Horse Racing News
Libertad in West chasing elusive G1 in the 2025 Winterbottom Stakes
Annabel and Rob Archibald have taken a positive sign from Jamie Mott’s booking, with the rider choosing Libertad in the Group One Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) over a strong set of opportunities at Caulfield. Mott will miss Zipping Classic Day—featuring seven stakes races—to travel to Perth and reunite with Libertad in Saturday’s...
Xidaki headline act for Snowden in the 2025 Festival Stakes
Xidaki’s quiet autumn and winter performances left Peter Snowden searching for answers, but the respected trainer says the gelding has finally bounced back to his best. The Group 3 Winx Guineas (1600m) winner showed his quality last season with placings in the Silver Eagle (1300m) and Festival Stakes (1500m), as well...
Rain to suit Hezashocka in the 2025 Zipping Classic
A timely burst of mid-week rain brought welcome relief to the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable as acceptances were finalised for Saturday’s Caulfield meeting. The team has locked in the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) as Hezashocka’s goal, but his fortunes are closely tied to track conditions. The stayer has...
Blinkers go on Vestas in the 2025 Doveton Stakes
After watching Vestas complete a piece of work at Caulfield, trainer Clinton McDonald jokingly asked whether anyone could organise a wide draw for the mare. Unfortunately for him, she has instead come up with barrier two for Saturday’s Listed Doveton Stakes (1100m), but McDonald is banking on blinkers to help refocus...
2025 Zipping Classic hit-out for Brayden Star
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young yard is not about to walk away from a $750,000 staying opportunity at Caulfield without having a crack. That means Brayden Star will take his place in the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) on Saturday, even though Busuttin readily acknowledges that the Listed Pakenham Cup...
Carbery keen to get back on Jokers Grin in 2025 Winterbottom Stakes
While Patrick Carbery was forced to sit and watch Jokers Grin win without him last start—a moment he admits felt bittersweet—the veteran jockey is thrilled to be reunited with the sprinter for Saturday’s Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot. A concussion sustained in a Bunbury fall on November 13 sidelined...
Accredited gets a shot at the 2025 Festival Stakes
Reliable campaigner Accredited will be out to finally snare the Stakes victory he has been threatening when he heads to Rosehill this Saturday. The Joe Pride-trained gelding is set for a start in the $250,000 Group 3 Festival Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill. Representing Proven Thoroughbreds, the six-year-old arrives on the back of...
Rawiller lands 2025 The Gong with another daring ride
Nash Rawiller has a reputation for zigging when others zag, and he lived up to that billing once again with a bold rails-hugging ride on Gringotts to win The Gong at Kembla Grange. A wet afternoon and heavy-track downgrade had the majority of jockeys swinging wide into the straight, following what...
Sabaj takes out the 2025 Cranbourne Cup in style
Sabaj looks set to play a significant role in the upcoming autumn carnival after securing a maiden Stakes success for the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr operation. The gelding gave Price his fourth win in the Listed Cranbourne Cup, and his determined 1600m victory has the stable excited about what...
First Australian winner for Irish jockey Adam Farragher
Irish rider Adam Farragher achieved a long-held goal at Kembla Grange, landing his first Australian winner aboard the talented galloper Spywire. The milestone follows months of committed work for Ciaron Maher, who admitted he deliberately pushed the young jockey before finally rewarding him with the mount that delivered Saturday’s impressive result. “We’ve...