Tulloch Lodge stablemates Raf Attack and Ganbare have had a reversal of fortunes in the Spring Champion Stakes barrier draw and Adrian Bott expects it to better suit the racing styles of both colts. Raf Attack ran his rivals ragged when leading throughout from a low draw in the Gloaming Stakes (1800m) last… Read More »
Grahame Begg is out for redemption after Lunar Flare was withdrawn from last year’s Melbourne Cup due to a bruised heel with the mare set to start favourite in Friday night’s Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m). Lunar Flare, who has drawn barrier 3 for Friday night’s feature, won the… Read More »
A month into his return to riding, Tommy Berry is back in the groove, but it is with a fresh perspective and desire. Having spent eight months on the sidelines over improper dealings with a punter, Berry returned to the saddle last month and wasted little time making his mark. Leading… Read More »
Kerrin McEvoy will bid for a clean sweep in the $2 million The Invitation when he links with talented mare Espiona for the first time at Randwick. McEvoy has won both editions of the rich feature, capturing the inaugural running aboard Icebath in 2021 before backing it up with victory on… Read More »
The curtain has fallen on Spanish Mission’s spring journey with looming decisions about his racing future. The import, who made a comeback from a tendon injury during the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes, was notably absent from the Geelong Cup. The reason: wear and tear on his off foreleg. In… Read More »
In a heart-stopping photo finish at Wednesday’s Geelong Cup, Ashrun, steered by champion trainer Ciaron Maher and owner Jamie Lovett, managed to secure a crucial second place. This nail-biting result ensures Ashrun’s place in the upcoming Melbourne Cup, having needed a top-three finish to bypass the race’s ballot clause. The… Read More »
I Am Unstoppable will have a new rider in next week’s Coolmore Stud Stakes with Blake Shinn to partner the colt in the $2 million Group 1. The reigning Scobie Breasley medallist replaces Zac Spain, who has ridden the Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans-trained son of I Am Invincible in each of… Read More »
Promising sprinter Benedetta’s spring aspirations have been abruptly halted following a mishap upon her return to Melbourne. After securing fourth place in the Silver Eagle, the mare was being primed by trainer Jason Warren for the Furphy Sprint on Derby Day. Unfortunately, upon disembarking the truck, Benedetta managed to dislodge… Read More »
In a major development for horse racing in Melbourne’s south-east, the Cranbourne Turf Club (CTC) and the Pakenham Racing Club (PRC) have announced an in-principle agreement to merge, pending a members’ vote and necessary regulatory approvals. Racing Victoria (RV) and Country Racing Victoria (CRV) back the merger, underlining the region’s… Read More »
Super Smink is primed to give the Ascot Pinnacles carnival a big shake in upcoming weeks, but trainer Dan Morton believes the gun filly is vulnerable first up at Ascot on Saturday. Perth’s reigning 2YO Horse Of The Year launches her much-anticipated spring campaign in the Listed Macmahon Belgravia Stakes… Read More »
Tommy Berry believes Ravello is the forgotten horse in the Spring Champion Stakes, predicting he will defy his double-figure odds despite an outside draw. An eye-catching sixth behind Ganbare in the Dulcify Quality (1500m) when he came from near-last on the turn, the John O’Shea-trained colt was poised to pounce from a better… Read More »
After 18 months without a win, Amade has booked himself a potential start in the Melbourne Cup with a narrow win at Geelong. A former French galloper, Amade showed his class with a win at Flemington over 2600m in April 2021, and Wednesday’s success in the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m) was his… Read More »
Gai’s Artist, a full sister to young stallion Trapeze Artist, has made the perfect start to her racing career with a courageous debut win on Randwick’s Kensington track. Despite racing greenly in the straight, the $1.95 favourite with bookmakers lifted under Tyler Schiller to nail Betta Being Single ($2.25) in… Read More »
Served Cold showed she was right on track for a tilt at the VRC Oaks after becoming the first filly to win the Geelong Classic. The Danny O’Brien-trained filly accounted for her six male rivals in Wednesday’s 2200m Listed race. The Geelong Classic is open to three-year-olds as a lead-up to the… Read More »
The Lindsay Park team of Ben, Will and J D Hayes have will be out to add their names to the honour of Cox Plate winning trainers. That honour roll includes their father David and grandfather Colin and Ben Hayes believes they have a strong chance in this year’s edition of the… Read More »
Adam Carney treated himself to an early birthday present when he won the battle for the share in Future History that was offered via Inglis Digital this week. Carney paid $205,000 for a 10 percent she in the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained import, who is guaranteed a start in next month’s… Read More »
Gerald Ryan travelled to the United States a few years ago to attend the sales in Saratoga and while there, he also took the opportunity to sample the local racing product. One of the horses he saw compete was triple Group 1 winner Frosted and it left an indelible mark. “I… Read More »
With a Group 1 prize at stake, the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable has again called on James Mcdonald to ride I Am Me in the Manikato Stakes. I Am Me will be having her first start at Moonee Valley on Saturday when she lines up against six opponents in the Group 1 sprint…. Read More »
Punters are struggling to get their head around many runners in this year’s Cox Plate, none more so than Victoria Road. The Aidan O’Brien-trained entire, a four-year-old by Australian time, is the only UK-prepared galloper in the 2040-metre Group 1 and will be having his first Australian start in Saturday’s… Read More »
Seasoned jockey Jim Byrne is on the comeback trail after being sidelined for a full five months following surgery on both of his knees. Byrne is intent on re-establishing himself in the jockey ranks in Queensland, but he is under no illusions about the difficulty of the immediate task facing… Read More »
