Symon Wilde has another Grand Annual in mind for Gold Medals

The Kinross-based handler won the world's greatest steeplechase for a second time last year when Corach Rambler triumphed at Aintree, six years after One For Arthur crossed the line first in 2017. And with the Randox Grand National now less than two months away, Russell admits she would love to eclipse former trainer Jenny Pitman's two victories in…

Glitter'N' Gold, ridden by Tom Madden, wins the Colac Cup. Picture by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos HONEST mare Glitter'N' Gold put her hand up for a start in the $250000 Warrnambool Cup on May 2 after winning the Colac Cup on Friday, February 9. Glitter'N' Gold, with Irish-born jockey Tom Madden in the saddle, hung on to beat the fast-finishing…

Rockstar Ronnie gives Ciaron Maher his seventh Grand Annual win. Picture by Sean McKenna WITH the curtain coming down on the 2023 racing season, it's an opportune time to reflect on some of the highs and lows of the sport which appeared in this column over the past year. Former Koroit based jockey Declan Bates to be on the sidelines for a month…

Warrnambool trainer Symon Wilde has three runners in this year's Grand National Steeplechase. Picture by Sean McKenna SYMON Wilde has three runners in Sunday's $400000 Grand National Steeplechase at Ballarat. Count Zero, Vanguard and Tolemac carry Wilde's hopes in the last jumps feature for 2023 but the Warrnambool trainer admits they face a tough…

Jockey Willie McCarthy questioned those who doubted the staying ability of Stern Idol after the imported jumper gave a dashing display to claim the Crisp Steeplechase at Sandown. As Stern Idol crossed the line in the 4200m contest 25 lengths clear of his rivals on Sunday, McCarthy put his hand up to his ear. "There was a lot of doubters about him…

Steven Pateman rides Zed Em to victory in the Grand Annual Steeplechase Picture: Jake Nowakowski Rivals can expect jockey Steven Pateman to be as formidable as ever during jumps racing's version of Melbourne Cup week at Warrnambool. Jumps racing will provide showpiece contests on all three days of the carnival, starting with Tuesday's $175000…

Trainer Ted Walsh was left "absolutely shocked" after Any Second Now was given joint top-weight for this year's Randox Grand National at Tuesday's weights lunch. The 11-year-old has finished third and second at Aintree in the last two renewals of the world's most famous steeplechase and will bid to make it third time lucky under the welter burden…

Trainer Ted Walsh was left "absolutely shocked" after Any Second Now was given joint top-weight for this year's Randox Grand National. The 11-year-old has finished third and second in the last two renewals of the world's most famous steeplechase and will bid to make it third time lucky under the welter burden of 11st 12lb in April, after the…

Trainer Ted Walsh was left "absolutely shocked" after Any Second Now was given joint top-weight for this year's Randox Grand National. he 11-year-old has finished third and second in the last two renewals of the world's most famous steeplechase and will bid to make it third time lucky under the welter burden of 11st 12lb next month, after the…

2023-02-21Any Second Now, Conflated and Hewick handed joint top-weight for Grand National The 11-year-old has finished third and second in the last two renewals of the world's most famous steeplechase and will bid to make it third time lucky under the welter burden of 11st 12lb next month, after the weights were officially unveiled at an annual…

Trainer Ted Walsh was left "absolutely shocked" after Any Second Now was given joint top-weight for this year's Randox Grand National. The 11-year-old has finished third and second in the last two renewals of the world's most famous steeplechase and will bid to make it third time lucky under the welter burden of 11st 12lb next month, after the…

Trainer Ted Walsh was left "absolutely shocked" after Any Second Now was given joint top-weight for this year's Randox Grand National. The 11-year-old has finished third and second in the last two renewals of the world's most famous steeplechase and will bid to make it third time lucky under the welter burden of 11st 12lb next month, after the…

Tralee Rose is eyeing the Caulfield Cup for trainer Symon Wilde. Picture by Chris Doheny TOP Warrnambool trainer Symon Wilde has booked the services of comeback jockey Dean Yendall to ride his talented mare Tralee Rose in the $5 million Caulfield Cup this Saturday and the $8 million Melbourne Cup on November 1. Yendall has only been back riding…

TRIBUTE: Veteran jumps trainer Eric Musgrove (pictured) has paid tribute to Collingwood great Bill Picken. Picture: Morgan Hancock VETERAN jumps trainer Eric Musgrove was shocked to hear of the sudden passing of Collingwood great Bill Picken at Hamilton on Saturday. Picken, 66, who played 212 games of VFL-AFL footy, received numerous accolades from…

Flying Agent (NZ) ridden by Lee Horner jumps on his way to winning the Hammonds Paints Thackeray Steeplechase at Warrnambool. Photo / Racing Photos. Trainer Amy McDonald, rider Lee Horner and their banner horse Flying Agent gained compensation for last year's Thackeray Steeplechase (3450m) defeat by winning the latest edition of the 3450m race at…

This Thursday marks four weeks until the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival and D-day is looming regarding whether Gold Medals makes a historic 10th appearance at the jumps extravaganza. Trainer Symon Wilde will in the next week get serious with the 12-year-old's work to determine whether he attempts to defend his Grand Annual Steeplechase crown. The…

WINNING FEELING: Liam Hoy and Symon Wilde celebrate Gold Medals' remarkable victory in the Grand Annual Steeplechase. Picture: Chris Doheny Vic Douglas trained three Waterfront by Lyndoch Living Grand Annual Steeplechase winners and never shed a tear. But the waterworks came before his son, jockey Clayton, crossed the finished line aboard champion…

The Warrnambool racing carnival is not only a test for horses, jockeys and trainers, but also punters, bar staff, taxi drivers, livers - the list goes on... We caught up with a handful of punters, ranging in different levels of'Bool experience, to see how they tackle the famous three-day carnival. READ: Warrnambool racing insights from Ciaron…

Jockey Clayton Douglas has a chance to be part of a Warrnambool legend with Gold Medals on Thursday. Picture: AAP Star jockey Jamie Kah gets the plaudits most weeks but her fiance Clayton Douglas is set to relish his time in the limelight during the three-day carnival at Warrnambool this week. Both Kah and Douglas will be in action at Warrnambool…

Bit Of A Lad has tightened into $3.90 favouritism for this year's Grand Annual Steeplechase with TAB after finishing second in today's Brierly Steeplechase. Odds-on favourite Flying Agent was as impressive as the market expected in Tuesday's feature, however, will not be starting in this year's Grand Annual. Yensir ($4.40) has seen a significant…

Bit Of A Lad may not have the longevity at the May Three-Day Carnival that Gold Medals has, but the way he is shaping he will have the opportunity to bypass that galloper. The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained seven-year-old will be lining-up for the fifth year at the Warrnambool Carnival, chasing a second win in the Brierly Steeplechase on…

Dual purpose jockey Clayton Douglas has been attending the Warrnambool May carnival for as long as he can remember. His father Vic trained three winners of the Grand Annual Steeplechase (Hoki 1995-96, Miracle Star 2000) while Clayton's first ride in the 5500m marathon resulted in victory aboard the Symon Wilde-trained Gold Medals in 2018. They ran…

C'MON: Punters cheer hoop Clayton Doulgas on in his first Grand Annual Steeplechase on Thursday. Picture: Morgan Hancock SONJA Douglas couldn't watch as her son Clayton rode in his first Grand Annual Steeplechase at the famed Warrnambool May carnival on Thursday. Her nerves increased as the Mornington-based jockey pushed Gold Medals towards the…

As a Warrnambool stalwart, trainer Aaron Purcell is always looking forward to the annual Three-Day Carnival in the seaside town each May. The Grand Annual Steeplechase is the feature of the Carnival and Purcell, as a former winner with Ginolad in 2008, would love nothing more than to add another trophy to his cabinet. Purcell has recently returned…

Sunday's Grand National Steeplechase was delayed after Chris McCarthy was dislodged at an early jump in the race preceding the day's feature. McCarthy fell from Twin Spinner after that horse slipped upon landing early in the Henry Dwyer Racing Steeplechase leaving McCarthy with a suspected shoulder injury. The incident happened early in the…