Blake Shinn is one of Australia’s leading riders, but he will need to go to even greater heights if he can land the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) on Warmonger (NZ) (War Decree). The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained three-year-old drew the widest gate in Eagle Farm feature on Saturday. Warmonger drew barrier 23 but will start from gate 18 with five emergencies also declared. Having drawn so wide, it is expected Warmonger will need to be ridden in his recent pattern of getting back beyond midfield, coming with a…
Month: May 2024
Inside alley, again, for I Wish I Win
Luke Nolen this weekend runs the risk of being presented with the same issues that confronted James Mcdonald in the Doomben 10,000 after Tuesday morning’s Kingsford Smith Cup barrier draw. The Victorian jockey goes back aboard I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel), who will start from the inside alley in the A$1 million Group One event at Eagle Farm. That is the gate I Wish I Win started from when a narrow second, after being run down by Bella Nipotina (Pride of Dubai), in the Gr.1 Doomben 10,000. The opportunity…
Cole excited by rising three-year-olds
Matamata trainer Cody Cole. Photo: Trish Dunell Matamata trainer Cody Cole clocked up quite a few kilometres down State Highway One on Tuesday when he took a few of his team down to the Foxton trials. Cole was in search of better going for a couple of his juveniles and was pleased with what he saw from Atmospheric and St Giles, who won their respective heats, and both will now head for a spell ahead of their three-year-old season. “We had a wee trip away to get them on a…
Top sprinter staying closer to home
Babylon Berlin will likely remain in New Zealand for the remainder of her racing career. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Well-performed sprinter Babylon Berlin has remained at home with another winter start on the cards for the multiple Group winner. Connections had considered a Queensland campaign for the six-year-old but opted against the trip with a domestic Group 1 feature her long-term aim. “She might go to the open sprint at Te Rapa in the middle of June or we could tip her out and get her ready for the…
Jumping future for Group 1 performer
Helena Baby will make his jumping debut next week. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) A jumping future is looming for Group 1 performer Helena Baby following his 20-length victory in an Open Hurdle trial at Cambridge on Monday. The grey nine-year-old has performed well on the flat for trainer John Bell, winning seven races, including the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m) on two occasions, and placed in the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) and Opunake Cup. He has had three unplaced sprint outings this preparation in preparation for making his debut…
Cole keen for season ahead
Matamata trainer Cody Cole clocked up quite a few kilometres down State Highway One on Tuesday when he took a few of his team down to the Foxton trials. Cole was in search of better going for a couple of his juveniles and was pleased with what he saw from Atmospheric (NZ) (El Roca) and St Giles (NZ) (Swiss Ace), who won their respective heats, and both will now head for a spell ahead of their three-year-old season. “We had a wee trip away to get them on a decent…
Pam Gerard to take sole charge of Ballymore New Zealand
Pam Gerard is set to assume ownership of Ballymore’s Matamata stables. Photo: Supplied Change is coming at the trans-Tasman Ballymore Stables operation, with Pam Gerard set to take sole charge of the Matamata base. Established in 1982 by Hall of Fame trainer Michael Moroney, Ballymore Stables has become renowned for its achievements on both sides of the Tasman headed by a total of 55 Group 1 wins. The decision has now been made for Gerard, Moroney’s training partner since 2016, to assume ownership of the Matamata stables and for Moroney…
Zac Purton eyes more Sha Tin success after weekend four-timer
Zac Purton holds a 35-win lead in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship. Marching towards a seventh Hong Kong jockeys’ championship, Zac Purton hopes Triumphant Warrior can extend the Australian’s recent hot form when Danny Shum’s charge contests the second section of the Class 4 Hin Yiu Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin’s eight-race all-dirt meeting on Wednesday night (29 May). Leading the 2023/24 standings with 107 wins – 35 clear of nearest rival Karis Teetan (72) with only 13 meetings left in the season – Purton takes six rides tomorrow night…
The Follow Files: Magic Millions 2YO winner returns to form
The Queensland Racing Carnival is in full swing after two meetings at Doomben in as many weeks. Meanwhile, Sandown and Randwick held strong offseason programs last Saturday, featuring several progressive horses returning for winter campaigns. In this week’s edition of The Follow Files, we look at three runners that punters should consider adding to their blackbooks. Doomben Track rating: Soft 5 Rail position: +2m entire circuit Race 3: Darby McCarthy (1100m) | Time: 1:04.89 Horse to follow: Skirt The Law (4th) After finishing a disappointing ninth of 12 in the…
Pakenham free racing tips & quaddie selections | Thursday, May 30
What Pakenham Races Where Pakenham Racecourse – 420 Nar Nar Goon–Longwarry Rd, Tynong VIC 3813 When Thursday, May 30, 2024 First Race 5:15pm AEST Visit Dabble Racing will return to Pakenham this Thursday evening for a very competitive eight-race program. The track was rated a Soft 6 at the time of acceptances, and with more rain forecast on Thursday, it is expected that the surface will remain in the Soft range. The rail will be pushed out to the +9m position for the entire circuit, with the first event scheduled…