Horse Racing News
Cummings sends ominous signal ahead of star colt’s return
A trio of Group One runners would usually be sufficient to lure James Cummings to Melbourne, but Godolphin’s head trainer has declared he will instead be trackside at Rosehill this weekend to witness the return of star colt Broadsiding. The Golden Rose winner and Cox Plate third placegetter is set to kick...
Espionage to take G1 Oakleigh Plate shot
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable has chosen a pure speed test at Caulfield to kick off the three-year-old campaign of Espionage. The Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) on Saturday will be the return run for the Zoustar colt who missed a spring campaign following a small set-back after trialling at...
Tom Kitten out to conquer Caulfield
James Cummings is sticking to a well-worn path with one of the geldings he has in Saturday’s Futurity Stakes, but the other will be entering unchartered territory. Tom Kitten will have his first Victorian start in more than two years when he resumes in the $750,000 Group 1. Two of Tom Kitten’s first three...
Tulloch Lodge colt out of Silver Slipper Stakes
Golden Gift winner North England has been scratched from the Silver Slipper at Rosehill after returning unsatisfactory blood results. Co-trainer Adrian Bott confirmed they had pulled the plug on the colt’s scheduled return in Saturday’s feature as a precautionary measure but still planned to press on with his Golden Slipper campaign. “I wasn’t 100...
Blue Diamond Stakes contenders require further vet inspections
Racing Victoria vets have inspected all 16 two-year-olds ahead of the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield with three failing initial test. The Ciaron Maher-trained pair of Cherish Me and Icarian Dream along with the Jason Warren-trained Palm Angel will under another inspection on Friday. RV vets said the trio had all presented with...
Estriella ripe for the G1 Oakleigh Plate improvement
Despite falling short in past Group 1 outings, Estriella is ready to prove her worth at the top level, with the Ciaron Maher stable confident she can deliver in Saturday’s $750,000 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield. The I Am Invincible mare will be one of three Maher-trained runners in the 1100-metre feature,...
Two-pronged G1 Blue Diamond Stakes hand for Lindsay Park
Lindsay Park has opted to keep Shining Smile out of this weekend’s Blue Diamond Stakes, instead placing their trust in Tycoon Star and Miss Celine for the $2 million showdown at Caulfield. Although Shining Smile’s dead-heat win in the Talindert Stakes was promising, trainers Ben, Will, and JD Hayes have decided...
James McDonald to miss Wodeton ride in G2 Silver Slipper Stakes for Saudi Cup
James McDonald won’t be in the saddle for Saturday’s Silver Slipper Stakes, but the star jockey will have a keen interest in how Wodeton performs as he gears up for the Golden Slipper. McDonald partnered the Chris Waller-trained colt to an eye-catching debut victory at Rosehill on January 18, but due...
Pinstriped to bounce back in G1 Futurity Stakes
Trainer Enver Jusufovic remains optimistic about Pinstriped’s potential as the gelding prepares to contest the Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield this Saturday. Pinstriped’s first-up run in the C F Orr Stakes (1400m) was far from ideal, finishing near the tail of the field. However, Jusufovic isn’t dwelling on that result. “Going into...
Bel Merci to return in the Silver Slipper Stakes at Rosehill
Gimcrack Stakes winner Bel Merci will step out at Rosehill this Saturday as she embarks on her Golden Slipper journey, with trainer John Thompson keen to give her valuable track experience before the big race. The promising filly hasn’t raced since her Gimcrack Stakes triumph in October but has been building...