The sweatbox has lost its appeal for popular Sydney jockey Rodney Quinn who has confirmed his retirement. The multiple Group One winning rider has been sidelined since July after injuring his knee getting out of the sauna and he has decided he doesn’t want to get back in. Quinn said… Read More »
As he sends stable star Better Than Ready for a summer break, trainer Kelly Schweida is looking to classy mare Discreet to step up over the next few weeks. She resumes racing at Eagle Farm on Saturday with Schweida plotting a course towards the Magic Millions carnival in January. Discreet… Read More »
Three trainers and a clocker are facing federal fraud and bribery charges over raceday medications and attempts to fix races at Penn National Racecourse in Pennsylvania. The three trainers – Patricia Rogers, Sam Webb, and David Wells – have been charged with administering illegal raceday medications. The clocker, Dan Robertson,… Read More »
Former trainer Hayden Haitana has applied to have his lifetime ban from racetracks over the infamous Fine Cotton ring-in scandal lifted. The board of Racing Queensland will consider Haitana’s case on Friday after the 68-year-old, who has served 29 years so far, wrote to officials last month. “The board will… Read More »
Cue Card is now as short as 4-1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup after passing a distance test as he ran a top-class field into the ground to win the Lancashire Chase at Haydock. Although he failed at his only previous start at three miles (4800m) in last season’s King… Read More »
Unbeaten jumper Annie Power’s ultimate target remains undecided but her reputation has been enhanced with her five-length defeat of Zarkandar in the Coral Hurdle at Ascot. Willie Mullins’ sturdy chestnut mare had been untouchable in seven starts at home and after a long first journey across the Irish Sea, she… Read More »
Luckygray has won his second Railway Stakes at Ascot in Perth in much less controversial circumstances than his first. He’s Remarkable was first past the post in 2011 but lost the race to Luckygray after a controversial protest. There was no doubt on Saturday when Luckygray came with a late… Read More »
Queensland sprinter Buffering completed a hat-trick of Group One wins in the most desperate of circumstances at Ascot on Saturday. Winner of the Manikato Stakes and the VRC Sprint Classic during the Melbourne spring carnival, Buffering added the $500,000 Winterbottom Stakes to his haul. But he had to work hard… Read More »
Apprentice Priscilla Schmidt will spend more time on the sideline after receiving her second careless riding suspension in as many weeks. Schmidt was outed for seven meetings, after pleading guilty, for causing interference to Shiraz Attack on the home turn in the Bundaberg Distilling Co Handicap (1500m) at Eagle Farm… Read More »
A horse who started the day as fourth emergency in the last race at Moonee Valley has made the most of a late call-up to post her first city victory. Going into Saturday’s meeting, the lightly raced four-year-old Coronation Shallan has only had four provincial starts, winning twice and finishing… Read More »
Territory’s fourth trainer Jarrod Austin has managed to coax the first win in more than three years out of the well-bred six-year-old. The Warwick Farm-based Austin is Territory’s fourth trainer and the gelding’s win at Randwick on Saturday capped a busy and profitable couple of days for the stable. The… Read More »
Jockey Ric McMahon has given Better Than Ready his seal of approval to chase Group One success in the autumn after his courageous win in the Keith Noud Handicap at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Better Than Ready, the $2.35 favourite, shouldered topweight of 60.5kg to win by a head from… Read More »
Cranbourne trainer Mick Kent claimed his second win of the meeting when Solsay won the City Jeep Wrangler Handicap at Moonee Valley on Saturday. It followed his win in the first race with Miss Steele. Kent had given jockey Jackie Beriman explicit instructions to ride the one-paced six-year-old gelding three… Read More »
Rising star Terravista could be stepped up to stakes company after passing his latest test with flying colours. Terravista’s spring preparation has been aimed at getting his rating up so he can compete in the better races in the autumn and he has handled the task with aplomb. His three… Read More »
A frantic tempo provided by the favourite Calming Influence has helped set up a maiden city win for Flight Academy at Randwick on Saturday. Apprentice Serg Lisnyy, who rode Calming Influence ($2.05) in the Sydney City Toyota Handicap (1300m), was hauled before stewards after the race and questioned about his… Read More »
Esprit de Bullet called on his winning Adelaide form to produce a strong finish to score in the City Jeep Compass Handicap at Moonee Valley on Saturday. Overcoming an outside barrier, the eight-year-old gelding was forced seven wide on the home turn in order to launch his bid. But with… Read More »
At the same track where Edgar Britt won his first major race 70 years ago, the legendary jockey has been made a life member of the Australian Turf Club. Britt’s contribution to racing was honoured on Saturday at a special luncheon overlooking Randwick racecourse – the scene of his 1934… Read More »
The Nikki Burke-trained Nautical enhanced an already consistent record in winning at Moonee Valley on Saturday. Going into the 1Print.com.au Handicap, Nautical hadn’t missed a top-three placing in eight starts. But she was able to double her win tally to two victories, despite Burke being less than confident about the… Read More »
Jason McLachlan has Magic Millions contender Divine Service to look forward to when he returns to training on Monday. McLachlan was given the all clear last Thursday by Racing Queensland to resume training after his licence was suspended by stewards on October 4 to allow him to deal with personal… Read More »
The depth of Darley’s youngsters has been underlined by the third individual debut winner on consecutive Saturdays in Sydney for Sheikh Mohammed’s racing operation. All three – Earthquake, Memorial and Occitan – are fillies with autumn riches in their future. Trainer Peter Snowden, who announced this week he would be… Read More »
