The performance of Desert Jeuney in the Pakenham Cup will convince his trainer Nigel Blackiston whether to keep him to longer races. Blackiston harbours doubts the seven-year-old will run a strong 2500m in Saturday’s Cup, his first shot at a staying trip in more than 2-1/2 years. The trainer said… Read More »
Such was the commanding size of retired trainer Peter Moody’s stable, the dispersal of his team has left scores of promising horses scattered around Australia. Three-year-old El Venetian is one who foreshadowed his potential as a juvenile and is set to have his first start for new trainers Gai Waterhouse… Read More »
Arrowfield Stud has bought a half-sister to dual Group One winner Hartnell at the Tattersalls December Sale at Newmarket in England. Studmaster Paul Messara outlaid 360,000 guineas (abt $A597,600) for Phyllis Maud on the first day of the broodmare sale on Monday. The winner of last year’s BMW, Hartnell won… Read More »
Female jockeys in NSW will receive paid parental leave after the state’s racing authority moved to plug a legislative loophole. Under safety regulations, jockeys are not allowed ride after their first trimester making them ineligible for the federal government’s parental leave scheme which requires women to have worked at least… Read More »
Winterbottom Stakes winner Takedown has secured an early flight to Hong Kong to contest the International Sprint. The Gary Moore-trained four-year-old was flown to Melbourne on Monday to catch a plane which will arrive in Hong Kong shortly after midnight on Tuesday. Takedown received a late invitation to the Sprint… Read More »
The first Pakenham Cup meeting to be held as a feature Saturday fixture in Victoria has attracted a large number of nominations including 23 for the main event. Pakenham is the fourth regional venue to be granted a feature Saturday meeting of metropolitan status in Victoria, with Ballarat, Mornington and… Read More »
After racing in every state except Western Australia this year, four-year-old Sweet Redemption knows more about interstate travel than some flight attendants. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained mare has raced across five states on 10 tracks in the past 12 months and is set to make Rosehill the 11th… Read More »
Unlike most of the imported horses Chris Waller trains, Closing Bell has come from a different side of the Atlantic. The former American horse has fitted in well but still has a way to go as he adapts to his Australian surroundings. He is one of four Waller-trained runners likely… Read More »
Kawi’s trainer Allan Sharrock believes weight-for-age conditions give him a crucial boost in his quest to take his first Australian Group One trophy back to New Zealand. A field of 16 has been declared for Saturday’s $1 million Kingston Town Classic over 1800m at Ascot, the final Australian Group One… Read More »
Delays in resolving appeals in Queensland have again been highlighted by cases involving apprentices Bridget Grylls and Josh Oliver. Their appeals against suspensions could take as long as four months to be resolved. Grylls and Oliver first appeared before stewards on September 10 for their rides in an open handicap… Read More »
After going close to winning the Sandown Cup with Swacadelic, trainer Aaron Purcell has pressed on with the stayer’s preparation, hoping he can go one better at Pakenham. Swacadelic is among 23 nominations for Saturday’s Listed $200,000 Pakenham Cup (2500m) and the Warrnambool trainer has called on Craig Williams to… Read More »
Expat Australian jockey Corey Brown has been suspended in Singapore for two months for failing to give a urine sample at a race meeting. Brown pleaded guilty on Friday to the charge and stewards took into account his circumstances at the meeting on October 9 when he became aware of… Read More »
Michael Dee heads to unfamiliar territory in Sydney on Festival Stakes day as he approaches a significant milestone in the latter stages of his apprenticeship. The Melbourne-based New Zealander needs two city wins to lose his claim and and will ride at Rosehill for the first time on Saturday. The… Read More »
Queanbeyan trackwork rider James Gibbs has had a lucky escape after initial fears he had suffered serious spinal injuries in a fall. After he fell on Thursday, Gibbs had no feeling from the shoulders down and arrangements were put in place to transport him to Sydney. He started to get… Read More »
Queensland officials will make it a priority to lure Perth star Scales of Justice to Brisbane for the $1.5 million Group One Stradbroke Handicap. Scales of Justice is the second favourite to add Saturday’s Kingston Town Classic at Ascot to his Group One win in the Railway Stakes. The gelding… Read More »
James Doyle is set to have his first ride as Godolphin’s replacement rider for James McDonald during a midweek meeting at Canterbury. The English rider has been brought to Australia to fill the vacancy left by McDonald after he stood himself down when he was charged with a betting offence…. Read More »
Luke Nolen has climbed aboard Black Caviar’s daughter Oscietra for the first time ahead of the filly’s scheduled public appearance in a Flemington jump-out. Nolen, who rode the unbeaten Black Caviar to 22 of her 25 wins, travelled to Lindsay Park’s Euroa property on Monday morning to ride the two-year-old…. Read More »
Luke Nolen has climbed aboard Black Caviar’s daughter Oscietra for the first time ahead of the filly’s scheduled public appearance in a Flemington jump-out. Nolen, who rode the unbeaten Black Caviar to 22 of her 25 wins, travelled to Lindsay Park’s Euroa property on Monday morning to ride the two-year-old…. Read More »
Efforts are underway to get Winterbottom Stakes winner Takedown on a flight to Hong Kong from Melbourne for the International Sprint. Trainer Gary Moore told RSN927, Saturday’s Group One winner would be flown from Perth on Monday night in the hope he can be transported the following day rather than… Read More »
All four Sydney racecourses are slated for major renovations as part of a 10-year strategic infrastructure plan by the Australian Turf Club. The ATC says it has developed a scheduled program of renovation or rebuilding of all course proper and training tracks, ensuring only one main racing surface is affected… Read More »
