Horse Racing News
Heavy conditions made to order for in form Astero
Trainer Matt Smith has told punters to ignore Astero’s disappointing last run, confident the gelding can rediscover his best form at Rosehill on Saturday. Astero was an impressive third in the Civic Stakes before fading in the Winter Stakes after working hard on speed throughout. “He had a tough run last...
Zoustar joins Champion Sire honour roll
Zoustar has achieved the ultimate breeding accolade, officially crowned as Australia’s Champion Stallion for the 2024/25 season. The Widden Stud resident halted the three-year reign of I Am Invincible with an outstanding $26.3 million in progeny earnings and a total of 335 race wins, the highest of any stallion. Widden principal...
Irish rider flies in for 2025 Grand National Hurdle ride
Trainer Shane Jackson has enlisted the help of leading Irish jockey Sean Flanagan to partner one of his two runners in Sunday’s Grand National Hurdle at Sandown. Jackson will saddle both Highland Blaze and Loft for the 4200m feature, confident they can deliver another major jumps success. Regular rider Tommy Ryan...
Matthew Brown pair to tackle Flemington straight
Cranbourne trainer Matthew Brown is hoping the conditions that prevailed in the straight races the last time Flemington raced will again be on offer. She’s Pretty Rich lines up in the VRC.com.au Sprint (1200m) on Saturday and has drawn the widest gate in the sprint down the famous straight. Winners in the straight races...
Nic out to be Bossy in the 2025 Aurie’s Star Handicap
The McEvoy stable are expecting Bossy Nic to perform strongly when she resumes in the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday. The five-year-old mare has an excellent straight-track record and has proven herself over the distance with two wins and a placing from four runs. Bossy Nic...
One late bid for talented Fortunate Kiss
The curtain could come down on the racing career of Fortunate Kiss when she lines up at Flemington on Saturday. The Lloyd Kennewell-trained mare will contest the Victorian Jockeys’ Association Trophy (1410m) before going under the virtual hammer at next week’s Magic Millions Virtual Sale. Bought by Kennewell’s clients last year,...
Extreme conditions won’t bother Ryan’s Lady
What began as a favour for a friend has become one of Blake Ryan’s biggest training success stories. When Lady Extreme arrived at his Hawkesbury stable, she was meant to stay only briefly before being retired to stud. But just hours before her scheduled departure, owner-breeder Luke Wilkinson made a...
Speedy Star poised for Rosehill races resumption
Group placegetter Roselyn’s Star is poised for his long-awaited comeback at Rosehill on Saturday in the Congratulations Chris Waller Handicap (1100m). The gelding, who has not raced for twelve months due to growing pains, has drawn the outside barrier but will benefit from the services of champion jockey James McDonald. “His...
Aurie’s Star Handicap 2025 kick-off for Melbourne Cup/Caulfield Cup hopeful
The Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap has long been a traditional first-up target for stayers on the road to the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup. This weekend, Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin will adopt that approach with Lady In Pink as she kicks off her spring campaign at Flemington. “Bart...
Highway an audition for 2025 The Kosciuszko for Without Parallel
Unbeaten filly Without Parallel is set to make her Sydney debut at Rosehill on Saturday in a Highway Handicap (1200m) as trainer Matt Dunn looks to put her on the path to the $2 million The Kosciuszko. Dunn has often used the approach of testing young prospects in Brisbane’s Saturday...