Young Werther is set to kick off his campaign at Caulfield Heath this Saturday, with a strong performance potentially paving the way for a shot at the $1 million Perth Cup (2400m) on New Yearâs Day. Trainer Danny OâBrien remains optimistic about the geldingâs readiness, even though the 1500-metre trip… Read More »
Lindsey Smith, one of Australiaâs most accomplished horse trainers, has announced the closure of his Warrnambool stables, marking the end of a six-year tenure. The trainer will relocate to Barwon Heads, where he will work out of Danny O’Brienâs state-of-the-art facilities. Smith, a former Western Australian horseman with a remarkable… Read More »
Champion jockey Larry Cassidy has officially announced his retirement after 39 years in the saddle, citing ongoing health challenges from a debilitating finger injury. The injury, sustained during trackwork at Eagle Farm, nearly led to amputation but was saved after multiple surgeries. Cassidy had also been battling pain from a… Read More »
Jumps racing in Victoria has won a reprieve after a disastrous end to season at Ballarat. Three horses were euthanised at the season ending Grand National Steeplechase meeting at Ballarat in August, prompting a review with over 350 written submissions received, reflecting proposals to improve jumps racing, calls for its… Read More »
Hawkes Racing is happy to play the long game with Grand Larceny who will chase back-to-back victories when he lines up at Caulfield Heath. A last start winner at Moonee Valley, Grand Larceny contests the Evergreen Turf Handicap (1000m) on Saturday. Grand Larceny is the lowest rated galloper in Saturday’s line-up,… Read More »
With confidence built from a breakthrough metropolitan win, visiting UK jockey Saffron Osborne will be looking to build on that when she partners Warnie at Caulfield Heath on Saturday. Osborne partnered Berezka to her breakthrough metropolitan success at Caulfield Heath on Thursday and rides Warnie in the ive > idea > execution… Read More »
Another spring carnival tilt is the ultimate aim for Matthew Dunn’s recent stable addition Sea King, but the import’s Christmas Cup performance will go a long way to determining what path he takes to get there. The six-year-old will make his debut for the stable in Saturday’s 2400m staying feature… Read More »
The rise of The Ingham favourite Gringotts hasn’t come as a surprise to jockey Tommy Berry, but he admits the manner in which the gelding has been achieving it has been a welcome revelation. Gringotts has captured the Big Dance and The Gong at his past two starts, both times carting… Read More »
Michael Hickmott seemingly had Saturday’s $55,000 Matrix Solar Solutions Handicap at his mercy, but while he has passed up the opportunity with Ad Astra, he remains a strong chance of victory. The astute trainer will start Dyer in the 1100-metre event at Gawler, which is the feature meeting in South Australia this… Read More »
Group 1-winning trainer Mat Ellerton has announced he will step away from training to focus on his health following a significant health scare earlier this year. Ellerton suffered a stroke in June while on holiday in Bali and has been working through recovery while continuing to train out of his… Read More »
Feature sprint races in Perth early next year are on the table for Albany speedster, Final Siren if he comes through his return run in good order at Ascot. The promising four-year-old, back in the care of trainer Rebecca Bayliss, kicks off his campaign in the Bisley Workwear Handicap (1000m)… Read More »
Dan Morton has backed his quality mare Super Smink to put her best foot forward and rebound off a fair run in Saturdayâs The Gold Rush (1400m) at Ascot. Super Smink got a long way back from a positive draw last Saturday, but was never in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes… Read More »
Astute trainer Stephen Miller feels Magnificent Andy is âspot onâ and heâs backed his six-year-old to run well when he tackles Saturdayâs $1.5 million The Gold Rush (1400m) at Ascot. Magnificent Andy is coming out of a strong fourth in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) and coupled with a positive barrier… Read More »
It has been a case of trial and error, but Ben Brisbourne believes he has finally got former smart juvenile Rocket Tiger figured out after taking over his training earlier this year. Rocket Tiger had his first full campaign for Brisbourne over the late autumn and winter and towards the backend of… Read More »
When Gerald Ryan bought a filly by Rosehill Guineas winner D’Argento at the yearling sales, he wasn’t anticipating she would be precocious enough to race as a pre-Christmas two-year-old. However, Sequista has proven to be a pleasant surprise, and in hindsight, Ryan feels there may be a pointer in her… Read More »
Having had experience with the family of Grand Prix Stakes fancy Moon Sweeper, Matthew Dunn was a little wary when the horse arrived at his stable. However, he has been pleasantly surprised by the three-year-old’s easy-going temperament, which is in stark contrast to that of his dam, five-time winner La Scopa…. Read More »
It is not often a horse is burdened with 65.5kg in a race on a Saturday metropolitan card. That is the impost Philosopher was burdened with in the Evergreen Turf Handicap (1000m) at Caulfield Heath on Saturday before the 3kg claim of apprentice Sheridan Clarke. Trainer Enver Jusufovic explained there was a lack… Read More »
Class gelding Private Eye might be the top seed of Joe Pride’s three runners in the $2 million The Ingham, but he has cautioned punters not to discount the outsider of his trio. A last start winner of the Festival Stakes, Private Eye is a $9 chance while stablemates Estadio Mestalla ($14)… Read More »
The Lindsay Park team of Ben, Will and J D Hayes is banking on race experience proving beneficial for Bacash at Caulfield Heath on Saturday. With two starts under the belt, Bacash is the most experienced galloper in the Magic Millions VIC 2YO Classic (1100m) on Saturday with only two others… Read More »
Jockey Luke Nolen is set for multiple surgeries following a heavy fall at Geelong last Thursday. The incident occurred when Nolenâs stirrup leather snapped, causing him to fall and be struck by another horse. Initial injuries included fractured ribs, a broken nose, and facial damage, but further scans revealed an… Read More »
