New Zealand horses making hit-and-run visits to Australia are not uncommon, but there are not many horses that do it in reverse. The Ciaron Maher-trained Holymanz, a New Zealand-bred four-year-old, made a hit-and-run trip to Ellerslie last month for the inaugural running of the Aotearoa Classic (1600m). Holymanz finished fourth… Read More »
The inaugural running of the Verry Elleegant Stakes has taken on a fresh poignancy with the sudden and tragic death of the incredibly talented race mare last week. For her trainer Chris Waller, who will be represented by up to four runners including odds-on favourite Fangirl, a victory would be… Read More »
Mike Moroney is not shocked connections had to tinker with the name of his classy three-year-old who will make his Australian debut this Saturday at Flemington. The son of U S Navy Flag had seven starts in New Zealand as Pendragon, but will race as The Pendragon in the $1… Read More »
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have pinpointed the Skyline Stakes as the logical next step for star two-year-old Storm Boy as they bid to replicate a winning formula heading into the Golden Slipper. The unbeaten colt had three weeks between runs when scoring an emphatic win in the Magic Millions Classic… Read More »
In a recent development in the racing industry’s white powder scandal, stablehand Ruby McIntyre has been handed a three-month suspension by the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) for her involvement in the incident concerning champion jockey Jamie Kah. The tribunal, which includes Judge Bowman, Des Gleeson, and Maree Payne, has agreed… Read More »
Tragically, Grahame Begg’s group winning sprinter Rose Quartz passed away over the weekend due to complications from colic, leaving the racing community in mourning. The six-year-old mare, sired by Written Tycoon, had an impressive career, capturing five victories and accumulating $619,090 in prize money. Among her notable achievements was a… Read More »
Heavily supported with betting sites, Excelleration and jockey Harry Coffey took advantage of a light weight to outstay their rivals in the 160th edition of the Launceston Cup. Bushfires in Ballarat prevented trainer Richard Cully from making the trip across Bass Strait to see the seven-year-old win the Group 3 highlight… Read More »
Spending time at the beach over the past month has made all the difference to seven-year-old mare Megamea and trainer Luke Oliver attributed that change of scene that has returned her to the winners’ list. Craig Williams steered Megamea ($7.50) to victory in the Group 3 Vamos Stakes (1400m) at Launceston with the… Read More »
A gallop at Sandown and a jump-out at Cranbourne will be the final two pieces of serious work for Pride Of Jenni leading into the All-Star Mile at Caulfield. The Ciaron Maher-trained mare galloped with Berkshire Shadow at Sandown on Wednesday in preparation for the $4 million race over 1600m at… Read More »
Gerald Ryan didn’t expect blue-blooded filly Pajanti to take four starts to break her maiden but now that she has, he hopes she can carry that form into black-type grade. The three-year-old hails from an outstanding family, her maternal granddam being dual stakes placegetter Monsoon Wedding, a full sister to champion stallion… Read More »
After two placings in maiden grade in New Zealand, the Lindsay Park stable went looking to purchase Grid Girl for a group of loyal clients. The purchase proved a smart buy for the stable run by Ben, Will and J D Hayes after Grid Girl scored a strong win on her… Read More »
David Payne has stopped short of declaring the Verry Elleegant Stakes a race for second behind brilliant first-up winner Fangirl, but he does think the Chris Waller-trained mare has a stranglehold on the Group One showpiece. Payne will saddle-up Navajo Peak in the Randwick mile, formerly known as the Chipping Norton… Read More »
Michael Freedman has delved into his bag of tricks with three-year-old Moravia, who will sport two key gear adjustments in a bid to put his autumn back on track. While the colt wasn’t disgraced when finishing fourth to Caballus first-up in the Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Randwick, Freedman left the track… Read More »
Trainer Clayton Douglas says he is in no hurry to see Giga Kick back at the racetrack despite the gelding being back in work for nearly a month. Giga Kick has been off the scene since finishing third to Imperatriz in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley last September. The… Read More »
Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr will saddle a two-pronged attack in the Australian Guineas and enter the race with the belief they have the right horses for the contest. Snow Patrol and Otago have, importantly, drawn good barriers for the Group 1 contest over 1600m at Flemington on Saturday as Price… Read More »
The Neville Parnham team is banking on Zipaway’s stellar form and seamless transition to Flemington to dominate Saturday’s Group 1 Australian Guineas. Assistant trainer Mark Sestich exudes confidence, citing the gelding’s impressive first-up performance and seamless adaptation to the track. With a solid run in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes… Read More »
When asked how Zipaway and Bustler were ahead of their group races in Melbourne on Saturday, trainer Neville Parnham’s response was unequivocal. “Both horses are absolutely thriving and have improved,” Neville Parnham said. Parnham will saddle up Zipaway in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) and Bustler in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes… Read More »
Riff Rocket will attempt to follow the deeds of Mahogany when he runs in the Australian Guineas at Flemington. Mahogany won the Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington in 1993 before returning the following year to win the Vanuatu Stakes (1400m), now the C S Hayes Stakes, also at headquarters. Riff Rocket,… Read More »
Three-time Group One winner Duais is likely to resume in Saturday’s Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) at Randwick, with Ed Cummings to be guided by her first-up run as to what the six-year-old mare’s preparation will look like. Duais hasn’t managed a win since March 2022 but went close in a number… Read More »
WA’s Group 1 sensation, Dom To Shoot, has clinched a wildcard entry into the prestigious $4 million All-Star Mile, adding more excitement to the upcoming event. The Northerly Stakes victor, who triumphed over the renowned Zaaki during Perth’s summer carnival, caught the attention of the selection panel with a valiant… Read More »
