Michael Freedman’s uncanny knack with two-year-olds was on display again at Randwick as Shraddha made a one-act affair of the Gimcrack Stakes, prompting the trainer to draw comparisons with Manaal. Manaal won the corresponding race three years ago before going on to claim the Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes… Read More »
Flying Houdini showed an impressive display of sustained speed to win the first juvenile race of the new season, the Group 3 $250,000 Breeders Plate (1000m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Flying Houdini cost only $60,000 as a yearling but raced up to his… Read More »
The Turnbull Stakes is pivotal to the future spring hopes of a number of its runners. The added complexity in this year’s Group 1 2000m contest run under set-weights and penalties at Flemington, is the heavy track conditions. The Flemington track was rated a Heavy 9 on Friday morning following 52mm of rain with showers… Read More »
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable will strive for a second victory in the Danehill Stakes in three years with two runners. Big Sky and Buggsy will try and emulate the feat of First Settler and Reserve Bank who ran one-two in the Group 2 race for three-year-olds over 1100m at Flemington in… Read More »
Trainer Will Clarken will chase a third win in the feature race at Murray Bridge. Successful with Agreeable in 2022 and Cartoon Graveyard last year, Clarken, who now prepares his team with Charlotte Sorby, will saddle Cicala in the Listed Murray Bridge Gold Cup (1600m) on Saturday. Cicala is coming off a last… Read More »
Joe Pride started the spring intent on dodging Sydney’s top sprinters with King’s Secret, but the gelding’s two return runs have prompted a change of heart. The five-year-old flashed home from the back when fourth to Tempted in the Concorde Stakes (1000m), and again punched above his weight when a… Read More »
Superstar Autum Glow might not be returning to chase back-to-back Epsom Handicap titles, but that hasn’t made the task of last year’s runner-up Fully Lit any easier in his attempt to go one better. The feature mile has attracted a deep field, headlined by multiple Group 1 winner Ceolwulf, unbeaten… Read More »
Rosehill neighbours Chris Waller and David Payne are set for a Flight Stakes face off when their Princess Series fillies, Striking Alibi and Bangkok Hottie, line up for a rematch at Randwick. Bangkok Hottie has won their only two encounters in the Furious and Tea Rose Stakes, but Striking Alibi… Read More »
How much rain and the state of the Flemington track will determine whether Onesmoothoperator takes his place in The Bart Cummings. Trainer Tim Fitzsimmons is resigned to the fact there will be too much rain fall at Flemington prior to Saturday leaving it in a sodden state. Flemington racecourse manager Liam O’Keeffe is expecting… Read More »
The first of Sydney’s two-year-old crop will be looking to make early season statements at Randwick, and a familiar stable is set to be most heavily represented. Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott will have five youngsters across the two juvenile openers, with colts Flying Houdini and Stasis in the Breeders’… Read More »
Mbube will not be lacking for practice on the Flemington straight when he heads to track to run in the Danehill Stakes. Trainer Lloyd Kennewell took advantage of the Flemington straight being opened up to outside horses running Saturday’s Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m). The Danehill Stakes is an important lead up to the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at… Read More »
Grahame Begg says the likelihood of a very damp Flemington is not ideal for She’s A Hustler as she takes a step towards the Caulfield Cup. Flemington track manager Liam O’Keeffe says up to 50mm could fall on Flemington in the next two days with the likelihood of that amount pushing the track into… Read More »
A tricky draw has done nothing to dissuade punters from rallying behind Tempted in the Premiere Stakes at Randwick, and her connections are just as bullish. The brilliant mare, who hasn’t been beaten since finishing runner-up to champion Ka Ying Rising in The Everest (1200m) last year, has been backed… Read More »
Despite a brace of strong performances to win the middle legs of the four-race Princess Series, Bangkok Hottie isn’t favourite for the finale at Randwick, with early punters banking on Striking Alibi to turn the tables. The latter remains a solid market pick at $2.60, ahead of Bangkok Hottie ($3.10)… Read More »
Tom Kitten was a Group 1 winner when Godolphin made the tough call to geld him, and not only did his subsequent success justify the decision, but it also provided a handy template. Jason Walsh, racing and bloodstock manager for Godolphin, revealed their experience with the two-time All-Star Mile victor… Read More »
After a brace of encouraging performances in Group company, Genesis Runner is on notice to get a stakes win on the board, and he has an ideal opportunity to do it this weekend. The Yulong-owned three-year-old is an early favourite for the Listed Dulcify Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday… Read More »
Trainer Trevor Rogers is not too concerned about his handy galloper Roulette King being an emergency for a race at Flemington. Roulette King is first emergency for the Listed Paris Lane Stakes (1400m) on Saturday, but the weather forecast is in his favour. At acceptance time on Wednesday the Flemington track… Read More »
He left the track disappointed after Low Key was beaten first-up, but Tim Clark was all smiles after the Tulloch Lodge filly bounced back to score at Rosehill. The three-year-old started an odds-on favourite when edged out by Threads on the Kensington track, but with that horse subsequently successful at… Read More »
While most European imports take a preparation or two to acclimatise, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott seem to have a knack for getting them to hit the ground running. The Tulloch Lodge trainers have enjoyed early success with the likes of multiple Group 1 winner Sir Delius, who scored at… Read More »
With the AFL Grand Final done and dusted the attention in Melbourne turns to Flemington and what is regarded as moving day. The Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) on Saturday, in particular, is a race that can shape the fortunes later into the spring. The 2024 winner Via Sistina would go on to win that year’s Cox… Read More »
