Steve argues the industry shouldn’t shrug its collective shoulders and simply allow the changes to the penalty conditions for the Melbourne Cup to proceed.
As it stands, it gets curiouser and curiouser. Goodness me, never thought I’d be cheering heartily for a Lloyd Williams-owned horse. But I will be, in this year’s Caulfield Cup (Gr 1, 2400m), should the owner opt to run Almandin (Monsun). If Almandin were to win the Caulfield Cup he CANNOT, rather than may not,... Read More
Day 12 – Botti decides against sending Dylan Mouth to Melbourne
Botti told the Racing Post that Dylan Mouth would now likely head to Canada to contest the Canadian International (Gr 1, 12f). “We would have liked to have seen a bit more from Dylan Mouth if we were going to take him to Melbourne,” said Botti. “There was no pace, which didn’t help, but we... Read More
Day Ten – Melbourne hopefuls ease into the weekend with quiet afternoon
While OTI Racing’s Fastnet Tempest (Fastnet Rock) did not leave the quarantine facility and was walked inside, the remaining horses headed out as usual onto Side Hill and the famous Warren Hill, where the majority enjoyed light trots and canters. Only Steel Of Madrid (Lope De Vega) did anything approaching what might be considered a... Read More
Day Nine – Quarantine Tests Come Back Clear
“Everything is fine, we got the results from the equine viral arteritis back today and they are all negative and clear, which is terrific,” Paltridge told ANZ Bloodstock News. “We just have a couple of test results to come back, one on Monday and one on Tuesday. Hopefully they will all be fine and we... Read More
You’ve got to hand it to Sydney when it comes to establishing new races, writes Steve
It was the brainchild of the now defunct Sydney Turf Club (STC) which, of course, also introduced the Golden Slipper Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) in 1957. The club was always innovative as Max Presnell wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald in 2013: “The STC led the way with forward thinking, dating to 1945-46 when it... Read More
Day Eight – Newmarket Quarantine Inmates Take It Easy
After a stronger piece of work with fellow Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) entrant Tiberian (Tiberius Caesar) yesterday, the Hughie Morrison-trained Marmelo (Duke Of Marmalade) was given a gentle canter around Side Hill yesterday and looked in good condition. The Willie Mullins-trained pair Wicklow Brave (Beat Hollow) and Riven Light (Raven’s Pass), were also given... Read More