The Scone carnival delivered a mixed bag for trainer Jason Coyle, whose disappointment at missing an opportunity for St Covet’s Spirit was tempered by a form boost. Coyle was keen to run the two-time stakes placegetter in the Group Three Dark Jewel Classic last Saturday but she did not make… Read More »
Riding her horses in trackwork has proved a winning formula for trainer Desleigh Forster as she chases one of her biggest wins. Forster has Chapter And Verse in the Group Two Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Chapter And Verse needs to win to make the field for… Read More »
John O’Shea does not rate himself as an accomplished rider but he has proven to have an eye for one. As the man who coaxed premier jockey James McDonald and Englishman Tom Marquand to Sydney, O’Shea has an exceptional record in talent identification. Also a significant influence on the early… Read More »
Unbeaten colt Peltzer is unlikely to progress to the JJ Atkins Stakes in Brisbane with trainer Gerald Ryan keen to wrap up his campaign at Randwick. The two-year-old will bid to defend his perfect record in the Darley 2YO Stakes (1300m) on Saturday before he is spelled with a view… Read More »
Trainer Greg Eurell is prepared to make an exception to an old adage when it comes to promising young stayer Hezafox. Hezafox will be race in a one-eyed blinker for the first time on Saturday when contesting the Efficient Handicap (2000m) at Flemington after recording a last start win at… Read More »
Jockey Chelsea Ings has been taken to Westmead Hospital with suspected concussion and facial injuries following a race fall at Hawkesbury. Ings was dislodged from Miss Merlin, trained by her mother Wanda, after colliding heavily with a rival runner near the 300m of the Australian Farriers Conference Maiden Plate on… Read More »
Udyta Clarke has had countless problems with sprinter Rich Charm and at times wondered whether he would return to racing. The pair were the toast of the 2017 Melbourne Cup carnival when Rich Charm won the Linlithgow Stakes and they return to Flemington on Saturday for the Listed Straight Six… Read More »
Trainer Grahame Begg would like a quick resolution to possible changes for the Victorian spring so he can map out a proper carnival program for his team. While the Victoria Racing Club is steadfast in not changing the date of the Melbourne Cup carnival and the Moonee Valley Racing Club… Read More »
Godolphin’s head Australian trainer James Cummings has made a strong case for comeback galloper Kementari to score his first win in two years at Eagle Farm. Kementari heads the weights in the Group Two Victory Stakes (1200m) which will be his lead-up to the Group One Stradbroke Handicap a fortnight… Read More »
Isotope will go into her first major test without a barrier trial but has had two solid track gallops in preparation for the race. Unbeaten Isotope hasn’t run since winning at the Sunshine Coast on April 25 which was her second win from as many starts. Trainer Tony Gollan elected… Read More »
Trainer Chris Anderson can see some positives in taking on boom Sydney three-year-old Kinane at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Kinane, who has won his past two starts including the Group Three Frank Packer Plate, has been the subject of seven-figure offers from Hong Kong. The offers have been rejected and… Read More »
The trainer of champion Winx has taken out the Australian Turf Club’s race named to honour another champion of the turf, Caryl Williamson. Chris Waller-trained Earth Song to win the Vale Caryl Williamson Handicap (1400m) at Randwick on Wednesday, a race named to honour the Australian Associated Press turf editor… Read More »
Jockey Micheal Hellyer is hoping Amiche’s runaway win at the Sunshine Coast is an omen for far bigger things next month. Having her first run for seven months, Amiche ($1.30) strolled home by 11 lengths in a maiden (1000m) on Wednesday. Amiche is a half sister to top mare Baccarat… Read More »
Not suited to racing on firm tracks during the warmer months, Romancer will commence a winter campaign on preferred ground in a stakes race at Flemington. Trainer Grahame Begg has picked out Saturday’s Listed Straight Six (1200m) as a suitable starting point for Romancer that the trainer hopes can lead… Read More »
An off-season two-year-old race at Randwick will be crucial to the aspirations of those potentially heading to a Group One contest in Brisbane. The Darley Handicap (1300m) on Saturday has brought together a field of 12 juveniles with all being nominated for the J J Atkins Stakes (1400m) at Eagle… Read More »
Tony McEvoy has left the decision on the future of multiple Group One winner Sunlight in the hands of her owners as the mare has a spell. McEvoy, who trains the mare in partnership with son Calvin, said there was no problem with Sunlight after finishing 11th behind Trekking in… Read More »
Caloundra gelding Tambo’s Mate can confirm his rating as one of the most improved horses in Australia when he tackles the Group Two Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. The Victory Stakes is usually run at weight-for-age at the start of the Queensland winter carnival. However, with the… Read More »
Queensland’s Group Two Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday has a long and varied history, and this year it takes on an even more important role in winter racing. The Victory Stakes (1200m) is usually one of only three weight-for-age races in Queensland and was originally named the Sir… Read More »
Underrated gelding Mr Bellagio steps up to open company as he heads yet another assault by the Toby and Trent Edmonds training partnership on a Gold Coast metropolitan meeting. Racing Queensland introduced metropolitan standard meetings at the Gold Coast on Fridays as part of its decision to split the state… Read More »
Grand Annual Steeplechase winner Ablaze may attempt to extend his unbeaten run over jumps having been nominated for two races at Sandown. Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Ablaze is entered in both the Australian Hurdle and Australian Steeplechase on Sunday – feature races on the jumps calendar. The… Read More »
