The Derby, indeed all the European classics, do not these days quite have the mystique for all Australians which accompanied them in the two decades immediately post World War Two. Of course they should and still do for the aficionados. However, back then, the record of Australian jockeys in the UK and Europe was so... Read More

O: R G Hogno, E Rea, Mrs J B Rea & Bell River Thoroughbreds (MGR: A J Ferguson) B: Bruce Reid Racing T: David Pfieffer W: 2YO Maiden Plate, 1200m, Warwick Farm, 31 May.   After showing promise with a late-closing third on debut in the Woodlands Stakes (Listed, 1100m) at Scone on 13 May,... Read More

Racing on a Heavy 8 track, despite clear skies and basically no rain for a week, Eagle Farm’s controversial track presented racing far removed from the days when it was widely regarded as one of the best in the country. To understand what has resulted in seeing quality horses, many proven performers on affected tracks,... Read More

Two-Year-Olds The Jessica Harrington-trained Brother Bear (2 c ex Hurricane Emma by Mr Greeley) preserved his unbeaten record when he won the Marble Hill Stakes (Listed, 6f) at the Curragh on Saturday, in the process providing his sire Kodiac (Danehill) with his 32nd stakes winner. The two-year-old, who made a winning debut at Leopardstown on... Read More

Cranbourne Turf Club chief executive Neil Bainbridge is committed to developing Cranbourne as the pre-eminent training and racing centre in the state. Progress has been swift over the past three years and there’s more to come with a 300 room hotel; seven theatre cinema complex; state of the art veterinary hospital; 1000 seat convention centre;... Read More

One horse which relished the testing conditions was Clearly Innocent (Not A Single Doubt) in the inaugural Kingsford-Smith Cup (Gr 1, 1300m) as he powered home for jockey Hugh Bowman to overhaul leader Jungle Edge (Dubawi) then drew clear for a three length victory. Counterattack (Redoute’s Choice), soon to retire to Kitchwin Hills in NSW,... Read More