Year: 2024

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The Grant and Alana Williams-trained Western Empire has powered to victory in the A$1.5 million Gr.3 Gold Rush (1400m) at Ascot in Perth on Saturday. Ridden by Billy Egan, who was called off the bench when regular rider Willie Pike became unavailable earlier in the week, Western Empire travelled wide with cover throughout but unleashed a devastating turn of foot to defeat Magnificent Andy and favourite Super Smink. It was shades of Western Empire’s best as the now seven-year-old son of Iffraaj returned to the form that had seen him…

It was a case of ex-pat Kiwis combining as Jaylah Kennedy enjoyed another memorable day at the Caulfield Heath on Saturday, as she celebrated a double on the program. Seven days after starring at Ballarat by winning the Ballarat Cup aboard Berkeley Square, Kennedy guided Thailess and former Kiwi galloper Marble Arch to glory at the main Melbourne race meeting for the weekend. Saturday’s success was the second this preparation for Per Incanto mare Marble Arch, who won the inaugural A$300,000 Future Stars Series Final at Pakenham last year. The…

Talented sprinter Jedibeel took his career to a new peak when successful in the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday after gaining a late split under Tyler Schiller to grab victory from the jaws of defeat. Schiller, who rides with a calmness rarely seen, was hell-bent on waiting for a gap after being cluttered in midfield and he took full opportunity when presented with a needle-eye to defeat Pereille and Eagle Nest The Brad Widdup-trained son of Savabeel has now won seven races from 17 starts, with…

Kiwi-bred three-year-old Beau Dazzler has flagged his staying ability with a strong victory in the Gr.3 Grand Prix Stakes (1800m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday for trainers Tony & Maddysen Sears. The son of Ardrossan was the winner of the Listed Phelan Ready Stakes (1000m) as a juvenile and performed with credit when crossing the Tasman to finish seventh in the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) when closing well. The gelding again ran meritoriously and without luck when fourth in the Listed Phoenix Stakes (1500m) and fifth in the Gr..1 JJ…

Progressive stayer Kadavar maintained his perfect record over 2400m when recording a strong win in the Listed Christmas Cup (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday. The Chris Waller-trained four-year-old is in a rich vein of form, notching a hattrick of victories including bouncing between assignments in Sydney and Melbourne and has now won all four of his 2400m starts. Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, Kadavar took up a more forward position after initially settling midfield and tracked eventual runner-up Alalcance, who shot to the lead before being gradually worn down by the…

Four-year-old gelding Saltcoats has posted his first victory on Australian soil when coming with a sustained run to land the Coolmore Spelling @ Mount White Handicap (1800m) at Randwick on Saturday. The Chris Waller-trained son of Ardrossan came from near the rear of the field under Tommy Berry and made a long sustained run to defeat fellow Kiwi-breds So Dazzling and Tavi Time by the best part of a length. Winner of the Listed Auckland Futurity Stakes (1400m) in May of his juvenile year for original trainer Samantha Logan, the…

It may have only been a nose at the finish but it might as well have been a mile for trainer Shelley Hale after Blue Sky At Night took out Saturday’s Gr.3 SKYCITY Hamilton Waikato Cup (2400m). Hale, who has battled ill-health in recent years, is one of the most popular figures at the Cambridge training establishment and has rejuvenated the career of the seven-year-old Shamexpress mare who has struck a rich vein of form, winning three of her seven starts since May, before tackling her biggest challenge on Saturday.…