Horse Racing News
Pier a game changer for Kiwi trainer ahead of the 2025 Epsom Handicap
Pier has the chance to reward New Zealand trainer Darryn Weatherley’s persistence with a first Sydney Group 1 win in Saturday’s Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick. Weatherley’s previous attempts at Australian glory proved fruitless, with Mali Ston and Maria Farina finishing unplaced in 2022, and Arby out of the placings in...
Good gate to help Queen Of Clubs play her cards right
Gary Portelli believes Queen Of Clubs can make her presence felt in Saturday’s Group 1 Flight Stakes, thanks to a favourable draw at Randwick. The Maurice filly was finishing strongly when fourth to Apocalyptic in the Tea Rose Stakes after being forced to drop out from a wide gate. With barrier...
Alysha Collett hunting G1 breakthrough at Randwick in The Metropolitan field
Group One-winning New Zealand jockey Alysha Collett will chase her first Australian major when she rides two key contenders at Randwick’s Epsom Handicap day. Collett has been entrusted with the lightweight rides on Swiftfalcon for Team Hawkes in the prestigious Epsom Handicap (1600m) and Don Diego De Vega for Annabel and...
Half Yours to test class in the 2025 Turnbull Stakes
Calvin McEvoy admits the campaign for Half Yours didn’t go exactly to script, but the stayer now finds himself on track for both the Turnbull Stakes and the Caulfield Cup after a timely victory in the Naturalism Stakes (2000m). The horse had initially been prepared for Sydney’s The Metropolitan (2400m), but...
Kings horse chasing start in the 2025 Melbourne Cup field
Trainer Ciaron Maher is plotting a direct path into the Melbourne Cup, targeting a ballot exemption with a four-strong team at Flemington. The crucial gateway is Saturday’s Bart Cummings (2500m), the final Flemington ‘win and you’re in’ lead-up to the Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 4, with the Geelong Cup (2400m)...
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...
Waterhouse tipping a 2025 Breeders Plate trifecta
Predicting a trifecta in a Stakes race would usually be far-fetched, but for Gai Waterhouse in the Breeders’ Plate, it’s a genuine possibility. The champion trainer, alongside Adrian Bott, has trained the trifecta in the past two editions of the Randwick feature. King Kirk, Tempestuous and North England filled the placings...
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...
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...
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...