Horse Racing News
Trainer Matt Laurie Treasures VRC Oaks Moment
Trainer Matt Laurie admitted to being quite nervous ahead of the Crown Oaks, but in the end it was a painless watch as his filly Treasurethe Moment triumphed at Flemington. Just as she did in the traditional Oaks lead-up in the Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington last Saturday, Treasurethe Moment scored a comprehensive...
Fangirl to bounce back in the Champions Mile
It is highly unlikely Chris Waller and James Mcdonald will be making the same mistake twice with Fangirl. The six-year-old daughter of Sebring heads to the Group 1 Champions Mile at Flemington on Saturday coming off a previous start sixth in the King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on October 19. Waller and...
Attrition drawn to advantage in The Five Diamonds
A rare stroke of fortune ahead of a big race has been gratefully accepted by trainer Mitchell Freedman as he prepares Attrition for the second leg of his two-part Sydney mission. Having drawn closer to the outside than the inside at his past 10 starts, Attrition has landed barrier five for Saturday’s Five...
Baraqiel set to make G1 debut in Champions Sprint
Not many horses, especially older geldings, go from winning a maiden to Group 1 success in one campaign, but that is what the Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained Baraqiel will attempt to do at Flemington. A maiden winner on debut at Sale in May, Baraqiel heads to the big league...
Fresh Eliyass right for G1 Champions Stakes assault
Having centred their spring thoughts around the Melbourne Cup with Eliyass, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott decided to change direction after contesting another spring feature. Now the Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday is the focus for Eliyass. French-bred and having done his early racing in the country of...
Berkeley Square out for Queen Elizabeth Stakes success
Melbourne Cup plans can be years in the making and Ballarat trainer Dan O’Sullivan is already thinking about next year’s race at Flemington. The Melbourne Cup (3200m) is still more than 360 days away, but O’Sullivan’s stayer Berkeley Square will pass an important qualifying clause if he can run top three in the...
VRC Crown Oaks 2024 pedigree profiles
Those looking for reasons to doubt Treasurethe Moment in Thursday’s Group 1 VRC Crown Oaks might point to her sire as a factor behind their reasoning that she will struggle to run a strong 2500 metres. The Matt Laurie-trained filly is by Alabama Express, a son of Redoute’s Choice who finished...
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...