Mike Moroney had to abort New Zealand Derby plans with Rhythm To Spare but the gelding can make up for it in another Classic on Saturday. The three-year-old was originally aimed at the New Zealand Derby in early March but shin soreness put paid to those plans. The way Rhythm… Read More »
Veteran sprinter Zaratone did enough in his first start for Bjorn Baker to suggest he can be a force in Saturday’s June Stakes. The seven-year-old led the field in his usual fashion in the Listed Ortensia Stakes at Scone and held on for fourth, 1-3/4 lengths behind the winner Satin… Read More »
The stellar crop of three-year-olds looks set to complete its domination over the older horses this season in Saturday’s Stradbroke Handicap. The $1.36 million Stradbroke (1400m) is the final Australian Group One open to all ages and sexes for the season, and three-year-olds hold the top four spots in betting… Read More »
Top-class stayer Patkai is set to make an astonishing return from four years off the track in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot later this month. The eight-year-old beat all bar legendary four-time winner Yeats in the prestigious two-and-a-half-mile (4000m) Group One in 2009, but has since been sidelined by… Read More »
Favourite Intello has romped home to give jockey Olivier Peslier his second French Derby success at Chantilly. Intello (15-8), who gave trainer Andre Fabre his fourth win in the race, won by two lengths from the hard charging Morandi to give the Wertheimer Family their first win in the Derby… Read More »
Multiple Group One winning mare More Joyous has been retired and will be sent to England to be mated with Frankel. Her last race was shrouded in controversy and sparked a much publicised stewards inquiry when her owner John Singleton sacked trainer Gai Waterhouse in a television interview after More… Read More »
John Sadler admits Linton needs to produce something special to win the Group One Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm on Saturday. But the astute Victorian trainer hopes the combination of a significant gear change and schooling over the jumps might just prove the winning formula. Linton has had Saturday’s Stradbroke… Read More »
The aptly named Ruler Of The World has given trainer Aidan O’Brien his fourth win in the prestigious Epsom Derby and brought up the 10th for owners Coolmore Stud. While the winners celebrated, connections of the raging favourite Dawn Approach were licking their wounds after he failed to run out… Read More »
A Queensland Derby start remains on the table for Gondokoro. Trainer Pat Carey said Gondokoro pulled up so well after her Oaks triumph, he was giving serious thought to backing her up in the Group One Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm next Saturday. “On face value she pulled up… Read More »
Vilanova is a definite J J Atkins starter for the Chris Waller stable but a decision has yet to be made whether stablemate Zoustar runs in the Group One race. Zoustar beat Vilanova in the Group Two Sires’ Produce Stakes but Waller said he was not committed to running him… Read More »
Robert Heathcote is confident a gruelling Doomben 10,000 effort won’t jeopardise Buffering’s chances in the Stradbroke Handicap. The trainer said it was only natural Buffering took a few days to recover after running his heart out in the 10,000 in which he finished third to Epaulette. “He knew he’d had… Read More »
St Nicholas Abbey has claimed a history-making third Coronation Cup at Epsom. Having beaten multiple Group One winner Midday two years ago and Ed Dunlop’s globetrotting Red Cadeaux last year, it was 2011 Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden’s turn to chase the six-year-old home. He settled at the rear along with… Read More »
Jockey Johnny Murtagh has saddled his first winner as a trainer with Benbecula scoring at Tramore. Murtagh, who is combining his riding career with preparing horses, only had his first runners last weekend at the Irish Guineas meeting. Always in the box seat, Ben Curtis kicked for home on Benbecula… Read More »
Ruler of the World gave trainer Aidan O’Brien his fourth winner in the Epsom Derby on Saturday. The 7/1 shot – the first horse since Commander in Chief in 1993 to land the blue riband of the turf without running as a two-year-old – came home under Ryan Moore to… Read More »
Rhys McLeod was showered with praise for a brilliant tactical ride aboard Gondokoro in the Queensland Oaks but stewards weren’t as impressed. Stewards issued McLeod with an eight meetings suspension for causing interference aboard Gondokoro on the home turn to Soapy Star, Dear Demi and Ireland’s Teardrop. He was also… Read More »
Top trainer Peter Snowden will rely on his star three-year-old Epaulette in next week’s Stradbroke Handicap despite Galah returning to form at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Galah ($5.50) scored his first win since the VRC Carbine Stakes in 2011 when he got up in the last stride to beat Conservatorium… Read More »
Premier Sydney trainer Chris Waller has hit out at increased costs announced by the Australian Turf Club this week but says industrial action is not the answer. Waller says the costs to owners are already too high and the ATC’s intention to increase stable rents and introduce key performance indicators… Read More »
Trainer Pat Carey won’t commit Gondokoro to a Cups campaign despite her dominant win in the Group One Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Gondokoro ($4.40) responded to a superb tactical ride by jockey Rhys McLeod to win the Oaks by 2-3/4 lengths from Miss Zenella ($9) with Vaquera… Read More »
A series of careless riding suspensions have frustrated Nathan Berry’s desire to reach the top but a winning double on his return to Rosehill has refuelled his ambition. Berry spent some of his time out visiting his twin brother Tommy in Hong Kong and now has the desire to work… Read More »
The Australian Hurdle and Australian Steeplechase have been rescheduled as the last races of the jumps season after Saturday’s Sandown wash-out. Melbourne will have two 10-race city meetings next week to accommodate as many races as possible from the Sandown meeting which was called off after 56mm of overnight rain…. Read More »
