I met someone recently who was honestly astonished to learn that the races continued throughout the year. I’m unsure whether the more incredible part of this is the person’s belief or that I’d managed to cross paths with such a standpoint! Nevertheless, the marquees have, indeed, been dismantled so, in her skewed sense, she is [Read more]

No matter how impressive a line-up they gather – and, it must admitted that this is a good meeting – Sandown’s premier day is a bit like a penny bunger after the fireworks display. Sportslovers have turned the page on their “Calendar of Events” – two GFs segued in to the Carnival; the golf’s on [Read more]

Bookies have, as usual, so far claimed the points at the annual “Flemington fill-up” and will be looking to top up at the outstanding fourth day of the “Festival”. Punters were losing confidence in a tricky track after some early blow-outs on Oaks Day but they rallied late to get a bank for a counter-attack [Read more]

The odd thing about Derby Day is that the so-called (and, since 1855, time-honoured)signature race is rarely the highlight of a star-studded programme. Such is again the case this Saturday at Flemington where the “support” card overwhelms the 3 yr old’s “Blue Riband”. On a day littered with Group races, it seems odd that the [Read more]

The key question for punters, of course, is what sort of track will be dished up at Caulfield for Cup Day this Saturday? Swoopers were doomed last week and then the track chopped to Heavy at the irrelevant midweeker (which must go). We’ve had perfect drying weather today (Thursday) but the forecast is dire! It [Read more]

It’s not always easy to name a horse. Some owners “cop out”, using an unimaginative combo of the sire and dam. Others try a clumsy mix of owners’ names – think Makybe Diva. Some “luck in” – legend has it that, after 99 rejections, Century was submitted and he became a track and stud star with a brilliant name [Read more]

Guineas Day already. As much as I’ve looked forward to it for months, it still comes as a shock that, with liniment still lingering, we’re launched headlong in to my favourite day at The Heath. It doesn’t look a vintage Caulfield Guineas (R7) this year – think Testa Rossa and Redoute’s Choice eyeballing up the [Read more]

This is one of the great racing weekends on the Australian Calendar. We’ll be flicking between Randwick and the MCG on Saturday to keep abreast of Sydney’s classic card, including four Group Ones amongst a litany of race names that resonate with turf followers…The Gimcrack, Craven Plate, Roman Consul, Flight Stakes, Spring Champion Stakes, Metrop, [Read more]

It’s great to be excited about some sport this weekend – with the Bulldogs’ slow death finally certified, I can focus on Moonee Valley’s terrific meeting on Friday night without any diarised distractions. Get there if you can – the races are just 30 mins apart, with a companion card at Canterbury – and Group [Read more]

After Underwood Stakes Day punters have generally sorted their priorities for the major Spring prizes. That is not to say that priorities can’t change radically over the forthcoming weeks, but if the shorties salute tomorrow, the favs for the Guineas, both Cups and the Plate will be entrenched. The next race day here at the [Read more]