Horse Racing News
Distance rise to favour Franz Josef in Ladies Day Cup
A rousing trackwork gallop has Gerald Ryan optimistic Franz Josef can improve on his first-up effort and play a role in the Listed Ladies Day Cup at Hawkesbury. The son of Snitzel found his rivals too sharp when finishing down the track behind Ostraka in the Silver Eagle (1300m) last month, but Ryan expected...
International races could be on the agenda for Melbourne Cup winner Knightâs Choice
Dual Melbourne Cup winning trainer Sheila Laxon believes Knight’s Choice is capable of being a performer on the world stage. Knight’s Choice won the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday to give Laxon her second Cup success and her partner John Symons his first. It was also a first Cup success...
Too Darn Discreet ready to go in VRC Oaks
Ballarat trainer says he would not change anything as Too Darn Discreet looks to extend her winning sequence at Flemington. The Group 1 Crown Oaks (2500m) on Thursday will be the daughter of Too Darn Hot’s fourth win on end if successful. Too Darn Discreet started the ball rolling with a maiden...
Voyager sets sail for The Five Diamonds consolation
Melbourne Cup dreams for Relentless Voyager were quashed when he failed Racing Victoria’s strict veterinary tests, but connections still harbour aspirations to plunder riches north of the border. While the gelding didn’t pass muster with RV when examined prior to leaving Europe, he was cleared by Racing NSW vets to compete in...
Champions Mile: Bates all class after Pride Of Jenni sacking
Pride Of Jenni has accepted to defend her Champions Mile crown at Flemington this Saturday and if she runs she will do so under a new rider. Ben Melham has been engaged to partner the Ciaron Maher-trained mare, with Declan Bates replaced aboard the seven-year-old. Bates won last year’s Champions Stakes and Empire Rose Stakes...
Turner and Miller Bid For Feature Race Double
Horcrux’s last start fourth in the Listed Belgravia Stakes (1200m) left jockey Jordan Turner suitably impressed and he believes it’s a strong selling point for the Simon Miller-trained galloper going into Saturday’s Listed Seacorp Fairetha Stakes (1400m). Jordan Turner was taken by Horcrux’s valiant effort in the Belgravia Stakes when he worked...
Draw key as Miss Hellfire pursues Hot Danish Stakes
Connections of Miss Hellfire are banking on an inside barrier draw to help her turn the tables on last start conqueror Olentia when the pair clash again in the Hot Danish Stakes at Rosehill. Having her first start for Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald, Miss Hellfire got back to last from a wide...
Champions Stakes or The Five Diamonds for UK galloper Docklands
UK galloper Docklands is set to have his second Australian start, most likely to be in a Group 1 race at Flemington. The Harry Eustace-trained galloper is an acceptor for the Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday while he is also one of 20 horses that were paid up for at...
Former Jockey Relishes training triumph in Burgess Queen Stakes
Ryan Hill took a punt and he was handsomely rewarded when London’s Image won the Listed Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on Wednesday. In a nail-biting finish, London’s Image led from barrier to post and withstood the surging finishes of runner-up Ron’s Finalflutter and third placegetter, Flower Of Gold. London’s Image’s shock...
Dolan and Laxon cruising to 2024 Melbourne Cup success
A chance meeting on a Melbourne Cup cruise has afforded Sheila Laxon and Robbie Dolan victory in Australia’s greatest race. A former contestant on The Voice, Dolan was aboard a P & O cruise two years ago when he met Laxon, a Melbourne Cup ambassador, who had the prized trophy and was...