Horse Racing News
Serendipitous timing for Mergeila’s debut
Ever seeking to fine tune his already slick training operation, Chris Waller has returned from a visit with legendary horseman Bob Baffert armed with some fresh insights and perspectives. In the US for a family holiday, Waller spent a day with Baffert at his Santa Anita stables, chewing the fat and talking all...
Deny Knowledge too good in the Grafton Cup
A bold midrace move by Blake Shinn has helped secure Deny Knowledge her third stakes win in the Listed Grafton Cup and provide an almost immediate return for new owners Yulong. Content to let the speed go early, Shinn settled Deny Knowledge in fourth, but when the tempo slackened near the 1200m, he...
Three down to one for Moody and Coleman
Skipjack will be the sole runner for Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman in a two-year-old race at Flemington after the stable scratched their two other runners. Having accepted with Gallant Son, She Smashes and Skipjack in the VRC Member Russell Dawson Plate (1000m) on Saturday, the stable will be represented by only Skipjack. A debut...
Romans ready to strike at Flemington
If assistant trainer Jack Turnbull is right, Smokin’ Romans is about to strike form at Flemington. The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper contests the VRC Member Peter Drake Plate (2000m) on Saturday, one of five runners from the stable. A Group 1 winner of the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington in October 2022, Smokin’ Romans...
Jockeys’ premiership battle set to intensify at Rosehill
James Mcdonald and Nash Rawiller will continue their premiership arm wrestle at Rosehill where both present with strong books of rides. Reigning titleholder McDonald sits on 84 Sydney wins this season, three ahead of Rawiller after both added to their respective tallies at Wednesday’s Randwick-Kensington meeting. McDonald has rides in all 10 races on...
Decision pending on Sandown start
Cranbourne trainer Daniel Williams will keep a watch on pending withdrawals at Sandown before making a definite answer on where to start Big Kate. The three-year-old daughter of Tosen Stardom is down to run in the LockettLED.au Handicap (1600m) on Wednesday but also holds a nomination for 1400m contest at Flemington on...
Spring plans open for Oaks winner
Many of Ciaron Maher's key spring players are nearing trial stage, but one of his Group 1 winners who might have a later start to spring than many is Socks Nation. The daughter of Sioux Nation was given several weeks off following her blowout win in the $700,000 Queensland Oaks at...
Lindsay Park chase second Flemington Cup
The Lindsay Park team enjoy nothing more than winning a Cups race at Flemington. Think the Melbourne Cup, or an Australian Cup with the excellent prize money on board. While the Deane Lester Flemington Cup (2800m) on Saturday may not have the same notoriety as those Group 1 contests, it still has...
Guineas Goal for Nick Olive filly
Nick Olive has been happy to take it run by run with in-form three-year-old Toes In The Water, with the Maurice filly to have her eighth run of a preparation that begun in April when she lines up in Wednesday's Grafton Guineas. A winner two back in a Class 2 at Goulburn,...
Wanaruah ‘better than winter form’ after second win
Adrian Bott is not quite sure yet where Wanaruah will fit within the powerhouse stable’s next season rising three-year-old ranks but he is highly confident that there can be a lot more to come after maintaining his perfect race record. Winning on debut at Canterbury over 1250-metres in June, the colt by star...
