Astute trainer Charlotte Littlefield was in the frame at Caulfield on Wednesday with promising St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) three year-old Mister Whiskers, who made it two wins from his first two starts.
An impressive debut winner at Sale last month, Mister Whiskers had a tick over trial after that race and jumped straight to a Benchmark 70 event over 1600m to claim his second win.
He opened up a good break for Jett Stanley after turning for home and although tiring late, Mister Whiskers had enough left to hang on and win by a head.
Caulfield Race 2 | Mister Whiskers Mister Whiskers is a smart one, but he was paddling late... ?? @stanley_jett @HayfieldsRacing ?? Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app REPLAYS: https://t.co/HEhdpozFmy WATCH JETT IN SILKS SERIES: https://t.co/9yfreSBeWN https://t.co/L6xbdS1M3s
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 14, 2026
“There were a few question marks whether he got it on the line, but he just held on. Obviously only a small margin, but they don't have to win by far as long as they win,” said Charlotte Littlefield.
“I think he's shown he's got potential this horse. All of his work's been absolutely brilliant and his trial just put the writing on the wall after his good win first up at Sale.
“He probably needed a set of blinkers on today, because he just wandered a bit in front.
“Jett has been coming in every Tuesday doing track work for the team and he rides this horse every day, he's like a kid's pony around the stable, he's an absolute beauty.
“He's one of my favourites, I saw him at the sales, had to buy him, he's absolutely beautiful to look at and bred by Coolmore so he's ticked every box and Intel Bloodstock came on board and bought him with us.”
A $170,000 Magic Millions purchase from Coolmore for Hayfields Racing/Intel Bloodstock, Mister Whiskers is a half-brother to Group I placed Arcora and Group III placed Foxy Cleopatra being the third winner from three foals to race from unraced Fastnet Rock mare Casuarina Forest.
A full sister to Group I winning sire Foxwedge and stakes-winner She’s a Fox, Casuarina Forest is also a sibling to the dams of Group winners Lilac and Bank Maur as well as stakes-winners Namesake and Untamed.
Given the prolific Black Type nature of this family, you can see why connections of Mister Whiskers are entitled to be optimistic for the future.
“I do think this horse would love a bigger track and Flemington will really suit him,” said Littlefield.
“His half-brother Arcora was a Derby horse and half-sister Foxy Cleopatra, she ran in an Oaks.
“That might be a bit too far for him at the moment, so we might go an Autumn Derby with him, but there's certainly a few options over Cup Week.”
Casuarina Forest produced a colt last spring by Justify and is due to foal to his champion son City of Troy (USA).
Mister Whiskers looks a bright prospect for St Mark’s Basilica, who has already sired two G1 winners this year – Diamond Necklace and Thesecretadversary - from his first Northern Hemisphere crop of 3YOs.
St Mark’s Basilica is back at Coolmore Australia at a fee of $38,500.
