There Are Worse Ways To Spend A Monday Morning

The fact that Lee Freedman was anxious to show me photos, on his phone, of his soon to arrive Cups hope Exosphere (Beat Hollow) suggests a level of enthusiasm for this horse – beyond what you might expect from a man who’s already claimed five first Tuesday in November Cups. Or perhaps it’s just the... Read More

Foxplay’s Strong Finish To Win The Tea Rose Stakes

When clear, though, Foxplay sprouted wings under Hugh Bowman to grab the leaders in the final strides, defeating Skylight Glow (Northern Meteor) by a neck with Quick Feet (Northern Meteor) another half-head away in third place. The time for the race was 1:23.99, the final 600 metres covered in 35.28 on a track rated as... Read More

Comin’ Through

O: Go Bloodstock B: Go Bloodstock T: Chris Waller W: Ranvet’s Salkavite Maiden Handicap, 1400m, Warwick Farm, 14 September Comin’ Through (Fastnet Rock) won well on debut at Warwick Farm on Wednesday. Ridden by Jason Collett, Comin’ Through broke from the inside barrier and settled back towards the rear of the 11-runner field. He began... Read More

Palentino Produces Surprisingly Fast Sprint In Winning Makybe Diva Stakes

The Australian Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) winner over the same course in March, Palentino is not noted for high finishing speed but the Darren Weir-trained four-year-old showed a marvellous turn of foot to defeat his more favoured stablemate Black Heart Bart (Blackfriars) by a length. Having his third run this preparation, Palentino started a $9.00... Read More

Churchill Impresses In National Stakes

The strapping colt, who is now unbeaten in four starts since running third on his debut at the Curragh in May, was ridden patiently in rear by Ryan Moore and moved up to challenge approaching the final two furlongs. The Richard Hannon-trained dual Group Two winner Mehmas (Acclamation) loomed up on Churchill’s outside under Frankie... Read More

Racing’s Governing Bodies And Stewards

OK, I’m being a touch facetious but not entirely flippant. Like it or not, justified or not – that question has been the standing joke among industry participants, especially in Victoria, over the past two years. It seems that every bit of racing’s dirty linen gets a public hearing and often via industry leaks. It’s... Read More