Six-time Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) winning owner Lloyd Williams is set to leave his Macedon Lodge training establishment which has produced four Cup winners since the turn of the century. Macedon Lodge will close as a private training base for horses owned by Williams and his son Nick, and Lloyd Williams said that the... Read More

While short priced favourite Libertini (I Am Invincible) was gallant in defeat, holding on for the closest of thirds, honours went to narrow winner Funstar (Adelaide), who prevailed by a nose, and second placed Probabeel (Savabeel) who flashed home late and was in front a stride past the post, beating Libertini by a short head.... Read More

Beyond that race, which his trainer Mark Newnham won last year with Maid of Heaven (Smart Missile), Shadow Hero has a date in Melbourne on November 2 for the Victoria Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) for which he is already also a short-priced favourite. A relaxed gelding looks a genuine stayer with a real turn of... Read More

A late inclusion in the star studded field and aided by a 3.5kg weight advantage plus blinkers, three-year-old colt Yes Yes Yes, with Glen Boss in the saddle, produced a stunning turn of foot in the home straight to overhaul the leader Nature Strip (Nicconi) before holding off the fast finishing Santa Ana Lane (Lope... Read More

The classic was the fifth consecutive success for the Clayton Chipperfield-trained Catalyst, previously a winner of three other black type events including the Hawke’s Bay Guineas (Gr 2, 1400m) and the Northland Breeders’ Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) but based on pedigree it is difficult to predict whether he will get 2000m or the Derby distance... Read More

Not to mention the forecast of rain which, alas, could be a complication for the arguably two best-credentialed of just four Australasian bred and trained horses remaining in the field, as it sits now, for Tuesday’s $7,775,000 Melbourne Cup. Nonetheless, I am not giving up on the notion of a seemingly unlikely “local” victory, most... Read More