Horse Racing News
Brad Widdup bids to unearth his next carnival player
Following the retirement of Group One winner and stable star Icebath, trainer Brad Widdup is relying on a strategy of youth as he bids to unearth his next carnival player. A five-time winner of more than $5.2 million in stakes, Icebath will begin her next chapter as a broodmare this spring and...
Strong international nominations for Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate
International representation is expected for the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate after the closing of nominations for the two Group 1 races. A total of 175 horses, 24 from overseas, were entered for the Caulfield Cup when nominations close on Tuesday while there was 178, 17 internationally, entered for the Cox...
Lunar Flare and Nonconformist trial at Cranbourne
Trainer Grahame Begg was delighted with how his two Cups contenders came through there trials at Cranbourne in preparation for their spring returns. Lunar Flare and Nonconformist both trialled over 1000m on Monday, on a track that was rated slow. With a berth in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup already assured courtesy of her win in...
Akicita will be given the chance to prove himself
Akicita will be given the chance to prove himself worthy of a shot at the Caulfield Guineas after kicking off his career with a brilliant win at Pakenham on Tuesday. The Robbie Griffiths and Mathew De Kock-trained colt put away a good field, which included Stakes-placed filly Sensical, in the 1100-metre three-year-old...
Angela Davies books James McDonald on Our Kobison
Angela Davies will saddle up progressive sprinting four-year-old Our Kobison and has the added bonus of James Mcdonald onboard as she looks for her next banner horse. Davies, who has already notched up her first winner of the 2023/2024 season from just two runners, says the speedy son of Kobayashi is...
Nick Ryan sets sights on Caulfield Guineas
If things had gone to plan for Wolfy on debut at Caulfield, the colt would be enjoying a short break ahead of preparing for a big spring target. Instead, the Nick Ryan-trained three-year-old will be at Sandown on Wednesday looking for his maiden win in the Ladbroke It! Plate (1300m). Ryan has...
Uncle Bryn ready for PB Lawrence Stakes resumption
Not for the first time, Uncle Bryn trialled at Cranbourne on the first Monday in August, but the approach to this year’s P B Lawrence Stakes resumption has been different to last year. Instead of being the eye-catcher in a workout that included established stars such as I’m Thunderstruck, as he...
Vauban's Melbourne Cup credentials put to the test
Vauban’s Melbourne Cup credentials will be put to the test when he contests the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes at Naas in Ireland in the early hours of Tuesday morning, Australian time. The William Haggas-trained gelding is an odds-on favourite for the 2398-metre Group 3 event, which is a crucial stepping stone...
Looking for those new season youngsters to bloom on The Rosebud Day
Some really interesting new season 3yos will feature in the Listed The Rosebud (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday. Cigar Flick ($3.50 unibet) has clearly been targeted to be up and running early chasing black type following her win a month back. Then there is Barber ($6) who contested both the Blue Diamond and...
Stern Idol cruises home in Crisp Steeplechase
Jockey Willie McCarthy questioned those who doubted the staying ability of Stern Idol after the imported jumper gave a dashing display to claim the Crisp Steeplechase at Sandown. As Stern Idol crossed the line in the 4200m contest 25 lengths clear of his rivals on Sunday, McCarthy put his hand up to his ear. “There...