Having grown up in an era when the Cups, Plates and Classic races were the pinnacle events on the calendar, Mark Newnham remains a racing purist at heart. He had his sights on last weekend’s ATC Australian Derby with Shadow Hero but the horse’s chances were thwarted by a heavy… Read More »
Archie Alexander is hopeful Gallic Chieftain can deliver his first Group One win in the Sydney Cup, even if the Ballarat-based trainer will not be able to be at Randwick to cheer him on. Gallic Chieftain went within a long head of winning the Group One Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick… Read More »
Tony McEvoy has attempted to keep speed in the legs of stayer Secret Blaze in a bid to claim the Group Three Easter Cup at Caulfield. McEvoy, who trains in partnership with his son Calvin, said Secret Blaze was ticking over nicely ahead of his attempt at overturning consecutive second… Read More »
Jamie Richards cannot split stablemates Te Akau Shark and Melody Belle as the star duo prepare to clash in the $2 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes. While stable jockey Opie Bosson has been forced to choose between two of his favourite horses, opting to ride Te Akau Shark, Richards is sitting… Read More »
An altered program because of the coronavirus pandemic that has shut down some state borders has resulted in Seabrook remaining in Melbourne chasing a long overdue win. Mick Price, who trains Seabrook in partnership with Mick Kent Jr, was planning to race Seabrook in Sydney on the way to a… Read More »
The Sunshine Coast meeting was postponed after two races following persistent rain through the morning on Wednesday. The track was rated a heavy eight after 27mm of rain overnight and then further downgraded with another 26mm falling in the morning. Chairman of stewards James Williamson said jockeys had raised concerns… Read More »
Positive Peace has exceeded her trainer’s expectations during her summer and autumn winning spree which has earned the in-form mare a crack at the Group One Coolmore Legacy Stakes. The Bjorn Baker-trained four-year-old will be chasing her sixth straight win when she steps up to the elite level for the… Read More »
Rising star Tambo’s Mate is one of many Queensland horses caught in a holding pattern while the future race programs in the state are finalised. Tambo’s Mate would have been one of the better chances in the feature winter sprint races after he showed above-average form in the summer. However,… Read More »
An increase in distance is expected to help promising two-year-old Doctor Jack give veteran trainer Harold Norman a sentimental win at the Gold Coast. Queensland has been split into regions in an effort to combat the coronavirus with metropolitan-standard racing divided between the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Gold Coast city… Read More »
I’m not saying this filly will scale any great heights, and no doubt there will be comments below after reading this, stating, “oh she beat nothing.” Which may all prove to be correct. After all, this was only a bush maiden 2YO. But, I think you’ll agree this was some… Read More »
A brother to Group One winner Sunlight is one of three yearlings to fetch $1 million or more at the revamped Easter Yearling sale. The annual sale is being conducted online because of social distancing protocols during the coronavirus crisis. There would usually be hundreds of people at the Inglis… Read More »
Te Akau Shark has been cleared to take on international stars Danon Premium and Addeybb in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes after an injury scare. The Chipping Norton Stakes winner is the third favourite with Danon Premium assuming $3.90 favouritism from Addeybb ($4.40) on Tuesday after the pair had been level-pegging…. Read More »
Doncaster Mile placegetter Brandenburg could get another chance to win a Group One race this autumn with the All Aged Stakes a consideration. The John Sargent-trained three-year-old colt won the Group Two Hobartville Stakes in the first start of his current campaign before finishing third in the Group One Randwick… Read More »
Trainer Nick Ryan is looking forward to seeing Sircconi back in action at Caulfield after a frustrating run of setbacks. Ryan will accept with Sircconi in Saturday’s Victoria Handicap (1400m) and providing a blood test later in the week is given the all-clear, the gelding will take his place. Sircconi… Read More »
After going close to winning the Coolmore Legacy Stakes at Randwick a year ago, Miss Siska is back in Sydney for another crack at the Group One race for fillies and mares at Randwick. Trained in Victoria by Grahame Begg, Miss Siska hit the front in the straight in last… Read More »
Multiple Group One winner Sunlight will further her preparation for a racetrack return with a barrier trial at Morphettville. The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained mare is being prepared at Kildalton Park in Angaston after being sidelined with injury. Sunlight hasn’t raced since finishing second to Kolding in the inaugural Golden… Read More »
John Sargent can always lay claim to training the last horse to beat champion Winx. It happened in the 2015 ATC Australian Oaks when Gust Of Wind upstaged the favourite to score by 2-1/2 lengths. After her second in the Oaks, the Chris Waller-trained Winx went on to win her… Read More »
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has given the state’s racing industry his support to continue during the COVID-19 pandemic. As Tasmanian racing shuts down for a month and major sporting codes such as the AFL and NRL have suspended their seasons, Andrew says strict biosecurity protocols have helped the Victorian thoroughbred… Read More »
Has fortune shined upon Newmarket trainer William Haggas, or has he done his homework on his first campaign to The Championships when Addeybb took out the Gr1 Ranvet Stakes and Young Rascal the Gr3 N E Manion Cup at the Golden Slipper Carnival. Ironically both horses were ridden by emerging… Read More »
Te Akau Shark will undergo an official veterinary test to ensure his fitness for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes after suffering mild bruising to his off-fore hoof. One of the leading contenders for Saturday’s Group One Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Te Akau Shark sustained the problem during the George Ryder Stakes on… Read More »
