Group l racing continues at Randwick this Saturday where it is Spring Champion Stakes Day. The weather is overcast, the track is good (3) and the rail is out three metres for the entire circuit.
WHO IS WINX? * A six-year-old bay mare, foaled September 14, 2011 by Street Cry out of Vegas Showgirl * Bought at the 2013 Magic Millions yearling sale for $230,000 * Owned by Magic Bloodstock Racing (Peter and Patty Tighe), Richard Treweeke and Debbie Kepitis * Trained by Chris Waller… Read More »
Having already booked his ticket in the Caulfield Cup, imported stayer Harlem will try to cement a place in the Melbourne Cup. Harlem runs in Saturday’s Group Three Bart Cummings at Flemington, with the winner of the 2500m-race earning a ballot exemption into next month’s $6 million Melbourne Cup. A… Read More »
Champion Winx is the racehorse for all occasions and all conditions. That’s why her trainer Chris Waller says there’s no need to over-analyse things heading into the mare’s bid to extend her winning streak to 21in Saturday’s Group One Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. The mighty mare, rated the world’s best… Read More »
Limiting this year’s Turnbull Stakes to elite horses would do little to boost the number of starters and any critic needs a reality check, Mornington trainer Amy Johnston says. Johnston has defended her decision to run Skyfire against Winx at Flemington on Saturday, despite backlash over the low-rated gelding being… Read More »
While most of his trainer’s attention will be on a 2000-metre race at Flemington, Tangled gets the chance to show what he can do at Randwick. Chris Waller will be overseeing Winx’s bid for a 14th Group One win in the Turnbull Stakes on Saturday while Tangled will be aiming… Read More »
Robbie Griffiths is unsure exactly what to expect from last year’s Newmarket Handicap winner The Quarterback when he begins his spring preparation in the same Flemington sprint he won a year ago. The Quarterback resumes in Saturday’s Group Two Gilgai Stakes (1200m) for his first start since an autumn campaign… Read More »
Not only does Hugh Bowman think Winx is more comfortable racing the Melbourne way of going, the jockey and her trainer Chris Waller believe the champion mare is also more relaxed in her Flemington surrounds. Bowman takes that as a good sign for Saturday’s Turnbull Stakes, the mare’s first Melbourne… Read More »
Multiple Group 1 winning Godolphin galloper Hartnell is unlikely to run in the Caulfield Cup despite sitting on the second line of betting before the announcement. Godolphin trainer James Cummings told Sky Racing that it was unlikely Hartnell will head to the Caulfield Cup 2017 because he feels the horse… Read More »
The Victoria Racing Club is concerned about some handicapping alterations for it’s signature race the Melbourne Cup. Last month Racing Victoria announced the Caulfield Cup winner cannot be re-handicapped to carry more than 56kg in the Melbourne Cup while those already weighted at 56kg or above at Flemington cannot be… Read More »
Chris Waller is anticipating a tough challenge for champion mare Winx when she encounters two-time Group One winner Humidor for the first time in the Turnbull Stakes. Sydney’s premier trainer takes on his Victorian counterpart Darren Weir when Winx races at Flemington for the first time on Saturday, and Waller… Read More »
The spring carnival is over for Group One-winning sprinter Russian Revolution who will be sent for a spell. The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained horse won the Group Two McEwen Stakes at Moonee Valley first-up last month before weakening after doing early work to finish second last as favourite in the… Read More »
Champion mare Winx will face six rivals when she attempts to extend her winning streak to 21 in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. Saturday will be the first time Winx has raced at Flemington and she will jump from barrier two under regular rider Hugh Bowman in the Group One… Read More »
A field of 10 headed by Gloaming Stakes winner Ace High has been declared for the Group One Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick. The David Payne-trained Ace High has drawn barrier four in Saturday’s 2000m-race with his main market rival Sanctioned to start from the outside gate. Leading trainer Chris… Read More »
Winx has captured all the attention ahead of the Turnbull Stakes and David Hayes doesn’t mind one bit. Lindsay Park’s senior trainer is content with where his team is placed heading into the big spring races. The stable has has nominated Harlem and Ventura Storm to tackle Winx in Saturday’s… Read More »
Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby still plans to run last years Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner in the Caulfield Cup despite an injury sustained on the flight from England which raised questions over his form. The eight-year-old “gave himself a little, superficial knock” on the plane into Melbourne on Saturday but was… Read More »
Lankan Rupee has taken another step to a racetrack return with a narrow Caulfield jump-out victory. The Mick Price-trained sprinter finished on terms with stablemate Run Gypsy Run in an 800m jump-out on Tuesday. Ridden by Michael Dee, who claimed his first Group One win on Foundry in Saturday’s Metropolitan… Read More »
New Zealand trainers Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs are keeping their options open with Volkstok’n’barrell who could make a return trip to Sydney if the weather is wet at home. Volkstok’n’barell is scheduled to run in Saturday’s Group One Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings but could be diverted to the… Read More »
Foundry has been penalised for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups following his win in The Metropolitan at Randwick. Registering his first win on Saturday since February 2014, Foundry was handed a 1kg penalty for both races by Racing Victoria handicapper Greg Carpenter. The Lloyd Williams-owned stayer now has 51kg in… Read More »
What was looking as a likely strong line-up from Lindsay Park for the Guineas races at Caulfield has dwindled to one definite and one possibility. Filly Catchy will tackle the males in the Caulfield Guineas on October 14 with the stable engaging Mark Zahra to ride the three-year-old. The performance… Read More »
