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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…
Great to hear Dubai Racing Channel’s Laura King part of the global broadcast. One of the nicest people you’ll meet in world racing!
Singapore Cup, Krisflyer Sprint: Horse racing preview, tips, live blog
Well said Justin!
His form suggest he is best over 2400m, but I still think this sort of a 2000m race – which tends to be run genuinely – will suit him.
Singapore Cup, Krisflyer Sprint: Horse racing preview, tips, live blog
Shame they are struggling to make much ground tonight. Hopefully he can still unleash a monster, Galaxy-esque run!
Singapore Cup, Krisflyer Sprint: Horse racing preview, tips, live blog
Must admit, I’m also watching Eurovision at the same time, as is our esteemed colleague Alfred Chan. I know the result having watched it this morning, but still get a laugh out of all the crazy acts. Won’t spoil it for anyone also watching it, but if you are, give us your Eurovision tip too!
Singapore Cup, Krisflyer Sprint: Horse racing preview, tips, live blog
I mentioned him but must have inadvertently taken it out. Meandre…what to tell you? He is owned by Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen dictator who owned 2009 Melbourne Cup placegetter Mourilyan.
He finished sixth in the Dubai World Cup where Red Cadeaux finished second. But he’ll appreciate getting back onto turf. Ran third in the Hong Kong Vase, beat Turnbull Stakes runner up Seville in a G1 as a 3yo. Bit of a non winner but gets conditions to suit and track watchers say he’s settled in well. Has a similar profile to last year’s winner Chinchon.
Singapore Cup, Krisflyer Sprint: Horse racing preview, tips, live blog
Good evening everyone, welcome to The Roar’s coverage of the Singapore International Racing Festival – or, specifically, two races of importance to Australians.
We are covering the Krisflyer Sprint, featuring Bel Sprinter, in half an hour (at 9:50pm AEST), while the Singapore Airlines International Cup comes up at 10:40pm.
Singapore Cup, Krisflyer Sprint: Horse racing preview, tips, live blog
Don’t believe so, only raced in South Africa before he joined Mike de Kock’s Dubai stable.
Singapore Cup, Krisflyer Sprint: Horse racing preview, tips, live blog
Agree entirely David. Had the pleasure of chatting to Ian Craig recently, what an icon.
Australia's racecallers dominating the world
I will give you a spoiler from my end, he’s not in my top 20 but you’ll see him this time next week…
The Roar's top 50 Australian racehorses of all-time (part 3)
I would love to expose the truth – but I doubt I could with the limited resources at my disposal. I think you’ll see something like Four Corners do far more than I ever could.
Nothing to see here, folks: nothing good about a circus
If winning the big spring races is how you judge success, perhaps remember this: in 21 years in training from Sydney, Gai Waterhouse has only won a spring feature once (the 2010 Caulfield Cup with Descarado) while John Hawkes – training since 1970, in Sydney since 1993 – has won one Caulfield Cup (Railings, 2005) and one Cox Plate (Octagonal, 1995).
I think both are good trainers but you can’t say they are better than Chris Waller currently. Waller’s been in Sydney 10 years. Wait another decade before judging his comparative success.
Bjorn Baker: the next big name in Australian racing
I had a filly with Murray Baker while Bjorn was still foreman over at their Cambridge base in NZ. He made the move over here just before she had her first start. I was very impressed with his professionalism, and I’d race another horse with him in a heartbeat.
Bjorn Baker: the next big name in Australian racing
I’ve always loved the story of Rimfire. To think Jack Thompson, one of our great riders, was beaten by 15 year old Ray Neville, who had only ridden in nine races and had ridden only one winner.
And his next winner in a metropolitan Melbourne race was not until June 1965 in a steeplechase!
I think it is a part of racing history that has been forgotten, somewhat.
The Roar’s top 50 Australian racehorses of all-time: Part 2
I guess I am the “and co” – hahahaha.
I agree, Rising Fast will definitely be in my top 20, but he just missed out on the top 10 for mine.
The Roar’s top 50 Australian racehorses of all-time: Part 2
It is a real shame these days that our longest flat race is the race at Oakbank over 3600m!
The Roar's top 50 Australian racehorses of all-time (Part 1)
I’ll give you a taste Allanthus – the two qualities I admire above all are longevity and versatility. Hence why I have this certain horse at number 6, when most would have him in the late teens at the very best.
The Roar's top 50 Australian racehorses of all-time (Part 1)
Too true.
I think Orb (potentially) may be better than I’ll Have Another. We’ll see.
Preview: England's 2000 Guineas and America's Kentucky Derby
The runner up was phenomenal. I don’t know where he pulled that run from, perhaps the blinkers as you suggest. Glory Awaits is by Choisir too, so little Aussie link there.
I think Toronado will be a gun sprinter over the next few years. Perhaps a Diamond Jubilee horse?
Preview: England's 2000 Guineas and America's Kentucky Derby
Cheers Matt – glad you took my advice! Hope to have more international racing previews up in the next few months.
Preview: England's 2000 Guineas and America's Kentucky Derby
It was a very good win – I’ve got him third in my selections. I think the form around Diamond Oasis is very strong so I had to have him on top. I want to see them step up from maiden class first, hence why I couldn’t select him.
If he wins impressively, I’ll be getting on (at much shorter odds, mind you) in the Champagne Classic.
SA Derby: the forgotten Group 1
I went with Black Caviar because of something more than racetrack performances. She was the horse of the year for her ability, but also for the attention she brought to horse racing.
Many will believe it counts for nothing. For me, it counts for something. If it were best performances this year, she wouldn’t win. But for HORSE of the year, it has to be her for mine.
Ocean Park’s the only other one I legitimately considered.
The Roar’s Australian Horse of the Year
For sure. And hopefully this whole sorry mess can clarify the boundaries once and for all.
Sorry Singo: why I opposed More Joyous in the All Aged
Not doubting it was well below her best Scott. What I’m saying is I don’t think she’s been at her best since the Toorak Handicap, and she was way too short given her performances since. I don’t rate her in the same league as Sunline – not far below, but I consider Sunline the superior mare.
It becomes very simple – Singo produces someone to corroborate what Tom said, then it becomes one of the biggest controversies racing has seen. If he can’t produce a source, then it fades out, Singo looks a goose and faces charges of bringing racing into disrepute.
Sorry Singo: why I opposed More Joyous in the All Aged
Sheikh al Thani has said he’s staying in Europe – although he did say that last year too!
If Al Kazeem were to make the trip, I’d be keen on him…and probably Thought Worthy too for Lloyd.
Brilliant carnival closer reveals Cox Plate is no Dundeel
A connoisseur of Singapore racing?? Haha.
I’m not sure so much about Mr Big, but Super Easy is 13 from 15 here and should just get everything to suit. He could be as good as Rocket Man in the years to come, so I’d say you have to give him a 2-3L boost on his ratings when comparing to the rest of the field.
Singapore Cup, Krisflyer Sprint: Horse racing preview, tips, live blog