Robert Heathcote will be heavily represented at Eagle Farm on Saturday but a wet track could force the leading trainer to reduce his numbers for the meeting. Despite fine weather since Thursday, the Eagle Farm track remains saturated after 71mm of rain in the past week, resulting in a heavy… Read More »
English Grand National hero Auroras Encore heads a field of 26 runners in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr on Saturday. Sue Smith’s 11-year-old recorded a shock 66-1 victory in the Aintree spectacular a fortnight ago and having gone up 11lb in the weights, he has to carry a huge… Read More »
Toronado has confirmed himself as the leading British hope to beat the Irish in next month’s 2000 Guineas with a comprehensive win in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket. Trainer Richard Hannon believes the unbeaten son of High Chaparral has such a potent blend of speed and stamina he can tackle… Read More »
Black Caviar’s half brother All Too Hard has been named on Vinery Stud’s 2013 stallion roster for a first season fee of $66,000. The triple Group One winner is scheduled to have his final Australian start in the All Aged Stakes on Saturday week which will determine whether he goes… Read More »
A horse from the stable of leading Victorian trainer Darren Weir has tested positive to a banned substance. Racing Victoria stewards have received confirmation that a post-race urine sample taken from Doing Our Best in a race at Ballarat in February contained the diuretic Frusemide, which is commonly marketed as… Read More »
Group One-winning jockey Nikita McLean has been suspended for five months for punching her sister, apprentice Jackie Beriman, at a race meeting. A long-running family dispute spilled over to the female jockeys’ room at the Hamilton race meeting last Sunday. McLean pleaded guilty to a charge of misconduct in that… Read More »
Two pleasing jumpouts from well-related Samarmeteors has trainer Mick Price expecting a competitive debut showing from the two-year-old at Caulfield on Saturday. Samarmeteors is a half-sister to last year’s Blue Diamond Stakes winner Samaready and steps out for the first time in the Visvanathan Memorial Plate (1000m). Price also trains… Read More »
A filly trainer Chris Waller tried unsuccessfully to buy five months ago looms as the biggest threat to his chances of claiming Saturday’s Australian Oaks. Waller will saddle up two runners in the 2400m classic at Randwick, Adrian Knox Stakes winner Royal Descent and outsider Wind Bender. But had fate… Read More »
Tabcorp punters placed $26 million worth of bets on Black Caviar during her unbeaten run, an analysis of TAB wagering patterns on her career has revealed. The amount, which includes the TAB’s pari-mutuel and fixed odds wagering platforms, confirms Black Caviar’s obvious appeal with Australian punters despite the restrictive nature… Read More »
It is hard to imagine a time when Chris Waller wasn’t regularly leading in winners. Sydney’s premier trainer for the past two seasons, Waller has hundreds of horses on his books, often multiple runners in a single race and recently set up a satellite operation in Melbourne. But it hasn’t… Read More »
Bjorn Baker is committed to running summer staying find Cantonese at Randwick on Saturday despite an unkind barrier. The Christmas Cup winner returns for a new campaign in the Cargo Bar Handicap (1400m) but his task won’t be an easy one from gate 18. He will also have 59.5kg to… Read More »
The retired Black Caviar will attract all the attention when she parades for her fans at Caulfield on Saturday, but her trainer Peter Moody is also well placed to make an impact on the day’s racing. Moody saddles up consistent sprinter Club Command in the Listed Pink Ribbon Cup (1400m)… Read More »
Pierro dominates Doncaster Mile betting but top trainer John O’Shea has declared Shoot Out a weighted certainty in Saturday’s Randwick showpiece. There has been healthy debate about the Doncaster handicaps this week with Pierro’s trainer Gai Waterhouse expressing concerns over the three-year-old’s 57kg impost. O’Shea, who will saddle up $71… Read More »
Kelly Schweida will entrust jockey Ric McMahon to deal with any track bias when Better Than Ready resumes in the Mick Dittman Plate (1000m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Better Than Ready has drawn barrier two, which normally would be considered ideal, but the likelihood of a heavy track changes… Read More »
A filly trainer Chris Waller tried unsuccessfully to buy five months ago looms as the biggest threat to his chances of claiming Saturday’s Australian Oaks. Waller will saddle up two runners in the 2400m classic at Randwick, Adrian Knox Stakes winner Royal Descent and outsider Wind Bender. But had fate… Read More »
The gates will be thrown open for Saturday’s Caulfield meeting when retired champion Black Caviar will parade in front of racegoers. Black Caviar’s connections announced on Wednesday that the winner of 25 from 25 had run her final race. So fans can farewell Black Caviar, the mare will parade at… Read More »
It was business as usual for trainer Peter Moody at Caulfield on Thursday morning as he embarked on the post-Black Caviar era. After announcing on Wednesday that the horse of a lifetime had run her final race, undefeated in 25 starts, Melbourne’s premier trainer was back at Caulfield on Thursday… Read More »
Auroras Encore is set to take his chance in the Scottish Grand National on Saturday despite heavy rain at Ayr on Wednesday. Connections of the Aintree winner confirmed their intention to send a strong team, among which will be the 11-year-old who will bid to become the first horse since… Read More »
Sir Henry Cecil has suddenly found himself with the new favourite for the 1000 Guineas as Hot Snap appeared from nowhere in more ways than one to win the Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket. This was a serious statement of intent for the legendary trainer and owner Prince Khalid Abdullah… Read More »
In a sport in which lily-gilding can be a compulsion, Black Caviar stands so impressively no embellishment is required. Good parentage, good looks, a massive heart, an unrivalled will-to-win and a talent that made her unbeatable. And a trainer and owners who on Wednesday did exactly the right thing. In… Read More »
