Joe Pride believes Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) is doing everything a little better this spring as the dual Group One winner prepares to tackle Saturday’s Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick. The 59kg topweight will follow a familiar path through the Epsom towards the Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m), with Pride intent on having his star galloper at his peak for the latter assignment. “Ceolwulf’s fantastic, I’m really happy with him,” Pride said. “He’s been racing really consistently this preparation and racing better than he was at the same time…
Month: September 2026
Dennis holds strong hand at Wingatui
Robert Dennis will take one more than a baker’s dozen to Wingatui on Friday, and the Ascot Park trainer is favoured to return home with a handful of winning cheques. The 14 runners make up nearly half of Dennis’ racing team, and he is hoping for a strong outcome on Friday following a trying last few months in the deep south. “We have had a very trying winter and early spring, it has been terribly wet, hence why this meeting has been moved to Wingatui,” he said. “Our team have…
Well Written thriving ahead of Epsom challenge
Glamour mare Well Written (Written Tycoon) has done nothing but please trainer Stephen Marsh since her arrival in Sydney for a two-start high-stakes campaign. The unbeaten four-year-old travelled without incident and quickly settled into her new surroundings ahead of a crack at Saturday’s A$1.5 million Gr.1 TAB Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick. All going well, she will be back in action there in the A$10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) on October 31. “She left the Cambridge stable about 4pm on Tuesday and flew over and got here just after 10pm,”…
Puntin dances his way to Randwick
New Zealand-bred gelding Puntin (NZ) (Super Seth) has earned himself a shot at a major payday after securing eligibility for the A$3 million Listed Big Dance (1600m) with victory in Sunday’s Dubbo Gold Cup (1600m). A model of consistency in Saturday Benchmark 78 company in Sydney, the Bjorn Baker-trained five-year-old was sent to the country for the A$150,000 feature, with the race carrying eligibility for the Big Dance at Randwick on November 3. Punters expected Puntin to make the most of the opportunity and he duly delivered as favourite under…
Didham duo to clash in Spring Sprint
The Peter and Trent Didham-trained pair of War Princess and Omega Boy are set to clash for the first time when they head to Hastings on Saturday week for the Gr.3 Timberspan Spring Sprint (1400m). War Princess (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) has shown plenty of ability since winning on debut as a juvenile last year, adding six further wins to her record, including last season’s Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m). She has come of age this season, winning her first two starts at Hastings, including the Heretaunga Hastings Premier (1300m)…
Golden Rose breakthrough lifts Sword Of State
Sword Of State’s promising start at stud received a major boost last Saturday when Warwoven (Sword Of State) became his first Group One winner with victory in the Gr.1 Golden Rose (1400m). The Cambridge Stud stallion has made an encouraging start with his first crop, which has already produced four stakes performers, headed by Warwoven and Listed Debutant Stakes (1000m) winner Torture. Warwoven has led the charge, winning five races and more than A$1.16 million, including the Golden Rose, Gr.2 Run To The Rose (1200m) and Gr.3 Pago Pago Stakes…
Rubira heading to Sunday’s Methven Cup
By Michael Guerin Rubira may be missing from round two of the northern open class pacing spring at Alexandra Park this Friday but that doesn’t mean he gets the weekend off. Because trainer Nathan Purdon has decided Sunday’s Methven Cup will give him a better guide of where the four-year-old sits in the pacing pecking order. Rubira was well-backed when he resumed in the Summer Cup two weeks ago but finished second last of the six starters so won’t back up in Friday night’s Matamata Vet Services Pukekohe Holmes D…
Pride Of Jenni dominant in Feehan Stakes return
Trelawney Stud-bred star Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) showed she remains a force to be reckoned with this spring, producing a dominant first-up performance to win Sunday’s Gr.2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield. The nine-year-old daughter of Pride Of Dubai made it three consecutive victories in the Feehan Stakes with another display of the front-running brilliance that has made her one of Australasia’s most popular racehorses. Having her first start since May, Pride Of Jenni was sent out the $1.85 favourite and was quickly into her customary role at…
Pride on weather watch with Ceolwulf
Joe Pride is almost certain to have two runners in the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap with a forecast for intermittent rain over the next seven days tipping him towards starting star galloper Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock). The feature Randwick mile has been a long-range campaign goal for stablemate Attica, while Pride has been keeping his options open with Ceolwulf, who’s primary target is the Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) on October 17. Ceolwulf captured the Epsom two years ago on his way to claiming his inaugural win in the King Charles,…
Goodson hoping Old Fashioned can help boost 2000 Guineas status
After being part of the group that kept the Group One status of the New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) on notice, Matthew Goodson may have a horse to help give that race the boost it needs. Goodson and his wife Dianna Perron are the owner-breeders of exciting three-year-old Old Fashioned (NZ) (Proisir), who maintained his unbeaten record in style in Saturday’s Gr.2 The Foxes @ Novara Park Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Hastings. Goodson is also the chair of the New Zealand Pattern Committee (NZPC), which reviews the Group and…