Trainer Ken Keys doesn’t set the bar too high for his horses and all he wants for talented mare Spanish Reef is some black-type. A first-up winner at Flemington last month, Spanish Reef runs in the Group Three Schweppervescence Trophy (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday. Her performance will determine how… Read More »
If Pierata can halt Kementari’s winning streak in the Randwick Guineas, a long-range plan will reach fruition for trainer Greg Hickman. Pierata came to prominence with his three wins in Queensland during the summer including the Magic Millions Guineas at the Gold Coast but it was his previous trip north… Read More »
Kris Lees is confident Sugar Bella can handle the challenge of Group company for the first time at Randwick as she aims for her fourth successive win. Sugar Bella returns from a let-up for the Group Three Wenona Girl Quality (1200m) and Newcastle trainer Lees is looking forward to using… Read More »
Clearly Innocent looks well-placed to add a Sydney Group One win to his record at Randwick but trainer Kris Lees has not ruled out stablemate Invincible Gem springing a surprise in the Canterbury Stakes. A soft track, handy draw, the expertise of Hugh Bowman and the benefit of a first-up… Read More »
The addition of blinkers and a notable form reference over the course and distance has champion trainer David Hayes hopeful of a strong Australian Cup showing from import Ventura Storm. A Group One winner in Italy, Ventura Storm is one of two runners for co-trainers David and Ben Hayes and… Read More »
Flying filly Houtzen is primed for her return in the Fireball Stakes at Randwick, the starting point in a campaign aimed at getting a Group One win beside her name. The 2017 Magic Millions winner started favourite in last year’s Golden Slipper but floundered in the heavy ground to finish… Read More »
The unbeaten run of Summer Sham goes on the line when the filly chases another Group Two win in the Kewney Stakes at Flemington. The Danny O’Brien-trained three-year-old began quickly and was never headed in the Group Two Angus Armansco Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 24, beating the fast-finishing… Read More »
Gary Moore hopes a streamlined Takedown still has the hunger for success as his comeback looms in the Group Two Challenge Stakes at Randwick. A Group One winner in 2016, the five-year-old endured a tough campaign last spring, failing to run a place in four starts. A lacerated coronet band… Read More »
James McDonald will be able to ride trackwork and trials ahead of his return to racing after a lengthy ban for a betting offence. The former No.1 jockey for Godolphin in Australia, McDonald was outed after he admitted to placing a $1000 bet on Astern before he rode the horse… Read More »
Champion sprinter Chautauqua will have to run twice to get a barrier certificate before he races again after refusing for a third time to compete in a Sydney barrier trial. Chautauqua, who stayed in the gates in two trials at Randwick last week, lined up for a heat at Rosehill… Read More »
Rising star Niccanova remains in the nominations for the Doncaster Mile but will need to produce an exceptional run on Saturday to remain on course for the Group One race. Niccanova will make his much-anticipated return after a nine-month break in the Hamilton Hotel Handicap at Doomben. He will be… Read More »
A former Victorian trainer and Olympic wrestler will spend six months behind bars after starving twelve horses to death on his farm. Bruce Akers who represented Australia at the 1972 and 1976 Olympic Games as well as training horses out of Geelong will spend the next six months in jail… Read More »
Missrock has tuned up for the Newmarket Handicap with a hard-held narrow victory in a Cranbourne barrier trial. The Robbie Laing-trained mare was under a stranglehold throughout Monday’s 800m-trial, gaining a last stride victory under Ben Thompson. Missrock ran 46.34 seconds for the trial, the fourth fastest of the 11… Read More »
The first Australian woman to ride in the Melbourne Cup has announced her retirement. Clare Lindop who rode Dolphin Jo in the 2007 Cup, will continue riding through Adelaide’s May carnival. The announcement came on the eve of next Monday’s Adelaide Cup which Lindop won 12 years ago on Exalted… Read More »
Grahame Begg has given Blue Diamond Stakes winner Written By the green light to chase Golden Slipper glory. Begg wanted to make sure the colt had come through his dominant Group One Blue Diamond win well before confirming on Monday the unbeaten two-year-old would head to Sydney to run in… Read More »
Star Queensland filly Houtzen is expected to have improved considerably from a barrier trial as she prepares to resume at Randwick. Houtzen will be having her first start since being unplaced in the Coolmore Stud Stakes on November 4 at Flemington. She is one of 17 entries for Saturday’s Listed… Read More »
Lindsay Park could have as many as six starters in one of Australia’s toughest sprint races, the Newmarket Handicap over the straight 1200 metres at Flemington. Confirmed runners are last year’s winner Redkirk Warrior, Catchy, Thronum, So Si Bon and Fastnet Tempest while the weather will determine whether Derryn starts…. Read More »
An improved showing from Legend Of Condor with a change of tactics in the Skyline Stakes has him primed for a quick back-up to cement a Golden Slipper berth. The colt has won a tick over $100,000 and should make the field but trainer Gerald Ryan wants to ensure he… Read More »
Seabrook may have missed out on the chance to win the Blue Diamond Stakes but connections now have their sights on a bigger prize in Sydney. The Mick Price-trained filly confirmed her credentials for the $3.5 million Golden Slipper on March 24 with her win in Saturday’s Group Two Sweet… Read More »
Mick Price has trained his third Group One Australian Guineas winner as Grunt overpowered Victoria’s best three-year-olds in the $1 million race at Flemington. Grunt joined previous Price winners Light Fantastic (2008) and Heart Of Dreams (2009) after jumping from the widest barrier on Saturday under Damien Oliver. Price now… Read More »
