After a distinguished 28-year career in the saddle, Stephen Baster is calling it quits at the conclusion of the Melbourne Cup carnival. Baster fronts up for his final last Victoria Derby meeting at Flemington on Saturday with three rides including Chief Ironside in the Group One Cantala Stakes (1600m), a… Read More »
A stint with premier trainer Chris Waller whetted jockey Leigh Roche’s appetite for Australian racing and the Irishman is hoping to return with a bang aboard international raider I Am Superman in the inaugural Golden Eagle. Roche was apprenticed to Dermot Weld in Ireland and spent eight years working for… Read More »
Group One-winning colt Microphone has been scratched from the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington with the Godolphin operation left to rely on favourite Bivouac in the $1.5 million race. The James Cummings-trained Microphone was ruled out on Friday afternoon because of an unsatisfactory result after a routine blood test. His… Read More »
Michael Hawkes insists lightly raced star Brutal is yet to realise his potential and can soar higher in the $7.5 million Golden Eagle. The Hawkes Racing team turned down a slot in the $14 million Everest in favour of keeping the Doncaster Mile winner fresh for Saturday’s inaugural Golden Eagle… Read More »
Having won the first two editions of the Everest with Redzel, Peter and Paul Snowden will chase a sentimental win in the race named in honour of the sprinter. The father and son trainers saddle up Signore Fox and Brave Song in the $1 million Redzel Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill… Read More »
THE CANTALA STAKES * The $2 million Cantala is a Group One handicap race over 1600m at Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse * It will run as race eight at 4.35pm AEDT on Saturday, November 2 HISTORY * First run in 1881 over 1600m and won by Courtenay * Made a Group… Read More »
GOLDEN EAGLE * The $7.5 million Golden Eagle is a set-weights race over 1500m for four-year-olds at Rosehill * It will run as race seven at 4.15pm AEDT on Saturday, November 2 * males carry 57.5kg and females 55.5kg, but three northern hemisphere runners have 56.5kg as they are technically… Read More »
There is a sense of timing surrounding Fasika’s $7.5 million Golden Eagle bid but if her awkward barrier proves costly, trainer Joe Pride knows who to blame. Fasika is part-owned by former NRL and rugby union star Ryan Cross who had the task of selecting her gate and picked up… Read More »
Lindsay Park co-trainer Ben Hayes believes the stable’s hopes of a Group One Cantala Stakes win would be enhanced if forecast rain hits Flemington. The Lindsay Park stable has at least one runner in each of the nine races on Saturday’s program and Hayes believes its best chance to claim… Read More »
Trainer Anthony Cummings has been taken aback by the breadth of appeal the $7.5 million Golden Eagle has garnered in its inaugural year as a high class group of Sydney locals try to stave off challengers from far and wide. Along with a trio of international raiders – Beat Le… Read More »
COOLMORE STUD STAKES * The $1.5 million Coolmore Stud Stakes is a Group One set weights race over 1200m for three-year-olds at Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse * It will run as race six at 3pm AEDT on Saturday, November 2 HISTORY * First run as the Ascot Vale Stakes over 1000m… Read More »
Sydney trainer Mark Newnham reckons his father, John, will be cheering louder than anyone for favourite Shadow Hero in the $2 million Victoria Derby. Not only because his son has a gilt-edged chance to train the winner of the time-honoured Classic for the first time on Saturday at Flemington, but… Read More »
Queensland owners and trainers have been given two weeks to update their racehorse retirement data. Queensland Racing Integrity Commission boss Ross Barnett said QRIC had called an amnesty for all racing industry horse owners which would run from Friday to November 15. Barnett said Judge Terry Martin, who was heading… Read More »
No stone has been left unturned in Libertini’s preparation for the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes and a few bullish words from big race jockey Damien Oliver have further cemented the belief of her trainer. Anthony Cummings and owner Gerry Harvey zoned in on the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) after… Read More »
Tumultuous will start at long odds in his first step towards writing Magic Millions history when he returns to racing at Eagle Farm. The gelding has trialled nicely in the lead-up to Saturday’s BRC Membership Open Handicap (1400m) but his main game will be in the Magic Millions Trophy (2400m)… Read More »
Champion jockey Joao Moreira has been booked to ride 2019 Melbourne Cup favourite Constantinople. Constantinople who was set to be ridden by jockey Glen Boss before his suspension will now be ridden by Hong Kong based Joao Moreira. Joao Moreira was in discussions with Lindsay Park to ride the horse… Read More »
A lucrative bonus awaits Caulfield Guineas placegetter Groundswell if he can win the $500,000 Carbine Club Stakes at Flemington. The Anthony Freedman-trained colt is the early favourite for Saturday’s Group Three Carbine Club and one of three runners eligible to claim a $1 million bonus. The winner of the Carbine… Read More »
Unable to be in two places at once, Chris Waller has decided to play at home, choosing the Golden Eagle meeting at Rosehill over Flemington’s Derby day. Waller-trained stars Arcadia Queen ($3.10) and Kolding ($5) will be at Rosehill for Saturday’s new 1500-metre Golden Eagle for four-year-olds worth $7.5 million…. Read More »
VICTORIA DERBY * The $2 million Victoria Derby is a Group One Classic for three-year-olds run over 2500m at Melbourne’s Flemington racecourse * It will run as race seven at 3.45pm AEDT on Saturday, November 2 HISTORY * First run in 1855 when won by Rose Of May, the Victoria… Read More »
Getting back aboard Caulfield Cup winner Mer De Glace for a piece of work at Werribee has put Damian Lane’s mind at ease ahead of the Melbourne Cup. Lane is aiming to become the first jockey to claim Melbourne’s big three races in the same year – the Caulfield Cup,… Read More »
