Clark to keep good form in Missile
Jockey Tim Clark began his season with a treble at Rosehill and he hopes that form will help him win the G2 Missile Stakes on Gangsta Granny (Written Tycoon). “It was a good day last week. I got some nice winners that weren't totally expected, so that's always nice, and for a variety of trainers too,” Clark told racingandsports.com.au.
Tim Clark | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I didn't quite have the best of luck when I rode her in The Invitation, so I'm looking to redeem that. She trialled up well on Friday at Randwick. I gave her a nice hit-out there. She's drawn soft in one, so she will get the right run. She'll probably need a bit of luck at the right stages, but you know with her, every time she goes out there she is going to try her best and give her all.”
Lingani heads to Group 3 in fine form
Trainers Peter and Belinda Blanch are thrilled with last start winner Lingani (America) as she heads to Saturday’s G3 Behemoth Stakes at Morphettville. “She goes up to Lehmann's Farm at Gifford Hill after every run lately and it's been working really well,” Peter Blanch told racenet.com.au.
“She got up there and was bucking and squealing around the place – it's rinse and repeat at the moment – it's been good. She doesn't need it (wet) per se, as in to run a good race – but she doesn't go any slower on it. Her action, and the way she keeps herself balanced, she just keeps powering on at the same speed whether it's a (Good) 4 or it's a (Heavy) 10. And she doesn't seem to become unbalanced when it becomes chopped up as well. She's certainly elite on it, that's for sure.”
Lim’s Saltoro brings old crew back together
Trainer Dan Meagher and jockey Noel Callow will joins forces with Lim’s Saltoro (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) in Saturday’s G3 Behemoth Stakes. “It's a full-circle moment really having Noel aboard on Saturday. He rode plenty of winners for Dad and plenty of winners for (owner) Mr Lim,” Meagher told racingandsports.com.au.
“When I informed Mr Lim that we'd be able to get Noel Callow, he was happy about that. Mr Lim is a loyal person, and he appreciates team success and Noel was a team member with Mr Lim for a while and they had great success. It's worked out well that Noel is in Adelaide and we're taking this horse over. I think Noel will suit this horse too. He's a very laid-back customer and Noel being Noel, he won't let him think too much which will be ideal for him.”
Lim’s Saltoro hasn’t raced for over a year since being injured at Caulfield in July 2025. “He pulled up with an issue behind which required a long spell but he's 100 per cent right now. It looks a nice for him to kick off at this time of year, but my concern, and I hate saying it, is this weather. It's going to be wet, and I hope it doesn't rain too much more, because I don't really know. He's handled trials well on wet tracks, but it is different on race days.”
Well-bred Magenta Skies resumes on Saturday
Michael Freedman-trained 4-year-old mare Magenta Skies (GB) (Frankel {GB}) will resume at Randwick or Kembla Grange on Saturday. “Unfortunately, after she ran in the Flight Stakes last year she pulled up with a knee that required surgery,” Freedman told racingandsports.com.au.
Michael Freedman | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“She had that and had a nice break. She's had a steady, long build up that has been going well thus far. I'm looking forward to getting her back to the races on Saturday. Whether that's at Randwick or Kembla, we'll have a look at both options. Hopefully we can have an uninterrupted 'prep' with her, and get her to her full potential.”
Ten strappers nominated for Sydney Strapper prize
Racing NSW announced the list of ten strappers nominated for the 2025/26 Sydney Strapper Of The Year award. They are; Christen Ercig-Wilson (Jack Pilkington stable), Danielle Akon (John Sargent), Danielle Akon (John Sargent), Jacob Anderson (Joe Pride), Jane Shaw (Karin Owen), Kathleen Watts (Mick Price/Michael Kent Jnr), Malak Singh (Chris Waller), Megan Booker (Angela Davies), Michael Harry (Peter Snowden), and Stephanie Alexander (Brett & Georgie Cavanough).
Malaguerra dies aged 15
Owner Bruno Micalizzi confirmed that dual Group 1 winning gelding Malaguerra (Magnus) had died on Tuesday after a colic bout. He was 15. “It’s miserable news, it’s very hard. I had a beer for him today,” Micalizzi told racing.com.
“I was privileged to travel with him, to go and see his races all over Australia and it was the ride of a lifetime, you couldn’t ask for more. He was such a character, he had a great personality and was a very funny horse. People think they own a horse, but they don’t actually own it, they own you, you’re just lucky enough to go along for the ride. They choose you, I reckon. That’s how it works.”
Malaguerra won 12 of his 36 starts with earnings over $1.9 million. He was victorious in the 2016 G1 BTC Cup (now Kingsford Smith Cup) and G1 Darley Classic (now VRC Sprint Classic).
Collett seeking second Cup
Jockey Alyssa Collett will head to Coffs Harbour on Friday for her second ever ride in the Cup. She won the 2021 Coffs Harbour Cup on Itz Lily (Snitzel) and rides Hollywood Hero (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) for trainer Bjorn Baker this year. “He has stacks of ability, he just needs to piece it all together on the day,” Collett told racenet.com.au.
“I think looking at the field quality on Friday, he should be a decent chance in that race.” Placed in the Listed ATC Cup last spring, Hollywood Hero has earnings over $710,000 across his 39 starts.
Michelle Payne to attend Townsville Cup
G1 Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michelle Payne will attend this year’s Townsville Cup on Saturday. “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Michelle Payne to Townsville. This is one of the biggest guest announcements we’ve ever made and a truly special moment for our club, our members and the entire North Queensland community,” Townsville Turf Club Chairman Geoff Weeks told racingqueensland.com.au.
“Michelle is Australian racing royalty. What she achieved aboard Prince of Penzance changed the sport forever and created one of the most iconic moments in Australian sporting history. To have someone of her calibre joining us at Cluden Park is simply incredible.
Michelle Payne | Image courtesy of MJ Payne Racing
“As a club, we’re incredibly proud to celebrate female leadership and diversity in our sport. Having Michelle here allows us to recognise not only one of racing’s greatest champions, but also an extraordinary role model whose legacy continues to inspire women and girls to dream big and back themselves.”
Aged Care (Brutal {NZ}), trained by 75-year-old Garry Dickson, is one of the Cup runners. “He's a good little horse, not real big, but he's a lovely horse to do anything with,” Dickson said.
“We've been building him up. The other day when he ran second, he could have won that race if things went his way. But, he did a good job on Saturday. He was about three lengths off them at the 200 metre mark. He rattled home. I’ve always wanted to win a Townsville Cup and I think he’s a good chance.”
Bonus dream alive for Demon Award
Les Gordy-trained Demon Award (Shamus Award) is on target for the $250,000 bonus if he can add Saturday’s Cleveland Bay to his Rockhampton Newmarket win. “I was worried he'd get too many ratings points for winning the 'Rocky' Newmarket, so I was prepared to miss the Cleveland Bay and to get him ready for the Weetwood instead if he got too much weight,” Gordy told racingqueensland.com.au.
“I wasn't going to run if he got more than 60kg, but he was given 2.5 ratings points for his 'Rocky' win, which means he'll definitely run in the Cleveland Bay. The Mackay Newmarket was only a week after Rockhampton and I just thought it was a bit too close for him when you consider all the travelling he had to do.” Winning all four races, Rockhampton, Mackay and Cairns Newmarkets along with the Cleveland Bay, is worth a $500,000 bonus, but having missed Mackay, he’s on song for the three out of four bonus of $250,000.
Interstate double for Wild Ruler
Second season sire Wild Ruler celebrated his 13th and 14th winners on Thursday. Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained 3-year-old filly Face The Wild won her maiden at Ballarat. She was sold by Alma Vale and Kitchwin Hills at the Inglis Sydney Weanling Sale for $55,000 to Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) and went through Telemon Stud’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft where First Light Racing and her trainers spent $150,000 to acquire her.
Nathan Doyle-trained 3-year-old gelding Count Du Money won at Gosford on Thursday. He was placed on debut at two. Count Du Money was a $200,000 buy by Doyle and Mitchell Bloodstock (FBAA) from Attunga Stud’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft.
The other 3-year-old winners on the Gosford card were Proxima Dea (Tarzino {NZ}), Parthenon (Magna Grecia {Ire}) and Forest King (Tiger Of Malay). Forest King is one of six winners for his second season sire and took his record to two wins from four starts.
Double for Written Tycoon
Written Tycoon sired a double at Ballarat with Saludar and 3-year-old colt Lepolo who won on debut for owners Yulong and trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy. Lepolo is the second winner for Puppy Love (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) who Yulong purchased for $230,000 at the 2022 Inglis Chairman’s Sale.
Puppy Love is a full sister to G1 Tokyo Yushun winner Deep Brilliante (Jpn) and Group 3-placed Hubble Bubble (Jpn).
NZ 2000 Guineas retains Group 1 status
Both the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas and G1 Livamol Classic retained their Group 1 status after a vote by the Asian Pattern Committee. Both races failed to meet the required international race rating standard in their last three editions, with the race rating based upon the first four placings, hence the requirement for a vote.
“The APC vote was unanimous in the retention of the two races as Group 1s, which is pleasing, greatly appreciated and obviously important for New Zealand,” New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing senior handicapper and APC representative Bruce Sherwin told Loveracing.nz.
“New Zealand Group 1 races have been under significant pressure in recent years. The international race rating system is presenting a challenge for a small country like New Zealand.” The G1 New Zealand Oaks, G1 Telegraph and G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes are all subject to a vote next month.
Preakness moved to 22 days after Kentucky Derby
The 2027 GI Preakness Stakes will be run 22 days after the GI Kentucky Derby, Sunday, May 23, with the GII Black Eyed Susan being held Saturday, May 22, said Maryland Governor Wes Moore in a press conference Wednesday afternoon where he extolled the virtues of the Triple Crown and the importance of the Preakness as its middle jewel.
Both races will be presented on NBC, Peacock, and NBCSN. NBC also announced a multi-year extension of their partnership to present the Preakness through 2032. Both races will be held in the late afternoon/early evening, according to Governor Moore.
After Moore's announcement, the New York Racing Association's Vice President of Communications Patrick McKenna said that NYRA still planned to run the Belmont Stakes in its traditional spot, five weeks after the Kentucky Derby. That timing puts the Belmont Stakes just 13 days after the Preakness.
Biggest Tattersalls Online now live
Handicap winner My Ballyquinn leads 169 lots for the upcoming Tattersalls Online August Sale later this month. The sale will end beginning on Tuesday, August 11 and features 145 horses in- and out-of-training, 12 broodmares, six stores, five yearlings and a 1/50th share in the stallion Soldier's Call.
My Ballyquinn (lot 1), by New Bay, captured his handicap debut over 1 3/8 miles at Hamilton in May and progressed to take a 1 3/4-mile contest at York in June. Trained by David O'Meara, he was second in a Class 3 handicap at Sandown on July 23 and is ranked 97 by Timeform. He is from the same family as G1 Gold Cup hero and champion stayer Papineau (Singspiel).
Massive debut win for Rebel's Romance brother
Kempton's first division of the two 11-furlong novices on Wednesday evening was a long way from a strong contest, but it witnessed a rare sight as Rebel's Romance's brother Fortitudine (Dubawi) powered to a 21-length debut success.
Already gelded, Godolphin's newcomer was sent off the 7-2 second favourite and broke alertly to lead. Dominating throughout, the newcomer kept piling it on up the straight to register the emphatic success. Jockey James Doyle was among those taken aback by such a dynamic display on debut.
“I think everyone has been a bit surprised by that, to be honest,” he said. “It sounds like his work was only okay, he was just going through the motions a little bit at home but he sparked up on the track there! He jumped very quick and was quite professional really.”
Rebel's Romance was recently retired with nine career Group 1 wins. He won in Britain, America, Germany, Hong Kong, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
