Latest racing news
Sky Racing 2 free as Tabcorp counts cost of race clashes
Adam Pengilly 2:59 PM Sky Racing's secondary subscription channel will be made free to viewers as punters brace for more race clashes on Saturday, including the feature races in Sydney and Melbourne being scheduled five minutes apart.
Weatherly shooting for Blue Diamond start
![Good bloodline: Beneteau wins the Blue Diamond Prelude in 2010.](/web/20160210051452im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/p/i/5/q/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmphi5.png/1455001726996.jpg)
3:24 PM The similarities between Weatherly and his sire Beneteau are not lost on Paul Messara.
Vandyke out to leave impression on Sydney
![David Vandyke is preparing Yankee Rose for next month's Golden Slipper.](/web/20160210051452im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/2/f/o/j/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmphqm.png/1455030325777.jpg)
Warwick Barr 3:23 PM David Vandyke has a definite Golden Slipper horse in his stable and by the end of the week he could have a wildcard for The Championships.
Racing industry stunned by positive swabs to the drug ibuprofen
![Signoff, who finished fourth in the 2014 Melbourne Cup, returned to racing on Boxing Day and was successful but later ...](/web/20160210051452im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/o/u/y/r/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmolvw.png/1454937954891.jpg)
Large doses of the anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen is behind the positive swabs that have shocked the racing industry, well-placed sources say.
Stanley to face RAD board
![Leading Sydney jockey Glyn Schofield.](/web/20160210051452im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/o/s/u/n/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmos3j.png/1454923783186.jpg)
Trainer Brent Stanley will face four charges issued by Racing Victoria stewards following the sale of his former racehorse Equita to Hong Kong last year.
Positive swabs to anti-inflammatory drug returned
![Signoff, with Brazilian jockey Joao Moreira in the saddle, wins the Lexus Stakes on Saturday, and with it a berth in the ...](/web/20160210051452im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/1/1/f/j/5/7/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmoiky.png/1454919218774.jpg)
Racing seems to roll from one drama to the next. Even before the cobalt chapter is finished there is another drug fiasco, with a number of horses returning positive swabs to the anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen – the common human painkiller Nurofen.
Japanese quartet to headline overseas entries for The Championships
![Return trip: Tosen Stardom will again feature in the 2000m weight-for-age contest.](/web/20160210051452im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/o/j/i/l/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmoa94.png/1454910592964.jpg)
Japanese group 1 winners Isla Bonita and Logotype, the former a previous champion three-year-old colt, will spearhead the international contingent for The Championships at Randwick in April.
Pride Of Dubai retired after sustaining recurrence of bone bruising
![Retired: Pride of Dubai.](/web/20160210051452im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/l/j/m/s/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmo0ck.png/1454885559282.jpg)
Dual group 1 winner Pride Of Dubai has been retired after a veterinary examination revealed he sustained a similar injury in his Eskimo Prince Stakes flop to the one that kept him off the track for almost 10 months.
Punters should learn from the A-League, betting bans only way they will be heard
![Adam Pengilly dinkus](/web/20160210051452im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/h/3/r/u/q/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmnihr.png/1454846664270.jpg)
The message from punters around the country to warring administrators should be simple: you won't get our money until you fix this mess. Maybe only some self imposed betting bans will cure racing's ills.
Lightweight riders to the fore as major handicap changes loom for autumn carnival
![Glen Boss rides Kermadec to win The Doncaster Mile at Royal Randwick Racecourselast year.](/web/20160210051452im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/l/2/a/i/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmnls5.png/1454846408436.jpg)
A raft of changes to the minimum weights for major handicap races across NSW - increasing the demand for lightweight jockeys - is set to come into effect this autumn carnival to avoid the embarrassment of last year's Epsom and The Metropolitan debacle.
'Nothing will touch her': rival trainer already conceding to Winx
![Hugh Bowman on Winx after winning the Cox Plate in October last year.](/web/20160210051452im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/n/m/8/l/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmnn70.png/1454846307424.jpg)
Winx's probable return in the Apollo Stakes won't scare off at least one rival trainer, but John Sargent is happy to concede "nothing will touch her" when Australia's best racehorse struts her stuff at Rosehill on Saturday.
Amicus last mare standing for Waller as Breeders bonanza continues
![Late charge: Hugh Bowman rides Amicus to victory in the Breeders Classic at Randwick.](/web/20160210051452im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/n/e/4/l/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmncfo.png/1454760526201.jpg)
Chris Waller threw the Breeders Classic balls in the air and was left with Amicus as the stable hope. And a decision to dodge his other high profile mares paid dividends.
Spill The Beans spoils Pride Of Dubai's return as plunge comes off in Eskimo Prince Stakes
![Jockey Tim Clark](/web/20160210051452im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/n/f/t/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmne4i.png/1454743140439.jpg)
Spill The Beans was heavily backed from $9 into $4.80 on course and the money proved to be spot on as the stallion prospect sailed to a one-and-three-quarter length win.
Puritan stakes claim for the autumn
![Bright future: Nick Hall drives Puritan past Golden Spin (right) and Ready For Victory (left) at Caulfield on Saturday.](/web/20160210051452im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/n/f/k/0/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmnfht.png/1454744641740.jpg)
When a progressive three year old gelding wins a 1200 metre Group 3 race first up in February against a host of promising colts and geldings the temptation is always to see him as a potential Guineas candidate.
Price and Hayes/Dabernig camps stake Diamond claims with impressive pair
![In charge: Damian Lane rides Valliano to win the Inglis Premier at Caulfield.](/web/20160210051452im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/n/f/5/z/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmnef6.png/1454744715528.jpg)
To win one of Australia's great two-year-old races – the Blue Diamond or the Golden Slipper – you need a precocious horse that is "bombproof", a galloper that is uncomplicated, easy to train and professional enough to give itself every chance in the run.
Twist Tops cracks open huge purse for Lees in Inglis Classic
![Handsome return: Tommy Berry rode Twist Tops to a strong win in the Inglis Classic on Saturday.](/web/20160210051452im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/n/e/k/o/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmnbk3.png/1454738660783.jpg)
Long after the hammer drops is when some of the most important business is done. And so it was for Kris Lees' filly Twist Tops, the only Inglis Classic contender which wasn't sold in the ring.
Weight no barrier for Ward and Olive at Bega Cup carnival
![Jared Dorrington.](/web/20160210051452im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/h/v/j/5/6/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmnbmg.png/1454731085273.jpg)
Brendan Ward believes both his rides in the feature events at Sapphire Coast on Sunday are winning chances.
Country trainers concerned at lack of available licensed vets
![Adam Pengilly dinkus](/web/20160210051452im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/h/3/r/u/q/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmmv6f.png/1454724849297.jpg)
There is growing concern among small country trainers at the lack of licensed vets in their areas and the impact on their ability to properly tend to horses.
Banjo’s ghost to be found at Randwick
![Max Presnell dinkus Dinkus](/web/20160210051452im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/2/t/m/p/p/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmn6ua.png/1454671821212.jpg)
Obviously the bottom line at Banjo Paterson's demise came from his time as a racing writer. "When Paterson, 77, died on February 5, 1941 he had 221/17/1 pounds in the bank and liabilities of 46 pounds," according to Richard Hall in Banjo Paterson (Allen and Unwin).
Signoff to miss again
![Since his Caulfield win, Signoff has given three negative tests, but will not start on Saturday.](/web/20160210051452im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/m/r/9/c/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmmpam.png/1454658831626.jpg)
One of Australia's most gifted stayers Signoff will again have to be scratched from Saturday's Robert Hunter Handicap, with trainer Darren Weir unprepared to risk the five-year-old returning a positive sample to anti-inflammatory medication.
Zariz filly could Rock On to Canberra Guineas
![Rock on Zariz could be on track for the listed Canberra Guineas.](/web/20160210051452im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/m/t/u/x/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmmkwn.png/1454655469204.jpg)
David Polkinghorne Salute at Canberra on Friday gives Rock On Zariz shot at feature race on Black Opal Stakes Day.
The $25,000 horse that never existed
![Generic horse racing on a dirt track.](/web/20160210051452im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/r/r/t/u/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmmrgw.png/1454648879027.jpg)
A Miracle Mile-winning horse trainer was paid more than $25,000 in fees for training a horse. Problem is it's not real.
Darby Daze: How syndicator has taken two-year-old season by storm
![Already in the Slipper: Scarlet Rain.](/web/20160210051452im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/a/o/2/d/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmm8qo.png/1454648826116.jpg)
They have already got two qualified for the Golden Slipper and are hopeful of another couple for the Blue Diamond. Shrewd syndicator Darby Racing is in the midst of a season to remember.
Waller's Attack to follow in footsteps of famous siblings
![Maturing rapidly: Chris Waller believes Counterattack is set for a strong preparation.](/web/20160210051452im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/m/r/7/r/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmm8sk.png/1454647382954.jpg)
He managed to squeeze group 1 wins out of Shellscrape and Red Tracer as older horses and Chris Waller is pinning his hopes on Counterattack emulating his famous siblings.
Schweida not sure where Cover Girl will be exposed again
![Headquarters form: Glen Boss rides Miss Cover Girl to win the P J Bell Stakes at Randwick.](/web/20160210051452im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/m/q/t/n/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmmcb6.png/1454645451723.jpg)
The first time Kelly Schweida headed down the Pacific Highway with Miss Cover Girl bound for Randwick he had no idea how the speed map would pan out. Not much has changed this time.
Smerdon happy with dry track sydney mare
![Atmospherical will hit the track at Caulfield.](/web/20160210051452im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/1/1/3/m/t/m/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmm8iy.png/1454659378278.jpg)
Robert Smerdon has become the beneficiary of Sydney's unpredictable autumn weather after the trainer was sent high-class Sydney mare Atmospherical to prepare for one preparation before she goes to stud.
Dale targets Oakleigh Plate and The Galaxy in one Fell Swoop
![Canberra trainer Mattew Dale is heading to the Oakleigh Plate first-up with Fell Swoop.](/web/20160210051452im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/q/0/r/a/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmkyjj.png/1454569540078.jpg)
David Polkinghorne Canberra trainer to take star sprinter to Oakleigh Plate and then The Galaxy.
Smerdon's unlucky Derby result
![Derby setback: Trainer Robert Smerdon's bid to have Spirited Character reinstated in the Tasmanian Derby was rejected.](/web/20160210051452im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/l/x/x/h/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmlvor.png/1454583068150.jpg)
Leading Caulfield trainer Robert Smerdon has had a last-minute request to have one of his team reinstated into the Tasmanian Derby field for Friday night's black-type event denied.
One self interest crisis averted, now how to solve another?
![Worth the wait: Lightly weighted Dublin Lass shapes as a very good chance in the Breeders Classic at Randwick.](/web/20160210051452im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/8/j/s/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmlrth.png/1454566332744.jpg)
The absurd clash of Randwick and Caulfield race times may have been averted, but self interest will pose another major conundrum for punters at Randwick on Saturday.
Nickson's wedding wonder helps Sydney's racing survivor flourish
![What a story: Gary Nickson's star Voilier is in action on Saturday.](/web/20160210051452im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/l/n/c/6/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmlelq.png/1454563241389.jpg)
Gary Nickson has been one of Sydney racing's true survivors. And a chance meeting at a wedding might have helped his Warwick Farm hideaway going a little bit longer.