More than half a century after riding the first of two Victoria Derby winners, Pat Hyland has a realistic chance to take the Classic as a trainer. Hyland, who saddles up Lizard Island in Saturday’s $1.5 million Derby at Flemington, rode Craftsman to win in 1963 and Silver Sharpe seven… Read More »
There are 42 horses left vying for spots in the 24-horse field for the Melbourne Cup after the latest round of acceptances. The notable withdrawals on Monday were Rising Romance, Hauraki, Set Square, Gallante, Magicool and last year’s winner Protectionist while 11 internationally-trained horses remain in the mix. Moonee Valley… Read More »
The United States has moved closer to a start in the Melbourne Cup with a 2.5kg penalty for his win in the Moonee Valley Cup. Racing Victoria’s chief handicapper Greg Carpenter said his win in track record time on Saturday was impressive and if he makes the field owner Lloyd… Read More »
Having learned his trade from the best, Matt Cumani os preparing to become a trainer on his own right with a stable at Ballarat. The son of Newmarket-based Luca Cumani worked with his father for three years before spreading his wings around the globe, making his way to Australia where… Read More »
English Cox Plate invitee Arod is likely to press ahead with his Australian campaign despite his disappointing performance at Moonee Valley. The Peter Chapple-Hyam trained Arod finished a tiring 11th, 14 lengths behind the winner Winx in Australia’s weight-for-age championship on Saturday. Jockey Craig Williams had a discussion with David… Read More »
Veteran Jeff Lloyd’s desire for his children see him ride at his best has spurred him to a share of the lead in the Brisbane jockeys premiership with apprentice James Orman. Lloyd rode a double at Ipswich on Wednesday and made it six metropolitan winners for the week with a… Read More »
Craig Williams has renewed acquaintances with Hokko Brave in a track gallop at Werribee in an endeavour to learn more about his Melbourne Cup mount. Williams rode Hokko Brave when the Japanese stayer finished 10th to Mongolian Khan in the Caulfield Cup on October 17 at his first start since… Read More »
A day after her brilliant Cox Plate win, Winx is the favourite to win the race again next year. The Chris Waller-trained mare trounced her rivals at Moonee Valley on Saturday to draw comparisons with dual Cox Plate winner Sunline (1999-2000). Like Sunline, she began her career in winning fashion… Read More »
Star Brisbane sprinter Buffering has come through his fifth in the Manikato Stakes in good order after a much tougher run than his trainer would have liked. Rob Heathcote said Buffering was bright and alert after the hard run when he was attacked in the lead in the Group One… Read More »
Normally a Melbourne Cup runner pulling a shoe off in the lead-up to the race would have the stable in a mild state of panic. Not so for Robin Trevor-Jones who sees it as a sign three-time Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux is feeling well and stretching out. So when the… Read More »
Sam Clipperton’s quest to strip five kilograms from his lithe frame is on track as he prepares for the light-weight mount on Stay With Me in the Myer Classic at Flemington. The Sydney jockey was given two weeks to get down to 49kg and was almost halfway towards that goal… Read More »
Trainer Murray Baker and jockey Opie Bosson have already had a spring to remember but the biggest moment might still be to come. The New Zealanders combined for another feature win at Moonee Valley on Saturday when Turn Me Loose led all the way in the Group Two Crystal Mile…. Read More »
The lure of record prize money on Magic Millions day has prompted Brisbane trainer Kelly Schweida to bypass a Group Three race in Melbourne with Miss Cover Girl. The Magic Millions on January 9 will be Australia’s richest race day with $10 million spread over nine races. Because the races… Read More »
Jockeys’ comments on how their runners fared in the Cox Plate. Hugh Bowman (Winx) 1st: “From the 800 metres I was very confident. At the 600 metres when leader rolled off and I went through I did not want to go too early but sometimes you don’t have choices you… Read More »
Highland Reel has finished best of the internationals in the Cox Plate but was unable to give trainer Aidan O’Brien and jockey Ryan Moore back-to-back wins in the weight-for-age race. Highland Reel was one of three European invitees and finished third behind Winx and Criterion. The O’Brien-trained Adelaide became the… Read More »
Glen Boss will miss the opening day of the Melbourne Cup carnival due to suspension. Boss received a 10-meeting ban for careless riding aboard Valley Sweetheart in the Crockett Stakes at Moonee Valley on Saturday. The jockey pushed out on the home turn, causing Miss Gidget, ridden by Mark Zahra,… Read More »
Chris Waller’s first Cox Plate win turned out to be easier than he thought – both physically and emotionally. The physical element was taken care of by brilliant mare Winx who won Australia’s premier weight-for-age event on Saturday by a widening 4-3/4 lengths. And her trainer, who wears his heart… Read More »
Mick Burles has been a battler all his life and isn’t about to give up on his Cox Plate dream just yet. Burles is holding his head high after his mate and fellow Tassie battler The Cleaner again set the pace in the $3 million weight-for-age contest, before finishing seventh… Read More »
Chris Waller has celebrated his biggest win while fellow champion trainer Gai Waterhouse will have to wait at least another an elusive Cox Plate goes on for at least another year. Waterhouse has won a Melbourne Cup with Fiorente in 2013, a Caulfield Cup with Descarado in 2010 and six… Read More »
David Hayes says Criterion has produced an outstanding Melbourne Cup trial with his second placing in the Cox Plate. Criterion finished a 4-3/4 length second behind Winx in Saturday’s race and had his odds cut for the Melbourne Cup from $21 to $13. It was Criterion’s second run in Australia… Read More »
