Month: September 2023

In Secret ridden by James McDonald wins the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington Racecourse. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Prominent jockey James McDonald, a seven-time Sydney premiership winner, is facing an unexpected setback in his racing career. Following a fall at Wyong last Friday, it was initially believed that he had escaped major injury, allowing him to participate in races at Randwick the following day. Despite riding in discomfort, McDonald brought up a riding double, demonstrating his remarkable resilience. However, recent scans have revealed a more severe injury than initially…

Dragon Leap winning the Group 2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa last month. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott are set to showcase their promising colts, Monday Melody and Geriatrix, at Avondale on Wednesday, with both youngsters displaying strong performances in lead-up trials. Regarding their decision to race these two colts, Scott mentioned, “He’s been well educated with the two trials since a spell so his fitness levels are good, and they will need to be with the conditions. “He’s been on the heavy ground…

La Crique will contest the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings on Saturday. Photo: Race Images Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander are heading to Hastings with enthusiasm as they prepare for the first leg of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival. Last year, adverse weather conditions disrupted their mare La Crique’s spring preparation, but this time, they are grateful for the favourable weather forecast leading up to the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) on Saturday. They believe the milder winter has been beneficial for their mare’s preparation, allowing them to…

What Hawkesbury Races Where Hawkesbury Race Club – 1 Racecourse Rd, Clarendon NSW 2756 When Thursday, September 7, 2023 First Race 12:50pm AEST Visit Ladbrokes Hawkesbury Race Club is the destination for provincial racing in NSW this Thursday afternoon, with eight competitive races set for decision. The rail is in the true position throughout the entire circuit, and with perfect weather conditions in the next few days, we should be racing on a Good 4 surface. The first race is set to kick off proceedings at 12:50pm AEST. Best Bet:…

The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) had a stronger-than-ever presence to oversee more than one hundred starters competing at the two-day 2023 Birdsville Cup carnival. A total of five QRIC stewards attended to provide stewarding, judging and clerk of the scales duties as well as two members of the new Compliance Assurance Team, two veterinarians, and a photo-finish operator attended the iconic country racing event, with the team coming from locations such as Roma, Julia Creek, Rockhampton and Brisbane. Across the two days, 13 races were run with 106 starters,…

What Cranbourne Races Where Cranbourne Turf Club – 50 Grant St, Cranbourne VIC 3977 When Thursday, September 7, 2023 First Race 1:30pm AEST Visit Ladbrokes Racing heads to the Cranbourne Turf Club for an eight-part meeting on Thursday afternoon. The track has come up a Soft 5 at the time of acceptances, but there is plenty of rain forecast throughout Thursday, meaning we should be racing on a Soft 7 or potentially worse at one point or another. The rail comes out 9m the entire trip, with action getting underway…

David Eustace, Mark Zahra and Ciaron Maher after winning the 2022 Melbourne Cup with Gold Trip at Flemington Racecourse on November 1, 2022. (Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) The 163rd edition of the Melbourne Cup has received 132 nominations, with trainers and connections from all over the world keeping alive their dream of winning Australia’s most famous race. The nominations feature horses from Japan, Ireland, England and New Zealand, with Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien (5) and his Joseph (3) dominating the international contingent. View full 2023 Melbourne Cup nominations here Headlining the…