With an eye on next year’s autumn carnival, trainer John Thompson has brought promising three-year-old Battenburg from Sydney to Melbourne for a feature race and trip away to help season the colt. Battenburg is the early $2.60 favourite for Saturday’s Group Two Vase at The Valley on the undercard to… Read More »
The daunting prospect of taking on two horses considered worthy of tackling a Cox Plate has persuaded Kris Lees to resist the prize money in Melbourne and keep Attention Run closer to home. The imported mare is a dual acceptor in two states but Lees has confirmed she will line… Read More »
Arcadia Queen will run in the inaugural $7.5 million Golden Eagle unless she gives trainer Chris Waller a reason to pull the pin. After beating only Irish visitor Ten Sovereigns home as the $5 favourite in the $14 million Everest, trainer Chris Waller confirmed the classy mare would head to… Read More »
Veteran sprinter Keen Array has trialled well enough to indicate he is getting back near his Group-winning form as prepares for the Brisbane summer carnival. Keen Array makes his return to racing against an above average off-season sprint field in Saturday’s Tomra Open (1000m) at Eagle Farm. The now seven-year-old… Read More »
Cox Plate-winning jockey Michael Rodd is making a hit-and-run visit to Melbourne to partner a former Singapore Horse of the Year at The Valley. The ex-pat Australian, now in his fifth season riding in Singapore, won the Cox Plate in 2008 on Maldivian and partners Debt Agent in the Group… Read More »
Some owners search their whole lives for a Cox Plate runner. Former Cronulla Sharks captain Paul Gallen has found one with his first racehorse. The rugby league great part-owns Te Akau Shark and will travel down to Melbourne to watch the Jamie Richards-trained New Zealander run in the weight-for-age Group… Read More »
The decision not to pursue a Victoria Derby preparation with Just Thinkin’ could result in a $1 million pay day if he can justify his favouritism and win the inaugural Bondi Stakes. While a Derby shot was entertained by trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, they felt the horse would… Read More »
Mr Quickie is in doubt for a start at The Valley after he was found to be lame in his near foreleg. The Phillip Stokes-trained four-year-old is the second emergency for Saturday’s Cox Plate (2040m) and is also an acceptor in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m). Racing Victoria stewards… Read More »
Craig Williams was already on a weight loss program for the spring when he threw his hand up for the ride on Castelvecchio in the Cox Plate 2019. Castelvecchio is the only three-year-old in Saturday’s $5 million weight-for-age feature and carries 49.5kg. Williams says he feels great having already achieved… Read More »
Classy sprinter Meet Mr Taylor has some strong statistics behind him when he returns to his pet distance at Eagle Farm. The Kelly Schweida-trained gelding has won eight races and is unbeaten in three starts at 1000 metres, the distance of Saturday’s Tomra Open Handicap. Meet Mr Taylor was second… Read More »
c and believes the timing is right to use them in the Nivison Stakes at Randwick. A Group Two winner during the Brisbane winter carnival, the mare has taken time to come to hand but O’Shea says her physical appearance indicates she is ready to peak. Her improved condition and… Read More »
Champion trainer David Hayes believes the timing of this year’s Everest makes the $1 million Manikato Stakes at The Valley an attractive target for Faatinah who gets his latest chance at an elusive Group One win. Friday night’s Manikato is six days after the majority of the country’s top sprinters… Read More »
Last year’s Melbourne Cup placegetter Prince Of Arran is now virtually assured a start this year race after being given a 1kg penalty for his win in the Geelong Cup. The penalty for Prince Of Arran’s win in Wednesday’s Group Three race at Geelong takes the Charlie Fellowes-trained international visitor’s… Read More »
Leading trainers competing at the Breeders’ Cup meeting are confident Santa Anita will be safe for their horses despite a surge of deaths at the famed Southern California racetrack. Thirty four horses have perished at the Stronach Group-owned venue over the past 11 months with the latest three-year-old gelding Satchel… Read More »
A horse on the verge of making the Melbourne Cup field will not be contesting the race. Connections of Melbourne Cup contender Muntahaa will not be accepting the horse into the race and will be sent for a spell immediately. Muntahaa who finished last in the Geelong Cup currently sits… Read More »
The favourite for the Moonee Valley Cup on Cox Plate day is under an injury cloud after vets found the horse to be lame this morning. Mr Quickie who is the $3.10 favourite for the Moonee Valley Cup and second emergency in the Cox Plate itself was found to be… Read More »
The Charlie Fellowes trained Prince Of Arran has been guaranteed a start in the Melbourne Cup after receiving a 1kg penalty for his Geelong Cup win. Prince Of Arran has jumped up the Melbourne Cup order after he was penalised 1kg for yesterday’s Geelong Cup win giving him 54kg for… Read More »
Premier Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan will rely on filly Starosa as he begins to roll out his two-year-olds for the new season at Eagle Farm. Gollan sent Starosa and well-bred juvenile Aventurine to trial at the Sunshine Coast on Tuesday. He was happy with the performance of Starosa but believed… Read More »
Troubled jockey Luke Tarrant gets a good chance to keep his comeback on the right course with two key rides at Eagle Farm. Tarrant, 25, was stood down by stewards in July after he was placed on probation in a criminal court on drug charges. He was granted a licence… Read More »
Champion Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien has a strong team heading to the Breeders’ Cup including brilliant filly Magical who he has confirmed will run in the Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita. Often the bridesmaid behind Enable – including in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf – Magical has managed… Read More »
