Hunter winner back for another crack
Trainer Joe Pride’s Coal Crusher (Turffontein) won The Hunter in 2023, then ran into Briasa (Smart Missile) last year. He’s back on Saturday for another crack at the $1 million race. “He loves the track which helps him. Right from the start when I first took him to Newcastle he ran well so it’s a combination of those things. The timing is spot on for him,” Pride told racingnsw.com.au.
Coal Crusher | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“Last year was a disaster, he got caught in a speed dual with I Am Me in that race and it took the stuffing out of him. He couldn’t lead last year and he still ran great to run third but he wasn’t going as well.” Pride also runs Estadio Mestalla (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}), Accredited (All Too Hard) and Golden Mile (Astern) in the race.
Racing Victoria financials heading in correct direction
On Thursday, Racing Victoria announced an $8.8 million loss for the past financial year, but this was an improvement on the $11 million loss for the previous year. “The goal is this year (break even), those last two years we budgeted for deficits, the board said in order to maintain industry investment in the face of declining wagering and other changes we would take the deficit and we achieved slightly better results than planned,” Racing Victoria CEO Aaron Morrison said.
“This year (FY26) as a team we're budgeting for at least a break-even result.” Victoria’s wagering had a 4% decline but was still the highest wagering figure for any of the states and territories across Australia at $7.611bn turnover. Wagering has increased for this season with a record amount wagered on Cup day.
Aaron Morrison | Image courtesy of Racing Victoria
“Our focus in FY25 was on improving promotion of the sport and engagement with a broader audience, striving for greater transparency and collaboration with industry stakeholders, ensuring our business model is lean and efficient, and maximising returns to participants and those who invest in our sport,” Morrison said.
“The results of the last financial year, and those realised thus far across a brilliant 2025 spring racing carnival, demonstrate that we are on the right trajectory, balancing prudent financial management with ongoing investment to grow and support our industry and its key people and stakeholders.
“There is plenty of cause for optimism in Victorian racing … as we look ahead to FY26, our focus will be on telling our stories and growing engagement with racing across a broader audience, a continuation of prudent financial management, and ongoing support for, and engagement with, participants and owners.”
Long Legs takes on G3 Spring Stakes
Last start maiden winning 3-year-old filly Long Legs (Russian Revolution) rises sharply in grade to run in Saturday’s G3 Spring Stakes at Newcastle. “She really put the foot down and took it up and basically ran them into the ground,” trainer Gary Portelli told racenet.com.au.
Long Legs | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“I don't know if that is the way we will ride her on the weekend but certainly she will be up there somewhere. She gets a dry track there and that's a question mark we've got to get through because every time she's been there she has been on a wet track. She has to step up on a dry track but a mile will suit her, the tempo will be steadier and it gives her a chance to get into a rhythm.
“She is big, strong. It's been an interesting journey with her because she was a tricky filly to ride early on, she had ability but was difficult. We've got a good little rider who rides her in trackwork every morning and then we put Andrew Calder on to get her educated for trial day because she was tricky. She has come good with time and we are happy with where she is now.”
Heathcote’s Hatchet to bury Gollan in Noud
Trainer Rob Heathcote thinks his last start second-placed Hatchet (Worthy Cause) can prevent Tony Gollan from a record sixth victory in Saturday’s Listed Keith Noud Handicap. “It’s a tough race but he’s a decent chance because he’s so tough and honest,” Heathcote told racingqueensland.com.au.
“It may well be he’s not quite good enough but he’s as good as Extremist who won this race two years ago. It was a really good win and it was expected the day he won at Doomben two starts ago but he needed the run last start when he ran second. He was beaten by Epic Proportions who looks to be a really good horse.”
Yes Yes Yes has Guineas prospect
Gooree Stud’s resident sire Yes Yes Yes has a strong contender for Saturday’s G1 2000 Guineas in New Zealand with Pam Gerard-trained Affirmative Action, who was a Listed winner two starts ago. “He doesn’t know much different with a wide gate, so if we don’t tell him he won’t know,” Gerard told Loveracing.nz.
Affirmative Action | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
“I’m still learning a bit about him really, it’s hard to get a line on him as he’s such a laid-back fellow that you might think hasn’t got any more in the tank, but George (Rooke, jockey) assures me there’s plenty left. He just jumps and puts himself there in his races and completely buttons off.”
Sold by Marquee Stud at the Inglis Sydney Weanling Sale for $40,000 to Odyssey Bloodstock, he was on-sold by Wentwood Grange at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale for NZ$115,000 to Ballymore Stables, Paul Moroney and Catheryne Bruggeman.
Green Spaces steps up to Group 3 level
Trainer Bjorn Baker’s last start winning 3-year-old colt Green Spaces (Street Boss {USA}) will step up into the G3 Spring Stakes at Newcastle on Saturday. “It’s a little bit of a grand final for him, he’s the fresh horse on the scene and is improving all the time at home,” Baker’s racing manager Luke Hilton told racingnsw.com.au.
Bjorn Baker | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“This will probably pull him up and we’re thinking there might be some nice races in the autumn. He’s a nice progressive horse, just getting out in trip has been the key to him. He was fantastic first-up at Hawkesbury and then he backed it up with a good performance at Wyong.”
Interesting juveniles step out at trials
At Warwick Farm’s trials on Thursday, the two juvenile heats showcased some interesting youngsters. Gary Portelli-trained colt Regal Profit (Capitalist) won his 800 metre heat by 1.4 lengths. He was a $100,000 purchase by his trainer from Newgate Farm’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft.
Bjorn Baker-trained filly I Am Dirty (I Am Invincible) won her heat easily by 2.5 lengths, and she was a $600,000 purchase from Ridgmont’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft.
Hanseatic adds a new winner
Second season sire Hanseatic added winner number 15 when Mark Milton-trained 3-year-old filly Ring My Bell won at Quirindi on Thursday. She was a $16,000 purchase via Inglis Digital in September 2025. Ring My Bell is the last foal, and sixth winner for winning mare Movin’ Out (Encosta De Lago), a half-sister to Group 3 winner Murjana (Giant’s Causeway {USA}).
Another winner for Farnan
G1 Golden Slipper winner and second season sire Farnan added winner number 22 when Scott Singleton-trained 3-year-old filly Rainbow Blessing won at Quirindi on Thursday by a massive 4.2 lengths.
Rainbow Blessing is the fourth winner, from as many to race, for stakes placed African Rainbow (Foxwedge).
US$1.3 million Bishops Bay tops Keeneland
A day after the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale closed with new records in the average and median prices, there were more headlines made Wednesday afternoon when recent G3 Forty Niner Stakes winner Bishops Bay (Uncle Mo) was knocked down to bloodstock agent Pedro Lanz, agent for Saudi Arabia's KAS Stables, for a record US$1.3 million (AU$1.98 million) in the first 30 minutes of trade during the auction house's standalone Horses of Racing Age Sale.
The previous Keeneland HORA Sale record was the US$1 million (AU$1.5 million) paid for the 2-year-old colt Extortion (Into Mischief) in 2022. The HORA sale is in its fourth year as a separate auction.
The 5-year-old entire was one of three horses to sell for better than a half-million dollars during a 3.5 hour session where 108 horses changed hands for US$10,455,000 (AU$15.9 million), an increase of 21.39% over last year. The average of US$96,806 (AU$147,200) represented a gain of 18.01%, while the median price of US$40,000 (AU$60,800) declined by 20%.
“This was a strong finish to a remarkable sales season,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “Setting a record for top price in this format is very satisfying and reflects an ongoing demand for quality, race-ready horses as we move into a new season.
“The momentum we've seen throughout the year carried right through to the end, and we are grateful to all the buyers and sellers whose participation and confidence make success like this possible.”
Saudi Cup is target for sale topping Bishops Bay
Beyond any shadow of a doubt, the launching of the Saudi Cup in 2020 has dramatically altered the trajectory of horses-of-racing-age sales in Central Kentucky and further afield. Bishops Bay is the latest to tick the necessary boxes, according to bloodstock agent Pedro Lanz, who purchased him.
“All year,” the agent told Keeneland media when asked how long the 5-year-old has been on his radar. “That's a typical horse that can work for us. I was watching the replays and I recommended this horse because he is a very honest horse: 12 starts, eight wins, three seconds. It's a very honest horse and I think he will be fine.
“We have the (G2) Cigar Mile (at Aqueduct on December 6). We will talk to Brad Cox and that's a possibility. We have the option to continue training the horse in quarantine for the Saudi Cup in Saudi Arabia, not confirmed yet.
“If we win the (G3) King's Cup (Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup) against local-trained horses, we have a pass. We qualify. If we win the Cigar Mile and we get a nice high rating, that's another way. We have to receive an invitation from the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia.”
Frankel's Aimeric headlines Tattersalls Online Sale
Aimeric (Frankel) (Lot 65), who has placed multiple times at listed level, is one of 186 lots catalogued in the Tattersalls Online November Sale on November 18-19. Out of Aris (Danroad), the 6-year-old gelding is a half-brother to G1 Prix de la Foret hero and sire Aclaim, as well as the GIII Soaring Softly Stakes heroine Queen Picasso (Kingman).
A breeding right in both Harry Angel (Lot 184) and Palace Pier (Lot 185) will go under the hammer. In addition, a 1/80th stallion share in Supremacy (Lot 186) is also available. Among the various lots are 102 horses in and out of training, 63 yearlings, 16 broodmares, two breeding rights, one stallion share, one foal and one store.
Dale Romans to run for United States Senate
Thoroughbred trainer Dale Romans will run for the United States Senate in Kentucky, according to a press release from his campaign Wednesday morning, calling himself an “independent Democrat.”
Romans will face Amy McGrath in the Democratic primary on Tuesday, May 19. The general election for the seat being vacated by longtime Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell is scheduled to be held November 3. The winner of the Democratic primary is expected to face U.S. Congressman Andy Barr.
“I've been in Kentucky my entire life. It's the greatest place in the world and the heart of America. We need a Senator who reflects our people: not polished insiders or party-line politicians running the same old partisan nonsense, but someone who has built a career the hard way and lived the struggles that Kentucky's working families face every day,” said Romans.
“To solve the challenges before us, we need a fix, not a fight. As an independent Democrat, I won't be beholden to the national party, and I won't be a puppet of the president like a freshman Republican Senator would be. I love Kentucky, and I know our state needs a Senator in Washington focused on our people.”
