There was a time when Sterling Alexiou feared Banana Queen would never regain the confidence she lost on Sydney’s wet autumn tracks, but happily for the trainer the mare has resurrected her form. After making a promising start to her career, Banana Queen was beaten a total of more than 27… Read More »
Carbine Club Stakes winner Perfect Thought and smart sprinter Quantico enjoyed a spin around Randwick on Saturday in an exhibition gallop between races, with the former holding a narrow advantage on the line. A rangey son of So You Think, Perfect Thought struggled to produce his best on a spate of heavy… Read More »
A carefully considered plan to pull off a Highway Handicap win with Smokeshow has come to fruition for up-and-coming Goulburn trainer Danielle Seib, who has now set her sights on a Kosciuszko call-up. The mare has only been with Seib this preparation but Saturday’s Randwick race has been on her radar… Read More »
Former New Zealand trainer Richard Collett has celebrated his first win since relocating to Australia late last year and fittingly, it has been delivered by his son, top jockey Jason. The pair combined to take out the Midway Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday with Ripped, much to Jason Collett’s delight…. Read More »
Cuban Royale has proven that you can teach an old dog new tricks, stepping up to black-type company for the first time at start number 60 and overpowering his rivals to claim the Carrington Stakes. It was a remarkable career-peak for the eight-year-old, who took nine starts to break his… Read More »
Ain’Tnodeeldun has made a long-awaited return to the winner’s enclosure with a come from behind victory at Moonee Valley. The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained galloper looked one of the up-and-coming three-year-old during the early part of season 2020-21 but suffered a pelvic injury that kept sidelined for 16 months. After four runs duringhis current campaign, his second back from injury, Ain’tnodeeldun registered his… Read More »
Kris Lees hasn’t ruled out having a throw at the stumps in stakes grade with emerging filly Lucky Variety after she accounted for a strong field at Randwick to post her third win. In a reflection of the depth of Saturday’s benchmark 72 Handicap, Lucky Variety started at double-figure odds despite her… Read More »
Goulburn-based apprentice Amy Mclucas heeded the advice of Jamie Kah in landing a winner at her first ride in Melbourne. McLucas partnered the Anthony and Sam Freedman -trained Unflinching in the Glen Orla Handicap (1000m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday. After arriving at Moonee Valley, Kah took McLucas for a tour of the Moonee… Read More »
Don Corleone’s uncanny resemblance to Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside convinced Newgate Farm supremo Henry Field to take a gamble on the colt as a weanling, and the investment looks like paying dividends. The youngster proved superior in Saturdays Petaluma Handicap (1000m) at Randwick despite receiving no favours in the run… Read More »
The Godolphin team feel Amur is holding something back despite landing a second straight win at Moonee Valley. A debut winner at the track on Christmas Eve, Amur landed a last stride win in the All-Star Mile On Sale Now Handicap (1200m) on Saturday. Ridden again by Damien Oliver, Amur ($3.40) scored a… Read More »
Some People Callme may not have been ready for the hustle and bustle of a rich two-year-old race at the Gold Coast, but the colt is ready to take his place at Moonee Valley. The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained son of Maurice heads to the All-Star Mile On Sale Now Handicap (1200m) at The Valley… Read More »
Evergreen galloper So Si Bon continues to surprise his Lindsay Park trainers Ben and J D Hayes. In the twilight of his career, rising 10-year-old So Si Bon will line up for start number 87 and chase his tenth win when he runs in the Musk Creek Farm Handicap (1600m) at Moonee Valley on… Read More »
Ben Thompson might have just missed out on the big one with Yellow Brick in the $2 million Magic Millions Three-Year-Old Guineas … and I mean only just missed out … but he bounced back to a claim a significant victory aboard the Tony Gollan trained Vinco in the $1… Read More »
You need a lot of luck in racing and Matt Cumani would like some to finally flow his way. Cumani saddles Hint Of Stars and Taramansour in the Ladbrokes Mates Mode Handicap (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday and is hoping 2023 will be a better year for the pair. Former UK galloper… Read More »
This morning’s confirmation that Skirt The Law, Queensland’s $2 million Magic Million’s Two-Year-Old Classic winner, has pulled up well after her magnificent effort at the Gold Coast yesterday has completed a perfect result for the connections of the Better Than Ready filly. “She has pulled up in good order,” said… Read More »
A spate of firmer tracks have been a key factor in the consistent form of well-related mare Chenin, who will chase her first Saturday metropolitan win at Randwick. Like big brother and two-time Group 1 winner Shadow Hero, Chenin has an aversion to rain-affected ground, as evidenced in the autumn… Read More »
While most eight-year-olds are looking for the retirement paddock, Cuban Royale is preparing for a career-first at Randwick. The veteran gelding is in line to make his black-type debut in the Listed Carrington Stakes (1400m), earning the stakes-race opportunity at what will be start number 60. “There is hope for… Read More »
Father-and-son training team Richard and Will Freedman have caused an upset with Fashion Legend taking out the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas at the Gold Coast. Fashion Legend defied a late bid by the heavily supported favourite Yellow Brick to land the 1425m $2 million contest on Thursday. Ridden by Josh Parr, Fashion Legend scored by… Read More »
A record number of second acceptances have been received for the Golden Slipper with more than 400 two-year-olds remaining in contention for the $5 million showpiece. The Australian Turf Club confirmed 440 youngsters have been paid up for at the second acceptance stage, an increase of 22 per cent on… Read More »
Skirt The Law has delivered leading trainer Tony Gollan his first win in the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast and in doing so has broken a six-year drought for Queensland-trained horses. Coming off an unconventional preparation, Skirt The Law had not raced since taking her record to… Read More »
