International Horse Racing

• Melbourne Cup makes flying visit to NZ

  There may not have been any Kiwi horses in the Melbourne Cup this year, but the cup still made its way to New Zealand, albeit briefly.

   
• Burgundy won’t need to lead, says trainer

  Jason Bridgman says Burgundy won’t need to set the pace as he looks to emulate his close relation Darci Brahma in Saturday’s 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton.

   
• Sarafina set for Breeders’ Cup Turf

  Well-fancied French filly Sarafina cantered around Churchill Downs on Wednesday as rivals began making plans on how to pull off an upset in Saturday’s $US3 million Breeders’ Cup Turf showdown.

   
• Head salutes his Golden girl

  Freddie Head made his first appearance at the Churchill Downs track to supervise his history-seeking mare Goldikova in a workout on Wednesday.

   
• Kauto Star and Long Run to clash

  Long Run and Kauto Star are the headline names among 19 entries for the Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 19.

   
• BHA review into National concluded

  A British Horseracing Authority review into the Grand National has been completed, leading to the publication of 30 recommendations “designed to continue enhancing the safety and welfare” of the Aintree showpiece.

   
• Oxx retains Born To Sea faith

  John Oxx still plans to train Born To Sea with a tilt at next year’s 2000 Guineas in mind after he was beaten and suffered an injury at Leopardstown on Sunday.

   
• So You Think third pick for Classic

  Former Australian superstar So You Think has been installed the 5-1 third favourite for Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs.

   
• Goldikova tunes up for star turn

  Trans-Atlantic superstar Goldikova tuned up Tuesday for her latest bid for history, touring the Churchill Downs dirt track with half a dozen other European Breeders’ Cup hopefuls.

   
• Blinkers on So You Think for Breeders’ Cup

  Former Australian-trained star So You Think has figured in an important gear change for his Breeders’ Cup Classic assignment.

   
• Melbourne Cup to jump without NZ runner

  No New Zealand horses in the Melbourne Cup? How can it have got to this?

   
• Title rivals handed whip bans

  Defending champion Paul Hanagan edged further ahead of Silvestre de Sousa as the jockeys’ title rivals both picked up five-day bans under the new whip rules on Saturday.

   
• Born To Sea to run at Leopardstown

  John Oxx’s Born To Sea faces six rivals as he bids to keep his unbeaten record intact at Leopardstown on Sunday.

   
• Walsh back in business in Ireland

  Ruby Walsh reaffirmed his opposition to the new whip rules after making a winning return to British race riding at Wetherby.

   
• Sea ‘ready to go’ for weekend test

  John Oxx has no fears about soft ground for Born To Sea ahead of his eagerly-awaited second run in Sunday’s Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown.

   
• So You Think spearheads Breeders list

  Ballydoyle stars So You Think and Await The Dawn are among 15 pre-entries for the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday week.

   
• Plenty to Sea for Oxx in Killavullan

  Born To Sea features among the entries for the Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown on Sunday.

   
• Frankel’s brother downed by Sailor

  Noble Mission performed with plenty of credit at his much-anticipated debut at Yarmouth to finish second to Godolphin newcomer Swedish Sailor.

   
• So You Think confirmed for Breeders’ Cup

  Ballydoyle has confirmed former Australian superstar So You Think is being aimed at the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday week.

   
• Talks ongoing over whip storm

  The British Horseracing Authority on Monday said it was “committed to ongoing and constructive dialogue” with the Professional Jockeys’ Association as the threat of strike action continues to cast a shadow over racing.