Horse Racing News

Underwood Stakes to determine Pericles' spring path

A start in a Group 1 race at Caulfield could determine whether Godolphin galloper Pericles stays in Melbourne or heads back to Sydney for the remainder of the spring. A last start winner of the So You Think Stakes at Moonee Valley on September 7, Pericles will be one of the...

Sep 17th '24

Without A Fight heads Melbourne Cup weights

Racing Victoria handicapper David Hegan said he would like to have waited an extra week before releasing the weights for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups. Hegan said ideally the final handicaps for the Cups would be released after Saturday’s racing in Melbourne and Sydney to ascertain how potential contenders are progressing...

Sep 17th '24

Corstens considering another Perth assault with The Astrologist

The Astrologist delivered Corstens one of the highlights of his training career in the 2022 TABtouch-Gold Rush, where he held off a late surge from Kissonallforcheeks. Corstens then travelled the gelding to Dubai and the United Kingdom, where he ran credible races in the Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) and Queen Elizabeth...

Sep 17th '24

3-time Group 1 winner Riff Rocket dies

Chris Waller on Tuesday paid tribute to his dual Derby winner Riff Rocket, who has died. The four-year-old son of American Pharoah succumbed to complications from emergency colic surgery that was conducted early last week. A shattered Waller fondly remembered the gelding, who was bred and raced by Debbie Kepitis and family,...

Sep 17th '24

Point King secures 2024 Melbourne Cup start

Owner Lloyd Williams has moved a step closer to winning an eighth Melbourne Cup after Irish-bred galloper Point King earned a start in the great race with a fighting win at Flemington. Point King took out the Group 3 Archer Stakes (2500m) on Saturday to earn a ballot exemption into the Group...

Sep 15th '24

Sunshine shines brightly in The Everest audition

Her coat is yet to come through and she isn’t completely wound-up, but Sunshine In Paris has still managed to make a sparkling Everest statement with a dynamite win the Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill. Claiming the scalp of Joliestar, who had been equal favourite for the $20 million showpiece before Saturday, Sunshine...

Sep 15th '24

Grinzinger Belle dominant in the Let’s Elope Stakes

Trainer Danny O’Brien is eyeing a Group 1 race during the Melbourne Cup Carnival with impressive Flemington winner Grinzinger Belle. Having her first start since competing in early winter at Caulfield, Grinzinger Belle registered an easy win in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) on Saturday. The Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes...

Sep 15th '24

Godolphin colt stops Traffic in Group 1 Golden Rose audition

Traffic Warden has upstaged some of Sydney’s highest-profile colts to land an outstanding first-up win in The Run To The Rose, giving Godolphin its fourth successive victory in the Golden Rose lead-up. Trainer James Cummings confirmed the three-year-old would join stablemate Broadsiding in the Group 1 before a decision was made on whether to...

Sep 15th '24

Mr Brightside shines on dull Makybe Diva Stakes day at Flemington

Mr Brightside has exacted revenged on arch enemy Pride Of Jenni to take Group 1 honours in a thrilling race at Flemington. Having staged a thrilling contest last spring before renewing hostilities in the autumn, Mr Brightside got the upper hand over Pride Of Jenni in the closing stages to claim a second...

Sep 15th '24

Encap bounces back to win the Theo Marks Stakes

Under-rated gelding Encap has shed his tag as a perennial bridesmaid with a gutsy victory in the Group Two Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill to confirm his Golden Eagle credentials. Coming into Saturday, the Gary Portelli-trained four-year-old had won just one race, the Ming Dynasty Quality on the corresponding program 12 months...

Sep 15th '24