An impressive debut win at Sandown to two-year-old Devil’s Harmony might have surprised some people associated with the filly, but not jockey Michael Walker. Devil’s Harmony stepped out in the Taralye Plate (1200m) and sprinted quickly in the straight after settling midfield to win by 2-1/4 lengths. Walker said he… Read More »
Two veterans grabbed the limelight in separate races before the Sunshine Coast meeting was washed out on Wednesday. Stewards pulled the plug on the meeting after race five when continuing rain contributed to poor visibility. However, it wasn’t before trainer Mario Caltabiano and jockey Cyril Small were associated with impressive… Read More »
The fact David Brideoake was considering an interstate Group Three race for Griante this weekend says a lot about her chances of notching a second-straight city win at Caulfield. Three-year-old Griante runs in The Chase Hotel Handicap for fillies after Brideoake opted not to venture to Scone for a $200,000… Read More »
After a trip to Grafton for last year’s Cup, Joe Pride was adamant Destiny’s Kiss would only ever race in close proximity to Sydney. But the Warwick Farm trainer has reconsidered his theory the horse is a poor traveller and will send Destiny’s Kiss on a 3-1/2 hour road trip… Read More »
Sandown will host a 10-race meeting next Wednesday with two jumps races added to the program. Racing Victoria announced the two jumps races scrapped from next Monday’s Moe meeting had been moved to the Sandown fixture. A hurdle and steeplechase race were cancelled from the Moe meeting because riders said… Read More »
A failed shot at motherhood could provide a belated blessing for connections of Satin Shoes when she bids to defend her Ortensia Stakes crown at Saturday’s stand-alone Scone meeting. The race has attracted 12 sprinters including Group One-placed Aeronautical, topweight with 59.5kg, along with the evergreen Zaratone and last-start winners… Read More »
Magic Millions winner Unencumbered has been retired to stand his first season at stud. Trained by Bjorn Baker, Unencumbered retires with five wins and two placings from a hectic season of racing that included 10 starts and netted more than $1.9 million in stakes. He will stand for Three Bridges… Read More »
A field of 10 has accepted for the $500,000 Doomben Cup, including late entry Angel Of Mercy. Angel Of Mercy will join Streama and Floria as mares in the weight-for-age race at Doomben on Saturday. Streama has been displaced as co-favourite after drawing barrier eight with new market leader Leebaz… Read More »
Nathan Tinker’s days as a prominent figure in Australian racing appear numbered after a truckload of Patinack Farm horses were removed from trainer John Thompson’s Randwick stables. As reports emerged of a possible sale of Tinkler’s racing and breeding assets, Racing NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy confirmed he spoke to… Read More »
A pleasing gallop in Brisbane on Tuesday has class mare Streama ready to try to add to her Group One tally in the Doomben Cup. Sydney jockey Blake Shinn made the trip to Brisbane to partner the last-start Hollindale Stakes winner in a workout on the Doomben course proper ahead… Read More »
Trainer Ross Stitt has confirmed one of the most appropriate jockey engagements of the Scone Cup carnival. As Scone prepares to host Australia’s richest country racing carnival, record-breaking bush jockey Robert Thompson will be reunited with Youthful Jack, the Taree-trained warhorse he has ridden to eight wins. They will team… Read More »
Peter Snowden has claimed much bigger wins as a trainer but a restricted-race victory at Hawkesbury on Tuesday will still be one he and his son Paul will always remember. Tumult’s success in the Blakes Marine Handicap at the provincial NSW track gave the Snowdens the first win for their… Read More »
A shot at the Queensland Oaks will be on the line for lightly raced filly Khutulun at Caulfield on Saturday. While trainer Luke Oliver is sending Jessy Belle north to NSW for Saturday’s lucrative Scone Guineas, Khutulun could also earn an interstate trip if she can figure in the finish… Read More »
Retired champion jockey Darren Beadman has joined Darley Australia as an assistant trainer to John O’Shea. Darley Australia’s managing director Henry Plumptre confirmed Beadman had started his role as O’Shea’s offsider last week and has no doubts he will be an asset to the team. Beadman, who rode Neroli to… Read More »
Jason Warren has witnessed the success other Australian trainers have had with European imports and thought it was about time he tried his luck as well. At Sandown on Wednesday, Warren will saddle up four-year-old mare Suspicieuse who was bought from France in December and makes her Australian debut in… Read More »
Kiwi raider Scared Star is on target to secure a Group One Stradbroke Handicap start after a brilliant trial win at Doomben on Tuesday. Ridden by race jockey Leith Innes, Sacred Star flew over the 840m of the trial in 48.18secs, one of the fastest times recorded in recent years…. Read More »
Breeding will ensure there will be more midweek interest than usual when unraced two-year-old Highward makes his debut at Canterbury on Wednesday. The High Chaparral youngster, raced by prominent Queensland owners Graham and Linda Huddy, steps out in Theraces.com.au Handicap with genuine expectations because of his pedigree. The Huddys raced… Read More »
Veteran stakes winners Ironstein and Youthful Jack are among 27 entries for the Scone Cup, the feature race on the first day of the richest country carnival in NSW. Trainer Gerald Ryan admits Ironstein is nearing the end of his career but says he is in good shape following his… Read More »
Robert Smerdon only has one way to assess what he has with two-year-old colt Crimson Cape. A son of Savabeel, Crimson Cape is bred on staying lines but the trainer says he needs to run the youngster at Caulfield on Saturday to get an indication of which path to take…. Read More »
Punters got their wish to have the city race clubs identify horses competing in unofficial jumpouts at Caulfield and Flemington earlier this year but a flashy grey slipped through the system. Trainers Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra produced a nuggety sprinter to win an 800m jumpout by a space at… Read More »
