#Brett Holburt

It was a strange day at headquarters, all over by 3pm to avoid the heat, but it was a strong off-season meeting. The track played super and was only upgraded to a Good 3 for the last two races. We had winners dominating out in front when allowed to dictate tempo, but when they went along solid enough a horse like Princess Rhaenys was able to rush…

Trainer Grahame Begg has three strong chances at Flemington on Saturday. Picture: Brett Holburt-Racing Photos Bookmakers rate trainer Grahame Begg a good chance of taking out Saturday's Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m) trophy at Flemington but it's not clear-cut which of his runners could be the winner. The Cranbourne based conditioner heads to…

Spanish Kiss (outside) is going to relish a mile and a half on Saturday. Picture: Vince Caligiuri -Getty Images Trainer Trent Busuttin is keen to see what talented import Spanish Kiss does when he steps out to a mile and a half at Sandown on Saturday. The son of Lope de Vega came to Australia with a bit of hype around him but hadn't delivered in…

Persan can win again on Sunday. Picture: Brett Holburt - Racing Photos More often than not the cream rises to the top and I'm expecting that to be the case in Sunday's Bagot Handicap at Flemington. FLEMINGTON BEST BET PERSAN Race 7 No 1 Showed his class last time out in the JRA Cup when proving far too good despite lugging 60.5kg. Suited out to…

Well hopefully you enjoyed the Christmas cheer with family and friends, and imbibed responsibly of course. Now it is on to a new year and all those fatuous resolutions will be thought about. Punters - as you are - might even suggest it worth keeping a record of your investments (well at least for the first week or so of January) so as to know your…

Roch'N' Horse could be Royal Ascot bound in 2023. Picture: Reg Ryan-Racing Photos Trainer Mike Moroney has indicated a trip to Royal Ascot is on the cards with his star sprinter Roch'N' Horse in 2023. The daughter of Per Incanto took out two of Melbourne's major sprinting features in 2022 and will look to go bigger and better in the new year. She…

My Whisper is favourite for the Australasian Oaks. Picture: Vince Caligiuri-Getty Images Rising star My Whisper is set to be the horse to beat in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) after drawing perfectly for Saturday's main event at Morphettville. The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained filly has drawn barrier three in a capacity field of 16 runners…

Jamie Kah triumphs aboard Zaaki in the Champions Stakes at Flemington on Saturday. Picture: Darrian Traynor-Getty Images Champions just find a way, the will, to win. A lesson learned the hard way for punters as Zaaki clinched the inaugural $3m Group 1 Champions Stakes at Flemington. What a way to win, too. Trainer Annabel Neasham gave jockey Jamie…

Training partners Sterling Alexiou and Gerald Ryan will chase their first Group 1 in partnership this Saturday. Picture: Mark Evans-Getty Images Sterling Alexiou has helped put the polish on his share of Group 1 winners but the chance to claim a maiden major in partnership with Gerald Ryan this week would be no less special. Alexiou has worked with…

Verry Elleegant: nine-time Group 1 star and Melbourne Cup heroine misses Sunday's Arc Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard slammed the French authorities after he felt he was left with no choice but to rule superstar international challenger Verry Elleegant out of Sunday's €5 million Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Despite the seven-year-old having been…

Durston is the third favourite for the Melbourne Cup. Picture: Brett Holburt-Racing Photos via Getty Images Hall Of Famer Damien Oliver will get the chance to chase a fourth Melbourne Cup after winning the race to pilot Caulfield Cup hero Durston on the first Tuesday in November at Flemington. Trainer Chris Waller confirmed Oliver has been locked…

Hoo Ya Mal is one of our early tips to win the Melbourne Cup. Photo: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images. The News Corp Racing and Sports Wagering team have put together an expert panel to give you, the audience the early inside running on feature races in Melbourne and Sydney this spring. The panel of five will be offering their early thoughts on all of…

The New Corp Racing and Sports Wagering team have put together an expert panel to give you, the audience the early inside running on feature races in Melbourne and Sydney this spring. The panel of five will be offering their early thoughts on all of the Group 1 races and other feature contests during the spring, through until the end of the…

Verry Elleegant could miss Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images Verry Elleegant's hopes of securing the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2400m) could be over before they've began with the champion mare a chance of being balloted out of the group 1 feature. 27 horses remain in the mix for Sunday's…

The News Corp racing and sports wagering team has put together an expert panel to give you, the audience the early inside running on feature races in Melbourne and Sydney this spring. The panel of five will be offering their early thoughts on all of the Group 1 races and other feature contests during the spring, through until the end of the…

The News Corp racing and sports wagering team has put together an expert panel to give you, the audience the early inside running on feature races in Melbourne and Sydney this spring. The panel of six will be offering their early thoughts on all of the Group 1 races and other feature contests during the spring, through until the end of the…

Top bets from Laurie Sainsbury for Saturday It's Cup day at Pakenham on Saturday. Photo: Brett Holburt/Getty Images. Off to Pakenham on Saturday and I'm banking on the track's wide-open spaces benefiting a horse that produced some outstanding closing splits on a much smaller track last start. Tips are listed in AEDT. HIGH'N' DRY (Pakenham) Two runs…