He broke the toe of one staff member and almost squashed another but all was forgiven when Significance posted his first city win for trainer Claire Cunningham. Cunningham took over the training of the Frankel entire at the start of his current campaign and it has been an interesting ride…. Read More »
There was no fairytale finish but Pat Webster can look forward to the next stage of his life after saddling up his final runner at Newcastle. The popular trainer announced his retirement from training earlier this week and had his last runner, Kosciusko, at Broadmeadow on Saturday. Ridden by his… Read More »
Astute Caulfield trainer Mick Price can start making bigger plans for his promising galloper Tavidance after his easy win in the David Bourke Memorial Handicap at Pakenham. Jockey Damien Oliver took bad luck out of the equation as he steered the $2.10 favourite to the front with 300 metres to… Read More »
The spring and autumn still take pride of place on the Australian racing calendar but champion trainer Chris Waller says the carnival period virtually has no end. And that suits him just fine. Speaking after The Elanora’s impressive performance in Saturday’s De Bortoli Wines Handicap (1800m) at Rosehill, Waller confirmed… Read More »
An all-the-way win by brilliant filly Written Miss in the opening race at Pakenham has brought together a new trainer launching her career with aplomb and a veteran jockey relaunching his. The trainer is Caroline Jennings and the jockey is Jason Benbow, the pair combining to score with Written Miss… Read More »
Up-and-coming exciting colt Ellsberg could also be Magic Millions-bound after demolishing his rivals in Saturday’s Precise Air Handicap (1500m). Group placed in the Spring Stakes at Newcastle at his previous start, Ellsberg dominated throughout for Tim Clark, reviving memories of his sire Spill The Beans. Spill The Beans was also… Read More »
Three-year-old Oscar Zulu has booked his passage to Queensland for the Magic Millions Guineas with a winning return in the opening race at Rosehill. Chris Waller regarded the gelding highly enough to test him in some early-season stakes races and he wasn’t disgraced behind the likes of North Pacific and… Read More »
Hall Of Fame jockey Glen Boss is known for his animated celebratory gestures but the champion hoop will have another reason to cheer when he marks 35 years in the saddle at Rosehill. Boss had his first race ride at Gympie on December 6, 1985. The three-time Melbourne Cup-winning rider… Read More »
Brenton Avdulla has been issued a stern warning from stewards before being cleared over his handling of Passage Of Time in the Starlight Stakes. During a heated inquiry into Avdulla’s ride at Rosehill on Saturday, stewards questioned the top jockey’s lack of vigour over the final stages. Passage of Time… Read More »
Jason Coyle still isn’t sure if he made the right call to bypass the spring carnival with St Covet’s Spirit but he will feel better about his decision if she can put some wins on the board. Given the mare already has residual value as a two-time stakes placegetter, Coyle… Read More »
Tony Gollan has sounded an ominous warning to the rivals of Jonker ahead of the Group Three George Moore Stakes at Doomben. Jonker was having his first start for Gollan when he demolished a classy line up of sprinters to win the Keith Noud Quality (1200m) at Doomben on November… Read More »
Mornington trainer Brett Scott is hoping to add another country Cup to his recent haul with Kiwi galloper Our Big Mike, who is also aiming for his second Pakenham Cup victory. Two years ago, Our Big Mike led throughout to win the 2500 metre race for his New Zealand trainer… Read More »
Victorian trainer Nick Ryan will make a rare trip to Sydney with talented sprinter Express Pass after bypassing a stakes race in Melbourne. Express Pass was among nominations for last weekend’s Listed Carlyon Stakes at The Valley but Ryan decided Saturday’s Members Christmas Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill was a better… Read More »
When Happy Clapper was retired earlier this year, his trainer was never going to be far behind. One of racing’s most popular characters, Pat Webster announced he was calling time on his training career earlier this week, 42 years after taking out his licence. Best known as the trainer of… Read More »
After overcoming a couple of minor issues, Bendigo Cup winner Princess Jenni is ready to make it consecutive feature country wins in the Pakenham Cup, according to her trainer David Brideoake. Princess Jenni hasn’t started since October 28 when she held off Pondus to win the Bendigo Cup but it… Read More »
What started as a hobby almost 20 years ago has become a fully-fledged business for trainer Theresa Bateup, but her love for her horses has not changed. Bateup took out her trainers’ licence 18 years ago so she could play around with a few thoroughbreds as an aside to her… Read More »
Trainer Desleigh Forster is taking a back to basics approach with talented sprinter Chapter And Verse, who returns to racing in the Group Three George Moore Stakes at Doomben. Forster has made a gear change with Chapter And Verse and also opted for a jockey change with the booking of… Read More »
Apprentice Will Price has always wanted to ride the sprinter William Thomas and he will finally get his wish at Pakenham. Not only is Price keen to partner the horse because he is a high-class galloper who has won seven races and $500,000 in stakemoney, he has an affinity for… Read More »
Victorian racing officials have been given the green light to allow crowds back at Flemington racecourse in the lead up to Christmas. The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) confirmed 500 members and owners would be permitted on track for its next meeting on Saturday week. The club is hoping to increase… Read More »
A start in the Magic Millions Guineas will be on the line for promising three-year-old Ellsberg when he lines up for just his fourth start at Rosehill. After winning on debut at Warwick Farm last month, Ellsberg has notched successive placings, including a third in the Group Three Spring Stakes… Read More »
