Legendary French trainer Criquette Head-Maarek remains humble about her amazing achievements. Part of the Head racing dynasty, Head-Maarek is best known as the trainer of dual Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Treve. She still remembers how it felt to become the first female trainer to win Europe’s most prestigious… Read More »
VRC SPRINT CLASSIC * $1 million Group One, 1200m, weight-for-age sprint race. Run at Flemington on Saturday, November 10, 4.10pm (AEDT) HISTORY * First run in 1960 as the Craven ‘A’ Stakes and won by Karina with numerous changes to the race name since * A Group One since 1979,… Read More »
After missing out on a start in The Everest, Pierata gets his chance to tackle Redzel when the two line up in the VRC Sprint Classic at Flemington. They are the early equal favourites for the Group One sprint over the 1200m-straight course, something new to Pierata but familiar to… Read More »
MACKINNON STAKES – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW * $2 million Group One, 2000m weight-for-age. Run at Flemington on Saturday, November 10. HISTORY: * The 2000m-race was formerly held on Victoria Derby Day and used as a Melbourne Cup lead-in * The Victoria Racing Club decided its importance as a… Read More »
Co-trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have continued their domination of early two-year-old races, claiming feature juvenile race of the Melbourne spring at Flemington. Vinicunca took out Thursday’s Group Three Maribyrnong Plate to give Waterhouse and Bott their third two-year-old winner. Unite And Conquer won the Maribyrnong Trial at Flemington… Read More »
It will be business as usual for John Shelton and his stable star Belflyer when the pair hit the road to take on an open handicap at the Sunshine Coast. The NSW country trainer enjoyed his biggest moment on a racetrack last month when Belflyer won the $1.3 million Kosciuszko…. Read More »
Brad Widdup can’t be sure he has solved the puzzle that is four-year-old entire Chauffeur. But if he hasn’t, it won’t be for lack of trying. Provided the Rosehill track stays dry, Chauffeur will resume in an 1100-metre Benchmark 78 Handicap on Saturday chasing his second career win almost two… Read More »
Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Charlie Appleby has some unfinished business before returning home to the United Kingdom. Appleby won Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup with Cross Counter, supplying Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin racing operation with it’s first victory. Another two potential Group One races are on offer for Appleby and Godolphin at Flemington on… Read More »
Multiple Group One-winning sprinter Brave Smash is set to join the Aquis Farm stallion roster when his racing days are over. Before retirement the Darren Weir-trained sprinter will attempt to add to his Group One tally in the VRC Sprint Classic at Flemington on Saturday. A winner of the Futurity… Read More »
They shared the spoils in the Melbourne Cup but in a Group One sprint on the fourth and final day of the Flemington carnival they will be opponents. Trainer Charlie Appleby and jockey Kerrin McEvoy joined forces to give Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation its first Melbourne Cup win with Cross… Read More »
Five days after winning his first Victoria Derby, the state’s leading trainer Darren Weir has strong chances to also claim his first VRC Oaks. Extra Brut won Saturday’s Victoria Derby at Flemington and on Thursday Weir is set to saddle up Amphitrite, Verry Elleegant and Zapurler in the $1 million… Read More »
Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed was quick to congratulate the trainer who finally ended his 30-year quest for a Melbourne Cup. In Arabic, he told Charlie Appleby: “Well done. Well done. Well done.” Sheikh Mohammed spoke regularly with Appleby over the past few months as they formulated the plan to get… Read More »
Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien has returned for a second Australian visit with Latrobe to contest the Group One Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington. O’Brien made headlines around the world 12 months ago when Rekindling defeated Johannes Vermeer, trained by his father Aidan, in the Melbourne Cup. Latrobe is one of 10… Read More »
On the big stage at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week, co-trainers Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra have a genuine chance in VRC Oaks contender Aristia to end their wait for another Group One win. Aristia stamped herself as one of the leading contenders for Thursday’s VRC Oaks for fillies after… Read More »
Sixteen years ago, Ron Quinton was one sleep away from winning the VRC Oaks with Bulla Borghese. He won’t have a runner at Flemington on Ladies Day this year, but spring carnival time brings back fond memories. “I remember it very clearly. That was a very special day alright,” Quinton… Read More »
New Zealand trainer Nick Bishara will miss what could be could be his biggest moment in racing. He is a co-owner of a three-year-old filly he used to train who is among the leading chances for Thursday’s Group One VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington. Verry Elleegant is now in Victoria… Read More »
THE VRC KENNEDY OAKS DAY – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW * $1 million Group One, 2500m race for three-year-old fillies at set weights. Run at Flemington on Thursday, November 8, at 5pm HISTORY * First run in 1861, the same year as the inaugural Melbourne Cup, and won by… Read More »
David Vandyke is hoping to make the most of a home ground advantage when the Sunshine Coast hosts a rare Saturday metropolitan race meeting. The trainer, who relocated from Sydney to southeast Queensland two years ago, will have five runners at Caloundra including stakes placegetter Foxy Housewife. “It’s always nice… Read More »
A cut leg foreleg almost derailed the Melbourne Cup fortunes of Cross Counter but trainer Charlie Appleby’s confidence grew after a track gallop at Werribee a week out from the race. Cross Counter spent a week sidelined after a cut reduced the gelding to box rest and walking duties overcoming… Read More »
Trainer Charlie Appleby says Cross Counter has recovered well from his victory in the Melbourne Cup. The northern hemisphere-bred three-year-old gave Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation its first Cup winner after three previous seconds. “He ate up last night. His legs are clean. He’s had a little lead out there this… Read More »
