Horse Racing News
History repeats for Maher, Brown in 2025 Bagot Handicap
Ciaron Maher and Ethan Brown signed off on a stellar 2025 by landing the final black-type race of the year with Future History at Flemington. The elite trainer-jockey combination claimed the $175,000 Listed Bagot Handicap, adding another staying feature to their growing list of successes. The pair have now won the 2800-metre...
Zou’s Sensation-al campaign rolls on in 2025 Kensington Stakes
Zou Sensation’s long and productive campaign reached another high point with victory in Wednesday’s Listed Kensington Stakes at Flemington. The Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained galloper proved his resilience once more, outlasting Steparty at the 11th start of a preparation that began back on May 10. The extended run has...
Freedman initiates Insurrection resurrection in 2026 Canterbury Sprint
Insurrection will attempt to defend his crown in the 2026 Canterbury Sprint following a contrasting lead-up to the one that delivered victory last year. The six-year-old resumes in Thursday’s Listed 1200m feature at Canterbury, chasing his first win since claiming the race in 2025. That victory came after Insurrection finished second in...
McDonald settles on Geelong for Miss Ole
Miss Ole’s recent scratchings have been by design rather than concern, according to trainer Clinton McDonald. The Ole Kirk filly was taken out of a Caulfield Heath race on December 20 after drawing wide and was again scratched from a $65,000 New Year’s Eve contest at Flemington. McDonald has now settled on...
Barber brings proven class to Litt’s New Years Day 2026 Canterbury Sprint hopes
Richard Litt’s stable is still basking in the glow of Caffe Florian’s Gosford Guineas win, but attention now turns to Barber and the Canterbury Sprint on New Year’s Day. The former Godolphin-trained galloper arrived at Warwick Farm in April and has gone from strength to strength under Litt’s care. Barber has drawn...
Grid Girl all go for to tick black-type box in 2025 Kensington Stakes
Grid Girl’s flawless preparation is set to be tested at stakes level when she lines up in the Listed Kensington Stakes at Flemington on December 31. The VRC’s decision to stage a twilight meeting on New Year’s Eve, rather than the traditional New Year’s Day fixture, is expected to draw a...
Distance the key for Future History in 2025 Bagot Handicap
Future History’s resurgence has come from resisting the temptation to stretch him to extreme distances, with Ciaron Maher’s team confident that approach can deliver another victory at Flemington. A former Melbourne Cup runner in 2023, the seven-year-old now returns to the Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) after proving his effectiveness over shorter...
Can’t wait: Bring on the 2026 Perth Cup for Apulia
Interstate representation in the Perth Cup has thinned in recent seasons, but Apulia is carrying big expectations into Thursday’s 2026 edition. The five-year-old entire has been installed as the $1.90 favourite for the Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m) and is delivering on promise once again after nearly a year away from...
Zou Sensation ready to go in 2025 Kensington Stakes
Despite being in work for nearly 12 months, Zou Sensation continues to show enough spark to justify pressing on with his campaign. The Troy Corstens-trained gelding has benefitted from a preparation that alternates between metropolitan racing and time away from the track, a formula that could again deliver success in the...
Caffe Florian stamps her quality in the 2025 Gosford Guineas
Caffe Florian’s rise through the grades continued at Gosford where the improving filly secured her first stakes victory in the Listed Gosford Guineas. Trainer Richard Litt deliberately removed expectations ahead of the Snitzel filly’s black-type debut, viewing the 1200-metre contest as a learning experience rather than a grand final. “Super filly and...