Via Sistina lays down strong spring marker with Winx triumph
The last time expensive import Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock) raced, jockey James McDonald said it was “embarrassing” to have been beaten the way they were. Declan Bates and Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) had just pulled off their unforgettable steal in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m), bursting to an outrageous lead of... Read More
Ameena becomes Tassort’s latest star
Ameena (Tassort) became the second stakes winner for her hot young sire with a storming victory in Saturday’s Silver Shadow Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) for three-year-old fillies at Randwick. Favourite backers will have felt it was the wrong daughter of Tassort (Brazen Beau), the wrong homebred of his owners Emirates Park, and the wrong Freedman... Read More
Joliestar enters Everest reckoning with Show County win
Widden Stud flagbearer Zoustar (Northern Meteor) continues to go from strength to strength as he throws down a serious challenge to I Am Invincible’s (Invincible Spirit) three-year stranglehold on the champion sire title, with his crack mare Joliestar serving notice of a mega spring through a stunning victory in Show County Quality (Gr 3, 1200m).... Read More
Vauban bounces back in Lonsdale Cup as Melbourne return looms
A return to Melbourne for the first Tuesday in November for looks to be on the cards for Vauban (6 g Galiway – Waldfest by Hurricane Run) after the Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old bounced back to his best in Friday’s Lonsdale Cup Stakes (Gr 2, 2 0.5f) at York. Having disappointed when finishing 14th in the... Read More
Industry mourns death of Kevin Hickman
The New Zealand thoroughbred industry has lost one of its most influential figures of the last two decades with the passing of Kevin Hickman after a long illness. Tributes to the Valachi Downs principal have flowed from around New Zealand and Australia, including from Gareth Downey, who was Valachi’s general manager from 2020 to its... Read More
Freedman out to strike again after ballistic start to the season
Fresh from his finest season – and following a ballistic start to this one – Michael Freedman has a power packed hand for Randwick on Saturday where he will launch a spring stakes assault set to raise his trajectory still further. Freedman went solo three years ago on splitting from brother Richard, starting his stable... Read More