The Dan Morton-trained Stafford’s Lad looks well placed to deliver one of racing’s great transformations in next week’s Perth Cup, following his win in today’s A.T.A Stakes (2200m) at Ascot. The gelding conceded his rivals a big start at the tail of the field in the $125,000 event, but displayed… Read More »
Race programming has forced Phillip Stokes to run stablemates Daqiansweet Junior and Lyrical Lad in the same race at Caulfield as the pair chase winning hat-tricks. Daqiansweet Junior and Lyrical Lad meet in the Take It To The Neds Level Handicap (2000m) on Sunday, an unfortunate clash for two in-form horses. “They’re both very nice horses and it’s a pity… Read More »
An outside barrier won’t deter connections of Shalailed from giving the colt an opportunity to book his spot in the $2 million Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast. Trainer John O’Shea confirmed the youngster would take his place in the Drinkwise Plate (1100m) at Randwick on Boxing Day despite coming… Read More »
Mark Newnham expects Skymax to find some of his Summer Cup rivals too sharp, but he views the race as an important stepping stone towards a defence of the horse’s Australia Day Cup title. The six-year-old returns to the races for the first time since finishing midfield over 2800 metres at… Read More »
Trainer Mitchell Beer is looking to repeat his Boxing Day success at Caulfield of a number of years ago when he brings Scarlet Prince to town for the first time. After wins at Wodonga and Albury, Scarlet Prince runs in the Neds Punters Toolbox Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on Sunday. Beer landed his first city winner… Read More »
Tamworth trainer Cody Morgan will be hoping the Christmas joy continues as he lines up two live chances in Sunday’s Highway Handicap at Randwick. Race favourite Casino Lord will spearhead the attack for the Cody Morgan Racing team, joined by stable mate and fourth elect in the market, Anethole; as… Read More »
Following a short but aggressive illness, Juddmonte sadly announce the passing of Champion sire DANSILI (Danehill x Hasili) at his birthplace Banstead Manor Stud shortly before his 26th birthday. Bred by Juddmonte Farms he was the first foal out of the Listed winner Hasili, who went on to become a… Read More »
The Villiers Stakes didn’t go to plan for Kirwan’s Lane, but John O’Shea is hoping he can come away with a consolation prize at Randwick. The gelding enjoyed a good trail behind the speed from an inside draw in the Villiers, but it was once he straightened for home that things… Read More »
The Joao Moreira juggernaut continues at top speed after the Brazilian capped a momentous three-meeting burst with a four-timer at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (22 December) to be on the cusp of overtaking injured Zac Purton at the head of the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship. With a quartet, treble… Read More »
Lindsay Park-trained Excelida is racing for a potential trip to New Zealand when she lines up at Caulfield on Boxing Day. The daughter of Exceed And Excel runs in the Allan Wicks Handicap (1400m) on Sunday and her performance will determine her immediate future. Excelida is owned by Cambridge Stud proprietors Brendan and Jo Lindsay and… Read More »
A reshaping of the summer sprints in Melbourne forced Adelaide trainer Ryan Balfour into a change of plans with his emerging sprinter Outlaws Revenge. After Outlaws Revenge won the Listed City Of Marion Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville in late November, Balfour was eyeing off the Group 3 Standish Stakes (1200m) at Flemington. Originally that… Read More »
Statistics indicate that the timing is right for Shadow Crush to give connections a belated Christmas present when he runs at Randwick on Boxing Day. Trainer Mark Newnham confirmed the gelding would back up from his fifth to Tycoonist in a benchmark 88 race at the same venue last weekend and take his… Read More »
Star Tasmanian mare Mystic Journey is set to be remembered on All-Star Mile Day at Flemington with a support race named in her honour. The Mystic Journey (2000m) will be run for the first time at the Flemington meeting on March 19 next year to honour the inaugural winner of the… Read More »
Destiny’s Kiss carved out a reputation as the ‘Cups King’ due to his prolific winning record in feature staying races and now another member of his family is striving to do the same. Joe Pride’s evergreen performer retired in 2019 having won 10 Cup races, starting his spree in the 2013… Read More »
Gary Portelli’s decision to split two-year-olds Fireburn and Snitcat could reward the trainer with a brace of juvenile wins on successive weekends. Portelli scratched Snitcat from Randwick last Saturday due to a wide gate and stablemate Fireburn went on to claim the race. Snitcat will get her chance in the Drinkwise Plate… Read More »
The Dan Morton-trained Stafford’s Lad looks well placed to deliver one of racing’s great transformations in next week’s Perth Cup, following his win in today’s A.T.A Stakes (2200m) at Ascot. The gelding conceded his rivals a big start at the tail of the field in the $125,000 event, but displayed… Read More »
Named after a dual AFL premiership winning coach, Pagan looks set for a promising career after scoring at Sandown. Having his second race start, Pagan took out the Ladbroke It Plate (1300m) on Wednesday to give jockey Brett Prebble the first two winners on the program. Easing late in the betting to… Read More »
The highly touted Man In The Mirror has kicked off his racing career in fine fashion by taking out the opening event at Warwick Farm on Wednesday. Purchased for $1.8 million at the Magic Sales on the Gold Coast in January, the colt is the most expensive Not A Single… Read More »
Former Irish galloper Moktaffy has appreciated a slowing run race and a rise in distance to land his maiden victory. Success in the IVE>Print Maiden Plate at Sandown on Wednesday was the son of Lope De Vega’s first in nine starts. Moktaffy had his first seven starts in Ireland before joining the Chris Waller stable… Read More »
Juvenile Russian Conquest will bid to make it two wins from as many starts when she lines up at Randwick. Debut winner Russian Conquest can move a step closer to her Magic Millions goal when she returns at the Boxing Day meeting at Randwick. A daughter of first season sire Russian… Read More »
