Controversial week as racing is whipped into a frenzy
With whip activists on the boil, the Hammer Of Thor strike by James Doyle, given rave reviews for his four Randwick winners last Saturday, is better described as the gift of encouragement.
With whip activists on the boil, the Hammer Of Thor strike by James Doyle, given rave reviews for his four Randwick winners last Saturday, is better described as the gift of encouragement.
Yankee Rose trainer David Vandyke was fined $25,000, his vet David Garth $15,000 and the star filly disqualified from the Flight Stakes at a hearing into a positive swab for Ketorolac at Racing NSW on Friday.
Newcastle trainer Phillip Atkins has picked Star Crossed back up after a tough start to his preparation in the heat of December and will test his autumn credentials in the Wilkes Quality at Randwick on Saturday.
The vast Darren Weir numbers at Moonee Valley on Saturday will play a significant role in six of the races on the card.
Star mare Single Gaze is set for a triumph return to the track on Friday at Canberra's Thoroughbred Park.
Ecuador was impressive first-up in the December Handicap and there is no reason that he can't win again in the Carrington Stakes.
Preview of the race meeting at Moonee Valley on Saturday, January 21.
Darren Weir has been given the task of reinventing the career of El Divino, the younger brother of dual Cox Plate-winning mare Winx.
For Rachael Murray it would have been easier to have kept riding work at Godolphin 18 months ago. It was a steady income and she was highly respected there - but only as a work rider.
Just two months after narrowly missing out on Melbourne Cup glory, European stayer Heartbreak City will start his winter jumping campaign in Ireland this weekend.
Deploy was one of those horses that teased with his ability, but this preparation he has turned into a winner. He will look to continue his rise through the grades at Randwick on Saturday.
After 10 days action, the Magic Millions sale on the Gold Coast netted gross turnover of $135 million at the four sessions of the Book 1 sale of 658 thoroughbreds at a $205,226 average.
Graham Daley from Hazelwood Stud is the type owner that trainers want in their stable because as Gary Nickson puts it "he's just lucky".
The reality of heat and the new weights scale got the better of Sydney' leading jockey Brenton Advulla as he had to forgo a couple of rides at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Young apprentice Anna Jordsjo, whose partner Josh Cartwright was charged with careless riding in the now infamous final event in Adelaide last Saturday, has been stood down from riding after suffering a heavy fall at track work this morning.
It might be a few weeks yet before the top line gallopers hit the track for their big late summer and autumn assignments, but top stables up and down the country are now putting the finishing touches to long laid plans for their stars to shine when the big money races come round again in Melbourne and Sydney.
Trainer Chris Waller may have labelled it a preseason game, but there is no doubt Winx can draw a crowd, even when there is nothing on the line.
As the racing community reels from Josh Cartwright's reckless ride on Senior Council in the final race at Morphettville on Saturday, Cartwright's former mentor was astounded by the young jockey's "brain fade".
Australian racing's fairytale filly which chased Winx into third in the Cox Plate has been dragged into a drug probe after returning a positive swab during the spring carnival. But the case could have wide-ranging ramifications over the handling of licensed veterinarians.
Chris Waller is ready to enjoy his champion Winx, hopefully for years to come, as she prepares to step out for the first time this autumn at Rosehill's barrier trials on Tuesday.
Magic Millions Classic winner Houtzen possesses raw speed, which is hard to beat in two-year-old racing, but history is against coming to Sydney taking the Golden Slipper back to the Gold Coast.
Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy is one of a number of key racing people to criticise rider Josh Cartwright for his riding tactics in the final event at Morphettville in Adelaide that nearly caused a multiple fall on Saturday afternoon.
Newcastle trainer Kris Lees will let handy three-year-old Guard Of Honour show him where to go after he resumes in the Wilkes Quality at Randwick on Saturday.
Late on Saturday afternoon when the hype, glitz and glamour were reaching a climax on the Gold Coast racecourse, a refreshing new player was emerging amid the cut and thrust of a $10 million prizemoney afternoon.
Flying filly Houtzen is the Golden Slipper favourite after defying the outside barrier and all attempts to run her down to win the Magic Millions Classic on the Gold Coast on Saturday.
When the big boys are away, the kids get the chance to play.
Gary Portelli thought he had run fourth.
Prime Thoroughbreds arrived to Magic Millions with the most runners of any syndicator but it took Flying Jess to put them in the headlines.
Gerald Ryan got more than he expected from Menari as he scored on debut at Randwick on Saturday.
Orange will host the first grass track harness meetings in NSW for more than 30 years as the carnival of cups rolls into town in February.
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