Archie Alexander is convinced former English stayer Young Rascal is ready to run a big race but he’s worried he is going to again be facing his nemesis of firm ground at Flemington. “I’m happy with him but he just needs to get his toe into the ground,” Alexander said…. Read More »
Kris Lees is banking on a good draw to offset Mugatoo’s hefty weight as the trainer chases a second Metropolitan Handicap victory. The race provided Lees with the first Group One win of his career when warhorse County Tyrone carted 56.5kg to take out the 2004 renewal. It was the… Read More »
It has been a bumpy start to the spring for Anthony Cummings but he is hoping Libertini can right the ship when she takes on two of the country’s best sprinters at Randwick. Cummings had carnival ambitions for Prince Fawaz and Mizzy but both have succumbed to minor ailments and… Read More »
Probabeel and Funstar enjoyed a tremendous rivalry as three-year-olds but they each face an uphill battle to win the Epsom Handicap. Only three mares have triumphed in the Group One Randwick mile in the past four decades and one of them was the incomparable Winx. The others were Secret Admirer… Read More »
A flight containing the high-quality international contingent of stayers heading to Australia for the spring is expected to land in Melbourne on Friday night. Racing Victoria’s international manager Paul Bloodworth said there had not been any last-minute withdrawals and the 29 horses would arrive at approximately 9.45pm (AEST) on Friday…. Read More »
Twelve months after failing in the Epsom Handicap, Desert Lord is poised to continue his form resurgence at Eagle Farm. Desert Lord created a huge impression when he won a class six race in hollow fashion at Eagle Farm in August at his first start for trainer David Vandyke. He… Read More »
Danny O’Brien is confident his starters in the Turnbull Stakes, Vow And Declare and King Of Leogrance, are ready to win but he is worried about a lack of speed in the race. “My concern is where the pace in the run will come from and whether it will be… Read More »
Mark Newnham compares Miravalle favourably with his Group One winner Maid Of Heaven and he hopes the former can achieve a feat her stablemate could not. Now retired, Maid Of Heaven finished sixth in the 2018 Flight Stakes before backing up seven days later to outshine the colts and geldings… Read More »
We know….or, better put, we assume Qld Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will one day open up her borders to the rest of the world. Presumably, hopefully, prayerfully, before the massive Magic Millions Yearling sale in early January. And when she does, work can start on the promised $31.5million her government has… Read More »
Joe Pride will saddle up his first runner in the $15m Everest with 7-year-old Eduardo securing the slot held by MiRunners. The miRunners slot recently became vacant after Rothfire injured himself during the Golden Rose last Saturday. Jockey Rachel King will take the ride on Eduardo who finished a courageous… Read More »
A pair of progressive three-year-olds have made their mark on the midweek meeting at Kensington and earned a shot at black-type races in the process. Beautifully bred filly Darling Diamond took out the Sky Racing Active Plate (1400m) for trainer Mark Newnham, camping outside the leader and sprinting clear to… Read More »
The powerful Mick Price and Michael Kent Junior stable may have added another string to their attack on the Victoria Derby with Ballarat winner Redwood Shadow. Redwood Shadow is one of eight horses they have nominated for the 2020 Victoria Derby and their Warrnambool stable foreman Matthew Williams said it… Read More »
The Anthony and Sam Freedman stable sprint star Santa Ana Lane, who was announced earlier this week as Coolmore’s Everest slot holder, will have his lead-in run to the $15 million feature in Saturday’s Gilgai Stakes. Santa Ana Lane will be competing in The Everest for the third successive year…. Read More »
Steel Prince will be trying to do what he’s done before and that’s win his way into the Melbourne Cup when he runs in The Bart Cummings. The winner of Saturday’s race at Flemington earns a golden ticket into the two-mile showpiece. Last year Steel Prince secured a start in… Read More »
It is nothing new for a trainer to pop open the bubbly if their horse wins a Group One race but Wendy Roche will do it with a twist if Nettoyer salutes in the Epsom Handicap. The mare is almost as famous for her unconventional diet of pizza and champagne… Read More »
Trainer Chris Waller has confirmed outstanding mare Verry Elleegant will head to Melbourne for the Group One Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. The multiple Group One winner was a dual acceptor in two states but will be scratched from the Hill Stakes at Randwick for which she was a $2.90 favourite…. Read More »
A deteriorating track cruelled Hush Writer’s Metropolitan Handicap chances last year but a favourable weather forecast has his trainers upbeat about his Group One prospects. The Japanese-bred stayer is a duffer on rain-affected ground and struck those conditions in the race 12 months ago, finishing eighth. But with Randwick rated… Read More »
Paul Preusker can’t wait to see his prizefighter and star stayer Surprise Baby step into the ring when he starts in the Turnbull Stakes. Preusker talks regularly in boxing parlance regarding Surprise Baby and said he’s looking forward to him having a decent contest at Flemington over 2000 metres on… Read More »
Last years Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare will headline a quality field for this weekends Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. The Group One Turnbull Stakes has attracted a field of fourteen horses headlined by last years Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare. Star Sydney mare Verry Elleegant heads the early… Read More »
The Everest puzzle continues to take shape with confirmation Godolphin sprinter Trekking has secured his place in the elite field. The dual Group One winner will represent the slot held by prominent owners and racing identities Max Whitby and Neil Werrett. The announcement comes a day after the Anthony and… Read More »
