Month: February 2024

Legarto asserts her dominance over 2000m in claiming the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes at Te Rapa on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Matamata trainers Ken and Bev Kelso have long believed Legarto had the potential to excel over 2000m, and their stable star proved them right on Saturday with a sparkling performance in the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa. Legarto was a Group One superstar on both sides of the Tasman as a three-year-old last season. She blew her rivals off the Riccarton track…

Mr Brightside, the beloved superstar from the Lindsay Park stable, made a dramatic comeback in the 100th edition of the CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield, stealing the show in a thrilling finish. C.F. Orr Stakes winner 2024 Mr Brightside won by a nose on the line first-up at Caulfield. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos. Despite a slow start, the champion settled comfortably behind a frantic pace set by Pride Of Jenni. Jockey Craig Williams expertly guided him through the pack, unleashing a powerful finishing kick in the final 50m to snatch…

Ceerseven (NZ) provides Victoria-based trainer Mitch Freedman with his first Sydney at Randwick on Saturday. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au An astute piece of placement by trainer Mitch Freedman combined with a perfect Ben Melham ride has resulted in Ceerseven pulling off a successful Sydney raid, when running out a ready winner of a BenchMark 78 Handicap over a mile at Randwick on Saturday. The son of Complacent was in a stalking position throughout as favourite Nana’s Wish and Canadian Ruler set moderate fractions up front, and pounced when Melham pressed the go-button…

Mr Brightside and Craig Williams return to scale after a fifth Group One success. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Cult horse Mr Brightside commenced his autumn campaign in the Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday and after looking beaten for much of the contest called on all his fighting qualities to mow down bold front runner Pride Of Jenni and Buffalo River in the shadows of the post. The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained gelding has a never say die quality that has endeared him to racing fans…

Kallos ridden by Blake Shinn returns to the mounting yard after winning the Rubiton Stakes at Caulfield. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) High-quality performer Kallos secured a spot in the esteemed Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m), making a remarkable comeback from a 23-week hiatus to triumph in the $300,000 Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Under the skilful guidance of jockey Blake Shinn, riding for trainer James Cummings, Kalios made a decisive move down the centre of the track, clinching victory by a length over the short-priced…

Fully Lit was a class above in the Inglis Millennium. Photo: RacingNSW The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott barn continue to add to their list of well-performed two-year-olds as Fully Lit (+190) smashed his rivals in the $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m). It was the stablemate Trunk (+700) leading them up on a break-neck speed, as he and Art’s Alive (+8000) went head-to-head for the lead, ensuring the back markers would come into play. Fully Lit sat three wide for the entire journey under Regan Bayliss and did a mountain…

Hayasugi ridden by Jamie Kah returns to the mounting yard after winning the Blue Diamond Prelude (F) at Caulfield. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Hayasugi is set to embark on a rare and impressive journey as she aims for victory in Melbourne’s premier juvenile race at Caulfield, the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) on February 24. Trained by Clinton McDonald, the two-year-old has already secured victories in the Blue Diamond Preview and the Blue Diamond Prelude. Attempting to achieve a feat not accomplished by a filly since Midnight Fever…

Caballus was too slick for his rivals in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes. Photo: RacingNSW Joshua Parr and Bjorn Baker have combined with Caballus (+700) making it back-to-back wins to start the new campaign, smashing his rivals in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes at Randwick on Saturday. The change of stables has seemingly done the trick for the son of I Am Invincible, with the Bjorn Baker barn unlocking the best of this three-year-old colt. He was forced to do it the hard way on Saturday, as Caballus…