A lack of suitable races has forced trainer Kelly Schweida to divert from his usual practice and run stable stars The Odyssey and Meet Mr Taylor at Doomben. The Odyssey has been accepted for Saturday’s JLL Three-Year-Old Handicap (1110m) and Meet Mr Taylor is in the Open Handicap (1050m). Both… Read More »
Joe Pride is not making any bold predictions when it comes to spring plans for Fasika, but that does not mean he hasn’t dared to dream. The undefeated four-year-old will resume in Saturday’s Group Two Sheraco Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill, a race that has been won by some of the… Read More »
Trainer James Cummings says Hartnell provides the energy and is the spirit of the Godolphin stable ahead of the major carnivals. A stable favourite, Hartnell invariably leads the team into battle and runs on Saturday in the Group One Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington. Hartnell has finished behind Makybe… Read More »
Caloundra trainer David Vandyke is hoping Eminent’s return to his pet track and distance can put the gelding in the right head space for a win at Doomben. Vandyke has always had a big opinion of Eminent who he considered good enough to run in stakes races as a younger… Read More »
A group of 18 European horses including Melbourne Cup favourites Mustajeer and Constantinople have entered quarantine in England ahead of the trip to Australia for spring carnival features. Those horses, 11 owned in Australian interests including six who will join local stables, will spend two weeks in quarantine in Newmarket… Read More »
In-form The Harrovian will have to confirm his reputation as being able to carry big weights if he is to claim a $200,000 bonus in Cairns. The Harrovian is in line for the bonus after winning the Townsville Cup and Cairns Cup, two legs of the Northern Stayers bonus series…. Read More »
Crystal Ocean has suffered a career-ending leg injury during routine gallops at Newmarket. The Sir Michael Stoute-trained five-year-old was cantering on Thursday as part of his preparation for either the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe or the Champion Stakes at Ascot. While it is hoped he will recover to enjoy… Read More »
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has denied giving Triple Crown winner Justify a banned substance which caused a positive test before last year’s Kentucky Derby and blamed the result on contaminated food. Baffert said in a statement he “unequivocally” rejects the implication he would give Justify or any other… Read More »
Californian racing authorities have defended their handling of a positive swab returned by Justify in the Santa Anita Derby before he went on to win the Triple Crown. The California Horse Racing Board, which dismissed the case, says any inquiry into the Santa Anita Derby would not have been completed… Read More »
A fortuitous pick-up ride might just prove the turning point in Josh Parr’s season as the jockey bids to regain momentum after injury. Parr will ride Bivouac for Godolphin in the Group Two Run To The Rose (1200m), gifted the plum mount when Hugh Bowman broke a finger at trackwork… Read More »
With Australia’s top sprinters targeting the $14 million Everest in Sydney next month, prominent Perth trainer Neville Parnham believes it has opened up the prospect for his consistent gelding Malibu Style to potentially snare a feature sprint win in Melbourne. Malibu Style chases the biggest victory of his career in… Read More »
Five of the top six Golden Rose fancies will go toe-to-toe in a crucial lead-up race at Rosehill but they won’t be the only three-year-olds putting their spring carnival credentials on display. Exceedance, Tommy Berry’s mount and the reigning favourite for the Group One race, will clash with Bivouac, the… Read More »
It has been more than a year since Mystic Journey tasted defeat. Her seven-race winning run has seen Mystic Journey emerge as one of the new headline horses of the Australian turf. But her trainer Adam Trinder says he remains pretty relaxed as he prepares the mare for her next… Read More »
Having proved his class against his own age group, it is now time for Mr Quickie to step up to the big league. That is the view of trainer Phillip Stokes ahead of Mr Quickie contesting Saturday’s Group One Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington. Mr Quickie has his first start… Read More »
MAKYBE DIVA STAKES 1600m, $750,000, weight-for-age HISTORY * First run in 1948 when won by Lungi * Group One from 2013. Run over 2000m 1948-64. Until 2006 known as Craiglee Stakes NOTABLE WINNERS * Comic Court (1949), Chicquita (1950/51), Sailor’s Guide (1956/57), Light Fingers (1965), Rain Lover (1969), Dulcify (1979),… Read More »
Sydney trainer Gary Portelli is adhering to the principle of when you find a good thing stick with it. Portelli will be chasing a Brisbane winner for the third week in a row with Single Bullet in the VAE Group Handicap (1050m) at Doomben on Saturday. Single Bullet was an… Read More »
High-class Perth mare Arcadia Queen will be one of the star attractions when she makes her Sydney debut at Rosehill and she has already won over an important fan – her trainer. The four-year-old joined the Chris Waller stable to prepare for a tilt at the $14 million The Everest,… Read More »
Recently crowned champion New Zealand two-year-old Yourbeel is set to make his debut for Lindsay Park at Flemington. Yourbeel runs in Saturday’s Group Two Danehill Stakes, a race which Lindsay Park co-trainer Tom Dabernig said could determine his spring path. Dabernig said Yourdeel was heading towards the Group One Caulfield… Read More »
Coolmore is no closer to locking in a runner for its slot in The Everest despite confirming Irish sprinter Ten Sovereigns will be entering quarantine to travel to Australia. Tom Magnier, Coolmore’s Australian principal, said the July Cup winner remained at the forefront of discussions for the $14 million Everest… Read More »
Trainer Steve O’Dea has produced another smart young horse for the Proven Thoroughbreds Syndicate this week but will have to rely on an older performer to continue their great run at Doomben. O’Dea will saddle mare Francisca for Proven Thoroughbreds in the Herron Todd White Handicap (1350m) on Saturday. O’Dea… Read More »
