Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan is looking forward to a change of fortune at the second outing of Antino in Melbourne. Antino heads to the Group 3 Sandown Stakes (1500m) at Sandown on Sunday after a luckless fourth at Flemington on September 16 at his Melbourne debut. A winner of eight of his previous nine starts in Queensland, Antino… Read More »
One thing trainer Phillip Stokes knows about his galloper Dick Whittington is a liking for firm ground. And those track conditions are expected on Saturday when Dick Whittington lines up in the Listed RM Ansett Classic (2400m). The French-bred import will be looking to make it four wins from his past five starts… Read More »
The first of Sydney’s new season babies step out at Randwick on Saturday and although it is a day of anticipation, it is also one that presents a conundrum for punters. A field of 12 fillies will contest the Gimcrack Stakes (1000m), while 14 colts tackle the Breeders’ Plate (1000m),… Read More »
A low draw could be the key ingredient for the improving French Endeavour to turn the tables on benchmark filly Tiz Invincible in the Group 1 Flight Stakes. French Endeavour jumped from barrier 14 when she came from worse than midfield to finish fourth to her Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained rival in… Read More »
King Of Fighters will go a long way to stamping his Caulfield Guineas credentials if he is successful in a lead-up race at Moonee Valley. The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained three-year-old runs in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) on Friday night and has been labelled potentially the stable’s best… Read More »
Sophie Baker isn’t a household name in racing, but she is a vital cog in trainer Chris Waller’s team. She is also an influential part of the story behind Saturday’s Epsom Handicap hopeful Madame Pommery. Involved with the stable for the past decade, Baker has a hands-on background with horses,… Read More »
When the Kiwi’s travel, it pays to keep a close watch. In the case of Mark Walker, he is in a slightly different situation establishing an Australian base at Cranbourne, but he does have an Australian first-starter set to run at Moonee Valley on Friday night. Unbeaten in New Zealand, Zourion runs in the Group… Read More »
A good performance in a Group 1 sprint at Moonee Valley could land Queensland sprinter Rothfire a start in The Everest. Trainer Rob Heathcote and connections of Rothfire have twice previously given up a berth in The Everest, once due to injury and once due to poor form. Heathcote said there had been brief discussions… Read More »
There was no shortage of wincing from connections on Tuesday morning when barriers were drawn for the Epsom Handicap, one of three Group 1s to be run at Randwick this Saturday. The 1600-metre event has drawn a huge field of 20, plus two emergencies, meaning some big numbers were allocated… Read More »
Pressure, nerves, excitement. Joe Pride is feeling all of them as he prepares nominal Everest favourite Think About It for his seasonal return in the Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick. It comes a fortnight after stablemate Private Eye booked himself an Everest slot with an outstanding victory in the Shorts and while Sydney’s showpiece… Read More »
When it comes to racing thoroughbreds, Phil Ward is proving to have a Midas touch. Not only does he share in the ownership of Group-winning three-year-olds Libertad and Autumn Ballet, he also happens to have a stake in exciting Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained stayer Just Fine. Unbeaten in two Australian… Read More »
The decision to shift the Thousand Guineas back a month has been advantageous for connections of up-and-coming filly Arctic Glamour after she confirmed plans to target the Group 1 feature with a resounding return at Rosehill. Gerald Ryan, who trains her in partnership with Sterling Alexiou, said they deliberately gave Arctic… Read More »
It’s on again, and it’s the COVID-19 delayed International Conference for the Health, Safety and Welfare of Jockeys that returns on Thursday, 28 September at Auteuil Racecourse in Paris. Staged in conjunction with the 57th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, its associated with… Read More »
Perth trainer Simon Miller holds no fears about his star mare Amelia’s Jewel handling Moonee Valley. Amelia’s Jewel runs in the Group 2 Stocks Stakes (1600m) on Friday night as a potential lead-up to the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) on October 28. Miller gave Amelia’s Jewel a look at The Valley… Read More »
Trainer Cliff Brown is looking forward to again seeing The Inferno racing on a firm track when the gelding resumes in the Moir Stakes. Friday night’s Group 1 sprint over 1000m at Moonee Valley will be The Inferno’s third shot at the race. The Inferno finished a fast closing second to Wild Ruler on a good… Read More »
Golden Slipper winner Shinzo will be given a crucial barrier trial test next week to determine whether he presses on to the $20 million The Everest. The colt was found to be lame after his unplaced run behind Chris Waller-trained stablemate Militarize in the Golden Rose when he settled last from… Read More »
Struggling for form and confidence, Benaud’s career was at the crossroads just six months ago but some meticulous attention to detail and a little faith has the classy stayer back in the Group 1 arena. Benaud lines up in Saturday’s The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick as one of the form… Read More »
In a bid to secure Japan’s third win in the prestigious Caulfield Cup, celebrated jockey Damian Lane is slated to ride Breakup in this year’s 2400m handicap race. Lane triumphed in 2019’s event on Mer De Glace and is looking forward to replicating his success. Breakup has already made a… Read More »
It has been a tough start to the week for Annabel Neasham, but her luck could turn for the better when she bids for back-to-back wins in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick. Neasham confirmed on Tuesday that Sunshine In Paris had suffered a leg injury which, while minor, had… Read More »
The esteemed star galloper and stallion, Magnus, has passed, leaving the racing community in mourning. Widden Stud reported the loss of this Australian turf warrior, who succumbed to age-related issues at 21. A renowned son of Flying Spur, Magnus secured the Group 1 Galaxy and brought acclaim to connections with… Read More »
