Big Day Out has enjoyed racing in the annual Tumut Sprint, winning the event in 2023 and 2024.

In 2023, Big Day Out had Jake Duffy in the saddle and was a class above his rivals, holding off Charming Pat and Mojo Music to score an incredible victory.

A well-supported $3.90 chance on that occasion, it was a special win for the stable, which scored three victories on the program.

In 2024, connections had to wait to find out their fate after Big Day Out, the $2.60 favourite, initially finished second for Emma Ly, but upon protest, the result was reversed, with the Wangaratta galloper elevated to first ahead of Mojo Music and Fantini.

The eight-year-old Delago Deluxe gelding – now an 11-time winner – has been racing well this preparation, and three starts back, ran a lovely second behind the red-hot Teylu in the 1200m Benchmark 82 Handicap at Wagga.

While second favourite at Tumut today, and unbeaten on the tight-turning track, it’s a tough race.

Cassidy Hill is in the saddle with her three-kilogram claim, meaning Big Day Out will only carry 58kg in the feature.

He does come up against a couple of handy types, including experienced South East sprinter, Kattegat, and in-form Pretty Penguin.

Connections have drawn softly with gate three, and the stable will be hoping for another strong showing at Tumut.

On a busy day for the team, Weeding will also start Tristania (Milos Bunjevac, 57kg) in the 1000m Maiden Plate and Acantilado (Cassidy Hill, 61.5kg) in the 1200m Benchmark 50 Handicap.

Both gallopers were the early favourites in their events and have been racing well.

On Sunday, Weeding has a team of four runners engaged at Wangaratta, with Princess Prussia, Fox Appeal, Melodee Rose, and Paparazzo going around.

 

Words/Image: Jeff Hanson

There’s no denying the excitement around Weeding Racing filly, Coco De Luxe, who impressively put away her rivals at Albury on Monday.

Having her second start, Jake Duffy was again in the saddle, and the 3YO All Too Hard filly showed off a devastating turn of foot, quickly putting lengths on the field before strolling in for a comfortable victory.

The youngster has caught the eye during both of her wins, delivering an unlikely victory at Echuca on December 31.

On debut, and with Duffy in the saddle, Coco De Luxe was held up for a run and made great ground late to win for connections in the 1100m Maiden Plate.

The sky is the limit for the filly, owned and raced by Alison Saville and Pam Hawkes.

Coco De Luxe’s victory headlines a good period for the Wangaratta stable, where they also landed wins at Wagga on January 15 and Wangaratta on January 18.

Racing at Wagga, Shaun Guymer rode a winner for Weeding, getting the best out of Paparazzo in the 1200m Class One Handicap.

The perennial placegetter had run four consecutive second placings leading into the race, but found a good event and scored thrillingly.

The two-time winner, boasting another seven placings to his name in 13 starts, has been a good earner, with the 4YO Holler gelding winning over $65,000 in 13 months.

Then at Wangaratta on Sunday, stable stalwart Yam kept up his terrific preparation.

The 5YO Pluck gelding had Cassidy Hill in the saddle when contesting the 1400m Benchmark 66 Handicap and won in good fashion, putting the best part of two lengths on the field.

That’s two wins in three starts – both arriving on his home track.

What’s most rewarding is that Yam is a known mudlark, with his best form generally showcased on heavy tracks, but his recent wins have been on soft five and good three racecourses, respectively.

Weeding has now won 19 races in season 2025/26, and 47 over the past 12 months, and will look toward the Wagga meeting on Australia Day, with the likes of Big Day Out, Fox Appeal, and Paparazzo entered.

 

Words/Image: Jeff Hanson

Craig Weeding and his hard-working team have enjoyed their best year to date.

Preparing an impressive 48 winners in 2025, the tally is three better than the stable’s previous best of 45 in 2023, and an improvement on their 44 victories in 2024.

Weeding enjoyed an early Christmas present on his home track on December 22, finishing with a winning double.

Acantilado (Logan McNeil, $21) broke through in the 1100m Maiden Plate before Yam (Cassidy Hill, $4.40) proved a very popular winner in the 1400m Benchmark 56 Handicap.

Then racing at Corowa on Tuesday, December 30, Weeding teamed up with Jake Duffy for another timely double.

The talented Melodee Rose ($4.40) jumped to the front and was too quick for her rivals, cruising to a comfortable victory in the 900m Maiden Handicap.

Black Frost ($4.80) then lived up to his billing as a stayer of the future, defying the leader-biased Corowa track when racing midfield and storming home for an eye-catching victory in the 1600m Class One Handicap.

Putting an exclamation mark on a good year, Weeding travelled to Echuca with highly-touted debutant Coco De Luxe (Jake Duffy), which had excuses when on debut in the 1100m Maiden Plate, but the 3YO All Too Hard filly powered to the line to score a terrific first-up win.

Boasting a 12% win rate and 37% place rate for the year, the in-form Weeding now has 211 career wins to his name, and there have been some memorable highlights.

Cassidy Hill’s debut was a shining light, and the Weeding Racing apprentice is already seven wins into her career, which includes her victory on Fox Appeal in the Balranald Cup in October.

A three-time winner in 2025, Fox Appeal also defended his title in the Cooma Cup earlier this month for stable jockey Justin Stanley.

Make It Sweet had Linda Meech in the saddle when winning over the Mildura Carnival, which was a massive result during a hectic winter of racing.

Other stable stalwarts, Big Day Out, Controversial Miss, Yam, Claymore Mine, Smart Poppy, Ashau Valley, and Maid In Dubai, won in 2025, while a few stars of the future in Snapshot (pictured), Black Frost, Love From Venus, Melodee Rose, Coco De Luxe, and Recon were unleashed.

February and June were the stable’s best months (7 wins), ahead of December (6 wins) and July (5 wins).

Benalla (7 wins) was the Wangaratta trainer’s happiest hunting ground, triumphing there at a 24.1% win rate, while Weeding Racing’s home track at Wangaratta (6 wins) was also a good place to prepare winners.

Jake Duffy, who during his time with the Weeding Racing team has notched an incredible 91 victories, has ridden an incredible 31 of the team’s 48 wins in 2025.

Duffy finished ahead of Cassidy Hill (4), Sarah McDonough (3), Justin Stanley (2), Milos Bunjevac (2), Hannah Edgley, Rob Kirkpatrick, Logan McNeil, Linda Meech, Brad Vale, and Luke Cartwright.

Weeding and his owners appreciate the support from all jockeys who donned the white, red, and black silks in 2025.

While pleased with a strong season of results, Weeding is already focused on 2026, where he will target New Year’s Day meetings at Merton and Hanging Rock before the Wodonga program on Sunday.

Words/Image: Jeff Hanson