International visitor Danceteria’s year in Europe has been tailored with the $5 million Cox Plate in mind and despite missing a lead-up race the horse’s connections are confident he is ready for his major target. Danceteria is trained by French-born, English-based David Menuisier and races in the colours of syndicator… Read More »
Grafton jockey Ben Looker has been suspended for a month for his ride in a midweek country NSW meeting. NSW Racing charged Looker over his handling of $3.50 favourite Malmoosa, who finished sixth in the Rousillon Handicap (1516m) at Lismore on September 19. He pleaded guilty to the charge of… Read More »
The West Australian government is moving to ensure oversight of racehorses from birth until death after a recent ABC report showed the animals being tormented at a Queensland abbatoir. Currently, Racing and Wagering Western Australia only keeps track of racehorses until retirement. Racing and gaming minister Paul Papalia told parliament… Read More »
Jockey Damian Lane is convinced dual Group One winner The Bostonian will be better suited at The Valley in the Manikato Stakes than the last time the New Zealand sprinter raced there. The Tony Pike-trained The Bostonian made his first appearance at The Valley in the Group One Moir Stakes… Read More »
Queensland three-year-old Ballistic Boy will bypass a race in Brisbane where he would have been favourite to tackle the $1 million Bondi Stakes at Randwick. Chris Anderson has booked jockey Rachel King for Ballistic Boy who will give the trainer his first runner in a Sydney feature race. “The thing… Read More »
Disqualified Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Darren Weir has faced court charged with torturing, abusing, overworking and terrifying horses. Fellow trainer Jarrod McLean and stable hand Tyson Kermond appeared alongside him in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday, also on animal cruelty charges, and stable hand William Hernan appeared on corrupt conduct… Read More »
The lure of big prize money in the Queensland summer means speed machine Tarzan will miss the Melbourne spring carnival this year. Tarzan is considered the best short-course horse in Queensland and completed a hat-trick of wins when scoring at Doomben in early August. He has now won 14 races… Read More »
The Godolphin team are hoping the forecasts for rain on Friday and Saturday in Melbourne come to tuition with their stay galloper Avilius to be advantaged by a wet track. Avilius has had a checkered lead-up to the 2019 Cox Plate having won the George Main Stakes impressively before failing… Read More »
Racing NSW Stewards on Monday continued an inquiry into an incident that occurred on Faunce Street, Gosford at approximately 6:15am on the morning of Monday 18 February 2019.The Stewards opened an inquiry on Thursday 28 February 2019, where evidence was taken from a number of witnesses including Mr Creed Gradwell…. Read More »
Australia’s agriculture ministers will urgently discuss the welfare of retired racehorses after a scandal surrounding the animals being mistreated before being slaughtered. Federal Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie said the issue would be a top priority at Friday’s meeting with her counterparts in Melbourne. “It’s really important that we have a… Read More »
Several runners from Australia’s richest race ,The Everest, remain in contention for the feature sprint race of the Melbourne Cup carnival at Flemington. The first round of acceptances was taken on Tuesday for the $2 million VRC Sprint Classic, run over the straight 1200m course on November 9. Only three… Read More »
Just Thinkin has assumed favouritism for the $1 million Bondi Stakes at Randwick, a new race for three-year-olds. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Just Thinkin has taken over from Godolphin’s Subedar at the head of the market for Saturday’s 1600m Bondi Stakes with the two at $3.80 and $5… Read More »
New Zealand trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman started their Victoria Derby ambitions with three contenders but are now down to one. Long Jack, Quick Thinker and Rhaegar were among nominations for the Group One Victoria Derby at Flemington on November 2, but only Long Jack remains. Long Jack will… Read More »
An urgent inquiry into the treatment of retired racehorses has been ordered by the Queensland government The inquiry will be headed by retired District Court judge Terry Martin SC, with the support of Australian Veterinary Association representative Dr Peter Reid and oversight from the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission. “It is… Read More »
After claiming his first Caulfield Cup, star jockey Damian Lane is confident Lys Gracieux is the right horse to give him victory in another of Australia’s feature races, the Cox Plate. But the fact so many others are anticipating the dual Group One-winning Japanese mare will prove superior in Saturday’s… Read More »
After the Godolphin team opted not to run star colt Bivouac in The Everest, the three-year-old is poised to start a short-priced favourite in the Group One Manikato Stakes at The Valley. Godolphin decided to run five-year-old mare Alizee in its slot in Saturday’s $14 million Everest in Sydney, which… Read More »
Connections of Irish mare True Self hope she can advance her way up the Melbourne Cup order of entry by winning the Geelong Cup. True Self missed a start in Saturday’s Caulfield Cup (2400m) when third emergency with Wednesday’s race over the same distance the ideal back-up. The Willie Mullins-trained… Read More »
Ciaron Maher is naturally disappointed dual Cox Plate placegetter Humidor has been snubbed by the Moonee Valley Racing Club committee for a spot in this year’s field. But all hope is not lost, with Humidor the first reserve to get a start should any of the 14 runners be scratched… Read More »
Before being given the final tick of approval for the Cox Plate, Godolphin’s Avilius has been given a thorough going over after a crucial gallop at Flemington. Avilius was required to gallop in front of Racing Victoria stewards and pass a veterinary examination after blood was found in a nostril… Read More »
The committee of the Moonee Valley Racing Club has agonised over the composition of the final field for the Cox Plate before settling on the 14 runners. Club chairman Don Casboult said there were a number of different scenarios the committee considered when 18 horses were paid up for Saturday’s… Read More »
