Racing writer for The Age
On Saturday night the huge horse float carrying the four international stayers from there day at Sandown races will journey along Dandenong Road heading for the Werribee quarantine station for the last time this spring.
Robert Smerdon concedes that his classy sprinter Under The Louvre's hopes of a significant spring success will hinge on next Saturday's meeting at Sandown however the horse's trainer can see no fault with the Under The Louvre condition or form not to register a victory..
One of the most successful broodmares in Australian racing over the past two decades, Circles Of Gold, has died at the age of 25.
Next Saturday's $300,000 Zipping Classic proves a lure, overseas entrants will boost final day of spring carnival.
Just when it seemed that Australian bred racehorses were the outcasts of the four days at Flemington along came a local in Awesome Rock who not only kept the first running of the new look Emirates Stakes trophy in this country, it made for one of the most emotional post race out pourings rarely seen at Flemington.
Caulfield Cup runner-up Scottish is a shock withdrawal from the $2 million Emirates Stakes after injuring his near-forleg fetlock in the last 15 hours.
Saturday's first running of the re-invented $2 million Emirates Stakes could be in years to come the most popular weight-for-age race of its kind in Australia, even eclipsing the nation's flagship weight-for-age event, the Cox Plate.
Some of the finest racehorses from Europe and Japan could be in Australia much earlier next year to strive for a greater spread of races during the spring carnival, if a review of shipping and quarantine dates agrees to the move.
Despite Rose Of Virginia having a torrid run in Tuesday's $6.2 Melbourne Cup at Flemington the mare will be free to return to racing after a spell.
Over $250m is expected to be wagered across world on this year's $6.2m Melbourne Cup in what will be the biggest gambling splurge on a horse race ever staged in Australia.
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