Has The Derby – “The Derby” – lost its standing among the world’s great races?
In keeping with the spirit of mischief which was surely behind Peter Moody’s declaration that Australian trainers are better than their English and European counterparts, let’s have a crack at an ever holier grail. The Derby. The one run at Epsom Downs which apparently, like its golfing equivalent, needs no designation other than “The”. The... Read More
Eight for Astern
New first season sire winners Astern Astern (Medaglia D’Oro) landed individual winners seven and eight on Saturday as Somewatt Fabulous’ (2 f ex Megawatt by Shocking) success in the opening Benchmark 64 Handicap (1250m) at Morphettville preceded Danger Strykes’ (2 f ex She Is Stryking by Stryker) Castletown Stakes (Listed, 1200m) win in New Zealand,... Read More
Corrales a certainty for sixth Macau Champion Jockeys’ title
A winning double at the weekend looks to have secured a sixth Macau Champion Jockeys’ title for Luis Corrales. Corrales, who has been on fire in the past two months, has ridden 22 winners since April 3 and after Saturday has an unassailable lead with 53 winners, 14 ahead of Eric Cheung on 39, with... Read More
Taller mountains ahead for Supreme Heights
Supreme Heights (Jimmy Choux) made relatively short work of her rivals in what was her eighth career victory at Wanganui on Saturday, having the AGC Training Stakes (Listed, 1600m) well under control as soon the field turned their heads for home. The five-year-old mare is proving to be both honest and consistent, boasting back-to-back Group... Read More
Frankel investment proving a stunning coup for Evergreen Stud Farm
Two-year-old homebred gelding Converge in good shape for tilt at Group 1 glory in J J Atkins The immediate future of J J Atkins Plate (Gr 1, 1600m) pre-post favourite Converge will become clearer after this weekend’s $1 million two-year-old race at Eagle Farm but, whatever the outcome, Evergreen Stud Farm’s decision to support northern... Read More
Neighbours turned life-long friends celebrate ‘dream come true’ after Oaks win
Matthew Irwin and Peter Harris claim first Group 1 success with Edward Cummings-trained Duais With a love of the Aussie bush that developed during his time studying agricultural economics at the University of New England, Matthew Irwin always dreamed of racing a horse in the country. So, he contacted leading Tamworth trainer Sue Grills to... Read More