Duchess Zou
It’s hard to imagine now, but there was a time when Arrowfield Stud great Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice) wasn’t all that valued as a broodmare sire. The past is another country and all that. But faith in his “rival” stallion as a maternal grandfather in those days from Widden Stud’s Antony Thompson is now paying off... Read More
‘I think two-year-old racing is on a decline that cannot be stopped’
Driven, as ever, by economics, Australian two-year-old racing appears to be losing importance – but while that concerns some industry figures, others say it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Ironies, chicken-and-egg scenarios and Catch 22 situations colour the argument and populate the reasons, but it’s clear Australia’s once fierce obsession with first season racing appears... Read More
Popes praying for another victory waltz in the Bletchingly
Bridal Waltz (Snitzel) will have to overcome sibling rivalry and defy the weight of recent history when the in-form filly lines up in the final Victorian stakes race of the season, the Bletchingly Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m). Ahead of acceptances co-trainer Katherine Coleman confirmed the stable’s last-start Creswick Stakes (Listed, 1200m) heroine would take her... Read More
Tough slog
“Only the strong survive” is a fitting category to be applied to lightly raced Joshua Brown (Dalghar) who slogged it out best in Saturday’s Opunake Cup (Listed, 1400m). Running a similar time to a normal 1600 metres suggests that “slog” is the appropriate description. Carrying the minimum weight of 53 kilograms he was the least... Read More
Dilmi to take the reins at Domeland
Domeland Racing has confirmed that former Godolphin foreman Nacim Dilmi will take over as head trainer of its Central Coast-based private operation at the beginning of the 2025/26 racing season, following the departure of Sara Ryan. A long-standing presence in Australian racing, Domeland has recorded success over more than two decades, including Group 1 winner... Read More
Connections are over the moon with their girl
SA Sires Produce Stakes (Gr 3, 1400m) heroine Ethereum Girl (Maurice) not only extended Lindsay Park’s sizzling juvenile strike-rate this season, the filly also enhanced the burgeoning reputation of her dam Moonchild (Charge Forward) whose first three foals to race have now produced a pair of stakes winners. Shortly after her stablemate Shining Smile (Spirit... Read More