Within the space of a few days, racehorse owner John O’Neill’s life went from agony to ecstasy. The agony came with the controversial scratching of his Melbourne Cup hope Marmelo, runner-up in Australia’s most famous race last year. The ecstasy came from winning the $2 million Victoria Derby at Flemington… Read More »
VICTORIA DERBY JOCKEYS’ COMMENTS Damien Oliver (Warning) 1st : “We were leaning to riding him quietly but he began so well I had to change plans pretty quick. I got there a bit soon but we’d gone so slow I didn’t want to get in his way. I just let… Read More »
Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup has eyes for the $1 million Hunter after a one-two finish on Golden Eagle day at Rosehill. Top-weight Sandbar ($7.50) edged out stablemate Junglized ($6) in the Chandon S Handicap (1100m) for Widdup, with James Cummings-trained Beau Ideal ($4) a nose behind. By champion sire Snitzel,… Read More »
Exceedance has chased down spring rival Bivouac to land the most important win of his brief career in the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington. Favourite Bivouac had taken the lead in the Group One race for three-year-olds at Flemington on Saturday with the Hawkes Racing-trained Exceedance in hot pursuit. Although… Read More »
Within the space of a few days, racehorse owner John O’Neill’s life went from agony to ecstasy. The agony came with the controversial scratching of his Melbourne Cup hope Marmelo, runner-up in Australia’s most famous race last year. The ecstasy came from winning the $2 million Victoria Derby at Flemington on Saturday. The Anthony… Read More »
Trainer Kelly Schweida took special pleasure when his stable favourite The Odyssey returned to form with an easy win at Eagle Farm. The Odyssey ($7 into $4.60) bounded straight to the lead for apprentice Stephanie Thornton and went on to beat deadheaters Xanthus ($5) and Wapiti ($101) by four lengths… Read More »
New Zealand’s star mare Melody Belle has added a Group One win in Australia with a dominant performance in the Empire Rose Stakes at a rain-soaked Flemington. Already a winner of nine Group One races in New Zealand including six this year, Melody Belle was racing in Australia for the… Read More »
The final field for the 2019 Melbourne Cup will be announced today where it is Victoria Derby day at Flemington. We provide live news and information on the finalisation of the Melbourne Cup Field throughout the day as the horses still in contention for the race accept into the final… Read More »
Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien will have four runners in his quest for a second Melbourne Cup after Downdraft booked his spot with a strong win in the Hotham Handicap at Flemington. The European import was borderline to gain a start in Tuesday’s race but his Hotham (2500m) win has sealed… Read More »
In the past, Rosehill winner Asterius would be heading to Melbourne for the greys race on the Oaks day program but trainer Chris Waller has a million reasons to keep him closer to home. Asterius ($3.80) prevailed over stablemate Mr Reckless ($14) to win Saturday’s benchmark 88 handicap over 1500m… Read More »
It will be a race against time for leading Golden Eagle contender The Inevitable to make it to Rosehill in time to line-up in the race. The float carrying The Inevitable has been delayed which has cast doubt over the 4YO gelding will make it to the racecourse in time… Read More »
Miami Bound and Vegas Jewel look set for a rematch in the Group One VRC Oaks after fighting out the finish of the Wakeful Stakes at Flemington. The Danny O’Brien-trained Miami Bound ($8) edged out the Mark Kavanagh-trained Vegas Jewel ($3.70) by a neck in Saturday’s Group Two Wakeful (2000m)… Read More »
Coffs Habour trainer Warren Gavenlock has broken his city duck at Rosehill on Golden Eagle day with a horse lucky to be there. Sent out the $6 equal favourite, Plonka bounded away at the 200m to take out Saturday’s Highway Handicap (1200m) by 1-1/2 lengths over Gumshoe with Zardoro a… Read More »
Speedy Capital Connection will get his chance against some of Queensland’s best short-course horses after his runaway win at Eagle Farm. Capital Connection lived up to his $1.60 starting price with a 4-1/4 length win over Truculent ($41) in the Mt Alvernia College Plate (1000m). The gelding clocked 56.88 which… Read More »
Dalasan has picked up a $1 million bonus for his connections after winning the Carbine Club Stakes on a rain-sodden Flemington track. The bonus was available for three-year-olds that had run in either the Bill Stutt Stakes at The Valley or the Caulfield Guineas Prelude before contesting the Caulfield Guineas… Read More »
Damien Oliver has etched his name into the history books by breaking the record for most number of winners for a jockey during Melbourne Cup carnivals at Flemington. Oliver’s two wins during last year’s four-meeting Melbourne Cup carnival took him level with the mark of 72 winners set by fellow… Read More »
Promising two-year-old Rothfire has turned his much-anticipated clash with first starter Wisdom Of Water into a one-act affair and earned himself a crack at stakes class. Rothfire had won his first start but was sent out a $2.80 chance on the strength of heavy backing for Gold Coast colt Wisdom… Read More »
Young Adelaide jockey Jake Toeroek has celebrated one of his most significant wins, guiding Kemalpasa to victory in the opening race on Victoria Derby day at Flemington. Trained by Richard and Chantelle Jolly, Kemalpasa has been in a purple patch of form, his victory in Saturday’s Group Two TAB Stakes… Read More »
Apprentice Stephanie Thornton made the most of her last day with a 2kg claim to produce a clever ride to win on Magstock at Eagle Farm. The race was run at a slow pace and developed into a sprint home but Magstock ($6) finished the best to beat Sir Barnabus… Read More »
Kameko has raced into history with an impressive win in the Futurity Trophy at Newcastle, the first British Group One event run on a synthetic surface. Originally due to be the centrepiece of last Saturday’s rain-abandoned fixture at Doncaster, the Group One event was swiftly rescheduled to be run on… Read More »
