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Joined April 2011
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'Caught the racing bug' at a young age and a keen student of the sport's history.
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Welcome to a Roar special in Cox Plate week, to celebrate Winx's attempt for an historic third-straight victory in Australia's weight-for-age championship. Yesterday, Cam…
The Cox Plate is at the top of Australian racing. The best racing the best over 2040m, at weight for age and at Moonee…
Throughout this week Cameron Rose and I have detailed how we would change Australian racing's Group 1 calendar. Concerned by declining mainstream interest in…
The Roar's racing calendar restructure continues today with a rundown of the proposed changes for Australian autumn racing, after Cam Rose walked us through…
Welcome to the first instalment of an ongoing discussion between Roar Racing experts Cam Rose and Justin Cinque on the structure of the Australian…
The 2015 Melbourne Cup (3200m, Group 1, handicap) will be run for the 155th time on Tuesday at 3pm. Horses trained in Australia, England,…
When I watch a great thoroughbred stretch for victory, a second lasts an hour and those moments become memories I never forget. The 2015…
The new racing season is under away with some underwhelming Group 2 weight for age races headlining meetings in Sydney and Melbourne. In last…
On Tuesday, Racing Victoria announced a handful of changes which should improve the Spring Carnival program. The most important was a reduction in distance…
The 2015 Sydney Carnival comes to a close on Saturday when the final two of 21 Group 1 races are run at Randwick. It's…
It's one of the great debates among racing fans: which is the best race meeting in Australia each year? Many favour Derby Day at…
For more than 12 months, the best trainers in Australia have been critical of the programming in the Sydney Autumn Carnival. And now it…
The 2014 Melbourne Cup (3200m, Group 1, handicap) to be run at Flemington on Tuesday at 3pm has brought together one of the most…
They say you need everything to go right to win a Melbourne Cup, and the same applies to the horse racing fantasy game Star…
On Friday night, the world's best sprinter, Lankan Rupee, was beaten for a second time in two starts at Moonee Valley this spring. Both…
The winning margin may only have been three quarters of a length, but it's hard to think of a better example of a great…
Lankan Rupee, the horse with the white heart marking on his head, affirmed his title as the best sprinter in the world with a…
The inaugural Championships begin on Saturday at Randwick. The name alone suggests the racing will be great. Day 1 is highlighted by the richest…
On the first Golden Slipper day in The Championships era, the brightest star was undoubtedly Silent Achiever, who won The BMW (2400m, Group 1,…
Jockeys are the backbone of racing. Every time they jump on a horse they place their life at risk, and their sacrifices should never…
Thanks Bondy!
Good point about the quality of these sprinters.
Rich Enuff was enormous yesterday. He clearly has a special turn of foot.
Moonee Valley or bad tactics: Why is Lankan Rupee losing?
I don’t think handling Moonee Valley comes down to the size of a horse. It probably comes down more to how balanced they are.
Moonee Valley or bad tactics: Why is Lankan Rupee losing?
He certainly isn’t anywhere near as dominant as he was last season. I’m happy to reserve judgement until we see Lankan Rupee enjoy a softer and more suitable run in transit but he certainly has been disappointing both times this prep.
Moonee Valley or bad tactics: Why is Lankan Rupee losing?
Thanks Brent!
It’s one of my favourite tracks too. I think the Valley, when playing free of bias, is one of the better tracks in Australian racing. There’s been plenty of great races there over the years. Even Friday night’s Moir will live in the memory.
Moonee Valley or bad tactics: Why is Lankan Rupee losing?
Yeah Froggy certainly was out-ridden.
Not sure on Bring me the maid. Is she just a wet-tracker?
Has she got over the buffeting from the Golden Rose?
The other question is… is the Golden Slipper form much good?
Moonee Valley or bad tactics: Why is Lankan Rupee losing?
It’s a very fair comment Casper.
A lot of questions will be answered over the next month or so!
Moonee Valley or bad tactics: Why is Lankan Rupee losing?
Thanks Addington!
I can’t wait for Flemington! Should be a ripping race. Buffering, Slade Power and Lankan Rupee. Throw in a three-year-old or two and, it could be one of the races of the carnival.
Moonee Valley or bad tactics: Why is Lankan Rupee losing?
I agree Will. I guess the only question I have is how much influence Mick Price and the owners had over the tactics Newitt implemented.
I expect we’ll see Lankan Rupee ridden differently at his next start, which could be at Caulfield in a fortnight. If he happens to meet a bigger field, it would probably be of assistance because it will make it easier to find cover.
Moonee Valley or bad tactics: Why is Lankan Rupee losing?
It should not be forgotten that Lankan Rupee was rated the world’s best sprinter before he won the TJ Smith.
If Lankan Rupee can be ridden better to suit his style then definitely I think my focus post-race will move towards the contest. Buffering has proven many times just how good a horse he is. If he keeps up this form through the spring, his stocks will only continuw to rise.
Moonee Valley or bad tactics: Why is Lankan Rupee losing?
Yep!
So a St Leger on a Stakes Day would hopefully also include two or three from the top ten home in the Derby.
The VRC St Leger needs a revival
Hi Damien,
Nice article! I like the way you think. The St Leger on Stakes Day – sounds like a good idea! I mean, the field would be small but at least we’d see some decent horses.
It could almost act like a consolation Derby. Horses that come through Geelong and run fourth or fifth there, might go to the St Leger instead of the Derby, where they’d be 150/1 chances.
Could work I reckon.
The VRC St Leger needs a revival
Mark it’s probably a fair point. I must say though that the Top 50 was an incredibly hard exercise. It’s a matter of opinion.
It’s A Dundeel one of the greats after Queen Elizabeth success
You are spot on Bondy.
Sacred Falls will run in the Queen Anne and then will be off to stud in New Zealand.
No Queen Anne for It’s A Dundeel. He has been retired.
It’s A Dundeel one of the greats after Queen Elizabeth success
You were spot on Peeeko!
It’s A Dundeel one of the greats after Queen Elizabeth success
Hi Luke,
Answer to a. I sort of agree with you. Messara basically poured cold water on it though. The mile or nothing it seems. My question is – does he have the speed over the mile to match it with the top milers he’ll be meeting? If he does, then his stamina will carry him a long way.
B. in hindsight, yes, they should have gone to the Sydney Cup. I loved that she ran in the QE though. That’s the beauty of $4m – we get to see the best against eachother
C. Yeah I guess so. Also think it shows how far Sacred Falls has come in quick time.
D. For mine it’s Lankan Rupee’s HOTY title. As you say, only IADD winning in Europe could challenge for the title.
It’s A Dundeel one of the greats after Queen Elizabeth success
Live blog of the Oaks here – http://www.theroar.com.au/2014/04/19/2014-atc-australian-oaks-preview-live-blog-results/
Queen of the Turf Stakes: preview, live blog, tips and results
Fantastic comment kv. I can see what you mean about Silent Achiever.
Glorious weather in Sydney today…. Absolutely glorious! Don’t know how much drying the track needs but if we can somehow sneak into a dead range by QE time, I think Green Moon is going to run a big race.
I think he flies fresh, is a deadset 2000m horse and has been outstanding both times this prep. Loved his fight at Caulfield and thought he was near his best in the Aus Cup. He is the knock-out.
I get the feeling Silent Achiever will win the race on a slow or heavy track but anything drier will makes things very interesting.
The Championships: 2014 Queen Elizabeth Stakes preview and tips
Love a big call Peeeko… Why?
The Championships: 2014 Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Sydney Cup preview
I don’t think that’s right Brent… GLB and Lankan Rupee have won Group 1 WFA races this autumn for the boys
Four things I learnt on Day 1 of The Championships
She did Tim. From memory in 2001 when Ha Ha won. Excellerator was one of the minors and Red Hannigan may have been too – this will test my memory
Chris Waller could not have scripted it any better
I can see what you mean…
It is a great meeting though. If you like English racing, it means a lot to win any Group 1 over there.
As a racing feat, winning in Hong Kong in December or Dubai in March is harder and probably greater than winning a Group 1 sprint at RA.
Lankan Rupee is the best sprinter, but no Hay List yet
Hi Damien,
Nice write-up. I’ll be putting a similar article up tomorrow to give some extra help to Roarers.
I emailed the guys at Star Stable this afternoon and they confirmed price increases are uncapped. I saw it somewhere. Then tried to find it again to confirm but I couldn’t. Anyhow, it definitely is the case.
I also thought it was strange that it missed the what’s new tab.
Star Stable: Week 1