Trainer Gerald Ryan and owner-breeder George Altomonte appear to have another promising horse on their hands, with the superbly bred Standout scoring a classy win in the Listed Heritage Stakes at Rosehill. A full brother to Golden Slipper winner Overreach, Standout ($11) remains unbeaten, adding to his victories at Gosford… Read More »
The first European gallopers for the spring carnival have arrived in Melbourne to start their quarantine period at Werribee. Four of the 18 horses arrived on Friday night and the rest touched down on Saturday afternoon. Back for a second shot at Melbourne Cup success is last year’s placegetter Prince… Read More »
Spring carnival plans remain unresolved for Eric The Eel after his unlucky defeat at Doomben. Heavily backed with TAB Fixed Odds from an opening quote of $5.50, the gelding officially started the $2.70 favourite for the benchmark 70 on Saturday but had to settle for an unlucky third to Mr… Read More »
Trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace have again shown the benefit of having a Sydney stable, sending tough performer Dr Drill north to take out the opening race on Golden Rose day. The English import had done his most recent racing in Victoria before Maher and Eustace found a suitable… Read More »
A project former champion trainer Peter Moody undertook to young international horses has payed dividends as Shepard added to his record at Mornington. Shephard, winner of Saturday’s Vale Les Obriem “Craftsman” Handicap, was one of five foals Moody purchased at the Tattersalls Sale at Newmarket in the UK towards the… Read More »
Undefeated country galloper Harbour Views is making his city debut at Caulfield, which could eventually lead him to Group One races on the other side of the country. Harbour Views resumes in Sunday’s Bass Strait Beef Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield following victories at Warrnambool, Bendigo and Swan Hill at his… Read More »
The little brother of now-retired multiple Group One winner Shoals gets his chance to emerge as a Caulfield Guineas contender when he runs in the Group Three Prelude. Three-year-old colt Groundswell, a $2.3 million yearling, won a 1218m maiden at his second start at Geelong in his season return earlier… Read More »
Having come close to winning the Melbourne and Caulfield Cups in the past couple of years, jockey Ben Melham is even more determined heading towards this year’s major spring carnival features. Melham rode She Will Reign to win the Golden Slipper in 2017 and had Melbourne Cup glory in his… Read More »
A subtle gear change has helped Desert Man win the TAB Class 3 Plate in record time at Doomben. Ridden by in-form apprentice Stephanie Thornton, Desert Man clocked a brilliant 59.21 seconds on Saturday, lowering the class record by 0.43 seconds, and was only 0.37 seconds outside the track record… Read More »
Caulfield Stakes winner and Cox Plate runner-up Benbatl has scored a dominant win in the Group Two Joel Stakes at Newmarket. Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor is now eyeing Group One options on Champions day at Ascot for the five-year-old. Having been off the track since chasing Winx home in… Read More »
Connections and fans were left scratching their heads last night after Yucatan put in a run well below expectations but a veterinary report could shed some light on the performance. Yucatan was sent out as the third favourite in the JRA Cup at The Valley but failed to fire finishing… Read More »
Nature Strip has bounced back from his last-start failure with a performance of sustained speed to win the Group One Moir Stakes at The Valley and press his claims for a spot in the $14 million Everest. Coming off a fourth placing in the Concorde Stakes when he over-raced, Nature… Read More »
The Chris Waller-trained import Captain Cook has landed his first Australian win at his third attempt, edging out Sully by the barest of margins in the Listed JRA Cup at The Valley. Captain Cook’s victory by a nose in Friday night’s 2040m race denied the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young… Read More »
Exciting filly Loving Gaby has made an impressive spring return at The Valley, beating a quality field in the Group Three Scarborough Stakes. After a busy first preparation during the autumn in which she contested four of the five Australian Group One races for two-year-olds, Loving Gaby had taken time… Read More »
Nature Strip has made amends for his last-start failure to stake his claim for the $14 million Everest with victory in the Group One Moir Stakes at The Valley. Ridden by James McDonald, the Chris Waller-trained quirky speedster settled well and took control rounding the turn, beating Miss Leonidas and… Read More »
Australasian Oaks winner Princess Jenni has shown her class with victory in the Group Two Stocks Stakes at The Valley. Having her second start as a four-year-old after a successful three-year-old season, $3.90 favourite Princess Jenni hit the line strongly in Friday night’s 1600m race for mares’ to score by… Read More »
A crack at the $2 million Group One Caulfield Guineas looms for The Holy One after the colt’s frontrunning victory in the Group Two Stutt Stakes at The Valley. The Holy One brought up an early double for the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable on Friday night’s Moir Stakes… Read More »
Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter has entered pre-export quarantine in England ahead of his trip to Australia to defend his title. He was one of 17 horses to enter quarantine in Newmarket and County Tipperary in Ireland on Thursday for their two-week quarantine. They are due in Melbourne on October… Read More »
The usually reserved Kris Lees believes punters continue to underestimate Gem Song and he is looking to the horse to prove his point in the next two weeks. While the four-year-old is an early favourite for Saturday’s Group Two Shannon Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill, Gem Song remains at $15 for… Read More »
UNDERWOOD STAKES 1800m, $750,000, weight-for-age at Caulfield HISTORY * First run in 1924 when won by Whittier NOTABLE WINNERS * Whittier (1924-25); Phar Lap (1931); Ajax (1938-39-40); Tobin Bronze (1966); Rain Lover (1970); Bonecrusher (1986); Jeune (1994); Octagonal (1996); Northerly (2001-02); Weekend Hussler (2008); So You Think (2010); It’s A… Read More »
