New Zealander The Bostonian has been backed into favouritism for the Group One Winx Stakes at Randwick and trainer Tony Pike can only add fuel to the fire. “Things are falling into place. The soft track, gate one and his fresh-up record is obviously enticing some punters to think he’s… Read More »
A home state Cups campaign is on the agenda for Sir Barnabus if he can repel the Chris Waller juggernaut at Doomben. Sir Barnabus is on the second line of betting at $4.80 with TAB fixed odds, behind the Waller-trained duo of Humbolt Current and Mangione, the $4.20 joint favourites… Read More »
One has an Everest slot, the other is chasing one but the class of both Gytrash and Fasika shone through when they went head-to-head in a Warwick Farm barrier trial. Making his first public appearance since arriving in Sydney early this week, South Australian sprinter Gytrash was put through his… Read More »
It is a big weekend of viewing for the OTI Racing ownership team with 11 starters in four different countries, a number of them potential Melbourne Cup horses. At Moonee Valley, they will be represented by former English stayer Young Rascal in the 2040m event and in-form stayer Tigre Royale… Read More »
Four-time Group One winner Atlantic Jewel has died after suffering a haemorrhage following the birth of her colt in the NSW Hunter Valley. Coolmore’s Tom Moore confirmed the news to ANZ Bloodstock and said the foal, by US champion Justify, survived. “Sadly we lost the brilliant Atlantic Jewel last night… Read More »
Premier jockey James McDonald will be out to capitalise on a stellar book of rides at Randwick where he will be aboard four of the nine early favourites. While his Group One mount Verry Elleegant has been deposed as the top fancy for her return in the Winx Stakes (1400m)… Read More »
Danny O’Brien took all before him last spring and he again has a powerful contingent aimed at carnival riches with three of his squadron set for action at Moonee Valley. They are three-year-old colt Flying Award, last year’s VRC Oaks winner Miami Bound and Team Williams stayer Orderofthegarter. O’Brien has… Read More »
Savacool has upstaged her more fancied stablemates to continue Chris Waller’s recent run of success in the Listed Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury. Sydney’s premier trainer has now won three of the past five renewals of the 1600 metre feature, Savacool adding her name to the list when she stormed home… Read More »
South Australian sprinter Gytrash has arrived in Sydney and will make his first local appearance in a barrier trial at Warwick Farm. The Group One Lightning Stakes winner became the third horse confirmed for a slot in the $15 million The Everest last week, joining Nature Strip and Classique Legend…. Read More »
John Thompson is rarely without a good horse in his stable but he cannot recall having the quality and depth of stock he has this season. Since his split with Nathan Tinkler’s Patinack Farm, Thompson has put the polish on the likes of Group One winners First Seal, Sir John… Read More »
Robert Hickmott is relishing the return to Lloyd Williams’ Mount Macedon property but more importantly, so are the two gallopers he is aiming at the spring features, Schabau and Django Freeman. Schabau takes an important step on the road to the 2020 Melbourne Cup when he starts at Moonee Valley… Read More »
In the past three months, there have been times when Josh Parr feared his riding career was over, moments when he contemplated a fate even worse. But the popular jockey has come through the other side and will make his long-awaited return to Sydney racing on Saturday, in time for… Read More »
Desleigh Forster is mulling over a rider replacement for talented filly Eelloh at Doomben following an injury to regular jockey Taylor Marshall. Marshall suffered three broken ribs when his mount Topline played up in the barriers at Ipswich on Wednesday. The horse became cast before being withdrawn on veterinary advice…. Read More »
Mick Bell prides himself on getting more things right than wrong with stable star Jungle Edge but he puts his hand up that he got his last start wrong at Caulfield. On that occasion, Jungle Edge showed his usual speed but was beaten a long way out and finished seventh… Read More »
On one hand, Brad Widdup is in the enviable position of having a boutique group of promising mares for the spring. On the other, he finds himself in the predicament of trying to keep them apart. In a pre-COVID world, Widdup would have split his squad between states but given… Read More »
It was a memorable day at Sandown for two apprentices, Alexandra Bryan and Carleen Hefel, who both recorded their first city wins in contrasting styles. Two other female apprentices, Laura Lafferty on Shotmaker and Alana Kelly on So You Swing, also went close to notching their maiden metropolitan victories but… Read More »
Premier jockey James McDonald has given a glowing endorsement of Godolphin filly Raison D’Etre, who will head towards black-type races after her winning return at Canterbury. Taking on a smart midweek field, Raison D’Etre ($3.30) controlled the race and extended her advantage in the straight to post a runaway three-length… Read More »
Jason Warren wasn’t surprised by the style of Brooklyn Hustle’s return to racing with her win at The Valley almost three weeks ago, but he was taken with how she recovered. Brooklyn Hustle will return to the track to run in the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) on Saturday. Warren was… Read More »
The first Group One race of the season will be a campaign-defining moment for Brandenburg, who will be tested against 10 Group One winners. A full field of 16 will contest the Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday, including some of the early favourites for the biggest races of… Read More »
It is all systems go for superstar Nature Strip, who was again streets ahead of his rivals in winning a 900 metre barrier trial at Rosehill. Stepping out for his second public appearance this season on Tuesday, Nature Strip pressed forward from a deep draw under regular rider James McDonald…. Read More »
