Ex-pat Kiwi rider Michael (Mick) Dee gained early success on his latest race day return to his homeland when he guided favourite Island Life to victory in the Gr. 3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie. Dee, who plies in his trade in Melbourne these days after spending his formative years in New Zealand, had been engaged to partner race favourite Willydoit in the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) later on the card and got his day off to a great start with a superb effort…
Year: 2025
Return To Conquer brings up Te Akau Racing milestone
Expensive colt Return To Conquer extended his unbeaten record to four as he brought up a significant milestone for the Te Akau Racing operation when winning the Gr. 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie. The son of Snitzel was bought by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis for A$1.3 million as a yearling on the Gold Coast in January of last year and his latest success made it 100 Group One wins for Ellis and his team at Te Akau Racing. Starting a warm $2.10 Fixed Odds favourite, Return To…
2025 All-Star Mile Winner Tom Kitten Beats Mr Brightside
The 2025 All-Star Mile, in its inaugural Group 1 running, witnessed a stunning upset as Godolphin‘s Tom Kitten defeated the equal favourite, Mr Brightside, at Flemington on Saturday. Ben Melham delivered a masterful ride, guiding the James Cummings-trained Tom Kitten to victory in a tight finish. “He came back really good, this horse. His second […] The post 2025 All-Star Mile Winner Tom Kitten Beats Mr Brightside appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au.
Jedibeel slices through to claim Group 2 Challenge Stakes
Jedibeel surges to victory in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes at Randwick. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Brad Widdup & Tyler Schiller combined with Jedibeel ($10.00) to claim victory in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, slicing between horses to record an impressive eighth career win. The son of Savabeel was first-up after a 84-day spell, however, did bring residual fitness into the $500,000 feature after securing Listed success at the end of last preparation over 1200m. The five-year-old gelding had never missed the frame fresh, and that…
Tom Kitten claims Group 1 All Star Mile
Tom Kitten ridden by Ben Melham wins the All-Star Mile at Flemington. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) James Cummings has claimed his first All Star Mile (1600m) as a trainer, following a perfectly timed ride from Ben Melham aboard Tom Kitten (+360) at Flemington. Following his flashing light run when he was an unlucky runner-up behind Mr Brightside (+170) in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes, the son of Harry Angel has turned the tables on the champion by defeating him in a head-bobbing finish to the All Star Mile. As…
Middle Earth strikes on Aussie debut in Australian Cup Prelude
Middle Earth (GB) ridden by Mark Zahra wins the Australian Cup Prelude at Flemington.(Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Ciaron Maher and Mark Zahra have combined with Middle Earth on his Australian racing debut to claim the Australian Cup Prelude (2000m) at Flemington. The ex-European gelding was heavily backed with PlayUp in the final 10 minutes before the jump, as his odds continued to shorten from a high of +380 to +250. The son of Roaring Lion settled worse than midfield and enjoyed a strong tempo that was set by Aramco…
Little Baia secures third straight win in Aspiration Quality
Little Baia winning the Group 3 Aspiration Quality. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au The Bjorn Baker-trained Little Baia ($9.50) has chalked up her hat-trick of wins for the preparation, making every post a winner in the Group 3 Aspiration Quality (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon. Rachel King elected to head straight to the top from barrier three, with the daughter of All Too Hard well-placed with 53kg on her back throughout the contest. She was able to lead at her own leisure throughout the 1600m journey, with no other runners electing to…
Vinrock makes all in Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes
Vinrock ridden by Mark Zahra wins the VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Vinrock (+240) has maintained his undefeated record by taking out the Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) in his second career start, following a dominant debut victory at Pakenham. The Matt Laurie-trained gelding led from start to finish on debut, and Mark Zahra didn’t change tactics on the son of I Am Invincible, who bowled along out in front before kicking clear in the concluding stages of the race. After the…
Tentyris blouses rivals to claim Group 2 Todman Stakes
Tentyris winning the Group 2 Todman Stakes. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Godolphin has claimed a race-to-race double at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, with the Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained Tentyris ($8.00) stormed clear of his rivals in the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m). The Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) runner-up returned to Sydney in terrific order and got conditions to suit as a trio of runners went forward to dictate terms throughout proceedings. Beiwacht ($7.00), North England ($9.50) and Pallaton ($12.00) made a line of three in the early stages, allowing the…
Is It Me storms clear in Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap
Is It Me ridden by Billy Egan wins the Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap at Flemington Racecourse. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Is It Me has recorded his first straight win at the Flemington 1400m by giving his rivals a galloping lesson in the Group 3 Staftesbury Avenue Handicap (1400m). The Daniel Bowman-trained gelding was sent out as a heavily-backed favourite with Dabble, shortening from +170 into +150 in the final minutes before jump time. The other well-backed commodity and likely leader, Fancify (+800), found the front ahead of Ayrton (+150), and…