It is a more than a little unusual to see a feature race in Melbourne with Queenslanders so well represented, but that is exactly what the Group 2 McEwen Stakes will serve up at Moonee Valley on Saturday with Queensland stables sending out two of the seven runners in the… Read More »
Now the weather gods are not smiling on Birdsville races. A media release posted by Racing Queensland reads: ‘Racing Queensland advises that following a track inspection, which was deemed necessary after continued inclement weather, the Birdsville Race Club race meeting for Friday, September 2, has been postponed. ‘The club and… Read More »
Four international horses and one returning Australian sprinter have been confirmed on the first shipment of horses for the Melbourne Spring Carnival. Racing Victoria has given El Bodegon, My Oberon, Night Endeavor and Rodrigo Diaz the green light to enter quarantine in the UK. They will need to pass a third physical examination by an RV appointed… Read More »
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Sir Bailey is about to embark on his three-year-old campaign that may lead to a bigger prize during the spring. The son of multiple Group 1 winning mare Jameka resumes in the Inglis Ready2Race Sale October 11 Plate (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday, his first start since April…. Read More »
Speedy mare Expat rarely exerts herself in trackwork or trials, but Mark Newnham is confident punters will again see the best of her on race day when she resumes at Wyong’s feature meeting of the spring. The dual stakes winner has finished a sound third in two recent barrier trials… Read More »
For a smaller stable, David Payne has an incredible record of success in the Chelmsford Stakes and he won’t be surprised to see Montefilia add to that at Randwick. Payne has won the race three times with Unearthly (2004), Nevis (2005) and Gallant Tess (2008) but believes Montefilia is the best of them…. Read More »
Wayne Hawkes is hopeful a return to the short course at Moonee Valley will bring out an improved showing from three-year-old Semillion. The Hawkes Racing-trained sprinter was successful on debut at Moonee Valley on soft ground and may have similar ground on Saturday when he contests the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m). It will be Semillion’s first shot… Read More »
Classique Legend has passed his first serious test back from a suspensory injury and while his fitness requires some work, trainer Les Bridge says the 2020 Everest winner is on track to resume in The Shorts. The seven-year-old finished third behind the speedy Overpass and champion sprinter Nature Strip in… Read More »
Peter Moody has an idea of how well imported galloper Spanish Mission is preparing for the Melbourne Cup, but he wants to now see it under race conditions. Scratched from the Listed Heatherlie Stakes at Caulfield last week, Spanish Mission is an acceptor in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley… Read More »
Any other horse might be looking for a retirement paddock at the age of nine, but Joe Pride says Eduardo is in the shape of his life and better positioned than ever to win The Everest. The top shelf sprinter embarks on his third tilt at the $15 million showpiece when he… Read More »
Trainer Todd Austin and jockey Ric McMahon have been suspended with immediate effect by Queensland Racing Integrity Commission stewards following the launch of an investigation into a device carried by McMahon on an Austin trained horse in trackwork in the lead-up to the two-day Birdsville Racing Carnival which will take… Read More »
Top jockey James Mcdonald has tipped Roots to stand up and be counted this campaign after her powerhouse first-up victory at Warwick Farm. The mare was among a trio of up-and-coming horses to stamp their quality on the midweek program as they prepare to springboard into bigger races. Runner-up to… Read More »
“Sydney racing has never been stronger,” announced Jamie Barkley, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Turf Club, with the Sydney Everest Carnival to be 17 September to 5 November. “Witness the inaugural $2m Big Dance at Royal Randwick on Cup Day, Tuesday 1 November with the $2m The Invitation and… Read More »
Punters looking for a guide need only to look to Jamie Kah riding at 50kg early in the spring. Jamie Kah says she will have no problems getting down to 50kg to ride Coolangatta in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes at Moonee Valley. The 1000m dash at weight-for-age on Saturday… Read More »
Trainer Mike Moroney has unearthed another smart three-year-old with Elkington Road scoring an impressive debut win at Sandown. Elkington Road took out the Ladbroke It! Plate (1200m) on Wednesday a week after stablemate Japanese Emperor created a huge impression with his debut win at the same venue. Ridden by Jamie Mott, Elkington Road ($4) scored by… Read More »
The Furious Stakes will give Team Snowden a perfect opportunity to test the depth of their three-year-old squad when a trio of their most talented fillies clash in the Group 2 race. J J Atkins winner Sheeza Belter, Magic Millions runner-up Russian Conquest and Percy Sykes Stakes winner Paris Dior are all… Read More »
Weight-for-age star Zaaki will be just one of the headline horses kicking off their spring campaigns at Randwick on a program featuring some of racing’s brightest talents. The Queen Elizabeth Stakes runner-up resumes in Saturday’s Tramway Stakes (1400m) where his rivals include Randwick Guineas winner Converge, Thousand Guineas heroine Yearning and the… Read More »
Racing Victoria has announced the five finalists for the 2021-22 Victorian Racehorse of the Year. Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant, Caulfield Cup winner Incentivise, Victoria Derby winner Hitotsu, champion sprinter Nature Strip and All-Star Mile winner Zaaki are the finalists in the award which will be announced on Saturday night. The annual awards night in Melbourne will… Read More »
A spin around Moonee Valley in a track gallop has given emerging trainer Clayton Douglas the green light to press on with plans to runShambo at the course. Shambo is an acceptor for the Ladbrokes Handicap (1500m) on Saturday and Douglas is using the contest as a potential guide to a bigger three-year-old… Read More »
After doubts were expressed yesterday by Michael Browell, the CEO of the Moonee Valley Racing Club about last year’s Cox Plate winner State Of Rest making the trip to Melbourne this year to defend his title, it has now been confirmed by trainer Joseph O’Brien that State Of Rest will… Read More »
