Articles by: Noah Strang

Lindsay Park trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes have talked up Mr. Brightside’s Makybe Diva Stakes chances this week. The stable says their thoroughbred has everything it takes to bring home a second straight win at Flemington on Saturday.

Queensland Derby winner Warmonger is getting a new jockey ahead of two of his biggest upcoming races this spring. Jockey Michael Dee will now ride the Group 1 winner. Warmonger and Dee’s first race is this Saturday at Flemington in the Makybe Diva Stakes.

Lindsay Park trainers Ben, Will and J.D. Hayes think Arkansaw Kid could be in the running for a spot at The Everest this October. They say the gelding is the best sprinter they have had since two-time Group 1 winner Vega Magic.

123 horses have been nominated for the Group 1 Melbourne Cup at Flemington this November. 103 horses come from Australia, while 20 are based abroad. Trainer Ciaron Maher looks most likely to get a win this year, with 16 horses nominated.

Chain Of Lightning will run in her first race since May on Saturday in the Group 3 Vale Black Caviar (1100m) at Caulfield. If all goes well, the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained mare could be in the running for a spot in this October’s The Everest at Randwick.

Racing Australia and Racing South Australia have announced their six finalists for the 2023-24 Australian Horse of the Year award. Imperatriz and Mr. Brightside are among the multiple Group 1 winners who have been nominated for the prestigious award.

The Enver Jusufovic-trained Pinstriped took home first place in the 2024 Memsie Stakes (1400m) on Saturday at Caulfield. The win was Pinstriped’s first Group 1 victory. Favourite Mr. Brightside finished half a length behind in second.

Rachael Cunningham’s The Good Fight left the competition in the dust in this year’s Grand National Steeplechase (4500m). The ten-year-old gelding won the $400,000 by an impressive 25 lengths. Unfortunately, jockey Lee Horner suffered a severe fall and was hospitalised.

The All-Star Mile (1600m) has finally found itself a permanent home. The $3,650,000-race will be run at Flemington Racecourse from 2026 onward. This move also guarantees that the All-Star Mile will gain Group 1 status in 2026.

Two-time Group Three winner Phearson set to run at Randwick Racecourse this weekend in the $200,000 Show County Quality (1200m) on Saturday. The Brad Widdup-trained gelding has not raced competitively since finishing 10th in the Ladbrokes BRC Sprint at Doomben.