Racing purists turn away because the sport might be about to usher in a new grand slam. Historically, the Melbourne and Caulfield Cups, Cox Plate and Golden Slipper have been revered as Australian racing’s ‘big four’ and that won’t change anytime soon. But trainer Chris Waller is on the verge… Read More »
Jockey Craig Williams is confident Australian-bred and trained Vow And Declare has the right credentials to fight off a strong international contingent in the Melbourne Cup. The Cup is the missing link in Williams quest for the ‘Grand Slam’ consisting of Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup, the Caulfield Cup, the Cox Plate… Read More »
Wet weather and the widest draw for Irish mare Magic Wand have English jockey Ryan Moore hopeful rather than confident going into his latest Melbourne Cup bid. Winner of the 2014 Melbourne Cup on Protectionist, Moore rides Magic Wand for champion trainer Aidan O’Brien in Tuesday’s $8 million Melbourne Cup…. Read More »
Even when she is not at the stable, Natalie Young is keeping a watchful eye on Melbourne Cup contender Mirage Dancer. During the Melbourne Cup parade in the heart of the city, Young was able to tap into stable security 50km at Cranbourne to make sure everything was OK with… Read More »
Damien Oliver has had a weekend to remember and he will be trying to parlay that into a Melbourne Cup win on Mustajeer. Oliver broke the record for most wins by a jockey during Melbourne Cup carnivals with his Wakeful Stakes victory aboard Miami Bound and a few races later… Read More »
While the efficacy of new technology to diagnose potential risk factors in horses is debated in Australia, trainers at Santa Anita are being asked to contribute to a standing MRI scanner. Leading Melbourne Cup contender and last year’s runner-up, Marmelo, was ruled out of Tuesday’s race after a standing CT… Read More »
Thousands of people have braved the rain for the Melbourne Cup parade, including hundreds of protesters angry about the treatment of former racehorses. The traditional Monday parade through Melbourne’s CBD, ahead of the running of the $8 million Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, attracted more anti-horseracing activists than usual despite the… Read More »
In constantly scouting for a horse to deliver himself a seventh Melbourne Cup, Lloyd Williams has got to know the European form inside out. One of Australia’s most recognisable and successful businessman, Williams has a great passion for the country’s most famous race and will have three runners, Master Of… Read More »
Thousands of people have braved the rain for the Melbourne Cup parade, including hundreds of protesters angry about the treatment of former racehorses. The traditional Monday parade through Melbourne’s CBD, ahead of the running of the $8 million Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, attracted more anti-horse racing activists than usual despite… Read More »
It is Melbourne Cup day in 1992 and a young Trent Busuttin is trackside at Flemington. It is raining, the ground soggy. He doesn’t care. Busuttin is here to watch grand stayer Castletown, trained by his dad Paddy, go around in the Cup and for a fleeting moment, he thinks… Read More »
Wakeful Stakes winner Miami Bound has drawn a middle barrier for her bid to emulate her dam Arapaho Miss in the Group One VRC Oaks. A field of 15 has been declared for Thursday’s VRC Oaks (2500m) for three-year-old fillies at Flemington, with the Danny O’Brien-trained filly drawing barrier eight… Read More »
Jordan Childs is counting on a commitment to ride Surprise Baby at a weight below his comfort zone will pay off in the Melbourne Cup. Childs won The Bart Cummings on Surprise Baby at Flemington a month ago which clinched the lightly raced stayer his spot in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup…. Read More »
Two famous pieces of memorabilia are to be auctioned with proceeds going to the National Jockeys Trust. A set of silks in the colours worn by Michelle Payne to win the 2015 Melbourne Cup on Prince Of Penzance and a pair of Hugh Bowman’s breeches will go under the hammer… Read More »
Tens of thousands of people are expected to turn out for the annual Melbourne Cup parade, including potentially hundreds of protesters angry about the treatment of former racehorses. The traditional Monday parade through Melbourne’s CBD, ahead of the running of the $8 million Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, always attracts anti-horse… Read More »
Thoroughbred racing and breeding giant Coolmore has enjoyed success around the world including with Sydney’s richest race, but a Melbourne Cup remains elusive. “This is the race that everybody wants to win,” Coolmore’s Australian boss Tom Magnier admitted. The Irish-based Coolmore operation has four hopes as it vies to add… Read More »
Thoroughbred racing and breeding giant Coolmore has enjoyed success around the world including with Sydney’s richest race, but a Melbourne Cup remains elusive. “This is the race that everybody wants to win,” Coolmore’s Australian boss Tom Magnier admitted. The Irish-based Coolmore operation has four hopes as it vies to add… Read More »
Former Irish jockey John Allen’s life will turn full circle when he is legged aboard the Joseph O’Brien-trained Downdraft in the Melbourne Cup. Allen started his career with O’Brien’s grandfather Joe Crowley at Owning Hill near Piltown in County Kilkenny, the same yard O’Brien now operates. That was, Allen estimates,… Read More »
No international horse has won the Melbourne Cup twice, and Frankie Dettori has not won the race at all. But both Cross Counter, to be ridden by William Buick, and the flamboyant Dettori aboard Master Of Reality, will bid to rewrite the record books at Flemington on Tuesday. And they… Read More »
English trainer Charlie Fellowes vividly remembers the fleeting moment he thought he was going to win the Melbourne Cup 12 months ago. It wasn’t to be, with Prince Of Arran third after briefly hitting the front in the straight before being overhauled by fellow English-trained horses Cross Counter and Marmelo…. Read More »
Englishman Duncan Smith grew up watching black-and-white film replays of Phar Lap’s 1930 Melbourne Cup win, never imagining he would one day have his own runner in the great race. Smith has made his first trip to Australia to be trackside at Flemington on Tuesday cheering on Raymond Tusk in… Read More »
