Options open for Big Blue at Cheltenham The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained hurdler Big Blue (Galileo) has been nominated for four races at next month’s famous Cheltenham Festival in England. Maher said he was favouring the Coral Cup (Gr 3, 2m 5f) on the second day of the Festival while the eight-year-old gelding has also been entered for a race on day three and two on the final day of the four-day meeting. "We didn't get any favours at the handicap and 140 is quite high I thought fo... Read More

Coronavirus forces fanless Japan meetings The Japan Racing Association has banned racegoers from attending meetings from tomorrow in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Cards are scheduled for Nakayama, Chukyo and Hanshin, while the same venues are also due to race on Sunday. However, a statement from the JRA read: "In measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the Japan Racing Association has announced that the public will not be permitted to enter JRA racecourses from Saturd... Read More

First for Exosphere Group 1 winner Exosphere (Lonhro) sired his first winner yesterday when the Godolphin homebred Thermosphere (2 f ex Glows by Canny Lad) posted a breakthrough win after two promising efforts. Trained by James Cummings, Thermosphere took out a two-year-old maiden at Newcastle over 1300 metres by a short-head from the favourite Cultural Amnesia (Snitzel). Rock My Wand (Wandjina) was another length and a quarter away in third. Golden Rose Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) winner Exosphere,... Read More

James shoots for sixth Derby win Co-trainer Roger James will launch a three-pronged assault on tomorrow’s New Zealand Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) as he tries to win Ellerslie’s blue riband for the sixth time. Star filly Two Illicit (Jimmy Choux) heads the trio following her seven and a half-length Waikato Guineas (Gr 2, 2000m) success and she will be joined by stablemates Reggiewood (Redwood) and Monlula (He’s Remarkable). "She's done everything right. She's a fit filly and I can't fault her," ... Read More