A Group Two placing isn’t usually considered disappointing but connections of Tupakara had been hoping for more in the Tea Rose Stakes. The three-year-old was sent out a clear cut favourite after motoring home for second to Apocalyptic first-up but ridden handier to the speed last start she finished a battling third… Read More »
Tony and Maddysen Sears could kickstart a big weekend for Queensland when Yellow Brick flies the flag for their state in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap, a day before the Brisbane Broncos take on the Melbourne Storm in the NRL grand final. Yellow Brick is the only Queensland-trained horse in Saturday’s… Read More »
On paper the performances of Deakin so far this campaign may appear underwhelming, but trainer Phillip Stokes is content with how the stayer is tracking towards his spring goals. Deakin takes the next step on his journey towards the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup double in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m)… Read More »
It might be ‘moving day’ at Flemington, but Andrew Gluyas’ spring prospects will be shaped closer to home when he saddles up a trio of emerging three-year-olds at Morphettville. The Morphettville horseman is represented by half of the six-horse field for the 1600m three-year-old contest, with Golden Guru, Sassy Sophie… Read More »
Ciaron Maher will look to increase his hand in the Melbourne Cup by winning a ballot exemption with one of four horses at Flemington. The Bart Cummings (2500m) on Saturday is the last Flemington-based ‘win and you’re in’ race for the Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 4, although the Geelong Cup… Read More »
A Group One-winning rider in New Zealand, Alysha Collett will have two chances to add to her tally in Australia with a pair of lightweight rides at the Epsom Handicap day meeting at Randwick. The talented hoop will partner Swiftfalcon for Team Hawkes in the feature mile and Don Diego De Vega for… Read More »
If things had worked out differently, Half Yours may have been in Sydney running in a Group 1 staying contest instead of lining up at Flemington. The Tony and Calvin Mcevoy-trained galloper was being prepared for The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday from a base in Sydney, but that program… Read More »
Australia hasn’t always been a happy hunting ground for Darryn Weatherley but Pier is quickly changing that as he bids to deliver the New Zealand trainer a maiden Group One win in Sydney. Prior to this year, Weatherley had enjoyed little luck travelling horses across the Tasman with the likes of… Read More »
A low draw gives Queen Of Clubs a fighting chance to turn the table on her Tea Rose Stakes conqueror Apocalyptic in the Flight Stakes at Randwick, according to her trainer Gary Portelli. The three-year-old was doing her best work late when fourth to the benchmark filly over 1400m last start when… Read More »
Encap produced a career-best performance off a quick back-up into the Doncaster Mile and trainer Gary Portelli has had no hesitation using a similar formula for his Epsom Handicap tilt. The gelding finished an eye-catching third to Stefi Magnetica in the feature Randwick mile off a four-day turnaround and Portelli… Read More »
He might not bear a physical resemblance to his well-performed big brother Storm Boy but Shangri La Boy is expected to make a mark in his own right. The three-year-old took a step in that direction with an all-the-way in the TAB Plate (1400m) at Rosehill on Wednesday, making amends… Read More »
Inglis is on the lookout for a new horse to fill its Everest slot after original selection Skybird was withdrawn due to injury. The Lightning Stakes winner had been in doubt since pulling up lame from her unplaced effort in the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley last week and trainer… Read More »
Encap produced a career-best performance off a quick back-up into the Doncaster Mile and trainer Gary Portelli has had no hesitation using a similar formula for his Epsom Handicap tilt. The gelding finished an eye-catching third to Stefi Magnetica in the feature Randwick mile off a four-day turnaround and Portelli is hoping Encap… Read More »
An outside barrier has done little to dent stable confidence in Birdman’s Metropolitan claims with the stayer’s light weight expected to offset his difficult draw. Birdman has gate 17 in Saturday’s 2400m feature but Chris Waller’s assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth doesn’t feel the wide alley changes his ranking as the… Read More »
Trainer Grahame Begg concedes Royal Insignia is not as well suited as he heads back to Flemington for the third start of his campaign. Royal Insignia lines up in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) on Saturday and has a middle gate in the field of 16, plus one emergency. At his… Read More »
A trainer predicting they would train the trifecta in a Stakes race would normally be considered outlandish, but not when it is Gai Waterhouse talking about the Breeders’ Plate. The Hall of Fame trainer, who prepares her team in partnership with Adrian Bott, has achieved the feat the past two seasons…. Read More »
Imported galloper and expensive purchase Sir Delius will further the Melbourne Cup dreams of one of his owners Sir Owen Glenn when he lines up in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. Sir Delius, the current favourite for the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 4, is one of… Read More »
Gordon Richards will unveil close relations to two of the best horses he’s ever trained at Morphettville Parks on Saturday. Gwyllgi, a son of Gytrash’s half-sister Outlaw Miss, and Bold Star’s full-sister Bold Starlet will make their respective debuts in the 1250m maiden. Richards said both three-year-olds have talent, although… Read More »
The task for Autumn Glow’s first foray into Group 1 company hasn’t been made any easier with the unbeaten mare drawing barrier 14 of 14 in the Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday. Autumn Glow will be aiming to become just the fourth mare in the past fifty years… Read More »
Peter Snowden is confident Raging Force can still be a player in the Coolmore Stud Stakes and is set to take an unconventional path to the $2 million Group 1 at Flemington on Derby Day. The Randwick trainer is considering tackling the older horses in Saturday week’s Group 2 Schillaci Stakes at… Read More »
