Yulong dismiss ‘completely untrue’ rumours over continued absence of Zhang Yuesheng
Yulong’s pin-up mare Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock) will strive to join the select group of dual Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m) winners on Saturday before a packed crowd at Moonee Valley – but with one notable absentee. Zhang Yuesheng, Yulong’s founder, will be in China as his absence from the Australian scene continues, though the... Read More
Snippets’ Lass
World breeding has produced its selection of famed superior broodmares you love to see in pedigrees, the likes of Best In Show, Natalma, Lalun, Flower Bowl and La Troienne. Australasia has also been blessed by mares whose influence has spread far and wide, such as Scandinavia, Shantha’s Choice, Eight Carat and Decidity. And this week... Read More
Darby strikes for Amazing Eagle on October (Late) Online Sale
Scott Darby believes Wednesday’s Inglis Digital sale-topper Amazing Eagle (Capitalist) can continue along the same successful mould as the likes of former online Darby acquisitions Robusto (Churchill), Caballus (I Am Invincible) and Imperial Force (Snitzel) and progress on to become a future racetrack star. Darby has had endless positive results when purchasing tried racehorses off... Read More
Legacy continues for Te Akau as Avantaggia scores breakthrough win
Te Akau Racing enjoyed a special victory at Te Aroha on Wednesday when blue-blooded filly Avantaggia (Wootton Bassett) broke through in the Donaghys Moxipor (1150m), delivering a fitting full-circle result for New Zealand’s powerhouse stable. By Coolmore’s star-crossed stallion Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj), Avantaggia is the first foal out of Te Akau’s former champion mare Avantage... Read More
‘Smoothy’ dialled in for Geelong Cup defence
Having knocked off the Queen’s horse when he won the Ebor Handicap (1m 6f), trainer Brian Ellison is planning to commit a similar act of treason when Onesmoothoperator (Dialed In) attempts to defend his title in the Geelong Cup (Gr 3, 2400m). The proud Englishman joked that he might not be allowed back into the... Read More
The new reality
In less than ten years the Australian racing scene has been turned on its head. For what seems like an eternity, spring racing in Melbourne has centred on the big three – the Caulfield Cup (Gr 1, 2400m), first run in 1879; the Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m), first run in 1922; and the Melbourne... Read More