Horse Racing News
Pride stable trifecta topped by Mazu in Hall Mark Stakes
At eight years old, the exceptional Mazu maintains his sharp turn of foot and zest for competition, setting the tempo wire-to-wire for his third consecutive triumph in Saturday's Group 3 $250,000 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m).Previously, Pride's star had mastered the Hall Mark on rain-affected surfaces where he excels, but facing...
Waller's record Sydney autumn run ends with Fireball edging Champagne Stakes
Chris Waller, the celebrated Hall of Fame trainer, notched a historic Sydney Saturday Group 1 sweep as Fireball got the better of stable companion Campione D'Italia in Saturday's $1 million Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick.The autumn carnival's eighth straight (and last) Sydney Saturday of Group 1 races saw Waller...
JRA Plate victory confirms Asterix at his sharpest
The win by Asterix stood out as somewhat surprising compared to Waller's earlier triumphs, given the progressive eight-year-old gelding was dispatched at $16 into the race.Having captured the New Zealand Derby four years back, Asterix lost momentum for a period before flashing his class last summer with a win in...
Strong Frank Packer Plate win boosts Matias for Queensland Derby
With a powerful victory in the Group 3 $250,000 Frank Packer Plate (2000m), Matias has positioned himself firmly in the Queensland Derby picture.Stablemate Snitzel Dancer had triumphed in the Group 3 Carr Stakes only 35 minutes beforehand.Snitzel, under Ryan's guidance, took out an Oakleigh Plate before retiring to Arrowfield Stud,...
Snitzel Dancer's stakes win opens door to Queensland Oaks campaign
Trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou's belief in Snitzel Dancer was rewarded as the filly claimed her first stakes victory in the Group 3 $250,000 James HB Carr Stakes (1400m).The trainer was puzzled by the filly's efforts in back-to-back Warwick Farm appearances that launched her season.Yet, her dominant Hawkesbury performance...
Price straps The Speed Machine ahead of Mornington triumph
At Mornington, trainer Mick Price returned to his early career tasks by parading The Speed Machine himself.The youngster, under the care of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, got lively during the saddling process, so Price handled the strapping before the Mornington Sires (1000m) took place on Saturday.It proved a...
La Fracas back in Victoria for rain-affected Hareeba Stakes
Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr's operation was banking on soggy conditions during Sydney's autumn and tailored La Fracas' program accordingly.The trainer has described the gelding as one of his premier, perhaps the premier, performers on rain-affected tracks.Nevertheless, the surface failed to favour La Fracas across his two Sydney outings,...
Mornington Cup beckons for Kings Valley
Team Ciaron Maher has awaited the perfect moment to stretch Kings Valley out over further ground.Such a moment presents itself with the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) scheduled for Saturday.Initially listed as the first reserve upon Wednesday's field declaration, Kings Valley secured a spot in the 14-runner event after Plymouth was...
David Payne eyes next Group 1 star in Persian Wonder
Despite running a compact stable, David Payne excels at spotting Group 1 talent, and he's optimistic that two-year-old Persian Wonder will be the newest addition.This exciting prospect lines up in the Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday, seeking his maiden win at top level after consistent efforts, capped by...
Royal Patronage faces possible last run in All Aged Stakes
If a post-Hong Kong journey fatigue or diminished passion for competition explained it, Royal Patronage underdelivered in the spring season.Resuming for autumn duties, co-trainer Adrian Bott opted to revamp the seven-year-old's daily schedule to boost his concentration, and handily, he enlisted his wife and expert horse handler, Jess."My wife has...