The acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree….or, perhaps in this case, the ‘old’ tree.
Colin Sidney Hayes (1924-1999) was the master of statistics. Not only in creating incredible training and breeding records but quantifying and reciting them at will. Tommy Smith, of course, understood the value of publicity and happily courted racing journalists. Bart (Cummings) was just Bart, extraordinarily known by his christian name alone, and confident his one... Read More
What odds lightning striking twice and the first three from the 18 February Lightning Stakes occupying the same spots in today’s Newmarket Handicap?
It’s not without precedent. In 2012, Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) beat Hay List (Statue Of Liberty), Buffering (Mossman) and Foxwedge (Fastnet Rock) (in that order) in the Lightning and then, in the mare’s absence, that trio trifectaed the Newmarket Handicap (Gr 1, 1200m). In 2014, Lankan Rupee (Redoute’s Choice) beat Spirit Of Boom (Sequalo) and... Read More
Chautauqua’s Sectional Times Suggest He Has Regained A Lot Of His Old Dash
The rising seven-year-old has not tasted success since his brilliant last-to-first victory in the 2016 Chairman’s Sprint (Gr 1, 1200m) at Sha Tin and after an aborted two-start preparation later that year, he has now raced twice this year with encouraging signs, especially on the watch. After settling in last place in the eight-horse field... Read More
Earth Angel (AUS)
O: Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd (Mgr: J M Messara), Belford Productions Pty Ltd (Mgr: A B Jones) & Planette Thoroughbred Trading Pty Ltd (Mgr: J S Leaver) B: Arrowfield Stud T: David & Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig W: 2YO Fillies’ Maiden Plate, 1200m, Ballarat, 8 March Earth Angel, put up a really good effort... Read More
Inference Shows Champion’s Potential In The Randwick Guineas
At the line he arrived just in time to defeat the much improved filly Invincible Gem (I Am Invincible) by a short neck with Criterion’s (Sebring) half-brother Comin’ Through (Fastnet Rock) another length and three quarters back in third place. Having only his ninth start, Inference has come a long way since his first win... Read More
Steve accepts that this will come across as a bit ‘Irish’ but he wonders about racing’s total preoccupation with winning every single time
We happily abide it in most other arenas. Naturally we love our football team to be premiers and such an achievement is not tarnished, in any way, by the odd loss along the way. Should Winx’s reputation be diminished at all if the wonderful daughter of Street Cry (Machiavellian) happens to be beaten, next time... Read More