Horse Racing News
Lucky owner feeling Just Fine
When it comes to racing thoroughbreds, Phil Ward is proving to have a Midas touch. Not only does he share in the ownership of Group-winning three-year-olds Libertad and Autumn Ballet, he also happens to have a stake in exciting Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained stayer Just Fine. Unbeaten in two Australian starts,...
Premiere Stakes matinee for The Everest 2025 favourite
Pressure, nerves, excitement. Joe Pride is feeling all of them as he prepares nominal Everest favourite Think About It for his seasonal return in the Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick. It comes a fortnight after stablemate Private Eye booked himself an Everest slot with an outstanding victory in the Shorts and while Sydney’s showpiece of the...
Eyes out wide in G1 Epsom Handicap
There was no shortage of wincing from connections on Tuesday morning when barriers were drawn for the Epsom Handicap, one of three Group 1s to be run at Randwick this Saturday. The 1600-metre event has drawn a huge field of 20, plus two emergencies, meaning some big numbers were allocated and...
Roth to Fire in G1 Moir Stakes
A good performance in a Group 1 sprint at Moonee Valley could land Queensland sprinter Rothfire a start in The Everest. Trainer Rob Heathcote and connections of Rothfire have twice previously given up a berth in The Everest, once due to injury and once due to poor form. Heathcote said there had been brief discussions about Rothfire heading to...
Kiwi filly to make Aussie debut at Moonee Valley
When the Kiwi’s travel, it pays to keep a close watch. In the case of Mark Walker, he is in a slightly different situation establishing an Australian base at Cranbourne, but he does have an Australian first-starter set to run at Moonee Valley on Friday night. Unbeaten in New Zealand, Zourion runs in the...
Amelia’s Jewel ready for Stocks Stakes
Perth trainer Simon Miller holds no fears about his star mare Amelia’s Jewel handling Moonee Valley. Amelia’s Jewel runs in the Group 2 Stocks Stakes (1600m) on Friday night as a potential lead-up to the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) on October 28. Miller gave Amelia’s Jewel a look at The Valley on Monday...
My Oberon looking for Epsom Handicap fairytale
It has been a tough start to the week for Annabel Neasham, but her luck could turn for the better when she bids for back-to-back wins in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick. Neasham confirmed on Tuesday that Sunshine In Paris had suffered a leg injury which, while minor, had forced...
Damian Lane booked for key 2023 Caulfield Cup ride
In a bid to secure Japan’s third win in the prestigious Caulfield Cup, celebrated jockey Damian Lane is slated to ride Breakup in this year’s 2400m handicap race. Lane triumphed in 2019’s event on Mer De Glace and is looking forward to replicating his success. Breakup has already made a mark with...
Resurgent Benaud primed for The Metropolitan rematch
Struggling for form and confidence, Benaud’s career was at the crossroads just six months ago but some meticulous attention to detail and a little faith has the classy stayer back in the Group 1 arena. Benaud lines up in Saturday’s The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick as one of the form horses...
Shinzo still in $20m The Everest contention
Golden Slipper winner Shinzo will be given a crucial barrier trial test next week to determine whether he presses on to the $20 million The Everest. The colt was found to be lame after his unplaced run behind Chris Waller-trained stablemate Militarize in the Golden Rose when he settled last from an...