Horse Racing News
Freedmans Fashion on show in Fred Best Classic
The gelding will take his place in Saturday's Fred Best Classic (1400m) at Eagle Farm where the winner will be granted a ballot exemption from the Group 1 Stradbroke. Fashion Legend heads there off a slightly disappointing effort in the Takeover Target Stakes where he finished eighth and just over 3-1/2...
Fitter Chief Altony steps out at Sandown
Match fitness counts for a lot in all types of sport and trainer Alex Rae considers it vital for Chief Altony who heads to Sandown second-up on Saturday. The ive > Handicap (1400m) is seen as an ideal steppingstone towards Chief Altony's preferred distance of 1600m in coming weeks. Rae and connections of the gelding had a plan...
Winx's sister set for debut
Excitement builds as City Of Lights, the younger sister of legendary racehorse Winx, prepares to make her highly anticipated debut at Cranbourne on Friday night. The three-year-old filly, sired by the late champion Japanese stallion Deep Impact and out of Winx’s dam Vegas Showgirl, will contest the second event of...
Sale double for Douglas ahead of trip north
Trainer Clayton Douglas has picked up a little travelling money for his upcoming trip to Queensland to check on stable star Giga Kick with a race-to-race double at Sale. The Everest winner and last start Doomben 10,000 victor is currently spelling in the warmer climate in Queensland ahead of being prepared for a spring campaign. Douglas...
$2.25 million colt Congregation wins on debut
With a fancy pedigree and the price tag to match, there was plenty of interest in the debut of $2.25 million colt Congregation at Canterbury and despite running his race in patches, he left no doubt about his ability. A brother to 2018 Golden Slipper winner Estijaab and the stakes performed...
Star jockeys cop suspensions
Three jockeys, Daniel Stackhouse, Brad Rawiller, and apprentice Tianni Chapman, have been handed suspensions following incidents at the Mornington races. Tianni Chapman received a suspension of 24 meetings for careless riding during race five. Her mount, Moolah Moolah, shifted out near the 100-meter mark without sufficient clearance, resulting in a collision...
Broome Racing: A labour of love for Pateman
It's business as usual for veteran trainer Darryn Pateman. As he has done for nearly two decades, Pateman is getting ready for Broome's season-opening meeting in a fortnight. Pateman is based at Karnup, but each year travels thousands of kilometres to race his horses at Broome and WA's north-west circuit. It's a partnership...
Playing Marika a genuine surprise packet
Stephanie Bakranich pinpointed two races for Playing Marika this campaign, but is glad she had a change of heart as it's panned out better than she could have expected. The seven-year-old has blossomed into a black-type performer after winning the Listed Grandstand Cup (1500m) which ended a stakes drought after five...
Arts thriving ahead of interstate mission
The last time Ed Cummings was in Adelaide for a Group 1 race, it was as an assistant trainer to his father Anthony with a horse at the end of its preparation. Fast forward seven years and Cummings is back in town as a successful trainer in his own right, this time with...
Bel Esprit Stakes decision pending for Katsu
Promising sprinter Katsu is likely to feature among acceptances at Sandown, but trainer Grahame Begg says the gelding may not be a starter. Katsu is among the 12 horses entered for the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1000m) on Saturday, but Begg wants to assess all relevant information before committing to a start. "I'll probably...