The curtain has come down on the racing career of the gifted Iffraaj mare Francesca (NZ). She won five of her nine starts, including victory in her last appearance in the Gr.3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m) for trainer Andrew Forsman. “She suffered a recurrence of an old hind leg injury and with the timing and the way things were going to happen for her we felt it was best to retire her to stud,” he said. Bred and raced by Greg McCarthy, Francesca is out of the High Chaparral mare Matagouri…
Month: August 2022
Elephant gearing up for Melbourne spring
Trainers David and Emma-Lee Browne are hoping they can emulate their success in last season’s Melbourne Spring Carnival once again this year with Elephant (NZ) (Shocking). After an Australian debut win at Caulfield just shy of 12 months ago, the son of Shocking went on to run second in the Gr.2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley before winning the Gr.3 Sandown Stakes (1500m), giving Elephant six wins from his first seven starts. Elephant’s spring campaign ended after two more runs while his autumn campaign was over after one run…
Mr Maestro on classic path in Melbourne
An early decision to send Mr Maestro (NZ) (Savabeel) to Australia will give the gifted three-year-old every opportunity to stamp himself as a classic contender. The well-bred Andrew Forman-trained son of Savabeel will cross the Tasman in the early hours of tomorrow morning and, all going well, will open his Victorian campaign in a 1200m age group event at Sandown on Sunday. Mr Maestro impressed last season during a light preparation and followed up a debut fifth with success at Avondale before finishing third in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m)…
NZ Breds Quinella Darwin Cup
The former Maher and Eustace trained Tavistock gelding Playoffs (NZ) scored a dominant win in the A$200,000 Darwin Cup (2000m) on Monday beating Savabeel eight-year-old Kaonic (NZ). Trained by champion Northern Territory trainer Gary Clarke, Playoffs made a winning debut from his new quarters when successful in the A$60,000 Chief Ministers Cup and kept up the good work to go and win his target race. The win was an emotional one for Clarke, his wife Sharlene and their family as they tragically lost their son Guy late last year. Playoffs,…
‘Chunk’ has spunk!
The Sylvester Doyle Puppy Championship final provided the first-ever Derby vs Oaks match race many hoped for but didn’t think they would ever witness at Longwood on Sunday. A few years ago, the NCA reverted to the original format where the Victorian Derby and Victorian Oaks was conducted before the Puppy Championship. And what a masterstroke it has proved with Kyanna (Victorian Oaks winner) and Rothwell Chunk (Victorian Derby winner) staging a course to remember. Kyanna (Dallas Massina) exited the slips the better and established an early one length lead.…
State Of Rest, Anamoe set to clash again in 2022 Cox Plate
State Of Rest and Anamoe are set for a rematch in the 2022 Cox Plate. (Picture: Racing Photos) In the centenary year of the W.S. Cox Plate, Racing Victoria’s (RV) General Manager – Racing Operations and International, Paul Bloodworth, believes it could be one of the best editions yet. With nominations released on Tuesday afternoon, punters were excited to see last year’s first and second horses, State Of Rest and Anamoe, entered once again. Joining that pair as part of the 135 nominees is Annabel Neasham’s Zaaki, who sits on…
Melbourne Cup draws 186 nominations, 43 internationals
The 2019 Melbourne Cup winner, Vow And Declare, is among the 186 nominations for the 3200m race. (Photos: Racing Photos) The Melbourne Cup has drawn a 10-year high of 186 entries in 2022, with 43 of those coming from abroad. The first round of nominations for the race that stops the nation was taken on Tuesday afternoon, signalling three months until the famous 3200m feature is run and won. While 2019 champion Vow And Declare is back for another shot at history, the last two winners of the race –…
Cranbourne racing tips & best value bets | August 4, 2022
What Cranbourne Races Where Cranbourne Turf Club – 50 Grant St, Cranbourne VIC 3977 When Thursday, August 4, 2022 First Race 1pm AEST Visit Ladbrokes Cranbourne will start off its eight-race program at 1pm AEST on Thursday with some competitive races programmed for punters to dissect. Peter Moody has a handy team engaged, as does the Maher & Eustace stable. The last race closes the program at 4:30pm, with the quaddie getting underway at 3pm in the long-distance race. CRANBOURNE BEST BET: NIGHTFIRE Nightfire is a very interesting runner for…
Australian focus for Nelson this weekend
Quality jumper The Cossack soars over a fence on his way to victory at Hastings. Photo credit: Race Images – Grant Matthew Champion jumps trainer Paul Nelson will be in Australia rather than Christchurch this weekend as he watches his star hurdler The Cossack take on Australia’s best. Nelson won last season’s New Zealand jumps trainer title with 19 successes, including a startling eight prestige jumps races, but he won’t be represented on the first day of the Grand National carnival at Riccarton on Saturday. Instead he’ll be at Sandown…
Blayney Appointed To Greyhound Board
The Board of Greyhound Racing Victoria has been bolstered by the appointment of John Blayney for a three-year term. Minister for Racing Anthony Carbines today announced Mr Blayney’s appointment and thanked Deputy Chair Emmett Dunne who has stood down after six-years on the Board. Mr Blayney served as a police officer for more than 40 years and has held senior leadership roles at Victoria Police, including Assistant Commissioner of Regional Operations and Chief Information Officer. He was awarded the Australia Police Medal in 2012 for his services to the force…