Flights booked for Cox Plate 2023 favourite Romantic Warrior
Romantic Warrior has been booked on a flight to Melbourne with the Hong Kong champion due to land on September 16, gearing up for the Turnbull Stakes and the Cox Plate in October.
The dual QEII Cup and Hong Kong Cup winner will enter quarantine this weekend after meeting all veterinary protocols.
Also set to arrive on the same flight are West Wind Blows, a key contender in the Turnbull Stakes and the $12 second favorite for the Caulfield Cup, and Romantic Charm, known to Australian fans as Blue Army.
These three horses will be the season’s first arrivals at the Werribee International Quarantine Centre.
Romantic Warrior is slated to return to Hong Kong after the Cox Plate to defend his Hong Kong Cup title, thereby ruling out a Champions Stakes Day appearance.
Romantic Warrior is the $2.40 favourite with Ladbrokes for the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 7 and the $4.20 favourite for the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 28.
More Racing News
Four-pronged attack from Bjorn Baker for Civic Stakes
Trainer Bjorn Baker, though absent from Royal Randwick this Saturday, is set to deploy a strong contingent for the Listed Civic Stakes, a 1400-metre feature race.Baker has been occupied with stable star sprinter Overpass at Royal Ascot, where the horse ran a valiant third in the Group 1 King Charles...
Silver Wedding targets Stakes win at Ipswich races
Racing and travel have combined to bring out the best in Silver Wedding, who is now aiming to add a Stakes race victory to her resume.The Ciaron Maher-trained mare, a winner of four from thirteen starts, is set to contest the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic (1200m) at Ipswich this Saturday.Silver...
Mission Central on The Everest Radar After Royal Ascot Group 1 Victory
A stellar performance in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot has put Mission Central firmly in Coolmore's sights for a potential start in The Everest, completing a significant achievement for trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey Ryan Moore.The Irish sprinter, a 14/1 chance, delivered an outstanding performance...
Shocking 50-1 win for Ten Bob Tony in the Queen Anne Stakes
It has been since 1950 that a horse priced longer than Ten Bob Tony has won the Queen Anne Stakes.The 50-1 outsider stunned competitors in the opening contest of Royal Ascot in 2026, with the five-year-old gelding benefiting from a ten-day back-up, his chestnut coat shining brightly under the brilliant...
Regal Zeus set for Eye Liner Stakes as McArdle eyes Group 1 targets
Mornington-based trainer John McArdle is already charting a course for a Group 1 campaign early in the season, with Queensland playing a key role in his plans.The gelding Regal Zeus is heading to Ipswich for the Listed Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) on Saturday, which is slated as the initial of...
The Western Front seeks more staying honours
The Lindsay Park training operation, managed by Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, is anticipating a fruitful outcome with their in-form stayer at Flemington.The Western Front is slated to compete in a 2500m handicap this Saturday, aiming to build on his consistent recent performances.This galloper, originally from New Zealand, was...
Pride's Poison Chalice eyes Civic Stakes success
Joseph Pride, a trainer known for elevating tried horses, is now guiding the talented gelding Poison Chalice.The six-year-old Savabeel progeny was formerly trained by Paul Preusker in Horsham, with his last run being a tenth-place finish in the Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m).While Poison Chalice has not yet won beyond benchmark...
Caulfield Cup prize money boosted for historic 150th running
A substantial increase in prize money has been announced for the Caulfield Cup, perfectly timed for the historic 150th running of this iconic Australian thoroughbred race.The renowned 2400m handicap event, set to take place on October 17, will now feature a total prize pool of $6 million. A key feature...
De Bergerac's final preparation ahead of Santa Ana Lane Series
With a place already secured in next month's Santa Ana Lane Series Final, De Bergerac will have its final tune-up in this Saturday's qualifier for the Listed event.The Grahame Begg-trained five-year-old, a gelding, is set to contest the $150,000 open handicap over 1100 metres at Flemington.This race represents the last...
Asfoora set for Royal Ascot return with blinkers on
The pinnacle event, Grand Final Day, is fast approaching for Asfoora, and her trainer Henry Dwyer is anticipating an enhanced performance from his globe-trotting mare in the King Charles III Stakes on the first day at Royal Ascot.The seven-year-old daughter of Flying Artie, who triumphed in the 1005-metre Group 1...