Disqualified Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Darren Weir has faced court charged with torturing, abusing, overworking and terrifying horses. Fellow trainer Jarrod McLean and stable hand Tyson Kermond appeared alongside him in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday, also on animal cruelty charges, and stable hand William Hernan appeared on corrupt conduct… Read More »
The lure of big prize money in the Queensland summer means speed machine Tarzan will miss the Melbourne spring carnival this year. Tarzan is considered the best short-course horse in Queensland and completed a hat-trick of wins when scoring at Doomben in early August. He has now won 14 races… Read More »
Australia’s agriculture ministers will urgently discuss the welfare of retired racehorses after a scandal surrounding the animals being mistreated before being slaughtered. Federal Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie said the issue would be a top priority at Friday’s meeting with her counterparts in Melbourne. “It’s really important that we have a… Read More »
Several runners from Australia’s richest race ,The Everest, remain in contention for the feature sprint race of the Melbourne Cup carnival at Flemington. The first round of acceptances was taken on Tuesday for the $2 million VRC Sprint Classic, run over the straight 1200m course on November 9. Only three… Read More »
Just Thinkin has assumed favouritism for the $1 million Bondi Stakes at Randwick, a new race for three-year-olds. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Just Thinkin has taken over from Godolphin’s Subedar at the head of the market for Saturday’s 1600m Bondi Stakes with the two at $3.80 and $5… Read More »
New Zealand trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman started their Victoria Derby ambitions with three contenders but are now down to one. Long Jack, Quick Thinker and Rhaegar were among nominations for the Group One Victoria Derby at Flemington on November 2, but only Long Jack remains. Long Jack will… Read More »
An urgent inquiry into the treatment of retired racehorses has been ordered by the Queensland government The inquiry will be headed by retired District Court judge Terry Martin SC, with the support of Australian Veterinary Association representative Dr Peter Reid and oversight from the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission. “It is… Read More »
After claiming his first Caulfield Cup, star jockey Damian Lane is confident Lys Gracieux is the right horse to give him victory in another of Australia’s feature races, the Cox Plate. But the fact so many others are anticipating the dual Group One-winning Japanese mare will prove superior in Saturday’s… Read More »
After the Godolphin team opted not to run star colt Bivouac in The Everest, the three-year-old is poised to start a short-priced favourite in the Group One Manikato Stakes at The Valley. Godolphin decided to run five-year-old mare Alizee in its slot in Saturday’s $14 million Everest in Sydney, which… Read More »
Connections of Irish mare True Self hope she can advance her way up the Melbourne Cup order of entry by winning the Geelong Cup. True Self missed a start in Saturday’s Caulfield Cup (2400m) when third emergency with Wednesday’s race over the same distance the ideal back-up. The Willie Mullins-trained… Read More »
Ciaron Maher is naturally disappointed dual Cox Plate placegetter Humidor has been snubbed by the Moonee Valley Racing Club committee for a spot in this year’s field. But all hope is not lost, with Humidor the first reserve to get a start should any of the 14 runners be scratched… Read More »
Before being given the final tick of approval for the Cox Plate, Godolphin’s Avilius has been given a thorough going over after a crucial gallop at Flemington. Avilius was required to gallop in front of Racing Victoria stewards and pass a veterinary examination after blood was found in a nostril… Read More »
The committee of the Moonee Valley Racing Club has agonised over the composition of the final field for the Cox Plate before settling on the 14 runners. Club chairman Don Casboult said there were a number of different scenarios the committee considered when 18 horses were paid up for Saturday’s… Read More »
One of Queensland’s most successful thoroughbred owner-breeders Ross Cutts has died in Brisbane aged 78 after complications from heart surgery. Cutts is best known for his Group One winners Show A Heart, whose elite wins include a Stradbroke `Handicap and Caulfield Guineas, and Oakleigh Plate winner Woorim. Show A Heart… Read More »
Champion trainer Aidan O’Brien seems certain to end the racing year on a high with the stable responsible for 11 of the 12 declared runners in the final Group One event of the British season. The Andrew Balding-trained Kameko is the only potential runner not from Ballydoyle at the latest… Read More »
New Zealand star Te Akau Shark and Sydney three-year-old Castelvecchio have been included in the 14-horse field for the Cox Plate. The two were among those in danger of missing a start but have been included with dual Cox Plate placegetter Humidor named first emergency. But Te Akau Shark will… Read More »
Favourite Bivouac has drawn the inside gate for the Group One Manikato Stakes at The Valley. The Godolphin-owned colt has fellow three-year-old Loving Gaby in the gate next to him in the field of 11. Bivouac has two recent wins against Yes Yes Yes who won the $14 million Everest… Read More »
The Cox Plate will have a full field of 14 plus four emergencies with eighteen horses paid up for the $5 million race. The decision which horses make the field will be decided by the committee of the Moonee Valley Racing Club on Tuesday morning. Winx has won the past… Read More »
Godolphin’s Cox Plate contender Avilius has been cleared to run after passing a crucial gallop at Flemington. Racing Victoria stewards ordered Avilius to gallop over at least 1000m after trainer James Cummings reported the gelding had blood in one nostril after a work-out at The Valley on Saturday. Chief steward… Read More »
English stayer Gold Mount has been retired after suffering a suspensory injury during the Caulfield Cup. Trained by Ian Williams, Gold Mount finished 12th, beaten just over four lengths, in Saturday’s $5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m). He had been scheduled to progress to the 2019 Melbourne Cup before the injury… Read More »
