Australia
Top three-year-old stayer Western Empire (NZ) (Iffraaj) was sent out a strong $1.30 favourite for Saturday’s Gr.2 WATC Derby (2400m) and duly obliged despite covering plenty of ground in the run. The Grant and Alana Williams-trained three-year-old has won five of his past six starts, and despite
Australia
Former New Zealand-trained filly Matchmaker added some all-important Australian black-type when coming with a well-timed run under James McDonald to land the Gr.3 PJ Bell Stakes (1200m) on the opening day of The Championships at Randwick on Saturday. The daughter of Makfi crossed the Tasman as the winner of
Australia
Stakes winning filly Annavisto (NZ) (Reliable Man) turned a three-year-old handicap at Caulfield into a stroll in the park, when comfortably winning the Hylands Race Colours Handicap (1400m) on Saturday. Despite carrying topweight of 60kgs, the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained filly sat outside the leader under a gun
Australia
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Explosive Jack showed his staying prowess when winning the A$2 million Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday, defeating Young Werther and Lion’s Roar The son of Jakkalberry prevailed in a thrilling finish, with the first three past the post
Australia
The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Quick Thinker was back in the winner’s circle when winning the Gr.2 Chairman’s Quality (2600m) at Randwick on Saturday in a truly run affair on a Soft7 track. The four-year-old entire had not run a place in six starts since winning
Australia
The connections of Icebath (NZ) (Sacred Falls) breathed a sigh of relief this week with the scratching of Gem Song in the Gr.1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday. The Kris Lees runner’s withdrawal meant they gained a start in the A$3million feature with New Zealand-bred
Australia
Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel) gave trainer Annabel Neasham her first Group One win when taking out the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) last start and she is hoping he can add a second to their tally at Randwick on Saturday. The son of Savabeel will contest the Gr.1 Doncaster
Australia
Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh has black-type runners at three venues on Saturday, headed by Milford (NZ) (Savabeel) in the A$2 million Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick. The Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) runner-up finished a well-held eighth in the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) when making
Australia
Randwick trainer John Sargent is hoping he can win his home Derby for the first time on Saturday with Kiwi-bred gelding Favreau (NZ) (Tavstock). The son of Tavistock recorded two consecutive wins this preparation before running fourth in the Gr.2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill last Saturday and Sargent
Australia
Kiwi-bred gelding Lion’s Roar (NZ) (Contributer) will be after his second Group One victory at Randwick on Saturday when he contests the Australian Derby (2400m). The John O’Shea-trained three-year-old was victorious in the Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) at the Sydney track two starts back before running fourth
Australia
All members of the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame have gained induction through their own set of unique qualities, but if there’s one amongst the equine members that stands apart it is Starcraft. During the mid-2000s the big chestnut gained fame in both hemispheres, first as the champion
Australia
Lance O’Sullivan admits his confidence in Rocket Spade’s (Fastnet Rock) prospects for Australia’s richest staying classic hasn’t been bolstered by the subsequent Australian performances of the pair that trailed him home in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m). Rocket Spade is on the third line