A trainer’s perfect plan and its similarly precise execution by the jockey turned around the form of talented filly Meliora at Caulfield on Saturday. Trainer Peter Moody said he had come to a conclusion after Meliora was run down over 1200m at Caulfield two weeks ago that a step up… Read More »
Damian Lane has made the most of his first week as a senior jockey, highlighted by a city win at Caulfield on rejuvenated mare Secret Liaison. Lane ended his apprenticeship on Monday and Secret Liaison’s success in Saturday’s Polytrack Handicap (1400m) brought up the 19-year-old jockey’s fifth win for the… Read More »
Trainer Dean Howard had a good idea Grand Emperor could be a better than average horse when it won a race in Adelaide last year when he knew the odds were against him. And his judgment proved to be on the mark when, three starts later, Grand Emperor won Saturday’s… Read More »
An old-fashioned stayer’s return is the modest first-up goal for Gatewood, the imported galloper poised to lead OTI Racing’s expansion into Sydney. In a market assessment that disguises bold autumn weight-for-age plans for the former English stayer, Gatewood will be the least fancied of trainer Chris Waller’s six runners in… Read More »
Black Caviar’s stature in Australian racing has been further recognised with her induction into the Racing Hall of Fame. The highest honour at Thursday’s induction ceremony went to Carbine who was elevated to Legend status alongside Phar Lap, Makybe Diva, Bart Cummings, Arthur Scobie Breasley and TJ Smith. Carbine, who… Read More »
Peter Moody’s Blue Diamond prospects may have taken a large knock thanks to the injury to stable elect Thermal Current, but the premier trainer believes they are far from lost. Even before the discovery of Thermal Current’s hamstring injury, Moody believed each of his other three contenders – Dissident, Kona… Read More »
No trainer at Warwick Farm on Saturday will get a better insight into their autumn carnival prospects than Guy Walter. Walter will roll out his biggest stars, headed by Group One-winning mares Appearance and Streama. Myer Classic winner Appearance resumes in the Listed Triscay Stakes (1200m) while two-time Group One… Read More »
Nash Rawiller appreciates the irony of his pairing with Laser Hawk in Saturday’s Apollo Stakes at Warwick Farm. Rawiller hasn’t ridden in a race since he broke his ankle in a barrier mishap on December 18 and Laser Hawk has been sidelined for 10 months after an operation to remove… Read More »
Robert Smerdon’s first concern leading up to Saturday’s Oakleigh Plate was to give his filly Shamal Wind the right preparation. Having done that, he wanted only to draw a favourable barrier. That hope was granted when No.1 came out against the filly’s name. “Now it’s up to the jockey,” Smerdon… Read More »
A fit and healthy Blake Shinn will return to the Sydney fold at Warwick Farm on Saturday almost six weeks after being stood down from riding for medical reasons. Shinn has been a notable absentee from the jockeys’ ranks since the January 10 meeting at Gosford where he returned to… Read More »
Monton’s reappearance in Saturday’s Group Two Apollo Stakes will be an emotional one for trainer Ron Quinton. It comes just over a week after the sudden death of the gelding’s part-owner and long-time stable supporter David Lamond. Quinton met the bloodstock agent many years ago through a mutual acquaintance and… Read More »
Powerful Darley runner Guelph has been deposed as favourite in Blue Diamond betting with online bookmaker sportsbet. Guelph has eased from $3.00 to $3.50 for the Caulfield Group 1. Adelaide filly Miracles Of Life has taken top mantle, firming into $3.20 favourite following solid backing since yesterday’s barrier draw. $250… Read More »
International sprinter Ortensia and last year’s winner Woorim head a field of 14 to contest the $400,000 Group One Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield on Saturday. Ortensia will make her return to Australian racing from barrier four in the sprint after winning Group One races in Dubai and England last year…. Read More »
Star three-year-old All Too Hard will mount a lone challenge for his age group when he contests the $500,000 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday. Black Caviar’s half-brother is one of 10 acceptors for the Group One sprint over 1400m. All Too Hard, a first-up winner against older horses in… Read More »
Confidence in Guelph’s ability to handle a high-pressure Blue Diamond was the deciding factor in Kerrin McEvoy choosing to stick with her in Saturday’s $1 million race. Darley’s No.1 jockey left his decision until the last minute but announced he would stay with the race favourite over stablemate Metastasio after… Read More »
Mike Moroney ran out of time to prepare Glass Harmonium for his initial first-up target but is more than happy to instead send the well-performed galloper into battle in the Group One Futurity Stakes. Moroney was originally looking at Saturday’s Group Two Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield for Glass… Read More »
Blue Diamond Stakes favourites Guelph and Miracles Of Life have met with contrasting barrier draw fortunes for the $1 million race. While unbeaten South Australian filly Miracles Of Life drew the rails, Darley runner Guelph will have to overcome gate 13 to win the Group One at Caulfield on Saturday…. Read More »
Champion Black Caviar has been entered for next month’s William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley which could signal her farewell to Melbourne racing. The Moonee Valley Racing Club brought the nominations forward to Monday for the William Reid on March 22 to begin planning for the night meeting. “If Black… Read More »
Mrs Onassis is still in the mix for the Oakleigh Plate with a final decision to be made after she gallops on Tuesday morning. Trainer Gerald Ryan said his original thought had been to wait another week or two but he had been persuaded by the mare’s owner Gerry Harvey… Read More »
Hay List has taken the next step in his comeback without incident, winning a barrier trial at Randwick on Monday. Trainer John McNair didn’t have the best vantage point to see the trial but was more concerned with being on hand when the horse came off the track. The injury-prone… Read More »
