Trainer Danny O’Brien will resist the temptation of heading to Sydney with Sass Appeal after her third straight win at Flemington. Sass Appeal added the Group 2 Kewney Stakes (1600m) to her record on Saturday under a perfectly judged ride by Jordan Childs. Childs allowed Sass Appeal to roll forward from her widest draw… Read More »
Trainer Annabel Archibald receiving a timely, confidence-boosting phone call from a high profile jockey soon after Chayan had a luckless run when unplaced in the Blue Diamond.”Where is Chayan going next,” the jockey said. “She will go where you can ride her,” Archibald replied. The caller was champion jockey James… Read More »
Progressive stayer Campaldino has moved a step closer to his Sydney Cup goal with a promising win in the Randwick City Stakes. Given time to find his feet by Tim Clark as stablemate Alalcance set a solid tempo in front, Campaldino ($4.40) surged between runners late to down Athabascan ($41)… Read More »
Cox Plate runner-up Buckaroo has been scratched from today’s All-Star Mile, further reducing the field for the $4 million feature. The classy galloper had been considered one of the leading chances and was an $8 hope in early betting before being withdrawn on Saturday morning. Buckaroo’s scratching leaves the race… Read More »
Group 1 winner Baraqiel has been ruled out of Saturday’s Newmarket Handicap after returning less-than-ideal blood results. Owner Nathan Bennett confirmed the decision on Friday, saying connections were unwilling to take any chances with the seven-year-old’s health. The talented sprinter will now bypass the Group 1 feature while the stable… Read More »
While New Zealand racing enthusiasts will be enjoying a big day out at Champion’s Day at Ellerslie on Saturday, Damask Rose, the horse that was the toast of the town in that setting last year will be looking to land an overdue celebration of her own at Flemington when she… Read More »
Jockey Ben Thompson once again travels to New Zealand this weekend where he will have a full book of rides on Champions Day at Ellerslie on Saturday, a set of rides which includes going up against New Zealand’s star performer in the big one, the NZ $4 million NZB Kiwi…. Read More »
Trainer David Vandyke says he made the sensible decision when opting to take the lightly raced mare Philia out of the $2 million Group 1 All-Star Mile to instead tackle the $200,000 Group 3 Matron Stakes on the same card at Flemington on Saturday. Both races are over 1600m. Vandyke… Read More »
The Chris and Corey Munce trained Star Of Jamaica will head to the Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes next with a start in the $5 million Golden Slipper still very much on the agenda. That assignment, over 1200m at Rosehill on March 14, will offer two opportunities for the promising… Read More »
The presence of Pride Of Jenni in the All-Star Mile makes for a confusing contest for the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Sabaj. The All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday is ‘second choice’ for Sabaj after a bad blood picture forced him to miss the Blamey Stakes (1600m) at… Read More »
Star mare Treasurethe Moment has been scratched from Saturday’s Group 1 All-Star Mile, removing one of the key chances from the $2 million feature. The mare had been well supported in early betting and was quoted at $4.80, sitting on the second line of the market behind Pride Of Jenni…. Read More »
Weights do not favour Baraqiel in his bid to win one of Australia’s best sprint races, the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington. Since weights turned metric in 1973, only three horses have carried more than 57.5kg to win the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) which is to be run on Saturday. Hay List carried… Read More »
After another successful riding sojourn in Japan, Rachel King is firmly focused on the Sydney autumn carnival, especially her date with lightly raced three-year-old Green Spaces in the Randwick Guineas. Such is King’s regard for the Bjorn Baker-trained gelding, she flew back from Japan just to partner him in a barrier trial… Read More »
Being a natural backmarker means relying on luck in the run, and Bauhinia hasn’t always had a lot of it. Co-trainer Lee Curtis is hoping the mare’s fortunes can finally take a turn for the better this autumn, starting in Saturday’s Wenona Girl Quality (1200m) at Randwick. “Her work has been… Read More »
A run-of-the-mill benchmark race at Rosehill in July has turned into a sliding doors moment for Dylan Gibbons as he prepares to ride top galloper Linebacker in the Group One Canterbury Stakes. The young jockey had only been back in the saddle for a couple of months following surgery to a shoulder… Read More »
The Australian Cup Prelude at Flemington may not hold as much importance as the day’s earlier features, but it may provide a spotlight to riches later in the year. Ciaron Maher is set to unveil two imported gallopers in the 2000m contest on Saturday – Augustus and Desert Hero. Desert… Read More »
The VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes is the first time the ‘babies’ get to strut their stuff over something of a trip. With Victoria’s most prestigious race, the Blue Diamond Stakes, run and won last month, the speed two-year-olds are now being geared towards the Golden Slipper in Sydney. But Robbie… Read More »
A handy weight claim and a horse ready to win has Jack Bruce keen to see Sir Maurice step out at Ipswich on Friday. At his fifth start this campaign, the five-year-old son of Japanese champion Maurice will take his place in the Great Northern Benchmark 65 Handicap (1200m) in… Read More »
Deposed Golden Slipper favourite Hidrix will have two significant changes for his Todman Stakes assignment at Randwick – the addition of blinkers and the services of champion jockey James Mcdonald. McDonald partnered stablemate Confederation in both the Canonbury Stakes (1100m), won by Hidrix, and the Silver Slipper (1100m), but despite the presence… Read More »
Richard Litt might be at the smaller end of the scale in terms of horse numbers, but he’s had a couple of decent measuring sticks when it comes to identifying a good one. The trainer of dual Group 1 winner Castelvecchio and 2021 Spring Champion Stakes victor Profondo, the Warwick Farm-based… Read More »
