High profile trainer Robert Smerdon is one of eight people charged after an investigation sparked by the scratching of Lovani at Flemington last spring because of an alleged race day treatment. Read more 📝: G1 winning trainer facing serious charges Stewards on Tuesday laid charges against Smerdon, citing more than 100… Read More »
Trainer Jerome Hunter is confident lightly raced sprinter Belwazi can bounce back to winning ways when she continues her campaign at Sandown after a short freshen-up. Belwazi has won four of her six starts, including three from four this preparation, but had her colours lowered at Moonee Valley in a… Read More »
Seven-time Group One winner Kawi has pleased trainer Allan Sharrock in a barrier trial ahead of his next top level mission in the Telegraph at Trentham. The seven-year-old has not raced since he won the Group One Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) at Trentham on December 9 and Sharrock said he… Read More »
Trainer Tony Gollan is taking positives from Ef Troop’s wide barrier in the $2 million Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast. The colt drew 18 in the field of 16 plus five emergencies and will start from 13 if none of the reserves get a start on Saturday. Gollan… Read More »
Pierata continues to dominate the market for the $2 mililon Magic Millions Guineas after drawing barrier one in the 1400m-race at the Gold Coast. Trained by Greg Hickman, Pierata is at $2.40 to win Saturday’s Guineas with the Kris Lees-trained Sasso Corbaro, who drew 14, and the Bjorn Baker-trained Goodfella… Read More »
Newcastle speedster Jonker is back into favouritism for the Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic after drawing barrier three in the $2 million race at the Gold Coast. Ef Troop and Sunlight, $4 equal favourites before Tuesday’s draw for Saturday’s 1200m-race, have eased to $4.60 after drawing 18 and 15 respectively. Jonker… Read More »
Injury battles have prompted the retirement of record-setting Hong Kong apprentice Kei Chiong. The 25-year-old was the champion apprentice in 2015/16 but has not ridden this season. “To be a successful jockey in Hong Kong, one has to be 100 per cent committed, both physically and mentally,” Chiong said. “Over… Read More »
Injured apprentice jockey Nyssa Burrells continues to make slow progress from a brain injury suffered in a fall but remains in intensive care in Liverpool Hospital. After being put in an induced coma after the fall in a jump-out at Warwick Farm last Friday week, Burrells’ sedation has been lessened… Read More »
Premier Sydney trainer Chris Waller is to be honoured in his homeland with induction to the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame. The winner of the past seven Sydney titles and Australia’s leading Group One winning trainer for the past few seasons, Waller moved from New Zealand in 2000. He… Read More »
Dollar For Dollar will be out to pick up where he left off when he resumes from a let-up in the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes at Flemington. The Tony McEvoy-trained gelding rose through the ranks during an unbeaten spring, winning twice in South Australia in benchmark races before heading to… Read More »
Damien Oliver has been booked to ride promising colt Levendi in his upcoming campaign, with the Group One Australian Guineas an immediate target. Levendi is trained by Peter Gelagotis and the three-year-old won the Group Two Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington in November before a spell. The Gelagotis stable… Read More »
Encouraged by Gamblestown’s third at Randwick, trainer Joe Pride will step him up in distance on a quick back-up as he tries to coax an overdue win from the seven-year-old. Gamblestown finished a frustrating third in a photo-finish over 1600 metres on Saturday behind Positive Problems and Medaille, beaten a… Read More »
Viddora has returned for another crack at a rich Magic Millions race and her Adelaide trainer Lloyd Kennewell is convinced the Group One-winning sprinter is a vastly improved horse than when she last raced at the Gold Coast. The mare was narrowly beaten in last year’s Magic Millions Sprint (1200m)… Read More »
Ef Troop and Sunlight are the equal $4 favourites for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic following the declaration of the final field of 16 plus four emergencies. Newcastle speedster and former favourite Jonker is at $4.50 with the TAB and the only other runner under double figures ahead of Tuesday’s… Read More »
The Queensland Industrial Relations Commission has ordered the retrospective reinstatement of sacked harness racing chief steward David Farquharson. In a 28-page judgment handed down in Brisbane on Monday, the QIRC’s President Adrian Bloomfield ordered Farquharson be reinstated as of his sacking date of February 24, 2017. It was further ordered… Read More »
Dual Group One winner Tosen Stardom will have a final autumn campaign before beginning stallion duties at Woodside Park in Victoria. The Japanese import, who is trained by Darren Weir, won the Group One Toorak Handicap (1600m) and Group One Emirates Stakes (2000m) during the Melbourne spring carnival. A son… Read More »
Trainer Tony McEvoy’s decision to take a different tack with Sunlight is paying dividends. A few months ago, McEvoy took a look at the record books and decided he needed to try something different if she was to win the Magic Millions. Five months later most of the plan has… Read More »
New Zealand Trainer’s Association President, Tony Pike, has called on authorities to address the situation which has resulted in six race meetings being called off in a week because of unsafe tracks. “What can you say, it’s just a complete embarrassment for the Industry,” Pike told NZ Racing Desk. “I… Read More »
Apprentice Stephanie Thornton is continuing to make a mark during the summer in Melbourne, notching a winning double at Caulfield. Thornton won Sunday’s Annette Daymon Handicap (2000m) early at Sunday’s meeting before closing out the day with a victory aboard Nasdex in the Jodie Taylor Handicap (1100m). Sunday’s win was… Read More »
Beau Mertens has walked away from a nasty looking fall in a race at Caulfield, with the star young jockey complaining of a sore knee. First reports suggested Mertens would be taken to hospital for further assessment after the fall from Orient Line in the Matthew Davies Handicap (1600m) on… Read More »
