Month: January 2020

Trainer John Sargent will extend Luvaluva’s summer preparation to include the Listed January Cup. Luvaluva will be given the chance to add another stakes win to her record with trainer John Sargent extending her summer campaign to include the January Cup at Randwick. The last-start winner of the Group Three Summer Cup (2000m) on December 26 will line up over the same distance in Saturday’s Listed race. The Summer Cup was Luvaluva’s first win since the Group Three Adrian Knox (2000m) in April 2018 and Sargent had flagged a short…

Jockey Regan Bayliss returns to riding in Victoria after almost a year in Hong Kong. Group One-winning jockey Regan Bayliss is back in Victoria ready to re-establish himself in the Melbourne riding ranks after nearly a year away in Hong Kong. The 22-year-old will return to Victorian racing at Geelong on Thursday and make his city return on Saturday at Flemington where his rides include progressive Bumper Blast in the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes. “Obviously I learned a lot over in Hong Kong and I really enjoyed my time over…

Alburq (l) will step up to 1400 metres for the first time when he returns to Flemington. Having broken through for an overdue win, Alburq will be tested at 1400 metres for the first time at Flemington as trainer Mike Moroney looks to the future with the three-year-old gelding. Alburq broke his maiden at his eighth start with a narrow but impressive victory over 1200m against his own age at Flemington on December 21 in a performance that came as no shock to his trainer. “He was pretty unlucky the…

ATC CEO Jamie Barkley has announced a joint fund raising initiative with RNSW for bushfires. A special race day at Randwick to raise funds for those affected by bushfires is expected to realise $100,000 in sponsorships and other initiatives. Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club have joined forces in the appeal on January 25 which is in addition to $500,000 Racing NSW is distributing to participants directly affected by the fires. Initiatives on Carrington Stakes day include: * Sponsorship funds dedicated to the appeal * ATC Foundation will donate…

In-form galloper Germanicus. Photo: Trish Dunell Promising galloper Germanicus will have his first tilt at stakes level on Saturday when he contests the Group 3 Tui – Backing A Winner Since 1889 Anniversary (1600m) at Trentham. The Danica Guy-trained four-year-old has been in fine form over a mile, having won his last two starts over the distance at Te Rapa, including victory over Group 2 performer Intrigue last month. Guy was pleased with the victory and said he has come through the race in excellent order. “He’s thriving. Out of…

The Chosen One is being targeted towards Sydney’s autumn carnival. Photo: Race Images South Stablemates The Chosen One, Long Jack and Quick Thinker are back in work after Australian spring campaigns with the latter pair walking a fine line to get to Ellerslie late next month for another Group 1 target. The Chosen One, winner of the Group 2 Herbert Power (2400m) at Caulfield last October was put aside for a well-earned rest after finishing unplaced in both the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).…

Exciting three-year-old Catalyst. Photo: Trish Dunell Top three-year-old Catalyst will make his first public appearance since Group 1 success at Riccarton when he competes at the Matamata trials next week. The son of Darci Brahma lived right up to expectations when registering his fifth win from six starts with a dominant display in the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at the New Zealand Cup meeting on November 9 and he has thrived during his recent spell. “He had three weeks off when he came back from Christchurch and…