News

The Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm Racecourse is just days away. Two favourites have already pulled out of the $3 million race and a major dark horse has just been given a new jockey.

Star filly Tutta La Vita is making a move to the United States after being bought by American billionaire John Stewart last month. The three-year-old is one of the biggest investments in Australia made by Stewart’s Resolute Racing so far.

Melbourne Racing Club Chief Executive Josh Blanksby has stepped down. He held the position for 10 years. Blanksby will officially leave his post on August 31. This move comes days after Racing Victoria announced their new CEO.

Three-year-old gelding Warmonger won the G1 Queensland Derby by an astonishing 10-½ lengths this Saturday. The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr-trained horse came into the race with $10 odds. The Queensland Derby is the third straight race Warmonger has placed in.

Trainer Les Ross has revealed that he has been battling prostate cancer for the last four years. The Mishani man announced he will be letting his trainer’s licence expire on July 31, the same day he will undergo a major surgery.

10-time Group 1 winning mare Imperatriz was sold for $6.6 million on Tuesday at the Gold Coast Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. She was purchased by Victoria’s Yulong Stud. The previous most expensive broodmare sold for $5 million.

Jason Warren’s star horse Benedetta is expected to run at this year’s Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm. Benedetta recently won The Goodwood (1200m) in May. Her trainer thinks the mare is ready for the step up to a 1400m race.

Trainer Annabel Neasham has once again tasted success at the Group 1 Doomben Cup in Ascot. Her seven-year-old gelding Bois D’Argent won over the odds on Saturday, beating out another Neasham trained horse Fawkner Park.

Three-year-old filly The Black Cloud emerged victorious at Randwick on Saturday at the Taylor Construction Handicap. Trainer Joe Pride has talked up his new horse as a stakes-class thoroughbred in the making, but was pessimistic heading into this race.

Trainer Joe Pride thinks a jockey change could help his gelding Think About It get out of his slump. Victorian-based rider Blake Shinn is set to trial the five-year-old on Tuesday at Warwick Farm in Sydney.