Co-trainer Paul Messara is hoping his decision to bypass a start in the Hot Danish Stakes pays dividends when emerging mare Clear Thinking chases a breakthrough black-type victory in the $1 million The Hunter. The six-year-old has won five of her seven starts, culminating in a brilliant Kosciuszko (1200m) performance last time… Read More »
Wagering turnover on the Melbourne Cup has surged 16.4 per cent year-on-year, highlighting what the Victoria Racing Club says is the raceâs enduring popularity and national appeal. According to data released by the VRC, a record $247.4 million was wagered on the Melbourne Cup, which was won by the Jamie… Read More »
There had been speculation among racing fans as to whether Pride Of Jenni had run her last race after her final appearance during the Cup Carnival. The popular eight-year-old finished near the tail in the Group 1 Champions Mile run on a heavy 9 track at Flemington, prompting discussion about… Read More »
Victoriaâs Southside Racing has unveiled the confirmed roster of slot holders for the second edition of its two marquee slot races, The Meteorite and The Supernova. Both events will again be run for $1 million in prizemoney, with The Meteorite (1200m) taking place on Cranbourne Cup day on November 22,… Read More »
Clayton Douglas expected Top Reward to justify his short quote and win on debut, but so impressed was the Mornington trainer that he has elected to take the colt straight to Group 2 level. The son of Shamus Award will have his second start in this Saturday’s $400,000 Sandown Guineas at Caulfield…. Read More »
If last year’s edition is anything to go by, Saturday’s feature at Newcastle, the Group 2 The Hunter (1300m) is certainly worth keeping an eye on. Now in its seventh year, the race was won by subsequent Group 1 winner Briasa last year, and while trainer Bjorn Baker may not have one… Read More »
Angel Capital has had more starts at Caulfield than any other racecourse, but that did not stop Chris Waller returning with him on Tuesday morning. The explosive four-year-old rounded out his preparations for this Saturday’s $1 million CF Orr Stakes with a course proper gallop at the scene of the 1400-metre Group… Read More »
Champion jockey James McDonald is set for another lucrative stint in Hong Kong, arriving this week in career-best form for a seven-week riding campaign in the Asian racing hub. McDonald heads offshore after closing out the Melbourne Cup Carnival with a dominant Group 1 victory aboard Via Sistina in the… Read More »
Giga Kick is set to head west, with trainer Clayton Douglas confirming the superstar sprinter will target the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot on November 29, before a possible tilt at the $1.5 million Gold Rush (1400m) on December 13. The announcement follows Giga Kickâs thrilling victory in… Read More »
Inkaruna will be given the chance to round out the Spring Carnival with a big payday for connections when she steps out at Caulfield this Saturday. The Sam and Anthony Freedman-trained filly, who was runner-up to classy stablemate Point Barrow in last Thursday’s Group 3 Red Roses Stakes at Flemington, will contest… Read More »
Fresh from conquering Champions Day at Flemington, Joe Pride has turned his attention to this Saturday’s $1 million The Hunter, in which he be heavily represented. Past winner Coal Crusher will be joined by Pride-trained stablemates Accredited, Estadio Mestalla and Golden Mile in the 1300-metre event at Newcastle. The Hunter will be run… Read More »
Despite bypassing a $10 million feature with Angel Capital last week, champion trainer Chris Waller is satisfied he has waited for Saturdayâs Group 1 Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield. Now racing as an entire for new owners Yulong, Angel Capital had the option of chasing the lucrative winnerâs cheque in… Read More »
The revamped Spring Carnival programming, which sees the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) run at Caulfield this Saturday, is perfect for Jimmysstar according to his trainer Ciaron Maher. Fresh off a dominant win in the $3 million Russell Balding Stakes (1300m), Jimmysstar has returned to Melbourne in fine fettle…. Read More »
For the second year in succession, spring plans haven’t gone to plan for high-class galloper Linebacker, but his trainers remain adamant he will return bigger and better in the autumn. The Randwick Guineas winner was being prepared for a tilt at the Epsom Handicap â Golden Eagle double but when… Read More »
James McDonald and Chris Waller celebrated a major milestone at Flemington on Saturday, securing their 50th Group 1 victory together courtesy of another dominant display from Via Sistina in the Group 1 Champions Stakes. The daughter of Fastnet Rock, sent out a $1.70 favourite despite heavy conditions, once again proved… Read More »
Jockey Chad Schofield has paid a heavy price for his Champions Mile victory with stewards fining him $35,000 and outing him for a month on careless riding and whip charges. The Sydney-based Schofield pleaded guilty to the careless riding charge near the 1400-metre mark and was suspended for 18 meetings… Read More »
Grand Larceny rounded off the Melbourne Cup Carnival in a positive fashion for the training partnership of Michael, John and Wayne Hawkes, claiming his fifth career win in decisive fashion. Grand Larceny was ridden to victory by Ben Melham, husband of Melbourne Cup winning rider Jamie, adding a nice finishing… Read More »
It has been a heady week for connections of the Ciaron Maher-trained Vivy Air, who has backed up a game second to stablemate Gringotts in the Big Dance with a thrilling win in the $2 million Five Diamonds. Collecting $600,000 for her second placing at Randwick on Tuesday, Vivy Air… Read More »
Via Sistina has won her 12th race at Group 1 level with a typically dominant performance, going back-to-back in the Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington. The heavy conditions didn’t faze the reigning Australian horse of the year, who tracked up three-wide with cover under James McDonald and put… Read More »
Ceolwulf further pressed claims for recognition as Australia’s best miler after claiming an epic Champions Mile at Flemington on Saturday. At his first start in Victoria the Joe Pride-trained gelding lifted from the canvas under hard riding from Chad Schofield to defeat Pericles in a stirring edition of the $3… Read More »
