As early as it is in the season, Ben Thompson’s four-timer at Eagle Farm on Saturday served as a stark reminder to any other rider harbouring Brisbane Jockey Premiership ambitions that, all things being equal, Thompson is going to be difficult to beat in that regard … but, in spite… Read More »
Joe Janiak, who set in motion one of the most endearing underdog stories in the history of Australian Racing when he purchased Takeover Target for $1,250 in July 2003, was at the track at the Gold Coast on Saturday where he witnessed the victory of his four-year-old gelding Speedy One…. Read More »
Widely regarded as one of the most exciting horses in training, Autumn Glow heads to Rosehill chasing her sixth win in as many starts as she takes another step on her Epsom Handicap path. The four-year-old returned with a classy victory in the Toy Show Quality (1100m) at Randwick last month… Read More »
Trainer Chris Waller is thankful the same weather conditions Via Sistina encountered in the Makybe Diva Stakes of 12 months ago will not prevail this weekend. Last year’s Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) was run on a heavy track after rain and hail fell during the meeting at Flemington resulting in… Read More »
Hawkes Racing has prepared its share of high-class colts but co-trainer Michael Hawkes says Nepotism is cut from a different cloth. The three-year-old will make his seasonal return in Saturday’s The Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill as he embarks on a path towards the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) at… Read More »
Saturday’s Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) has drawn a select field of just six runners, headlined by Via Sistina and James McDonald, who have landed barrier two. The champion mare heads south following stablemate Treasurethe Moment’s withdrawal earlier in the week due to a mild colic scare, and Chris… Read More »
New Zealand-trained stayer Wolfgang (named Mister Wolfgang in Australia) will head to Australia on Wednesday to begin his campaign aimed at the $10 million Melbourne Cup. The Group 3 winner was originally scheduled to resume at Wanganui 10 days ago, but wet weather forced a change of plans. Trainers Peter… Read More »
First acceptances for the $6 million Cox Plate have trimmed the field to 57 contenders, with a potential clash between Yulong’s star mares Via Sistina and Treasurethe Moment still on the cards. Both mares were among the entries confirmed on Tuesday, with Via Sistina on track to defend her crown… Read More »
New Zealand sprinter Alabama Lass will remain in Australia with connections confirming a tilt at the Group 1 Manikato Stakes. The four-year-old mare impressed at Moonee Valley last Saturday when finishing runner-up to Baraqiel in the Group 1 Moir Stakes. Co-trainer Ken Kelso was delighted with the performance, noting she… Read More »
James McDonald will make his first Flemington appearance of the season on Saturday when he partners champion mare Via Sistina in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m). The star jockey has ridden 17 of his 120 Group 1 winners at Flemington, including four during last year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival… Read More »
While the Ciaron Maher stable has three runners entered in the Melbourne Cup qualifier at Flemington, it is expected only two will take their place. Sayedaty Sadaty and Jennivamoose will head to the Group 3 The Archer (2500m) on Saturday, a race that provides the winner a ballot exemption into… Read More »
Sir Delius and Vauban will be separated on their journeys to the Melbourne Cup, with Sir Delius now on a Cox Plate path. Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse confirmed the decision after Sir Delius was narrowly beaten in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick on Saturday. “Sir Delius will come to… Read More »
The anticipated clash between two of the Yulong Stud mares in the Cox Plate may still be on after a positive report from Sam Fairgray on Treasurethe Moment. Fairgray, the Chief Operating Officer of Yulong Stud, said Treasurethe Moment was back at trainer Matt Laurie’s stable after being hospitalised following… Read More »
For the third time in the past week, Via Sistina has had a change to her spring program and will now contest this Saturday’s $750,000 Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington. The 1600-metre event was identified as a likely next step for Via Sistina after her Winx Stakes win, but… Read More »
Treasurethe Moment’s path towards the Cox Plate is uncertain after the mare suffered a colic attack, with connections weighing up her spring options. Yulong Chief Operating Officer Sam Fairgray told The Verdict podcast that her immediate wellbeing is the main focus, and trainer Matt Laurie will ultimately decide whether the… Read More »
Ciaron Maher is set to boost his Melbourne Cup hand this weekend, saddling up two contrasting runners in the ballot-free Archer Stakes (2500m) at Flemington. The leading trainer confirmed six-year-old New Zealand-bred Jennivamoose and the European import Sayedaty Sadaty will take their places in Saturday’s feature, both chasing a golden… Read More »
A head-scratching barrier trial prompted a slight change of plan for dual Group-winning colt North England but he is set to chime back into the three-year-old features at Rosehill. The Kindergarten Stakes winner turned in a lacklustre trial effort behind T J Smith Stakes winner Briasa at Canterbury on August 18 when… Read More »
Treasurethe Moment has been withdrawn from Saturday’s Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington after a health scare on Thursday morning. Trainer Matt Laurie confirmed the mare developed a mild case of colic, which was detected early before she was taken to hospital for precautionary observation. “It has been decided… Read More »
The Lindsay Park stable of Ben, Will and J D Hayes are in a quandary as to the best way to get Mr Brightside to his Group 1 target of the spring. The King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on October 18 has been earmarked for the nine-time winner at… Read More »
Injury prone galloper Baraqiel has put all his ailments behind him to become a Group 1 winner in a mad dash at Moonee Valley. The Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained sprinter burst through a narrow gap late in the race to take out the Moir Stakes (1000m) on Saturday…. Read More »
