Fresh from securing his fourth John Letts Medal, Jason ‘Stubby’ Holder is keen to channel his characteristic energy into winning the Listed W H Wylie Handicap at Morphettville this Saturday.
At 52 years of age, Holder continues to perform at the highest level, recently clinching the state’s prestigious stewards-voted award for jockeys for the fourth time, adding to his recent metropolitan premiership title for the past season.
“I’m very grateful that I’ve been on the right horses and my body is staying well,” Holder stated. “To get acknowledged is amazing and I take pride in my work.”
Trainer Andrew Gluyas has three contenders in the 1100m Adelaide feature, but Holder’s focus is solely on one, ensuring he will again partner Watchme Win.
The partnership tasted success in this very race last year, with the lead-up to the 2026 edition mirroring that of the previous year.
“He’s a beautiful horse and I love him,” Holder expressed. “I was asked which one I wanted to ride and it was a ‘no brainer’ for me. He only got beaten a length-and-a-half in the Goodwood and he should nearly jump favourite for mine as he’d be very hard to beat.”
The six-year-old gelding finished fourth in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield in July 2025, followed by a spell before his current campaign. His return saw him contest the Bletchingly Stakes.
A sixth-place finish in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) behind Cosmic Crusader on July 25 preceded a jump-out victory at Morphettville over 800m on August 18.
“Every experience he has had away, he has come back a better horse,” Holder added. “I ride him in most of his trackwork and every time he goes out he puts in 110%. His trial was very good and he’s come back very well and that brought him on quickly so Andrew had to back off him a bit. I’m happy with the way he was going.”
Watchme Win is currently priced at $6.50 for the Wylie Handicap, with stablemates Bassett Babe at $5 and Omaha Dawn at $23.
For those looking to back a winner, explore the latest racing odds at Australian betting sites.