He was well-supported when seventh at his Australian debut and the aptly-named Canberra Legend will appreciate the 2300m staying test in the $300,000 The Beauford at Newcastle on Saturday. By Great Britain stallion Australia, the four-year-old just faded late in the Rosehill Cup two weeks back and trainer Chris Waller believes he… Read More »
It wasn’t exactly D-day for Skew Wiff at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day, but the Kiwi mare’s trainer Mark Walker was still relieved to see her win. It was the four-year-old’s second start in Australia, following a sixth placing in the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes on October 21, and while those who… Read More »
Nick Ryan has higher aims than a Group 3 race at Caulfield as he saddles up Munhamek in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, but earlier on the card his attention will be taken with the challenge for Material Dreams to add to her growing string of successive wins. Material Dreams… Read More »
Peter Moody has seen enough of Quickster to say that despite her double-figure odds she can still mix it with the more fancied chances in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield on Saturday. Approaching the $1.5 million 1600-metre feature at her third start, the filly by Cox Plate-winning sure Shamus Award… Read More »
Though at longer odds in the markets, James Cummings is hoping Gravina can replicate similar form turnarounds of the past when he lines up at Newcastle on Saturday. The six-year-old lines up again in The Hunter (1300m) with the stable looking to go two places better than the third placing in the… Read More »
Protectionist, the esteemed winner of the 2014 Melbourne Cup, has died at age 13, Australian Bloodstock announced. Remembered for his dominant performance in the Melbourne Cup, where he triumphed by four lengths under the guidance of trainer Andreas Wohler and jockey Ryan Moore, Protectionist outpaced notable competitors Red Cadeaux and… Read More »
Co-trainer Grant Williams says he’s looking forward to seeing how his gun filly Keshi Boom goes from the hunter to the hunted as she looks to extend her undefeated status at Ascot on Saturday. Keshi Boom lowered the colours of reigning Two-Year-Old Horse of the Year, Super Smink in the Burgess Queen… Read More »
Last year’s Golden Slipper winner Fireburn has a date with an as-yet-unnamed Japanese stallion after it was announced on Thursday that the daughter of Rebel Dane had been retired. “She wasn’t on the market,” Louis Mihalyka of Laurel Oak Bloodstock said. “We were approached by an agent who I know well… Read More »
James Cummings is stepping promising filly Commemorative back in distance as an attempt at a Group 1 classic over a mile has come along too soon for her. Commemorative was the original favourite for the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) but Cummings has instead favoured a start in the Group 3 Thoroughbred… Read More »
Mitch Freedman has often thought he’d discovered one at a yearling sale that might have escaped the attention of other good judges only to miss out when the hammer fell. That is why the Ballarat trainer was so happy to land Skybird at last year’s Inglis Classic Sale. The favourite for Saturday’s… Read More »
Star jockey Ben Melham will be sidelined for approximately six weeks following hip surgery. Despite a successful spring highlighted by a Group 1 win in the Caulfield Guineas aboard Griff, Melham has faced challenges due to hip pain, which limited his ability to ride at lighter weights. This issue, stemming… Read More »
He’s been racing in elite company of late and the Gary Portelli-conditioned Kintyre should appreciate the drop back to Group 3 grade in the Spring Stakes at Newcastle this Saturday. Whilst not measuring up against the likes of Tom Kitten in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes last time out, the son… Read More »
Chris Waller might have two longer priced runners in the black-type feature at Newcastle on Saturday but despite their market positions for this event he could be eyeing Queensland Summer Carnival features for them down the track. Waller has accepted with three horses in the Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m) with… Read More »
With a name like Coal Crusher you could reasonably expect the gelding to feel at home in a place like Newcastle, and Joe Pride will be hoping the horse feels just like that in the feature event The Hunter on Saturday. The $1 million highlight over 1300-metres takes New South Wales racing’s centre… Read More »
The fanfare was understandable after last Saturday’s final race at Flemington, which marked the last time Damien Oliver rode at the track. It closed out the biggest week of the year after Australia’s most famous racecourse, where Oliver is the most successful rider in Melbourne Cup Carnival history. But many would… Read More »
No Imperatriz, no Melbourne carnival top level sprinting pressure, and familiar territory is expected to suit Zoustyle as the eight-year-old makes his Queensland return at Sunshine Coast on Saturday. Tony Gollan’s front-running gelding couldn’t match it with Group 1 star Imperatriz in Melbourne over the last couple of months but a… Read More »
Hong Kong’s loss is Perth’s gain with Zaaki confirmed to make the journey west in a bid to claim further Group 1 success at the Pinnacles carnival at Ascot. The nine-year-old had been entered for the Hong Kong Mile and Hong Kong Cup, but will target the Group 1 Northerly… Read More »
Amelia Park Racing has turned to X (Twitter) platform to articulate their disappointment regarding the decision to exonerate jockey Tyler Schiller of any wrongdoing in connection to his ride in the Golden Eagle on November 4. A board Strait Acer in the $10 million feature event two weeks ago, Schiller… Read More »
Connections of Zaaki have shifted their focus to Western Australia, opting out of international competition in Hong Kong. Trainer Annabel Neasham announced on Wednesday afternoon that the nine-year-old will target the $1.5 million Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) on December 9. James McDonald has received approval from the HKJC to… Read More »
A midweek country meeting at Ballarat on a firmer surface has provided the ideal setting for the James Cummings-trained Juggle to break the maiden at her second start. Juggle, a three-year-old daughter of Lonhro, debuted for a fourth placing over 1000-metres at the same course on October 26 and that experience… Read More »
