A decade after breaking new ground at Royal Ascot, American trainer Wesley Ward is returning with a team of eight as hungry as ever. The trainer was not well known in England when he first brought horses to Britain’s summer showpiece meeting but it did not take him long to… Read More »
Connections of Australian sprinter Houtzen say they have not travelled to England to make up the numbers and are upbeat about her Royal Ascot chances. The four-year-old continued her build-up to next week’s King’s Stand Stakes with a rousing 800-metre gallop alongside travelling companion Acqume on Wednesday. Jamie Spencer warmed… Read More »
Australian sprinter Acqume will test the waters when she makes her English debut in a 1000m-race at York. The Toby Edmonds-trained mare is in England as a travelling companion Houtzen who is being prepared for Royal Ascot. She had also been entered for a six furlong (1200m) race at Goodwood… Read More »
Houtzen’s connections believe the Toby Edmonds-trained sprinter is overpriced for next month’s King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot. The four-year-old continued her preparations for the Group One prize – for which she is a general $25 shot with local bookmakers – when taking part in a barrier trial under Oisin… Read More »
The career of international traveller Viddora is in limbo with the mare currently in England having a spell. Viddora has raced in Dubai and Hong Kong at her past two starts but has been prevented from returning directly to Australia, a cause of frustration for her trainer Lloyd Kennewell. The… Read More »
Trainer Toby Edmonds is pleased with the news he is getting about his star mare Houtzen who is at Newmarket in England preparing for the Royal Ascot meeting. Houtzen was accompanied by Edmonds’ son and stable foreman Trent who has told his father everything went to plan for the long… Read More »
Group One winning sprinter Brave Smash has been confirmed for a trip to Dubai for the Al Quoz Sprint as well as a campaign at Royal Ascot during the middle of the year. Brave Smash showed connections enough to commit to an overseas campaign with a very gallant third in… Read More »
Frankie Dettori has teamed with trainer John Gosden to secure a treble on the opening day at Royal Ascot, highlighted by the victory of Without Parole in the St James’s Palace Stakes. Injury prevented Dettori riding at the meeting 12 months ago, but those memories were quickly banished with the… Read More »
Group One Commonwealth Cup favourite Equilateral looms as James McDonald’s most important ride at Royal Ascot but the Sydney-based jockey is also excited to don The Queen’s famous colours in another race during the meeting. McDonald is expected to have rides on all five days of the Royal meeting which… Read More »
Star sprinter Redkirk Warrior has arrived back in his former homeland in preparation to compete on the world stage at Royal Ascot. Winner of this year’s Lightning Stakes and the past two Newmarket Handicaps in Melbourne, Redkirk Warrior arrived at his Newmarket base in England on Thursday night (Friday AEST)… Read More »
Redkirk Warrior will be the sole Australian representative at Royal Ascot with two-year-old Luck Favours ruled out because of illness. The Rosemont Stud-owned Luck Favours was scheduled to leave with Redkirk Warrior on Wednesday but spiked a temperature overnight. Rosemont principal Anthony Mithen said the filly showed signs on Tuesday… Read More »
Sydney jockey James McDonald’s comeback will continue when he rides at the Royal Ascot meeting. McDonald, who returned to riding earlier this month after serving an 18-month ban for a betting offence, has been booked by English trainer Charlie Hills for Equilateral in the Group One Commonwealth Cup. Equilateral is… Read More »
Senior Lindsay Park trainer David Hayes leaves for Royal Ascot confident Redkirk Warrior is in peak condition. The gelding won an 800m-barrier trial at Werribee on Monday in which he streeted his five rivals under Regan Bayliss. Hayes was delighted with the way Redkirk Warrior quickened turning for home and… Read More »
The decision-making skills of Aidan O’Brien are often what sets him apart from the rest and switching Rhododendron back to 1600 metres has proved a winning tactic in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury. Having finished fourth on her return in the Prix Ganay over an extended 10 furlongs (2000m) last… Read More »
Redkirk Warrior has been given the opportunity to gallop between races at Flemington in preparation for his trip to Royal Ascot. The Lindsay Park trained sprinter is tentatively booked to fly to the UK on June 6 after he has another hit-out at Werribee on May 28. Redkirk Warrior has… Read More »
Triple Group One-winning filly Shoals will stay at home to concentrate on the $13 million Everest rather than travel to England for Royal Ascot. The Anthony Freedman-trained Shoals won her third Group One title and her second against older mares in Saturday’s Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville. Her owners… Read More »
Senior Lindsay Park trainer David Hayes and the owner of Redkirk Warrior have called on the experience of Frankie Dettori for Royal Ascot. Dettori will replace Regan Bayliss on Redkirk Warrior when the gelding runs in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes on June 23. Redkirk Warrior will be attempting to follow… Read More »
Despite riding Redkirk Warrior to three Group One wins, jockey Regan Bayliss won’t get the chance to ride the champion sprinter when he lines up at Royal Ascot in June. Linsday Park trainer David Hayes has reportedly chosen champion jockey Frankie Dettori to take the ride on Redkirk Warrior when… Read More »
Group One-winning colt Merchant Navy will join Aidan O’Brien’s string in Ireland to be prepared for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. Merchant Navy won the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes for three-year-olds last spring and finished third in Saturday’s Group One Newmarket Handicap over the same 1200m straight… Read More »
With speculation that trainer Chris Waller may very well travel half-way around the world with wonder mare Winx, it is now a real possibility that she can emulate the feat of Black Caviar, and look to win at Royal Ascot. Online bookmaker Sportsbet.com.au has pencilled her in on futures markets… Read More »
