American St Leger winner Da Big Hoss has been ruled out of the 2016 Melbourne Cup and will instead head across the border for the Canadian International at Woodbine. Connections of the horse told the Daily Racing Form the quarantine regulations and travel logistics to Australia had proved impractical. The… Read More »
The world’s top-ranked sprinter Chautauqua is favourite to make a winning return in the Group One Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley. Chautauqua is at $2.25 in the early market for Friday night’s 1000m weight-for-age sprint which has attracted 10 nominations including five Group One winners. Nominations have been extended until… Read More »
Golden Rose winner Astern is odds-on favourite for the Group Two Roman Consul Stakes ahead of Capitalist. Astern is at $1.60 to win Saturday’s $300,000 race over 1200m at Randwick while Capitalist is on the second line of betting at $3.50. Astern’s only defeat came at the hands of Capitalist… Read More »
The careers of two trainers have been decimated by their cobalt disqualifications and ongoing appeals, a hearing has heard. Trainers Danny O’Brien and Mark Kavanagh, who continue to train on stays of proceedings, are appealing their respective four and three year cobalt convictions to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal…. Read More »
Hartnell headlines the nominations for the Group One Turnbull Stakes at Flemington which will be the in-form gelding’s first Melbourne appearance for the spring. The Group One Turnbull Stakes (2000m) on Sunday has attracted 20 entries with Hartnell and last year’s winner Preferment the highest-rated. Preferment has been beaten eight… Read More »
Omei Sword is set to start the Group One Flight Stakes at Winx-like odds after being rated the $1.60 favourite in first markets. The Chris Waller-trained filly was runner-up to Astern in the Group One Golden Rose at her most recent start. She heads to Saturday’s $500,000 race at Randwick… Read More »
If the best guide to Sydney’s first two-year-old races of the season is the barrier trials, Condor Heroes should have the Breeders’ Plate sewn up. The Gerald Ryan-trained colt stood out at last week’s official trials with his 9-1/4 length win, but more importantly recorded the fastest 850 metres of… Read More »
Sydney-trained colt Detective needs to impress again in the Group Two Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley if he is to earn a shot at the Caulfield Guineas eight days later. Detective was one of two Peter and Paul Snowden-trained horses taken to Moonee Valley on Monday to familiarise themselves with… Read More »
Over the culture shock of his first Group One runner a year ago, trainer Jason Attard is having trouble keeping things normal ahead of this year’s Epsom Handicap. Attard’s stable star Sons Of John is set for his second crack at the $1 million race at Randwick on Saturday. “I’m… Read More »
Legal counsel for the two trainers appealing their cobalt disqualifications has alleged Racing Victoria may have “manipulated evidence”. Damian Sheales is representing trainers Danny O’Brien and Mark Kavanagh as they fight their respective four and three year bans on cobalt charges. Forensic IT analyst Brendan McCreesh was being cross examined… Read More »
Trainer Mick Price is under no illusions about the task ahead of Blue Diamond Stakes winner Extreme Choice against older sprinting stars in the Moir Stakes. But the Group One-winning colt will be out to enhance his own reputation when he makes his first appearance as a three-year-old in Friday’s… Read More »
Peter Snowden is adamant Golden Slipper winner Capitalist is in form as he prepares for his clash with Astern in the Roman Consul Stakes, but his co-trainer is desperate for the colt to get on a good track. Capitalist was beaten in his season return on soft ground in the… Read More »
Former 2016 Melbourne Cup favourite Order of St George is one of three likely runners for trainer Aidan O’Brien in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. The Gold Cup winner could be joined by Highland Reel and foudn in Sunday’s race which is being run this year at Chantilly while… Read More »
Blue Diamond Stakes winner Extreme Choice has continued preparations for his return in the Group One Moir Stakes with a gallop at Moonee Valley. Extreme Choice worked solo over 800 metres on Monday morning in preparation for Friday night’s race at the track while fellow Moir Stakes hopeful Redzel also… Read More »
