Trainer Grahame Begg was delighted with how his two Cups contenders came through there trials at Cranbourne in preparation for their spring returns. Lunar Flare and Nonconformist both trialled over 1000m on Monday, on a track that was rated slow. With a berth in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup already assured courtesy of her win in the Listed Andrew… Read More »
If things had gone to plan for Wolfy on debut at Caulfield, the colt would be enjoying a short break ahead of preparing for a big spring target. Instead, the Nick Ryan-trained three-year-old will be at Sandown on Wednesday looking for his maiden win in the Ladbroke It! Plate (1300m). Ryan has Group… Read More »
Angela Davies will saddle up progressive sprinting four-year-old Our Kobison and has the added bonus of James Mcdonald onboard as she looks for her next banner horse. Davies, who has already notched up her first winner of the 2023/2024 season from just two runners, says the speedy son of Kobayashi is capable of… Read More »
Promising apprentice jockey Luke Campbell’s racing journey has hit an obstacle as he grapples with a confirmed knee fracture, necessitating a hiatus from the tracks. The 21-year-old’s setback transpired during a race at Sandown, leading to his current stay at Alfred Hospital. Matt Hyland, the Victorian Jockeys’ Association CEO, verified… Read More »
Classy dual-purpose star Vauban clinched victory in the Ballyroan Stakes at Naas, securing a spot in the Melbourne Cup 2023. Trained by Willie Mullins, Vauban previously won the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot. Under jockey Colin Keane, Vauban tracked the leaders Gooloogong and Pivotal Trigger, surging ahead in the… Read More »
In-form trainer Neville Parnham is confident the best is yet to come from his Rommel entire, Snowdome. The four-year-old has won six races and finished top three in seven of 16 career starts, prompting Neville Parnham to consider an interstate campaign next year. Snowdome has evidenced his consistency in 2023 by… Read More »
Not for the first time, Uncle Bryn trialled at Cranbourne on the first Monday in August, but the approach to this year’s P B Lawrence Stakes resumption has been different to last year. Instead of being the eye-catcher in a workout that included established stars such as I’m Thunderstruck, as he… Read More »
Vauban’s Melbourne Cup credentials will be put to the test when he contests the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes at Naas in Ireland in the early hours of Tuesday morning, Australian time. The William Haggas-trained gelding is an odds-on favourite for the 2398-metre Group 3 event, which is a crucial stepping… Read More »
Precisely where Without A Fight’s spring path will lead is not yet known, but the highly-rated import took the first step on it at Cranbourne on Monday. The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained galloper made his first public appearance since his brilliant Brisbane winter campaign with a soft 1000-metre trial. The… Read More »
Some really interesting new season 3yos will feature in the Listed The Rosebud (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday. Cigar Flick ($3.50 unibet) has clearly been targeted to be up and running early chasing black type following her win a month back. Then there is Barber ($6) who contested both the Blue… Read More »
Star jockey Jamie Kah took a significant stride in her racing comeback, participating in Cranbourne trials after recovering from head injuries. Linking up with premier trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Kah steered Boldinho to a narrow win in the fifth heat and rode Group 2 winner Steinem to victory… Read More »
One horse that can epitomize both the pitfalls and pleasures of racing ownership is Zarastro. The son of I Am Invincible romped home with ease at Eagle Farm on Saturday, fully justifying his prohibitive starting price of $1.65 in his eleventh career start and in only his second start for… Read More »
Tony Gollan has plotted a path to spring racing action for his rising star Antino, who boasts a race record of eight wins from his nine career starts. Seven of those wins were achieved in his four-year-old season as the now five-year-son of Redwood moved effortlessly from a Class 1… Read More »
In an exciting development for the Victorian racing community, a groundbreaking initiative known as the Ladbrokes Owners Incentive Scheme is set to reward maiden winners with an additional $2000 bonus payment. The innovative scheme, launching on September 1, 2023, is poised to inject up to $9 million in bonuses into… Read More »
Following a race fall at Sandown, apprentice jockey Luke Campbell, is currently under observation at Alfred Hospital. The West Australian rider, who remained conscious after the incident, is being assessed for suspected shoulder and knee soreness. Initial scans on his shoulder have fortunately ruled out any fractures. The accident occurred… Read More »
Trainer Dane Smith could not have asked for a better birthday present than the one San Remo presented at Sandown. As Smith contemplated birthday celebrations after turning 53 on Sunday, San Remo stormed home to claim the Grand National Hurdle (4200m) at Sandown to give the trainer his biggest success. Smith did win the Listed… Read More »
Jockey Willie McCarthy questioned those who doubted the staying ability of Stern Idol after the imported jumper gave a dashing display to claim the Crisp Steeplechase at Sandown. As Stern Idol crossed the line in the 4200m contest 25 lengths clear of his rivals on Sunday, McCarthy put his hand up to his… Read More »
Apprentice Luke Campbell has been transported to Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital following a race fall at Sandown. Campbell was aboard the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Naval Academy in the Ladbrokes Odds Surge Handicap (1200m) when the gelding appeared to get onto heels and dislodge the rider. The apprentice was thrown into the air and landed… Read More »
Zac Lloyd is the first to admit the challenge of competing against the senior riders in Sydney without a claim will necessitate he rises to another level again. But he is happier to take a more positive view and instead let the fact he has outridden his allowance so quickly fuel… Read More »
Renowned jockey Jamie Kah is poised to make her comeback to the racetrack, receiving the all-clear to participate in Cranbourne trials after a lengthy hiatus. Having been sidelined since a serious fall at Flemington in March, Kah’s return was eagerly anticipated as she battled brain bleeding and a prolonged concussion…. Read More »
