The fact David Vandyke is chasing a Brisbane Cup win this week is a situation that might not have been possible without a horse who is racing for a much lesser prize in Sydney on Wednesday. A European import, Less Is More will be trying to stake an early claim… Read More »
Star Hong Kong sprinter Lucky Nine is being aimed at the Melbourne spring carnival. Trainer Caspar Fownes has confirmed the last-start winner of the KrisFlyer Sprint in Singapore will be set for the Group One Manikato Stakes and Patinack Farm Classic in Melbourne later this year before returning home for… Read More »
A French-based horse owned by the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s chief executive has moved a step closer to a possible Melbourne Cup appearance with a Group Two victory at Chantilly. Now We Can passed the Melbourne Cup ballot by winning the Group Two Grand Prix De Chantilly (2400m) on Sunday…. Read More »
Three-year-old Words Are Weapons could play her part in a potentially big day in the fledgling career of trainer Sam Kavanagh on Saturday. Words Are Weapons will run in the Listed Creswick Stakes (1200m) at Flemington for the Adelaide-based Kavanagh while the trainer has an anxious wait to find out… Read More »
What Tognetti lacks in class against his proven opposition in Saturday’s Stayers Cup can be offset by his trainer’s belief in his potential. Guy Walter says the step up to 3200 metres over the Sydney Cup course at Randwick will suit the four-year-old emerging stayer. The quality handicap attracted 14… Read More »
Sydney’s premier trainer Chris Waller will have runners in all three Group One races in Brisbane on Saturday but will delay a decision on whether Red Tracer defends the Dane Ripper Stakes. The winner of the 1400m Group Two race at Eagle Farm a year ago, Red Tracer is also… Read More »
Mike Moroney had to abort New Zealand Derby plans with Rhythm To Spare but the gelding can make up for it in another Classic on Saturday. The three-year-old was originally aimed at the New Zealand Derby in early March but shin soreness put paid to those plans. The way Rhythm… Read More »
Veteran sprinter Zaratone did enough in his first start for Bjorn Baker to suggest he can be a force in Saturday’s June Stakes. The seven-year-old led the field in his usual fashion in the Listed Ortensia Stakes at Scone and held on for fourth, 1-3/4 lengths behind the winner Satin… Read More »
The stellar crop of three-year-olds looks set to complete its domination over the older horses this season in Saturday’s Stradbroke Handicap. The $1.36 million Stradbroke (1400m) is the final Australian Group One open to all ages and sexes for the season, and three-year-olds hold the top four spots in betting… Read More »
Multiple Group One winning mare More Joyous has been retired and will be sent to England to be mated with Frankel. Her last race was shrouded in controversy and sparked a much publicised stewards inquiry when her owner John Singleton sacked trainer Gai Waterhouse in a television interview after More… Read More »
John Sadler admits Linton needs to produce something special to win the Group One Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm on Saturday. But the astute Victorian trainer hopes the combination of a significant gear change and schooling over the jumps might just prove the winning formula. Linton has had Saturday’s Stradbroke… Read More »
A Queensland Derby start remains on the table for Gondokoro. Trainer Pat Carey said Gondokoro pulled up so well after her Oaks triumph, he was giving serious thought to backing her up in the Group One Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm next Saturday. “On face value she pulled up… Read More »
Vilanova is a definite J J Atkins starter for the Chris Waller stable but a decision has yet to be made whether stablemate Zoustar runs in the Group One race. Zoustar beat Vilanova in the Group Two Sires’ Produce Stakes but Waller said he was not committed to running him… Read More »
Robert Heathcote is confident a gruelling Doomben 10,000 effort won’t jeopardise Buffering’s chances in the Stradbroke Handicap. The trainer said it was only natural Buffering took a few days to recover after running his heart out in the 10,000 in which he finished third to Epaulette. “He knew he’d had… Read More »
Rhys McLeod was showered with praise for a brilliant tactical ride aboard Gondokoro in the Queensland Oaks but stewards weren’t as impressed. Stewards issued McLeod with an eight meetings suspension for causing interference aboard Gondokoro on the home turn to Soapy Star, Dear Demi and Ireland’s Teardrop. He was also… Read More »
Top trainer Peter Snowden will rely on his star three-year-old Epaulette in next week’s Stradbroke Handicap despite Galah returning to form at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Galah ($5.50) scored his first win since the VRC Carbine Stakes in 2011 when he got up in the last stride to beat Conservatorium… Read More »
Trainer Pat Carey won’t commit Gondokoro to a Cups campaign despite her dominant win in the Group One Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Gondokoro ($4.40) responded to a superb tactical ride by jockey Rhys McLeod to win the Oaks by 2-3/4 lengths from Miss Zenella ($9) with Vaquera… Read More »
A series of careless riding suspensions have frustrated Nathan Berry’s desire to reach the top but a winning double on his return to Rosehill has refuelled his ambition. Berry spent some of his time out visiting his twin brother Tommy in Hong Kong and now has the desire to work… Read More »
The Australian Hurdle and Australian Steeplechase have been rescheduled as the last races of the jumps season after Saturday’s Sandown wash-out. Melbourne will have two 10-race city meetings next week to accommodate as many races as possible from the Sandown meeting which was called off after 56mm of overnight rain…. Read More »
Nash Rawiller blamed Dear Demi’s poor racing manners for her defeat in the Queensland Oaks. Rawiller’s first ride aboard Dear Demi ended in disappointment when the filly finished seventh as the $2.90 favourite in the Oaks won by the Pat Carey-trained Gondokoro. “She was tense the whole race and I… Read More »
