Jigsaw wins a unique Christmas Stakes

Kiwi star Imperatriz took a stranglehold on betting for Saturday's Group 1 Manikato Stakes after the Moonee Valley Racing Club declared a field of seven for the $2m sprint. Imperatriz has been dominant in her two spring runs at The Valley, easily beating a field that included last year's Everest winner Giga Kick in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes before…

Cranbourne trainer Julius Sandhu has taken the advice of jockey Craig Newitt in electing to start Lofty Strike in a stakes race at Sandown. The Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) on Saturday will see Lofty Strike tackle older sprinters as he prepares for the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) on February 25. Sandhu was originally thinking of running Lofty…

Queensland trainer Tony Gollan concedes his sprinter Zoustyle will have a tough task beating Giga Kick when they meet at Moonee Valley. The Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) on Saturday will see Zoustyle, second in the sprint 12 months ago, tackle Giga Kick and five other rivals, including last year's nemesis Rothfire. "I don't know whether he can beat…

The night racing season at The Valley wraps up this Friday night, headlined by the Group l William Reid Stakes (1200m). Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2023 William Reid Stakes. Looks to be good early pressure here with In The Congo wanting to hold up from the inside gate. Babylon Berlin can be forwardly…

Jigsaw and jockey Daniel Moor will again combine in Friday night's Group 1 Manikato Stakes at The Valley. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images Strength could matter more than speed at the end of Friday night's Group 1 William Reid Stakes at The Valley. The Valley night racing season will conclude with an open edition of the William Reid Stakes…

There could be a slot race smorgasbord up for grabs for one of Australia's most exciting up-and-coming gallopers, but Matt Hoysted wants to see Uncommon James return in style on Saturday before pondering the future. The rising star from Queensland has attracted interest from slot-holders in both The Everest and the new The Quokka, which at $4m will…

Jason Holder guides Shimano to victory in the Listed Durbridge Stakes. Picture: Atkins Photography Phillip Stokes will have a crack at next month's Group 1 Oakleigh Plate with Shamino after the veteran sprinter unleashed a devastating turn of foot to beat a classy field in the Listed Durbridge Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville on Saturday. Pre-race…

Star Patrol resumes in the WJ Adams Stakes at Sandown on Thursday. Picture: Brett Holburt-Racing Photos Classy four-year-old Star Patrol has trainer Clinton McDonald thinking big ahead of this year's autumn carnival. The Cranbourne-based conditioner has Group 1 goals for his son of Starspangledbanner, who kicks off in Thursday's WJ Adams Stakes…

Sandown has undergone a facelift in recent weeks as it hosts the major autumn meetings while construction continues at Caulfield on the new inner track. The members areas have undergone works to bring them into the 2020's, but one of the biggest changes is the installation of a second winning post. To keep some of the traditional distances of…

Gun fresh horse Andermatt is the Ladbrokes.com.au favourite for the Christmas Stakes (1100m) this Monday at Sandown in what shapes up to be a fast run sprinting contest. The James Cummings trained galloper is likely using this as a guide as to whether or not he could be an Oakleigh Plate horse for the Autumn and the market thinks he can resume with…

Promising sprinter Asfoora has been installed as a $6 favourite for the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) and trainer Henry Dwyer believes she won't get a better chance to break through at the top level. A six-time winner from just eight starts, Asfoora heads TAB's Pre Noms market from last year's victor Marabi at $8. "She'll likely get around 53kg…

Asfoora wins the The McCafe Sprint at Caulfield. Picture: Reg Ryan-Racing Photos via Getty Images Promising sprinter Asfoora has been installed as a $6 favourite for the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) and trainer Henry Dwyer believes she won't get a better chance to break through at the top level. A six-time winner from just eight starts, Asfoora…

Trainer Julius Sandhu has his quality three-year-old Lofty Strike back in work with two of Victoria's big sprints races on his radar. The Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield in February and the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington are high on Sandhu's agenda. After going through his two-year-old year undefeated which culminated…

Grahame Begg concedes both the barrier draw and distance are not ideal for Rose Quartz as she chases a first stakes race win. Rose Quartz lines up in the Listed Kensington Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on Saturday having finished second to Jigsaw in the Listed Doveton Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield on November 26. Michael Dee again takes the ride,…

Vow And Declare claimed his first win since his memorable 2019 Melbourne Cup triumph, winning Saturday's group 2 Zipping Classic to break a three-year drought. Trainer Danny O'Brien described it as a "special win" from a "special horse", who 12 months ago was on the verge of retirement after a tendon injury prematurely ended his 2021 spring…

Bigger prize money and the chance to race on one of Australia's best racetracks will see Steven Pateman head to Sandown with El Gladiador. A last start runner-up to Milford in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield, El Gladiador is entered in a benchmark 82 race at Morphettville and a benchmark 84 contest at Sandown on Saturday. Both races…

Anamoe returns to racing his own age in the Hobartville Stakes on Saturday where he is a short-priced favourite. Picture: Grant Guy Godolphin trainer James Cummings has avoided a clash of his crack colts and will rely on Anamoe in the Group 2 $400000 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Cummings had also nominated Paulele but…

Caulfield will host their traditional Australia Day meeting on Wednesday, with several blacktype races across the eight event meeting. The weather is fine, the track is good (4) and the rail is out six metres for the entire circuit. WATCH LIVE RACING AT tab * Above offers may only be available to select customers.Back Me 1 Philosopher (Bet…

Jigsaw has ticked another box for trainer Cindy Alderson with his comfortable victory in the Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley. The win in Saturday's Group 2 weight-for-age race over 1200m was Jigsaw's fourth in succession leaving the four-year-old unbeaten in his current preparation. Sent out the $3.10 favourite under Daniel Moor, Jigsaw led…

The Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield is one of the toughest sprint races run in Australia with the pressure on from the outset. The 1100m Group 1 sprint on Saturday is a race Peter and Paul Snowden have won previously with Russian Revolution and the Sydney trainers are back again with three-year-old King's Gambit. The Oakleigh Plate has been the…

What a great race the Newmarket Handicap is. Everyone knows about the Melbourne Cup of course, and many people have heard about the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, Golden Slipper and latterly The Everest. But the Newmarket is one of those races that truly excites genuine fans of the sport. The Flemington straight is unique in this country, where horses…