The Ebor prize-money will, next year, be boosted to £1 million ($1.78 million) which almost certainly will have it as the richest Flat handicap in the northern hemisphere and ensure its status as a valued precursor to the world’s richest handicap race at Flemington (boosted, this year, to $7.3 million). It’s hoped that the increased... Read More

Perhaps the most telling sign of a trainer at the top of their game is a patient and well-placed campaign for a progressive horse and Appleby’s Hamada (Cape Cross), who secured his fifth consecutive victory when landing the Geoffrey Freer Stakes (Gr 3, 1m5.5f) at Newbury on Saturday, fits that bill perfectly, justifying the time... Read More

The seven-year-old is in peak form, winning the Sir John Monash Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m) at Caulfield on July 14 three starts ago, prior to recording fast closing sectional when second to Vega Magic (Lope De Vega) in the Bletchingly Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) at Caulfield on July 25. Then on Saturday, Voodoo Lad settled... Read More

Wednesday’s race looked like boasting strong form despite comprising only three runners. The impeccably bred Miss Fabulass, who was resuming after her promising second on debut at Rosehill in February, showed good early pace and soon went to the front. She then travelled strongly, was pressured nearing the home turn, got a break at the... Read More

The whole saga of Chautauqua’s racing embargo, in place until he trials to the satisfaction of stewards, borders on farce. Comic and dramatic from the start. Frankly it doesn’t make sense given that he’s never significantly transgressed on raceday. He’s been slow to begin on occasions but been no barrier rogue. Yes, of course, he... Read More

First-up since his unplaced run in the Golden Slipper Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) on March 24 and carrying 59kg, Sandbar overcame a wide draw to be near the lead throughout, fighting on well to win by a head from Charge (Zoustar), with Golden Tycoon (Hussonet) just a neck away in third place. Drifting favourite Plague... Read More