Horse Racing News
Wet no concern for Via Sistina in 2025 Champions Stakes
Via Sistina’s record under Chris Waller is nothing short of extraordinary: 10 Group 1 wins, four placings, and just one forgivable defeat in unique conditions. The mare now returns to Flemington seeking another Champions Stakes (2000m) title to close out Melbourne Cup week. Rain is forecast, but Waller said the mare has...
Doudle’s $9k punt on Group 2 winner
Travis Doudle is optimistic he can resurrect the racing career of one-time G1 aspirant Snow Patrol, who debuts for the stable in the opening race at Morphettville Parks on Saturday. Doudle paid just $9,000 for last year’s G2 Autumn Stakes winner via Inglis Digital last month, knowing the horse has some...
Jedibeel makes Melbourne debut in 2025 VRC Champions Sprint
Hawkesbury conditioner Brad Widdup will take Jedibeel to Flemington for the VRC Champions Sprint (1200m), marking the gelding’s Victorian debut. The Savabeel six-year-old has spent his racing life in New South Wales, where he worked steadily through the ranks and claimed Stakes wins in both the Listed Razor Sharp Stakes (1200m)...
Zambardo to take on Via Sistina in 2025 Champions Stakes
Mick Price will roll the dice with Zambardo on Saturday as the improving gelding takes on superstar Via Sistina in the Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington. Rather than take a softer path in a Benchmark 90 on Oaks Day, Price and Michael Kent Jr opted for a test at the elite...
Low draw key for Snow In May in the 2025 Hot Danish Stakes
Snow In May will look to bounce back in the Hot Danish Stakes on Saturday, with co-trainer Tom Charlton urging punters to forgive her Silver Eagle run. The mare had resumed in fine form, placing in both the Mona Lisa Stakes and the Golden Pendant, before enduring a tough run from...
Hobby trainer gearing up for 2025 Five Diamonds assault
Truck driver and hobby trainer Craig Cousins will experience the biggest race of his training career when The Inflictor contests the $2 million Five Diamonds at Rosehill. “I’m excited — and usually when I get excited and nervous, he races well,” Cousins said. His stable consists of just three horses housed behind...
High priced yearling poised for Golden Gift 2025 debut
The Ciaron Maher stable will unleash one of the most talked-about yearlings of the season when The Next Episode steps out in the $1 million Golden Gift at Rosehill. By Snitzel out of Humma Humma, The Next Episode was the $2.8 million headline purchase from the Magic Millions sale before being...
Champion trainer Chris Waller chases first VRC Oaks win
Chris Waller will tick off a rare first this week, with The Pearls giving him his maiden starter in the VRC Oaks during Melbourne Cup week. The three-year-old filly has earned her shot at the 2500m Group 1 after steadily rising through the grades from a Hawkesbury maiden to Stakes-placed company. She...
How G1 Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours got to McEvoy stable
Half Yours has delivered Tony and Calvin McEvoy their most significant victory, just a year after they took a calculated gamble at the Late November Inglis Digital Sale. Purchased for $305,000 in the dispersal of Colin McKenna’s bloodstock, the St Jean gelding is now the latest horse to achieve the rare...
Mr Brightside back for a fifth Champions Mile
Class campaigner Mr Brightside returns to Flemington for another tilt at the Champions Mile, and co-trainer Ben Hayes says age has done nothing to dull the star gelding’s desire. The eight-year-old again brings form into Saturday’s $3 million event, having finished second in the King Charles III Stakes and earlier adding...