First starter Houtzen showed she was a genuine 2017 Magic Millions Classic chance with a Doomben win but she will have to walk a prize money tightrope to make the field. Despite winning a Gold Coast trial brilliantly, Houtzen was an original second emergency but was backed in to $1.90… Read More »
Trainer Robert Smerdon was spruiking an unusual double after the victory of Pearl Congenial at Sandown. Apprentice Mitch Aitken landed his first city winner on the Smerdon-trained filly in the Yarramalong Racing Club Handicap on Saturday. Aitken is the son of former jockey Ron who had his last race ride… Read More »
Two days after Godolphin cut ties with disqualified jockey James McDonald, the man who was rushed from England to fill in for him has continued his winning ways at Rosehill. James Doyle rode Achi Baba to win Saturday’s three-year-old handicap over 1400m in a bold front-running performance which marked his… Read More »
NZ apprentice Lee Magorrian’s two-week stint with leading trainer Chris Waller has translated to a three-month stay in Sydney. Originally from Ireland, Magorrian won the Northern Racing Apprentice Scholarship at the Auckland Apprentice School Awards for last season. Among previous recipients of the award is Jason Collett who also gained… Read More »
The Grand National Steeplechase will be the feature race on an all-jumps card at Ballarat in the new jumps season. Racing Victoria on Friday announced its jumps racing program for 2017 with 63 races to be held, 43 over hurdles and 20 steeplechases. The highlight will be a six event… Read More »
Developing stayer San Telmo needs only to race well at Doomben to confirm he will be trainer Brad Smith’s first Magic Millions carnival runner. San Telmo will be having his second start this campaign in Saturday’s New Year’s Eve Raceday Hcp (2020m). The gelding has been a star for Smith… Read More »
Trainer Henry Dwyer is hoping a freshen-up and a drop in distance can lead to a stakes race victory at Caulfield for Lucky Liberty. After two runs at 1400m, Lucky Liberty drops to 1200m in the Listed Christmas Stakes on Monday. Four of Lucky Liberty’s five wins have come over… Read More »
Racing Queensland has confirmed changes to the Brisbane winter carnival with the Doomben 10,000 to continue at Doomben. The Group One sprint will however be run over 1200m instead of 1350m on May 13, two weeks earlier than previously scheduled. The original proposal had been to run the $700,000 race… Read More »
Promising colt France’s laid-back nature on the training track means race day is likely to provide the best read on where he fits in trainers Peter and Paul Snowden’s rich talent pool. Paul Snowden said Saturday’s three-year-old handicap over 1400m at Rosehill would be a solid test for France who… Read More »
Trainer David Brideoake has faith in Hardern developing into a city class stayer. A last-start winner of a benchmark 70 class race at Geelong, Hardern jumps to 78 company at Sandown on Saturday in the OTI Racing Handicap. He is a son of Hard Spun and Brideoake, who has plenty… Read More »
Two-year-old filly She’s Our Star puts her Magic Millions credentials on the line at Doomben but trainer Tony Gollan believes she will still have room for improvement. She’s Our Star won an unofficial trial recently and needs prize money to ensure a start in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic at… Read More »
The first foal of champion mare Black Caviar only has to please Lindsay Park in the next week for her to make her racetrack debut at Flemington. Oscietra passed her second test with flying colours, winning a Flemington 800m jump-out on Friday morning. Ridden by Luke Nolen, who rode the… Read More »
Multiple premiership winning jockey Larry Cassidy is set to help New Zealand chase down the leaders on the second day of the State of Origin jockey series in Brisbane. Cassidy, who will join Damian Browne riding for the kiwis, has the prime ride on favourite Mystic Opal in the second… Read More »
Tommy Berry will miss the chance to add to his two wins in the Magic Millions Classic because of a careless riding suspension from the Wyong lead-up meeting. Berry’s suspension for causing interference aboard third-placed Dinnigan in Thursday’s $200,000 Wyong Magic Millions begins on January 7 when he completes a… Read More »
Black Caviar’s first foal Oscietra is set to make her race debut on New Years Day at Flemington following an impressive jump-out victory at Flemington. Friday’s performance over 800 metres was the second public appearance of Oscietra who won an unofficial trial at Flemington on December 9. Lindsay Park’s senior… Read More »
Madeenaty has reaffirmed her status as the favourite for the $2 million Magic Millions with an all-the-way win in a vital lead-up race at Wyong. Having her first start in the clockwise direction, the Melbourne filly crossed from a wide barrier in the $200,000 Wyong Magic Millions to lead under… Read More »
Champion jockey James McDonald will appeal an 18-month disqualification over a betting charge and has vowed to return to racing. McDonald pleaded guilty at a stewards’ inquiry on Thursday to having an interest in a bet on Astern when he won on debut at Randwick on December 5 last year…. Read More »
Weight has caught up with Dan Zephyr and trainer Pat Carey has resorted to a drop in distance as the gelding chases a stakes win. Dan Zephyr paid the penalty for a string of three successive wins in the city area earlier this year and is now near the head… Read More »
Star jockey James McDonald has been disqualified for 18 months for profiting $4000 from a bet on Astern who he rode win on debut. The 24-year-old Godolphin jockey pleaded guilty to a bet being placed on his behalf by punter Anthony Gardiner after Astern won at Randwick on December 5… Read More »
Star jockey James McDonald has pleaded guilty to having an interest in a bet on Astern in a race in which he rode him to win. McDonald fronted Racing NSW Stewards on Thursday where his lawyer Matthew Stirling argued he should be given a two to three month ban and… Read More »
