Features

Alexandra Dreaming (AUS) 3 f Written Tycoon – Umaquest by Umatilla

This looked to be a strong maiden plate on paper, with a host of already-raced individuals boasting some impressive placed form coming into this contest. Alexandra Dreaming, the eventual winner, is a filly worth following and looks to have justified her connections faith in supplementing her for the Thousand Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) at Caulfield... Read More

Wonderful Winx breaks more records

In the race formerly known as the Warwick Stakes but renamed in her honour, Winx won for the third straight year to record her 30th victory and 26th straight success, going past the great unbeaten sprinting mare Black Caviar (Bel Esprit), whose 25 was the Australian record. This was also a 19th Group 1 win... Read More

Winx a glorious exception to Murphy’s law

Except, it seems, if your name is Winx. While the extraordinary frequency of her stride length has been well canvassed of late her freakish winning run has to be as much about trainer Chris Waller’s incredible management in minimising the Murphy risk; his management in having her free from pain and injury; her heart and... Read More

York hoping increased Ebor prize-money will lure overseas raiders

The Ebor prize-money will, next year, be boosted to £1 million ($1.78 million) which almost certainly will have it as the richest Flat handicap in the northern hemisphere and ensure its status as a valued precursor to the world’s richest handicap race at Flemington (boosted, this year, to $7.3 million). It’s hoped that the increased... Read More

Appleby heading to the spring with a strong team

Perhaps the most telling sign of a trainer at the top of their game is a patient and well-placed campaign for a progressive horse and Appleby’s Hamada (Cape Cross), who secured his fifth consecutive victory when landing the Geoffrey Freer Stakes (Gr 3, 1m5.5f) at Newbury on Saturday, fits that bill perfectly, justifying the time... Read More

Voodoo Lad’s fast sectional times in winning Aurie’s Star suggest he should not be underrated

The seven-year-old is in peak form, winning the Sir John Monash Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m) at Caulfield on July 14 three starts ago, prior to recording fast closing sectional when second to Vega Magic (Lope De Vega) in the Bletchingly Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) at Caulfield on July 25. Then on Saturday, Voodoo Lad settled... Read More