AUSTRALIAN CUP Run at Flemington over 2000m, $1.5 million, weight-for-age HISTORY * First run in 1863 when won by Barwon. * Weight-for-age since 1979 except for 1982-86. 1863-1942 run over 18 furlongs, 1943-62 17 furlongs 110 yards, 1963 14 furlongs, since 1964 10 furlongs (2000m) NOTABLE WINNERS * Tim Whiffler… Read More »
Jockey Michael Dee’s assessment of Shillelagh will be put to the test when the Group One-winning mare steps up to 1600 metres for the first time this campaign in the Matron Stakes at the scene of her biggest win. Shillelagh won the Group One Cantala Stakes over the 1600m at… Read More »
Craig Newitt could put himself in a league of his own among jockeys in the Newmarket Handicap history books when he rides Missrock in the time-honoured sprint at Flemington. Newitt currently shares the riding record of three Newmarket wins having saluted aboard Miss Andretti (2007), Shamexpress (2013) and The Quarterback… Read More »
Talented three-year-old Hang has a few things to prove to trainer Ben Currie when he resumes at Doomben. Hang won three races on end before a spell will tackle a field of handy horses in the Three-Year-Old Handicap (1350m) on Saturday. The gelding is still among the entries for the… Read More »
Craig Williams is banking on the grandson of an Australian racing legend to give him another Group One winner at Flemington. Williams partners Hartnell in Saturday’s Australian Cup at Flemington for James Cummings whose grandfather, Bart Cummings, won the race a record 13 times. The champion jockey expects Godolphin to… Read More »
In-form Fortensky is set to back up at Doomben where he will be ridden more conservatively as he leads a strong team for trainer Chris Waller. Waller could easily have his best day in Brisbane since opening a Queensland stable seven months ago with well fancied runners on Saturday including… Read More »
Tiffany Brooker is set to make a low-key return from injury on one of her favourite horses Let’s Party Marty at Doomben. Brooker was knocked out when her mount bled internally and collapsed under her in a race at Caloundra on February 18. She is listed for only one ride… Read More »
Gwenda Markwell is hoping to back-up maiden winner Mandylion in the Kembla Grange Classic after the filly sidestepped her home track for success at Warwick Farm. Markwell was reluctant to bring Mandylion to Sydney on Wednesday but long-term supporter and owner Ross Williams convinced the trainer the TAB Handicap (1600m)… Read More »
Trainer Darren Bell has had his first runner in six months on Wednesday but it could be his last for the foreseeable future. Bell saddled his first runner since September when his father Peter’s horse Harlin Rose was unplaced at Ipswich. He has a big decision in the next few… Read More »
Trainer Stuart Kendrick hopes the upset win of Direct Action at Ipswich bodes well for his two purchases out of the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. Direct Action made a mockery of his starting price of $71 when led all the way on a bog track to win the Ray Ray… Read More »
Michael Byers spent eight frustrating years trying to train a winner at Warwick Farm when he was based at the track. So Who Is Game’s drought-breaking victory will endure as a career highlight. Byers was rapt as the seven-year-old mare surged clear to claim the Bowermans Office Furniture Handicap (1600m)… Read More »
Cranbourne trainer Matthew Brown saddles his first Group runner in Melbourne with the aptly named Firstclass Dreamer. The two-year-old runs in Saturday’s Group Two Sires’ Produce Stakes at Flemington. Brown, 24, has been training almost three years and landed the Group Three Vamos Stakes in Tasmania last year with Kiss… Read More »
After two recent eye-catching performances from Seannie at Moonee Valley, co-trainer Natalie Young expects the filly to relish competing at the bigger Flemington track for the first time in the Kewney Stakes. Seannie flashed home to win a benchmark race first-up at Moonee Valley last month before again running home… Read More »
Paquirri has an opportunity to become trainer Gary Moore’s first Golden Slipper runner if he can upset a quality Todman Stakes field at Randwick. Moore is pinning his hopes on Paquirri returning from a let-up in style in Saturday’s Group Two Todman Stakes (1200m), where the winner is exempt from… Read More »
A fit and healthy Michael Walker is looking forward to winding back the clock when he links with Lindsay Park for two Group One rides at Flemington. Walker was once a big part of the Lindsay Park operation riding work and trials, travelling the Victorian countryside racking up winners. He… Read More »
Riding light and being proactive has given apprentice Ben Thompson with another chance to land a break through Group One win in the Newmarket Handicap. Thompson rides Booker at 50kg in Saturday’s $1.25 million feature sprint at Flemington having finished fourth in his first ride on the three-year-old filly last… Read More »
Jamie Richards is under no illusions about the task Age Of Fire faces when the New Zealand Group One winner makes his Australian debut in the $1 million Randwick Guineas. Co-trainer Richards has already admitted defeat with Melody Belle, who heads home after an unplaced run in the Group One… Read More »
Rising star Niccanova remains in the nominations for the Doncaster Mile but will need to produce an exceptional run on Saturday to remain on course for the Group One race. Niccanova will make his much-anticipated return after a nine-month break in the Hamilton Hotel Handicap at Doomben. He will be… Read More »
Randwick Guineas favourite Kementari has drawn barrier four in a field of 14 for the Group One race. The Godolphin colt, to be ridden by Glyn Schofield, has won both starts this campaign including the Hobartville Stakes featuring several of his rivals in Saturday’s Randwick Guineas (1600m). New Zealand visitor… Read More »
Deagon trainer Jason Edwards has appealed a 12 month-disqualification on a cobalt-related charge. Edwards is the second Queensland trainer in a week to be disqualified on a cobalt charge after Toowoomba’s Rochelle Smith was also sent out for 12 months. At a Queensland Racing Integrity Commission stewards inquiry Edwards pleaded… Read More »
