To have a runner in the Melbourne Cup is a dream result for Bendigo horseman Josh Julius. The easiest way for Julius to achieve that would be to win The Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday with Super Girl. Victory in the Andrew Ramsden provides the winner a ballot exemption into November’s Melbourne Cup. “It’s a pipedream that first Tuesday in November, whether you’re a trainer, an owner or a jockey,” Julius said. “The Melbourne Cup is what everyone dreams of and strives for and it’s a big thrill…
Month: May 2020
Harbour Views set for first stakes test
Promising galloper Harbour Views is part of an impressive book of Adelaide rides for John Allen. The Group Three RA Lee Stakes in Adelaide shapes as an important race for import Harbour Views who will be striving to enhance his spring credentials with a first stakes victory. Warrnambool trainer Matthew Williams has sent Harbour Views to Adelaide for Saturday’s 1600m race at Morphettville which will be the second start of his current campaign after a first-up third over 1400m at Sandown on a heavy track. Harbour Views was the $2.60…
The Bopper again trounces rivals at Scone
A normally reticent Kris Lees admits The Bopper looks to be a ready-made racehorse after burning his opponents in the Inglis 2YO Challenge at Scone. The youngster started an odds-on favourite on Friday after doing what few horses can manage on debut by breaking the 1000m track record at Tamworth. By Nature Strip’s sire Nicconi, he made a one-act affair of Friday’s $100,000 race, showing surprising pace to cross from a wide draw and dictate from the front, again running slick time. Even Lees struggled not to be dazzled by…
Flemington return for 3YO King Of Hastings
Well-regarded three-year-old King Of Hastings will resume against older horses at Flemington. A pleasing jump-out against some established Group One performers has readied three-year-old King Of Hastings to return in a sprint race at Flemington. The Anthony Freedman-trained King Of Hastings will resume over the straight 1000m against older horses in Saturday’s Furphy Dash, his first start since finishing fifth in the $2 million Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast in January. His preparation has included an 800m jump-out last Friday at Flemington in which he finished second,…
Gamble on Toronado youngsters pays off
Owner Graeme Ireland is reaping the rewards of a canny yearling sale outlay with Beehunter. Taking a punt on a new-season stallion can be a risk for any prospective horse buyer. Graeme Ireland and his son Todd support the Victorian market and spend countless hours going over the pedigrees searching for a potential good horse. The 2018 Melbourne yearling sale saw the first of the Toronado stock offered and the Ireland boys were taken by two lots. One was Beehunter, a winner of two races from his seven starts under…
NSW jockey taken to hospital after fall
Jockey Jenny Duggan has been taken to hospital after a fall marred one of the biggest days on the NSW country racing calendar. Duggan was riding in the last of eight races at the Scone Cup meeting in the upper Hunter Valley when her mount Steamboat Sally came to grief. Steamboat Sally and veteran rider Robert Thompson’s horse Tombolo fell in the home straight. Duggan, a successful rider on the NSW bush racing scene, has been taken to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle. “Jenny is suffering from pain to her…
NSW jockey in fall, airlifted to hospital
Jockey Jenny Duggan has been airlifted to hospital after a fall marred one of the biggest days on the NSW country racing calendar. Duggan was riding in the last of eight races at the Scone Cup meeting in the upper Hunter Valley when her mount Steamboat Sally came to grief. Steamboat Sally and veteran rider Robert Thompson’s horse Tombolo fell in the home straight. Duggan, a successful rider on the NSW bush racing scene, has been flown to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle. “Jenny is suffering from pain to her…
Dr Drill beats Phaistos to win Scone Cup
NSW-based South African jockey Keagan Latham has steered import Dr Drill to a thrilling win in the Listed Scone Cup. Sent out a $10 chance in Friday’s 1600m feature at Scone in the NSW Hunter Valley, Dr Drill enjoyed a nice run just off the lead before he sprinted to the front inside the final 100m. In a busy finish, Dr Drill held off Phaistos ($3.90) who made a late charge out wide only to be denied by a short neck while Sambro was another head away third. It was…
Blinkers to boost Exhilarates chances in 2020 Gold Coast Guineas
Trainer James Cummings has put the blinkers back on Exhilarates in a bid top boost her chances in the Group 3 $125,000 Brandon’s Gold Coast Guineas (1200m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday. Exhilarates, above, will wear the blinkers in the 2020 Gold Coast Guineas at the Gold Coast. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos. Exhilarates wore the blinkers when she won the 2019 $2m Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast and the Snitzel filly will wear them again when she returns to the scene of her biggest…
Hannam happy to be back in saddle
Robbie Hannam on the Peter Didham-trained Red Rufus. Photo: Trish Dunell It’s fair to say Palmerston North rider Robbie Hannam is a glass half full guy. The effervescent jockey has been back at work over the past couple of weeks after New Zealand’s month-long lockdown period due to Covid-19. The 53-year-old kept fit throughout the month off and like many was eager to get back to work as soon as he could. “The body has been good,” Hannam said. “I live beside the river and there are walkways and I…