Portland Singa takes out Brisbane Cup
New South Wales galloper Portland Singa claimed the Brisbane Cup at Eagle Farm yesterday. Jockey Larry Cassidy rode the mare home to take the honours ahead of Shamrock Shore and Regal Punch. Pantani ran fourth, followed by pre-race favourites Zingam and County Tyrone in fifth and sixth respectively. The $500,000 Brisbane Cup win was a third for trainer Neville McBurnery.
Diva to return for Cox Plate
Diva to return for Cox Plate Diva, who has recently returned from a stint in Japan and has been spelling at Freedman's Rye property in Victoria, will be aimed at the 2040m Cox Plate in October at her third run from spell. While Freedman hasn't yet confirmed where the seven-year-old mare and dual Mebourne Cup winner will run first-up, it is widely tipped to be the Feehan Stakes at Moonee Valley in September. Makybe Diva was narrowly beaten in the stakes last year by Delzao. Freedman will also start...
Ballet Society the one to beat
The 35-yr-old King has dumped 2 kilos in the last fortnight to be assured of a start in Queensland's only $1 million race next week. It is the lightest King has been for nearly a decade, but is a testament to his belief that the ride is worth it - he personally stands to gain at least $35,000 if Ballet Society can hold off her rivals. Immediately after last month's BTC Sprint at Doomben, King got serious about his regime to reduce his body weight to 51. In Queensland races jockeys are not allowed...
More Australian jockeys being questioned in Maur...
The questioning is believed to be related to the finding of approximately AUD$20,000 at Taylor's beach side bungalow. Taylor informed the ICAC that his father-in-law (who left Mauritius just after the sixth meeting) gave part of the money to him as gift, but he couldn't explain the origins of the rest of the money. The ICAC is now investigating further, seeking information or evidence from other jockeys that could help them. Taylor is seeking to return home to Queensland but an 'objection to departure'...
Munce Hong Kong Bound
The Hong Kong Jockey Club has granted Sydney rider Chris Munce a three-month riding contract. The Melbourne Cup winning jockey said the invitation had come as a shock after applying to the club several months ago. Fellow Sydney rider Corey Brown was granted a three-month extension of his Jockey Club licence while Brett Prebble was granted a six-month extension and Michael Rodd three-months for next season. Globe trotting Victorian jockey Craig Williams will be returning to Australia when the current...
American stayer seeks Joy down under
Connections of American stayer Kitten's Joy, the winner of eight of his 12 starts - two in Group I races - have confirmed his camp is targetting Australia's greatest race. The reigning US turf horse of the year has won $US1.7million ($2.25m) and is being lined up for a trip to Melbourne after taking on Europe's best in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in Paris in early October. Four-year-old Joy is trained in Kentucky by Dale Romans, also a winner this year with Roses at the Dubai World Cup in May....
Injury forces Eremein to miss Derby
The AJC Derby winner and leading contender for three-year-old of the year honours was a certain to go into this weekend's derby at hot favourite after his impressive deeds this autumn in Sydney - earning almost $2 million despite narrowly missing the autumn triple crown. Trainer Allan Denham said yesterday that an X-ray had shown that the injury was minor but it meant the horse needed an operation. "It is a bit devastating", said part-owner and breeder Geoff White. "Allan flexed his legs on Sunday...