An 1800-metre three-year-old race at Randwick is set to have a bearing on the upcoming Classic races in Queensland with the majority of runners holding a nomination for either the Oaks or Derby. Seventeen horses, four of them emergencies, have been accepted for Saturday’s Wilson Asset Management Handicap and only… Read More »
It carries Group Two status, but The Roses will have a distinct Group One feel for trainer Chris Waller as he prepares to saddle up the first Australian runner for John Stewart’s Resolute Racing. The American business tycoon created headlines earlier this year when he announced his intention to make an… Read More »
Warrnambool-based trainer Matthew Williams is banking on a drop in grade and a return to Sandown being a winning formula for Mi Rock Aly. A Sandown winner three starts back, Mi Rock Ali runs in the Sportsbet Photo Finish Refund Handicap (2400m) on Saturday coming off the back of a last… Read More »
The Victoria Racing Club announced that despite the relocation of the Archer Stakes, the final acceptance and barrier draw procedures for the Melbourne Cup will remain unchanged. The Archer Stakes, a key race in determining the Melbourne Cup field, will now be held on September 14 as part of the… Read More »
Trainer Paul Rowe says there’s more than just bragging rights that’s up for grabs when Californication faces off against 15 rivals in the Sky Racing TV Provincial Championship Series Final (1400m) at Belmont on Saturday. A stylish first-up winner in last fortnight’s qualifier at home in Kalgoorlie and backed strongly… Read More »
The inaugural Magic Millions National 2YO Classic will not be run where it was initially planned, but that has not detracted from the field the $1 million event has attracted. Saturday’s 1050-metre event at Doomben is restricted to graduates of the Magic Millions sales series features a field of 12,… Read More »
Promising filly The Black Cloud is the most favoured of Joe Pride’s three runners in the Taylor Constructions Handicap at Randwick, but he isn’t sure that markets have got it right. The winner of her first two starts, The Black Cloud split Wallenda and subsequent Group 1 placegetter Stefi Magnetica when runner-up at… Read More »
Michael Trotter had the choice of three contests during the week with filly Apache Song before deciding on an option at Sandown. A 1300m race at Bendigo on Wednesday was Trotter’s preferred option in a bid to retain the services of Blake Shinn, while Apache Song was also entered for races over… Read More »
Four wins in a row … unbeaten … over $100,000 banked in prize-money already … that’s the way to kick off a racing career and trainer Lawrie Mayfield-Smith is rightfully pleased with the exploits of the lightly raced four-year-old gelding Majestic Boom who added that fourth win to his record… Read More »
Competitive against some of the better fillies of her generation, French Endeavour will face a challenge of a different kind when she takes on the older mares this weekend. Since kicking off her campaign in February, the three-year-old has managed a top-five finish in four Group races, highlighted by placings in… Read More »
Lindsay Park trainers Ben, Will & Jd Hayes have held high expectations for Poifect who continues her excellent current campaign in Brisbane. Poifect, and stablemate Here To Shock, were flown to Brisbane on Tuesday with both gallopers set to run at Doomben on Saturday. Poifect lines up in the Group 2 The… Read More »
Chris Waller’s decision to run Lady Shenandoah in Brisbane this weekend isn’t just about splitting his two-year-olds between states. The filly has been scratched from the opening race at Randwick, where Waller will be represented by Leconfield, to tackle black-type company in the Listed Bill Carter Stakes (1200m) at Doomben. It… Read More »
Asfoora will become the latest Australian sprinter to try and strike a blow in England when beginning her optimistic European campaign in the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock on Saturday night. An eight-time winner in Australia, including twice in Group 2 company, Asfoora will face the likes of last year’s… Read More »
Melbourne Cup contenders will know their fate of gaining a start almost a week before the race with the Victoria Racing Club announcing a change to their programming on Victoria Derby Day. The Archer Stakes, previously the Hotham Handicap, run on Derby Day was the last chance for a contender… Read More »
Melbourne Cup winner Without A Fight is nearing the final hurdle in his recovery from a tendon injury, according to his rehab guru Lee Evison. “He is well and truly over halfway or probably more.” Evison, who has overseen the galloper since December, told Racing.com. “When they do start to… Read More »
On 12 to 14 June, the International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities will hold its Global Summit on Equine Safety and Technology at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Canada. “Equine welfare is racing’s single most important priority, and it is at the centre of all decisions we make,” said Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges,… Read More »
European import Craig has impressed at Bendigo with a dominant maiden win, raising hopes for spring glory with trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young. The Territories gelding (one prior run in England) thrived in his Australian debut, showcasing closing power over 1400m. “There’s a few owners here today…” Young told… Read More »
Bendigo is named the Nursery of Champions for good reason with a number Group 1 winners registering their first wins at the central Victorian track. Names such as Better Loosen Up, Shocking, Hyperno, Salamander and Star Of The Realm registered their first wins at Bendigo before going on to far… Read More »
The younger sibling to star sprinter Giga Kick could not emulate his deeds by producing a debut victory for Clayton Douglas. Giga Kick, by Scissor Kick, started his career with victory in a two-year-old maiden at Sale, but his three-quarter brother Pantoja, by Pariah, had to settle for third place in… Read More »
Joe Pride is the first to admit that Bullets High isn’t the complete package, but the three-year-old’s effort to rally for a gutsy win at Warwick Farm has all but earned him a Group One shot. A son of former top stayer Ace High, Bullets High was headed by eventual runner-up Gottabesavvy in… Read More »
