Godolphin colt Viridine has been challenged to make the step up to black-type racing at Randwick and preserve his unbeaten record when his spring campaign gets underway. The three-year-old has previously handled Saturday class racing with back-to-back wins at Rosehill in May, but Godolphin head trainer James Cummings admitted the… Read More »
Caulfield Guineas hopes for debut winner Metson will be put to the test when the gelding faces the current favourite for the $2 million race in a lead-up at Flemington. The Mike Moroney-trained Metson won a 1300m-Cranbourne maiden by 4-1/2 lengths on a heavy track late last month and steps… Read More »
GEORGE MAIN STAKES 1600m, $500,000, weight-for-age HISTORY * First run in 1945 when won by Modulation * Group One race from 1980. Run at Warwick Farm in 1983 and 2001. * George Moore won the race nine times between 1949 and 1971 * Tommy Smith trained 12 winners between 1953… Read More »
Winx has been described as “picture perfect” by trainer Chris Waller on the mare’s sixth birthday ahead of her shot at a 20th straight win at Randwick. Winx has drawn barrier one in the George Main Stakes where she will again be up against Red Excitement on Saturday after powering… Read More »
The Danehill Stakes at Flemington will determine how far into the spring unbeaten Godolphin three-year-old Esperance heads. Esperance steps out for the first time in a stakes race on Saturday following wins at Echuca and Sandown. Trainer James Cummings says Esperance is loaded with ability but racing is all a… Read More »
Trainer John Zielke has no hesitation backing Dreams Aplenty up at Doomben as he prepares him for races in Sydney and Melbourne. Dreams Aplenty was second over 1350m last Saturday and Zielke believes the gelding is perfectly placed in the Surf Lifesaving Queensland Open Handicap (1600m) this week. A strong… Read More »
Redzel has avoided a trip to Melbourne for the Group One A J Moir Stakes after securing a start in the $10 million Everest. Trainers Peter and Paul Snowden originally planned to take the five-year-old Doomben 10,000 winner to Moonee Valley for the 1000m weight-for-age feature on September 29 as… Read More »
MAKYBE DIVA STAKES 1600m, $750,000, weight-for-age HISTORY * First run in 1948 when won by Lungi * Group One from 2012. Run over 2000m 1948-64. Until 2006 known as Craiglee Stakes NOTABLE WINNERS * Comic Court (1949), Light Fingers (1965), Rain Lover (1969), Dulcify (1979), Zabeel (1990), Mahogany (1994), Jeune… Read More »
Trainer Tony McEvoy is looking to ear muffs to have the desired effect on Australian Guineas winner Hey Doc when he chases a second Group One win at Flemington. Hey Doc finished fourth in the $1 million Memsie Stakes (1400m) last start at Caulfield when he over-raced in the middle… Read More »
Much-travelled sprinter Straturbo has trialled well in preparation for his return to Brisbane racing at Doomben. Straturbo , who has raced in the three east coast capital cities, has in-form claiming apprentice Ruby Ride aboard in the Open Handicap (1110m). The Gary Portelli-trained gelding has a good record at Doomben… Read More »
Trainer Shane Nichols is looking for history to repeat itself when I Am A Star runs at Flemington. Nichols has adopted a similar routine leading into Saturday’s Group Two Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) that resulted in the mare’s third-up win last campaign. After two runs in sprint races, I Am… Read More »
Overnight rain in Newcastle after a sweltering Sydney day has convinced Joe Pride to divert Destiny’s Kiss from the Group Kingston Town Stakes at Randwick. The veteran will instead have a crack at the Group Three Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) on Friday, when he hopes to sabotage Kris Lees’ three-pronged… Read More »
Melbourne-based jockey Michael Walker will have his first ride for Kelly Schweida as the Eagle Farm trainer chases another two state double. Walker will be aboard Cellargirl, a $26 chance in Saturday’s Group Two Tea Rose Stakes in Sydney, but Schweida believes her recent final sectional times means she is… Read More »
A sharp drop in the weights has trainer Tony Sears hoping Hard Stride can score his second Queensland win at Doomben. Hard Stride, who is owned by David Moodie’s Contract Racing syndicate, did his original racing in Melbourne where he won the 2014 Listed Regal Roller Stakes at Caulfield when… Read More »
The world’s best sprinter Chautauqua has been described as “a freak” by his trainer Michael Hawkes ahead of his race at Randwick. The gelding they call the grey flash has impressed Hawkes during a training gallop at Rosehill ahead of his race in the 1100 metres The Shorts on Saturday…. Read More »
There was no sign of Winx’s famous “motor” during a practice gallop in Sydney ahead of the mare’s attempt at a 20-straight winning streak at Randwick. That motor she is so famous for will no doubt be unleashed when she goes up against Red Excellent again at the George Main… Read More »
Cox Plate hopeful Riven Light has continued his progression with a smooth win in an 1800m race at Listowel in Ireland. Trained by Willie Mullins, Riven Light plied his trade over hurdles when he arrived from France but with his attentions switched to the flat, he has made giant strides,… Read More »
Winning the opening race at Mornington on debutant The Queen’s Reward has come at a cost for Daniel Stackhouse. He was suspended for eight meetings by Mornington stewards for careless riding in the 1000m maiden. Stewards deemed the interference to be in the low range, took into account his guilty… Read More »
John Singleton arrived by helicopter, and his leading lady at the Canterbury meeting also made her own a grand entrance. Woman, an exceedingly well-bred filly by superstar Frankel and out of eight-time Group One winner More Joyous, more than justified her owner’s flying visit as the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian… Read More »
Almandin is entered to return to the scene of his Melbourne Cup triumph in a Listed race at Flemington. Last year’s Cup winner is the headline entry for Saturday’s Listed Japan Racing Association Trophy over 2500m, with the field of 15 also including five of Almandin’s Robert Hickmott-trained stablemates. Almandin… Read More »
