Arcora (Justify) staked an early claim for the VRC Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) with a stirring victory in Melbourne’s traditional early dress rehearsal for young stayers in Saturday’s Byerley Handicap (1800m) at Flemington. Well ridden by John Allen, the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young–trained colt started a $4.20 favourite in the time-honoured event and didn’t... Read More

Co-trainer Ben Hayes declared Shining Smile (Spirit Of Boom) had made a case for regard as Australia’s best-performed two-year-old of the season after the durable colt brought up his fifth victory on Saturday at Flemington. Marhoona (Snitzel) might have won the Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) as one of her two wins, and Devil Night... Read More

Arrowfield Stud shuttler Maurice (Screen Hero) racked up his tenth Australian stakes winner while the Hayes brothers celebrated their 30th two-year-old win of the season as Ethereum Girl took Saturday’s SAJC Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr 3, 1400m). With her straightforward success as a well–supported $2.90 favourite in the juvenile feature at Morphettville Parks, Ethereum Girl... Read More

Proven Thoroughbreds and Joe Pride will bid to continue their stunning winter run when consistent gelding Accredited (All Too Hard) lines up in Saturday’s Winter Challenge (Listed, 1500m) at Rosehill. The in-form partnership landed a tri-state treble last weekend, highlighted by In Flight’s (Flying Artie) victory in the Sir John Monash Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m)... Read More

Matthew Poon has withstood an inspired season finale push from Derek Leung to claim his first Tony Cruz Award as Hong Kong’s leading homegrown jockey in dramatic circumstances at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. With Leung’s wins on Me Tsui’s Vulcanus (Lean Mean Machine) in the Class 4 Let Me Fight Handicap (1200m) and Frankie... Read More