Rob Archibald is hoping a gelding operation and extended break has done the trick with talented three-year-old Hillier as he prepares for the Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. The son of Zoustar, a $500,000 purchase at the 2024 Magic Millions Yearling Sale didn’t manage… Read More »
Peter Moody will chase a third win in the Queensland Derby when former Perth galloper Buthelezi lines up at Eagle Farm. Buthelezi has been aimed specifically at the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman after the three-year-old arrived at their Pakenham stable earlier… Read More »
Leading jockey James McDonald has been handed a suspension for careless riding following Romantic Warrior’s historic win in the Champions & Chater Cup in Hong Kong. The 34-year-old partnered the Danny Shum-trained superstar to his 15th Group 1 victory, completing the Hong Kong Triple Crown in the process. However, stewards… Read More »
Skybird is set to test unfamiliar territory this Saturday, with the talented mare stepping up to 1300 metres in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm. As a three-year-old, Skybird showed her versatility by winning the Group 2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic over 1600 metres in 2023 and… Read More »
Racing NSW has confirmed that Chief Executive Peter V’landys will take four months of long service leave from early July 2026. The leave will allow V’landys to step into an interim executive role with the Australian Rugby League Commission following the departure of CEO Andrew Abdo. Racing NSW Chairman Dr… Read More »
Ciaron Maher main sprint focus this weekend will be on Jimmysstar’s Kingsford Smith Cup quest, but around the same time that Group 1 race is run a stable stalwart will build towards another winter campaign at Caulfield. Recommendation will embark on what has been a familiar path in recent seasons when he… Read More »
Zambardo did not make it to the race that was pencilled in as his Group 1 target this preparation, but co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr remains optimistic he can land a big payday this campaign. Last year’s Champions Stakes runner-up will get the chance to push his claims for a start… Read More »
Champion trainer Aidan O’Brien has identified the Group 1 Cox Plate at Flemington as a potential long-term target for exciting colt Gstaad following his dominant Irish Classic victory. The son of Starspangledbanner produced a commanding display to claim Saturday’s Group 1 Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh after bouncing back… Read More »
Former Perth galloper Bustling will head to a Stakes race at Caulfield for his second start after a long lay-off. The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained gelding galloped between races at Sandown on Saturday in preparation for the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on May 30. Bustling… Read More »
Peter Snowden has taken plenty of positives from the effort of Beadman in the Doomben 10,000, but the colt has one more test to pass to confirm plans for a Stradbroke Handicap mission. The colt handled his first experience at weight-for-age with aplomb when finishing fifth to veteran Rothfire in the… Read More »
The 2026 edition of the Doomben Cup has been run, with Chris Waller’s star galloper Birdman proving too strong for rivals to claim the Group 1 race. Below is what the winning trainer, winning jockey and beaten riders had to say following the Group 1 feature. The Beaten Jockeys: Jamie Melham… Read More »
Trainer Rob Heathcote continued his successful Brisbane carnival when Abounding secured her place in the Group 1 $3 million Stradbroke Handicap with a courageous win at Doomben on Saturday. A striking chestnut mare with a white blaze on her nose, Abounding edged out Cifrado and Harry’s Yacht in a thrilling finish to the… Read More »
Trainer Lloyd Kennewell has some thinking to do after Meridius appreciated a class drop with success at Sandown. The Cranbourne-based horseman must decide whether to take Meridius to Queensland for the later part of the Winter Carnival or send the gelding for a spell to concentrate on the Magic Millions Carnival in January. Coming back… Read More »
James McDonald has described Chris Waller as a once in a generation trainer after delivering the champion horseman his 200th Group 1 win with Birdman in the Doomben Cup. Only two other trainers – Tommy Smith and Bart Cummings – have celebrated 200 or more victories at the highest level, both ending… Read More »
Rising young apprentice Siena Grima has been a shining light on a wet and grey afternoon at Randwick, booting home her first metropolitan treble and outriding her three-kilo claim in the process. Grima’s three winners were all for her master, trainer Chris Waller, the 23-year-old opening her account aboard Declichy Boulevard in… Read More »
Champion trainer Ciaron Maher declared Fireball Miss on target for the Queensland Oaks after her impressive win in the Group 2 $300,000 The Roses (2000m) at Doomben on Saturday. “Fireball Miss has thrived since coming up here to Queensland,” Maher said. “She stays at Tony Gollan’s yard and I can’t thank… Read More »
The Ciaron Maher stable have aspirations of a winter series of races with their quinella pairing at Sandown. Siriusly Hot and Kaleo ran one-two in the Sportsbet Fixed Odds Exotics Handicap (1600m) on Saturday. The race was a qualifier for the Silver Bowl Series and the Mahogany Challenge which have a final for each series of races at… Read More »
Hall of Fame jockey Darren Beadman gave emerging apprentice Siena Grima some simple advice before her ride on Tazima at Royal Randwick on Saturday. “Tazima has drawn ‘bad’ so go back and ride for luck,” Beadman said. “You got the turn through on Declichy Boulevard near the inside so copy… Read More »
After almost 14 months on the sidelines, Group One placegetter Declichy Boulevard has made a triumphant return from a tendon injury to stamp her class on a low-key meeting at Randwick. The mare hadn’t raced since finishing third behind Treasurethe Moment in the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) on April 1 last year,… Read More »
Agent Zero gave leading syndicators Dean and Adam Watt of Dynamic Syndications their 999th winner when he took out the PF Civil Handicap (1800m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday. But Dynamic’s Adam Watt was lukewarm on backing up with Agent Zero in next Saturday’s Group 1 $1 million Queensland Derby (2400m) at… Read More »
