Chris Waller takes a powerful trio into the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), a race which has amazingly eluded Australia’s premier trainer. The race has proven to be somewhat of a jinx for Waller as from 20 starters in the Caulfield Cup his best results have been two fifths. Waller will be represented by the three horses who filled the placings in the Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m), which were the winner Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed), runner-up Toffee Tongue (NZ) (Tavistock) and third placegetter Finche (Frankel). Waller described them “as three completely…
Year: 2020
Spanish Whisper smashes price record with a day left to bid
Triple Group Two winner Spanish Whisper (AUS) (Lope de Vega) has broken the record price for online thoroughbred auctions with one day of bidding left. Listed for unreserved sale on Gavelhouse Plus on Monday, feverish bidding has ensued, seeing her smash through the previous record of NZ$670,000 to reach AUD$750,000 with the auction set to close from 5pm AEDT on Thursday 15 October. “Obviously every day counts with mares at this time of the year so it was important to get her online as quickly as possible and the immediate…
Matterhorn joins Lees
Promising five-year-old Matterhorn (NZ) (Swiss Ace) will head across the Tasman later this month to join Kris Lees’ Newcastle barn. The Gerry Harvey-owned gelding has had two starts in New Zealand for former trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott for a win and a second. “He has done very well, but unfortunately with the way he was placed in New Zealand the boss (Harvey) wants to take him to Australia now,” said Russell Warwick, General Manager of Harvey’s Westbury Stud. “Kris will just get a feel for him and work…
Entriviere a dominant Tauranga winner
Tavistock four-year-old Entriviere (NZ) maintained her prefect record when successful at Tauranga in the Betavet 1300 on Wednesday. The Jamie Richards-trained mare was successful on debut at Matamata and stepped up to win in Rating 65 grade by an easy four-lengths under in-form rider Danielle Johnson. “It mapped well from the barrier (2) for her and she ended up getting a sweet trip, and it highlights the importance of good barriers,” leading trainer Jamie Richards said. “Danielle is obviously riding in red-hot form and knows the mare well, having won…
Two Illicit near peak for Classic
Two Illicit (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) will be near her potent best when she races at her pet distance in Saturday’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings, says co-trainer Robert Wellwood. Wellwood, who trains in partnership with Roger James at Cambridge, was satisfied with the Jimmy Choux four-year-old’s fourth-placing in this month’s Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) considering how the race was run. But there’s an expectation that with a more suitably run middle distance contest on Saturday, Two Illicit can prove even more competitive. “We were happy with the way…
Walker turns to Willoughby in Cups
Kiwi jockey Michael Walker made the most of his limited opportunities last Saturday as he notched the 25th Group One win of his career with a textbook ride on Odeum (Written Tycoon) to win the Gr.1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield. The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained filly was Walker’s sole ride for the day in what is an ultra-competitive Melbourne scene and not for the first time this year, the hoop cashed in. Earlier in the year he rode Tagaloa to victory in the Gr.1 Blue Diamond…
Northern spoils beckon Rathbone
The Great Northern Steeplechase (6400m) is the pinnacle for many jumping enthusiasts, and Wanganui trainer Jo Rathbone is no different. The race holds a special place for her, having taken out the Ellerslie feature as a jockey in 2005 aboard Just The Man for trainer Davina Waddell. “That (Great Northern Steeplechase) is one of my favourite races,” Rathbone said. “I won it with Just The Man and have had quite a few placings.” Rathbone will be out to add a training victory in the great race to her burgeoning CV…
Yankee Party back on track
By Jonny Turner Yankee Party is looking more like a democrat than a republican ahead of her resumption at Winton on Thursday. The John and Katrina Price trained mare should be popular in the polls leading into a highly competitive feature mobile pace following two recent workout wins. Those two performances clearly show the five-year-old is ready to make an impact as she attempts to complete a hat-trick of wins in her first start since July. “She is all good to go now, we have got a couple of workouts…
Racing Reference Group: Expressions of interest welcome
GRV is seeking expressions of interest from greyhound breeders, owners & trainers to join its Racing Reference Group (RRG). GRV formed its inaugural RRG in 2017 for the purpose of providing GRV with a platform to hear participant’s views on key issues to help the organisation gain a better understanding of racing-related matters. The RRG also allows GRV personnel to participate in ongoing conversations with participants while also providing an effective channel for participants to raise issues of importance. The RRG will be Chaired by Greg Kerr, GRV’s General Manager…
Flashback: Horsham Great Chase
By Ben Pritchard As far west as you can get in Victoria for greyhound racing, the Horsham Greyhound Racing Club has seen their annual TAB Great Chase community days come ahead in leaps and bounds in recent years. Sadly, with crowds currently not allowed on course due to the COVID-19 pandemic, greyhound racing’s Great Chase community days aren’t a part of the 2020 series, but the annual event at Horsham has become an important staple on the town’s calendar. Drawing crowds in their hundreds, the day involves local community groups…