Eleven races will be run and won at Singapore on Saturday, with good depth across the meeting. Race One: 6 Fireworks Race Two: 7 Istataba Race Three: 1 Reignite Race Four: 1 Don De La Vega Race Five: 1 Mortal Engine Race Six: 2 Sunday Race Seven: 1 Luck Of… Read More »
The one-time second favourite for Melbourne’s premier two-year-old race has been scratched after failing a veterinary inspection. Lofty Strike was withdrawn from the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday after a second inspection on Friday morning. The Julius Sandhu-trained colt presented with lameness on Thursday morning… Read More »
Attempting to fill a rare gap in a spectacular Hong Kong riding resume, Zac Purton will be entrusted with the task of managing California Spangle’s natural speed to meet the stamina challenge presented by the HK$12 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (27 February). A… Read More »
The big wet in Sydney has kept the highly talented Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained filly Argentia in Melbourne for another run. Argentia had been entered for the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday, but the filly will instead run at Caulfield in the Group 2 Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m). The… Read More »
The race takes place in the provincial setting of MacKay and is only worth $25 000, but the result of the QYIS Jewel Qualifier, a Three-Year-Old Plate over 1000 on Saturday, will be of interest to a lot of people who will want to see how the unbeaten Sweet Dolly… Read More »
Damien Oliver believes there is a good staying race victory in Castlereagh Kid who will be attempting a winning hat-trick when he runs at Caulfield. Castlereagh Kid runs in the Group 2 Autumn Classic (1800m) on Saturday in his bid to follow victories at Gosford and Sandown in his two runs this… Read More »
When Australia opened its borders to overseas visitors, Singapore-based trainer Stephen Gray jumped at the chance to head to Melbourne. Gray arrived in Melbourne on Monday to start inspections of yearlings for the upcoming sale at Oaklands but also took the time to see his sprinter Oxley Road who runs… Read More »
As heavy rain continues to pummel South-East Queensland, an early decision has been made with regard to the meeting scheduled for the Gold Coast tomorrow with that meeting now being switched to the Sunshine Coast Poly Track. An inspection of the Doomben track early this meeting left the track rating… Read More »
Peter and Paul Snowden know what it takes to win Melbourne’s premier juvenile race and they have another strong hope in Revolutionary Miss in the latest edition at Caulfield. When in charge of the Darley operation, which became Godolphin in 2014, Peter won the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) with Sepoy… Read More »
Sydney’s wet weather is likely to leave Anthony and Sam Freedman with just one runner at Randwick but that might be all they need to come away with a win. Blue-blooded colt Custodian, a half-brother to Spring Champion Stakes winner Profondo, is unlikely to take his place in the Skyline Stakes… Read More »
Hugh Bowman is typically measured when it comes to talking about his Chipping Norton Stakes ride Top Ranked but sometimes, less is more. The Annabel Neasham-trained import is the wildcard in Saturday’s race, and indeed during the Sydney autumn carnival, having raced just once in Australia for an eye-catching second to Lost And… Read More »
It’s February, and $20m Saudi Cup is giving us another world championship, with the 2021 hero Mishriff and jockey David Egan looking for a 12-month $19m pay packet. With $9.9m to the victor from a total $20m prizemoney, Mishriff and David Egan were brilliant in defeating Charlatan last year, and… Read More »
Four of the runners in Melbourne’s premier juvenile race will require further testing before being passed fit to start at Caulfield. Racing Victoria vets inspected all 16 two-year-olds on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield. Lofty Strike and Kiki Express both presented with lameness. Lofty Strike… Read More »
Young Victorian apprentice Matt Chadwick has started his career in the best possible way. Winning. He climbed on board the Gavin Bedggood trained DRONE STRIKE (Smart Missile – Mosoru) at Kilmore in a $25,000 BM 58 hoping for the best. The boy sprang her from the gates, sent her to… Read More »
Having missed the winning ride on Anamoe in the Hobartville Stakes, Hugh Bowman is keen to make his presence felt at Sydney’s first Group 1 meeting of the autumn. The champion jockey was a late scratching from Rosehill last weekend due to illness and in his absence, Tommy Berry picked up the… Read More »
The Anthony and Sam Freedman are looking further afield at another Group 1 prize with Extreme Flight rather than the one that confronts them at Caulfield. Extreme Flight is one of eight runners in the Futurity Stakes (1400m) on Saturday and Sam Freedman concedes he doubts whether Extreme Flight is a winning… Read More »
A Merchant Navy colt, secured by Wally Daly, topped the final day of the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale at $160,000. Offered by Amelia Park Racing and Breeding, the colt will join the training combination of father and son duo, Sean and Jake Casey. Merchant Navy was the second foal of… Read More »
Michael Freedman believes it is time for a rethink of the rules around set weights and penalties races after the Brad Widdup-trained Icebath was “pitchforked” into the Guy Walter Stakes at Randwick. Freedman is a big fan of the introduction of rich new races such as The Everest, Golden Eagle and The… Read More »
Sydney has received a drenching this week and the Randwick track has not been immune with almost 200 millimetres of rain recorded ahead of the first Group 1 meeting of the autumn. The surface was rated a heavy 8 midweek and downgraded to a 9 on Thursday, but Australian Turf… Read More »
History says it will be difficult for Wild Ruler to win the 2022 Oakleigh Plate, but jockey Mark Zahra believes he is partnering the right horse in the Group 1 sprint. Wild Ruler has to lump the equal topweight of 58kg in Saturday’s 1100m at Caulfield and since the race went metric… Read More »
