Gold Coast trainer Kelly Purdy is in a unique position to evaluate temperamental mare Warrior Girl. Purdy rode Warrior Girl to victory in the 2010m Magic Millions Sprint (1000m) at the Gold Coast and as a trainer has saddled the mare for another three wins. “It’s definitely more stressful training… Read More »
There might not be a better wet-tracker in Australia than Second Effort. And probably no better $31 chance engaged at any venue this weekend. Second Effort goes into Saturday’s Group Three Sebring Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill off the back of a distant last in the Challenge Stakes behind Snitzerland at… Read More »
Star colt All Too Hard has ramped up preparations for a late Sydney autumn carnival appearance, winning a jump-out at Flemington on Friday. Co-trainer Wayne Hawkes said All Too Hard did all he was asked to do in winning the 800m jump-out as he prepares for the Group One All… Read More »
Next month’s Group One BTC Cup has been moved from Doomben to Eagle Farm in the hope Black Caviar will run in the weight-for-age race. The Brisbane Racing Club (BRC) announced on Thursday the BTC Cup meeting on May 11 would be staged at the larger Eagle Farm course for… Read More »
Craig Williams will use Saturday’s George Ryder Stakes to test Rebel Dane as a possible Doncaster Mile mount. The jury is out on whether the colt runs a strong 1600m with his only test at the trip coming last start in the Randwick Guineas when he finished fourth to It’s… Read More »
Golden Slipper day was a memorable one for Gai Waterhouse in 2012 and it promises to be even better this time around. At the corresponding meeting 12 months ago, Waterhouse claimed the $3.5 million Golden Slipper with Pierro while More Joyous put the icing on the cake with back-to-back Queen… Read More »
Mick Kent has his promising young stayers Philippi and High Shot on a well-deserved Australian Derby path. But he acknowledges his hopes of winning the classic have diminished considerably following the “sobering” experience of watching raging Derby Favourite It’s A Dundeel win the Rosehill Guineas. Kent didn’t have a runner… Read More »
The aptly-named Road Trippin’ is set for another interstate assignment but first his trainer expects the gelding to win again at Moonee Valley on Saturday. Cranbourne trainer Stephen Theodore has pinpointed the Scone Guineas in NSW next month as an ideal target for Road Trippin’ who has put together back-to-back… Read More »
The Group One BMW will be a pivotal race for Kelinni as he strives to prove his effectiveness at weight-for-age. Kelinni established himself as one of the country’s top stayers under handicap conditions last spring when he was placed in the Metropolitan, won the Lexus Stakes and was fourth in… Read More »
He’s generally the first to arrive at a race meeting, the last to leave and the jockey who gives the most detailed, sincere and considered post mortems to those who employ him. And too often for coincidence, he is a winner. Craig Williams is the ultimate professional in a world… Read More »
Ruud Awakening, the New Zealand filly who represents the biggest Golden Slipper liability for one leading bookmaker, is winning respect from rival trainers and jockeys in Saturday’s $3.5 million race. Beaten only once in six New Zealand starts, Ruud Awakening counts Darley’s No.1 jockey Kerrin McEvoy and trainer-on-the-move Bjorn Baker… Read More »
Jim Cassidy has a couple of theories on why Dear Demi turned in the worst performance of her career in the Coolmore Classic. More importantly, the in-form jockey can find several reasons why she can reassert herself as one of the nation’s best fillies in the Group One Vinery Stud… Read More »
Winter carnival plans for Tokamak hinge on whether he can extend his winning sequence at Doomben on Saturday. Tokamak is a clear-cut favourite to make it four wins in a row in the Brisbane Screenprinting Handicap (1350m) despite not having raced since his impressive win in the Members Cup (1600m)… Read More »
Darley’s No.1 jockey Kerrin McEvoy has revealed how he was set to ride Guelph in the Golden Slipper until stablemate Sidestep booked a place in the field last weekend. “Guelph was going to be my Slipper ride,” he told an Australian Turf Club Golden Slipper function on Thursday. “It was… Read More »
The pedigree page will be trainer Gerald Ryan’s ally in his quest for an optimum Golden Slipper result with Charlie Boy and Dothraki. With Saturday’s $3.5 million race almost certain to be run on a rain-affected track, Ryan is banking on breeding to boost the chances of his two Triple… Read More »
A hoof injury threatens to rule Buffering out of a TJ Smith clash with champion mare Black Caviar. Trainer Robert Heathcote noticed the problem when Buffering was being led out of his stall to prepare for trackwork on Thursday morning. “He put in a short stride as he was being… Read More »
Trainer Mick Price is hoping a shred of good news delivered with the win of the heavily backed Eximius at Sandown on Wednesday could be a sign his luck is changing. While Price is producing his regular flow of winners, he has endured some shocking misfortune with some of his… Read More »
Thomas Sadler has broken new ground by becoming the first junior rider in living memory to be stood down for failing to produce his apprentice’s log book as required at every meeting. Stewards at Sandown stood Sadler down from next Wednesday’s race meeting at the same track. Chief steward Terry… Read More »
It has taken 26 years and 100-odd runners but trainer David Vandyke can finally say he has won a race at Warwick Farm. Saint La Bamba broke Vandyke’s home track hoodoo with victory in the More Than Ready Handicap (1600m) on Wednesday. Vandyke admitted his inability to produce a winner… Read More »
Grahame Begg fears Secret Admirer’s racing pattern will again count against her when she takes on pin-up mare More Joyous in Saturday’s Queen Of The Turf Stakes. The five-year-old has consistently been competitive at the highest level throughout her career and last spring alone was placed three times in Group… Read More »
