Persan returns to winning form

The ratings column says Monday's Bagot Handicap is a jump in class for imported gelding Ruling, but his co-trainer Ciaron isn't reading too much into that. Ruling steps up from a 2400-metre benchmark 84 at Caulfield, which he won narrowly, to the $200000 Listed event over 2800m at Flemington and Maher is backing his progressive stayer in. Although…

The 2023 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Mark Zahra steering Without A Fight to a famous victory. The winning jockey said Without A Fight gave a dream run and credited the entire team for the historic win. "Unbelievable. If I could've thought I'd have that run from (barrier) 16 I'd have said he was unbeatable," Zahra said. "To the trainer's…

Vauban, who was on course to start one of the shortest-priced favourites in the modern era, was an easing $4.20 favourite with the New Zealand TAB on Monday after Nick Williams, the son of record-breaking Cup owner Lloyd, described the horse "as good a thing to come out of Europe" as the Cup has seen. He started Sunday as short as $3.30 with some…

Rival connections of Melbourne Cup favourite Vauban have conceded they wouldn't be surprised if he thrashes his opposition despite the Irish stayer losing his stranglehold on betting for the race that stops the nation. Vauban, who was on course to start one of the shortest-priced favourites in the modern era, was an easing $4 favourite with…

Damien Oliver rides Kalapour to victory in the Lexus Archer Stakes at Flemington. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS) Trainer Kris Lees expects Kalapour to acquit himself well in the Melbourne Cup after the seven-year-old gelding won his way into the field via the Lexus Archer Stakes. Ridden by retiring champion Damien Oliver, Kalapour led from start to finish…

Sydney-based racing enthusiast Adam Carney was far more likely to be at Royal Randwick than Flemington on the first Tuesday in November but all that changed on Wednesday at lunchtime. Now his wife, Tayla, is shopping for a new dress and hunting around for somewhere for the pair to stay and enjoy what Carney describes as the fulfillment of a boyhood…

Both Laurie and Cameron have landed on Right You Are in the Underwood Stakes. Photo: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images. Proven value hunter Laurie Sainsbury has found a $151 chance worth a dollar or two at Caulfield on Saturday. Here are this week's tips. LAURIE SAINSBURY NECTARIS (Race 4 No 6) This is a real throw at the stumps. In her two Australian…

Sydney Cup winner Explosive Jack trialled at Rosehill Gardens on Tuesday morning. Picture: Atkins Photography Three-time Group 1 winner Explosive Jack's quest to become the first horse since Makybe Diva to claim a rare Sydney Cup-Melbourne Cup double kicked off on a quiet note at Rosehill Gardens on Tuesday morning. While the majority of this…

In years past, Caulfield Cup winner Without A Fight would be one of the most talked about runners in the Melbourne Cup. But with Irish raider Vauban in town grabbing all the headlines after a gallop at Flemington last week, Without A Fight has slipped under the radar. That is the just way his trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman like it as the stayer…

Tricky day for black bookers with so many having reached their grand finals, but I've found a range of horses we can stick with from maiden grade right through to Group 1 races. The track as expected was firm with an upgrade to a good (3) after race six. This naturally favours horses in the front half of the field and punters adjusted well to the…

Nonconformist ridden by Harry Coffey wins the TAB Blamey Stakes at Flemington. Picture: Brett Holburt-Racing Photos via Getty Images The 2021 Caulfield Cup runner-up Nonconformist picked the perfect time to regain his best form in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes at Flemington on Saturday. Not only did the Grahame Begg-trained galloper post his first win…

A let-up with the view of tackling autumn staying races with Nobel Heights has been put on the backburner for now by trainer Matt Cumani. Instead, Nobel Heights will join stablemate Team Captain in the Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) at Flemington on Sunday. Nobel Heights has been racing in career best form, but unfortunately for Cumani, and…

Sydney based trainer Matthew Smith wishes there was more true staying tests for True Marvel. Matthew Smith has sent True Marvel on another trip to Melbourne to contest the Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) at Flemington on New Year's Day. Unfortunately for Smith he struggles to find races that are long enough for True Marvel who has won up to…

Co-trainer David Eustace says Persan has been lacking the X-factor in his bid to get back into winning form. It has been 18 months since Persan last crossed the line in first position but gets another chance on Saturday when he lines up in the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) at Caulfield. Persan has been to the post on 13 occasions since that…

Imported stayer Without A Fight is the Ladbrokes.com.au favourite for the feature race this Saturday at Caulfield, the Zipping Classic (2400m). The UK stayer is now with Team Freedman and is having the first run for the new camp since a down the track effort in the Melbourne Cup. He heads the marekt at $3.70. Vow And Declare and Luncies sit on the…

Lord Vladivostok will be out for a change of luck in Saturday's $500000 Ballarat Cup. Picture: Atkins Photography South Australian trainer Michael Hickmott is due a slice of luck in Victoria with Lord Vladivostok. Disaster struck at Flemington last year when the smart galloper pulled up lame while Lord Vladivostok was most unlucky not to break…

Ciaron Maher and David Eustace have underlined their status as Australia's top training partnership after adding a Melbourne Cup to their mantelpiece of feature wins. The pair had an incredible five chances in Tuesday's race, and finished with first, third (High Emocean) and seventh (Smokin' Romans), with Gold Trip ranked by punters as their…

Every jockey, trainer and owner dreams of etching their name into the Melbourne Cup's storied history. For the punters, the Melbourne Cup provides a chance to get behind the best stayers in the business and turn a few dollars into a memorable win. The field for the famed race was locked in on Saturday night and the time to study the form has…

Australian Bloodstock's Luke Murrell and Jamie Lovett. Hunter syndicators Australian Bloodstock hope speed on the outside of Gold Trip will help him gain an economical run from gate 14 in the Melbourne Cup (3200 metres) on Tuesday. Gold Trip, a close runner-up in the Caulfield Cup (2400m), will back up from a soft run in the Cox Plate (2040m) as…

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained High Emocean has moved a step closer to a Melbourne Cup start following her win at Bendigo. Success in the Group 3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) on Wednesday has moved the mare into 26th spot in the Order of Entry for the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday. High Emocean is eligible for a…

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable is hoping the Cox Plate can turn into a war of attrition and their lone starter Gold Trip will prove the best stayer. Gold Trip is backing up into the Group 12040m showpiece at Moonee Valley on Saturday after finishing second to Durston in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) last Saturday. Mahar and Eustace…

Defending champion Twilight Payment is one of 60 horses that remains in contention for the Melbourne Cup after third declarations on Tuesday. The Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 2 will be run in front of a crowd this year with the Victorian State Government allowing 10000 patrons on course. Besides Twilight Payment who…

The 2021 Melbourne Cup has a red hot favourite in Incentivise, who is riding a nine race winning streak into this year's Cup with Group I wins at his last three starts up to 2400m, but can he get 3200m? His pedigree does raise some serious questions, but also valid reason for optimism. Incentivise is one of four Australian bred runners with New…

Rob Blacker would have preferred Harry Coffey stuck with Skyphios for Saturday's 3YO Cranbourne Classic, but the Mornington trainer doesn't have any complaints with his replacement rider. Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Mark Zahra will have his first ride on the son of Fiorente in the $175000 event. Blacker turned to the owners once he learned that…