Year: 2019

Henry Dwyer is the latest Caulfield trainer to put plans in motion to move to Ballarat. With Caulfield to close as a training centre, Henry Dwyer is the latest to choose Ballarat as his new home. Dwyer last week began excavation works on a private training facility next to the Ballarat racecourse. It will incorporate a 1000m-sand track, a 26-horse barn, 14 walk-in, walk-out yards, day paddocks, treadmill, walkers and direct access to the Ballarat training tracks. Dwyer hopes to have the project completed by mid-2020 when his Caulfield operation…

Trainer Pat Carey is looking to back Maclairey up after his dead-heat win at Yarra Valley. Trainer Pat Carey will see how the week unfolds before committing Maclairey to a start at The Valley. Maclairey has been nominated for the 2040m-handicap at The Valley on Saturday after sharing the prize with Danon Roman in the Yarra Valley Cup last Friday. Danon Roman is nominated for Saturday’s race in which The Lord Mayor, Future Score and He Ekscels are among the 15 entered. Acceptances for Saturday’s meeting are usually taken on…

Trainer Matthew Williams has high hopes for Illustrious Lad around a bend at Caulfield. While Illustrious Lad’s straight track record is solid, his new trainer Matthew Williams is looking forward to seeing the sprinter racing around a bend. Illustrious Lad gets that chance on Thursday in the Listed Christmas Stakes at Caulfield, his second outing for Warrnambool-based Williams who replaced Peter Gelagotis. Illustrious Lad finished sixth to Halvorsen over 1100m at Flemington on December 14 at his first start for Williams. Williams said Illustrious Lad was too fresh that day…

Alward will get back to his favourite 2000 metres when he runs in the Summer Cup at Randwick. Alward will revert to his favourite distance of 2000 metres in the Summer Cup after another defeat over longer. The Chris Waller-trained import has yet to win in 11 attempts beyond 2000m but has seven wins at the distance of Thursday’s Listed feature at Randwick. His most recent victory was in the Listed ATC Cup in which his stablemate Black On Gold ran second and Tamarack third. The placegetters will be among…

A Ballarat meeting has been transferred to Werribee to give drainage work extra time to settle. Significant work was done on the drainage during Ballarat’s annual track renovation and it will not be ready for the January 19 meeting. Along with the renovation, work was done on a section of the track between the winning post and 1700m after that area underwent significant works during the construction of the synthetic track earlier in the year. The work included sand slitting and sand banding to improve drainage in areas of the…

Peloton winning at Te Rapa on Saturday. Photo: Trish Dunell Talented three-year-old Peloton, an impressive all-the-way winner at Te Rapa on Saturday, will get another opportunity to showcase his staying credentials, with trainer Andrew Campbell likely to back-up the son of Charm Spirit at Matamata this weekend. The gelding comfortably staved off his rivals under a well-judged Vinnie Colgan ride and will step up from 1500m when he contests the Fletcher Sheds (2000m) at Matamata. “He came through the win in terrific order and is bouncing around like a two-year-old,”…

Co-trainers Ciaron Maher (above)and David Eustace will try to add Amish Boy to their Millions team. The in-form Ciaron Maher/David Eustace training partnership can assure itself a third Magic Millions 2YO Classic runner with Amish Boy at Eagle Farm. Amish Boy is one of 18 entries for Saturday’s Group Three B J McLachlan Stakes (1200m), a race which is a last chance for several horses to qualify for the Magic Millions hopefuls. The McLachlan is usually a good guide to the Magic Millions with Military Rose and Unencumbered completing the…

Trainer Paul Nicholls knows better than anyone what is needed as he bids to add to his tally of 10 King George VI Chases with Clan Des Obeaux and Cyrname in the Kempton showpiece. The 11-time champion jumps trainer first enjoyed success in the Grade One contest in 1997, when Andrew Thornton steered See More Business to a two-length victory. The gelding was pulled up when trying to defend his title the following year, but bounced back in 1999 for a runaway 17-length victory under Mick Fitzgerald. “He was the…