Former trainer Tony Karakatsanis has been called on to explain how he could mistake a chaff bag containing two lengths of plastic tubing and a basin, for a bag of hay. Giving evidence in his defence before the Victoria’s Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board, Karakatsanis said he made an… Read More »
Sydney filly Assail and Melbourne youngster Clevadude have met with contrasting fortunes in the Magic Millions Classic barrier draw. Assail drew the rails, ensuring the Clarry Conners-trained two-year-old tightened her grip on favouritism for the $2 million race. She firmed from $2.80 to $2.60 as Clevadude eased from $3 to… Read More »
Eddie Lynam is preparing his star sprinter Sole Power for a third successive trip to the Dubai carnival. The six-year-old was narrowly beaten in the Meydan Sprint in early March and the Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night last year, and the same two events are on his… Read More »
The first lady of Australian racing returned to her old “home” on Monday, bigger, stronger and maybe even better than when she left it seven months ago. Black Caviar used her own twitter account to announce her arrival back at trainer Peter Moody’s Caulfield stable after completing her pre-training at… Read More »
A recent Flemington double with British General and Tuscan Fire has fuelled Dan O’Sullivan’s ambitions of a repeat at the same track on Saturday. The pair won at the New Year’s Day meeting and premiership leader Glen Boss has committed to both horses again but the trainer has some reservations… Read More »
Assail has been promoted to Magic Millions favouritism over Clevadude ahead of Tuesday’s barrier draw for the summer’s richest race. The Clarry Conners-trained filly firmed from $3 equal favourite to $2.80 on Monday after the declaration of the final field for the $2 million race for two-year-olds at the Gold… Read More »
A field of 13 has been declared for the Gosford Gold Cup with Gai Waterhouse and Peter Snowden each saddling up two runners in Thursday’s Listed race. Waterhouse will start up-and-coming stayer Travolta and the durable Reuben Percival in a race which holds special significance for the Randwick trainer. This… Read More »
Sydney trainer Con Karakatsanis has told a hearing it would be “madness” to administer a saline drench to a horse a few hours before it raced. Karakatsanis and his father Tony are charged over the discovery of stomach tubing equipment including a saline and electrolyte mixture belonging to them during… Read More »
While many trainers have taken up temporary residence on the Gold Coast looking for the next superstar, Leon Corstens is happy to let others do his bidding as he stays home to oversee the progress of his team including Commanding Jewel. Corstens relies on bloodstock agent Brad Spicer to select… Read More »
An exodus to the Gold Coast, injuries and suspension have decimated Sydney’s riding ranks for Rosehill on Saturday. Eight riders from the top 10 on the premiership table will be missing, ensuring one of the most hotly-contested title contests for many seasons will be put on hold for one meeting…. Read More »
The fact millions of dollars will be traded this week on thoroughbreds with pedigrees slanted towards a quick racetrack return isn’t lost on a syndicator trying to secure a stud deal for a Melbourne Cup placegetter. Magic Millions will offer the first yearlings for sale in 2013 and there will… Read More »
One of the stewards who raided a Flemington stable occupied by a horse trained by Con Karakatsanis had approached the situation with a pre-conceived notion that the trainer was “up to no good”. Karakatsanis and his father Tony face charges resulting from the raid during which stewards found equipment used… Read More »
Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens has finished third in the first race of his comeback from a seven-year retirement at Santa Anita. He was aboard Jebrica in the sixth race on Sunday, a claiming race over 1600 metres on the turf. They were running second late in the race… Read More »
Autumn options remain open for English horse Gatewood who has adapted well to his new surroundings at Chris Waller’s Sydney stable. The Geelong Cup winner has been in Australia since the spring, attracting as much attention for failing to make the Melbourne Cup field as for his Geelong Cup win…. Read More »
Clarry Conners admits he hasn’t watched Clevadude’s wins but is aware of his reputation as the one Assail has to beat in $2 million Magic Millions. The Conners-trained Assail rounded out her preparations for next Saturday’s Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast with a pleasing exhibition gallop at… Read More »
A tilt at the Blue Diamond Stakes is now closer to reality for Adelaide filly Miracles Of Life who has won her only two starts by a combined 14-1/2 lengths. Miracles Of Life is raced by Teely Assets, the bloodstock company of Sri Lankan businessman Muzaffar Ali Yaseen, best known… Read More »
The lessons learned from an unsuccessful trip to Melbourne with Famous Seamus will be heeded in the autumn by trainer Noel Mayfield-Smith. On the back of his first stakes win the Listed Lightning Stakes at Randwick, Famous Seamus went to Flemington for a 1200m Listed race on Melbourne Cup day,… Read More »
An inside barrier and plenty of speed are on Robert Heathcote’s wish list for Heza Jetsetter in the Magic Millions Guineas. Heza Jetsetter impressed Heathcote with his final hitout before the Millions when he finished third to Lucky Hussler and Sizzling in the Vo Rogue Plate at Doomben on December… Read More »
Newcastle trainer Darren Smith admits he was disappointed when Heaps More was beaten last start but subsequent events have buoyed his confidence for the mare’s Cessnock assignment on Monday. Heaps More, a four-year-old by Al Maher, was unlucky to run into the Kris Lees-trained French stayer Award Season when runner-up… Read More »
Ruacana has provided Sheikh Mohammed’s bloodstock adviser John Ferguson with the first Grade One win of his training career in the Future Champions Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow. Ferguson started training a few Godolphin cast-offs and a handful of other horses just two years ago having previously handled point-to-pointers. Some… Read More »
