Horse Racing News
Maharba forced to tackle older horses in Bel Esprit Stakes
Training Grahame Begg has questioned the programming of three-year-old races which has forced Maharba to tackle a race against older horses at Caulfield. Begg will saddle Maharba in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1200m) on Saturday, but said it was not the ideal scenario for the three-year-old, a two-time winner from eight starts. A...
Queen Of Dragons bounces back in the Kembla Grange Classic
Luckless last start at Rosehill, co-trainers Peter and Paul Snowden kept the faith in the ability of Queen Of Dragons to mix it at group racing level and have been rewarded with victory in the Group 3 Kembla Grange Classic (1600m). Originally thought to be a sprinting prospect on breeding, the Snowdens are...
O’Shea unveils plans for Star on the rise
A pair of juveniles from two of Sydney’s leading stables have staked their claims to be given black-type opportunities over the carnival with impressive wins at the midweek Randwick-Kensington meeting. Roselyn’s Star was run down by the smart Gatsby’s on debut at Canterbury, that colt a clear-cut favourite for Saturday’s Group 3...
Caulfield’s new Heath track gets tick of approval
Caulfield’s new Heath track passed its first major test with flying colours as it hosted its inaugural race meeting, garnering praise from both jockeys and officials. “It raced actually really well,” remarked jockey Ben Allen, who made history by clinching the first win on Superconstellation. Another winning jockey, Blake Shinn, applauded the...
Caulfield and Melbourne Cup campaign starts for First Immortal
A campaign aimed at gaining a start in the big spring Cups double later in the year, kicks off for First Immortal at Caulfield. The Mark and Levi Kavanagh-trained stayer kicks off in the Listed Anniversary Vase (1600m) on Saturday, his first outing since finishing seventh in the Geelong Cup (2400m) last...
Don’t write off Alaskan in the JC Roberts Stakes
Unfazed by his last-start defeat, trainer Neville Parnham has encouraged supporters to follow his lead and not write off the claims of Alaskan in the J.C.Roberts Stakes (1800m) at Ascot on Saturday. Vanquished by Icebergs and track conditions that favoured on pace runners two weeks ago, Alaskan finished a disappointing 12th of 13,...
Attractable adds different element to the All-Star Mile
A confused Attractable has arrived in Melbourne ahead of his biggest challenge to date. The Sara Ryan-trained galloper runs in the $4 million All-Star Mile (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday as a prelude to the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick next month. Ryan explained Attractable has his feet taped when transported...
Redoute’s Choice Stakes outing to shape campaign
The Lindsay Park stable of Ben, Will & J D Hayes will be in a better position to determine the program for Bold Bastille after she runs at Caulfield. The Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes (1100m) on Saturday is key in whether the training brothers head to a Stakes race in Sydney or...
Maher confident in Semana’s G1 Coolmore Classic prospects
Ciaron Maher already has one Coolmore Classic trophy on his mantlepiece, and he believes emerging mare Semana has the credentials to deliver him another. Maher and former training partner David Eustace captured the race two years ago with Lighthouse and Maher says Semana is just as talented as the American import. “Every bit I think,” Maher said. “I...
G1 George Ryder Stakes among options for Zaaki
Star galloper Zaaki is a chance to resume in the George Ryder Stakes on Golden Slipper day after passing a crucial test at Randwick. Neasham and jockey James Mcdonald were thrilled with the nine-year-old’s enthusiasm during an exhibition gallop on Saturday when he worked with recent stable addition Mighty Ulysses (Tom Marquand). The pair hit...