Horse Racing News
Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours’ sire St Jean dies in freak accident
Tragedy has struck the breeding ranks with the news that St Jean, sire of this year’s Melbourne Cup hero Half Yours, has died following a paddock accident. The Teofilo stallion was euthanised on Tuesday morning due to severe injuries suffered overnight. Brackley Park’s Grant Dwyer, who stood St Jean for a syndicate...
Keys holds high hopes for Alibaba in 2025 Merson Cooper Stakes
Veteran trainer Ken Keys has handled horses for decades, and while brilliant juveniles have been rare in his stable, he believes Alibaba could be something out of the box. The colt will make his highly anticipated debut in Saturday’s Listed Merson Cooper Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield. Keys’ first elite youngster was Saloon...
Mus up for Tuff challenge in the 2025 Recognition Stakes
Sunshine Coast trainer David Vandyke has enjoyed watching Tuff Tu Mus work his way through the grades, but acknowledges that this weekend represents his toughest test yet. The All Too Hard gelding steps into Stakes company for the first time when he lines up in Saturday’s $160,000 Listed Recognition Stakes at...
Alenquer primed for 2025 Zipping Classic tilt
The Hayes brothers—Ben, Will and J D—believe a longer journey is exactly what Alenquer needs as the talented import chases his first Australian win. The French-bred son of Adlerflug arrived in 2022 after claiming a Group 1 in Ireland, but hopes of a Melbourne Cup campaign were derailed by a tendon...
Take two for Zealously in the 2025 Starlight Stakes at Rosehill
Beginning a stakes-bound horse in lower-grade provincial or midweek races can be a strategic move, helping build confidence while owners avoid unnecessary costs. But for Starlight Stakes favourite Zealously, his low-key debut season simply mirrored trainer Peter Snowden’s early expectations—expectations that quickly shifted as the sprinter continued to elevate. “To be honest,...
Rain to suit Hezashocka in the 2025 Zipping Classic
A timely burst of mid-week rain brought welcome relief to the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable as acceptances were finalised for Saturday’s Caulfield meeting. The team has locked in the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) as Hezashocka’s goal, but his fortunes are closely tied to track conditions. The stayer has...
Libertad in West chasing elusive G1 in the 2025 Winterbottom Stakes
Annabel and Rob Archibald have taken a positive sign from Jamie Mott’s booking, with the rider choosing Libertad in the Group One Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) over a strong set of opportunities at Caulfield. Mott will miss Zipping Classic Day—featuring seven stakes races—to travel to Perth and reunite with Libertad in Saturday’s...
Xidaki headline act for Snowden in the 2025 Festival Stakes
Xidaki’s quiet autumn and winter performances left Peter Snowden searching for answers, but the respected trainer says the gelding has finally bounced back to his best. The Group 3 Winx Guineas (1600m) winner showed his quality last season with placings in the Silver Eagle (1300m) and Festival Stakes (1500m), as well...
Blinkers go on Vestas in the 2025 Doveton Stakes
After watching Vestas complete a piece of work at Caulfield, trainer Clinton McDonald jokingly asked whether anyone could organise a wide draw for the mare. Unfortunately for him, she has instead come up with barrier two for Saturday’s Listed Doveton Stakes (1100m), but McDonald is banking on blinkers to help refocus...
2025 Zipping Classic hit-out for Brayden Star
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young yard is not about to walk away from a $750,000 staying opportunity at Caulfield without having a crack. That means Brayden Star will take his place in the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) on Saturday, even though Busuttin readily acknowledges that the Listed Pakenham Cup...