Connections of Irish mare True Self are counting on horses higher up the ballot order not being accepted for the Caulfield Cup as their best hope to gain a start in the $5 million race. The Willie Mullins-trained mare has been scratched from Saturday’s Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield which affords the winner a ballot exemption into Saturday week’s Cup. True Self was brought to Australia by OTI Racing for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups after they reached an agreement with the mare’s Irish owners. Of the 14 runners…
Year: 2019
Lindsay Park trio tackle Toorak Handicap
Co-trainer Tom Dabernig believes Lindsay Park’s three Group One Toorak runners all have a chance. Lindsay Park co-trainer Tom Dabernig can make a case for all three of the stable’s runners in the Group One Toorak Handicap at Caulfield. Dabernig, who trains in partnership with David and Ben Hayes, says all three are in top shape for Saturday’s 1600m-handicap. So Si Bon, Sikandarabad and Amphitrite will attempt to replicate the victory of He’s Our Rokkii three years ago and have been under Dabernig’s watch at Lindsay Park’s country property at…
Fasika on track for rich Golden Eagle
Trainer Joe Pride has runners in two states with Fasika at Randwick and Ball Of Muscle at Caulfield. Joe Pride expects Fasika to cement her credentials for the rich Golden Eagle but will have an unexpected multi-million dollar decision to make if Ball Of Muscle defends the Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield. Fasika runs in Saturday’s Silver Eagle (1300m) at Randwick as a prelude to the $7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m) for four-year-olds at Rosehill on November 2. Veteran sprinter Ball Of Muscle runs in the Schillaci (1100m) which has been…
Bjorn Baker hopes wait is worthwhile
Trainer Bjorn Baker will have to wait for the last race at Randwick to lead in a winner. Stable heavyweights Samadoubt and Champagne Cuddles will be home in their boxes this weekend but small fish will be sweet for trainer Bjorn Baker if one of his two runners gets the cash at Randwick. Baker confirmed Group One winner Samadoubt would head to the Craven Plate (2000m) on Saturday week, while Champagne Cuddles would tackle the Everest consolation, the Group Three Sydney Stakes (1200m) on the same program. With his stars…
Bowman with chance at Guineas double
Hugh Bowman rides Dalasan (l) ahead of replacing Raquel Clark (r) in the Caulfield Guineas. Hugh Bowman feels for emerging jockey Raquel Clark but reckons she will still be cheering loudest for Dalasan when he runs as favourite in the Group One Caulfield Guineas. Connections of the Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas-trained colt opted to replace Clark with champion jockey Bowman for Saturday’s $2 million Guineas after his second to Alligator Blood in the Prelude a couple of weeks ago. Bowman got to know Dalasan, who has had a tendency…
Prince of Arran’s Herbert Power ‘headache’
English Cups contender Prince Of Arran has settled into Werribee well on his 2nd trip to Australia. Melbourne Cup placegetter Prince of Arran will create a “headache” if he wins the Herbert Power Stakes, but Charlie Fellowes is not complaining. The English stayer will use Saturday’s Group Two 2400m-race at Caulfield to launch his second tilt at the Cup on November 5. Despite finishing third behind Cross Counter and Marmelo in last year’s Melbourne Cup, Prince of Arran sits outside the field for that race and the Caulfield Cup. Victory…
Racing NSW dangle 1.3m Redzel Stks carrot
This year’s Everest champion will have another million reasons to back up a fortnight later in the revamped Redzel Stakes. Racing NSW on Friday announced a bounty of up to $1.3 million in bonuses for Rosehill’s Redzel Stakes, formerly the Winners Stakes, on November 2. The bonuses are designed to attract a bumper field for the 1300m-support race on Golden Eagle Day, with the runners in the $14 million Everest and $500,000 Sydney Stakes on October 19 eligible to collect. The Everest champion, who banks $6.05 million this year, stands…
Tough Vegas Knight goes again in Guineas
Trainer Colin Little is hoping Vegas Knight can deliver him a first Caulfield Guineas. Win, lose or draw Vegas Knight is heading to the paddock for a rest after he runs in the Caulfield Guineas. Trainer Colin Little has been surprised by the gelding’s resilience after being in work for more than half the year, without a spell, racing through winter and spring. Little sees Vegas Knight as a potential autumn Derby hope and wants to give the three-year-old a break on the spring grass. But first there is Saturday’s…
Schweida walks tightrope with The Odyssey
Trainer Kelly Schweida is looking to The Odyssey to return to form fitter and trimmer at Eagle Farm. In-form trainer Kelly Schweida admits he is walking a tightrope trying to get former top juvenile The Odyssey back to peak form. Schweida has had a good week with doubles at Eagle Farm and Doomben but would love The Odyssey to return to form in Saturday’s Clayfield College Three-Year-Old Handicap (1000m) at Eagle Farm. The Odyssey had a great juvenile season being named Queensland Two-Year-Old of the Year at the annual racing…
Parr picks Hero to be crowned Spring Champ
Joshua Parr admits it was hard to choose between Shadow Hero (above) and Castelvecchio in Champion. The nature of Shadow Hero’s Gloaming Stakes win sealed the deal for Josh Parr as he grappled with the decision of which horse to ride in the Spring Champion Stakes. Parr is the regular partner of Shadow Hero and Champagne Stakes winner Castelvecchio but with the pair to clash in Saturday’s Group One Randwick showpiece, Parr had to make a tough call. “People say it’s a good position to be in when you’ve got…