Danny O’Brien’s confidence in Russian Camelot has not been shaken by his surprise defeat in the Caulfield Stakes. If anything, the effort boosted the trainer’s belief that he’s a huge chance in the Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday. In the Caulfield Stakes, Russian Camelot had no answer… Read More »
Trainer Michael Freedman is convinced Prime Star will appreciate a distance rise when he faces a rematch with his last-start conqueror Peltzer in the $1 million Bondi Stakes. Peltzer led and held on to beat the fast-finishing Prime Star over 1500m in the Stan Fox Stakes but Freedman is hoping… Read More »
The persistent hoof problems plaguing Supergiant have forced trainer Michael Costa to abandon an interstate trip. Costa decided to spell Supergiant after the four-year-old’s failure at Toowoomba on Weetwood Handicap day. “Unfortunately, Supergiant did let down and he pulled up sore,” Costa said. “He was probably three out of five… Read More »
In a bittersweet postscript to The Everest, Classique Legend’s owner Bon Ho has confirmed the horse will head overseas. While not ruling out a return to Australia to defend his title in the world’s richest turf race next year, Ho revealed his desire to campaign the sprinter on the international… Read More »
Australia’s premier trainer Chris Waller and jockey Mark Zahra landed their first Caulfield Cup wins when outstanding five-year-old Verry Elleegant held off international raider Anthony Van Dyck. Waller, who watched the race from Randwick, said it was a special win from a very special horse. “I thought she was beaten… Read More »
Leaning against one of the balustrades that encircle the Theatre Of The Horse at Randwick, Les Bridge stood quiet and alone, watching the Everest unfold on the television screen. Away from the crowd and the noise, the 82-year-old savoured the one minute and eight seconds it took for his brilliant… Read More »
Tough galloper Wild Planet continued Team Hawkes’ successful Caulfield carnival with a narrow victory in the Group Three Moonga Stakes (1400m). Co-trainer Wayne Hawkes paid homage to the horse’s tenacity after his win. “He’s a pure racehorse. He’s not the best horse ever but his will to win is amazing,”… Read More »
Danny O’Brien bred Graff and had always followed the enigmatic sprinter but it was only when the horse turned five that he had the chance to train him. And O’Brien may have unlocked the key to Graff later in life as he made a successful debut for the stable, taking… Read More »
Twenty years after Bob Dailey thought his days of dabbling in thoroughbreds were behind him, It’s Me has delivered him a double hit with her barnstorming Kosciuszko victory. Not only is Dailey one of the mare’s part-owners, he is also the winning slot holder, snapping up his own horse after… Read More »
The Anthony and Sam Freedman stable celebrated an early double when Chica Fuerte led throughout to win the Ethereal Stakes. The trainers had been successful earlier in the day with Endanger. Sam Freedman suggested Chica Fuerte may not go on to the VRC Oaks despite her win. “The Oaks is… Read More »
Trainer Trent Busuttin will give Albarado, the winner of the Caulfield Classic, the chance to emulate the success of Sangster in the Victoria Derby. Busuttin, who is originally from New Zealand, said Albarado was raced by almost the same group of owners and he also carried the same colours as… Read More »
Sam Freedman described Endanger as a horse on the way up after his tough victory in the Listed Gothic Stakes at Caulfield. Freedman said Endanger would now follow a traditional path for the winner of Saturday’s race and target the Carbine Club Stakes at Flemington on October 31 and the… Read More »
Paul Snowden is glowing in his assessment of the progeny of first season sire Capitalist, in particular the stallion’s first winner, Captivant. The colt produced a professional debut performance, settling midfield for Jason Collett and sweeping down the centre of the track to win the Victory Vein Plate (1000m) at… Read More »
Is it a sign? When Coco Fashion and Stampe race at Doomben they will be carrying a set of colours written into Caulfield Cup folklore. The Chris Munce-trained duo will be decked out in the same silks – red with white stripes, black sleeves and cap – worn by the… Read More »
It might be a higher mountain to climb this year but Keith Dryden couldn’t be happier with Handle The Truth, who is out to defend his title in the $1.3 million The Kosciuszko at Randwick. In a testament to the strength and depth in country racing, Handle The Truth is… Read More »
Leon MacDonald knows from personal experience that his Caulfield Cup aspirant Dalasan has the right form lines to win the famous staying event. In 2011, he trained Southern Speed to win the race and in her final run before the Caulfield Cup she finished fourth in the Turnbull Stakes, the… Read More »
Most seven-year-old mares are already in the breeding barn but connections of Irithea still have some racetrack goals to tick off. As a stakes winner, Irithea’s residual value is assured but with just over $900,000 in the bank, trainer Bjorn Baker says her owners are keen to see her pass… Read More »
Danny O’Brien is confident Vow And Declare will run well in the Caulfield Cup but believes the handicapper has set him a challenge with his weight. Last year, in the start before he won the Melbourne Cup, Vow And Declare finished second to Mer De Glace in the Caulfield feature…. Read More »
Five years ago, Les Bridge was wandering around the Inglis sales when he bumped into long-time friend Carmel Size. Size was hunting for a yearling on behalf of her boss, Hong Kong-based businessman Bon Ho, and had been captivated by a steely grey son of Not A Single Doubt. Market… Read More »
Everest contender Eduardo is like that kid in the school playground who can run faster than everyone else and knows it. The horse has been walking around the stables of trainer Joe Pride with a Mick Jagger swagger, ahead of his date with destiny in Saturday’s $15 million The Everest…. Read More »
