Horse Racing News
Artorius out to broaden appeal in Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes
Saturday night’s Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot has the potential to make Artorius a stallion with worldwide appeal and make some Australian breeders look like shrewd investors in the process. The 1207-metre Group 1 will be the final start for the son of Flying Artie before he embarks on...
William Pike has sights set on Rogan Josh Stakes
Champion jockey William Pike can see no reason why Fear The Wind can’t continue his charge to another victory at Belmont on Saturday. William Pike and Fear The Wind are on the crest of a winning wave and will look to keep that momentum going in the Rogan Josh Stakes (2200m). Fear The Wind...
Six-time Group One winner Desert War dies
Australia’s horseracing world mourns the passing of champion racehorse Desert War. Desert War gained fame as an Australian Thoroughbred gelding with an impressive record, including six Group One (G1) wins. Among his victories were the Epsom Handicap, which he won twice in 2004 and 2005, the Chipping Norton Stakes, LKS Mackinnon Stakes,...
Chris Hyland expects Katsu to bounce back at Caulfield
Chris Hyland expects a fitter Katsu to get back into winning form when he steps out at Caulfield. Hyland is the assistant-trainer for Grahame Begg who has prepared Katsu to win four of his seven starts. Katsu heads to Caulfield for the first time when he runs in the Take It To The Neds Level Handicap (1000m) on...
Matthew Smith has plenty of Time for latest import
A combination of wide barriers and uncertainty over track conditions has trainer Matthew Smith keeping his options open with several of his scheduled runners at Randwick. Smith has paid up for five horses but only two are sure to take their place – Astero, who needs to go to the races despite...
Super Strike chasing first Australian win at Randwick
A trouble-free preparation has laid the foundation for former New Zealander Super Strike to break through for his first Australian win at Randwick. The six-year-old was a Group 3 performer across the Tasman but spent almost two years on the sidelines through injury before connections brought him to Sydney last spring. While...
RV Chairman of Stewards Robert Cram to retire
Racing Victoria Chairman of Stewards Robert Cram has announced he will retire at season’s end. Cram has worked as an integrity official for 41 years after being appointed as a Cadet Steward in 1982 by the Victoria Racing Club. He was appointed a Senior Stipendiary Steward in 1996 after stints as Chairman of Stewards in the South Western District, Ballarat District and...
Mark Minervini monitoring the weather with Hosier
Mark Minervini will monitor the weather and track conditions before deciding if new stable recruit Hosier will take his place in the Listed Civic Stakes at Randwick. The former Lloyd Williams-owned gelding needs rain-affected ground to be at his best and Minervini says the showers forecast for the back end of...
Jehbenti set for Caulfield debut
The Shane Nichols-trained Jehbenti will not be lacking for fitness when he steps out for his first race start at Caulfield. Jehbenti is engaged in The McCafe Handicap (1000m) on Saturday and while he is the only debutant in the race, he has had a number of jump-outs and trials to prepare for his first...
Apprentice Carleen Hefel gets Group 1 call up
Celine Gaudray has given Carleen Hefel the chance to take the lead in the Melbourne Apprentices’ Premiership race by accepting a ride in a Group 1 race in Brisbane. Gaudray left for Brisbane on Thursday to do some early work on the Eagle Farm track after gaining the ride on Excelida in the Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m)...