Michael Freedman has labelled Apocalyptic a ‘special filly’ after she overcame a wide run to dominate her Tea Rose Stakes rivals and rocket to outright favouritism for the Group 1 Flight Stakes. Tommy Berry was forced to travel three-wide without cover from an awkward draw but Apocalyptic ($3) still unleashed… Read More »
He had been a frustrating conveyance for local punters but the Chris Waller-trained import Birdman ($5.50) has finally saluted on Australian shores. After getting a perfect run in transit from the inside alley for rider Kerrin Mcevoy, the five-year-old was able to extricate off the fence to chase down the… Read More »
Ten nominations. Eight first acceptors. Six scratchings. Two runners. That was the sorry take of the two-horse race which kicked off the meeting at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Up for grabs was a first prize of $22 000 with prize-money due to be paid out down to tenth place. And… Read More »
Champion Hong Kong jockey Zac Purton has secured the ride on Lake Forest in next month’s Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at Randwick for leading British trainer William Haggas. Lake Forest, winner of last year’s $10 million Golden Eagle, will return for another Australian spring assault with his sights… Read More »
The Australian Turf Club (ATC) is facing a battle to maintain its independence after Racing NSW issued a show cause notice on Friday, following the resignation of two directors and the dismissal of its chief executive. The notice raises the possibility of Sydney racing being placed under the control of… Read More »
Soul Of Spain could have Group One targets in mind after prevailing in Friday’s Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2350m). The progressive stayer gave trainer Chris Waller a remarkable seventh win in 11 years in the race, just one shy of hall of fame trainer Gai Waterhouse who has eight…. Read More »
Trainer Chris Waller will chase a first win in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude when he saddles Estremo in the Group 3 contest. The 1400m contest at Caulfield on Saturday has not been a race that Waller has traditionally used as a stepping stone to the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October… Read More »
Caulfield has brought many a good Sydney-trained horse undone and Fangirl was its latest victim, but back in familiar territory at Randwick connections are backing the star mare to rebound. Fangirl missed a place for just the second time in the past 20 months when fourth to Treasurethemoment in the Memsie… Read More »
A barrier draw immediately to the inside of favourite Private Harry has given Briasa’s jockey Tyler Schiller a boost of confidence ahead of the grey’s return in The Shorts at Randwick. The T J Smith Stakes winner has gate four with Private Harry to jump from five and Schiller expects the barrier… Read More »
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable will chase their third win in four years in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes. Imported galloper Sir Delius lines up for the stable in the 1800m weight-for-age contest at Caulfield on Saturday as they look to repeat the efforts of Alligator Blood in 2022 and 2023…. Read More »
Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside will have his progeny showcased at Sydney’s official two-year-old trials next week, with six of his first-crop juveniles set to debut. Among them is his most expensive yearling to date, Incognito, a colt out of the I Am Invincible mare Bleu Zebra who fetched $1… Read More »
Champion jockey James McDonald is set to ride in Hong Kong this season after being granted a short-term license. The Australian-based, New Zealand-born rider will be licensed from November 12 through to December 23, a stint that will allow him to reunite with star galloper Romantic Warrior when he resumes… Read More »
Superstar mare Imperatriz has begun her new chapter in the breeding barn, producing her first foal earlier this month — a filly by Pierata. The 10-time Group 1 winner delivered the filly at Yulong in Victoria, marking the next stage of a remarkable career that netted almost $7 million in… Read More »
The 59th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities is upon us and the theme this year features Anti-Illegal Betting and Related Crime. To be held on Monday 6 October in Paris, following the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, delegates will receive articles produced by the IFHA Council on Anti-Illegal Betting and… Read More »
‘Race betting, both in the legal and illegal markets’ will be very much the focus at this 59th IFHA Conference, being held on Monday 6 October at the Le Méridien Paris Arc de Triomphe. “Racing is facing a number of both challenges and opportunities in regards to engaging with current… Read More »
The emergence of Private Harry as one of the country’s most exciting sprinters has coincided with the rise of his jockey Ash Morgan as both horse and hoop make a fist of their opportunities. The pair will be in the spotlight at Randwick on Saturday when Private Harry attempts to… Read More »
The City Tattersall’s Club Cup might have been the race that got away for emerging stayer Travolta but he will get another chance to boost his prospects of a Metropolitan start via the Newcastle Gold Cup. Starting an odds-on favourite, Travolta was brought undone by a brilliant tactical ride from… Read More »
A stayer who has proven competitive at the highest level and another hoping to eventually tick that box will go head-to-head for Tulloch Lodge in the Kingston Town Stakes at Randwick. Dual Group 1 placegetter Vauban and the lightly raced Elamaz are both relatively recent additions to the Gai Waterhouse… Read More »
A 2000m benchmark handicap at Caulfield may not be high on list of priorities for King Charles III as he entertains US President Donald Trump in the UK. Discussions on global affairs have taken place between the pair, but should His Majesty find a quiet moment he may tune in… Read More »
Annabel and Rob Archibald have made a key gear change to talented filly Tupakara as she bids to finally shed her maiden status in the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes at Randwick. The three-year-old has placed in four of her seven starts, each time at black-type level, including a Group… Read More »
