Category: Australian Racing

Emerging Sydney stayer So You Are may be forced to contest today’s $500,000 Bendigo Cup (2400m) in a desperate bid to secure a place in the Melbourne Cup, despite winning three consecutive stakes races and receiving two weight penalties.The Bjorn Baker-trained galloper has been one of the most progressive stayers in Sydney this spring, but…

Going straight from a maiden to the Carbine Club Stakes isn’t the path Clinton McDonald planned for Conquer The World, but he’s not letting that shake his confidence in the gelding.The Toronado three-year-old will graduate from a big Cranbourne maiden win to the 1600-metre Group 3 at Flemington on Derby Day.The $500,000 Carbine Club Stakes…

A rainy week leading into a major race day is usually a mood dampener, but for the connections of Ka Ying Rising’s Everest rivals, it has been a beacon of hope.While the world’s best horse remains a solid $1.50 favourite for today’s $20 million sprint, queries over his prowess on a wet track have softened…

Hall of Fame trainer David Hayes maintains Hong Kong champion Ka Ying Rising has returned to Sydney a superior sprinter ahead of his attempt to go back-to-back in the Group 1 $20 million TAB Everest at Royal Randwick on Saturday.“Ka Ying Rising is a freak of nature, he’s a generational horse,” Hayes said.“Five times in…

A trip to Sydney in late August to trial The Next Episode led jockey Mark Zahra being in the hunt to win a second Caulfield Guineas.The trials on August 28 at Randwick allowed Zahra to partner Call Me Coach in a 1045m heat, in which the Dundeel colt finished fourth.Call Me Coach will be having…

Trainer Chris Waller is aware of the task awaiting Birdman when he confronts Sheza Alibi at Caulfield.Birdman and Sheza Alibi clash in the Group 1 Might And Power (2000m) on Saturday and on ratings Waller says Sheza Alibi has Birdman’s measure.In Birdman’s favour though is the gelding has been to 2000m previously while the Peter…

Mitch Freedman’s focus at Flemington last Saturday was on the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes, which he won with Skybird, but he was an interested observer of the Turnbull Stakes.The Ballarat trainer was excited to see Cosmic Crusader score a dominant 1-3/4-length win in the 2000-metre Group 1.The Freedman-trained Attrition was a similar margin off Cosmic…

Trainer Ciaron Maher has been waiting for the right time to apply blinkers to the race day gear of Jimmysstar.That day has finally arrived with Jimmysstar down to run in blinkers for the first time in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Sunday.Jimmysstar won a trial in the headgear on September 14…

Avery Anna showed she has a bright future in registering a debut win at Geelong.The Ladbrokes Popular SRM Maiden Plate (1125) on Wednesday was fought out by three debutants in a thrilling finish.The Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained filly was the least popular of the trio, easing from an opening quote of $3.80…

Chris Waller is set to saddle up five runners in the $1 million Golden Rose and while early markets rate St Gotthard as his best chance, the champion trainer says there is little separating his quintet.A full brother to Switzerland, St Gotthard suffered his first defeat when a close second to Warwoven in the Run…