In New Zealand, Alabama Lass, a champion mare from New Zealand, is set to compete in the NZ$700,000 Group 1 Railway Stakes at Ellerslie, Auckland, on January 24, 2026. The six-year-old mare is trained by Ken & Bev Kelso and will be ridden by top Australian jockey Craig Williams. This race marks Alabama Lass's return to competition after her last race in September 2025 at Moonee Valley, where she faded to finish last in the Manikato Stakes. She had an impressive record before that setback, with six wins and four second-place finishes in her previous ten starts. Additionally, Alabama Lass participated in an exhibition gallop at Te Aroha and lost a close trial against Sterling Express by just a nose. Kelso expressed confidence in Alabama Lass, highlighting her favorable barrier draw and her good form since her last race, despite concerns over the weather conditions in Auckland. The training team is eager to see if Alabama Lass can overcome the challenges posed by the weather and competition, with her main rivals including Australian sprinters Jigsaw and Arkansaw Kid, both of whom have shown strong performances recently. The race presents a significant opportunity for Alabama Lass to claim her maiden Group 1 victory, and it remains to be seen how her long absence from racing will affect her performance against formidable opponents.