Australia
The Victoria Racing Club is to stand down most of its staff for a month and reduce the hours worked by it executives amid the coronavirus pandemic. The VRC, which holds the Melbourne Cup carnival at Flemington, said staff will be asked from Monday to take any outstanding annual leave
Australia
Matamata trainer Tony Gillies banked some travel money when progressive jumper Woodsman (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) ran out a ready winner of Friday’s Ocean Road Realty BM120 Hurdle (3230m) at Warrnambool. Sent out a $5.50 chance in a market dominated by the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Northern Voyage
Australia
New Zealand's decision to cease racing because of the Covid-19 crisis has left Sydney trainer Bjorn Baker as the custodian of his family's remaining horses. Baker's father is champion New Zealand trainer Murray Baker who, along with training partner Andrew Forsman, has closed
Australia
Like everyone, trainer Jim Conlan has been forced to make adjustments to plans for his horses and has abandoned a Sydney trip for Debt Agent (NZ) (Thorn Park). Against a backdrop of coronavirus protocols and conditions on border crossings, former Singapore champion Debt Agent will run in Saturday's
Australia
In a week in which he has had to retire Group One performer Luvaluva (NZ) (Mastercraftsman), trainer John Sargent will look to another stakes-performed mare from his stable to make her mark at Rosehill. On Wednesday, Sargent announced the retirement of five-year-old Luvaluva after the Group One-
Australia
An institution of South Australian racing, the Oakbank Easter carnival, has been called off because of the coronavirus pandemic. SA racing officials have also been forced into 15 per cent prize money cuts from April 1 to June 30 and changes to the calendar. The changes include no black-type
Australia
Ardmore Lodge trainer Nick Bishara is thankful to own a share in top mare Verry Elleegant and readily admits the New Zealand-bred daughter of Zed has extended the life of his business on more than one occasion. The multiple Group One winner commenced her career in New Zealand under
Australia
The Queensland winter racing carnival has been scrapped as the state moves to racing in five separate regions. The winter carnivals in all three codes, thoroughbreds, harness and greyhounds, have been abandoned for the first time in a century. The carnivals will be replaced with standard metropolitan race programming with
Australia
Group One performer Luvaluva (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) has run her last race with a tendon injury ending her racetrack career after finishing fifth in Saturday’s Gr.3 Epona Stakes (1900m). The John Sargent-trained mare won six of her 30 starts including the Gr.2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) in 2017,
Australia
Three quality gallopers from the Tony Pike team have transferred to Australian stables in a bid to finish their campaigns in Sydney. Group One winners The Bostonian and Sherwood Forest have switched stables to tackle the Gr.1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) and Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) respectively, while
Australia
John Sargent will be pleasantly surprised if Aspect Ratio (Declaration of War) can cause a boilover in the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) but believes the filly can be a genuine contender in the Gr.1 ATC Australian Oaks(2400m). Aspect Ratio is scheduled to run against star fillies
Australia
Victorian trainer David Brideoake remains hopeful he can get Group One-winning mare Princess Jenni (NZ) (High Chaparral) to Sydney despite new protocols regarding the movement of participants. Brideoake has Princess Jenni nominated for Saturday's Gr.2 Emancipation (1600m) for fillies and mares at Rosehill as well as