. Best of the lot was that Group III snatch over in Sweden, gutsin’ out a marathon twelve furlongs to win by three and a half, so stamina’s clearly no issue whatsoever. Even better for tonight, her most recent run was at this exact ten-furlong trip, and she was runner-up, only beaten four and a quarter by a smart one. Class-wise she’s shown enough at Group III level to be competitive here, and the query’s more about whether she can find that extra gear to go one better rather than handle the assignment.
“Been round more paddocks than a travelling shearer, and she still knows how to get the job done.”
No. 9 CHASING TSARS – Trainer: – Foxon Representing: Down Under Racing
Jockey: B Doherty Pre Post Odds: 6/1
Breeding: KINGSBARNS x QUALITY ROAD x SADLER’S WELLS
Dingo’s Diagnosis
Talk about savin’ the best for last, mate — this filly’s last two starts have both come at exactly tonight’s ten-furlong trip, and she’s won the lot, includin’ a Group I snatch last time out where she was buried tenth early and still motored home to win by a length and three quarters. Before that it was a stakes success up in Brazil at the same distance, so this trip’s clearly her happy place, no ifs or buts about it. Her earlier form was a mixed bag, a few flat runs at shorter trips while she was still findin’ her feet, but the penny’s well and truly dropped now — three wins from her last five, climbin’ the class ladder the whole way, and she’s arrivin’ at Group II level full of running rather than hopin’ to hang on.
“Took her a while to find the map, but she’s home on this trip now, straight as a dead-set arrow.”
No. 10 DICTAPHONE – Trainer: Desperado– Representing: The Mecca
Jockey: A Hudson Pre Post Odds: 7/1
Breeding: CURLIN x INTO MISCHIEF x MEDAGLIA D’ORO
Dingo’s Diagnosis
This filly’s like the reliable old shearer who’s first on the board every mornin’, mate — never the flashiest, but you know she’ll put in a shift. Three wins, three places, three shows from ten starts, and she’s had two dips at tonight’s exact ten-furlong trip, salutin’ once in stakes grade up in Arkansas and gettin’ beat only three and a quarter into third behind CHASING TSARS in that Group I last start. So she’s not just handled the distance, she’s handled it against the very filly she’s linin’ up against again here. Backed that run up quick too, travellin’ clear to Sweden just three weeks later for another minor placing at Group III. She mightn’t be the one grabbin’ the headlines, but she’s the type that keeps knockin’ on the door till it opens.
“Bridesmaid more often than bride, but she keeps turnin’ up to every wedding.”
No. 11 NATIONAL CODE – Trainer: Lbailey – Representing: Empire State Racing
Jockey: G Arnold Pre Post Odds: 12/1
Breeding: NATIONAL TREASURE x CURLIN x HONOR CODE
Dingo’s Diagnosis
Strewth, this one’s a proper “my way or no way” merchant, mate — led outright in five of her seven starts, and every time she’s grabbed that front spot early, she’s gone on to win it or run a close-up minor. But shove her back off the pace and she chucks in the towel quicker than a shearer at knock-off time, fadin’ to ninth and tenth in her only two starts where she wasn’t dictatin’ terms. Best effort of the lot came right here at this exact ten-furlong trip, boltin’ clear on a sloppy track to win by five and a quarter in stakes grade, so she’s shown the distance holds no fears when she’s runnin’ the show. Trouble is this lineup’s got more genuine speed than what she’s faced before, and if someone else grabs that front rail, the form book says she won’t be fightin’ back for it.
“Happy as Larry out in front on her lonesome — but knock her off top spot and she’s like a dog that’s lost the scent.”
No. 12 THORPEDO QUEEN – Trainer: Dunvilledowns – Representing: Elite Racing Club
Jockey: K Damo Pre Post Odds: 13/1
Breeding: KNICKS GO x PIONEEROF THE NILE x HARD SPUN
Dingo’s Diagnosis
Strewth, this filly’s had two dips against the colts in open stakes company recently and copped a beltin’ both times, mate — second-last start was this exact ten-furlong trip in the Kentucky Derby, and she got buried, beaten a whoppin’ fifteen lengths in tenth. Backed up last start at the Preakness Derby over nine and a half furlongs and fared a touch better, still beaten well but only eleven and a quarter this time, in fifth. Her form away from that rough trot’s all been forged at allowance level, four wins from there, with just the one graded-adjacent placing, runnin’ second to the colts in the GOOD MAGIC stakes. She’s never once tackled genuine graded company, so steppin’ up to Group II here is fresh water for her, and there’s a hidin’ from this very trip still fresh in the memory bank.
“Been the big fish in a little dam so far — this is her first swim in the open ocean.”
Dingo’s Decision
Strewth, this Shayne Dye’s shapin’ up like a proper stand-off between the top brass and a mob of battlers scrappin’ for a leg-up, and I’ll tell ya right now—there ain’t a dead cert in sight.
Sittin’ right at the top of the tree on pure horsepower is
ZOEY’S REIGN, who’s barely broken a sweat at the highest level all campaign. But here’s the kicker: she’s headin’ into ten furlongs completely blind, having never been asked the distance question in her life. That’s the one crack in her armour for the rest of the field to sink their teeth into.
CHASING TSARS is the one lurkin’ with genuine distance credentials, having already banked a Group I over this exact trip, so the favourite’s carryin’ real risk rather than just a red-carpet walk to the pay window.
Underneath those top two, it’s a right old mixed bag of momentum and scar tissue.
LA DEL DARLEY and RUNNING FORE GOLD are both rollin’ in hotter than a campfire on a windy night, stringin’ wins together and turnin’ up full of running. Mind you, neither’s actually proven she can live with true graded heat yet, so backing ’em requires a bit of a leap of faith.
Balance that against CANDY TAPS and THORPEDO QUEEN, who’ve already copped a floggin’ or two in this exact class and trip. They’re carryin’ more baggage than a grey nomad’s caravan, which is why this race is a bloody puzzle—the freshest form and the toughest résumés don’t belong to the same fillies.
Then you’ve got the speed merchants and tacticians. NATIONAL CODE is only dangerous if she gets an uncontested crack at the front, turning softer than butter in the sun the second somethin’ else puts the blowtorch on her—a genuine watch-the-barrier-draw type. DICTAPHONE, TETE WHAMAGEDDON, KAT MARIE, EQUIVALENCY, and NURSERY round out the field, all praying the pace collapses so their grindin’, honest sort of grit gets rewarded over the flashier leaders. Kat Marie in particular’s got high-cruising speed and a sweet spot right at this distance, so if she gets a cheap lead, she could give ’em a massive sight.
Add it all up and this shapes as a genuine three-way argument between proven brilliance carrying one big distance query, hot in-form types yet to be truly tested, and grizzled campaigners hoping for a miracle. It’s the sort of race where the punters’ll be arguin’ at the pub long after the gates have flown open.
Back your fancy on the nose, pull up a stubby, and watch ’em leave it all out on the track.