Japanese trainer Katsunori Tanaka is hoping to join his father-in-law as the winner of one the ‘three majors’ during the Melbourne Spring Carnival. Tanaka’s father-in-law Yoshito Yahagi prepared Lys Gracieux to win the 2019 Cox Plate, before Tanaka had even taken out a trainer’s licence. Having held that licence now for five years,… Read More »
The task of toppling Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising isn’t the only thing on Chris Waller’s mind ahead of The Everest as the champion trainer prepares a three-strong squad for the $20 million race. Twelve months ago, Joliestar was luckless in the corresponding race, getting shuffled back to last on… Read More »
Bjorn Baker is nothing if not bold and he has no hesitation in defying convention by pitting three-year-old filly Within The Law against some of Australia’s most seasoned weight-for-age stars in the King Charles III Stakes at Randwick. Within The Law has never raced against horses outside her own age group and… Read More »
A new recruit and a stable stalwart headline Joe Pride’s assault on the Sydney Stakes and he is expecting both sprinters to give the Everest consolation a shake. Godolphin gelding Golden Mile will make his debut for the yard in Saturday’s Group 3 sprint, alongside Coal Crusher and Dragonstone. While he says… Read More »
It has been a while coming, but French-bred galloper Wootton Verni has finally broken through on Australian shores, claiming the Group 3 Coongy Cup at Caulfield. Wootton Verni came to Australia late last year to join the Chris Waller stable, with Wednesday’s victory in the 2000m contest coming at his… Read More »
Not content with winning Victoria’s first two-year-old feature of the season, Lindsay Park further flexed its juvenile muscle in that state’s second. The Ben, Will and Jd Hayes training team provided the quinella of Wednesday’s $200,000 Listed Debutant Stakes at Caulfield when Torture defeated Free Flying. It followed Listed Maribyrnong Trial… Read More »
Overpass is among the outsiders for the $20 million The Everest but trainer Bjorn Baker believes he is not only over the odds but capable of being a spoke in the wheel for Hong Kong champion Ka Ying Rising. Baker’s gelding is a $51 chance and will be lining up… Read More »
Ciaron Maher concedes it can now be rocks or diamonds with Pride Of Jenni, but Victoria’s leading trainer is optimistic the crowd favourite can make it back-to-back wins for the first time in almost two years. The veteran mare returns to Sydney to the first time in 12 months to contest… Read More »
Half Yours has eased at the top of the market for the Caulfield Cup despite drawing an inside gate in the 2400m handicap. The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained stayer is now the $2.80 favourite to claim the Group 1 contest on Saturday after drawing barrier two. While odds-framers may consider the… Read More »
David Hayes’ time in Sydney with Ka Ying Rising has been far from stress-free but he had little to worry about at Tuesday night’s barrier draw, where his champion sprinter came up with barrier seven for this Saturday’s $20 million The Everest at Randwick. The Hall of Fame trainer said… Read More »
Trainer Michael Freedman had considered tipping Apocalyptic out for a break but reasoned the filly had enough left in the tank to chase another Group 1 success. After stretching the winning sequence to three in capturing the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on October 4, Apocalyptic is in… Read More »
Caulfield Cup entrant Meydaan has been given the thumbs up after completing a look at the course in preparation for the Group 1 handicap. Travelling foreman Paul Holley gave the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained galloper the all-clear for Saturday’s 2400m contest after partnering the gelding in a gallop at Caulfield on… Read More »
Jockey Ben Allen will ride in the Caulfield Cup for the first time in eight years when he partners the international raider Absurde. Allen was given the call up to partner the stayer in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday before Kerrin McEvoy takes over for the Melbourne Cup… Read More »
It’s been a case of playing catch up for Tom Kitten, but Sam Freedman believes he is ready to put his best foot forward in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1609m) on Saturday at Randwick. After being scratched at the barriers in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m)… Read More »
Ciaron Maher would love to have four shots at defending his Caulfield Cup crown, but half of his team could be stranded as emergencies, including a last-start Group 1 winner. Royal Supremacy’s place in the field could hinge on the plans for last year’s runner-up and 59kg topweight Buckaroo. The Metropolitan… Read More »
David Hayes hopes a strong gallop at Canterbury on Monday proved to everyone that Ka Ying Rising is in good health and a certain starter in this Saturday’s The Everest at Randwick. The rumour mill was in overdrive on Sunday with suggestions that the Hong Kong superstar was not in good… Read More »
The Willie Mullins stable has changed mode on their attack for the Melbourne Cup with Absurde who this year will run at Caulfield in the lead-up. Absurde is back in Melbourne for the third time and will run in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday in a change up from… Read More »
Having spent part of his illustrious riding career in Hong Kong, Darren Beadman is well positioned to understand the challenge Ka Ying Rising faces racing away from Sha Tin for the first time. All of the champion sprinter’s 16 starts have been at the same track and his regular jockey… Read More »
Ask any thoroughbred owner and they’ll tell you it’s hard to win even one race. The Joe Pride-trained Headley Grange ($10) has now won five in the space of a preparation, to make it 11 from 22 overall. The son of Exosphere overcame a horror draw to take out the… Read More »
Nash Rawiller has praised Lindermann’s never-say-die attitude after partnering the grand campaigner to a dashing victory in the $2 million Hill Stakes at Rosehill. After winning the Rosehill Guineas aboard the horse in 2023, Rawiller didn’t reunite with him again until this year but has now ridden him in nine… Read More »
