Uncertainty over coronavirus restrictions has delayed the announcement of Racing Victoria’s full racing calendar for next season. RV last week said there would be no change to the spring carnival program of races and on Friday delivered the country dates for first five months of the 2020-21 season. Traditionally, the… Read More »
Regarded as one of the most promising staying fillies of her generation, Frankely Awesome has arrived at a career crossroads this winter. The mare will be one of four runners for trainer Kris Lees in the De Bortoli Wines Handicap (1800m) at Rosehill on Saturday, a race which will go… Read More »
Invictus Prince was on the verge of becoming a lost cause before Matthew Smith channelled his inner horse whisper to revive the seven-year-old’s career. In the past 18 months, the gelding has been to the barrier trials more often than the races and Smith forced to go back to basics… Read More »
Trainer David Vandyke has put aside the disappointment of Baccarat Baby missing a start in the Group One Stradbroke to again change his main winter aim for the mare. Baccarat Baby heads to the Group Two Dane Ripper Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. As is the case with… Read More »
Trainer Gareth Andrews is aware the placement of Spirit Of Aquada in the right race is crucial to the sprinter’s success. Unfortunately for Andrews when he thinks he has found that perfect race, one from left field bobs up relegating Spirit Of Aquada to the runner-ups stall. After two runs… Read More »
By its own lofty standards, Godolphin has had a low-key Brisbane winter carnival but the global stable has a realistic change to improve its fortunes at Eagle Farm. Godolphin has dominated Brisbane winters in recent years but Aquitaine’s win in the Mick Dittman Plate last week has been its only… Read More »
Trainer Matthew Williams has a spring plan for Harbour Views that is all about success on racing’s biggest stage at The Valley. Harbour Views steps out beyond 1600m for the first time in the Inglis July Sales Series Handicap (2040m) on Saturday, a race Williams hopes will lead to a… Read More »
Trainer Chris Anderson believes difficult barriers have stopped Plutocrat from being rated among the best two-year-olds in the Queensland. Plutocrat lines up in the Listed Dalrello Stakes (1200) at Eagle Farm where her run of bad draws continued when she drew the outside gate in a field of 12. The… Read More »
For the first time in three months, Australian Turf Club members will be allowed on course at a Sydney metropolitan race meeting. The ATC has announced its members will be permitted to attend Saturday’s Winter Cup program at Rosehill, provided they pre-register and pre-book seating in line with government protocols…. Read More »
Travel restrictions could force trainer Adam Trinder to watch on from Tasmania when his Group One winner Mystic Journey next campaigns on the mainland. Mystic Journey is scheduled to commence her spring campaign in the Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield late next month. Under orders from owner Wayne Roser, Mystic Journey’s… Read More »
The decision to keep Adelong home in her box last week was a no-brainer for Brad Widdup who is instead plotting a slow and steady path towards bigger goals. Adelong will contest the Catanachs Sprint (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday, a week after she was scratched from the Listed Bob… Read More »
A former top jockey has been disqualified after stewards used DNA to prove he had tampered with a urine sample. Ric McMahon was effectively disqualified for 15 months but after time he had spent stood down had been considered, he will be able to reapply for his licence on December… Read More »
Six weeks after contesting the Group One Australasian Oaks in Adelaide, three-year-old Selica is set to compete over a much shorter distance at The Valley. The Phillip Stokes-trained filly finished eighth in the Oaks over 2000m at Morphettville on May 2 and drops to 1200m in Saturday’s Drummond Golf Handicap… Read More »
Chris Waller has again put himself in pole position for a landslide domination of feature staying races in two states, loading the bases in the Winter Cup in Sydney and Tattersall’s Cup in Brisbane. The champion horseman has five of the eight acceptors for the Listed Winter Cup (2400m) at… Read More »
The Travis Harrison Cup may not carry the prestige of a Melbourne Cup or Caulfield Cup but it means a lot to champion jockey Craig Williams. Williams is the cousin of Harrison who died in a car accident returning home from a night out celebrating a fellow rider’s birthday after… Read More »
Former South Australian Maui Girl has only been with Jason Coyle for a short time but horse and trainer share a common bond. During his stint with Patinack Farm, Coyle trained her dam, Run For Naara, who was Group One-placed in the 2010 Rosehill Guineas and Australian Oaks. While Maui… Read More »
Well-performed mare Winter Bride will get one last chance to add to her black-type credentials in the Group Two Dane Ripper Stakes at Eagle Farm. The mare, who is raced by the Segenhoe Stud, is earmarked to head to the breeding barn after Saturday. Winter Bride has won nine races,… Read More »
Trainer Robert Hickmott will get a better guide on Cox Plate ambitions for Django Freeman when the German import is tested at the home of Australasia’s weight-for-age championship for the first time. A Melbourne spring campaign in 2019 for last year’s German Derby runner-up had to be aborted when he… Read More »
Victorian filly Florent will add an unknown element to the Group Two The Roses at Eagle Farm. Florent showed she was up to top-class when she won the VOBIS Sires Guineas over 1600m at Caulfield in April. The filly has been placed twice since in Melbourne with the latest a… Read More »
History shows Stradbroke Handicap placegetter Niccanova should have no trouble backing up after seven days in the Group Three Eagle Farm Mile. Niccanova was one of the unlucky runners in the Stradbroke when he struck trouble before flashing home for third. Trainer Steve Tregea will monitor Niccanova this week but… Read More »
