By Jonny Turner Tough staying tests have Stylish Memphis fit and ready for her next Oaks challenge in yet another corner of the world at Ascot Park on Thursday. The Mark Jones trained pacer will attempt to match her New South Wales Oaks victory and go one better than her runner-up effort in the Victoria Oaks when the group 3 Southland Oaks Final takes place on Southland’s biggest day of harness racing. Stylish Memphis’ staying qualities can not be questioned leading into the 2700m feature, if the incredible times she…
Year: 2020
Gazza’s ‘last hurrah’
Sadly, after 357 games, it will be the ‘last hurrah’ for Geelong’s “little master” Gary Ablett… What a champion! The dual Brownlow medallist (2009 & 2013) is eyeing his third premiership medal in tonight’s history-making AFL Grand Final. Ablett won a flag with the Cats in 2007 and 2009. And TAB wasn’t going to miss Gazza’s momentous – and emotional – occasion! It’s cross-sports offer is an enticing $5.50 for Ablett to kick 1+ goal against the Tigers in the ‘big dance’ and the aptly named Last Hurrah – based…
Fownes plots December trail for Columbus County
Caspar Fownes is putting his faith in Columbus County (NZ) (Redwood) to put down a Group One marker in the Class 2 Time Warp Handicap (1800m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday. “We’ll make an entry for the Hong Kong International Races with him,” the handler said. “He’s rated 97 but hopefully that’ll change after the race on Wednesday.” Fownes knows Columbus County will need to lift his rating to around 110 or higher to warrant an invitation to the HK$95 million LONGINES Hong Kong International Races on 13 December, but…
Price ready for a big week at Flemington
Mick Price isn’t sure his Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) runner Redwood Shadow (NZ) (Redwood) has the form to win the race but he believes he deserves his opportunity to have a shot at it. “He worked very well there last Thursday and he’s ready for the race,” Price said of the Redwood gelding who is trained out of his Warrnambool stable. Redwood Shadow will be having only his fourth start and at his most recent appearance he finished fourth behind fellow Derby contender Albarado in the Gr.3 Caulfield Classic (2000m).…
Kiwi-bred mare ready for Golden opportunity
Trainer John O’Shea is confident All Saints’ Eve (NZ) (Sacred Falls) will be competitive in Saturday’s A$7.5 Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill. The Gr.3 Tibbie Stakes (1400m) winner has been targeting the rich race since the start of the season O’Shea has been pleased with her build up so far. “She had a nice positive run the other day (Gr.3 Angst Stakes, 1600m) where the barrier meant she was no chance before she jumped out but she went very well,” he said. “This week it will be a very similar…
Wet conditions to suit Brandenburg
Expat New Zealand trainer John Sargent is rubbing his hands together as rain descends on Sydney. He will be vying to take home the lion’s share of the A$7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m) with Group One performer Brandenburg (NZ) (Burgundy). The son of ill-fated Cambridge Stud stallion Burgundy finished eighth last start in the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick earlier this month, but he has subsequently finished runner-up in a 1000m trial and his trainer is pleased with him ahead of his weekend assignment. “You would give him a…
Young Werther draws well in Derby
Lightly raced New Zealand-bred Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock) has had his Group One chances enhanced with a favourable barrier draw for Saturday’s Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m). The son of Tavistock will start from gate four with Damien Oliver onboard in the A$2m Flemington feature. Young Werther, who is a current $3.50 favourite for the three-year-old feature, won on debut in September before finishing runner-up in the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) earlier this month. The Danny O’Brien-trained gelding was purchased by Aquis Farm and O’Brien for $140,000 out of Cambridge…
First trial winner for Turn Me Loose
Windsor Park Stud stallion Turn Me Loose recorded his first trial victory as a sire when his two-year-old colt out of Group Three performer Angel del Dinero (NZ) won his 800m heat at Taupo on Tuesday. Trainers David and Emma-Lee Browne were pleased with his first hit-out on the track and said he will take a lot of benefit from the day out. “We were really happy with him,” Emma-Lee Browne said. “He has always shown a bit at home, but it was his first time away from the farm…
Bennett hoping for a Karaka day at Flemington
While Flying Start Syndications Director Cameron Bennett is disappointed he won’t be able to be on course to watch Let’s Karaka Deel (NZ) (Dundeel) in the Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday, he is over the moon to have a strong contender in the race. The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained colt is one of the form horses of the field, having won and placed twice in his four career starts, including a last-start runner-up performance in the Gr.3 Neds Classic (2000m) at Caulfield. “It was a good…
Spratt itching for raceday return following injury break
Getting Sam Spratt to sit still for more than a few minutes is a tough task at the best of times but the bubbly 35-year-old is having to take a few deep breaths and slow herself down thanks to a broken collarbone that she suffered at the Avondale trials two weeks ago. Spratt took an awkward tumble out of the back of the barriers when her mount took fright after the horse next to it began playing up, resulting in a double fracture of her right collarbone. Spratt initially thought…