Features

Dee Ex Bee is the logical answer to Irish Derby question

However, my ancestry’s Irish and that’s where the principal racing action is this weekend so it was my focus (ok, part focus) while my body – as well as heart and soul – was flitting between Dubrovnik, the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro (which really is one of the world’s most spectacular sights and Korcula... Read More

Nature Strip has sound claims for The Everest? – ratings say ‘no’ while sectional times say ‘yes’

Having his first start for leading trainer Darren Weir, Nature Strip showed tremendous pace and talent to lead throughout for an impressive four and a half length win, albeit in a three-year-old handicap (1100m). Subsequently rated 118+ by Timeform, Nature Strip has a long way to reach the rating level of the inaugural The Everest... Read More

Zoustyle (AUS) 2 c Zoustar – Fashion by Anabaa

A 12 length trial win on the synthetic surface at Eagle Farm earlier in the month suggested that Zoustyle (Zoustar) would be the runner to beat at Doomben and that proved to be case on Wednesday. He was quickest away from barrier two and ridden to lead but was given no peace in front, holding... Read More

Reflections on Royal Ascot from a country with close Australian ties

Apparently disease had wiped out the vines and the olive groves. I wasn’t able to corroborate this story via a quick google search. However, I do recall reading that Sir Peter Vela and his late brother Phillip’s father, Filip, came to New Zealand in the 20’s from a Croatian fishing village on the Dalmatian coast.... Read More

Prompt Response underlines the magnitude of loss of Beneteau

In the end, though, the ultra consistent four-year-old mare Prompt Response (Beneteau) came home a comfortable and deserved winner by a length and a quarter after a gem of a ride by Blake Shinn, defeating the fast-finishing Shillelagh (Savabeel) with Super Cash (Written Tycoon) just a half-head further back in third place in a time... Read More

Alpha Centauri provides much needed star power

There is a general consensus that the current crop of milers, both amongst the three-year-olds and older horses, is an ordinary one and while Alpha Centauri produced an admirable performance when winning the Irish 1,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m) at the Curragh last month, she elevated her form into a different bracket with a six-length... Read More