The Lindsay Park stable has a third of the field in the Group One Newmarket Handicap at Flemington and senior trainer David Hayes runs the rule over the team’s five contenders, headed by defending champion Redkirk Warrior. * REDKIRK WARRIOR: “He has performed second-up before and I just think he… Read More »
Clearly Innocent looks well-placed to add a Sydney Group One win to his record at Randwick but trainer Kris Lees has not ruled out stablemate Invincible Gem springing a surprise in the Canterbury Stakes. A soft track, handy draw, the expertise of Hugh Bowman and the benefit of a first-up… Read More »
Like a number of Group One races at Flemington, Saturday’s Newmarket Handicap carries a long history having been first run in 1874. Redkirk Warrior snapped a 100-year losing streak for horses going first-up into the 1200m sprint over the straight course last year. He is back again this year looking… Read More »
Last-start winner Mystic Mist is set to add to sire Instinction’s reputation as a good value sire at Doomben. Mystic Mist was the second favourite on Friday behind Miss Sara to win her second race in Saturday’s Two-Year-Old Handicap (1350m). Veteran trainer Harold Norman picked up Mystic Mist for $8000… Read More »
The addition of blinkers and a notable form reference over the course and distance has champion trainer David Hayes hopeful of a strong Australian Cup showing from import Ventura Storm. A Group One winner in Italy, Ventura Storm is one of two runners for co-trainers David and Ben Hayes and… Read More »
Flying filly Houtzen is primed for her return in the Fireball Stakes at Randwick, the starting point in a campaign aimed at getting a Group One win beside her name. The 2017 Magic Millions winner started favourite in last year’s Golden Slipper but floundered in the heavy ground to finish… Read More »
Adelaide trainer Phillip Stokes rarely goes home empty handed after a foray across the border. On Saturday at Flemington, Stokes saddles runners in two Group races on the Newmarket/Australian Cup program. More Than Exceed tackles the Group Two Sires’ Produce Stakes with Counterplay to contest the Group Two Kewney Stakes…. Read More »
Consistent galloper Umberto is likely to dodge a chance at a big prize money to try to end a frustrating run of seconds at Doomben. The gelding is among the favourites for Saturday’s Three-Year-Old Handicap (1350m) which looks to be the most competitive race on the program. Umberto has won… Read More »
Sizing John has been ruled out of his defence of the Cheltenham Gold Cup with a pelvic injury. Trainer Jessica Harrington said the eight-year-old was found to have a non-displaced hairline fracture of the pelvis after a routine work-out. “It is with a heavy heart I have to report that… Read More »
Trainers Kris Lees and Kim Waugh will send out the favourites in the next qualifying heat of the Provincial Championships at Hawkesbury. The Lees-trained Just Dreaming beat Manhattan Mist from the Waugh stable in the first heat at Wyong last Saturday with the Brad Widdup-trained Witches also qualifying for the… Read More »
Ruby Walsh has made a winning return from injury to steer Lareena to a clear-cut victory at Thurles ahead of the Cheltenham Festival. Walsh had been out of action since suffering a broken leg in a fall at Punchestown on November 18, but always maintained he would be back in… Read More »
The unbeaten run of Summer Sham goes on the line when the filly chases another Group Two win in the Kewney Stakes at Flemington. The Danny O’Brien-trained three-year-old began quickly and was never headed in the Group Two Angus Armansco Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 24, beating the fast-finishing… Read More »
Gary Moore hopes a streamlined Takedown still has the hunger for success as his comeback looms in the Group Two Challenge Stakes at Randwick. A Group One winner in 2016, the five-year-old endured a tough campaign last spring, failing to run a place in four starts. A lacerated coronet band… Read More »
James McDonald will be able to ride trackwork and trials ahead of his return to racing after a lengthy ban for a betting offence. The former No.1 jockey for Godolphin in Australia, McDonald was outed after he admitted to placing a $1000 bet on Astern before he rode the horse… Read More »
Part one of the plan has been successful and now Troy Corstens and his father Leon are hopeful Titan Blinders can land part two. Titan Blinders runs in Saturday’s Group Two Sires’ Produce Stakes at Flemington, a long range program targeted by the training duo. After a debut sixth behind… Read More »
NEWMARKET HANDICAP Run at Flemington over 1200m, $1.25 million, handicap HISTORY * First run in 1874 when won by Maid Of Avenel NOTABLE WINNERS * Malua (1884); Wakeful (1901); Gothic (1927-28); Aurie’s Star (1937); Berborough (1946); Correct (1960-61); Century (1973); Maybe Mahal (1978); Placid Ark (1987); Shaftesbury Avenue (1991); Schillaci… Read More »
Victoria Racing Club chairman Amanda Elliott has been awarded the Victorian Wakeful Club Lady of Racing Award for her contribution to racing. Elliott became only the second woman to be elected to the VRC committee in 2002 before graduating to vice chairman in 2011 ahead of her historic appointment as… Read More »
Endless Drama can take a significant step towards a marketable post-racing career by backing up his Apollo Stakes victory with Group One success. The Irish import was brought to Australia with a view to becoming a commercial stallion and Endless Drama can enhance his prospects by winning the Canterbury Stakes… Read More »
Winona Costin has triumphed at the first Australian Female Jockey Championship in Launceston. The NSW rider accumulated the most points from the four races organised for the inaugural event in Tasmania on Thursday night. The 23-year-old finished clear of Tasmanian ex-pat Raquel Clark, now based in South Australia, while local… Read More »
Sister Sledge faces a daunting task to qualify for the $3.5 million Golden Slipper at her first attempt when she starts her racing career at Randwick. With the winner of the Group Two Reisling Stakes (1200m) at Randwick guaranteed a Golden Slipper berth, Anthony and Edward Cummings are pitting Sister… Read More »
