Punters quick to back one at odds in the Newcastle Cup

Ladbrokes.com.au punters only want one horse when it comes to the Victoria Gold Cup (2000m) this Saturday at Caulfield. The Danny O'Brien trained Carini was somewhat disappointing in the Blamey last time but third up, hard fit and at 2000m, he's the one to beat and the market agrees, sitting at $1.95, in from $2.05. Muramasa sits at $4.20 on the…

Ciaron Maher and David Eustace will back-up Gold Trip into the Cox Plate after all the early indications are that he has taken no harm from his tough run in the Caulfield Cup. Gold Trip will be joined in Australia's weight-for-age championship at Moonee Valley on Saturday by three-year-old King Colorado. The pair are among 12 acceptors for the…

Expensive import, Light Infantry Man, will not participate in this year's Cox Plate and will be taking an extended break until next year, as announced by co-trainer Ciaron Maher on social media. Light Infantry Man, a G1 Queen Anne Stakes placegetter at Royal Ascot, has had an extensive racing season in Europe, prompting the decision for a…

Classique Legend versus Home Affairs versus Away Game is a clash that would spice up an off-season meeting and while Randwick racegoers won't get to see that this weekend, they might get to see their relations clash. Half-siblings to those stars are all entered for the $150000 two-year-old handicap that shapes as a highlight of the meeting. I Am…

Reigning Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip, set to resume at The Valley on Saturday, is among 17 Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained horses nominated for the race that stops a nation. Victorian Racing Club on Tuesday will announce a full list of nominations for the Melbourne Cup after 1pm. Only five horses have won the Cup more than once in its…

Last start Stakes winner It'sourtime is favourite in the Ladbrokes.com.au market for the Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) this afternoon at Caulfield. The Danny O'Brien trained gelding let down with purpose to win the Aurie's Star at Flemington two weeks ago and while he does save his best for the straight course, he has run well at Caulfield…

Fangirl holds the call with Ladbrokes.com.au for the Champions Mile (1600m) this Saturday at Flemington. The Chris Waller trained mare, like several in the race, comes through the Cox Plate where she was luckless behind Romantic Warrior and looks extremely well suited back to the mile. She is favourite at $2.50. Mr Brightside is on the second line…

Star mare Imperatriz is favourite with Ladbrokes.com.au for the Champions Sprint (1200m) this Saturday at Flemington. The Te Akau mare has been dominant this Spring, albeit all runs have come at The Valley. She needs to bring it to the straight course and the punters are somewhat keen to take her on. Opened $1.85 and is now at $2.05. In Secret is…

Progressive import Goldman is favourite with Ladbrokes.com.au for the Roy Higgins (2600m) this Saturday at Flemington. The time honoured contest has more value to it this year given the winner gets a free ticket into the Melbourne Cup. The market says Goldman will get that ballot exemption given he is a $2.80 favourite despite coming off a midweek…

Topweight Malkovich heads the Ladbrokes.com.au market for the Starlight Stakes (1100m) this afternoon at Rosehill. The Bjorn Baker trained gelding was down to run last Saturday in The Warra but was scratched and instead saved for this, where he looks well placed. Market agrees, having him at $3.10, in from $4.20. Dragonstone is on the second line…

Right You Are didn't get a chance to test his Australian Cup credentials, but David Eustace is eyeing a consolation victory this Saturday at Sandown. The rejuvenated gelding will be one of two runners for Eustace and his training partner Ciaron Maher in the $200000 Easter Cup. The six-year-old missed the Australian Cup with a minor hoof problem,…

Riot And Rose is odds on with Ladbrokes.com.au for the feature race at Camperdown this afternoon, the Camperdown Cup (1600m). The Peter Moody trained five year old has been solid in town this time in but looks really well placed in this Country Cup this afternoon, and the market agrees. Opened $2.35 and is now into $1.90. Intellective has good…

Progressive import Nugget dominates the Ladbrokes.com.au market for one of the feature races at Sandown on Boxing Day, the Lord Stakes (1700m). The Maher/Eustace trained gelding knuckled down strongly to win at Randwick last time over the mile and looks fine with an extra 100m. He is odds on to continue his winning ways, sitting…

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…

Cadre Du Noir is favourite in the Ladbrokes.com.au market for the St Leger (2600m) this Saturday at Randwick in what shapes up to be an intriguing contest. The Maher/Eustace trained import was set to run in The Metropolitan but has been kept on ice and instead runs here. Opened $2.35 and has eased slightly, sitting at $2.50. He still holds the call…

In a big show of support for Perth racing, strong nominations have been received ahead of the highly anticipated revamped Ascot carnival. A number of Australia's leading stables are among entries for the trio of Perth's Group 1 events: The Railway Stakes, Winterbottom Stakes and the Northerly Stakes. The number of nominations is a return to…

Better for the first up run, Swats That is favourite with Ladbrokes.com.au for the Gilgai Stakes (1200m) this Saturday at Flemington. The Maher/Eustace trained mare resumed in the Bobbie Lewis three weeks ago when a closing third to Baller ( $8 - $8.50) and has a good record down the straight. She heads the market at $5.50. Roch N Horse and…

Zougotcha has been the early firmer with Ladbrokes.com.au for the Group l Flight Stakes (1600m) this Saturday at Randwick. The Chris Waller trained filly was a strong winner of the Tea Rose two weeks ago and looks primed for the 1600m assignment. Opened $3.10 and has been crunched, into $2.70. Fireburn opened the $2.70 favourite but with the…

Surefire has drawn barrier 13 for The Metropolitan. Picture: Mark Evans - Getty Images Trainer Chris Waller nearly makes up half the field for Saturday's The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick having seven of the 15 which accepted on Tuesday morning. The champion horseman has taken out the race three times, including in back-to-back years with…

Durston has been allocated a 1.5kg penalties for both the Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup Two of last weekend's Group 3 winners will have to carry 1.5kg more than initially allocated in this year's major Cups races after being issued penalties by Racing Victoria's head of handicapping David Hegan. Friday's Newcastle Cup (2300m) winner Durston and…

James Mcdonald joked that he may have locked in his Melbourne Cup ride too early after Durston took out the Newcastle Cup. Success in the Group 3 race over 2300m on Friday followed Durston's win in the Listed Wyong Cup (2100m) on September 2. McDonald earlier in the week announced he was riding Loft in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at…

Mankayan just holds the call with Ladbrokes.com.au for the Newcastle Cup (2300m) this afternoon in what looks a quality race en route to The Metropolitan. The Maher/Eustace trained import was very good when winning at The Valley and looks well suited up to 2300m. He is just favourite, sitting at $3.20, 10 cents clear of last start Rosehill winner…

Shades Of Rose is the one Ladbrokes.com.au punters want in early betting for the Sheraco Stakes (1200m) this Saturday at Rosehill. The Bjorn Baker trained mare has done a super job this time in and despite a rise to Stakes grade, she has race fitness and will press forward. Opened $3.60 and has been well tried, into $3.20. The other key winning…

Chris Waller has continued his domination of the Wyong Cup claiming the first four from his five runners in the Listed event. Success in the 2100m race on Friday also provided Waller with his eighth win from the past 11 editions of the Wyong Cup. Former UK galloper Durston ($6.50) scored his second Australian win when he was handled beautifully by…

Last year's Winter Challenge proved a springboard to Melbourne Cup 2023 success for one runner and connections of 19 gallopers are hoping the final Black Type race of the season in Sydney can be a launching pad to spring success. Gold Trip resumed with a third placing in the 2022 edition, won by Cross Talk, before going on to win the Melbourne Cup,…