The trainer of the best credentialled eastern states horse in the last Australian Group One race of the year is counting on his jockey being the difference at Ascot. Wall Street, a fixture in a Group One races in Australia and New Zealand for almost three years, will have to… Read More »
Former Grand National winner Ballabriggs kicks off his season with another start over the famous Aintree fences against 15 rivals for Saturday’s Becher Handicap Chase. Donald McCain’s fine stayer ran just twice last term, finishing sixth when attempting to defend his National title, and must concede weight all round over… Read More »
As he followed Sea Siren off the training track at Sha Tin on Thursday, John O’Shea could barely hold himself back to a brisk canter. And an hour-or-so later when the mare drew ideally in barrier seven for Sunday’s $HK15 million Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), the trainer almost broke into… Read More »
Too much, too soon. That’s the argument against Tiger Dimejan winning Saturday’s Mode Plate at Listed level at only her second start, coming off a midweek maiden win at Doomben. Her jockey Ric McMahon has a different opinion. McMahon says a lack of depth among Tiger Dimejan’s rivals should enable… Read More »
It has been a momentous week for leading apprentice Jenny Duggan and she is hoping to cap it with success in the saddle at Rosehill on Saturday. Duggan on Tuesday won her appeal against a one month suspension over her handling of a horse at Kembla Grange in October. The… Read More »
Flemington trainer Danny O’Brien is hoping Eraset will respond positively to a drop back in distance at Caulfield on Saturday. O’Brien feels the gelding’s last run, when he finished fifth in the Listed Diamond Jubilee Plate on November 6, showed 1800 metres was a stretch too far. Eraset will drop… Read More »
Frankie Dettori fears he may never repair the damage done to his reputation by a failed drugs test which has resulted in a six-month ban for the popular jockey. The 41-year-old will not return to action on the racecourse until a fortnight before next year’s Derby, with his suspension, handed… Read More »
Cranbourne trainer Ricky Maund has been found guilty of treating a horse on race day as Racing Victoria continues its crackdown on illegal activity in the industry. Maund had been charged after stewards found fresh blood on the neck of Timely Truce following a stable raid on November 10. The… Read More »
Half-brothers Esprit De Bullet and Almighty Bullet are poised to give trainer John Hyam a milestone two-state stakes double on Saturday. The Adelaide trainer is bullish about his chances of notching his first stakes success when in-form sprinter Esprit De Bullet tackles the Doveton Stakes at Caulfield. And should the… Read More »
An interstate campaign hasn’t had any negative effects on Excellantes according to trainer Robert Heathcote. After Excellantes returned to Brisbane following three unsuccessful runs in Melbourne during the spring, Heathcote was concerned the amount of travelling might have “flattened” the gelding. But the five-year-old’s effort to finish fifth at Eagle… Read More »
Shane Dye has celebrated his first win since making a riding comeback with a low-key victory at Pukekura on Thursday. The champion jockey only returned to competition last month after more than two years away from the sport. His first race ride back was aboard Goyescas in New Zealand on… Read More »
Seven years, two countries, a handful of Group One wins and a wife-to-be. For Ronnie Stewart, Sydney’s 2002-03 champion apprentice, the past decade has been significant, personally and professionally. Now he is back where it all began. Stewart left Sydney at the end of 2005 to ride in Singapore. It… Read More »
A dearth of suitable two-year-old races in the country has prompted Port Macquarie trainer Neil Godbolt to undertake a city mission with Choice Dawn. A daughter of Royal Ascot-winning sprinter Choisir, the filly won her only start at Scone last month after showing ability on the track at home. “She… Read More »
Top jockey Joao Moreira has revealed he will consider a move to Australia or Hong Kong in the near future to test himself in one of racing’s toughest arenas. The Brazilian-born, Singapore-based Moreira has ridden in Australia a handful of times, usually at the request of Nathan Tinkler’s Patinack Farm…. Read More »
Former Mudgee trainer Tracey Bartley is tipping a last-to-first form reversal from San Zaim, who aims for back-to-back wins in Friday’s Mudgee Cup. On paper, the five-year-old’s formlines aren’t flattering. She followed a first-up seventh of eight to Classics over 1350m at Rosehill on November 3 with a last to… Read More »
Helen Johnson Houghton, unofficially the first woman to train an English Classic winner, has died at the age of 102. Although not in the record books, Johnson Houghton is now acknowledged as as the trainer of Gilles De Retz who took out the 2000 Guineas in 1956. Due to Jockey… Read More »
Legendary jockey Frankie Dettori was suspended from riding worldwide for six months by French racing’s governing body on Wednesday for failing a doping test. The 41-year-old Italian-born England based rider – probably racing’s most high profile personality – tested positive for a non-performance enhancing banned substance at the September 16… Read More »
Jim Cassidy has no concerns about Sea Siren’s class but a good barrier draw on Thursday will further enhance the champion jockey’s confidence levels ahead of the Hong Kong International Sprint. Cassidy leaves for Hong Kong on Thursday ahead of Sea Siren’s attempt to win on the world stage at… Read More »
Damian Browne is banking on plenty of speed in Saturday’s George Moore Stakes to enable Phelan Ready to end a winning drought. Phelan Ready hasn’t won a race since the 2009 Golden Slipper but signalled with his fast-finishing second to Steel Zip in the Keith Noud Quality at Eagle Farm… Read More »
Trainer Greg Eurell notched a double at Sandown on Wednesday, unveiling two likely autumn contenders. Zombie Dancer and Champagne Ruby were both sent out as favourites and the duo promptly justified the support. Zombie Dancer ($1.60 fav) collected the Schweppes Handicap (1600m) by three lengths from Abdaan with Boogielicious third…. Read More »
