We all know the exploits of the great Irishman Aidan O’Brien. Not only is he seemingly without peer as a trainer of race horses, he has raised a family of champion thoroughbred people too. His son, Joseph, as we know just won the Melbourne Cup for the second time. But… Read More »
The best horse won The Everest on Saturday, but did we see a double standard in the race, or perhaps just a correction in the operating mode of the NSW stewards? They are fair questions when you consider Hugh Bowman was harangued, his name besmirched, his riding reputation questioned, his… Read More »
We all know American racing isn’t as good as Australian racing. Nor as good as: Hong Kong racing, New Zealand racing, French racing, Irish racing, English racing, German racing etc, etc. Not as good in the sense they allow ridiculous race calling, they run for poor prizemoney in the main,… Read More »
Saturday’s outstanding field, and subsequent equally as impressive race, the Winx Stakes is here to stay. The Gr 1 feature which was worth $500,000 over 1400m at Randwick, was won sensationally by VERRY ELLEEGANT (Zed-Opulence) narrowly from STAR OF THE SEAS (Ocean Park-Stella Livia) and FIERCE IMPACT (Deep Impact-Keiai Gerbera)… Read More »
The World Horse Racing authority has taken a liking to our super sprinter NATURE STRIP (Nicconi-Strikeline). On Wednesday afternoon, it posted on social media the question: who would win between Nature Strip and the wonder European sprinter BATTAASH (Dark Angel-Anna Law) over 5 furlongs (1000m). This is a clear acknowledgement… Read More »
A late scratching at Randwick has caused a bit of a social media stir with many thinking it was due to a bias in the track. Trainer David Payne was allowed to scratch his horse Montefilia following the start of the meeting in what looked to be due to the… Read More »
Ok, we are all armchair Stewards so I have one here you should look at it, ponder over, then answer this question. Should this filly have won this race? Her name is JOVIALITY (I Am Invincible-Limbo Down). She is ridden by visiting 3kg claiming Kiwi apprentice Casey Waddell. After missing… Read More »
Owners of boom three-year-old Masked Crusader have reportedly turned down an offer worth over $3million dollars from a Hong Kong buyer. Masked Crusader has won three of his four career starts and was the odds on favourite for Saturday’s Inglis Guineas before stone bruising saw the horse scratched on race… Read More »
Australia’s latest wonder horse, RUSSIAN CAMELOT, is worth $45million, should he go and win the Kentucky Derby. And being Northern Hemisphere bred, plus, now thanks to the pandemic, the great race has been pushed back to 5 September, winning is highly possible. But unlikely,” said one of his part-owners, Dan… Read More »
So, we wake to the richest 2YO race on the planet and during it’s storied life thus far, it has become probably the quintessential stallion-making race in Australia. The Gr 1 Caulfield Guineas is up there too, but the Gr 1 Golden Slipper over 1200m for the babies, is the… Read More »
It is not often, in fact NEVER, that North American rules of racing and racing in general are better than Australia’s. That’s pretty much always been the prevailing thought. But, after a big race at Santa Anita yesterday, there just might be one teensy weenie rule that we need to… Read More »
The question has been asked whether or not one of the leading contenders in this years Melbourne Cup should actually be starting in the race. The Aidan O’Brien trained Il Paradiso is becoming a bit of a controversial runner in the 2019 Melbourne Cup with the lightly raced galloper having… Read More »
Following his amazing 2nd placing in the Gr1 Spring Champion Stakes, CASTELVECCHIO has earned himself a shot at Gr 1 Cox Plate glory. Well, that’s what his trainer and owners want. He’s already a Gr 1 winner having scored in the Gr 1 Champagne Stakes over 1600m as a 2YO…. Read More »
Trainer Danny O’Brien has blamed one of the countries biggest three-year-old races as the issue for Australia’s staying ranks. O’Brien talking on RSN this morning said the single biggest impediment on the countries born and bred stayers is the G1 Victoria Derby. “The single biggest impediment to stayers in this… Read More »
This years edition of the ‘Stallion making’ Caulfield Guineas is set to be among the worst in recent years with most of the countries best three year old colts set to bypass the race. The Caulfield Guineas was looked upon as arguably the countries best ‘stallion making’ race for colts… Read More »
The enigma that is Nature Strip bounced back on Friday night winning his second Group One in the Moir Stakes. Nature Strip returned in the Concorde Stakes where he jumped slowly and was ridden quieter than normal, eventually finishing lengths back from The Everest contenders Redzel and Pierata but punters… Read More »
The biggest question in Australian racing right now is: has Kerrin McEvoy pulled the right rein? He was faced last night with the hardest decision in our sport: stick with Redzel in the $14 million The Everest or switch to boom sprinter, the big grey Classique Legend. And he no… Read More »
You will be hard pressed to fins a better trial than that of Classique Legend this morning who is headed towards The Everest next month. Classique Legend sat just off the speed in Trial 1 at Randwick this morning before rounding up the field to put pay to them easily… Read More »
I’m not a stewards’ basher. I think they do an excellent job in Australian racing but I think, like the bunker in Rugby League every now and then, they get it wrong. And here’s one where they’ve erred, I believe. Next Wednesday, leading Sydney jockey Sam Clipperton will face them… Read More »
Three weeks back I reported that The Jockey Club in America had received recommendations to ban the use of the whip in the home straight. The Jockey Club sent this to all stake holders and some tracks will introduce reduced whipping. Woodbine starts very soon. But….like is often the case,… Read More »
