Features
Verona
Verona’s black type breakthrough at Randwick last Saturday not only brought more endorsement for the eye of the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable, it showed New Zealand shuttle sire Belardo (Lope De Vega) may have breathed some overdue life into the breeding line of an all-time great mare. Maybe Mahal (Maybe Lad) was one... Read More
More from Focus Asia
Romantic Warrior and California Spangle ready for open age challenge
Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) and California Spangle (Starspangledbanner) fought out an epic duel to the line in last month’s Hong Kong Derby (Listed, 2000m), with the former prevailing by a head over his Classic generation rival as the duo cemented themselves as the standout four-year-olds of this season. But now the pair face the stern challenge... Read More
A trek to the Tambo Valley races should start favourite on the Easter weekend
Eschewing the rave at Randwick, the last rites at Oakbank and the cold comfort of Caulfield, where the sun disappears behind the grandstand far too prematurely, I decided on an alternative Easter weekend racing experience. The Tambo Valley Racing Club staged the 126th running of its Cup at the Swifts Creek racecourse, 379 kilometres east... Read More
Third for Almanzor
New winners Almanzor (pictured above) – Cambridge Stud shuttler Almanzor (Wootton Bassett) recorded his third New Zealand winner when Dimaggio (2 g ex Pinstripe by Pins) scored on debut at Hastings on Saturday. Sent out as the favourite in the 1300-metre contest, the Tony Pike-trained Dimaggio got up in the final strides to defeat Shanlord... Read More
Ayrton back to his brilliant best after near-death experience
“Today is probably the best he’s felt and he accelerated.” Those were the words of jockey Jamie Kah after she steered Ayrton (Iffraaj) to a first-up victory in the Victoria Handicap (Gr 3, 1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. It’s hard to believe that a racehorse could come back from near-death to be bigger, stronger, and... Read More
In Secret (AUS)
In Secret (AUS) 2 f I Am Invincible – Eloping by Choisir B: Segenhoe Stud O: Godolphin T: James Cummings W: Hrc Motel Maiden Plate (1100m) The James Cummings-trained In Secret (I Am Invincible) put in an eye-catching performance on debut when she won the maiden plate over 1100 metres at Hawkesbury on Wednesday. Slowly... Read More