Horse Racing News
Believe what you see with Nettuno in the George Moore Stakes
Tony Gollan was on weather watch for all of his starters at Doomben on Saturday, but his main focus is on the feature – the Group 3 George Moore Stakes (1200m) – where he’ll saddle nearly half the field with five runners. Having won five of the past eight editions of the...
Duke De Sessa in shape for Zipping Classic honours
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace will be out to add a second Zipping Classic to the trophy cabinet when Duke De Sessa lines up at Caulfield. The multi-state trainers collected the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) with Southern France when the race was run at Sandown, a week after the conclusion of the Melbourne...
Doveton Stakes kick-off for Japanese G1 winner
Lauda Sion is not involved in one of the feature races at Caulfield this Saturday, but there are not many more intriguing runners on the Zipping Classic Day card. The seven-year-old Japanese entire will have his first Australian start for champion trainer Chris Waller and new owners Yulong in the $175,000 Listed Doveton...
Widdup mare Sneaky chance in Starlight Stakes
Black-type placegetter Sneaky Paige will kick off her second campaign for Brad Widdup in the Starlight Stakes and the trainer is looking forward to the fresh slate. The mare joined Widdup’s team earlier this year following the departure of Mark Newnham to Hong Kong and in hindsight he said it wasn’t the smoothest start. “I...
Tulloch Lodge colt ready to rumble
Adrian Bott will head to Rosehill with a trio of black-type runners, but it is an unraced two-year-old who has lit up the trial track that could outshine them all. Bott and training partner Gai Waterhouse will start defending titleholder Dajraan in the Group 3 Festival Stakes (1500m), along with stayers Serpentine and I’m A...
Thomas Stockdale keeps faith in King Magnus
Having recently graduated from apprentice ranks, Thomas Stockdale landed his first winner as a senior at Sandown during the week. Stockdale now has his eyes on a bigger prize when he partners King Magnus in the Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. As an apprentice, Stockdale was able to secure...
McEvoys Dreaming of G2 Sandown Guineas success
Trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy are looking to repeat the efforts of a former filly in their care by taking out the Sandown Guineas. Pretty Brazen provided the father-and-son combination with a win in the Group 2 race at Sandown in 2019 and this year they will be represented by Sunset Dreaming. Saturday’s edition of...
Tulloch Lodge seeking early joy in Christmas Cup
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott are set to have two runners in the Listed Christmas Cup with the stable favouring running dual-state acceptor Serpentine in Sydney. Serpentine, who has been freshened since finishing down the track in the Melbourne Cup, is also in the Zipping Classic (2400m) but Bott says Military Mission is likely...
Wendy Kelly looking to strike with Maurice filly in Sandown Guineas
It would be fitting if Wendy Kelly’s next feature win came with a product of Maurice and she will be looking to achieve that feat this Saturday at Caulfield. The Cranbourne trainer will start Mauricio in the $300,000 Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m). Kelly was the original trainer of Hitotsu, a son...
Distance test for Phearson in the Festival Stakes
Consistent gelding Phearson will be entering unchartered territory when he extends beyond 1400-metres for the first time in the Festival Stakes at Rosehill. However, trainer Brad Widdup is heading to the race with a theory that the extra journey could play into the hands of the horse’s racing style. The Group 2 is a...