Stefan Vahala hopes adopting a patient strategy can begin to pay off both now and later in the year. The now arrives as soon as Saturday, (weather permitting) in the Cyril Flower Stakes (1200m) at Ascot, Aztec Ruler’s first crack at Listed company. If that plan comes to fruition first-up and… Read More »
In-form jockey Beau Mertens has been transported to hospital following a fall in the opening race at Stony Creek. Mertens was riding the $1.65 betting site favourite Nobiallo in the San Remo Hotel Maiden Plate (1100m) on Tuesday when the first starter fell heavily near the 200m mark. Just Bolts, who… Read More »
An horrific fall in the first race at Stony Creek on Tuesday has claimed the life of a promising young horse whilst two jockeys (Beau Mertens and Thomas Stockdale) were hurt but miraculously not severely in the incident. Mertens was unseated from the highly favoured debutant, Nobiallo, priced at $1.60… Read More »
Some of the better three-year-old staying races could be on the agenda for American Pharoah filly Redbreast, who will debut over 1200m at Warwick Farm on Wednesday. Adrian Bott, who trains in partnership with Gai Waterhouse, says it’s hard not to be excited by the trial star, who could end… Read More »
Craig Williams says time has been the friend of Melbourne Cup runner-up Soulcombe after partnering the stayer in a track gallop at Caulfield. Chris Waller called on Williams to partner Soulcombe as the gelding builds to a potential target of the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington in late March. Williams… Read More »
Mark Zahra has a soft spot for Gold Trip, the horse that provided the jockey with the first of his back-to-back Melbourne Cup victories. Zahra answered a call from trainer Ciaron Maher to give Gold Trip a gallop at Caulfield on Tuesday as part of the entire’s build-up to a racetrack return…. Read More »
Mick Price is aware there are more suitable immediate options for Ayrton than this Saturday’s CF Orr Stakes, but he thinks it is the right Group 1 race to have a crack at. Waiting for him will be star miler Mr Brightside, but the $750,000 weight-for-age Group 1 event is… Read More »
Former AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan is reportedly the frontrunner to assume the role of the new chairman of Racing Victoria, according to several media outlets. While no official confirmation of his acceptance has been made, sources suggest that McLachlan is the preferred candidate of Victoria’s Racing Minister, Anthony Carbines. This… Read More »
Trainer Neville Parnham, and the Casey’s: Sean and his son Jake, have targeted feature races with stars of last year’s Ascot Pinnacles carnival. Group 1 Railway Stakes champion Bustler and WA Guineas hero Zipaway have been entered for Melbourne features at Caulfield on Saturday. Parnham has nominated Bustler for the CF Orr… Read More »
Imperatriz was the headline act at Monday’s Cranbourne trial session, but it was the performance another five-year-old mare who caught the attention of most in the first heat. Passive Aggressive indicated she was in poised to make a successful return to the racetrack after a failed trip to the breeding barn with… Read More »
Caulfield Guineas winner Griff is on a mission to add another classic win to his resume, this time in Sydney. The colt is set to resume in the $250,000 Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes at Randwick this Saturday for what will be an exclusively Sydney campaign. Trainer Ciaron Maher is upbeat about… Read More »
Imperatriz failed to flatter in her final serious hitout before her return to racing, but Michael Dee is maintaining the faith ahead of this month’s Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning. Dee blamed complacency for the eight-time Group 1 winner’s lacklustre showing at Cranbourne on Monday morning, which saw her beaten home… Read More »
It was so close to a perfect result … but in the end there was no cigar just a lingering thought of what might have been. Stephanie Thompson had one ride at Eagle Farm on Saturday … just a fleeting return to the saddle before she joins her husband Ben… Read More »
Simon Miller is confident Petula will be a big improver when she headlines his assault at Bunbury today. The Nicconi filly returns from a 55-day spell to race in the $125,000 Listed WA Breeders’ Classic (1200m). Petula burst onto the scene as a two-year-old, winning her opening two races before Simon… Read More »
A gallop at Cranbourne on Monday will determine the future of the autumn campaign of Wolfgang. The Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans-trained two-year-old has been entered for the Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday. But Yeomans said a decision on whether he starts in that race or is… Read More »
Young Werther is not your normal racehorse. While most horses enjoy time in the paddock, Young Werther is more comfortable with stable life. Trainer Danny O’Brien revealed Young Werther has been in the stable since his last start second in the Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) in December. O’Brien said Young Werther was… Read More »
Chris Waller is poised to sacrifice a potential $2 million pay day in the Inglis Millennium in order to concentrate on the Golden Slipper with blue-blooded colt Switzerland. The champion trainer says there is a “ninety per chance” Switzerland will not contest next Saturday’s sales-restricted feature for which he is a… Read More »
Up-and-coming sprinter Our Kobison has broken the 1200-metre Rosehill track record, bettering the mark held for almost 30 years by top galloper All Our Mob . While the firm ground was producing quick times throughout the day, Our Kobison was brilliant in carting the field up to leader Dipsy Doodle then finding another gear… Read More »
Ciaron Maher and the connections of Jimmysstar have been offered a spot in the All-Star Mile after a comprehensive first-up win at Caulfield. Jimmysstar is the second member of the Maher team to be announced as an All-Star Mile (1600m) contestant at Caulfield on March 16, after Pride Of Jenni was confirmed… Read More »
Russell Stewart is excited about the future prospects of Earthstorm, but is uncertain if that translates to a winning debut today at Ascot. After a super impressive barrier trial, Earthstorm makes her race day debut in the Andrich Cousins Raceday Plate (1000m). Russell Stewart is eager to unveil his latest prospect… Read More »
