The Roar
The Roar

Matt Nicholls

Expert

Joined June 2018

56.6k

Views

77

Published

76

Comments

Published

Comments

Excellent opening article!

Straight track racing returns to Richmond

Solid day out. Could have been huge with some tight margins for placings

Converge EW (3rd at $6/$2)
Savatiano EW (2nd at $6/$2.20)
Andermatt EW (4th at $6/$2.20)
Still A Star WIN (1st at $4.60)
Open Minded EW (1st at $10/$2.80)

Saturday preview: Why Masked Crusader is no good thing in the All Aged

Hi Max, the call isn’t to upgrade those tiny tracks, it’s to ensure that major regional racetracks are of a high quality, such as Tamworth.

It's time for Peter V'landys to do his job at Racing NSW

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

Youngstar also bred in Australia, I believe.

Melbourne Cup 2019 preview and top tips

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

close