Beau Mertens is hopeful the opportunity to reunite with Brooklyn Hustle in the Blue Diamond Stakes can deliver him a first win at racing’s elite level. Mertens rode Brooklyn Hustle to an impressive win when the two-year-old filly made her debut at The Valley on December 1. Ben Melham then… Read More »
Trainer James Cummings has a host of feature race chances at Caulfield including Athiri who he believes can deliver him a first major two-year-old win in the Group One Blue Diamond Stakes. The Godolphin stable also has favourite Alizee and stablemates Hartnell and Best Of Days in Saturday’s Group One… Read More »
Banned Rosehill trainer Sam Kavanagh may not be too far away from making a training come back. This is because the Supreme Court a few days ago found him not liable to serve the sentences imposed by Racing NSW. Earlier this week the court ordered Racing NSW to reimburse all… Read More »
Loving Gaby has been displaced as favourite for the Blue Diamond Stakes despite being given the all-clear to run in Melbourne’s premier two-year-old race. The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained filly underwent a second inspection by Racing Victoria vets on Friday after showing signs of lameness in her right foreleg… Read More »
Godolphin stalwart Hartnell will gain a start in the inaugural All-Star Mile should one of the 11 runners already named be withdrawn. Racing Victoria and the Victoria Racing Club on Thursday announced the 10 highest vote getters, headed by South Australian Balf’s Choice, for the $5 million race at Flemington… Read More »
Jumps racing in Victoria will be held on tracks no harder than a soft (5) in the upcoming season. Racing Victorai has has announced several changes following recommendations put forward by the jumps review panel. A local rule has been amended for jumps races and trials to be run on… Read More »
Singapore-based South African jockey Barend Vorster will have to wait a little longer to make his racing debut in Australia. Vorster was booked to ride Game Keeper in Saturday’s Group One Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield but cannot get a visa in time. “Unfortunately I’ve had to cancel my trip… Read More »
The interpretation of slang language is likely to be a central issue when trainer Ben Currie defends animal cruelty charges in future hearings. Currie was in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal on Thursday when he was successful in a stay on a suspension handed down by stewards on Monday…. Read More »
South Australian Balf’s Choice has emerged as the highest vote getter in the public poll for spots in the All-Star Mile with his trainer Ryan Balfour rapt to have the horse named for his late father in the $5 million race at Flemington. Horses 🏇: View the All Star Mile… Read More »
Anthony Cummings has reassessed his training approach with the lightly raced Baller and he is already noticing a difference. Baller has won two of his four starts but was beaten both times he stepped up to 1400 metres at his initial campaign over the late spring and summer. Cummings had… Read More »
OAKLEIGH PLATE 1100m, Caulfield, $500,000, Handicap HISTORY * First run in 1884 when won by Malua. Group One since 1980. Run over 1200m from 1884-1972; 1100m since * Leading modern-day trainers are John Hawkes: Harpagus (1982) and Sports (2000), Paul Perry: Dantelah (1999) and Fastnet Rock (2005), Gerald Ryan: Snitzel… Read More »
Toowoomba trainer Ben Currie has been granted a stay of a suspension arising out of a show cause hearing earlier this week. It means Currie can resume training immediately and work his horses as of Thursday afternoon. The state’s leading trainer had 80 horses detained in their stable boxes after… Read More »
Training partners Ciaron Maher and David Eustace’s chances of an Oakleigh Plate win have been dealt a blow by wide barriers for their two runners. Stablemates Kemono and Bons Away have drawn next to each in Saturday’s Group One sprint over 1100m at Caulfield, in 19 and 20 respectively. The… Read More »
BLUE DIAMOND STAKES 1200m, Caulfield, $1,500,000, Two-year-olds HISTORY * First run in 1971 when won by Tolerance NOTABLE WINNERS * Manikato (1978); Rancher (1982); Bounding Away (1986); Midnight Fever (1987); Zeditave (1988); Redoute’s Choice (1999); Bel Esprit (2002); Alinghi (2004); Star Witness (2010); Sepoy (2011); Miracles Of Life (2013); Extreme… Read More »
