Santa Anita has called racing off because of the coronavirus after instructions from the Los Angeles County Health Department. The track in Arcadia, California, was preparing to stage eight races when the cancellation was announced on Friday (Saturday AEDT). There has been no time frame set for when racing will… Read More »
The Victoria Racing Club is to stand down most of its staff for a month and reduce the hours worked by it executives amid the coronavirus pandemic. The VRC, which holds the Melbourne Cup carnival at Flemington, says staff will be asked from Monday to take any outstanding annual leave… Read More »
British racing authorities have contingency plans for the resumption of the sport behind closed doors once the go-ahead is given. Racing is likely to resume on the Flat following the current shutdown which is scheduled to last at least until the end of April amid the coronavirus pandemic. A letter… Read More »
A trio of European imports from the Kris Lees yard will each chase their biggest Australian paydays when they face off in the $1.5 million Tancred Stakes at Rosehill. Stable bragging rights will be up for grabs when Mugatoo, Mustajeer and Danceteria, all syndicated by Australian Bloodstock, clash for the… Read More »
VINERY STUD STAKES 2000m, $500,000 Group One set-weights race for three-year-old fillies run at Rosehill. HISTORY * First run in 1979 over 1900m at Canterbury when won by Impede * Race is officially registered as the Storm Queen Stakes but is referred to by most as the Vinery Stud Stakes… Read More »
Wodonga trainer Craig Widdison will take the opportunity to run Toffee Doll if the filly can gain a start at Bendigo. Like a lot of other racing participants, Widdison will make the most of his chances while he can and is keen to start Toffee Doll in Saturday’s Bendigo Guineas… Read More »
There will no public fanfare surrounding the Tancred Stakes meeting at Rosehill but for one young trainer, the day will mark an important career milestone. Emerging Newcastle horseman Nathan Doyle will have his first black-type runner when Pride Of Adelaide lines up in Saturday’s Tulloch Stakes (2000m). It is a… Read More »
Mark Zahra says he has never received so many congratulatory text messages as he did after receiving the news of a negative test to coronavirus. “The phone blew up,” Zahra said. “I’ve been inundated with text messages after winning Group One races, but I think this takes the cake.” The… Read More »
Eagle Farm trainer Robert Heathcote is busy rescheduling his runners’ campaigns but beforehand he is hoping for a Doomben double. Racing Queensland will introduce five racing regions on Tuesday to help stop the spread of coronavirus and Heathcote is in the Brisbane-Sunshine Coast section. He will saddle top chances Minjee… Read More »
Funstar remains the dominant favourite to deliver back-to-back Vinery Stud Stakes wins for the Chris Waller-James McDonald combination. Trainer and jockey claimed the race 12 months ago with Verry Ellegant who was the benchmark filly of the autumn. If Funstar can justify her $1.85 quote with victory in Saturday’s Group… Read More »
THE TANCRED STAKES 2400m, $1.5 million, weight-for-age, run at Rosehill HISTORY: * First run in 1963, won by Maidenhead * Quality Handicap from 1963-76 * In 1964 was run over 10 furlongs (2000m) * Until 1990 was the H E Tancred Stakes, until 1995 The BMW, until 2002 the Mercedes… Read More »
New Zealand’s decision to cease racing because of the coronavirus crisis has left Sydney trainer Bjorn Baker as the custodian of his family’s remaining horses. Baker’s father is leading Kiwi horseman Murray Baker who, along with training partner Andrew Forsman, has closed his Cambridge operation in line with the country’s… Read More »
After a short-lived stint at stud, Group One winner Kementari is poised for his return to racing as a gelding in the Star Kingdom Stakes at Rosehill. The winner of the 2018 Group One Randwick Guineas, the high-profile horse was retired to Darley Stud after last year’s autumn carnival. Fertility… Read More »
Like everyone, trainer Jim Conlan has been forced to make adjustments to plans for his horses and has abandoned a Sydney trip for Debt Agent. Against a backdrop of coronavirus protocols and conditions on border crossings, former Singapore champion Debt Agent will run in Saturday’s Bendigo Mile. The meeting had… Read More »
Golden Slipper-winning co-trainer Adrian Bott admits he expected more from Postcode in the Pago Pago Stakes but believes the colt can show up in the Group Three Schweppervescence at Rosehill. Postcode is chasing his first win at his fifth start in Saturday’s Group Three 1400m-race for two-year-olds. Stablemate Farnan gave… Read More »
Caloundra trainer Tom Button hopes to relocate some of his team to Rockhampton this weekend with Queensland separated into racing regions from next week. Racing Queensland has announced plans for the state to be divided into five areas in an effort to limit horse and people movement during the coronavirus… Read More »
Trainers Peter and Paul Snowden are mapping a Sydney autumn carnival path with promising stayer Carif, but all roads lead to a different city in a different season. The emerging talent is set to take his place in Saturday’s Group One Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill as the Snowdens seek… Read More »
Horses travelling to Victoria will be subject to the same stringent conditions as NSW with enhanced cross-border protocols to come into effect. Racing Victoria has strengthened biosecurity conditions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic from midnight on Friday as racing continues around Australia . While horses are not affected by… Read More »
In a week he has had to retire Luvaluva, trainer John Sargent will look to another stakes-performed mare from his stable to make her mark at Rosehill. On Wednesday, Sargent announced the retirement of five-year-old Luvaluva after the Group One-placed mare strained a tendon in the Epona Stakes at Rosehill… Read More »
Three of the leading contenders for the Group One TJ Smith Stakes have clashed in a barrier trial, eight days out from the $2.5 million sprint at Randwick. Triple Group One winner Nature Strip, defending TJ Smith champion Santa Ana Lane and dual Everest winner Redzel went around in a… Read More »
