Purdons hold keys to Alexandra Park features

By Michael Guerin One of New Zealand’s training greats thinks his star three-year-olds could be playing catch-up in the features at Alexandra Park tonight and it could be his brother who inadvertently benefits. So don’t be surprised if Mark Purdon wins both features tonight but brother Barry has two pacers running on strongly in them. Mark Purdon is on 2499 training successes, with Barry the only other trainer to have cracked 2500. He’s currently on 2635. Tonight’s meeting sees the best pacing fillies in the Peter Breckon Memorial and the…

March heralds busy time for Sires’ Stakes racing

A huge autumn of Sires’ Stakes racing gets underway at Alexandra Park on Friday night. Headlining the Garrard’s Sires’ Stakes 3YO Colts and Geldings heat at 8.40pm are Merlin, Sherlock and Sinbad along with the likes of Sooner The Bettor, Seve and Who’s Delight. “It really is a cracking way to get things started,” says Sires’ Stakes executive Martin Pierson, “especially with the two shorties (Merlin and Sherlock) off the second row.” “It should be very competitive.” The race will be the first of four heats, culminating in the Group…

Son of Zed ‘one out of the box’

Chico Sonado (NZ) (Zed) has a long way to go to reach the lofty heights of his three-quarter sister Verry Elleegant (NZ), but his connections believe he has inherited some of the family talent. The son of Zed was impressive when winning on debut over 1300m at Sandown on Wednesday for trainer Brett Scott, and he is excited about what is instore for the three-year-old gelding once he matures. Jockey Jamie Mott had been pleased with Chico Sonado’s jumpouts in the lead-up to Wednesday, but admitted to being a bit…

Forsman hoping luck rides with Aegon

Andrew Forsman is confident Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls) is up to the task that awaits him in Saturday’s All-Star Mile (1600m) if the five-year-old gets his fair share of luck at Moonee Valley. The Cambridge trainer had hoped for a better barrier than eight in the A$5 million feature and will now hope the breaks fall the way of the son of the late Sacred Falls. “He just needs the right run and it’s hard to know whether he will get that, but I suppose there’s a lot worse draws…

Wood has eyes on multiple venues

Trainer Chris Wood is hoping Side Eye (Sidestep) can continue his preparation the way he started it – winning. The Sidestep gelding was victorious first-up over 1300m on the Cambridge Synthetic last month and will head to Tauranga on Saturday in a fresh state where he will attempt to continue his momentum in the Happy Retirement Brian McKeagg 1400. “I think he suits a bit of spacing between his races,” Wood said. “He has trained on nicely since that win, we have been pretty easy on him. “He has had…

Australian syndicator seeking autumn gold with Kiwi import

Australian syndicator Darby Racing are daring to dream of Group glory with their recent New Zealand import Goldman (NZ) (Verdi). The son of Verdi has made an instant impression since joining Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s Randwick stable and they are now contemplating some bigger targets over the Sydney Autumn Carnival with the four-year-old gelding. Initially trained in New Zealand by Tony Pike, Goldman won two and placed in one of his four starts in his homeland before a deal was brokered with Darby Racing. He didn’t set the world…

Rosehill full racing tips & quaddie | Golden Slipper Day 2023

What Golden Slipper Day 2023 Where Rosehill Gardens Racecourse – James Ruse Dr, Rosehill NSW 2142 When Saturday, March 18, 2023 First Race 12:10pm AEDT Visit Ladbrokes It’s Golden Slipper Day on Saturday afternoon as the best two-year-olds step out to stake their claim on the $5 million feature. That’s just the start, though, as we have a total of five Group 1 races to sink our teeth into. From the sprinters going around in The Galaxy, to the stayers in The Ranvet, there’s something for all types at Rosehill…

Morphettville best bets & quaddie tips | March 18, 2023

What Morphettville Parks Races Where Morphettville Racecourse – 79 Morphett Rd, Morphettville SA 5043 When Saturday, March 18, 2023 First Race 12:07pm ACDT Visit Ladbrokes For the second weekend in a row, the Parks track at Morphettville is scheduled to host a competitive nine-race program on Saturday afternoon as the metropolitan meeting in Adelaide. Perfect conditions for racing are set to greet punters and competitors, with the rail out 6m from the 1000m to the winning post and then out 3m the remainder. That being said, every runner should get…

Rosehill Guineas 2023 Field & Odds Update: Pericles Favourite

After a good lead-up win in Melbourne the James Cummings-trained Pericles is tipped to frank the form heading north as favourite in Saturday’s Group 1 $600,000 Sky Racing Rosehill Guineas (2000m). Pericles is back in Sydney as favourite in 2023 Rosehill Guineas betting for trainer James Cummings on Slipper Day. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos. The Godolphin-raced son of Street Boss has his first run at Rosehill Racecourse on the big stage this Golden Slipper Day and is at $2.70 through Ladbrokes leading Rosehill Guineas betting online. Pericles was fourth fresh…

Gold Trip Heads 2023 Ranvet Stakes Field & Betting Markets

The spring’s Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip will face just seven rivals second-up on Saturday with the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained stayer jumps narrow favourite in a wide-open edition of the Group 1 $1 million Ranvet Stakes (2000m). Reigning Melbourne Cup hero Gold Trip is favourite in 2023 Ranvet Stakes betting to return to winning form this weekend in Sydney. Photo: Steve Hart. It is a small but star-studded Ranvet Stakes this Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill with four of the eight final acceptors all under $5 to win…