#I'm Thunderstruck

Desert Encounter, winner of the 2018 and 2019 Pattison Canadian International, is back trying for a "three-peat" in Saturday's renewal at Woodbine. Photo courtesy of Woodbine Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Belmont Park returns to action this weekend with Irish and English horses, including Bolshoi Ballet, chasing the third leg of New York's rich turf…

Verry Elleegant and Nature Strip, the nation's best racehorses, are defying time - but for how much longer? Since the retirement of all-time great Winx three years ago, the Chris Waller-trained duo have reigned supreme. Nature Strip inherited the Horse of the Year title from his former stablemate in 2019-20 before Verry Elleegant claimed the honour…

Ben and JD Hayes have put one of the most famous names in Australian racing back up in lights with Mr Brightside's fast-finishing win in the $3m Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday. The brothers scored their first Group 1 win as a training partnership when Mr Brightside finished too strongly for I'm Thunderstruck to lead home a…

Zaaki and Jamie Kah have taken out the final Group 1 of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, winning the VRC Champions Stakes over 2000m. The win of Zaaki in the Champions Stakes gives Kah and Annabel Neasham their first Group 1 winner for the Melbourne Cup Carnival, defeating the two favourites in the race, I'm Thunderstruck and Anamoe, who didn't finish…

The best race Australia has to offer is the Cox Plate (2040m) and the 2022 edition this Saturday shapes up to be a belter, with Anamoe looking to get redemption off the back of a heartbreaking defeat in the race last year. Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2022 Cox Plate. *Existing customers only. 2nd…

Dalaika, shown winning the Grade I Beverly D. at Churchill Downs, returns for the $1 million Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Churchill Downs Sept. 9 (UPI) -- It's all about the turf in weekend horse racing with Kentucky Downs staging an extravaganza unmatched anywhere in North America short of the Breeders' Cup World…

Nest (white bridle), shown winning the 2021 Demoiselle at Aqueduct, returns as a heavy favorite in Saturday's Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, a Kentucky Oaks prep. Photo by Joe Labozzetta, courtesy of New York Racing Association Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Potential Kentucky Derby candidates are in action from California to Florida and all the way to…

Epicenter, shown training before his second-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, meets the winner of that race, Rich Strike, again Saturday in the Grade I Travers Stakes at Saratoga. Photo courtesy of Churchill Downs Aug. 26 (UPI) -- The "Midsummer Derby" at Saratoga pits the first three finishers from the Kentucky Derby against one another again in…

The race of the Autumn Carnival is the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick this Saturday in what could be a swan song for the Australian career of champion mare Verry Elleegant. Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2022 Queen Elizabeth Stakes. *Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T's…

Eduardo is on target for the Group 1 T.J Smith Stakes. Picture: Grant Guy Trainer Joe Pride's powerful presence for The Championships including stable stars Eduardo, Private Eye, Brutality and Shalatin, could provide him with a historic Group 1 treble at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Pride's done his job. His talented quartet are primed and ready but…

Tommy Berry had a big few days with a two-state feature double taking out the VRC Oaks and the Five Diamonds. Picture: Daniel Pockett-Getty Images Star jockey Tommy Berry's VRC Oaks-Five Diamonds feature race two-state double last week is a sign of the changing times in Australian racing. Sydney's extended spring carnival has encroached on…

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…

The first of the Group l races at Flemington this Saturday is the Newmarket Handicap (1200m), with a high class bunch of sprinters engaged to tackle the time honoured contest. Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2022 Newmarket Handicap. *Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T's & C's apply.…

Cox Plate winner Anamoe is favourite with Ladbrokes.com.au for the Champions Stakes (2000m) this afternoon at Flemington. The four year old had his crowning glory in the Cox Plate two weeks ago and looks primed for this assignment, which will be his first look at Headquarters. He sits at the top of betting at $2.15. I'm Thunderstruck, second in the…

It's a massive final day of the Flemington carnival with Champions day - featuring a trio of Group Ones - and the Punters Inside Run panel are looking to finish with a bang. Host Matt Campbell and form expert Mick Sharkie are expecting Nature Strip to bounce back from his Everest defeat in the Champions Sprint on Saturday. "He's the big speed…

Having originally considered taking I'm Thunderstruck back in trip after his Cox Plate placing, I'm Thunderstruck will attempt to register a first against Anamoe at Flemington. The pair has met on two occasions with Anamoe holding 2-0 lead, but trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are hoping to turn that around in the Group 1 Champions Stakes…

Welcome to Champions Day at Flemington, a new concept designed by the Victoria Racing Club as we continue to see the evolution of racing in Australia since the inception of the Everest. Not so long ago we had the Mackinnon Stakes (2000m at weight for age) run on Derby Day, the Emirates Stakes (1600m handicap) run as the feature on Stakes Day, which…

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…

We have expert betting tips for the Cox Plate this Saturday at The Valley where a field of 12 have been selected for the best weight-for-age race in the world. With the likes of Anamoe, Zaaki, and imported threat El Bodegon racing, it shapes up to be another classic rendition of the Cox Plate. We have a runner-by-runner betting guide available for…

Whether you find yourself in the Birdcage, a backyard, or rooftop bar this Spring Carnival - 'BossBook' has you covered with weekly previews, racing tips, style guides, and more. Use Code: BOSSBOOK when you signup and make your first deposit at BossBet. Australia's newest championship race day, Champions Stakes Day at Flemington looks like an…

News Corp form analyst Brad Waters takes an early look at Saturday's Champions' Day meeting at Flemington. BEST BET NATURE STRIP (Race 6, No.1) Beaten but not disgraced in The Everest. However, Nature Strip flies down the straight and can bounce back to square the ledger with Giga Kick on Saturday. VALUE BET LUNCIES (Race 4, No.9) Did it tough out…

Cox Plate winner Anamoe dominates the Ladbrokes.com.au market for the final Group l of the Spring, the Champions Stakes (2000m) this Saturday at Flemington. The four year old is 4/4 this time in, all at Group l level, and looks primed to end the prep on a high this weekend. He opened $2.15 and is rock solid at $2.20. A couple of other runners from…

It's the type of scenario that would have been unfathomable just a few years ago, when there was an annual pilgrimage south for Cup week. Conversely, Sydney's No.1 rider, James McDonald, will ride in Melbourne on Saturday, and most trainers and jockeys are now choosing to be at the meeting where they think they have the best winning chances. But in…

Rosehill will host its final major raceday of the spring carnival, with the running of the $10 million Golden Eagle set for Saturday. The race will be run over 1500m and features the best four-year-old horses in the country under set-weight conditions. Since its introduction in 2019, it has become the world's fourth richest race on turf behind The…

What a Golden Eagle we've got this year - and that's before we even get to the actual race. Controversy reigned this week when actions were taken to allow the Chris Waller import Welwal to take his place in the field. The horse's rating was bumped up and the field was expanded from 18 to 20 to ensure he could make the cut. Another mitigating factor…

The Caulfield Cup on the same day as The Everest is a wonderful thing for racing fans, as they get to watch two of the biggest four races in the country within an hour of each other. One for the stayers, and one for the sprinters. Like The Everest though, this year's edition of the Caulfield Cup looks a weak one, although perhaps that is being…

The Might And Power Stakes promised to be one of the races of the year and it didn't disappoint with Anamoe scoring a narrow but decisive victory while the'blue army' was dominant in landing three races including two Group 1s. It was certainly a task to sift through so many good performances in landing on five to follow but there were also plenty…

Caulfield Racecourse hosted three Group 1 races on Saturday as spring racing begins to hit its straps. Rated a soft 5, the Caulfield track was able to produce exciting battles, particularly in the form of a thrilling finish to the Might and Power Stakes. Anamoe (Might and Power) and Golden Mile (Caulfield Guineas) scored wins with James McDonald on…

David'Gator' Gately has provided his full tips and race-by-race ratings for Group 1 CaulfieldGuineas Day at the Melbourne Racing Club, Caulfield on Saturday October 8th. It's Day 1 of the Caulfield Carnival, the feature today the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas. The meeting also has the Group 1 Toorak Handicap and the Group 1 Might And Power Stakes on…

There's a Cox Plate to die for, a Caulfield Stakes looking almost as good, a Melbourne Cup promising a boost in European talent, a handful of fortunes and stud careers to be made or lost, and a hundred other plotlines. As the Sydney Swans and a Parramatta would say, thank God the footy's done and we can focus on racing and the spring carnival. For…

Caulfield Guineas day is one of the best raceday's in the country, with three Group 1's and a support card of top quality. The big three-year-old races have certainly changed complexion throughout this season so far. Kibou was the early Golden Rose favourite before going amiss, Jacquinot won the Golden Rose but has chosen the Everest rather than…

The stable of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott could count their morning's work at the Warwick Farm trials as well worthwhile after training the first three over the line in the opening heat, then In The Congo notched another trial win towards a likely Golden Eagle campaign. Should In The Congo line up in the $7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m) on…

It's been hard not to miss Racing Victoria's spring message as Melbourne's sporting baton is handed from AFL to racing. The much hyped "Here For The Horses" documentary aired last Thursday and aired again and again. Slickly produced, fronted by sports crossing triple premiership hero Josh Gibson and including the right faces and voices of Jamie…

The Group 1 Underwood Stakes is run at Sandown on Sunday. Raced over 1800m at weight-for-age level, the Underwood is worth $1 million, with $600000 going to winning connections. We have only a small field of six runners in 2022, much the same as last year when Zaaki saluted in a field of five. See our guide below: Annabel Neasham / Jamie Kah…

The Daily Telegraph's racing editor Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central's form expert Ron Dufficy debate the chances at The Gong meeting at Kembla Grange on Saturday. The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here! BEST BET R6 No.1: EASY…

Group 1 racing will head to Sandown on Sunday 25th September, with the running of the $1 million Underwood Stakes. The race will be contested under weight-for-age conditions over 1800m, and has been classified as a G1 event since 1979. The winning connections will take home $600000, with this year's favourite Zaaki taking out the 2021 edition of…

There is a push from within the Sydney training ranks to have the season's first juvenile races, the Breeders' Plate and Gimcrack Stakes, moved to Everest Day from next year. The proposal suggests delaying the start of the two-year-old season by two weeks will bolster the prestigious The TAB Everest meeting at Royal Randwick. Under the existing…

Zaaki winning last year's Underwood Stakes It's certainly a case of quality over quantity in this year's Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m), with just six horses set to face the starter. The track was rated a Soft 6 on Thursday but should get close to the good range with fine weather forecast on Friday and raceday. Speed map, runner-by-runner…

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…

Two big Group 1s in Melbourne and Sydney this week as spring racing continues to heat up. George Main Stakes - Randwick The George Main could finally gives us the clash we've been waiting for over the last 12 months, with Anamoe and Zaaki potentially meeting for the first time on a sporting surface. When the two were in the same race last time, the…

You thought this column was dead and buried, but not to worry, Payney's Punt is back and we've got pockets that need filling up. Just like your local watering hole - that's pubs for you non-drinkers - hosting a members' draw jackpot that must go off, punters from far and wide will race to pick up the latest Payney's Punt. It's been a long time…

Melbourne will kick off their Spring Racing Carnival on Saturday 10th September, with the running of the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington. Formerly known as the Craiglee Stakes, the name was changed in 2007 to honour the legendary three-time Melbourne Cup winner. Incentivise took out the 2021 edition of the race, while other winners 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…

I'm Thunderstruck dominates the Ladbrokes.com.au market for the main race on Saturday, the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington. The Price/Kent trained five year old was massive fresh in the Memsie when a closing second to Snapdancer and looks extremely well suited at the Flemington mile. Opened $2.35 and is rock solid, sitting…

The New Corp Racing and 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 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 Melbourne Cup…