Roar Guru
Joined November 2013
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Author, freelance journalist and owner
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This Saturday is moving day in Sydney and Melbourne as many horses look to strengthen their assault on the spring riches. Sydney’s sparse staying…
With three Group 1s across the country this weekend, the spring carnival hits a new level and there’s plenty to discuss on both sides…
The Australian Open may still be just over four weeks away, but the tournament has already produced its best story. Normally, a lowly ranked…
The Melbourne Racing Club did an excellent job of turning Caulfield into an exciting hub to kick off the Spring Carnival. Ten years ago,…
Saturday's Epsom Handicap is officially a disaster. The compressed weights system and a 56kg minimum has ensured the race is anything but a handicap.…
Day 2 of The Championships promises to deliver more high-quality racing with (touch wood) drier conditions. The time-honoured Sydney Cup, along with Australia's richest…
The state of Australia's metropolitan tracks is worsening with major works required on a number of racecourses around the country. While Randwick will host…
Welcome back the Doncaster Mile! After over a decade in the wilderness, the famous handicap is once again the centrepiece on a terrific day…
As the barriers opened in the 2014 Melbourne Cup, winning jockey Ryan Moore, on board winner Protectionist, had one thing on his mind –…
RACE RESULT: The 2014 Melbourne Cup has been won by Protectionist, following a strong sprint to the finish ahead of Red Cadeaux and Who…
![[VIDEO] Melbourne Cup 2014: Highlights, replay, results, blog](https://cdn4.theroar.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Emirates-Melbourne-Cup-2013-415x285.jpg)
Melbourne Cup day is finally here, and with a huge 10-race card at Flemington you won't miss any action here at The Roar. We'll…
The Melbourne Cup was and still is the race that stops the nation. When the race was conceived, it brought together the best handicappers…
The Mackinnon Stakes (2000m, weight-for-age, Group 1) is our second feature here on Derby Day. Will the Cox Plate form hold up? Start time…
The biggest week of racing is finally upon us, once again bringing to the fore ways we could improve the Victoria Racing Club's Spring…
Every year, we hear and read the same stories: too many drunken teenagers at Caulfield, too many internationals in the Cup and too many…
The 2014 Cox Plate (Group 1, weight-for-age, 2040m) is one of Australia’s greatest races and the latest instalment is set to run at 5:40pm.…
![[VIDEO] 2014 Cox Plate highlights: Tips, preview, live blog and results](https://cdn4.theroar.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/cox-plate-415x285.jpg)
The Manikato Stakes (1200m, Group 1, handicap) brings together some of Australasia's best sprinters under lights at 9:45pm (AEDT). With a $1 million purse,…
The Melbourne Racing Club has provided another sensational Caulfield Cup carnival. But before we head off to the Valley, let's dissect the positives and…
Japanese topweight Admire Ratki has stormed home to win the 2014 Caulfield Cup ahead of New Zealand pair Rising Romance and Lucia Valentina. It…
![[VIDEO] 2014 Caulfield Cup result: Admire Ratki wins](https://cdn4.theroar.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Fawkner-415x285.jpg)
The Caulfield Guineas (1600m, Group 1, set weights) at 5:40pm AEDT brings together Australia’s best colts and geldings at a mile. Keep up to…
Same happened with Declaration of War – demand just wasn’t there. So You Think and Shamus Award are doing a solid job at producing stayers – not many are yet to find success in the staying scene after three as of yet.
I definitely think there needs to be more incentives for Australian breeders or owners will continue to buy overseas.
Sydney staying stocks and other spring talking points
These races were also often contested by three-year-olds following a Derby run and provided a good foundation for a Cups campaign – Tie the Knot, Subzero, etc. Makes me wonder whether we’ll ever see a three-year-old contest a Melbourne or Sydney Cup again.
Sydney staying stocks and other spring talking points
Could never forget the Grafton Cup! I merely focused on metropolitan races and those at 2400m+ so ruled out Grafton, Warrnambool and Newcastle Cups. If we include those, then that means the Winter Cup Grafton Cup are the only open staying races worth $100k+ in a five month period.
The point of the article is more so about providing a pathway for stayers, who naturally mature a little later. As an owner who buys into predominantly stayers, it is frustrating that only one of the horses I own is in a Sydney stable and it is very difficult to find appropriate races once you pass through a BM78 level without jumping straight into stakes grade and risking your rating skyrocketing.
Sydney staying stocks and other spring talking points
A bit harsh on Stratum Star. He ran Kermadec to a nose in the Carbine Club after sitting three wide and giving weight before being narrowly beaten by Wandjina and Alpine Eagle in the Australian Guineas. While I question his quality there is no doubting his consiatency.
Epsom Handicap or Epsom Stakes?
Handicaps by their nature aren’t always won by genuine Group 1 horses however its nice to have a quality performer at the top of the weights to provide it with some respectablity.
Epsom Handicap or Epsom Stakes?
Hooked ended up top weight as all the other higher rated geldings did not accept. The weight scale will mean a few mares will be carrying weight-for-age which is a big disadvantage particularly considering only one mare has won the Epsom in 30 years.
Epsom Handicap or Epsom Stakes?
Good point. While some like small fields and $1.50 favourites, I just love big fields with a big weight spread and plenty of value.
Epsom Handicap or Epsom Stakes?
Funny you mention that as this week’s Turnbull Stakes is a set weights and penalties. I would like to see more of them as the unusual weight scale adds a different dimension to the race.
Epsom Handicap or Epsom Stakes?
I’d love your reasons. Half the field have won a Group 1 in the past twelve months and plenty of the others are Group 1 placed in that time. I think in terms of depth, this is a great Doncaster.
The Doncaster Mile is back where it belongs
Wrapping up here at Flemington after a great staying performance from Protectionist, who will now be trained by Novacastrian Kris Lees. Stay tuned to The Roar as we keep you updated with all the latest news and views. There is plenty of quality racing still to come at Flemington, with the VRC Oaks on Thursday and the Emirates Stakes on Saturday along with a mouth-watering Darley Classic for the sprinters. Thanks for your company!
Melbourne Cup day 2014: Raceday live updates, tips and results
A quinella for the Snowdens, who are having a great carnival after leaving Darley and starting their own training partnership. Another great ride from James McDonald, who had to be very brave to take the run.
Melbourne Cup day 2014: Raceday live updates, tips and results
RACE 10 – Results
1ST – MAHARA
2ND – ROSE OF CHOICE
3RD – VIBRANT ROUGE
4TH – BELLE DE COEUR
Melbourne Cup day 2014: Raceday live updates, tips and results
Racing in the last – Lady Lakshmi jumps well with Danestroem and they lead from Rose of Choice pulling on the fence with Mahara in behind her. Around the bend, Lady Lakshmi goes out after the leader with Red Fez and She’s Clean. Rose of Choice ducks up on the fence with Mahara off her back. Belle De Coeur out wide storming home, but Mahara scores!
Melbourne Cup day 2014: Raceday live updates, tips and results
Big support for Lady Lakshmi into $8 after opening at $14 as they are being loading into the barriers.
Melbourne Cup day 2014: Raceday live updates, tips and results
Mahara has the shades on for the first time today. James Mcdonald rides.
Melbourne Cup day 2014: Raceday live updates, tips and results
Rose Of Choice looks in great order, heading to the barriers. She has firmed into $4.80 outright favourite ahead of her stablemate Mahara at $5.
Melbourne Cup day 2014: Raceday live updates, tips and results
Looking forward to seeing Griante over the 1400m. She has drawn wide, but is still great value at $13.
Melbourne Cup day 2014: Raceday live updates, tips and results
Belle De Coeur is one of the picks of the mounting yard. She looks bright and has freshened up nicely since her failure behind Woodbine in September.
Melbourne Cup day 2014: Raceday live updates, tips and results
Horses are in the mounting yard for the final race on Cup Day. Rose of Choice and Mahara are equal favourites at $5 with another Sydney galloper, She’s Clean at $7.
Melbourne Cup day 2014: Raceday live updates, tips and results
Anthony Freedman may freshen the winner up for the Standish Handicap on New Years Day after thriving down the straight.
Melbourne Cup day 2014: Raceday live updates, tips and results
Once again, the first five all came down the middle of the track, which has been the place to be all day down the straight.
Melbourne Cup day 2014: Raceday live updates, tips and results
Great ride from Wayne Lordan, who gets in eye in for the big ride on Slade Power on Saturday. Anthony Freedman was happy with his trackwork and felt he would perform well first-up.
Melbourne Cup day 2014: Raceday live updates, tips and results
Race 9 – Results
1ST – REPARATIONS
2ND – OFFICE BEARER
3RD – FINAL CRESCENDO
4TH – TARGET IN SIGHT
Melbourne Cup day 2014: Raceday live updates, tips and results
Racing in the sprint. Notlistenin’tome bounces out of the gate and leads from Sea Lord as they come down the middle of the track. Target In Sight has found cover midfield. At the 400, Reparations hits the front from Office Bearer and he sprints away. Reparations bolts in at a good price as well!
Melbourne Cup day 2014: Raceday live updates, tips and results
Both are wonderful races but I can’t agree with this assertion. Always a treat watching the horses mill around behind the barriers before the start of a staying race – hopefully we’ll be able to do that again in a couple of weeks.
Sydney staying stocks and other spring talking points