Sultan Of Swing continues to prove his adaptability since making a smooth transition from New Zealand for ex-pat trainer Craig Ritchie. This has been far from a standard preparation for the four-year-old gelding, who started his campaign at Ellerslie in Auckland last November with Ritchie’s brother Shaune. He made his… Read More »
Harness racing great Kevin Newman has died unexpectedly at the age of 83. John Dumesny, Harness Racing NSW chief executive, said Newman was a legend at Harold Park where he won a record 10 trainers’ titles and eight as a driver. “Kevin at 83 was well and had just finalised… Read More »
Leading apprentice Beau Mertens has been given a golden opportunity to land his first Group win with the prized ride on Bletchingly Stakes favourite Supido. The Mick Kent-trained Supido was ridden to victory in the Group Three Monash Stakes last Saturday week by Luke Nolen but he is on holidays… Read More »
Promising colt Brave Song has secured his maiden win at his second attempt at Canterbury with Hugh Bowman stealing an early march on Sydney jockeys’ premiership rival Brenton Avdulla. While Avdulla sat out the first three races on Wednesday after his rides were scratched, Bowman took advantage by steering the… Read More »
Matt Dunn’s gamble on the yearling market will again be highlighted if one of his two or three-year-old rising stars can complete a great season for the trainer at Doomben. Dunn has Eat My Trust in Saturday’s Smirnoff 3YO Handicap, Saxton Rock in the QTIS 2 and 3YO Plate, and… Read More »
Hugh Bowman has won the first two races at Canterbury to extend his lead in the Sydney jockeys’ premiership to 2-1/2. His rival Brenton Avdulla’s mounts in the first three races on Wednesday were scratched leaving Bowman with the advantage. Bowman won the first race on the Peter and Paul… Read More »
Craig Williams has consolidated his lead in the Melbourne jockeys’ premiership with victory in the opening race at Sandown. Williams guided Tan Tat Trusting to success in the Dream Thoroughbreds Plate (1600m) on Wednesday to give him a three-win lead over apprentice Beau Mertens in the race for premiership honours…. Read More »
Trainers will be able to use the Canterbury course proper for morning track gallops on selected days as horses begin their Sydney spring Carnival campaigns. The Australian Turf Club said the course proper would be available next Tuesday for horses nominated for Missile Stakes day on August 5. The course… Read More »
Brenton Avdulla’s Sydney premiership chances have been dealt a blow with three of the jockey’s rides scratched from Canterbury. Avdulla trails Hugh Bowman by half a win in his bid for a first title with the latter retaining a full book on Wednesday. After Canterbury, there is just one metropolitan… Read More »
Defending champion Highland Reel is in line to become only the third horse to win back-to-back King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, weather permitting. Rain is forecast in the lead-up to Saturday’s Group One feature at Ascot and the stable admits it is a concern. “We are very mindful… Read More »
Kate Nipperess is well advanced on the road to recovery since suffering multiple injuries in a track work accident a year ago, but a win by one of her favourites at Canterbury would still provide a timely boost. Nipperess started riding Mana last year, and he was one of the… Read More »
Blake Shinn is to appeal a careless riding penalty which will keep him out of the first stakes meeting of the new season. Shinn was outed for his ride on Invincible Knight at Randwick on Saturday and pending the outcome of his appeal on Friday, he will not return until… Read More »
Melissa Dennett will take her first runner to Sydney for the Highway Plate at Rosehill although the fledgling Tamworth trainer is hardly venturing into the unknown. Dennett only took out her trainers’ licence in April and her solitary winner, Kentuckian, scored at the Talmoi picnic races last month, but Dennett… Read More »
Leon Macdonald has won some of the country’s biggest races in a career which has already earned him a place in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. And as the 2016/17 season draws to a close the Adelaide trainer is set for another feat, while he will also attempt to… Read More »
Since his reign as the world’s best sprinter, Lankan Rupee has had his share of problems but trainer Mick Price and his owners have patiently restored him to race fitness more than once. The rising eight-year-old has lost his mantle to Chautauqua who has won the past three TJ Smith… Read More »
Worming, tetanus vaccinations and a trip to the dentist may sound to some like a birthday party from hell but this one is all about ensuring racehorses live long into retirement. Leading equine experts will offer free advice on caring for retired racehorses during Racing Victoria’s Off the Track event… Read More »
Luke Pepper isn’t predicting another Canterbury quinella after cruel barrier draws, although he remains hopeful Erins Zar and Volante can experience a change of fortune once they jump. The Canberra trainer cursed the “visitors’ draw” for his three runners on Wednesday with last-start winner Viceroy also copping a wide slot… Read More »
Trainer Archie Alexander is delighted to have Craig Williams aboard last-start country winner Plus Effronte at Sandown as the champion jockey bids to secure a sixth Melbourne premiership. Williams has wrested the lead from apprentice Beau Mertens in the past two weeks and takes a two-win advantage into the penultimate… Read More »
New Zealand mare Fanatic has settled into her new home in Victoria where she is being prepared for a Cups campaign by Lindsay Park. Her owner-breeder Sean Kiernan said Fanatic was getting close to a barrier trial with senior trainer David Hayes to decide her program. “She’s had a couple… Read More »
Trainer Bob Baffert has found no reason for Arrogate’s flop in the San Diego Handicap and says the world’s highest-rated horse will press on to the Group One Pacific Classic. The Dubai World Cup winner was the 1-20 favourite in Sunday’s Group Two race but never looked comfortable and trailed… Read More »
