Twelve months ago, Touristic captured the Lord Mayors Cup on a wet track from a low draw, and he will get an almost identical set-up for his attempt to go back-to-back at Rosehill this weekend. Successful from barrier five on a heavy 8 surface last year, the gelding has gate… Read More »
Tyler Schiller is set to have his second Stradbroke Handicap ride for trainer Rob Heathcote after being booked to partner Abounding in next month’s Group 1 showpiece. The mare secured her place in the field with a BRC Sprint (1200m) victory last weekend and Schiller is rapt to have picked… Read More »
Trainer Andrew Noblet knows he is saddling a longshot in a Stakes race at Caulfield, but he also knows there are positives for his runner. Taunting will be having his second outing for Noblet when he lines up in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) on Saturday. The rising eight-year-old started… Read More »
A horror barrier draw might have dampened confidence about Skyhook’s chances in the Fred Best Classic at Eagle Farm – but only marginally. In a race that will gift the winner an automatic start in the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m), the Group 3 sprint has attracted a deep field led by… Read More »
Horses can be creatures of habit and so to can their trainers. Adelaide trainer Andrew Gluyas has followed the same program with Watchme Win as 12 months ago in the lead up to the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Watchme Win finished fifth in the Group 3 R… Read More »
The Queensland Derby has been a long-range plan for emerging stayer Beauty Swift, and further down the track, a shot at the Hong Kong version beckons. The three-year-old is raced by the Kwok family, who has a strong presence in the Asian racing centre where they’ve enjoyed tremendous success with… Read More »
It didn’t even take half-an-hour for the Magic Millions Gold Coast sale ring to fall silent at this year’s National Broodmare Sale, with Legarto living up to her billing as one of the headline acts of the sale. Less than 15 minutes into the race fillies and mares section of the… Read More »
Peter Moody will chase a third win in the Queensland Derby when former Perth galloper Buthelezi lines up at Eagle Farm. Buthelezi has been aimed specifically at the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman after the three-year-old arrived at their Pakenham stable earlier… Read More »
Ciaron Maher main sprint focus this weekend will be on Jimmysstar’s Kingsford Smith Cup quest, but around the same time that Group 1 race is run a stable stalwart will build towards another winter campaign at Caulfield. Recommendation will embark on what has been a familiar path in recent seasons when he… Read More »
Zambardo did not make it to the race that was pencilled in as his Group 1 target this preparation, but co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr remains optimistic he can land a big payday this campaign. Last year’s Champions Stakes runner-up will get the chance to push his claims for a start… Read More »
Peter Snowden has taken plenty of positives from the effort of Beadman in the Doomben 10,000, but the colt has one more test to pass to confirm plans for a Stradbroke Handicap mission. The colt handled his first experience at weight-for-age with aplomb when finishing fifth to veteran Rothfire in the… Read More »
Trainer Rob Heathcote continued his successful Brisbane carnival when Abounding secured her place in the Group 1 $3 million Stradbroke Handicap with a courageous win at Doomben on Saturday. A striking chestnut mare with a white blaze on her nose, Abounding edged out Cifrado and Harry’s Yacht in a thrilling finish to the… Read More »
Trainer Lloyd Kennewell has some thinking to do after Meridius appreciated a class drop with success at Sandown. The Cranbourne-based horseman must decide whether to take Meridius to Queensland for the later part of the Winter Carnival or send the gelding for a spell to concentrate on the Magic Millions Carnival in January. Coming back… Read More »
James McDonald has described Chris Waller as a once in a generation trainer after delivering the champion horseman his 200th Group 1 win with Birdman in the Doomben Cup. Only two other trainers – Tommy Smith and Bart Cummings – have celebrated 200 or more victories at the highest level, both ending… Read More »
Champion trainer Ciaron Maher declared Fireball Miss on target for the Queensland Oaks after her impressive win in the Group 2 $300,000 The Roses (2000m) at Doomben on Saturday. “Fireball Miss has thrived since coming up here to Queensland,” Maher said. “She stays at Tony Gollan’s yard and I can’t thank… Read More »
Agent Zero gave leading syndicators Dean and Adam Watt of Dynamic Syndications their 999th winner when he took out the PF Civil Handicap (1800m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday. But Dynamic’s Adam Watt was lukewarm on backing up with Agent Zero in next Saturday’s Group 1 $1 million Queensland Derby (2400m) at… Read More »
Chris Waller has run into Pride Of Jenni enough times to know that taking on the front-running mare will bring most horses undone, and leaving her to her own devices will play into her hands. Finding a happy medium is something not even the champion trainer can attest to having… Read More »
A quick back-up into one of the signature two-year-old events of the Brisbane winter carnival is on the table for emerging filly I Am Dirty if she can make it two wins in succession in the Bill Carter Stakes at Doomben. After enduring a wide run when unplaced on debut at… Read More »
The Doomben Cup has been a long-range goal for Vauban, and with the horse as well as his trainers can get him, Tim Clark is banking on the import’s staying prowess to be an asset in his clash with star mare Pride Of Jenni. Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott opted… Read More »
Trainer Grahame Begg is hoping to enhance the chances of gaining a start with Chillies in the Queensland Derby via three-year-old race at Ipswich. A last start third in the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) at Flemington on Anzac Day, Chillies runs in the Seven QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (2180m) on… Read More »
