I was reminded of this tried and true recipe when the superbly bred filly Shoals (Fastnet Rock) became the first winner of the ATC Surround Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) since its elevation to Group One status as a set weights event for three-year-old fillies. Settling second, Shoals reached the lead at the 100 metre mark,... Read More

Overcoming his wide barrier under young rider Jordan Childs, Written By never looked like losing, passing the post two and a half lengths ahead of the previously undefeated filly Enbihaar (Magnus) with Oohood (I Am Invincible) a head away in third place. A decision on Written By’s participation in the Golden Slipper Stakes (Gr 1,... Read More

A distant third behind famous stablemate Winx (Street Cry) and Hartnell (Authorized) in last year’s Apollo, Irish-bred Endless Drama was a well-deserved if narrow winner on Saturday, overpowering the high-class mare Global Glamour (Star Witness) close to home, with Comin’ Through (Fastnet Rock) close up in third in a race run in 1:22.46. It was... Read More

In pre-pattern race days, Denise’s Joy (1972) proved herself one of the best and toughest fillies and mares of her time, the late T.J. Smith saddling her to capture 10 feature races from 1100 metres to 2500 metres, among them at least four now considered Group One events, the VRC Oaks (2500m), QTC Queensland Oaks... Read More

The tall, rangy chestnut, carrying three kilograms more than his four rivals, was not fully wound up and unsuited in a slowly run race before showing great determination to score by a nose from the previously unraced Stratosphere (Snitzel) with another two and a half lengths to Exceltic (Excelebration), another previously unraced colt of real... Read More