SIR MICHAEL STOUTE LENDS A HELPING HAND WITH WARRINGAH
FAMED English trainer Sir Michael Stoute is guiding Chris Waller with the preparation of import Warringah for next Tuesday’s $5.65m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
Waller said at Sandown this morning that Stoute, the former trainer of Warringah, had been very
helpful with his advice on what the Sydney trainer should do with his new acquisition.
Read more: HELP from abroad for Waller with Melbourne Cup hope
PICNIC CIRCUIT POPULAR WITH RELAXED RACING FRATERNITY
PICTURESQUE racecourse Healesville hosts the debut race of the Picnic Racing Season on Saturday, with a healthy attendance anticipated to launch the 2009-10 season.
Being unique events, the picnic races provide the ideal opportunity for people of all ages to relax in scenic environments while enjoying the laidback atmosphere and competitive racing circuit.
Read more: VICTORIAN Picnic Racing Season starts at Healesville on Saturday
WEIR OUT TO RAID THE CUP AT HIS FORMER HOMETOWN AGAIN
FORMER local Darren Weir is mainly focused on having a runner in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup, however, he hasn’t forgotten about the Cup held near his place of heritage on Saturday.
Last year Weir secured his second Elders Mt Wycheproof Cup this decade with Racy Alice. He previously won the race in 2002 with Spike the Bubbles.
Read more: HOME-COMING for Darren Weir before Melbourne Cup tilt
LEG INJURY FORCES BANKABLE OUT OF THE MACKINNON STAKES
SOUTH African trainer Herman Brown believes Bankable is on the improve from a mystery leg injury that will prevent him running in Saturday’s Group 1 $750,000 Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington.
Brown decided on Monday not to enter Bankable for the Mackinnon after the horse developed
soreness in the off foreleg over the weekend.
Read more: SOUTH African still hopeful of start in Melbourne Cup
THIRD DECLARATIONS TAKEN FOR THE MELBOURNE CUP
A total of 42 horses remain in contention for next week’s $5.65m Emirates Melbourne Cup
following the closure of third declarations with Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) today.
Master trainer Bart Cummings, who is chasing his 13th Melbourne Cup off the back of wins in the BMW Caulfield Cup and Tatts Cox Plate, is best represented with six horses.
Read more: THERE are still 42 horses in the Melbourne Cup field
ROYAL RANDWICK FAREWELLS TAKEOVER TARGET
ROYAL Randwick will farewell a legend on Saturday, 7 November when the 10 year-old super sprinter Takeover Target parades for his Sydney racing fans for the last time.
After winning more than $6m in prize-money, Takeover Target, with his owner-trainer Joe Janiak, will parade for the public before receiving a special presentation.
CAMERON IS SET TO QUIT - GCTC HEAD-HUNTING SCOTT WHITEMAN?
THE Brisbane Sunday Mail Turf Editor Bart Sinclair may have jumped the gun when he reported that Gold Coast Turf Club chief executive officer, John Cameron, had resigned but if he could tip winners with the same accuracy punters would be millionaires.
Cameron has advised that he has NOT YET LEFT THE CLUB but he's odds-on to go in the next few days. A director of the club was reportedly head-hunting a replacement in Victoria the week before the new committee had even won power.
Read more: THE BLOOD-LETTING is set to start at the GOLD COAST Turf Club
SO YOU THINK DEFIES IMMATURITY TO WIN THE WEIGHT-FOR-AGE CROWN
THE legend of Australian racing, Bart Cummings, pulled off another incredible training triumph when his three-year-old So You Think won the $3 million Tatts Cox Plate, 2040m, at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Cummings wrote another chapter into his amazing Spring Carnival story winning his fourth weight-for-age championship of Australasia when So Youth Think, $14, bolted in from Manhattan Rain, $19, with Zipping, $12, a game third.
BOOKMAKERS KEEN TO LAY WHOBEGOTYOU – NOW OUT TO $3
BOOKMAKERS are still keen to lay favorite Whobegotyou in the $3 million Tatts Cox Plate at Moonee Valley tomorrow (Saturday) with good support arriving at long odds for Zipping and Rock Kingdom.
Mark Read’s IASbet.com has eased Whobegotyou from $2.70 to $3 following backing for Zipping ($17 to $13), Rock Kingdom ($26 to $15) and So You Think ($13 to $11).
Read more: STRONG moves for trio at goods odds in the COX PLATE betting
HAYES IMPORT HAS DEVELOPED AN ABSCESS IN HIS HIND HOOF
DAVID Hayes has been forced to put the Emirates Melbourne Cup preparation of
Changingoftheguard on hold after the English import developed an abscess in his near hind hoof.
Changingoftheguard was noticeably lame when he came out of his box this morning, which forced
Hayes to cancel his planned gallop with the Herman Brown-trained pair Bankable and Mourilyan.