Michael Freedman has labelled Apocalyptic a ‘special filly’ after she overcame a wide run to dominate her Tea Rose Stakes rivals and rocket to outright favouritism for the Group 1 Flight Stakes. Tommy Berry was forced to travel three-wide without cover from an awkward draw but Apocalyptic ($3) still unleashed… Read More »
He had been a frustrating conveyance for local punters but the Chris Waller-trained import Birdman ($5.50) has finally saluted on Australian shores. After getting a perfect run in transit from the inside alley for rider Kerrin Mcevoy, the five-year-old was able to extricate off the fence to chase down the… Read More »
Soul Of Spain could have Group One targets in mind after prevailing in Friday’s Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2350m). The progressive stayer gave trainer Chris Waller a remarkable seventh win in 11 years in the race, just one shy of hall of fame trainer Gai Waterhouse who has eight…. Read More »
Trainer Chris Waller will chase a first win in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude when he saddles Estremo in the Group 3 contest. The 1400m contest at Caulfield on Saturday has not been a race that Waller has traditionally used as a stepping stone to the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October… Read More »
Caulfield has brought many a good Sydney-trained horse undone and Fangirl was its latest victim, but back in familiar territory at Randwick connections are backing the star mare to rebound. Fangirl missed a place for just the second time in the past 20 months when fourth to Treasurethemoment in the Memsie… Read More »
A barrier draw immediately to the inside of favourite Private Harry has given Briasa’s jockey Tyler Schiller a boost of confidence ahead of the grey’s return in The Shorts at Randwick. The T J Smith Stakes winner has gate four with Private Harry to jump from five and Schiller expects the barrier… Read More »
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable will chase their third win in four years in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes. Imported galloper Sir Delius lines up for the stable in the 1800m weight-for-age contest at Caulfield on Saturday as they look to repeat the efforts of Alligator Blood in 2022 and 2023…. Read More »
The emergence of Private Harry as one of the country’s most exciting sprinters has coincided with the rise of his jockey Ash Morgan as both horse and hoop make a fist of their opportunities. The pair will be in the spotlight at Randwick on Saturday when Private Harry attempts to… Read More »
The City Tattersall’s Club Cup might have been the race that got away for emerging stayer Travolta but he will get another chance to boost his prospects of a Metropolitan start via the Newcastle Gold Cup. Starting an odds-on favourite, Travolta was brought undone by a brilliant tactical ride from… Read More »
A stayer who has proven competitive at the highest level and another hoping to eventually tick that box will go head-to-head for Tulloch Lodge in the Kingston Town Stakes at Randwick. Dual Group 1 placegetter Vauban and the lightly raced Elamaz are both relatively recent additions to the Gai Waterhouse… Read More »
A 2000m benchmark handicap at Caulfield may not be high on list of priorities for King Charles III as he entertains US President Donald Trump in the UK. Discussions on global affairs have taken place between the pair, but should His Majesty find a quiet moment he may tune in… Read More »
Annabel and Rob Archibald have made a key gear change to talented filly Tupakara as she bids to finally shed her maiden status in the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes at Randwick. The three-year-old has placed in four of her seven starts, each time at black-type level, including a Group… Read More »
Trainer Cliff Brown admits the task facing Sepals will not be an easy one as the pair chase a Group 1 win at Caulfield. Brown was no stranger to Group 1 success in Australia before a 12-year career in Singapore saw him rack up multiple wins at the highest level…. Read More »
Phillip Stokes believes Stay Cosmic and Ferivia will handle a rise to 1400m in their respective targets at Caulfield on Saturday. The Pakenham-based trainer will have Stay Cosmic in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) and Ferivia in the Listed Jim Moloney Stakes (1400m) after encouraging runs over 1200m… Read More »
Tyler Schiller has combined with Team Hawkes for an important win at Canterbury in what could herald the start of a momentous few days for the Johnson family’s yellow and white silks. Jockey, trainer and owner were in the winner’s circle with lightly raced stayer Tastula on Wednesday and will… Read More »
Tulloch Lodge trainer Adrian Bott has had a vested interest in the start of Mr Brightside’s spring campaign and hopes that gelding’s good form augurs well for his own stable heavyweight, Royal Patronage. The Lindsay Park-prepared Mr Brightside and Royal Patronage both competed in Hong Kong’s Champions Mile (1600m) in… Read More »
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable held high hopes for Space Rider after a recent first-up win at Moonee Valley. But Price concedes he was left scratching his head after the colt returned to that track for his second-up outing but failed to finish the race off in the… Read More »
Smokin’ Romans maybe getting on in years, but trainer Ciaron Maher has been buoyed by the gelding’s recent performance and is giving the ‘old boy’ another crack at a Group 1 contest. The Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on Saturday will see Smokin’ Romans line up with stablemates Zardozi and Middle Earth in a… Read More »
Reigning Australian Horse Of The Year Via Sistina and Irish St Leger winner Al Riffa head the weights for the Melbourne Cup. Racing Victoria chief handicapper David Hegan released the weights for both the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 4 and the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 18… Read More »
Trainer Ciaron Maher is content with the progress Another Wil has made as he prepares for a Group 1 assignment at Caulfield. Another Wil heads to the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) on Saturday, a race in which he finished second to Kimochi in last year. This year the Group 1 handicap,… Read More »
