The Mark Walker stable is banking on a freshen up between races as being pivotal for New Zealand mare Campionessa. A last start winner against ‘the boys’ in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on February 24, Campionessa will have her first test at Moonee Valley on Saturday… Read More »
Adrian Bott says it is a case of ‘job not done yet’ as he and training partner Gai Waterhouse prepare a team of seven youngsters for the richest two-year-old race in the world. While most racing fans only ever dream of having a runner in the $5 million Golden Slipper… Read More »
The addition of blinkers on Immediacy has allowed the gelding’s trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young to set a Group 1 path in Sydney. Immediacy will be having his fourth race start on Saturday when he lines up in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m). The son of Tarzino commenced his… Read More »
Barrier draws have not been kind for Lindsay Park three-year-olds Apulia and Rise At Dawn as they look to progress potential Derby campaigns at Moonee Valley. The Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) on Saturday is seen as a fork in the road for the Ben, Will and J D Hayes-trained pair…. Read More »
With racing retirement looming and a date in the breeding barn with I Am Invincible, the connections of Hypothetical are chasing a Group 1 win. Those connections, along with trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman, would like to see that come on Saturday in the William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley…. Read More »
Rival UK trainer William Haggas has been a thorn in the side of Chris Waller in recent seasons, so in typical Waller fashion he has used it as a learning opportunity. Haggas has masterminded wins in three of the past four renewals of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Addeybb (2020-21) relegating Waller’s star… Read More »
Shinzo last year provided Tom Magnier with one of his greatest thrills in a lifetime in racing when he won the $5 million Group 1 Golden Slipper. It was the first time the Coolmore navy blue had been carried to victory in the world’s richest two-year-old event, the most significant… Read More »
There is an air of positivity around an often-understated Phillip Stokes as he sends Climbing Star to Morphettville this weekend in search of an elusive second career victory. The four-year-old lines up in the Listed Matrice Stakes (1200m) on Saturday at her first-up outing for this preparation which Stokes hopes will… Read More »
Everest winner Think About It has returned an elevated white blood cell count during routine testing and is in doubt for the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill. Trainer Joe Pride notified Racing NSW stewards of the results on Thursday but said a subsequent endoscopic examination came back clear. With… Read More »
Eight Australian-trained gallopers are set to compete in Hong Kong’s Champions Day on April 28. Lindsay Park’s Mr Brightside, a six-time group one winner, will contest both the G1 QEII Cup and G1 Champions Mile. Chris Waller has entered Atishu and Kovalica for both races, while Gary Portelli’s Kimochi and… Read More »
Willie Mullins, the mastermind behind Vauban’s racing prowess, is fixated on Melbourne Cup redemption. Despite being a top contender last year, Vauban faltered, finishing a distant 14th behind Without A Fight. Mullins, undeterred, asserts Vauban’s readiness for a comeback, setting sights squarely on the 2024 Melbourne Cup. Confirming a strategic… Read More »
In a Victorian Racing Tribunal hearing on Wednesday, barrister Albert Dinelli KC asserted that all 10 charges against Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Darren Weir have been substantiated. The charges stem from the use of a jigger on three racehorses at Weir’s Warrnambool stables just before the 2018 Melbourne Cup. Weir, along… Read More »
Italian jockey Stefano Cherchi suffered a head injury in a fall at Canberra on Wednesday during the Affinity Electrical Technologies Class 1 Plate. Alongside Jeff Penza and Shaun Guymer, Cherchi was dislodged from his mount, Hasime, at the 800m mark. Racing NSW confirmed his injury and stated he received on-track… Read More »
Barrier draws for big races don’t get much worse than those handed out to Joe Pride’s Golden Slipper day squad. Pride will saddle up four Group 1 runners and all have come up with double-figure alleys, Ceolwulf faring best of them with gate 11 of 12 for the Rosehill Guineas (2000m). Stable… Read More »
Talented apprentice jockey Madi Derrick has been booked to ride in the WA leg of the upcoming National Apprentice Race Series (NARS). NARS sees the nation’s most promising young jockeys ride against each other in the apprentice-only race series. Madi Derrick replaces the suspended Victoria Corver to represent the Racing WA team during… Read More »
Warrnambool trainer Aaron Purcell will keep Farag to the flat for the immediate future after the New Zealand-bred gelding recorded a strong staying win at Sandown. Farag added the Sportsbet Make It Look Easy Handicap (3000m) on Wednesday to his record of four wins from five starts since joining the stable of… Read More »
William Pike sustained a broken heel in a home accident and has been off the scene since booting home a treble at Pinjarra in January. There were serious concerns that Pike would be in a race against time to be fit for Ascot’s rich autumn carnival. But with the $5 million… Read More »
Tim Clark predicts two-year-old Just Party will make his presence felt in better grade races after posting his maiden win at Wyong’s midweek metropolitan meeting. By Justify, the sire of Golden Slipper favourite Storm Boy, Just Party ($1.40) atoned for his defeat as favourite at Newcastle earlier this month with a length… Read More »
Victorian colt Coleman and first emergency Espionage have until Friday to prove their fitness after suffering minor setbacks in their respective Golden Slipper build ups. Coleman’s trainer Matt Laurie told Racing NSW stewards on Wednesday that the dual black-type winner was experiencing “sensitivity” on the inside of his near-fore foot. However, Laurie… Read More »
The Newmarket Handicap victory by Cylinder has given Bjorn Baker a timely confidence boost as Ozzmosis prepares to tackle the older sprinters for the first time in The Galaxy. There had been a school of thought that the three-year-old form wasn’t as strong this season, however, Baker pointed to Cylinder’s rousing win over… Read More »
