We like to read about the bargain-buys who win big. They are few and far between but are out there and are very well received when they show up. Multiple Gr 1 winner BOHEMETH comes to mind, who cost a pittance as a young horse, yet has won $2,525,900 in… Read More »
We don’t get to write many stories about riders from South Australia. Certainly not apprentice jockeys as most of the time the eastern seaboard hoops dominate the headlines. But, this story needs to be told. Sunday at Port Augusta races, the big race was the Port Augusta Cup over 2300m… Read More »
There may be questions asked of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) following the release overnight of a video ‘explaining’ whip use. As the sport globally comes under more and more scrutiny as the howls to ban the sport altogether grow, the BHA’s video does not do justice what-so-ever. You can… Read More »
Do you want a Gr 1 winning mare who almost certainly will return your investment, probably three-fold over the next few years? Well, there is one on the market… so get in quick. It’s the Chris Waller-trained FUNSTAR (Adelaide – Starspangled), who at just 4 years of age looks a… Read More »
Here’s another from the ‘you-don’t-see-that-on-a-racecourse-everyday file. In Japan overnight, a colt while looking over his rivals prior to the start of a race, saw that a fellow colt in the field was perhaps the handsomest thing he’d ever laid eyes upon. So, he wanted to… you know, have his way… Read More »
For the ’not seen before’ file, three riders who have never won a race face off at Moruya this afternoon – against each other. It is race 3, on at 1:10pm. They are Nick Hyde, who rides BELLEGANO (Rogano – Betty’s Belle) , Sally Faulks who pilots HALLIDAY ROAD (Congrats… Read More »
The horse KING OF HEARTS (Sebring – Eloping) started at $26 so many people weren’t on it, but those who were were left scratching their heads. Probably even swearing. The big flashy chestnut gelding was beaten into 3rd spot at Canterbury, less than a length by the winner ELECTRIC (Kermadec… Read More »
Superstar trainer Charlie Appleby confirmed after his exciting young stayer KEMARI (Dubawi) – who was bred by Luca Cumani -may well come to Melbourne this year for the Melbourne Cup. And after he won the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot last night showing a stunning turn of foot late in… Read More »
While everyone was rightfully so applauding the astonishing riding efforts of boom apprentice Reece Jones after he landed 4 winners at Randwick, no-one stopped to think how Brenton Avdulla was feeling. He would have been sick to the stomach given what the universe served up to him. Avdulla, riding at… Read More »
Adrian Bott was sheepish while being very, very happy when the 2YO CONVERGE stormed home to be a runaway winner of the Gr 1 JJ Atkins over 1600m. The race was worth $1million. The winner received $600,000 taking his prize money to $961,000. Everyone was happy, even punters who backed… Read More »
Those advocates all over the world who want the use of whips to be banned in the home straight, may just have been given a leg up last night at Canterbury Park. That’s Canterbury Park in the U.S. not in Sydney. This Canterbury is in Minnesota, a northern state of… Read More »
Should the Albury Racing Club be applauded or demonised for implementing a new, controversial and potentially paradigm shifting policy? They have allowed track work to take place in the afternoons. And, on face value, it looks like a fantastic idea and if approved full-time, will definitely entice more participants to… Read More »
The babies of the champions have long held appeal with race goers. And, today at Flemington, the youngest offspring of the great Black Caviar raced. It was her first start and she is a 2YO. Her name is INVINCIBLE CAVIAR (I Am Invincible – Black Caviar) and she went into… Read More »
The Gold Jewel at Eagle Farm over 1300m was won by TUMBLER RIDGE (Spill The Beans – Factor Fiction) who sat behind the pace and ran down BOOMSARA (Spirit Of Boom – Passara) with SAFEWORK (Spirit Of Boom – Ossie’s Secret) coming on late for 3rd. The race was worth… Read More »
Did this Eagle Farm 2YO race over 1500m, traditionally a good lead-up to next week’s Gr 1 JJ Atkins, prove to be again this year? The quick back-up certainly helps the runners so possibly is the answer. This year, it was the drifting favourite VOLCANIC ROCK (Hinchinbrook – Heat Of… Read More »
Aghh, a chilly and overcast Thursday in Sydney today, and leading Sydney rider Tommy Berry thought best to have a rest day. He could have had a full book of rides at Wyong. But, after wanting a down day, he chose not too….after trainer John O’Shea called. O’Shea saddles the… Read More »
“All About Eve is flying late but just missed, she was very unlucky,” said Matty Hill in the call and that was a gross understatement. MAGIC MAX (Magnus – Vain Sonata) was having his 3rd race start and did best in a driving finish to just hang on from ALL… Read More »
What a good opening race at Randwick today. WINNING VERSE ( Winning Rupert – She’s Poetry) led and looked all over a winner when she had the odds on pop SACRED FIELD (Deep Field – Rites of Spring) off the bit from the turn home. But both PARK AVENUE (Fastnet… Read More »
It’s always a big emotional moment whenever you start or do anything for the first time. So imagine the pressure young Zac Wadick is facing today. He steps out in race 4 at Nowra this afternoon aboard SHADOW COLOUR (Hinchinbrook – El Ashb) for his very first ride in a… Read More »
If VARDA (Lonhro – Wild Queen) runs like this in any upcoming races including the Gr 1 Stradbroke, she will win it. Such was her performance in the fast run Listed Chief de Beers at Doomben over 1110m when she came from last with a Bernborough like dash to win… Read More »
