Trainer Chris Munce’s fears that three-year-old Stampe might not run a strong 1350m were quickly shown to be baseless at Doomben. Stampe ($7) had no trouble humping 59kg to beat the favourite Astro Boy Toy ($2.20) by a half length in the River Junction Handicap (1350m). Munce said Stampe had… Read More »
Jockey Luke Nolen won’t be budged from the saddle of Taraayef after the filly returned with an impressive first-up win at The Valley. At her first outing since May, Taraayef claimed Saturday’s Hygain Tracktorque Handicap (1000m) coming from the second half of the field. Backed from $4.20 into $3.60 favouritism,… Read More »
In-form stayer Our Mantra has improved so much in recent weeks that he could now find himself in Victoria for the spring. Our Mantra ($3.20) made it four wins and a second from his past five starts when he raced away for a 2-1/4 length win over Miss Shanti ($4.20)… Read More »
Some of the season’s newly turned three-year-olds have shown they still have a bit to learn, putting on a messy display for the first race at Randwick. The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Mandela was sent out the $3.10 favourite and eventually got his win on Saturday after coming out slowly… Read More »
Cheap yearling purchase Condo’s Express has upstaged some of his more expensive rivals with a stylish win at The Valley. A $3000 purchase at Scone in 2018, Condo’s Express took his prize money to more than $90,000 when taking out Saturday’s Seamus Mills Bloodstock Handicap. Ridden by Linda Meech, Condo’s… Read More »
Toowoomba trainer Tony Sear’s decision to scrap plans to try Magic Trick over longer distances proved a winner at Doomben. Sears had a long-range plan to get Magic Trick up to distances as far as 1600m after the gelding showed some indications of wanting further in his races as a… Read More »
Patrick Payne will not take any of the accolades should New Zealand jumper Tallyho Twinkletoe win the Grand National Hurdle at Sandown. Tallyho Twinkletoe has been mainly prepared for Sunday’s race by Kevin Myers in New Zealand. He arrived at Payne’s stable on Wednesday needing to jump in front of… Read More »
Day 4 of Glorious Goodwood in England Friday night Aussie time, and well, an Aussie showed up well. Our really good Queensland mare HOUTZEN (I Am Invincible-Set To Unleash) ran her heart out in the Gr 2 King George Stakes over 1000m to grab 2nd behind world class sprinter BATTAASH… Read More »
Troubled jockey Luke Tarrant has been suspended as result of a criminal court appearance and will be stood down from riding at Doomben. The decision means Tarrant will have to show he is a fit person before his licence is reinstated. It is understood some jockeys approached the Queensland Racing… Read More »
Group Two winner and Group One producing stallion Magic Albert has sadly passed away on Friday. Magic Albert who initially stood at Yarraman Park passed away on Friday at Kooringal Stud where he stood for most of his stud career. Magic Albert was the sire of Group One winners Albert… Read More »
Lindsay Park co-trainer Tom Dabernig is looking forward to the return of Vega Magic after his autumn carnival was cut short by injury. Vega Magic had one start in the autumn, finishing second last in the TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick won by Santa Ana Lane. “The one thing I’m… Read More »
Bjorn Baker is keen to get some results on the board for high-profile syndicators Highclere Thoroughbreds, starting at the first metropolitan meeting of the new racing season. Highclere has enjoyed great success internationally and its director, John Warren, has some top-end clients, including The Queen for whom he is a… Read More »
From the day trainer Henry Dwyer started working filly Rumble Doll he has held her in high regard. Victory at Sandown at her second start confirmed Dwyer’s belief and in Saturday’s Hygain Tracktorque Handicap (1000m) at The Valley he will get a better gauge of her spring prospects. Rumble Doll… Read More »
The spring aspirations of Group One-winning jockey Joe Bowditch have been dealt a blow with scans showing a neck fracture following a fall at Sale. Bowditch was one of four jockeys to fall at Sale on Wednesday with apprentices Chris Caserta and Thomas Stockdale on the injured list. Michael Walker… Read More »
It has taken a long time but trainer Tony McEvoy believes lightly raced More Than Ever is finally starting to fulfil his staying potential. The five-year-old has been restricted to 10 starts with McEvoy saying he had not been able to get the gelding out to the distances he had… Read More »
After failing to cope with the hot and humid conditions in Singapore, multiple Group One winner Volkstok’n’barrell is now in Melbourne with trainer Danny O’Brien Winner of the 2015 Rosehill Guineas as a three-year-old as well as three Group One races in New Zealand as an older horse, Volkstok’n’barrell was… Read More »
John Thompson will usher in the new season with two winning chances at Randwick and an opportunity to bolster his spring carnival stocks. Doncaster Mile runner-up Dreamforce will be the primary flag-bearer for the trainer in the coming months and is just weeks away from a return. He was given… Read More »
Stakes-winning mare Volkoff will carry the lightest weight in her long career when she runs at Doomben in a bid to send her to stud as a winner. Volkoff will probably be having her final race start in Saturday’s Tim Bell Memorial Handicap (1200m). The eight-year-old mare has been a… Read More »
A physically stronger Age Of Chivalry will step out for the first time at The Valley as he embarks on a campaign towards rich spring handicaps. The Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra-trained gelding runs in Saturday’s Four’N Twenty Handicap (1200m), his first outing since March. A veteran of six starts… Read More »
On the back of an eye-catching barrier trial win, well-bred filly Art Collection is set to return to racing at Randwick with her co-trainer Tom Dabernig believing the filly has come back bigger and stronger for this campaign. A three-year-old half-sister to 2013/14 Australian Horse of the Year Lankan Rupee,… Read More »
