Horse Racing News
End of an era: Champion sprinter Nature Strip retired
An era has ended with Chris Waller announcing the retirement of champion sprinter Nature Strip. The decision was made almost immediately after the nine-year-old finished down the track in the Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday with Waller convening a spontaneous press conference to confirm the news. Standing alongside Nature Strip’s...
Remarque puts his hand up for a slot in The Everest
Michael Hawkes has compared Remarque to grand sprinter Chautauqua in terms of natural ability but says a number of issues have prevented him from realising his potential – until now. The five-year-old has put his hand up for a slot in The Everest with an against-the-odds win in Saturday’s Concorde Stakes...
Benedetta lands important Stakes win at Caulfield
Benedetta has ticked off an important Stakes race victory for her future as a broodmare, but trainer Jason Warren says there is a lot of unfinished business remaining. Having now won six of her eight career starts, Benedetta claimed her first ‘Black Type’ win when successful in the Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on...
Ciaron Maher filly Invincible again
Champion apprentice Zac Lloyd has proven a capable fill in for Sydney’s leading jockey James McDonald, answering a late call-up to guide Tiz Invincible to a dynamic win in the Group 2 Furious Stakes at Randwick. McDonald injured his ankle in a race day mishap at the Wyong Cup meeting and while he...
Veight shows his class in the McNeil Stakes at Caulfield
Trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy never doubted the credentials of promising three-year-old Veight who returned with an impressive Stakes victory at Caulfield. Having his first start since finishing out of the money on a wet track in Sydney during the autumn, Veight returned to claim the Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) on Saturday. The victory showed the McEvoy father-and-son training...
Benaud claims eventful Wyong Cup 2023
Benaud landed the biggest win of his career when the John O’Shea-trained gelding took out an eventful $240,000 Wyong Gold Cup on Friday. Dylan Gibbons partnered the son of Reliable Man to a narrow win over Bois D’Argent in the 2100-metre Listed event, which saw several runners severely impacted when The Mediterranean broke down around...
John Sargent pair to lay spring markers
John Sargent is looking to two of his most promising horses to make spring carnival statements when Palmetto and Perfect Thought step out in separate races at Randwick. After making a successful leap from benchmark company to win the $500,000 The Coast last preparation, Palmetto resumes in Saturday’s Group 2 Tramway...
Zac Purton to ride Light Infantry in the Cox Plate 2023
Champion Australian jockey Zac Purton has secured a highly coveted spring ride, partnering with the well-regarded international horse Light Infantry. The Hong Kong Jockey Club has granted Purton special clearance to return to Australia, where he will team up with the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained galloper for two elite races:...
James Cummings keen on Concorde Stakes upset
James Cummings won’t be surprised to see unheralded mare Zapateo spoil the party when she takes on some big-name sprinters in the Concorde Stakes at Randwick. The multiple Group winner has a handy strikerate of seven victories from 18 starts but significantly, is proven over Saturday’s 1000-metre journey, a statistic Cummings...
Trainer Chris Waller out to Chalk up another Royal win
Having already presented England’s Royal family with one horse racing trophy from Australia, Chris Waller is hoping he can prepare Chalk Stream to win them another this spring. The champion trainer had the opportunity to meet King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla during his trip to Royal Ascot in June, gifting them...
