Horse Racing News
Grahame Begg pair shine in Sandown gallop
Grahame Begg has taken advantage of race day atmosphere with two of his mares who are about to embark on their autumn campaigns. Magic Time, ridden by Michael Dee, and Cinderella Days, under Blake Shinn, worked between races at Sandown on Wednesday, galloping over 900m, quickening up over the final 600m. Already a...
Blue Diamond Stakes foaling dates, do they matter?
If you looked at the birth dates of Tony Mcevoy’s two guaranteed starters in Saturday’s Blue Diamond Stakes, you’d expect him to say Dublin Down was destined for the $2 million Group 1 and Rue De Royale was the surprise packet. The McEvoy pair are at the opposite ends of the age spectrum...
Benedetta primed for first-up G1 assault in Oakleigh Plate
If smooth sailing is anything to go by, then Benedetta is set to give Jason Warren victory in the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield. Warren said Benedetta has had a faultless preparation leading up to the Group 1 sprint over 1100m on Saturday which was topped off by a nice draw of gate five. Benedetta...
Pride pair facing different challenges in the Millie Fox Stakes
An extended spell in the Queensland sunshine is being pinpointed as a career turning point for late-blossoming mare Lekvarte and trainer Joe An extended spell in the Queensland sunshine is being pinpointed as a career turning point for late-blossoming mare Lekvarte and trainer Joe Pride is convinced she can continue her trajectory into...
Gai Waterhouse slams potential Sandown sale
In a vehement critique of the potential sale of Sandown Racecourse, legendary horse trainer Gai Waterhouse has labelled the action a “disgrace” emphasising the peril of disposing of key racing assets. Waterhouse, renowned for her insightful perspectives on the racing industry, asserted, “You shouldn’t be selling your core assets. I think...
Skew Wiff ready for G1 Oakleigh Plate assault
A trip to Caulfield for a pre-Oakleigh Plate gallop was precisely what the Te Akau Racing team wanted to see from Skew Wiff. The Mark Walker-trained mare will run first-up in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday and was taken to the course for a confidence boosting...
Coleman draws favourably in G1 Blue Diamond Stakes
Trainer Matt Laurie is counting down the sleeps to the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes after his colt secured a favourable barrier draw in the race at Caulfield. Coleman has barrier seven in the 18-horse field that includes two emergencies and was the $4.60 favourite for Saturday’s 1200m dash after Tuesday’s draw. Luck has...
Lindsay Park’s leaving it late with Bold Bastille
The Blue Diamond Stakes field will be finalised in less than 24 hours, but Lindsay Park still does not know whether its filly who was one-time favourite will be a part of it. Bold Bastille’s Blue Diamond fate will be determined via a Tuesday morning track gallop, just a few hours...
Champion mare Verry Elleegant passes away
Verry Elleegant, one of the great mares in the history of Australian racing, has died while giving birth to her first foal. The 11-time Group 1 winner, whose crowning glory came in the 2021 Melbourne Cup, died in France while delivering the foal she conceived after a meeting with Sea The...
Begg building team for Sydney racing carnival
He has a handy record when he travels a horse to Sydney and Victorian-based horseman Grahame Begg has outlined plans for another raid on the upcoming autumn carnival sprints. Begg dipped his toe in the water at Randwick on Saturday when he saddled up Group 1 placegetter C’Est Magique, who finished a...