Horse Racing News
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...
$320,000-plus raised for Dean Holland's family at Magic Millions
A nomination to Hellbent topped the fundraiser for Dean Holland’s family, which preceded the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast on Tuesday. Damon Gabbedy’s Belmont Bloodstock paid $40,000 for the privilege of a visit to the son of I Am Invincible, which was donated by Yarraman Park. Fourteen other...
Think About It ripe for first G1 shot
Joe Pride says it is now up to Think About It as the gelding is about to embark on his first assault at Group 1 level. Defeated once in eight starts, Think About It is a dual winner in Stakes company but will need to lift the bar on Saturday in the Kingsford...
Premiership in sight for Shinn
Jockey Blake Shinn says a win in the Melbourne Jockeys' Premiership will look good on his record, but at the same time it is not something he has put a lot of thought into. After a double at Flemington last Saturday and another winner at Sandown on Sunday, Shinn is within...
Trainer Robbie Laing receives suspended ban
Renowned trainer Robbie Laing successfully dodged a suspension, after confessing to neglecting necessary veterinary treatment for two registered broodmares. The six-month ban handed to Laing was fully suspended for 24 months, due to his commendable track record and the surrounding circumstances. Charges were filed against Laing last September for failing to provide...
Racing retirees help kids apply Horse Sense to their lives
The initiative, supported by the new Off the Track WA Community Fund, is run by Horse Sense founder Claire Wright, a primary school teacher and equine facilitated learning practitioner who was inspired by her own experience. "I've loved horses ever since I can remember but could never own one as a...
Victorian jockey banned for six months
Jockey Chloe Azzopardi, aged 26, has been handed a six-month suspension after testing positive for a banned substance. Azzopardi, who moved to Victoria late in 2021, produced the positive urine sample after riding trackwork at Flemington on April 17, 2023. The result came as a surprise to the racing community and brought...
Kent makes Case for imported sprinter
Michael Kent Jnr knows there is just as much chance of A Case Of You drawing a wide barrier this weekend as there has been in each of his previous Australian runs, but the Cranbourne trainer desperately hopes his run of tricky gates has come to an end. The imported stallion...