So, we wake to the richest 2YO race on the planet and during it’s storied life thus far, it has become probably the quintessential stallion-making race in Australia. The Gr 1 Caulfield Guineas is up there too, but the Gr 1 Golden Slipper over 1200m for the babies, is the… Read More »
It is not often, in fact NEVER, that North American rules of racing and racing in general are better than Australia’s. That’s pretty much always been the prevailing thought. But, after a big race at Santa Anita yesterday, there just might be one teensy weenie rule that we need to… Read More »
The question has been asked whether or not one of the leading contenders in this years Melbourne Cup should actually be starting in the race. The Aidan O’Brien trained Il Paradiso is becoming a bit of a controversial runner in the 2019 Melbourne Cup with the lightly raced galloper having… Read More »
Following his amazing 2nd placing in the Gr1 Spring Champion Stakes, CASTELVECCHIO has earned himself a shot at Gr 1 Cox Plate glory. Well, that’s what his trainer and owners want. He’s already a Gr 1 winner having scored in the Gr 1 Champagne Stakes over 1600m as a 2YO…. Read More »
Trainer Danny O’Brien has blamed one of the countries biggest three-year-old races as the issue for Australia’s staying ranks. O’Brien talking on RSN this morning said the single biggest impediment on the countries born and bred stayers is the G1 Victoria Derby. “The single biggest impediment to stayers in this… Read More »
This years edition of the ‘Stallion making’ Caulfield Guineas is set to be among the worst in recent years with most of the countries best three year old colts set to bypass the race. The Caulfield Guineas was looked upon as arguably the countries best ‘stallion making’ race for colts… Read More »
The enigma that is Nature Strip bounced back on Friday night winning his second Group One in the Moir Stakes. Nature Strip returned in the Concorde Stakes where he jumped slowly and was ridden quieter than normal, eventually finishing lengths back from The Everest contenders Redzel and Pierata but punters… Read More »
The biggest question in Australian racing right now is: has Kerrin McEvoy pulled the right rein? He was faced last night with the hardest decision in our sport: stick with Redzel in the $14 million The Everest or switch to boom sprinter, the big grey Classique Legend. And he no… Read More »
You will be hard pressed to fins a better trial than that of Classique Legend this morning who is headed towards The Everest next month. Classique Legend sat just off the speed in Trial 1 at Randwick this morning before rounding up the field to put pay to them easily… Read More »
I’m not a stewards’ basher. I think they do an excellent job in Australian racing but I think, like the bunker in Rugby League every now and then, they get it wrong. And here’s one where they’ve erred, I believe. Next Wednesday, leading Sydney jockey Sam Clipperton will face them… Read More »
Three weeks back I reported that The Jockey Club in America had received recommendations to ban the use of the whip in the home straight. The Jockey Club sent this to all stake holders and some tracks will introduce reduced whipping. Woodbine starts very soon. But….like is often the case,… Read More »
Here’s something you don’t read every day. Massive and extraordinarily successful owner Bob Peters is bringing his two stunning mares to race in Sydney because…..of an anomaly re a certain drug. It’s called Regumate. And it improves most mares on the racetrack who are on it. Regumate is one of… Read More »
With all the talk of late surrounding improved prizemoney levels, naming new races, and which state has the best racing carnivals, perhaps it might be prudent to take a step back and look at what we already have. Not the new stuff or the new debates, but at the races… Read More »
Connections of the heavily tried $2.00 favourite in race 6 at Sale yesterday are entitled to be miffed. And, while I’m not advocating they go the way of Gary and Mary West, who own Maximum Security, the dethroned Kentucky Derby winner and take action in the courts, at the very… Read More »
I was at Toronto’s beautiful Woodbine racetrack for a race meeting last week. And a big smile split my face like a watermelon when I heard a familiar – accent. It was music to my ears when I heard the race caller tell all and sundry that the horses were… Read More »
Is it fair to say, as Bob Dylan once did, ‘that the answer is blowing in the wind’? Certainly when it comes to horse racing rules, the winds of change are very, very close and North American racing actually needed the upheaval that occurred at the recent Kentucky Derby to… Read More »
I love racehorse names. So bear with me while I rattle off a few that attracted my attention these past few days, and that might be of interest to you. STRANGELY NAMED Last night in Hong Kong, at the Happy Valley race meeting, race caller Brett Davis described the all… Read More »
Racing fans are confused over the programming for this weekends feature Sydney meeting at Scone. Scone will host their two day carnival this week ahead of the Inglis sales with the Inglis Guineas being the feature race on Saturday’s card although the race has been schedule to start the meeting… Read More »
Only in America. Maximum Security led from start to finish and crossed the line first in the 145th Kentucky Derby, then loses it in the stewards room. Why? How? Wow! Result overturned! Following an objection after interference caused by Maximum Security, Country House is the @KentuckyDerby winner! #KyDerby pic.twitter.com/XgeZrHZxgC —… Read More »
The whip rule is set to come under fire once again with jockey Michael Dee being fined for overuse of the whip on Anzac Day where his ride dead heated in Race 4 at Flemington. The rule surrounding over use of the whip continues to come under fire and that… Read More »
