Phillip Stokes looked at the hot company engaged at Flemington yesterday and thought that waiting an extra week with Climbing Star for the Caulfield meeting on Saturday would be a worthwhile move. The Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes over 1400-metres is the next assignment for the mare who will be shooting… Read More »
Brad Widdup is hoping for a change of fortune at the barrier draw to help Phearson bounce back to his best when he winds up his preparation in the $1 million The Hunter at Newcastle. Far from disgraced against one of the best sprinters in the country when eighth to Bella Nipotina in… Read More »
Champion jockey James McDonald once again stole the show at the Melbourne Cup Carnival, ending the week with an impressive 11 wins, surpassing his own record of 10 victories set in 2021. McDonald’s exceptional performance on the final day saw him claim four wins, including two Group 1 races. McDonald’s… Read More »
James Mcdonald put an exclamation mark on the most successful Melbourne Cup Carnival by a jockey when he teamed with his new favourite mare Via Sistina to take out Saturday’s $3 million Champions Stakes at Flemington. The superstar Sydney-based New Zealander completed his second Group 1 double of the week when the… Read More »
He has had to settle for the minor prize in a handful of major races, but Godolphin’s Pericles has finally enjoyed his moment in the sun to take out the $2 million Five Diamonds at Rosehill. The gelding was touched out in the 2023 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and last year’s Golden… Read More »
If there was any doubt that Mr Brightside had any more in him this spring or that Pride Of Jenni may get the better of him again, the gelding and jockey Craig Williams put that all rest with an emphatic victory in the Champions Mile at Flemington. It was not that the… Read More »
Former New Zealander Belclare has continued on her winning way in the Hot Danish Stakes at Rosehill to put herself in the frame for a Group One raid in Perth. Since trainer Bjorn Baker removed blinkers prior to her last start, Belclare has led throughout to claim The Invitation (1400m) at Randwick… Read More »
Read what each of the jockeys said about their rides in the 2024 Champions Mile at Flemington. Craig Williams (Mr Brightside) On his combination with Mr Brightside: “He’s had a great preparation. He won the Makybe Diva Stakes here. The Grand Final was the Cox Plate, he ran fourth but ran… Read More »
Tony Ottobre has announced the retirement of his esteemed mare, Pride Of Jenni, after a career marked by multiple Group 1 victories and earnings exceeding $10 million. Pride Of Jenni’s retirement follows a recent bleed during the G1 Champions Mile at Flemington, where she was unable to finish competitively. Racing… Read More »
Read what each of the jockeys said about their rides in the 2024 Champions Sprint at Flemington. James McDonald (Sunshine In Paris): “I was rapt when the camera started following me. All that matters is that the number’s in the frame. I’m so thrilled for Annabel, and John the owner. Obviously… Read More »
Annabel Neasham’s faith in Sunshine In Paris was rewarded when the classy mare upstaged Australia’s best sprinters in Saturday’s Champions Sprint at Flemington, but the victory did not come without a tinge of regret. The Sydneysider was kicking herself for not insisting that her training partner Rob Archibald be trackside for the $3… Read More »
It was a win more than two years in the making and Smokin’ Romans could not have picked a more appropriate venue to reward his connections’ patience. The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding led all the way to claim the $300,000 Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington. It was the 10th career… Read More »
Top trainer Stephen Miller believes Magnificent Andy is poised for victory and can stamp his Railway Stakes (1600m) credentials when he tackles the Group 2 Perth Racing Member Appreciation-Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on Saturday. Miller’s confident prediction is drawn from Magnificent Andy’s previous run in the Eurythmic Stakes… Read More »
As hard as he tried, jockey Shaun O’Donnell couldn’t find a slot for tough mare Searchin’ Roc’s when he was aboard her last time out in the Group 3 Eurythmic Stakes (1400m). From barrier 15 O’Donnell was left stranded four wide without cover in no man’s land, but testament to… Read More »
Melbourne Cup plans can be years in the making and Ballarat trainer Dan O’Sullivan is already thinking about next year’s race at Flemington. The Melbourne Cup (3200m) is still more than 360 days away, but O’Sullivan’s stayer Berkeley Square will pass an important qualifying clause if he can run top three in… Read More »
The weight of money on the Champions Mile at Flemington has kind of surprisingly been for Pride Of Jenni who failed to fire in the Cox Plate last time out with punters thinking she can bounce back from that lacklustre run when finishing eight of nine in the Cox Plate…. Read More »
Having centred their spring thoughts around the Melbourne Cup with Eliyass, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott decided to change direction after contesting another spring feature. Now the Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday is the focus for Eliyass. French-bred and having done his early racing in the… Read More »
Anticipation is at fever pitch for the launch of the Dream Chasers Festival at The Meadows this Saturday night and you will see all the colour, stories and high octane action live on Racing.com. The coverage kicks off at 6.15pm immediately following Champion Stakes Day at Flemington. It will be… Read More »
Not many horses, especially older geldings, go from winning a maiden to Group 1 success in one campaign, but that is what the Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained Baraqiel will attempt to do at Flemington. A maiden winner on debut at Sale in May, Baraqiel heads to the big… Read More »
Mr Brightside will sport blinkers for the first time in his career as he lines up for Saturday’s Group 1 Champions Mile at Flemington. Co-trainer Ben Hayes made the decision after the gelding impressed during a strong workout on Monday. While there were previous discussions about using blinkers, including before… Read More »
