Horse Racing News
Bases Loaded set to contend Theo Marks Stakes
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott had to tread patiently with Bases Loaded last campaign when he was coming off a 12-month stint on the sidelines, but it is a different scenario this time around. The four-year-old will resume in Saturday’s Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday after...
Boom Torque to step out at Rosehill
Matt Dunn will have at least two starters in The Kosciuszko with Boom Torque and Tribeca Star both selected for slots in the $2 million Everest Day feature. The pair will have what could be their final lead-up runs in separate states on Saturday, dual acceptor Boom Torque to step out at Rosehill,...
Alsephina set for Let’s Elope Stakes at Flemington
The $300,000 event will be Alsephina’s first start since finishing sixth to Dom To Shoot in last year’s Northerly Stakes (1800m). Prior to that, the Star Turn mare finished second to Bustler in the Railway Stakes (1600m). The mare heads to Melbourne off the back of two trials behind Influencing and Lord...
Riff Rocket ruled out of the spring carnival
Australian Derby winner Riff Rocket is out of the spring carnival after undergoing emergency surgery overnight for colic. The four-year-old had been due to contest the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday and was a $9 equal second favourite for the Caulfield Cup (2400m). Trainer Chris Waller reported Riff Rocket was taken...
Switzerland headlines two-pronged attack on The Run To The Rose
A bulked-up Switzerland will bid to open his spring account with a bang when he headlines his stable’s two-pronged attack on The Run To The Rose at Rosehill. After a brief flirtation with stepping him out in last month’s San Domenico Stakes (1100m), trainer Chris Waller opted to stick to his original...
Mr Brightside to bounce back in the Makybe Diva Stakes
The Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington is a race that can shape the spring. The Group 1 race over 1600m at Flemington on Saturday attained Group 1 status in 2013 with horses of the calibre of Fawkner (2015), Humidor (2017), Incentivise (2021), I’m Thunderstruck (2022) and Mr Brightside last year being successful. Going...
Melbourne Cup winner chases overdue win
The campaign aimed at securing another start in the Melbourne Cup ramps up a gear for Vow And Declare at Flemington. The nine-year-old, a veteran of only 45 starts under the care of Danny O’Brien, runs in a Melbourne Cup qualifier, the Group 3 Archer Stakes (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday. The...
Johnny The Kid on a Spring Champion Stakes path
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott will put Johnny The Kid on a traditional Spring Champion Stakes path after he broke his maiden in emphatic fashion at the midweek Kensington track meeting. While the colt boasts solid form references from his two-year-old season, including a sound fifth behind Dublin Down in the...
Clear Proof set for Ming Dynasty Quality
Starting at juicy odds in his two races starts and surprising punters both times, Clear Proof is garnering a little more respect for his Ming Dynasty Quality assignment as he bids to put himself on a Golden Rose path. The John Thompson-trained colt was sent out at $101 when he won...
Everest contender sets sights on Premiere Stakes
Giga Kick, last year’s Everest champion, is gearing up for a shot at reclaiming his crown despite a fifth-place finish in the Concorde Stakes. Trainer Clayton Douglas remains upbeat, confident that the sprinter still has plenty to offer as the spring carnival unfolds. While Giga Kick finished three lengths behind I...