Parade ring eye-catcher Harmony Rose targeting Vinery Stud Stakes success
Darby’s last-minute yearling purchase set to pay off with possible Group 1 victory at Rosehill Leading Vinery Stud Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) contender Harmony Rose had not even come onto syndicator Darby Racing’s radar when she was being led around and moments away from going under the hammer at the 2019 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale. By a non-commercial stallion in Glass Harmonium (Verglas), who covered just 30 mares the year Harmony Rose was conceived, the Mark Newnham-t
Rose Gives Newnham Positive Vibes For Birthday Card
Trainer Mark Newnham can see nothing but positives for front-running filly Every Rose ahead of Saturday’s Group 3 $160,000 TAB Birthday Card Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill. The same can’t be said for smart sprinter Splintex after the rain delay and a redraw of the Group 1 $700,000 Bisley Workwear Galaxy (1100m) handed him the outside gate. Newnham has been buoyant about Every Rose all preparation and after her gallant fifth in the Surround Stakes continues his upbeat vibe into he
Grey beauty ready to put on bold front running display
When it was first mooted that Greysful Glamour be set for the All-Star Mile after her win in the Villiers Stakes last December, her trainer Mark Newnham thought it was a great idea. Newham was confident the five-year-old grey mares' popularity would land her a spot in the race. He reasoned her combination of being grey, her bold front running style and having the Sydney vote behind her would gain her a Top Ten spot in the voting. And the Randwick trainer's prediction was prov
Jye eyeing another big pay day in All-Star Mile
Jye McNeil would certainly have earned the huge payday on offer if he can notch another big-race win in Saturday’s $5 million All-Star Mile at The Valley. Jockeys are entitled to five per cent of any prizemoney their mounts win. The winning rider will earn $112,500 before tax and expenses for about 100 seconds work in the All-Star Mile. That amount would sit snugly in McNeil’s bank account next to the $220,000 the young father earned for his Melbourne Cup win on Twilight Paym
Sky High’s not the limit for Spirit Ridge on steep climb to glory
Mark Newnham has always had an eye on the Sydney Cup since Spirit Ridge arrived in Australia, and the Sky High Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday will be the next step on the steep climb to the group 1 at The Championships. The six-year-old son of Nathaniel progressed from benchmark grade to group 3 winner in the summer, but Newnham was mindful that there were bigger challenges to come in the autumn. Spirit Ridge lines up in the Sky High Stakes over 2000m against Golden Eagle win
Scone-trained duo rocket into Country Championship final
Scone-trained gallopers Spiranac and Pure Fuego powered into the $500,000 Country Championship final at Randwick on April 3 with the quinella at the Hunter and North West qualifier at Tamworth on Sunday. The Rod Northam-trained Spiranac, a $7.50 chance, came from well back on the home turn in the $150,000 1400-metre race but was taken on a weaving run through the field by apprentice Reece Jones. The four-year-old Magic Albert mare did the rest, hitting the front in the final
Trainer Cameron Crockett counting on fast tempo to suit Pure Fuego in Tamworth qualifier
Scone trainer Cameron Crockett expects a fast early tempo to help Pure Fuego storm home late in the Country Championship qualifier at Tamworth on Sunday. Pure Fuego, a $5 TAB favourite, was first emergency for the $150,000 Hunter and North West region heat (1400m) but gained a run after the scratching of Brett Cavanough-trained Fender. It meant Crockett was to have three runners in the race but Midsummer Rain was withdrawn on Friday. "She's having colic surgery as we speak,"
Harmony Rose good enough to take on the boys in Randwick Guineas
There is an art that draws Mark Newnham to training staying fillies, so when Harmony Rose walked into the stable last year, his mind started ticking over. She was never going to succeed as a two-year-old but there was an athletic staying frame that promised to improve with age. Newnham’s thoughts turned to the Australian Oaks, a race he has been close to winning a couple of times, working backwards from there to come up with a program. He admits the Randwick Guineas, where Ha
Baker's Doubts Erased With Group 1 Winner's Return
It’s the comeback that trainer Bjorn Baker had his doubts would actually happen but he’s excited to take Group 1 winner Samadoubt back to the races at Randwick on Saturday. The now seven-year-old hasn’t raced since TAB Everest day in 2019, running a close fourth to Happy Clapper in the Craven Plate, after a breakthrough spring saw him claim the Group 1 Winx Stakes and Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes. A tendon injury put retirement on the radar but Baker said the gelding was given t
Crockett Senses His Country Championships Opportunity
There’s a real feeling from Scone trainer Cameron Crockett that the Newhaven Park Country Championships title is up for grabs in 2021 so his hopes are high for Sunday’s Hunter & North West Qualifier at Tamworth. Crockett could have up to three runners in the $150,000 feature with Midsummer Rain, Brother Bassy and Pure Fuego all being aimed at the race. It’s a year that’s notable for the series featuring plenty of up and coming country trained horses and that’s what has Crocke