‘I couldn’t have scripted this’: Bates takes hot form to Sandown
Leading Victorian apprentice jockey Logan Bates is confident in-form and progressive Hughes could take another step forward on Saturday.
Horse Racing
On the Punt
‘I thought we were going to lose Rothfire’: Miracle tale made for Hollywood
There have been emotional highs and devastating lows in the Rothfire story, and if he can pull off a Stradbroke miracle it would be trainer Rob Heathcote’s greatest racing moment.
Stradbroke defence much closer to home for Baker
Bjorn Baker missed last year’s epic Stradbroke victory because he was in England for a wedding but nothing will keep him away from Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Four-Play, Quadzilla: Gilbert Gardiner’s Sandown-Hillside tips
Form analyst Gilbert Gardiner presents his best bets plus quaddie selections for the nine-race card at Sandown-Hillside on Saturday.
Illness threatens J-Mac’s Group 1 record pursuit
Superstar jockey James McDonald is battling an illness which could derail his bid to equal, and possibly break, the national Group 1 riding record at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Waller: J-Mac can be greatest jockey of all time
As James McDonald nears Damien Oliver’s Group 1 record, trainer Chris Waller believes the superstar jockey will be remembered with the same reverence.
Ryan reminisces on Snitzel ahead of dual state Saturday tilt
Trainer Gerald Ryan, who trained the great Snitzel which passed this week aged 23, is set for a bumper weekend with leading chances at Rosehill and Eagle Farm.
Claytons to Martini: Stradbroke win will be sweeter for Edmonds
Toby Edmonds won the Stradbroke Handicap when Eagle Farm was a ghost town during the Covid-19 pandemic, but it will be a much greater triumph if he can win the race again on Saturday.
Ballarat Synthetic Friday tips: $10 value bet
Form expert Brad Waters analyses Friday’s Ballarat Synthetic meeting, presenting his best bets, value selection and jockey to follow.
Newcastle Saturday tips: Rhapsody on song for success
Form analyst Adam Sherry provides his best bets and race-by-race analysis at Newcastle on Saturday.
Newcastle preview: Empress poised to bounce back
Trainer Jarrod Austin is hopeful a couple of key factors can pave the way for Elegant Empress to break through for a confidence boosting win.
‘Proof you don’t need to pay big money to have a chance’
Sydney racing needs a good news story so welcome to the stage syndicator Steve Vardy’s “Fab Four” of Winning Proposal, Crafty Eagle, Hell Of A Fox and Hellbent For You.
Rosehill Inside Mail: Anything goes for Quinton on Saturday
Hall of Famer Ron Quinton is hoping to bookend the Rosehill Gardens meeting with Like Anything and Watch My Girl on Saturday.
‘Well over the odds:’ Yellow Brick road to Stradbroke boilover?
After missing a start in the Stradbroke Handicap last year, Yellow Brick has returned a “better horse” for Saturday’s race.
From fish and chips to the Straddie: Cejay scales new heights
Cejay Graham’s first job was in a fish and chip shop and thank goodness she hated it, because it led her to becoming a jockey and having a fairytale crack at the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap on Saturday.
Ray and Duff’s best bets for Saturday: ‘First-up run was hard to miss’
Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy debate the chances for the Winter Cup meeting at Rosehill Gardens, plus both Group 1 races on Stradbroke Day at Eagle Farm.
Stradbroke shake-up: Kimochi’s freak injury gifts Gollan’s gun a run
Two years of Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap heartache have eased for Tony Gollan, with his great hope Transatlantic getting a start as second emergency after leading contender Kimochi suffered a probable career-ending tear in her tendon.
‘I’m still about’: Rawiller sends reminder after hiatus
Jockey Brad Rawiller has made a triumphant return after an eight-month break following shoulder surgery and he is eager to prove there are more wins in store.
Cumani’s ‘Italian Stallion’ shows potential as gelding
A new version of an Italian Derby runner-up will be out to continue improving for Ballarat trainer Matt Cumani at Saturday’s Sandown meeting.
‘I might not go home’: Kavanagh unveils filly for wife and mum
Levi Kavanagh, with co-trainer father Mark, will debut a filly which was bred by his wife and also has his mum in the ownership.
New Dawn: Bates seeks next Group 1 after Pride Of Jenni
Declan Bates cherishes his success with Pride Of Jenni, but is focused on finding his next Group 1 winner and is confident it could be the Stradbroke Handicap.
More Racing
‘No reason to merge’: VRC shuts down speculation
The Victoria Racing Club has rejected any merger plans in a letter to members, after revelations of a secret meeting between racing powerbrokers.
Caserta’s favourite horse sets out to fulfil Group 1 prophecy
Late jockey Chris Caserta predicted Far Too Easy would win a Group 1, and it would mean the world to his family and connections if it came true in the Stradbroke Handicap.
Larrikin truck driver has suit and speech ready for Stradbroke dream
Hobby trainer and full-time truck driver Craig Cousins is on the cusp of fulfilling a dream run with his Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap hopeful The Inflictor.
‘I’m not scared of you’: What led to jockey dust-up
Noel Callow has been hit with a hefty ban for a physical altercation with rival jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor, and the dramatic sequence of events can be revealed.
Maloney fishing for another Group 1 in JJ Atkins
Jockey Ryan Maloney was fishing in his tinnie on Thursday, but is striving to hook a big Group 1 prize in the JJ Atkins at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Ownership group split over Front Page’s bid for Stradbroke glory
It was a close vote among owners to run Front Page in Saturday’s Stradbroke with the horse’s former trainer against the move.
Sale Thursday tips: $17 value bet
Form expert Brad Waters analyses Thursday’s Sale meeting, presenting his best bets, value selection and jockey to follow.
‘We won’t be recruiting a CEO’: Kanga to serve as MRC executive chairman
Melbourne Racing Club’s John Kanga to return to the role of executive chairman following the shock departure of CEO Tom Reilly.
Special send-off for Robbie Laing in the offing
Young Cranbourne trainer Jack Laing has found a way to honour his late father Robbie during the upcoming wake for the Group 1-winning trainer at Cranbourne next Wednesday.
“We’re all devastated”: Super stallion Snitzel dies
Group 1 winner turned super stallion Snitzel has died aged 23 leaving behind an ever lasting legacy on the thoroughbred racing landscape.
Hawkes harnesses his love for the trots
He’s best known as the champion thoroughbred trainer with a 2025 The Everest contender in Briasa … but John Hawkes is also making his mark in harness racing.
‘I won’t be backing him’: Owner questions Stradbroke favourite’s odds
Big-time owner Rupert Legh has won three Stradbrokes but says he won’t be backing his favourite War Machine at the short odds on offer in the 2025 edition of Queensland’s greatest race.
Callow charged over jockey track bust-up
Noel Callow has pleaded guilty to an improper conduct charge over a physical altercation with fellow jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor, who has been cleared by Queensland stewards.
‘Jobs to the boys’: Melbourne Racing Club board member quits in protest
MRC director Barb Saunders has resigned over concerns about the club’s governance following the chief executive’s sudden removal.
Lloyd’s dad to be trackside for shot at Stradbroke history
Zac Lloyd will aim to become the first jockey in more than 30 years to win consecutive Stradbroke Handicaps and his parents don’t want to tempt fate.
Sandhu’s hopes high with 7YO having just his 15th start
Despite being a seven-year-old, trainer Julius Sandhu is confident lightly-raced galloper Talbragar can race up to his compelling second-up form at Sandown on Saturday.
‘Our best hand’: Barrier draw boosts Hayes’ Stradbroke confidence
Co-trainer Ben Hayes declared Lindsay Park had its “best hand” to secure a first Stradbroke Handicap following the barrier draw on Tuesday night.
Comeback star can give Cummings a Golden send-off
Golden Mile can cap him remarkable comeback with success in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, which would also double as a fitting signing off by Godolphin trainer James Cummings.
Pride taking on Stradbroke history with Private Eye
Joe Pride will be out to defy the odds and break a few records with Private Eye in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap on Saturday.
Seymour tips Tuesday: $3.20 best bet
News Corp form analyst Chris Vernuccio takes a look at Tuesday’s Seymour meeting with his best bet in the last race.
‘Best to pivot and move on’: Reilly removed as Melbourne Racing Club CEO
Melbourne Racing Club chairman John Kanga has revealed the sudden removal of chief executive Tom Reilly.
Grafterburners primed for JJ Atkins decider against Cool Archie
Grafterburners has been no match for Cool Archie in both runs this campaign but trainer Kelly Schweida is confident of turning the tables in the Group 1 JJ Atkins.
J-Mac confirmed for Rothfire’s incredible Stradbroke bid
Hopes are rising that racing warrior Rothfire will line up in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, and the momentum continues to build with James McDonald booked to ride.
Grounded Corey flying high ahead of dream Group 1 bid
Father-and-son trainers Chris and Corey Munce are enjoying a dream winter carnival which they’re hoping will culminate in a Group 1 victory this Saturday at Eagle Farm.
$51 roughie stuns $1.4m Waller stablemate
Chris Waller may have unearthed two promising colts with the quinella in the opening race at Canterbury, but it wasn’t the result punters wanted.
Thompson weighs up Q22 back-up for luckless Oaks runner
Trainer Glen Thompson will decide whether unlucky Queensland Oaks placegetter Benagil will back-up in the Q22 this weekend.
Gollan faces more Stradbroke heartbreak by prizemoney rule
Tony Gollan looks set to have a Stradbroke Handicap contender stranded outside the field for a third straight year with Transatlantic unable to be re-handicapped for his win last Saturday.
Stanley dreaming of Stradbroke win to make grandad proud
Victorian jockey Jett Stanley says it will be a special moment if he can honour his late grandfather by winning his first Group 1 in the Stradbroke Handicap.
Flemington Racebook: Gilbert Gardiner’s follow and forgive files
Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner’s horses to follow and forgive from Flemington’s Country Race Day.
On The Punt: Condor set to fly at Mornington
Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner’s selections for King’s Birthday Monday at Mornington.
Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/horse-racing