Beyond that race, which his trainer Mark Newnham won last year with Maid of Heaven (Smart Missile), Shadow Hero has a date in Melbourne on November 2 for the Victoria Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) for which he is already also a short-priced favourite. A relaxed gelding looks a genuine stayer with a real turn of... Read More

A late inclusion in the star studded field and aided by a 3.5kg weight advantage plus blinkers, three-year-old colt Yes Yes Yes, with Glen Boss in the saddle, produced a stunning turn of foot in the home straight to overhaul the leader Nature Strip (Nicconi) before holding off the fast finishing Santa Ana Lane (Lope... Read More

The classic was the fifth consecutive success for the Clayton Chipperfield-trained Catalyst, previously a winner of three other black type events including the Hawke’s Bay Guineas (Gr 2, 1400m) and the Northland Breeders’ Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) but based on pedigree it is difficult to predict whether he will get 2000m or the Derby distance... Read More

His victory did much to boost the spirits of Australia’s smaller and hobby breeders whose numbers have decreased dramatically in recent years due to economic factors, including rising stallion service fees, and the increasing dominance of large, commercial studs. Queensland resident Paul Lansky, breeder of Vow And Declare, has only two broodmares but uses the... Read More

Coming from second last on the home turn after being shuffled back early, Exhilarates, who was sent off favourite, reeled in the leader Dubious (Not A Single Doubt) to prevail by three-quarters of a length, with third-placed Hightail (Written Tycoon) just a half-neck away. The race time was 1:08.95 with the last 600 metres covered... Read More