David Hayes already has high hopes for import Jet Away this spring and is excited to welcome another quality international galloper into his camp. Crackerjack King, a half-brother to last year’s Melbourne Cup placegetter Jakkalberry and also raced by Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock, is being transferred to Hayes’ stable and the… Read More »
He’s only small but trainer Joe Pride believes Destiny’s Kiss has what it takes to conquer the heavyweights when he steps up to stakes company for the first time on Saturday. And if the four-year-old emerging stayer performs as Pride expects in the Listed Winter Cup (2400m), he will be… Read More »
Three-year-old Day Procedure gets the chance to build on his solid Moonee Valley statistics when he resumes from a let-up on Saturday. The Robert Smerdon-trained gelding runs in the 1000m Handicap against his own age having already proven his suitability to short course racing at Moonee Valley. In four starts… Read More »
Jason Maskiell is close to a permanent return to Victorian racing after claiming a satisfying win at Flemington on Saturday. The Tasmanian jockey’s career in Melbourne was derailed a couple of years ago due to alcohol and discipline issues which escalated when he received a six-month ban for a positive… Read More »
The European challenge for this year’s Melbourne Cup is gathering momentum with several of the Royal Ascot participants earmarked for the trip to Australia. Dandino, owned by Australian interests, finished second in Saturday’s Hardwicke Stakes and trainer Marco Botti confirmed he was on target to try to go two places… Read More »
The greatest certainty in racing is that Chris Waller will set a new Sydney training record but just when that happens is up to the weather. Waller has already trained 153-1/2 winners this season as he forges towards the 156 set by TJ Smith in 1976-76 and equalled by his… Read More »
As he farewells one of his favourite horses from the racetrack, trainer Clarry Conners is looking forward to the spring with another. Conners confirmed the retirement of stakes winner Satin Shoes who suffered a knee injury when she was galloped on in the Lightning Stakes at Eagle Farm on June… Read More »
Eddie Wilkinson has kept his faith in Muirfield as he and trainer Mike Moroney attempt back-to-back wins in the Caloundra Cup. Muirfield ran seventh behind Anagold in the Ipswich Cup but Wilkinson was pleased with his effort. “A few things went against him but overall I thought he ran well,”… Read More »
Three city wins in two weeks has boosted the confidence of apprentice Kayla Nisbet and she is looking to build on her recent success with a permanent move to Victoria. Nisbet has been on loan to Hall of Fame trainer David Hayes for the past couple of months and has… Read More »
The Australian bid for a second successive Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on Saturday stayed alive for a large part of the 1200m of the race, only to fade and fail at the crucial time. A year to the day after Black Caviar scored the most controversial win of… Read More »
The Australian bid for a second successive Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on Saturday stayed alive for a large part of the 1200m of the race, only to fade and fail at the crucial time. A year to the day after Black Caviar scored the most controversial win of… Read More »
A seven meetings suspension capped off a disappointing day for leading jockey Michael Cahill at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Cahill pleaded guilty to careless riding for causing interference to Ametsis when he rode Viking Heart. His suspension starts after the Caloundra Cup meeting next Saturday. He will resume riding on… Read More »
Nash Rawiller was reaching for superlatives after Howmuchdoyouloveme won the Healy Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Rawiller took Howmuchdoyouloveme, the $2.70 favourite, to the front soon after the start and held off River Lad ($8) to win by a short neck. “He’s an amazing horse to ride,” Rawiller said…. Read More »
Tasmanian trainer Mick Burles sent stable star The Cleaner off on the right note at Flemington on Saturday as jockey Jason Maskiell labelled the win the most emotional of his career. The Cleaner will be transferred to Robert Smerdon and Maskiell would love to stick with the gelding after the… Read More »
Chris Waller believes Red Tracer can build on her first Group One win in the Tattersall’s Tiara at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Waller ruled out any thoughts of retirement for Red Tracer and says there is no reason why she can’t add to her Group One tally next season. “It… Read More »
Adelaide’s Kennewell family is looking at one more winter feature win after dour stayer Rialya’s success in the Group Three Tattersall’s Cup at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Rialya ($21) scored his first win since the 2012 Adelaide Cup when he was too strong for Shenzhou Steeds ($8), winning by a… Read More »
Top jockey Michael Rodd rates Hai Lil a Group One filly and the three-year-old’s performance to win at Flemington on Saturday only strengthened that opinion. Hai Lil lumped 60kg and had to switch course in the Bruce Gadsden Handicap (1200m) but still sprinted quickly wide out over the final 200m… Read More »
Sydney mare Red Tracer ended a frustrating sequence of Group One placings with her victory in the $500,000 Tattersall’s Tiara at Eagle Farm on Saturday. The five-year-old endured a tough run but she was at the peak of her form to score a clear-cut win in the fillies and mares… Read More »
Trainer Robert Heathcote gave jockey Damian Browne the ultimate compliment after Fire Up Fifi won the Centenary Mercedes-Benz Mile at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Browne seized the initiative when the pace slackened in the middle stages to take Fire Up Fifi ($3.70) to the front and control the tempo. The… Read More »
Improved filly Enquare took a nasty spill in the race-day stalls before being passed fit to win the Listed $100,000 Breakfast Creek Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Trainer Jason McLachlan admitted he might need a strong drink after the Enquare, favourite at $2.80, scored by 1-1/2 lengths to Cannyzing… Read More »
