#Darren Weir

Chris Waller's pursuit of excellence is indicative of the trainer's competitive nature. When asked what motivates him, the Hall of Famer's reply was almost instantaneous and says so much about why he has been so successful. "Knowing that there is still room for improvement," Waller said. "We have only scratched the surface." This might read like an…

Dr Adam Gay is a cardiologist, so without being Captain Obvious, he knows a few things about hearts - the human ones. Like in-between doing the wards at Western Health in Footscray, his private rooms have been inundated with heart check-up bookings since the tragic death of cricket legend Shane Warne last weekend. But none of this should lead you…

If a picture paints a thousand words, as the old adage goes, the floods of images emerging from Australia's greatest race on Tuesday have compiled a masterpiece of literature. Michelle Payne may have told her detractors to "get stuffed", but [Gerald] Mosse's emotional display should be seen as a similar slap in the face to the anti-racing lobby For…

Mr. Misunderstood wins Saturday's Commonwealth Turf at Churchill Downs, headed for bigger things in the year to come. Photo courtesy of Churchill Downs A spate of major weekend races around the world fueled hopes for the coming season, even as this year's championships are still being debated. In Australia, Redzel silenced any lingering doubts…

SHE'S a living treasure, a sporting legend, the best thing since sliced bread and Black Caviar, and up there with our national pastime of "Flick the Prime Minister" as the most famous thing about Australia just now. The beauty part is, she's still racing in our lifetimes. And the even beauter part is, this Saturday could be the biggest celebration…

The Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup Runner By Runner Guide Tuesday 5:00pm | Flemington Race 7 Not sure who to back with your annual punt on the Melbourne Cup? Maybe you've got no idea what you've just drawn in the office sweepstake? The TAB's runner-by-runner guide has all you need to know about the strengths and the weaknesses of all the horses in the…

KEIRA Dunn approached the podium at yesterday's barrier draw for the UBET Stradbroke Handicap confronted by a minefield, ensuring Care To Think's miserable run with wide gates will continue on Saturday. The good draws had been taken early and there was precious few options for Dunn as she chose her mini trophy from the table. She picked up barrier…

IT'S not the race that stops the nation. It's the other one. When Saturday comes it will bring in its duffel bag the time-honoured Caulfield Cup, which will be honoured for the 139th time at triangular eastern Melbourne racecourse, Caulfield. It's not the biggest thing on the Australian racing calendar but it is the major lead-up to it - that one,…

While it feels like longer, Group 1 racing will return on Saturday when the Railway Stakes gets underway at Ascot Racecourse. For many, it is front of mind as we look to build on our Christmas shopping fund with Willie Pike and the chaps over in WA. The Punt Drunk team will also take a look at where the Darren Weir situation stands a couple of…

It might have come as a surprise to some that the four-year disqualification penalty imposed on Darren Weir runs its course on February 6 next year. That is not to say he can resume training, even if he wants to, the very next day. There is a bridge over some many troubled waters to cross before that. But such news did not stop a raft of hastily…

With the new racing season underway we've put it to our stable of experts to lay their reputations on the line and hand out some predictions for the next 12 months, including their early selections for The Everest and Melbourne Cup plus what's the next'big thing' we've got to look forward to. THE NEXT BIG THING RAY THOMAS - Dylan Gibbons: The son…

Former Hawke's Bay jockey Michael Dee and Durston, winners of the Caulfield Cup on October 15. Now he goes for the double, booked for Lunar Flare in Tuesday's Melbourne Cup. Photo / Getty Images Hawke's Bay could hold two of New Zealand's more significant hopes in the 2022 Melbourne Cup, the three minutes and 20 seconds gallop that stops two…

You know you are watching Group 1 racing anywhere in the world when you see the Godolphin blue salute at the highest level. Of course, it happened twice at Caulfield on Saturday with Anamoe and Golden Mile. And while Godolphin's James Cummings seemed to be channelling Barry Humphries true-blue Aussie character Barry McKenzie at The Heath with "that…