Horse Racing News
Riff Rocket ruled out of the spring carnival
Australian Derby winner Riff Rocket is out of the spring carnival after undergoing emergency surgery overnight for colic. The four-year-old had been due to contest the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday and was a $9 equal second favourite for the Caulfield Cup (2400m). Trainer Chris Waller reported Riff Rocket was taken...
Mr Brightside to bounce back in the Makybe Diva Stakes
The Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington is a race that can shape the spring. The Group 1 race over 1600m at Flemington on Saturday attained Group 1 status in 2013 with horses of the calibre of Fawkner (2015), Humidor (2017), Incentivise (2021), I’m Thunderstruck (2022) and Mr Brightside last year being successful. Going...
Melbourne Cup winner chases overdue win
The campaign aimed at securing another start in the Melbourne Cup ramps up a gear for Vow And Declare at Flemington. The nine-year-old, a veteran of only 45 starts under the care of Danny O’Brien, runs in a Melbourne Cup qualifier, the Group 3 Archer Stakes (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday. The...
Johnny The Kid on a Spring Champion Stakes path
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott will put Johnny The Kid on a traditional Spring Champion Stakes path after he broke his maiden in emphatic fashion at the midweek Kensington track meeting. While the colt boasts solid form references from his two-year-old season, including a sound fifth behind Dublin Down in the...
Clear Proof set for Ming Dynasty Quality
Starting at juicy odds in his two races starts and surprising punters both times, Clear Proof is garnering a little more respect for his Ming Dynasty Quality assignment as he bids to put himself on a Golden Rose path. The John Thompson-trained colt was sent out at $101 when he won...
Everest contender sets sights on Premiere Stakes
Giga Kick, last year’s Everest champion, is gearing up for a shot at reclaiming his crown despite a fifth-place finish in the Concorde Stakes. Trainer Clayton Douglas remains upbeat, confident that the sprinter still has plenty to offer as the spring carnival unfolds. While Giga Kick finished three lengths behind I...
Damian Lane books Cox Plate 2024 ride
Damian Lane has been confirmed to ride Japanese galloper Prognosis in this year’s Cox Plate at Moonee Valley. The son of Deep Impact, Prognosis has an impressive record, having won three Group 2 races in Japan and finishing second in the last two editions of the Group 1 QEII Cup in...
Chris Waller trio head to Flemington
Trainer Chris Waller will commence his assault on the Melbourne Spring Carnival with three runners in the feature race at Flemington on Saturday. Waller has dispatched Atishu, Riff Rocket and Via Sistina to Melbourne to start in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m). Via Sistina is expected renew hostilities with Pride Of...
The Grey Wizard secures entry to Melbourne Cup 2024
The Grey Wizard, trained by Graham Motion, has earned a late entry to the Melbourne Cup after an impressive win in the Group 2 Belmont Gold Cup (3200m) at Saratoga in June. The American stayer further solidified his credentials with a recent victory at Listed level at Delaware Park. The Grey...
Busuttin and Young stable weigh up options for Daggers
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable are expected to play a waiting game before making a final decision on where unbeaten colt Daggers starts. The three-year-old holds an entry in both the Listed Exford Plate (1400m) at Flemington and the Group 2 The Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill. Both...
