New Zealand trainer Mark Walker will be looking to build on his impressive strike-rate in Melbourne since establishing a stable at Cranbourne. From seven runners out of the Cranbourne stable since the start of September, Walker has produced three winners and will looking to increase that tally at Moonee Valley on Friday night and further… Read More »
Filly Opal Ridge won the inaugural running of the Tapp-Craig, and Hawkes Racing is hoping Makarena can make it a clean sweep for the girls when she steps out in the $500,000 Rosehill feature. In an unusual move for the stable, the three-year-old will contest Saturday’s 1400 metre race at just her… Read More »
The $2 million Hill Stakes will be a fork in the road for import Hoo Ya Mal with connections hoping he can prove himself worthy of another Melbourne Cup bid. Co-trainer Adrian Bott has been rapt with the five-year-old’s two runs from a spell, including his midfield effort in the 7… Read More »
A three-year-old fillies Stakes race at Flemington could determine the direction that Poifect takes later in her spring campaign. Poifect is engaged to run in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday with her Lindsay Park trainers Ben, Will and J D Hayes having an open mind on her potential ‘Grand Final’. Options… Read More »
Star Hong Kong-based jockey, Zac Purton, is set to join forces with trainer Willie Mullins for this year’s Melbourne Cup, riding Absurde in a partnership that has been a decade in the making. Purton’s previous collaboration with Mullins in the Melbourne Cup dates back to 2017 when he rode Max… Read More »
Parisal’s first-up win proved her capacity to absorb pressure and James Cummings says she will probably have to show the same resilience to overcome a wide draw in The Nivison. The Astern mare settled midfield from a similarly awkward gate in the Toy Show Quality (1300m) and tracked three and four-wide… Read More »
Talented sprinting filly Charm Stone is currently on the sidelines after undergoing a procedure to remove a bone chip from one of her knees. Bloodstock agent Sheamus Mills, who acquired the speedy daughter of I Am Invincible for $1.55 million, recently confirmed that Charm Stone will undergo a three-month spell… Read More »
Trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott are hoping their decision to pause The Little Pumper’s winter preparation will reap spring carnival rewards, starting in the $500,000 Tapp-Craig at Rosehill. The three-year-old collected back-to-back wins in June and July but found himself at an awkward juncture in the calendar after finishing fifth… Read More »
Former French galloper Athabascan has been sent from the Sydney stable of trainer John O’Shea in a bid to secure a Melbourne Cup start. Success in The Bart Cummings (2510m) at Flemington on Saturday provides the winner with a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 7. Athabascan will be… Read More »
A brace of promising performances over unsuitable trips has Zeyrek on target to underline his claims for a Victorian venture when he gets to his preferred distance range in the Hill Stakes. The gelding has been valiant in his two return runs, sticking to his task when fourth to Pericles in the… Read More »
While there are pundits wondering if Lunar Flare has returned in the same vein of form she was in over the previous 12 months, her trainer Grahame Begg is far from disappointed. Lunar Flare will be lining up for the third run of her campaign when she runs in the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington Saturday, all part… Read More »
Bjorn Baker is backing undefeated colt Ozzmosis to continue his rise through the ranks as he prepares for his toughest test yet in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes at Rosehill. The undefeated son of Zoustar takes on Golden Slipper placegetter King’s Gambit, the well-performed Barber and the emerging Celestial Legend in Saturday’s… Read More »
Winx’s baby sister City Of Lights didn’t get the win at Sydney’s midweek meeting, but she did enough to convince new trainer Joe Pride she has a future. By Deep Impact out of Vegas Showgirl, the four-year-old is a half-sibling the former champion and showing ability in her own right. A Geelong… Read More »
King’s Gambit reverted to his old habits first-up in Melbourne, but if he can bring his best behaviour to Rosehill, co-trainer Peter Snowden expects him to give the Roman Consul Stakes a shake. The Snowdens have a better record than most in the Group 2 sprint, winning three of the past seven… Read More »
Jockey Daniel Moor has established a good relationship with sprinter Jigsaw but knows tougher times are ahead for the pair. After a summer-autumn campaign that netted the Cindy Alderson-trained Jigsaw five wins from six starts, Jigsaw returns for a spring preparation in the Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday. Moor began his association with Jigsaw… Read More »
Danny Shum had an ominous warning after watching his stable star Romantic Warrior work live for the first time at Werribee on Wednesday morning. But it is not the horses the Hong Kong superstar will face in this Saturday’s Turnbull Stakes at Flemington who should be most concerned, rather those targeting… Read More »
A start in the Melbourne Cup is up for grabs in The Bart Cummings at Flemington and Perth trainer Daniel Morton is eyeing off that spot. Morton will saddle Alaskan God in the 2510m Cup qualifier on Saturday where the winner obtains a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 7. But Morton… Read More »
The availability of feature race options in Melbourne and Sydney is being used to advantage by Grahame Begg as he endeavours to keep classy mares Magic Time and C’Est Magique apart. C’est Magique will run at Flemington on Saturday in the Gilgai Stakes (1100m), while Magic Time has already arrived in Sydney for… Read More »
Racing Victoria’s search for a new chairman is gathering pace, and all eyes are on former AFL head, Gillon McLachlan. As the state government prepares to open board vacancy applications this week, the departure of former chairman Brian Kruger in June has intensified the search. McLachlan, having recently exited his… Read More »
Godolphin Australia today announced that Vin Cox will be leaving Godolphin Australia towards the end of the year to take up a new position with Yulong Investments. Commenting on Coxâs departure, Godolphinâs Director of Corporate Services, Ross Cole, said: âAfter six years as our Managing Director, we are very sorry… Read More »
