Baller will be on trial for a Stradbroke Handicap start when he defends is crown in Saturday’s $300,000 Group 2 Moreton Cup at Eagle Farm. Trainer Tony Gollan resisted the temptation of tackling the Stradbroke with the son of High Chaparral after last year’s 1200-metre race, but the $3 million Group 1… Read More »
As a Golden Slipper winner, Fireburn has already achieved more than most horses. As an eight-time Group 1-winning trainer, Gary Portelli is even more accomplished. But there would be few more satisfying achievements for the Warwick Farm horseman than winning Saturday’s Queensland Oaks (2200m) with his 2022 Golden Slipper winner. Not only… Read More »
It is a training method more commonly used in Europe, but Annabel Neasham has no qualms extending Spirit Ridge to 2400-metres second-up in the Listed Winter Cup at Rosehill. The seasoned campaigner resumed with a solid sixth to stablemate Bois D’Argent in the Lord Mayor’s Cup (2000m) and steps straight up to a… Read More »
Bjorn Baker might be enjoying the friendly rivalry with two of his fellow Warwick Farm trainers but come start time in the Queensland Oaks, there will be no love lost. The south-western Sydney track is home to the top three fillies in betting for Saturday’s Group 1 staying contest – the… Read More »
The Victorian breeding industry is mourning the loss of Trust In A Gust, the dual Group 1 winner. Glen Eden Stud confirmed the passing of the cherished stallion on Tuesday. Trust In A Gust, celebrated for his ten wins and earning over $1 million in prize money, was most renowned… Read More »
Gai Waterhouse has paid tribute to the horse who provided her with her biggest thrill in racing following the death of Fiorente. Widden Stud announced late on Tuesday afternoon that the 2013 Melbourne Cup winner had died at the age of 15 after ‘battling an ongoing chronic illness’. “I was deeply… Read More »
Trainer John Sargent is expecting So Dazzling to turn around her form when she returns to Brisbane for the Queensland Oaks. So Dazzling produced a less than flattering performance when finishing in the second half of the field in the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben on May 13. That effort followed a one-and-three-quarter length… Read More »
His win in the Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm on Saturday took his earnings over the $1 million mark but Warwick Farm-based trainer Joe Pride believes the best is yet to come for his progressive four-year-old Think About It. Boasting an impeccable record of eight wins and an unlucky third from… Read More »
Young Cranbourne trainer Alex Rae has picked a Spring Carnival target for his lightly raced stayer Shock ‘Em Ova and is working back from that date to start the gelding’s racing campaign. Rae said the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield was going to be a pivotal race in the spring campaign of Show Em Ova… Read More »
Peter V’landys’ long-held ambition to raise The Everest’s prize pool to a whopping $20 million is set to become reality this October, according to recent reports. This significant increase will place The Everest as the second richest horse race worldwide, trailing only the Saudi Cup. Since its inaugural run as… Read More »
Australian racing is in need of a new cult hero following the retirement of Kementari. Godolphin announced late on Monday afternoon that the rising nine-year-old had run his last race, just one start short of his 50th racetrack appearance. The son of Lonhro’s eighth placing in The Goodwood earlier this month… Read More »
Even after the dust has settled on Without A Fight’s brilliant win at Eagle Farm last Saturday, Sam Freedman has no regrets about not being more aggressive in his first-up placement with the import. The Teofilo six-year-old displayed an explosive turn of foot to power away from his rivals late… Read More »
Trainer Joe Pride had mixed emotions as he watched a stable favourite fade in the straight while watching an up-and-comer collect his first Group 1 prize at Eagle Farm. Think About It extended his record to eight wins from nine starts with his victory in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm on… Read More »
Kovalica has underlined his star quality and put to bed any doubts over his stamina with an emphatic performance in the Group 1 Queensland Derby. After missing a scheduled start in the Rough Habit Plate due to a foot abscess, the three-year-old showed his class with an admiral third against the… Read More »
A horse that was finally diagnosed as being allergic to hay has given trainer Carly Cook her biggest success in racing. One-time stakes winner Pintoff upset the more highly fancied sprinters in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1000m) on Saturday in a shock result for punters. Ridden by John Allen, Pintoff ($26) scored by a short neck from Starry Legend ($17)… Read More »
Education time is over as a number of the two-year-olds on the books of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace are about to hit the racetrack. Two fillies from the powerful stable stepped out for the first time at Sandown on Saturday with Axzelina scoring in the Ladbrokes Racing Club Handicap scoring while stablemate Links finished in fifth… Read More »
Improving colt Tannhauser will be given the chance to attempt a feat achieved by Prince Fawaz and The Autumn Sun after securing a berth in the JJ Atkins Stakes with a stylish victory at Randwick. Tannhauser finished strongly from back in the field to capture Saturday’s Wilson Asset Management Handicap… Read More »
Chris Waller is satisfied he pulled the right rein in running Kovalica against the older horses in the Doomben Cup, fearing the odds-on Queensland Derby favourite might have otherwise gone into the Classic underdone. The exciting stayer missed a run in the Rough Habit Plate (2000m) two weeks ago due to a… Read More »
John Sadler was a relieved trainer when Sartorial Splendor showed a glimpse of the form that has won the sprinter six races. After running fourth at Flemington last week, Sartorial Splendor is on the quick-up back-up at Sandown on Saturday to run in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1000m). If successful on Saturday, Sartorial Splendor will complete… Read More »
South Australian trainer Michael Hickmott is making the trip over the border looking to add another Stakes race to the record of Taunting. Successful in the Listed Hills Railway Stakes (1100m) at Oakbank last month, Taunting is set to run in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1000m) at Sandown on Saturday…. Read More »
