Did this Eagle Farm 2YO race over 1500m, traditionally a good lead-up to next week’s Gr 1 JJ Atkins, prove to be again this year? The quick back-up certainly helps the runners so possibly is the answer. This year, it was the drifting favourite VOLCANIC ROCK (Hinchinbrook – Heat Of… Read More »
Rosehill trainer Chris Waller already has two runners confirmed for next week’s $1 million Group 1 J J Atkins at Eagle Farm, and he may have uncovered another live chance with Cape Breton ($3.80) taking out the two-year-old handicap at Rosehill. The Vancouver progeny showed plenty of tenacity in the finish to pull away from… Read More »
Colin Webster has another shot of claiming the Raconteur Stakes (1400m) at Belmont and the veteran trainer is bullish about his chances. Billy Ain’t Silly, race hardened and at his peak, is the second favourite ($3.90) behind Glamour Girl, on the quick back-up after her win last week. Webster’s view… Read More »
Nettoyer will line up for what is likely to be her penultimate start at Eagle Farm. Wendy Roche cannot fathom why Nettoyer is a market drifter ahead of Saturday’s $500,000 Magic Millions National Classic at Eagle Farm, adamant the mare is not only thriving, but has a plethora of statistics… Read More »
Having finished tailed-off in the VRC St Leger, Furioso is back to 2000m for another Flemington test. Matt Cumani is none-the-wiser as to what is the best trip for Furioso who heads to Flemington for a middle-distance contest. Furioso runs in the VRC Member Maureen Salter Plate (2000m) on Saturday, his first start… Read More »
The latest COVID lockdown in Melbourne has stopped any potential crowd from filtering into Flemington to see Black Caviar’s latest daughter Invincible Caviar in her debut. A large crowd rolled into Flemington on New Year’s Day in 2017 to see Oscietra, the first of Black Caviar’s progeny, make her debut, with a… Read More »
While one of Alligator Blood’s owners moves into legal territory to try and get the horse’s Magic Millions Guineas disqualification overturned, Alligator Blood’s former trainer David Vandyke is just getting on with things and his training expertise was very much on display at Doomben this week where possible future stars… Read More »
Trainer Kris Lees says Special Reward is capable of a rapid form reversal at Eagle Farm. Out-of-form sprinter Special Reward will be given a final throw at the stumps to earn a Stradbroke Handicap start in the Group 2 Moreton Cup at Eagle Farm. Last year’s Newcastle Newmarket winner hasn’t… Read More »
A decade since he returned for another stint at racing, Cliff Green will have his first representation in a black type race at Belmont on Saturday. Green will saddle up Benji’s in the Listed Raconteur Stakes (1400m), the rank outsider and despite having modest expectations, Cliff Green is keen to explore the… Read More »
Trainer Andrew Noblet is hoping a winning combination will come to the fore for a breakthrough Saturday victory at Flemington. Jockey Patrick Moloney and Witchfulthinking team up in the VRC Member Ben Edney Trophy (1400m) with the pair aiming for a third victory. Moloney rode Witchfulthinking to victory at Warrnambool during last month’s carnival… Read More »
David Payne is well aware it has been more than a year since Costello last raced over his pet distance but he is hoping the horse can make the wait worthwhile. A son of 2010 Melbourne Cup winner Americain, Costello has an excellent 2400 metre record having competed over the… Read More »
Nailing the delicate balance of maintaining a horse’s fitness while keeping them mentally fresh can require pinpoint accuracy and trainer Gerald Ryan is hoping he has got the mix right with Bottega. An undoubted talent, the entire has disappointed at his past two starts, over-racing when finishing down the track behind… Read More »
Winter Cup favourite Parry Sound might be the headline act for trainer Bjorn Baker but two horses resuming at Rosehill could emerge as surprise packets for the stable. Baker is in for a busy afternoon with 10 runners across nine races and while he regards Parry Sound as his leading chance, he… Read More »
Queensland Oaks favourite Bargain is going to be a tougher nut for rivals to crack on the bigger track at Eagle Farm this weekend according to trainer Mark Newnham. The Sydney-based conditioner partnered Bargain in a course proper gallop at Eagle Farm on Tuesday and she gave him the feel… Read More »
New Zealand Oaks runner-up Charms Star could be the big improver in Saturday’s Queensland Oaks as she continues to thrive in her new surrounds of Queensland. Charms Star had her first Australian start when a solid third in the Doomben Roses a fortnight ago and Kerrin Mcevoy has retained the… Read More »
An idea originally hatched as a “loose plan” can come full circle for Edward Cummings when Duais runs for Group 1 glory in Saturday’s Queensland Oaks. Cummings indicated Duais would have been in the spelling paddock had she won the ATC Oaks, but after she ran second in that race, the trainer kept… Read More »
By any measure, Dan Morton has enjoyed a successful three-year-old season. His Ascot summer carnival hit a peak with Kissonallforcheeks, Snickerdoodledandy and Kallaroo. Kissonallforcheeks took out the Lee Steere Classic (1400m) and the WA Breeders Classic (1400m). Snickerdoodledandy defeated Kissonallforcheeks in the Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) to give Morton a… Read More »
Trainer James Cummings is upbeat about the chances of Varda in the Group 2 Moreton Cup at Eagle Farm. After sticking to short-course sprints for more than two years, Godolphin believe the time is right to stretch Varda over a slightly longer journey. The mare has been a prolific winner… Read More »
Michael Freedman has confirmed BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Tiger Of Malay has come through the race in great order and remains on target for the Group 1 J J Atkins Stakes. The colt had struggled to make an impact from wide draws at his two previous runs but from… Read More »
The Victorian Jockeys Association will show their support for equine welfare by carrying Racing Victoria’s Off The Track logo on their breeches. RV and the VJA announced a three-year sponsorship deal which will provide funding to support jockeys and their families in their time of need. Victoria’s peak racing body has committed… Read More »
