Horse Racing News
Loft to continue mixing codes but has eyes on 2025 Sandown Cup
Success in the Melbourne Cup has long been a goal for international trainers, with Irishmen Dermot Weld and Willie Mullins testing hurdlers in the famous race. Weld triumphed with Vintage Crop, while Mullins’ recent runners Vauban and Absurde showed promise. Warrnambool trainer Shane Jackson is the latest to dream big with...
Young Queen giving Gary Portelli classic vibes
Queen Of Clubs may not be expected to win first-up at Rosehill this weekend, but trainer Gary Portelli is hoping to see signs that the filly is heading in the right direction. Set to line up in the Schweppes Handicap over 1300m, Portelli is eager to see how the daughter of...
Big Swinger out to break city duck at Caulfield
Big Swinger will return to Caulfield on Saturday, looking to secure his first metropolitan victory for trainer Charlotte Littlefield. The three-year-old lines up in the Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap (1200m) after returning from a challenging Sydney campaign. The gelding has performed strongly at provincial level with three wins from five starts, but...
Stern Idol back to bigger jumps in Australian Steeplechase
Star jumper Stern Idol is set to tackle the Australian Steeplechase (3900m) this weekend as he returns to steeplechase racing for the first time this season. The Irish-bred galloper, who began his career in France, quickly adapted to Australian conditions after joining Ciaron Maher and David Eustace in 2021, claiming nine...
Gallo Nero to go the distance in 2025 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes
Saturday’s BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes at Eagle Farm looms as a crucial test for rising colt Gallo Nero as he steps up to 1400m, aiming to prove he’s worthy of a JJ Atkins start next month. Co-trainer Michael Hawkes said the performance would determine whether the two-year-old presses on to Group...
Kadavar poised to lay spring marker in Lord Mayors Cup at Rosehill races
Chris Waller is hoping lightly raced stayer Kadavar can be the next rising star to emerge from the Lord Mayors Cup (2000m), a race that has recently unearthed future Group 1 contenders. With past winners like Polly Grey, Bois D’Argent, and Eliyass all reaching elite company, the stable has high expectations...
Benedetta glowing ahead of 2025 Kingsford Smith Cup
Chris Waller is banking on promising stayer Kadavar to continue a trend of emerging stars stepping up in the Lord Mayors Cup (2000m), a race that has proven a springboard for Group 1 performers in recent years. The gelding enjoyed a standout campaign last preparation, capping a winning hat-trick with a...
No hiding Doyle’s hidden talent
In the aftermath of Belmont’s early end on Saturday the winning effort of My Hidden Universe might have been easy to forget or slipped the mind of a few. Not for trainer, John Doyle. He walked away from the meeting with a spring in his step and a smile on his...
Yulong snaps up Femminile
Femminile has been snapped up by Yulong for $1.5 million and will carry their colours in the $1 million Queensland Derby on Saturday. The South Australian Derby winner remains in the care of Phillip Stokes, with Yulong’s Sam Fairgray confirming she’ll continue her preparation without disruption. “She’ll race for us this weekend,...
Star US galloper joins Maher stable to target 2025 Queen Anne Stakes
A visit to the Kentucky Derby last year has resulted in Ciaron Maher securing elite US galloper Carl Spackler, who will line up in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot before targeting the Cox Plate in Australia. The Lope De Vega entire has been a standout on American...