Happy Clapper will be the topweight for the Epsom Handicap with those weighted above him unlikely to run in the $1 million race. The Pat Webster-trained gelding was given 56.5kg when weights were released on Monday for the September 30 race over the Randwick mile. This preparation Happy Clapper has… Read More »
Damien Oliver’s chance to win a record-equalling fourth Melbourne Cup has soared after the jockey confirmed his booking for defending champion Almandin. Oliver rode Almandin to an emphatic victory in Saturday’s Listed JRA Trophy (2500m) at Flemington, after which the stayer firmed to outright favouritism to go back-to-back in the… Read More »
Godolphin colt Kementari has already been sent to Melbourne, ruling out the $1 million Golden Rose in Sydney. The James Cummings-trained colt was initially considered a Golden Rose prospect but the Godolphin team has changed tack with the three-year-old after announcing he had travelled to Melbourne for the Caulfield Guineas… Read More »
Multiple Classic-winning trainer Geoff Wragg has died at the age of 87. During his first season after taking over the licence from his father, Harry, Wragg gave Lester Piggott his ninth Epsom Derby success with Teenoso in 1983. Another top-class performer was Pentire, who won six of his seven starts… Read More »
Kerrin McEvoy will be aboard Golden Slipper winner She Will Reign when she resumes in the Moir Stakes, replacing Craig Williams’ who has been sidelined by suspension. Williams had been booked for the Gary Portelli-trained filly with regular rider Ben Melham unable to get to the 50kg she will carry… Read More »
Penny Chenery, the breeder and owner of 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat has died aged 95 following complications from a stroke. In 1973, Secretariat captured the imagination of racing fans worldwide when he became the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years, sweeping the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont. He… Read More »
Admire Deus is high on Craig Williams’ list of potential Cup rides after the jockey partnered him in a track gallop in Japan last week. The Japanese horse has entered quarantine for the trip to Australia for the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cups. Williams will sit out the next three… Read More »
Trainer Tony McEvoy is weighing up the best option for Royal Symphony’s final lead-up to his main spring target and is leaning towards the Caulfield Guineas Prelude. Royal Symphony remained unbeaten when he overcame difficulties to storm home late and win the Listed Pin & Win Plate (1400m) at Flemington… Read More »
Ciaron Maher has been leaving nothing to chance as he prepares unbeaten Merchant Navy for two important Group One races. The first of those is Saturday’s $1 million Golden Rose at Rosehill followed by the Caulfield Guineas three weeks later. Undefeated in four starts, Merchant Navy will have his first… Read More »
Despite being wayward at a crucial stage in his first Victorian start, Perth Group One winner Scales Of Justice has shown he can be a force to be reckoned with in upcoming feature handicaps in Melbourne. The Lindsey Smith-trained Railway Stakes winner finished second to Newmarket Handicap winner Redkirk Warrior… Read More »
In-form Brisbane jockey Bridget Grylls heads to Melbourne this week to try her luck during the spring carnival. Grylls was a leading apprentice in Brisbane when she moved from New Zealand in 2014 and has ridden 123 winners since. She is from a famous New Zealand racing family of jockeys… Read More »
Former Japanese horse Brave Smash has secured the Australian Turf Club’s slot in the $10 million Everest. Brave Smash, who is now trained by Darren Weir for Australian Bloodstock, finished second to Everest aspirant Vega Magic last month before winning the Listed McLeod Stakes at Moonee Valley. ATC executive general… Read More »
The Brisbane Race Club will lose 10 meetings while remedial work is carried out on Eagle Farm racecourse. Doomben racecourse has had a huge workload since Eagle Farm was again closed for racing in May after the redeveloped track was deemed not fit for racing Racing Queensland has released a… Read More »
Ryan Moore has completed the full set of British Classics by securing the St Leger on Capri at Doncaster with trainer Aidan O’Brien recording his fifth win in the race. Firmly established as one of the best jockeys on the world, Moore was at his best as he drove Capri… Read More »
Damian Lane has bounced back from a fall to claim a Group race double at Flemington including the Group One Makybe Diva Stakes on Humidor. Lane and his mount Limestone escaped injury when falling in the final stages of Saturday’s Danehill Stakes before the jockey came out to win the… Read More »
Her trainer admits it’s getting harder to watch but her jockey has ultimate faith in Winx who has stretched her winning sequence to 20 with victory in the Group One George Main Stakes at Randwick. As she has in her three starts this campaign, the champion has given away a… Read More »
A remorseful Craig Williams will not appeal a 23 meeting careless riding ban that resulted in the fall of Limestone at Flemington. Williams was suspended aboard Jukebox in Saturday’s Group Two Danehill Stakes after Limestone, ridden by Damian Lane, fell in the concluding stages of the 1200m race. The ban… Read More »
Champion jockey Damien Oliver is in no doubt Almandin is on target for his Melbourne Cup defence after an emphatic win in a Listed race at Flemington. Making his first appearance at Flemington since winning the Melbourne Cup last year, Almandin settled midfield in Saturday’s Listed JRA Trophy (2500m) before… Read More »
Had Wayne Seelin’s neighbours not lit a massive bonfire, Isorich’s push for $400,000 in stakes would have been put on hold. The Wyong trainer had no intention of running his reliable seven-year-old gelding at Randwick on Saturday until he needed a couple of weeks off after a late-night scare. “They… Read More »
Just to reinforce Winx isn’t the only star in Chris Waller’s stable, four of the trainer’s staying prospects have filled the first four placings in the lead-up race to the Group One Metropolitan Handicap. Libran ($26) came out on top in Saturday’s Group Three Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) with Antonio… Read More »
