A good track, a midfield barrier and Sydney’s premier jockey are all positives for Toydini heading into the Epsom Handicap at Randwick. The five-year-old came close to winning the Epsom (1600m) a year ago only to be denied in a three-way photo finish by Boban and Streama. It was the… Read More »
METROPOLITAN – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW HISTORY: First run Randwick 1866 as “Great Metropolitan Stakes” over two miles (3200m). Tim Whiffler first to claim Metropolitan-Melbourne Cup double same year in 1867 DUAL WINNERS: Mooltan (1907-1908), Murray Stream (1945-947), Tails (1969-1970) and Hayai (1983-84) METROP-MELBOURNE CUP: Became outstanding guide to… Read More »
He might not have a picture of her on his wall but Gai Waterhouse has become somewhat of a pin-up for Randwick neighbour Peter Snowden. Three days out from Disclaimer’s bid to win the Group One Metropolitan at Randwick, a race Waterhouse has won a record-equalling seven times, Snowden revealed… Read More »
Trainer Dan Bougoure had an extra reason to be happy Rogali won at Ipswich on Wednesday. It meant he could cover the cost of the shirt the horse ruined while being saddled for the race. Rogali, who was unlucky at its previous start at the Gold Coast, scored an easy… Read More »
Trainer Joe Pride has turned disappointment into opportunity by switching plans for Laser Hawk to have a runner in the Epsom Handicap. Pride lost Epsom fancy Rock Sturdy to a leg injury on Wednesday morning, prompting him to change course with Laser Hawk. Laser Hawk was to have contested the… Read More »
Trainer Jamie Edwards was hoping for a good barrier draw in the Group One Turnbull Stakes at Flemington on Saturday. After drawing wide gates in the first two runs of his campaign geared towards the Caulfield Cup, Edwards was hopeful of an inside draw and a positive ride in the… Read More »
The two Japanese gallopers in Melbourne for the spring carnival were put through their paces at Werribee on Wednesday morning. Bande and Admire Rakti weren’t out to break the clock in hit-outs with their respective travelling companions, but went about their work in nice style. Favourite at $10 for the… Read More »
Happy Trails will jump from the inside barrier as he tries to win the Turnbull Stakes for the second year in a row. Happy Trails and 2012 Turnbull winner Green Moon are among a full field of 16 plus three emergencies for the $500,000 feature over 2000m at Flemington on… Read More »
Trainer Pat Duff hopes veteran galloper Steel Zip will take the first step towards honouring one of his wife Dinah’s last wishes in the Broadbeach Junior AFL Handicap at the Gold Coast on Saturday. Steel Zip was the last horse raced by Dinah Duff who died two years ago after… Read More »
The Chris Waller-trained Boban has drawn the rails in his bid for back-to-back Epsom Handicap victories. Boban is one of four runners for Waller with Royal Descent drawing out in gate 11, one outside stablemate He’s Your Man. Royal Descent has been made the $4.60 favourite with three horses –… Read More »
An impressive piece of work from Let’s Make Adeal has the Cups hopeful ready to take aim in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. But first the mare needs to make the field. Let’s Make Adeal is 26th in the ballot order for Saturday’s Group One Turnbull (2000m) with a maximum… Read More »
Talented colt Rubick has shown his spring campaign is back on track with a barrier trial win at Rosehill with new jockey Kerrin McEvoy aboard. The Blue Diamond Prelude winner’s preparation suffered a hiccup when he was found to have a virus a couple of months ago and missed his… Read More »
Leading international jockey Joao Moreira heads to Sydney on Saturday in search of his first Australian Group One victory. The Brazilian, a multiple Singapore champion who is now making his mark in Hong Kong, Moreira has a book of seven rides at Randwick, the majority of which are for leading… Read More »
Lucia Valentina has had her first look around the track where she will attempt to win the $3 million Caulfield Cup in a few weeks. The Kris Lees-trained Lucia Valentina has the Caulfield Cup on October 18 as a spring target and is challenging for favouritism for the 2400m feature…. Read More »
A Melbourne spring carnival wouldn’t be the same without OTI Racing and its European invasion. Simon O’Donnell, a director of OTI Racing, was at Werribee racecourse on Tuesday morning to see two of the four horses entered for the Melbourne spring go through their paces. Renew and Van Percy are… Read More »
The red, white and blue colours carried by Streama to many high level successes in recent years will be on show at Canterbury where one of her close relatives has her first start for trainer Ron Quinton. Guy Walter prepared Streama throughout her career for the Coghlan family which also… Read More »
The Melbourne Cup is no certainty for Silent Achiever. Roger James says the multiple Group One winner faces “D-Day” in Saturday’s Turnbull Stakes, with the trainer reserving his decision until after the 2000m feature whether she heads to the Caulfield Cup or weight-for-age Cox Plate. “The Cox Plate is probably… Read More »
Rain in Paris has pleased connections of Treve ahead of her bid to retain her Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe crown at Longchamp on Sunday. The Criquette Head-Maarek-trained filly was an impressive winner of Europe’s premier middle-distance prize last October, but has had her fair share of problems since and… Read More »
Press Report’s midfield finish in the Golden Rose is enough to convince trainer Lee Curtis the filly deserves her place in the Flight Stakes. With just eight entries taken on Monday for the Group One fillies race at Randwick, Curtis is looking at the race as an easier assignment than… Read More »
A daughter of two horses who won at Group One level down the Flemington straight is nominated to make her debut at the famous track in Melbourne’s first juvenile race of the season. Helford River is one of two youngsters from the Gai Waterhouse stable nominated for Saturday’s Listed Maribyrnong… Read More »
