Sport


HORSE RACING

Caulfield Cup beckons Kiwi mare after a strong win

Damian Lane charges home on Bonneval to win the Dato' Tan Chin Nam Stakes at Moonee Valley on  Saturday, September 9, 2017.

Kiwi Murray Baker conceded that due to one of the wettest winters on record in New Zealand , he came to Moonee Valley on Saturday unaware of the fitness level of his top mare Bonneval but after her Dato' Tan Chin Nam Stakes win, the trainer left with a genuine Caulfield Cup hopeful.

Bonneval swoops in sensational Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes

Caulfield Cup chance: Hugh Bowman salutes with Bonneval in the Australian Oak.

​Well-backed New Zealand raider Bonneval staked her claim as a leading Caulfield Cup chance with a swooping victory in a sensational Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes, which saw the $4.40 favourite Star Exhibit throw off jockey Mark Zahra as the stalls opened at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Everest there to be climbed by impressive Valley winners

Mark Zahra rides the Peter and Paul Snowden trained Russian Revolution (left) to victory in the Mitty's McEwen Stakes on ...

Sydney trainer Paul Snowden declared  that Moonee Valley's group 1 sprinting highlight, the Moir Stakes on grand final eve, will be a huge event for NSW trainers - not so much because they will target the Moir itself, but to use the $500,0000 race  as a lead up to the $10 million Everest at Randwick a fortnight later.

Bloodlines: Southern hemisphere breeders have Frankel fever

Promising type: Impeccably bred Frankel colt Merovee chases home Super Ex at Randwick.

Frankel's worldwide successes have been closely monitored by southern hemisphere breeders, with at least 30 broodmares booked into the superstar and returning to Australasia to be sold at the major selling houses at the Magic Millions, Riverside (Warwick Farm) and Karaka.