Three-year-old Odeon will continue on his path towards the Victoria Derby when he chases his first city win at Caulfield. The Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra-trained colt broke his maiden at his fourth start at Geelong last month with a 4-3/4 length victory over 1700m. He was then given a… Read More »
He may be a visitor for the spring carnival but Adelaide trainer Phillip Stokes feels a part of the furniture in a barn formerly occupied by Peter Moody. The three-time premiership winner in his home town has taken six boxes for the Melbourne carnival which he hopes may become a… Read More »
Mike Moroney knows Yesterday’s Songs has Group-class ability but says the gelding has been held back by feet issues. Yesterday’s Songs is ready to resume in Saturday’s Listed Testa Rossa Stakes at Caulfield and Moroney is hoping the talented gelding can show his best this spring. The six-year-old won the… Read More »
Tango Rain will have his customary blinkers fitted before the Heritage Stakes, but they won’t be there at the end of the race. The colt’s trainer Gerald Ryan believes now is the right time to see how Tango Rain races without them and they will be removed at the barrier… Read More »
The lure of a Caulfield Cup berth has prompted connections of Gabella to give the mare her shot in the Naturalism Stakes. The former French mare’s only Australian win from six starts was a Listed victory over 2015m in Adelaide in May. She will be having her third start this… Read More »
A lot of water has gone under the bridge since Cauthen last made a racetrack appearance. That was at the corresponding meeting at Caulfield two years ago when he finished sixth in a 1400m race behind future Group One winners Trust In A Gust and Lucky Hussler. Trained by Trent… Read More »
It has been six years since Caulfield trainer Stuart Webb brought Yosei to Sydney for her lead-up to the Thousand Guineas. Yosei had already been to Randwick as a two-year-old to win the Group One Sires’ Produce Stakes and, while she was unplaced when she returned for the Flight Stakes,… Read More »
An unlucky last-start fourth has trainer Trevor Thomas convinced veteran mare Ellawisdom is not yet ready for the breeding barn. Ellawisdom is stepping up to her favourite distance of 1400 metres in the Veuve Handicap at Eagle Farm on Saturday. The seven-year-old mare has been a stable favourite for Thomas… Read More »
The Cox Plate has lost one of its international contenders with Godolphin changing plans for Tryster. Trained by Charlie Appleby, Tryster’s international goals are more likely to be in Japan or Hong Kong later this year. French horse Vadamos is still in the Cox Plate mix while Irish trainer Aidan… Read More »
Numbers-wise Robert Smerdon has the bases covered in a stakes race for mares at Caulfield. Smerdon is the only trainer with multiple runners in the Group Three How Now Stakes on Saturday in which he saddles My Poppette, Atmospherical and Every Faith in the 1200m-sprint. While Smerdon may have the… Read More »
Tosen Stardom has been scratched from the George Main Stakes after cutting his leg on the float trip from Melbourne to Sydney. The Darren Weir-trained horse was the second pick behind odds-on favourite Winx for Saturday’s Group One race at Randwick. The champion mare will now have a maximum of… Read More »
Star sprinter Chautauqua has continued his build-up to his spring return with victory in a jump-out at Flemington. The world’s highest rated sprinter contested an 800m jump-out down the straight at Flemington on Friday, cruising to victory by about half a length as he prepares for his return in the… Read More »
The Lee and Anthony Freedman-trained Tom Melbourne is the favourite to snare a Caulfield Cup ballot exemption in the Naturalism Stakes. The winner of Saturday’s 2000m Group Three race is guaranteed a start in next month’s Caulfield Cup should the horse be nominated for next month’s 2400m handicap. Tom Melbourne… Read More »
Sydney’s two leading stables will fight out the Group Two Hill Stakes at Randwick with Victorian horses Signoff and Tavago staying at home. Premier Sydney trainer Chris Waller has four of the six runners on Saturday while Godolphin trainer John O’Shea saddles up the other two including odds-on favourite Hartnell…. Read More »
Secret Number has provided trainer Saeed bin Suroor with a sixth win in the Doonside Cup on the first day of Ayr’s Western meeting and will set his sights on a return to Australia. Off the track for 313 days, the six-year-old was sent off a 6-1 chance and was… Read More »
GEORGE MAIN STAKES Group One, $500,000, 1600m, weight-for-age HISTORY * A weight-for-age race over the famous Randwick mile first run in 1945. Traditionally an important lead-up race to the Epsom Handicap NOTABLE WINNERS * Shannon (1946-47), Kingston Town (1981-82), Emancipation (1983), Vo Rogue (1989), Lonhro (2003) and More Joyous (2010)… Read More »
There are few scenarios where an interstate trip for a Group One race against a superstar is an easier option than a Group Three event on your home track. But that’s what faces Great Esteem and trainer Stuart Webb ahead of Saturday’s George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick. Webb is… Read More »
Trainer Ciaron Maher’s racing manager has stepped aside as investigations continue into the ownership of four horses he trains including Group One-winning mare Azkadellia. Racing Victoria stewards on Wednesday opened an inquiry into the ownership bona fides of Azkadellia, Hart, Loveable Rogue and Mr Simples. Ben Connolly, Maher’s racing manager,… Read More »
Three-year-old Barthelona faces his biggest test yet when he puts his unbeaten record on the line at Caulfield. The Mike Moroney-trained colt won on debut at Bendigo as a late-season two-year-old and had his first start of the new season at Sandown late last monthfor an impressive 2-3/4-length victory in… Read More »
Punters may be praying for a winner during the day but will be Living on a Prayer later that night as Epsom Day adds Bon Jovi’s former guitarist to the bill. Richie Sambora will play Randwick after the final race on October 1 alongside Australian singer Orianthi, under the stage… Read More »
