Robert Heathcote believes Heza Jetsetter is an ideal horse for the Magic Millions Guineas. “They always go hard in that race and he’s a horse who has shown he’s got a nice turn of foot so bring it on,” Heathcote said. Heathcote will give Heza Jetsetter a short break before… Read More »
The calm confidence of trainer John O’Shea and the equally cool presence of the multiple Group One winner Sea Siren at Sha Tin on race eve has convinced international betting agencies to install the mare as favourite for Sunday’s Hong Kong Sprint. “Everything has gone perfectly, I’m well, she’s well,”… Read More »
The Queensland Derby has been pencilled in for emerging three-year-old Hawkspur who has capitalised on his breakthrough midweek win last start to claim another victory at Rosehill. Ten days after his 1850m win at Newcastle, Hawkspur fought hard to win the Blackwoods Apex Tools (1800m) on Saturday. Sent out the… Read More »
The Magic Millions Classic and a lucrative bonus is in the sights of Change Of Honour’s owners after the two-year-old held on to win at Caulfield on Saturday. The only youngster with race experience in the Sportingbet Plate (1000m), Change Of Honour sat outside the leader before taking over shortly… Read More »
Thorn Park, the sire of Cox Plate winner Ocean Park, has died at Windsor Park Stud in New Zealand after a long battle with a hoof infection. The stud said the stallion had been laid to rest on Saturday morning after succumbing to a long-running and deep-seated infection in the… Read More »
The confidence level rose for Jim Cassidy in Hong Kong on Friday, if such a thing is possible. The always-extroverted Cassidy was merely a grandstand observer of the easy workout given to his Hong Kong Sprint mount Sea Siren, but it was more than enough to please the veteran jockey…. Read More »
The nerves have set in for South Australian trainer Jake Stephens as the race of his life approaches in Hong Kong on Sunday. But the reason behind the shaking hands and the churning stomach are all positive. Stephens saddles the eight-year-old, one-time crock and part-time polo pony Alcopop in the… Read More »
Full Peal will be aimed at Tasmania’s premier Cups in February if he can snare a city win, with his first chance looming at Caulfield on Saturday. Warrnambool trainer Symon Wilde said the six-year-old would be stepping up in class in the $100,000 Hayman Plate (1600m) – but should not… Read More »
Nathan Berry’s latest suspension cost him at least four winners but in the long run it could be a blessing in disguise. The jockey used his time out wisely, venturing to Euroa in Victoria to ride work for David Hayes to try to consolidate opportunities with the trainer who routinely… Read More »
Scratchings will have a major bearing on which race promising galloper Scream Machine contests at Rosehill on Saturday. Scream Machine is entered for a 2000m race but is also an emergency for the feature event on the program, the Listed Festival Stakes (1500m). “The decision is probably going to be… Read More »
Tim Bell values loyalty. That’s why he’s riding Ollie Vollie for his former boss Sue Grills in Saturday’s George Moore Stakes. “I had a couple of other offers in the race but I’m staying loyal for my old boss Sue Grills who kick-started my career a few years ago,” Bell… Read More »
Dwelling on negatives isn’t Robert Heathcote’s style. Far from being downcast after La Frisson Belle drew barrier 16 in Saturday’s Mode Plate at Eagle Farm, Heathcote is talking up her chances. “This filly has got genuine class and I’ve always liked her from the time she entered my stables,” he… Read More »
The trainer of the best credentialled eastern states horse in the last Australian Group One race of the year is counting on his jockey being the difference at Ascot. Wall Street, a fixture in a Group One races in Australia and New Zealand for almost three years, will have to… Read More »
Former Grand National winner Ballabriggs kicks off his season with another start over the famous Aintree fences against 15 rivals for Saturday’s Becher Handicap Chase. Donald McCain’s fine stayer ran just twice last term, finishing sixth when attempting to defend his National title, and must concede weight all round over… Read More »
As he followed Sea Siren off the training track at Sha Tin on Thursday, John O’Shea could barely hold himself back to a brisk canter. And an hour-or-so later when the mare drew ideally in barrier seven for Sunday’s $HK15 million Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), the trainer almost broke into… Read More »
Too much, too soon. That’s the argument against Tiger Dimejan winning Saturday’s Mode Plate at Listed level at only her second start, coming off a midweek maiden win at Doomben. Her jockey Ric McMahon has a different opinion. McMahon says a lack of depth among Tiger Dimejan’s rivals should enable… Read More »
It has been a momentous week for leading apprentice Jenny Duggan and she is hoping to cap it with success in the saddle at Rosehill on Saturday. Duggan on Tuesday won her appeal against a one month suspension over her handling of a horse at Kembla Grange in October. The… Read More »
Flemington trainer Danny O’Brien is hoping Eraset will respond positively to a drop back in distance at Caulfield on Saturday. O’Brien feels the gelding’s last run, when he finished fifth in the Listed Diamond Jubilee Plate on November 6, showed 1800 metres was a stretch too far. Eraset will drop… Read More »
Frankie Dettori fears he may never repair the damage done to his reputation by a failed drugs test which has resulted in a six-month ban for the popular jockey. The 41-year-old will not return to action on the racecourse until a fortnight before next year’s Derby, with his suspension, handed… Read More »
Cranbourne trainer Ricky Maund has been found guilty of treating a horse on race day as Racing Victoria continues its crackdown on illegal activity in the industry. Maund had been charged after stewards found fresh blood on the neck of Timely Truce following a stable raid on November 10. The… Read More »
