Vinnie Roe begins final campaign
The Dermot Weld trained Vinnie Roe will begin his quest for an unprecedented fifth Irish St Leger at Leopardstown on Sunday in preparation for one final tilt at the Melbourne Cup. A four time winner of the St Leger, Vinnie Roe finished third when beaten five and a quarter lengths behind French galloper Westerner in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot at York in June. Weld said, "Vinnie Roe is well and all set for Sunday. He had a break after running third in the Ascot Gold Cup in June and is in good form." Vinnie...
Grand Armee Spring Campaign In Doubt
The Gai Waterhouse trained NSW Horse of the Year Grand Armee's spring campaign is in serious doubt after the big black horse trialled abysmally yesterday at Randwick yesterday. Bookmakers yesterday suspended betting on this years WS Cox Plate after Grand Armee beat only two runners home in his 1250 metre heat. Owner Alan Bell confirmed the multiple Group 1 winner would undergo a veterinary examination. Trainer Gai Waterhouse put the poor tril performance down to a cold which had affected Grand...
Starcraft to resume
Australian owned Starcraft trained by Newmarket based Luca Cumani has resumed training and is being set for a return to racing in the Group I, Prix du Moulin at Longchamp, Paris on September 14. The AJC Derby winner suffered a stress fracture of the pelvis when unplaced in the Group I Coral-Eclipse Stake. Cumani said, "He's made very good progress, and we hope he won't have any more setbacks. The plan at this stage is for the horse to run at Longchamp before going for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes...
Punch getting ready for Melbourne Cup
The Noel Doyle trained Brisbane Cup placegetter Regal Punch will begin his bid for a Melbourne Cup campaign at Eagle Farm next week. Doyle plans to start the six-year-old at Eagle Farm over 1500 metres next week before he heads to Sydney where he will race in the Listed Premiers Cup at Rosehill on August 27 and the Group Three Kingston Town Stakes at Rosehill on September 10 before lining up in the Group One Metropolitan at Randwick on October 1. Regal Punch produced his best performance on the...
Boss declares Stratum unbeatable
Melbourne Cup winning jockey Glen Boss declared Stratum a superstar after his first up fourth in the San Domenico Stakes at Randwick on Saturday. The Golden Slipper winner lumped 58 kgs into a gallant fourth placing behind the Bob Thomsen trained Media. Boss said, "He is a superstar. They won't beat him again this spring. Today was the day he was vulnerable with the 58kg and being a bit soft in condition." "I'd say he was about 70 per cent wound up. The distance was short of his best but he hit...
Diva named Australian Champion Racehorse of the ...
Dual Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva (GB) capped off a memorable season on Wednesday night when voted the 2005 Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year, proudly presented by TVN. In a comprehensive victory, Makybe Diva (GB) polled 114 votes out of a possible 145 to receive the award in front of a capacity crowd inside Melbourne's Crown's Palladium. Other horses to receive votes were Carlton Draught Caulfield Cup winner Elvstroem (18), five-time Group 1 winner Grand Armee (8), popular filly Alinghi...
Spring Racing Nominations Close
The Victoria Racing Club has issued a press release outlining the depth and quality of thoroughbred racing talent that has been nominated for the three Spring Racing Carnival features - the Carlton Draught Caulfield Cup (2400m), the Carlton Draught Cox Plate (2040m) and the Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m). Dual Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva (GB) will be aiming for an historic treble; to become the first horse to win three Melbourne Cups. The mare has also been nominated for the Carlton Draught...