Multiple Group One-winner Magical has run her last race with a temperature ruling her out of her planned swan song at the Breeders’ Cup meeting. Trainer Aidan O’Brien has confirmed the four-year-old will now head to the broodmare barn. Magical had a stellar 2019, winning the the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh, the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown and the Champion Stakes at Ascot. O’Brien was hoping to see her cap her career with victory in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita on Saturday, but…
Year: 2019
House issues Palmy warning
By Garrick Knight Michael House has issued a stern warning to punters ahead of today’s first meeting of the new Manawatu season. Don’t expect a lot. “I’ve had a change of heart and didn’t take the third truck up,” he told HRNZ. “There’s only a couple there that can win, I think – the rest are pretty average horses. “I’ve saved the ones that were really working well for Kaikoura next week. “The way the nominations ended up, there was no point sending another eight horses and racing ourselves. “This…
Murphy suspended for scales deception
Queensland apprentice Michael Murphy has been suspended for trying to cheat the scales. Apprentice Michael Murphy has been suspended for a month on a charge of trying to cheat while weighing out for a race at Townsville. Murphy is based in Brisbane but rides at several provincial meetings each week. Stewards opened an inquiry after the clerk of scales reported Murphy attempted to deceive him by placing his finger tips on the scales before a race on Sunday. Murphy pleaded guilty to engaging in dishonest, corrupt, fraudulent, improper or dishonourable…
Shadow Hero primed for 2500m of Derby
Trainer Mark Newnham is happy with Victoria Derby favourite Shadow Hero ahead of the Classic. One-time VRC Oaks favourite Celestial Falls will miss the race but her trainer Mark Newnham still has the chance for Classic glory in Melbourne. Shadow Hero assumed favouritism for Saturday’s Victoria Derby with his Group One victory in the Spring Champion Stakes in which he beat Castelvecchio. The Spring Champion form looks even better now with Castelvecchio’s second in Saturday’s Cox Plate won by Japanese mare Lys Gracieux. Celestial Falls, winner of the VRC Oaks…
Hush Writer in Cup bid via Hotham Handicap
Hush Writer will try to force his way into the Melbourne Cup via the Hotham Handicap. Gai Waterhouse will launch a final bid to get to the Melbourne Cup with Japanese-bred, French import Hush Writer. The Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained stayer is one of 28 nominations in Saturday’s Hotham Handicap with the winner afforded a start in the Melbourne Cup on November 5. Prince Of Arran won the Hotham Handicap last year before going on to finish third behind Cross Counter three days later. Of the 28 entries, 18 remain…
Hay Tiger upsets at Te Rapa
Hay Tiger (green & white stripes) prevails in a blanket finish at Te Rapa Photo credit: Trish Dunell Outsider Hay Tiger sprang a minor upset at Te Rapa on Monday when he prevailed in a blanket finish to the BCD Group-sponsored open handicap (1600m). The Glenn Old-trained seven-year-old came into the race off the back of an unlucky ninth in the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) on his home track with punters happy to see him start at $19 on the tote, in a market that saw Group 2 Coupland’s Bakeries…
Harlech Guineas bound after Te Rapa victory
Harlech has the situation well under control as he cruises to victory in the Group 2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes 91600m) Photo credit: Trish Dunell Matamata galloper Harlech added his name to the list of northern raiders bound for Riccarton next month when he dominated his three-year-old rivals in the Group 2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa. The Mike Moroney and Pam Gerard-trained gelding, who is rated a $10 chance in the Fixed Odds market for the Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld New…
From Donald to Derby for Thought Of That
Thought Of That has come from a maiden win at Donald to be a leading Victoria Derby hope. Donald may not be on the radar for those searching for potential Classic winners, but the track in north-central Victoria is one Ciaron Maher recommends. Maher, who trains in partnership with David Eustace, points to VRC Oaks winner Set Square racing at Donald early in her career while Victoria Derby prospect Thought Of That broke his maiden status at the track this month. Thought Of That runs on Saturday in the Derby…
Derby prospect scores on debut at Te Rapa
Dragon Leap and Craig Grylls cruise to the line for an eye-catching debut victory at Te Rapa Photo credit: Trish Dunell Expensive yearling purchase Dragon Leap underscored his potential staying talent when he stormed home on debut to score over 1400m at Te Rapa. Raced by Hong Kong couple Eugene and Karen Chuang under their Hermitage Thoroughbreds banner, the Pierro three-year-old gelding was an A$1,050,000 purchase out of the Sydney yearling sales and is prepared by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott from their Matamata base. O’Sullivan and Scott have enjoyed…
Forty two horses left in Melbourne Cup
The 2018 Melbourne Cup quinella Cross Counter (l) and Marmelo (r) have undergone scans. Four horses among the remaining 42 vying for the 24 spots in the Melbourne Cup field have been the subjects of veterinary scrutiny. Defending Cup titleholder Cross Counter and 2018 runner-up Marmelo, along with Ispolini and Southern France have undergone tests. Trained in England by Charlie Appleby, Cross Counter has undergone a precautionary CT scan at the University of Melbourne Equine Clinic and passed suitable to continue his preparation. His Godolphin stablemate Ispolini has been referred…