Horse Racing News
Royal Insignia out to rebound at Flemington
Royal Insignia will chase his first Flemington victory this weekend, though trainer Grahame Begg admits conditions won’t be in his favour. The gelding lines up in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) on Saturday, having drawn a middle gate in a capacity field. He was last seen finishing fourth in the Group...
Victorian mare Skybird out of 2025 The Everest
Inglis has been left searching for a new candidate to take its Everest slot after Skybird was scratched from contention due to injury. The mare, who won the Lightning Stakes earlier this year, was under an injury cloud after finishing unplaced in the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley. She pulled up...
Shangri La Boy mans up in maiden win
While Shangri La Boy may lack the physical resemblance of his high-profile brother Storm Boy, the colt is beginning to make his own mark on the track. The three-year-old registered his first victory with a front-running display in the TAB Plate (1400m) at Rosehill on Wednesday, atoning for his debut defeat...
Quick back-up to suit Encap in the 2025 Epsom Handicap
Trainer Gary Portelli will again turn to a quick turnaround for Encap, who lines up in Saturday’s Group 1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick. The gelding produced a career peak earlier this year when storming into third place in the Doncaster Mile, only four days after his previous run. This time, Portelli...
Weight right for Birdman despite wide 2025 Metropolitan Handicap draw
Birdman will have to overcome barrier 17 in Saturday’s Group 1 Metropolitan (2400m), but Team Waller believe his lightweight of 51.5kg gives him a winning chance. Assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said the stable remained upbeat about the gelding’s prospects despite the wide alley, pointing to his strong form and ideal handicap...
Autumn Glow’s extreme 2025 Epsom Handicap draw
Barrier luck has gone against Autumn Glow as she prepares for her first Group 1 test, drawing widest of all in barrier 14 for Saturday’s Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick. The unbeaten mare will be striving to become just the fourth mare in 50 years to win the Epsom, though recent...
Turnbull Stakes tilt on path to the 2025 Melbourne Cup
High-priced import Sir Delius will step out in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington as he continues his campaign towards the Melbourne Cup (3200m), fulfilling the ambitions of owner Sir Owen Glenn. The current Melbourne Cup favourite was among 66 horses confirmed after first declarations closed on Tuesday, keeping alive...
Waller mares ‘perfect’ ahead of the 2025 Turnbull Stakes
Trainer Chris Waller is optimistic about the spring campaigns of Via Sistina and Aeliana despite mixed results in the Makybe Diva Stakes. The stable stars will square off again in the $750,000 Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington, marking their third head-to-head clash this preparation. Although there was a possibility of sending...
Brilliant mare ready to Glow in the 2025 Epsom Handicap
Chris Waller’s unbeaten mare Autumn Glow is such a dominant presence that she may be deterring her own stablemates from tackling her in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick next Saturday. Installed as the $1.90 favourite, the rising star will likely head into the $1 million race with fewer...
Turnbull Stakes the Golden Path for Caulfield Cup 2025 hope
Co-trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are weighing the upside and risk of targeting the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) with Golden Path. If they press on to the premier handicap, the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) on Saturday is poised to be his lead-up run into the October 18...