Year: 2019

Damion Flower’s bail application has been refused by the NSW Supreme Court. High-profile racehorse owner and accused drug smuggler Damion Flower will spend Christmas behind bars as he faces the prospect of life in prison. Supreme Court judge Robert Hulme on Friday knocked back Flower’s second bail application since he was arrested in May over his alleged involvement in an international drug cartel. The 47-year-old appeared via videolink from Long Bay prison wearing prison greens but was supported in court by his wife Camilla, who broke down in tears during…

Julius (outside) will contest the Group 3 J Swap Contractors Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. Photo: Trish Dunell Comeback sprinter Julius will take the next step towards an elite level target when he contests the Group 3 J Swap Contractors Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. The eight-year-old delighted his connections when returning from a serious tendon injury to finish fourth fresh-up in the Listed Counties Bowl (1100m) at Pukekohe last month after more than 12 months on the sidelines. “I was very proud of him,” trainer…

King of Hastings will be on trial for the Magic Millions Guineas when he runs at Flemington. The Anthony Freedman-trained King Of Hastings gets the chance to press his claims for the Magic Millions Guineas when he runs at Flemington. The gelding is looking to bounce back from the only unplaced run of his six-start career when he lines up in Saturday’s Say Hello To Summer Racing Trophy (1200m). King Of Hastings finished fifth in the Magic Millions 3&4YO Classic (1100m) at Ballarat on November 23 when he was coming…

Tim Clark will ride 2yo Dubai Star (middle, blue cap) in the Inglis Nursery at Randwick. Tim Clark hopes he has pulled the right rein by opting to ride Tulloch Lodge youngster Dubai Star ahead of debutant Wild Ruler in the Inglis Nursery at Randwick . Clark had to choose between the pair after partnering both youngsters in recent barrier trials and it was not an easy decision. “I didn’t think there was a lot between them. I think they’re both quality two-year-olds,” Clark said. “I trialled the Snowdens’ colt…

Queensland Oaks winner Winning Ways runs at Eagle Farm on the way to a possible Magic Millions race. A bigger and stronger Queensland Oaks winner Winning Ways will take her first step towards a Magic Millions Trophy start at Eagle Farm. The mare resumes in Saturday’s Hamilton Hotel Open Handicap at Eagle Farm where she has drawn barrier six at the notoriously tricky 1800m-start. Winning Ways was bought at the Magic Millions sales but was not paid up for the series meaning she will need a wild card to get…

Trainer Cindy Alderson hopes Tycoon Bella can bring her winning country form to Flemington. Trainer Cindy Alderson admits Tycoon Bella has been a surprise packet and she hopes the filly can continue her winning ways when she makes her metropolitan debut at Flemington. After victories at Mornington and Ballarat at her first two starts, Tycoon Bella faces a stiffer test in Saturday’s December Twilight Handicap (1400m). The three-year-old is the highest-rated runner in Saturday’s race following her win in the VOBIS Gold Stockade (1400m) under Luke Currie on November 23,…

Co-trainer Ben Hayes says Westbrook Park should enjoy the step up to 1720m at Flemington. A rise in distance is expected to suit Westbrook Park at Flemington where he chases a hat-trick of wins but co-trainer Ben Hayes is looking forward to racing the gelding over even longer. The three-year-old broke his maiden at Cranbourne at his fifth start last month and backed it up with a more impressive win when stepped up to 1600 metres at The Valley on November 30. Westbrook Park again rises in distance to 1720m…

The Odyssey goes to the Gold Edition Plate off the back of a brilliant barrier trial win. A brilliant trial and strong track work has swayed trainer Kelly Schweida to take on top company with The Odyssey in the Listed Gold Edition Plate at Eagle Farm. Schweida had also accepted with the gelding in a Class Six race on Saturday but opted to keep The Odyssey in his own age group. The Odyssey was voted Queensland’s best two-year-old for last season but was slightly disappointing at his first two runs…