BRISBANE Dec 21 AAP – Two new stars of Queensland racing in speed machine Love Rocks and apprentice Anthony Allen put on a master class of sheer pace at Doomben on Saturday. Love Rocks ($5) led from the start and gave nothing else a chance winning the second leg of… Read More »
Sistine Demon has come a long way since starting his winning streak in a race at Donald last month. That humble victory laid the foundation for three consecutive city wins, including Saturday’s Skipton Handicap at Flemington, where he held off a flying Quick Snitzel to score by a half head…. Read More »
Veteran jockey Larry Cassidy’s nerves were tested to the limit after a hair-raising win at Doomben on Saturday. Cassidy, who is a multiple Group One-winning jockey, has rarely ridden better in a career which goes back 25 years. But he had to call on all of that experience when he… Read More »
Salute To Jude won his way into Magic Millions Guineas calculations after winning the feature race at Flemington on Saturday. Before his storming win in the $100,000 Fiesta Star Handicap (1200m), the son of Stratum was languishing at 39th in the order of entry for the $1 million race for… Read More »
Pint-sized filly Bring A Ring’s win at Rosehill has earned her a crack at some big hitters in the Magic Million Guineas. The Tony McEvoy-trained three-year-old got the verdict in a three-way photo finish to Saturday’s TAB Rewards Handicap (1400m). The topweight with 58.5kg, Bring A Ring ($6) had a… Read More »
Debutant Kumaon has restored the equilibrium to Darley’s juvenile team with victory at Rosehill. After a run of four straight Saturday two-year-old winners in Sydney, Crown Lodge’s dominance came to an end two weeks ago when Occitan finished unplaced at Randwick in a race won by leading Magic Millions contender… Read More »
Gracious Prospect is on his way to the Magic Millions after an all-the-way win at Flemington on Saturday. Gracious Prospect ($6), with Katelyn Mallyon aboard, held off the favourite Star Beauty ($3.90) by a half neck in the Primacy Handicap (1420m). Adirondack ($6) finished a long neck away third. Trainer… Read More »
Jockey Tim Bell has warned rivals who might doubt two-year-old speed machine Celestial Dragon as a genuine chance in the Magic Millions Classic. Celestial Dragon ($6) showed sizzling pace to lead all the way to beat Burleigh Bullet ($12) by 1-1/4 lengths with a short half-head to Devine Service ($3)… Read More »
Hugh Bowman’s ride on a beaten favourite will be further scrutinised when a stewards’ inquiry resumes on Monday. Bowman rode the David Vandyke-trained Fulminate into second place during last Friday night’s Canterbury meeting. Fulminate ran on strongly from the back of the field to be beaten 1-3/4 lengths by the… Read More »
Mike Moroney puts Ali Vital’s Queensland Derby failure down to immaturity and the trainer is pleased with how he has strengthened up as a four-year-old. Ali Vital returned to racing with a fast-closing fifth behind Sistine Demon over 1500m at Moonee Valley on November 29 and steps up to 2000m… Read More »
A city win for the lightly raced Ward would be the icing on the cake for his owner Ken Ely and trainer David Vandyke. Ely bought Ward out of a Lloyd Williams reduction sale and the five-year-old was transferred to Vandyke when former trainer Graeme Rogerson closed his Sydney operation…. Read More »
Consistent three-year-old Salute To Jude’s hopes of running in a $1 million Gold Coast race hinge on his performance at Flemington. Salute To Jude was a $125,000 purchase at the 2012 Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale, which made him eligible for the Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) on January 11…. Read More »
Trainer Jason McLachlan is becoming more confident by the day he can win the two biggest Magic Millions races. Smart filly Enquare is one of the early favourites for the $1 million Magic Millions Guineas and McLachlan also has high hopes for Divine Service in the $2 million Magic Millions… Read More »
If one jockey’s misfortune can create an opening for another rider, Adam Hyeronimus is well placed to make the most of his only chance at Rosehill. At the expense of sidelined stable jockey Tommy Berry, Hyeronimus has been rewarded for his work ethic with the ride on richly-bred filly Mardi… Read More »
It took a set of blinkers for trainer Joe Cleary to be convinced of the galloping ability of Quietly Brilliant. The Queanbeyan trainer knew the two-year-old had talent and it was confirmed when he narrowly won his first barrier trial at Canberra. But Cleary didn’t realise the extent of Quietly… Read More »
Sweet Idea cemented her place at the top of Magic Millions Guineas betting charts when she confirmed first-up expectations in the $100,000 Magic Millions 3YO Stakes at Wyong on Thursday. Not seen since she was banned because of a bleeding attack when narrowly beaten in the Silver Shadow Stakes at… Read More »
The new Toowoomba grass track has been cleared to host its first meeting on New Year’s Eve after passing a crucial barrier trial test. Racing Queensland CEO Darren Condon said he had received positive feedback following jumpouts held on the new track on December 10 and four barrier trials on… Read More »
A Magic Millions quinella looms large for Sydney racing’s twin brothers Nathan and Tommy Berry after Unencumbered won a crucial lead-up race at Wyong on Thursday. With Nathan in the saddle, Unencumbered ($2.60) came from the back of the field to win the $200,000 Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic and… Read More »
Former Darley mare Gig will have her third outing for trainer Shawn Mathrick at Flemington on Saturday and he is hoping she can recoup some of her purchase price. Mathrick bought the five-year-old for $64,000 at a recent sale even though she had major feet problems. “We’ve only had her… Read More »
The paths of stablemates Zoustar and Vilanova crossed during the winter carnival in Brisbane but since then their careers have gone in very different directions. While Zoustar is now a dual Group One winner and valuable stallion prospect, Vilanova is coming off a forgettable spring as he prepares to return… Read More »
