Horse Racing News
Foot fracture puts James McDonald on the sidelines
James Mcdonald will be out of action until early next month after Australia’s premier Group 1 rider was found to be suffering from a fracture in his left foot. The regular rider for some of the expected stars of the Spring Carnival was involved in a fall at Wyong on Friday and...
Mike Moroney nominates three for the Melbourne Cup
Trainer Mike Moroney says winning the Melbourne Cup is a life changing experience. Brew gave Moroney his solitary Cup win in 2000, ironically on the same date that the 2023 Melbourne Cup will be run – November 7. A year ago, Moroney thought he was going to collect that second trophy in Australia’s greatest race, only to be...
15 internationals among nominations for Melbourne Cup 2023
The Melbourne Cup picture has become slightly clearer following the closure of entries for the great race in November. A total of 132 nominations were received on Tuesday by the Victoria Racing Club for this year’s renewal, which includes 15 international gallopers, representing at the same stage an increase from 97 last year among which were 10 internationals. Last year’s nominations for the...
Melbourne Cup handicappers baffled by Vauban’s profile
As the deadline for the 2023 Melbourne Cup entries looms, Racing Victoria’s chief handicapper David Hegan is puzzled by the enigmatic Irish horse Vauban. Trained by Willie Mullins, Vauban has an unusual racing history, with only 14 starts—eight of them over hurdles. “I can’t really remember a horse with a profile of...
Giga set to Kick off in the McEwen Stakes
The horse that put young trainer Clayton Douglas on the map is set to have the first start of his campaign in defence of his Everest title. Giga Kick resumes in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday in what shapes as the sprinters only Melbourne appearance before the $20 million...
Hawaii Five Oh sharp ahead of The Shorts 2023
Hawaii Five Oh was one of the surprise packets of the late Sydney Autumn and Brisbane Winter and looks to have come back just as well, leading all the way in Tuesday’s first trial at Rosehill to defeat a star-studded field. Jumping well from an outside gate under Adam Hyeronimous, Hawaii...
Gold Trip a likely Moonee Feehan Stakes starter
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable is favouring starting Gold Trip in a benchmark 100 race at Moonee Valley to kick-off the stayer’s spring campaign. Last year’s Melbourne Cup winner is entered for the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) as well as the 2040m benchmark 100 Handicap on Saturday, and after a gallop at...
Holly Watson wins Damien Oliver Award
Holly Watson will go down in history as the maiden winner of the award named after Western Australia’s greatest jockey. Perth’s leading apprentice from the 2022/23 season was on Monday night crowned winner of the Damien Oliver Award, which is presented at Racing and Wagering Western Australia’s apprentice awards. The 24-year-old, who is apprenticed...
Buster Bash to back up at Moonee Valley
Despite his defeat, David Harrison is keeping the faith with Buster Bash, drawing encouragement from champion jockey, Jamie Kah. Jamie Kah rode Buster Bash in last Saturday’s G2 Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) at Caulfield, but the gelding failed to flatter in his interstate debut. Buster Bash led and turned for home in front, but faded...
Black Fantasy gearing up for a return to the racetrack
One of Dan and Ben Pearce’s talented horses is gearing up for a return to the racetrack following an injury-enforced layoff. Ben Pearce, who co-trains in partnership with his brother, Dan, confesses he’s excited about Black Fantasy, who has taken big strides in his recovery. Black Fantasy has not raced in 15-months,...