First up win for Alinghi
Champion Australian three-year-old filly Alinghi made a winning debut in the US when she easily took out the $US 200,000 G3 Ballston Spa Breeders' Cup run over 1700 metres at New Yorks Saratoga racetrack. Alinghi sat five lengths of the pace before being pulled out four and five wide by jockey Edgar Prado as the field turned for home. Alinghi produced her customary finishing burst to make a big impression on the locals as she cruised to a 1 1/4-length win from Que Puntual (Arg) with Delta Princess...
Makybe sparkles in racetrack return
Dual Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva returned from a spell in impressive style when she produced a barnstorming finish to win the Group 2 Memsie Stakes over 1400 metres at Caulfield yesterday. The Lee Freedman trained reigning horse of the year was ridden to victory by Steven King with regular rider Glen Boss currently out suspended. Track specialist Regal Roller took up his customary position at the head of the field and in his typical racing pattern took off for home only to be swamped by the...
Iskander Racing secures Written Tycoon
Managing Director of Iskander Racing, Sheriff Iskander has announced the purchase of promising youngster Written Tycoon for an undisclosed seven figure sum. Written Tycoon will remain with trainer Graeme Begg who will oversee the colts Melbourne Spring Campaign which will kick off in a fortnight when he lines up in the Ascot Vale Stakes at Flemington with Danny Nikolic booked to take the mount. Sydney trainer John OShea will then take over when the horse returns from a spell following the Melbourne...
Melbourne Cup confirmed for Carte Diamond
English trainer Brian Ellison has confirmed Carte Diamond will be aimed at the Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday in November after the 4-year-old impressed on his return to the track. Carte Diamond was beaten only a length by Sergeant Cecil in the Ebor at York last Wednesday after a five month layoff. Ellison said, "I'm really pleased with him and he's definitely come on for that run; he has probably improved 5lb." "He flies out on October 9. I don't know yet whether he'll run in Britain before...
Sir Dex targets the Cups
Trainer Greg Hickman will target a Melbourne spring assault on the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups after Sir Dex won the Warwick Stakes on Saturday. Hickman said after the win, "We are on the way to the cups" with plenty of options available for his star galloper. Hickman said, "I thought the two favourites would fight it out but I was confident he'd run a race." "I knew the pace would be on up front and the back markers would be somewhere near them at the finish. We won't knock it back." With Courts...
Vengeance Of Rain to trial in Hong Kong
Vengeance Of Rain, last season's Champion Middle Distance performer and Champion Stayer in Hong Kong will race in a specially conducted trial between races in Hong Kong to ensure he is in peak condition for the WS Cox Plate on October 22. The Hong Kong Jockey Club has scheduled a trial for Saturday 17 September in which the Raymond Gianco Chow Hoi owned Vengeance of Rain will run against a handful of other horses between two of the programmed races. The David Ferraris trained son of Zabeel has...
Melbourne Cup bound Distinction beaten
The Sir Michael Stoute trained Distinction was beaten into second place in his final race before heading to Melbourne for the Spring Carnival and a second tilt at the Melbourne Cup. Starting an odds on favourite in Tuesday's Lonsdale Cup at York, Distinction was beaten into second place by 2000 St Leger winner Millenary. The eight-year-old came from last to score easily as he picked up his sixth Group 2 win in taking out the two mile event worth 125,000. Highclere Thoroughbred Racing manager Harry...
First up third for Melbourne Cup bound Vinnie Ro...
The Dermott Weld trained Melbourne Cup hope Vinnie Roe ran a first up third at Leopardstown, Dublin, on Sunday as trainer Dermot Weld prepared his champion stayer for a final campaign which will culminate in one last tilt at the Melbourne Cup. Ridden by Pat Smullen, Vinnie Roe, ridden by Pat Smullen, the four time Irish St Leger winner finished 2 1/4 Lengths behind the winner Chelsea Rose in the listed Ballroan Stakes over 2400 metres with Shalappour splitting the pair in a race time of 2.31.90...
Boss Outed
Melbourne Cup winning jockey Glen Boss was suspended by Racing NSW stewards at Rosehill for his ride aboard Collate yesterday. Boss received a four metropolitan meeting suspension and a $2000 fine after he allowed his mount Collate to shift onto Mr Aristos near the 300 metres causing interference to Celebrity Rose who had to be checked. Boss who scored aboard Collate will be able to partner Golden Slipper winner Stratum in the $125,000, Group 3, Up And Coming Stakes at Randwick next Saturday before...
Hayes back with double
Two time Hong Kong premiership winning trainer, David Hayes announced his return to Australian racing with a double at Moonee Valley yesterday. Hayes, who spent the last decade in Hong Kong brought up his first city winner with Plans in the second event. Ridden by apprentice Ryan Hinton, Plans brought up her fifth win from just 13 starts when she scored by 1-3/4 lengths from Regal Summer with Palatine Hill a long neck away third. Imported stayer Kindjhal brought up a first day double for Hayes...