Horse Racing News
Grand National Hurdle target for Affluential
Affluential may not have the same flat ability as his older sister, but one thing he can do is jump. Trainer John Leek (Jnr) has transformed Affluential into one of the state’s up-and-coming jumpers and he will put that on show in the Grand National Hurdle (4200m) at Sandown on Sunday. Affluential is the...
Caulfield Guineas and Victoria Derby a chance for dominant Detroit City
In the short time Dominic Sutton has held a training licence, he and his small Ballarat stable has a achieved a Flemington winner together with recently turned three-year-olds with Guineas and Derby aims. Detroit City scored an emphatic win in the Tab We’re On over 1410-metres after impressing in winning on debut at...
Horrifying outguns Melbourne Cup 2024 aspirant Berkshire Breeze
In his own words, Lindsay Smith is hesitant to become cocky by making any grand statements on the levels Horrifying could reach over the next few months, but he is willing to enjoy the return to form the seven-year-old has found after winning at Flemington. Horrifying ($9.50), ridden by Blake Shinn, joined...
Chris Waller drinks to special Matusalem victory
Improving stayer Matusalem has scored an emotional win for trainer Chris Waller, reviving memories of his late father John who was in the horse’s ownership. Named after his father’s favourite rum, the $4.80 betting site favourite ground out a hard-fought victory over stablemate Monarch’s Brae ($11) to claim the Congratulations James McDonald...
Flashy victory in Aurie’s Star Handicap for Right To Party
Anthony Freedman admits that it has taken time to find the key to Right To Party and in a preparation that has delivered three-straight victories, they might just now have got the hang of her. Right To Party, ridden by Jye McNeil, stormed to the line late from last to first in the...
Scone mare Queens it over Highway rivals
Ineligible for the Kosciuszko, Lonhro’s Queen will instead be given a chance to earn a Country Championships berth after claiming her second successive Highway Handicap win. Originally trained in Sydney, the Gooree Stud-owned mare is now with Scone trainer Cameron Crockett, but she doesn’t qualify for this year’s The Kosciuszko (1200m) as...
Distance drop to suit Estadio Mestalla at Rosehill races
Cepheus and Estadio Mestalla finished one-two in the South Grafton Cup, but the trainer of the runner-up reckons his charge can turn the tables when the pair renew their rivalry at Rosehill. Estadio Mestalla led the 1610m Grafton feature and was overhauled in the final bounds by defending titleholder Cepheus, who lumped eight...
Father’s Day ready to rebound at Rosehill
Father’s Day is still a month away, but connections of the horse by the same name are hoping to be celebrating a little earlier this year. The seven-year-old hasn’t raced since he was eased out of the Stayer’s Cup (2400m) at Rosehill in June after visibly shortening stride approaching the 1000m. He was...
Ciaron Maher pair to meet at Flemington races
The Ciaron Maher stable will kick off the campaign of Holymanz at Flemington in the hope that it may lead to richer spring purses. Holymanz, and stablemate St Lawrence, run in the Flemington Kentucky Bluegrass Handicap (1410m) on Saturday. Beaten just over 7-½ lengths behind stablemate Pride Of Jenni in the All-Star Mile at...
William Pike adds to glittering record
Champion jockey William Pike added another milestone to his glittering career record after the completion of the 2023-24 season at Belmont on Wednesday. Pike ended the season with a flourish, booting home a treble on Another Love, Made In Mexico and Wayne The Pain, to reach 107.5 metropolitan winners, 14.5 clear of Chris Parnham. Despite...
