Magnificent seven for ‘superior’ Via Sistina
Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock) signed off a dominant 12 months in Australia by collecting a remarkable seventh Group 1 of the season in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m), equalling the elite-level record won in a single term held by another great mare, Winx (Street Cry), who was also expertly handled by Chris Waller. ... Read More
Farnan juveniles shine at the trials
There were five juvenile heats conducted at Rosehill on Friday morning and two of the quintet were taken out by progeny of Kia Ora’s resident first-season sire, Farnan (Not A Single Doubt). Farnan’s good morning was kicked off by the unraced Peter Snowden-trained gelding, Johnny, who finished strongly to beat Dashing Windfall (D’Argento) by 0.3... Read More
‘It’s not where you start off, it’s where you finish’
Trainer Bjorn Baker believes Stefi Magnetica (All Too Hard) can step into some rarified company as she attempts to complete a top-tier double in the space of a week in Saturday’s Queen Of The Turf Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) at Randwick. Only one mare has claimed the Doncaster Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) and the Queen... Read More
Hugh Bowman takes Happy Valley honours with treble
Riding with supreme confidence, Hugh Bowman’s growing winning streak continued with a treble at Happy Valley on Wednesday night as the Australian struck success for the fourth consecutive Hong Kong meeting. Bowman triumphed on Stellar Swift (Starspangledbanner) for David Hayes in the second section of the Class 4 King’s Park Handicap (1200m), Danny Shum’s Harmony... Read More
Gerard seeking Oaks redemption
Pam Gerard almost picked up an Australian three-year-old major this season with Savaglee (Savabeel), and the Matamata-based trainer is back in pursuit of Saturday’s $1 million Australian Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m) at Randwick. Savaglee finished a close second to Feroce (Super Seth) at Flemington in the Australian Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) last month, and on... Read More
Royal Ascot heroine Asfoora set for Australian return ahead of overseas campaign
Royal Ascot heroine Asfoora (Flying Artie) is poised for her highly anticipated return to the track in Saturday’s Irwin Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m) at Morphettville. The six-year-old mare has not raced in Australia for over 12 months since a fourth placing in The Galaxy (Gr 1, 1100m) in March last year, and trainer Henry Dwyer... Read More