The Group 1 Queensland Derby will be the first time Global Ausbred is exposed to stakes racing, but his progression thus far has given trainer Brad Widdup the confidence to aim high. The colt is bred to be a classic contender, being by Maurice, the sire of dual Derby winner Hitotsu, out… Read More »
Sweet Dolly … sweet by name, sweet by the pleasure she gave, sweet by financial return. While the big names runners like Away Game and Tofane, with their big-name players, were hogging the headlines at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale … with those horses changing hands for $4 million… Read More »
There are several possible scenarios at Eagle Farm on Saturday in which certain runners can reimpose their presence in the record books. Zaaki is obviously the prime contender for that as the Annabel Neasham trained star looks to land a second successive Doomben Cup victory. The Robert Heathcote trained Emerald… Read More »
Having bided his time on the provincial and country circuits, promising young apprentice Dylan Gibbons is set to become a familiar face in town over the coming weeks. The 20-year-old has already given an insight into his talents, snaring a Group 3 win aboard Festival Dancer at the feature Hunter meeting on… Read More »
If it was any other mare, Ciaron Maher might be slightly concerned with Away Game’s preparation leading up to this Saturday’s Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm. The iron mare will run in the $700,000 Group 1 just four days after being sold for $4 million at the Magic Millions… Read More »
For some, like the connections of wet track horses and mudlarks, the chance of racing being to their advantage on a heavy Doomben track surface disappeared when the meeting was postponed last Saturday. For others, who had an overall preference to race at Doomben … whenever … because it better… Read More »
Speedy filly Dance Session made the best possible start after a stable change when she led from start to finish and won the Rhonda Worthington Handicap (1000m) at Belmont on Wednesday by a half-length. Dance Session made her first appearance for Mitchell Pateman following a short tenure under Jim Taylor and… Read More »
Three Royal Ascot bound Australian sprinters will have their last serious piece of work in a jump-out at Flemington before their departure for the UK. The Chris Waller-trained pair of Nature Strip and Home Affairs will be joined by the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Artorius in the specially arrange 900m hit-out down the… Read More »
James Mcdonald’s quest to land his 100th Sydney metropolitan win of the season will have to wait for another day after he fell just short at Canterbury. The champion jockey had the milestone in his sights with victory aboard the Chris Waller-trained Tinnie Winnie in the third race on Wednesday,… Read More »
Matthew Dunn has classic aspirations for juvenile filly Veandechance, who has overcome a pre-race hiccup to post her maiden victory at Canterbury. The two-year-old not only lost a shoe on the way to the starting stalls and had to be replated behind the gates, but also hurt part of her… Read More »
Expanding his buying spree of young horses overseas has landed Peter Moody a debut winner at Sale. English-bred three-year-old gelding Insulation took out the Gippsland Times Plate (1717m) on Wednesday to continue Moody’s foray into buying young stock from Europe. In 2016 Moody purchased five youngsters from the Tattersall’s Foal Sale… Read More »
Having convinced trainer Kris Lees he deserved a shot at the Queensland Derby, improving three-year-old Ting Tong will face a fresh challenge after drawing an outside gate. The son of Epaulette booked his passage north with a strong second to Oaks contender Aravene over 2000m at Rosehill on Saturday, showing… Read More »
“Thank God!” That was James McDonald’s response when it was put to him that Zaaki will have firmer footing to race on at Eagle Farm on Saturday in the Doomben Cup than he would have had if the (now postponed) meeting had gone ahead on the heavy surface at Doomben… Read More »
Last Saturday, the Tony and Calvin McEvoy training partnership sent out their last feature race winner from their long-time base in South Australia when they triumphed in the Group 3 R A Lee Stakes at Morphettville. Belle Plaisir was the horse to give them a fitting farewell. The stable completed… Read More »
Trainer Stephanie Bakranich had a sense of trepidation when Nerodio ran in the Roma Cup (1200m), but by the end of the race, she could not have been prouder of him Stephanie Bakranich had a couple of doubts ahead of the G3 winter feature, mainly fitness after a decent spell and… Read More »
When Chris Hyland purchased Witchachar Star, he had dreams of winning the Grand Annual Steeplechase at Warrnambool. Those dreams may one day be realised, however Hyland still collected another feature on Grand Annual Day earlier this month, the Warrnambool Cup with Witchachar Star. With a jumping career put on hold, Witchachar Star… Read More »
Non-existent air travel between Melbourne and Brisbane has resulted in Alegron not being among the acceptances for the Group 1 Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm. Godolphin Australia Managing Director Vin Cox said they were not prepared to put the James Cummings-trained three-year-old on a truck to transport him to Brisbane for Saturday’s… Read More »
A hectic weekend is looming for Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup as he prepares to spread his boutique team between three states. Improving three-year-old Global Ausbred will spearhead Widdup’s squad when he lines up in the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm, while Authentic Jewel heads in the opposite… Read More »
Jockey Robbie Dolan could kick off the massive Eagle Farm meeting on a high note on Saturday. The rider, who has captured the imagination of music fans with his singing performances in his recent appearances on The Voice, would have good cause to celebrate if he can guide the perhaps… Read More »
In yet another reshuffle of the race meeting cards in Queensland the meeting scheduled for Ipswich tomorrow (Thursday) had been rescheduled and moved to Sunday. Earlier, the Gold Coast meeting scheduled for Saturday was transferred to the Polytrack at the Sunshine Coast. Friday’s Sunshine Coast meeting has also been moved… Read More »
