Annabel Neasham’s faith in Sunshine In Paris was rewarded when the classy mare upstaged Australia’s best sprinters in Saturday’s Champions Sprint at Flemington, but the victory did not come without a tinge of regret. The Sydneysider was kicking herself for not insisting that her training partner Rob Archibald be trackside for the $3… Read More »
It was a win more than two years in the making and Smokin’ Romans could not have picked a more appropriate venue to reward his connections’ patience. The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding led all the way to claim the $300,000 Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington. It was the 10th career… Read More »
Top trainer Stephen Miller believes Magnificent Andy is poised for victory and can stamp his Railway Stakes (1600m) credentials when he tackles the Group 2 Perth Racing Member Appreciation-Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on Saturday. Miller’s confident prediction is drawn from Magnificent Andy’s previous run in the Eurythmic Stakes… Read More »
As hard as he tried, jockey Shaun O’Donnell couldn’t find a slot for tough mare Searchin’ Roc’s when he was aboard her last time out in the Group 3 Eurythmic Stakes (1400m). From barrier 15 O’Donnell was left stranded four wide without cover in no man’s land, but testament to… Read More »
Melbourne Cup plans can be years in the making and Ballarat trainer Dan O’Sullivan is already thinking about next year’s race at Flemington. The Melbourne Cup (3200m) is still more than 360 days away, but O’Sullivan’s stayer Berkeley Square will pass an important qualifying clause if he can run top three in… Read More »
Having centred their spring thoughts around the Melbourne Cup with Eliyass, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott decided to change direction after contesting another spring feature. Now the Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday is the focus for Eliyass. French-bred and having done his early racing in the… Read More »
Anticipation is at fever pitch for the launch of the Dream Chasers Festival at The Meadows this Saturday night and you will see all the colour, stories and high octane action live on Racing.com. The coverage kicks off at 6.15pm immediately following Champion Stakes Day at Flemington. It will be… Read More »
Not many horses, especially older geldings, go from winning a maiden to Group 1 success in one campaign, but that is what the Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained Baraqiel will attempt to do at Flemington. A maiden winner on debut at Sale in May, Baraqiel heads to the big… Read More »
Timing the Golden Gift campaign of Tupakara has been a delicate balancing act, but one that trainers Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald are hoping they have got right. The filly was responsible for a promising debut when she didn’t get much room in the early part of the straight before finishing fourth… Read More »
A rare stroke of fortune ahead of a big race has been gratefully accepted by trainer Mitchell Freedman as he prepares Attrition for the second leg of his two-part Sydney mission. Having drawn closer to the outside than the inside at his past 10 starts, Attrition has landed barrier five for Saturday’s… Read More »
It is highly unlikely Chris Waller and James Mcdonald will be making the same mistake twice with Fangirl. The six-year-old daughter of Sebring heads to the Group 1 Champions Mile at Flemington on Saturday coming off a previous start sixth in the King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on October 19…. Read More »
Positive trainer and jockey combinations are a sought-after addition of confidence and with Michael Hickmott and Todd Pannell teaming up again with rising filly Spirit Of Camelot, they could present one of the better punting propositions around Australia on Saturday. Pannell’s winning strike-rate with Hickmott is currently at 26.4% and at 25%… Read More »
Debonaire is defined as having charm and sophistication â and for the Fiona Scottâs talented gelding of the same name, it is a fitting moniker. The son of Pierro, whose name is spelt with two Ns, enjoyed a breakout season at the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Racing Club for Scott, winning five of… Read More »
If jockey Kate Pateman was feeling contented and pleased with her performance on Kerman Rock last Saturday, you would be hard pressed to find anyone who would be critical. Pateman, six months into her comeback after the birth of her second child, produced a ripper on Kerman Rock, expertly rating… Read More »
Rustic Steel has stamped his class on the Ladies Day Cup at Hawkesbury, reacting to a key gear change to deliver trainer Kris Lees his first win in the Listed feature. Successful in the Group 3 Newcastle Stakes (1400m) during the autumn, the seven-year-old had resumed with an encouraging midfield effort in… Read More »
Trainer Matt Laurie admitted to being quite nervous ahead of the Crown Oaks, but in the end it was a painless watch as his filly Treasurethe Moment triumphed at Flemington. Just as she did in the traditional Oaks lead-up in the Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington last Saturday, Treasurethe Moment scored a… Read More »
Chris Waller was back in the winner’s stall on a big day with colours he will forever be associated with after Amelita continued her progression with a maiden Stakes win in the Red Roses Stakes at Flemington on Oaks Day. The three-year-old claimed the $300,000 Group 3 at just her fifth start,… Read More »
Electric Impulse had to win a $500,000 race twice, once out on the racetrack at Flemington and the second time in the stewards’ room. The Henry Dwyer-trained Electric Impulse had to overcome the second widest barrier in the capacity field to contest the Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final (1600m) on Tuesday…. Read More »
Grahame Begg is banking on improved fitness levels and a different circuit helping Magic Time turn the tables on Belclare when the pair face a rematch in the Hot Danish Stakes. Magic Time tried hard but was unable to reel in Belclare in The Invitation (1400m) at Randwick last start, finishing just over… Read More »
Matt Smith has opted to dodge taking on the better mares in the Hot Danish Stakes in favour of a benchmark assignment as he bids to get another win on the board for French Endeavour. The four-year-old has been scratched from Saturday’s Group 2 assignment in preference for the Kia… Read More »
