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 »
Trainer Toby Edmonds is resigned to talented filly Vanna Girl missing her chance at black-type this winter but he is still planning to continue her campaign. Racing in Queensland will be divided into regions from Tuesday because of the coronavirus pandemic and the Toby and Trent Edmonds’ team is based… Read More »
An institution of South Australian racing, the Oakbank Easter carnival, has been called off because of the coronavirus pandemic. SA racing officials have also been forced into 15 per cent prize money cuts from April 1 to June 30 and changes to the calendar. The changes include no black-type lead-up… Read More »
United States Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano has tested positive for the coronavirus and is self-isolating. Castellano tested positive as part of a physical that officials at Gulfstream Park mandated as a prerequisite before being cleared to ride in Saturday’s Florida Derby. “After being in New York with my… Read More »
Last night three stars of the current and upcoming autumn carnival were sent to spelling paddocks. They are Anthony Cummings’ stable superstar 3YO filly LIBERTINI, as well as a pair from Newcastle’s Kris Lees’ barn named EL DORADO DREAMING and RED CARDINAL. Cummings gave word to Racing NSW stewards that… Read More »
Harness racing will resume in NSW after an official returned a negative test to the coronavirus. John Dumesny, chief executive of Harness Racing NSW, confirmed harness racing would return on Saturday after being suspended pending the results of the test on a steward. “The test result on the harness racing… Read More »
Queensland’s major race clubs will lose millions in revenue and sponsorship and shed hundreds of staff after the winter carnival was scrapped. The clubs say they are disappointed the carnival will not go ahead but understand tough decisions have had to be made. The winter racing has been abandoned because… Read More »
Queensland jockeys have been asked to nominate an area to ride in during the coronavirus pandemic when regional racing begins. NSW and Victoria have already introduced segregation of riders into different groups and Queensland will be divided into five racing zones from Tuesday with jockeys restricted to just one while… Read More »
