Category: Australian Racing

Gimcrack Stakes victor Bel Merci won’t be seen this spring but trainer John Thompson is hoping another of his two-year-old winners can step up to the plate in her absence.The Randwick horseman expected Bel Merci to be off the scene until next year after she was struck down by a combination of ailments while spelling.“She…

Champion trainer Chris Waller says Via Sistina could follow a similar program as last spring that saw the mare land four Group 1 victories.Via Sistina will have her first public appearance on Tuesday morning when she steps out in the opening heat of 17 trials at Randwick.The 850m trial on the Kensington track has brought…

William Pike is set to clinch his fifth career metropolitan premiership, with 102.5 wins placing him ahead of James McDonald and Chris Parnham nationally.McDonald has wrapped up his season, and with Pike seven-and-a-half wins clear of Parnham, the title looks secured — his first since 2019-20.Blake Shinn, however, remains a threat for most overall wins,…

There was no shortage of drama in the 2025 renewal of Thursday’s $200,000 Grafton Cup (2350m).Race favourite Bear On The Loose was scratched just before the field was set to jump while second favourite Quietness ran off the track in the concluding stages and cost itself the race.Quietness led the field of 12 and travelled…

The drying capacity of the Rosehill track will determine whether Accredited takes his place in the Winter Stakes at Rosehill as trainer Joe Pride mulls over a back-up plan.The course proper was a heavy 9 on Thursday and Pride is hoping it improves into the soft range as Accredited’s best form is on firmer ground.While…

The expression ‘everyone would love a horse like this in their yard’ can apply to many runners but one who that certainly applies to is Berkeley Square.The one-time Victoria Derby favourite is once again on a path to Victorian springtime staying features and it all begins today in the Listed VRC-CRV Winter Championship Final (1600m).In…

The lights will be back on at Toowoomba Turf Club on Friday and no-one is happier than its chief executive Grant Sheather following a “significant” drop in revenue for the turf club.Night racing was initially scheduled to return to Toowoomba on Saturday but it would have clashed with the $1 million Group 1 Brisbane Cup…

It is set to be a case of ‘girl power’ for Chris Waller this spring with the champion trainer already welcoming back his topline fillies and mares in preparation for the new season.Along with stable star Via Sistina, Waller confirmed his Coolmore Classic winner Lady Shenandoah, the undefeated Autumn Glow, runaway Australian Derby winner Aeliana…

Racing NSW today announced that Mulberry Racing has secured a slot in the $20 million TAB Everest for a term of three years commencing with the running of this year’s race.This announcement follows an expression of interest process in respect of the vacant slot previously held by The Star.Following extensive interest, Mulberry Racing submitted the…

Talented colt Brave Design could bypass the Group 1 J.J. Atkins Stakes and instead contest a sprint race on the Stradbroke Handicap card at Eagle Farm.The Danny O’Brien-trained Brave Design finished fourth in Heavy conditions last Saturday at Eagle Farm in the G2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes over 1400m, which is one of the traditional…