Expert
Joined July 2012
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Very keen racing fan and Olympics enthusiast, now working for the South China Morning Post's horse racing desk in Hong Kong. Lucky to have attended some of the biggest racing events worldwide - but the Melbourne Cup is still my favourite event of all!
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It's here - the most comprehensive free Melbourne Cup preview on the internet, a tome that is longer than War And Peace, all devoted…
The Australian flag may be flying high at Sha Tin today, but it is highly unlikely it will be thanks to an Australian-trained winner…
A decade ago, Darren Weir left Flemington disconsolate, despondent and dejected. His star mare She's Archie, a one-time favourite for the 2004 Melbourne Cup…
November is here, which means only one thing - the Melbourne Cup, the race that stops the nation for three minutes on the first…
For many people, the Melbourne Cup conjures up memories of Makybe Diva's three Cups, of Damien Oliver's heroic victory aboard Media Puzzle and even…
It's easy to chat about how and why the Melbourne Cup is such a great race, but it's even more exciting to see some…
It's here - the race that stops the nation for three minutes on the first Tuesday in November every year. It's Melbourne Cup time,…
A horse's chances in the Melbourne Cup can live or die at the hands of Mother Nature. In Australia, there are 10 track ratings…
While Derby Day is named for the spring staying test of three-year-olds, the Victoria Derby, it is the Mackinnon Stakes which has long been…
Saturday's Caulfield Cup is further proof the race has progressed from a mere lead-up to the Melbourne Cup to become a target race on…
The focus of the racing world is on this weekend's Caulfield Cup, but it is Saturday week's Cox Plate which may be the big…
The Caulfield Guineas has long been the premier race of the spring for three year olds. Run over the mile, now 1600m, it has…
As the spring racing carnival nears, it's easy to forget that the industry revolves around what happens off-track as opposed to on-course activities. Spend…
If ever there's an official starting point of the road to the Melbourne Cup, it's the next 24 hours, with the international band of…
With the best month of racing for the year right on our doorstep, it is easy to look towards the many positives - for…
The latest fad in racing is to run the feature race as the last race of the meeting, an endeavour which has generally been…
The Underwood Stakes on Saturday was jokingly labelled the "race of the millennium" before the race, but it lived up to its star billing…
While all attention is likely to be on the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield this weekend, there is another race on the…
With a month until the Caulfield Cup and just under seven weeks until the Melbourne Cup, now's the time to reassess the Cups picture…
The first European visitors to Melbourne go into quarantine tonight our time, ahead of the first shipment which arrives into Melbourne on AFL grand…
Hahahaha Bondy, I wish. It’s one talent I just don’t have…
An election is the perfect time for an omen bet
I agree, incidentally. For mine, the two races with the potential to be hallmarks are the Tancred, run after the Aus Derby and the QE Stakes rather than as a lead up to the Australian Derby, or perhaps the Doncaster as the world’s premier mile handicap.
Sydney racing's international attempts a pipedream
God, I’ve misquoted a misquoted quote, then misquoted a quote. The mind boggles! (Are you confused? I am!)
Sydney racing's international attempts a pipedream
I agree about Royal Empire. What I didn’t mention is that Godolphin’s three second placegetters all had form over shorter distances, with good natural pace. Royal Empire looks very much in the mould of Crime Scene.
Melbourne Cup aspirants determined last weekend
I agree with that for sure. I’m going to be giving any winnings this week to the National Jockeys Trust, and I am going to be doing the 4 Tracks 4 Kids walk in Sydney, of which (I believe) a percentage is going to the NJT.
Darwin jockey's death a tragedy
I honestly don’t know how I left them out, it was an oversight on my part. That was the first Melbourne Cup I attended!!
The Japanese were meant to be back this year with a horse called Admire Rakti, but last I heard he may not make the trip.
The horse that changed Australian racing
I was focusing on Europeans – shouldn’t forget Delta Blues, given that was the first Melbourne Cup I attended!
The horse that changed Australian racing
I’ve just been told by the Chris Waller camp that Metal Bender is currently at their Rosehill stables, while My Kingdom of Fife is still at owner Richard Pegum’s farm.
Metal Bender’s been entered into Luxbet’s market this afternoon at $51.
An analysis of Group 1 winners: who's left?
Thanks Drew, I do agree we need to try to better record information…I’ve used all the information sources available to me and still struggled.
An analysis of Group 1 winners: who's left?
The last part is why a horse like Shoot Out seems to become more popular each campaign. He’s been around for years now, yet still measures up to top company. Whether he can measure up again this spring, time will tell, but hopefully he can.
An analysis of Group 1 winners: who's left?
Cheers Brad, agree that Super Cool has the profile of a horse ready to step up. Between him and Atlantic Jewel, as well as the likes of December Draw, Kav could have a good spring ahead.
As for Black Caviar, I’m not sure. Given Werrett’s links with Vinery, More Than Ready looks a possibility. I’ve heard some shrewd judges mention Snitzel, which was surprising. Fastnet Rock was at one time seen as favourite but Werrett seemed to suggest that was unlikely on British television last week.
I’d say More Than Ready.
An analysis of Group 1 winners: who's left?
Actually, I also found Apache Cat to be the most docile, friendly horse while I was out there, glad to see!
And I agree, Metal Bender – if he was sound – could easily be a leading Cox Plate contender.
An analysis of Group 1 winners: who's left?
I won’t lie – originally I wrote the line as “champions of the turf” – until I found out Zavite was there…doesn’t quite rank alongside Apache Cat, Efficient and Zipping for mine!
An analysis of Group 1 winners: who's left?
That was a sickening, sickening race
2013 Royal Ascot: Day 5 Preview, tips and live blog
That’s the big query, though, is she at her best? I doubt it, and I think her best comes around a bend.
2013 Royal Ascot: Day 5 Preview, tips and live blog
Loved finding out yesterday that Central Park, second to Rogan Josh in the 1999 Melbourne Cup, actually won this race in 1997!
2013 Royal Ascot: Day 5 Preview, tips and live blog
Novellist goes around in the Prix de Saint-Cloud tomorrow in France, so that’s three of our four running this weekend.
2013 Royal Ascot: Day 5 Preview, tips and live blog
I’m president, treasurer, secretary. I just leave the vice president position to Justin…
2013 Royal Ascot: Day 5 Preview, tips and live blog
Aiken is a late scratching from the Hardwicke Stakes, so elevate Ektihaam to third, Songcraft to fourth.
2013 Royal Ascot: Day 5 Preview, tips and live blog
Rite of Passage has come out of the Ascot Gold Cup, along with Aaim to Prosper, Biographer and High Jinx.
I think I’m going to go with Times Up to beat Estimate with Saddler’s Rock third. Next best Vadamar.
Royal Ascot 2013: Day 3 preview
Had a couple of scratchings already…
The Ribblesdale has lost the two favourites in Alive Alive Oh and The Lark, so I’ve now got Riposte on top from Waila and Winsili. I’m worried about Just Pretending’s stamina, hence why I’ve left her out.
Royal Skies has come out of the King George V Stakes, so put in Number One London in for third.
Royal Ascot 2013: Day 3 preview
Global Village has been withdrawn from the Royal Hunt Cup, so my new numbers are:
1. Spa’s Dancer
2. Two For Two
3. Dictatorship
Royal Ascot 2013: Day 2 preview
Err…well…um…I wish.
An election is the perfect time for an omen bet