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The Next Episode has emerged as the new favourite for the 2026 Coolmore Stud Stakes after producing a tough first-up victory in Saturday’s Group 2 $300,000 Danehill Stakes (1100m) at Flemington, edging out fellow Coolmore hopeful Natural Fling in a high-quality clash down the famous straight.
The Ciaron Maher-trained son of Snitzel returned in style at just his sixth career start, overcoming a determined challenge from race favourite Natural Fling to secure the biggest win of his career and stamp himself as a genuine contender for the Group 1 $2 million Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) back at Flemington on VRC Derby Day, October 31.
Starting at $3.30, The Next Episode showcased the powerful finishing burst that has quickly made him one of the most exciting colts of his generation. Under a patient ride from Mark Zahra, he accelerated strongly in the closing stages to defeat Natural Fling by a short neck, with Mbube another length away in third.
The winning performance took his record to four wins from six starts and pushed his earnings towards the million-dollar mark.
Maher revealed the colt had taken time to come to hand this preparation but had shown all the right signs leading into his spring return.
“He had a couple of trials in Sydney and wasn’t quite ready,” he said.
“We brought him down here and he was very slick behind Jimmy, and I thought we were right back on track then.
“I wanted to give him a look down the straight so that wouldn’t be an excuse.
“We had a trial here the other day and I was mindful he blew the clock up 10 days earlier and I wanted to keep him on the bit and have him ready for today.
“Then when the rain came, it’s documented that he handles that sort of track, so I wasn’t concerned.
“I’m just so thrilled.”
Maher was also full of praise for Zahra, whose confidence in the colt never wavered throughout the run.
“It was a beautiful ride by Mark,” he said.
“He knew what he had underneath him.
“He rides those horses so well, when they need a bit of confidence.
“He rides them so well and it’s a credit to him.”
Importantly for Coolmore aspirations, Maher believes there is still further improvement to come from the colt over the coming month.
“We weren’t concerned,” he said.
“Good horses, you obviously want them to go well. He was letting us know he wasn’t quite there, but he’s thrived and he will still improve.
“His coat has to come on a bit for a colt. He should present well in four weeks’ time.”
While a possible lead-up run, potentially in the Group 3 $250,000 Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on October 17, remains under consideration, Maher indicated the Coolmore Stud Stakes remains the clear long-term objective.
“I don’t know,” Maher said of another run between now and the Group 1 for the gutsy Danehill winner.
“The plan is to have another run, but we’ll just see how he comes through.
“He’s a good colt and four weeks is the plan, so we’ll see if he has another run.”
Zahra was equally bullish on The Next Episode’s future, noting the colt has continued to improve with every outing this campaign.
“Every time I have ridden him this prep he has got better and better,” he said.
“Full credit to Ciaron. He said, ‘don’t worry, stick with him, stick with him’.
“He was in such a good mood today. He was so quiet. I was a bit worried I was getting pushed a bit wide into the aerated part but he was able to quicken and his last 100 was outstanding.”
The top jockey believes the step to 1200 metres in the Coolmore Stud Stakes will hold no fears for the colt despite never having raced at the trip.
“He’s never been to 1200 but what he does have is that he can relax so well so he can idle, idle, idle and then wait until there’s the last bit to go and he’s got that turn-of-foot so he’s a great chance,” Zahra said.
The Danehill Stakes result has had an immediate impact on the futures market, with The Next Episode firming dramatically from $9 into $3 favouritism in 2026 Coolmore Stud Stakes betting at Ladbrokes.
Coolmore Stud Stakes 2026 Odds
| 1. The Next Episode | ||
| 2. Natural Fling | ||
| 3. St Gotthard | ||
| 4. Blue Door | ||
| 5. Satono Glow |
Despite finishing second, Natural Fling also boosted her credentials for the Flemington sprint feature, shortening from $11 into $5 to sit on the second line of betting after a courageous performance against one of the season’s leading colts.
Sepoy (2011) was the last horse to complete the Danehill Stakes – Coolmore Stud Stakes double.
With both three-year-olds now firmly on a Coolmore path, Saturday’s Danehill Stakes may prove a pivotal form reference for one of the spring carnival’s most anticipated Group 1 contests. For now, however, the spotlight belongs to The Next Episode, whose gritty Flemington victory confirmed he is right where connections hoped he would be heading towards Derby Day.
