Trainer Robbie Griffiths will be looking for some divine help when Verdad runs at Caulfield. Verdad is scheduled to run in the Rod Griffiths Handicap (1600m) on Saturday. A champion jockey in his day, Rod Griffiths was the older brother of Griffiths, the trainer, and died in May 2022 after long battle with illness…. Read More »
Arrowfield Stud has continued to strengthen its broodmare band, securing Kingman mare Fiorenza for $325,000 at Thursday’s Inglis Digital (Late) May Online Sale. The rising six-year-old topped the sale and will join the Hunter Valley nursery after attracting strong interest thanks to her elite pedigree and residual value. Fiorenza is… Read More »
The New Zealand thoroughbred industry is mourning the passing of respected Group 1-winning trainer Anne Herbert, who has died aged 68. Herbert enjoyed a lifelong involvement with horses, beginning in pony club before progressing to trackwork riding and eventually taking out her trainer’s licence in 1991. Her training career began… Read More »
Like many Sydney trainers, Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou are on weather watch ahead of Saturday’s Rosehill meeting where they are set to have up to three runners. The pair have dual acceptor Costabit in the NSW Bookmakers Co-Op Handicap (1500m), and Sequista and Fleeting Spirit in the Vale Sandro… Read More »
Tyler Schiller is banking on the combination of a distance rise and experience to help two-year-old Parisest Magic get the first half of her race right when she lines up for her second start at Rosehill. The filly struggled to keep in touch with the field on debut at Gosford… Read More »
Western Australian racing has been thrown into controversy after Racing and Wagering WA confirmed two races at Lark Hill last month were conducted over incorrect distances, despite attracting significant wagering from both Australian and international punters. Industry discussion and social media speculation intensified this week after concerns emerged surrounding the… Read More »
It took to start number 13 for Act Natural to finally break his maiden status and connections of the galloper are hoping they won’t have to wait as long for win number two. Act Natural resumes from a spell in the Fleurieu Milk Company Handicap (1100m) at Morphettville on Saturday having gone for a… Read More »
Trainer Stephen Brown has a circle around a Stakes race in July that he is aiming his talented mare Lady Jones at. The Listed VRC-CRW Winter Championship Series Final (1600m) at Flemington on July 4 has been in Brown’s planning since Lady Jones returned to work this campaign. The Rod Griffiths… Read More »
Twelve months ago, Touristic captured the Lord Mayors Cup on a wet track from a low draw, and he will get an almost identical set-up for his attempt to go back-to-back at Rosehill this weekend. Successful from barrier five on a heavy 8 surface last year, the gelding has gate… Read More »
Trainer Tom Dabernig is not shying away from the task confronting him with recent stable acquisition Aberfeldie Boy. A former member of the Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock stable before Griffiths had sole control of the stayer, Aberfeldie Boy will line up for his second run for Dabernig in the JRA Handicap (2000m)… Read More »
Regardless of whether drawing in or out proves advantageous in the heavy conditions at Rosehill, Gary Portelli will have his bases covered with Mother Goose and Thames. The two Godolphin mares have drawn barriers one and 15 respectively for their clash in Saturday’s Vale Sandro D’Amore Handicap (1200m), and Portelli… Read More »
Tyler Schiller is set to have his second Stradbroke Handicap ride for trainer Rob Heathcote after being booked to partner Abounding in next month’s Group 1 showpiece. The mare secured her place in the field with a BRC Sprint (1200m) victory last weekend and Schiller is rapt to have picked… Read More »
Trainer Andrew Noblet knows he is saddling a longshot in a Stakes race at Caulfield, but he also knows there are positives for his runner. Taunting will be having his second outing for Noblet when he lines up in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) on Saturday. The rising eight-year-old started… Read More »
A horror barrier draw might have dampened confidence about Skyhook’s chances in the Fred Best Classic at Eagle Farm – but only marginally. In a race that will gift the winner an automatic start in the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m), the Group 3 sprint has attracted a deep field led by… Read More »
Trainer Henry Dwyer remains confident star sprinter Asfoora can bounce back despite a disappointing start to her latest European campaign. The reigning King Charles III Stakes winner has failed to fire in two runs this season, most recently finishing last in the Temple Stakes at Haydock. However, Dwyer believes the… Read More »
Magic Millions has concluded its National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast with turnover exceeding $66 million, describing the overall result as a “satisfactory market”. The two-day sale saw consistent demand for breeding stock, with three mares selling for more than $1 million during the final session, including two in… Read More »
Widden Stud emphasised its belief in Group 1 winner Startantes when it went to $1.4 million for the Group 1 winner on Wednesday’s second and final day of this year’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. The famous Hunter Valley farm won the battle for the 2022 Tattersall’s Tiara winner, whom… Read More »
Trainer Mitchell Freedman hopes the debut win of Farmelia at Caulfield Heath will be the precursor to a Group 1 win in Brisbane. Farmelia stepped out for the first time in the Sportsbet Fastform Plate (1000m) on Wednesday and was well supported in landing a narrow victory. Ridden by Dean Yendall ,Farmelia ($3.30) scored by a short-neck from Tennessee Spirit ($4.20)… Read More »
A win in a four-horse barrier trial shed little light on what connections of Pin Up Sheila could expect from her on race day, but they were pleasantly surprised when the debutante led throughout to take the opening race at Canterbury. A $50,000 buy at the Inglis Classic Sale, the… Read More »
News from Hong Kong is plans for a first World Organisation for Animal Health Collaborating Centre for Equine Health and Movement for horses competing in the Asia-Pacific region. Bringing together 80 veterinary, equestrian and racing personal from 17 regions, it’s strengthening the public–private cooperation on safety, efficiency, and coordination of… Read More »
