Five horses to back this Saturday in Melbourne and Sydney
Refreshed after a couple of weeks away from the racing circuit, I’m back in the saddle this weekend as the industry returns to the major tracks.
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Refreshed after a couple of weeks away from the racing circuit, I’m back in the saddle this weekend as the industry returns to the major tracks.
There’s no greater marathon in world sport than the Flemington carnival.
Giddy up punters it’s time for the Melbourne Cup (Group 1, 3200m). A crack field has been assembled for this classic at Flemington and those of you having a once-a-year flutter should be able to find plenty of value, with the favourite almost at double figures.
Merry Christmas punters! Yes, it’s that time of the year when Santa delivers the best day of racing on the calendar.
Punters at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney will witness history on Saturday, with the inaugural running of the Golden Eagle (1500m).
A Cox Plate without Winx feels a little flat this week, but I’m sure come 4:55pm on Saturday (3:55 for us Queenslanders) there will be plenty of electricity in the air at Moonee Valley.
The Caulfield carnival has been run and won and we’re at Geelong today for one of the last remaining Melbourne Cup previews.
Derby Day used to be the pinnacle for the Australian punter.
Australia’s richest race and the world’s richest turf race will be run and won at Randwick on Saturday.
It’s been a big week in racing, with Racing NSW boss Peter V’Landys suggesting the Melbourne Cup should be moved further back in the spring (not the worst idea), before Darren Weir and his former team were hit with a string of police charges.
We are officially one month out from the Melbourne Cup, which means the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and The Everest are just around the corner.
A big field in a major Group 1 race in Sydney? Stop the press.
The good races keep on ticking over on the eastern seaboard, with punters blessed with three Group 1 meetings in three days.
It must be AFL grand final weekend because that means Friday night racing at Moonee Valley, and Group 1 racing at that.
Want to fix the drought in regional Australia? Schedule some of Sydney’s biggest races in the country.
Get excited punters. Taylor Swift is performing at the Melbourne Cup this year.
How bloody good is this September shaping up to be?
There was a cloud hanging over the Australian racing industry on Saturday as participants prepared for a day at the track.
There’s no better time than this if you are an Australian racing fan.
Group 1 racing returns to the calendar this Saturday with the running of the Winx Stakes (1400 metres) at Randwick.
Has to be a chance, hammer. As Lloyd Williams said on radio this morning, he might be a bit immature, but the talent is there.
Melbourne Cup 2019 preview and top tips
I didn’t think it was on the day. Barriers can be overrated.
Derby Day at Flemington: Every race previewed
I think Moonee Valley will be in good nick across the two days, Aransan. If anything, the fence will get a bit chopped up, which won’t be a problem for Lys Gracieux, who I expect to go forward from a wide alley and sit outside the leader or be in the one-one. If the rail does get chopped up, they’ll all fan like they did a couple of years ago and it’ll be nice and firm on the Strathyr in the middle of the track. There’s some rain forecast, but the Valley track managers will put more on during the week through irrigation than what will fall from the sky.
The Cox Plate: No Winx provides value for the punters
Right you are, Nathan. Don’t see the point of SWP races these days. Either way, Kings Will Dream had a handicapper’s weight and I can’t see him beating Mystic Journey with the turnaround in weights (and MJ’s barrier).
The Cox Plate: No Winx provides value for the punters
I think new races can’t get immediate Group status. It’ll be a Group 1 soon, surely.
The Everest: Who will win Australia's best race?
Ha. Yes it would be good to see Sunline back. Fixed!
All eyes on Melbourne Cup hopefuls this Saturday
I’ll ask to see if we can have racing on the main menu re-instated 🙂
The Epsom Handicap: Your guide to the big race
Rupert Clarke wide open as it’s a terrible Group 1. The fact Begood Toya Mother is fave says it all. Widgee Turf a definite chance.
Surprise, surprise, wet weather dampens Sydney racing
Correct Max. It was upgraded in 2013. It has always been a big-name horse race, however. Here’s a quick glance at some of the previous winners: Phar Lap, Ajax, Comic Court, Lord (four times), Rising Fast, Galilee, Manikato, Rubiton, Naturalism, Sunline, Artilleryman, Makybe Diva, So Yout Think, Eurythmic, Atlantic Jewel etc.
Veteran galloper can win again heading into spring
Yes sorry I meant open age Group 1.
Plenty of exciting 3YOs in the mix and I wouldn’t mind seeing Avilius and Mystic Journey go toe-to-toe.
Be wary backing Mystic Journey too early
Complete agree. Alizee is high class. I’m not as convinced about Zoustyle but he’s definitely one to watch as well. Hopefully we see an emerging star 3YO in the sprinting ranks. It’s a bit bleak at the moment.
Ten horses to watch this spring
Sansom was good last time, Larry, but I felt Maozi probably wins with a clean run. Now gets weight relief and the Flemington 1400m should suit him perfectly with a good barrier.
Good luck at Rocky.
Five horses to back in Melbourne and Sydney this Saturday
Smoking actually kills you. And tobacco has been taxed unbelievably as a deterrent. All for more education on responsible gambling, but once again it’s largely the poorest and least educated people that are throwing their money away. Some regulation would help.
Australia must overhaul its position on gambling
Davico if you read this article and others written by me you’d see that I’m a huge fan of The Everest. Racing needed a huge grand final sprint and got one.
The racing industry is its own biggest enemy
I think they were strong from a competitive point of view, but no real stars.
Australia's sprinting ranks at their lowest ebb this century
Easy solution, Diablo. Do what most daily newspapers do. Have Thursday off and work Friday.
Time to bring in Good Friday racing, plus five Saturday tips
Nice debut. This definitely has potential. Needs more Nat Fyfe content.
Introducing The Roar's brand new podcast - Game of Codes: Australia's biggest sporting debate
A lot to process there, sheek.
I agree that breeding has crippled the progression of some outstanding horses, but in a way, Australia is just following the trend that had been set in the UK and the US beforehand.
I would have loved to see The Autumn Sun race on to see if he was the real deal. One of my favourite horses was All Too Hard. The issue for many entires is that they encounter problems as they get older – not many stallions can actually race into their ‘senior years’.
I don’t think racing is being killed by breeding, but it isn’t helping. Horse ownership is hard, but it doesn’t appear to be slowing down at an alarming right.
Jason is right, probably an article in it.
Who will be racing's next champion?
2000 to 2019 is 20 years, sorry! Loved Might and Power!
The 20 greatest Australian racehorses of the past 20 years
Fair call, Barry. I didn’t have Starcraft quite as high as you, but you can easily make a case for him.
The 20 greatest Australian racehorses of the past 20 years
Grand Armee very stiff. If I’m being serious, he was 21.
The 20 greatest Australian racehorses of the past 20 years
Might and Power was a 90s horse.
The 20 greatest Australian racehorses of the past 20 years
Big fan of Gold Edition in the EI era, but didn’t quite make the shortlist. Probably ranked around 30-35.
The 20 greatest Australian racehorses of the past 20 years
Big step up in distance for her. Doesn’t have a great staying pedigree. So far she’s done her best work on softer ground and the curators have gone up Good 4 this morning. Couldn’t have her, but hope she runs well for you.
Vow And Declare might have won his last race, plus Oaks Day tips