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  • TAB Everest rises to new heights at Royal Randwick

    Sydney’s world-famous Royal Randwick hosts the seventh running of the $20 million TAB Everest and a celebration of a thoroughbred racing and entertainment phenomenon this Saturday.

    General Admission tickets at just $40 via theraces.com.au provides entry to Royal Randwick for a ten-race card, a post-racing concert from Australian act Empire Of The Sun in the spectacular Theatre Of The Horse and access to the new $46 million WINX Stand.

    General Admission ticket holders and Australian Turf Club Members also have all public transport services – including light rail services directly to Royal Randwick – included.

    Along with the $20 million TAB Everest, the richest race on turf in the world, Saturday also sees the inaugural $5 million King Charles III Stakes and the $2 million The Kosciuszko, all part of Australia’s richest day of racing.

    Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Matt Galanos said TAB Everest Day has become an iconic event on the Sydney Spring sporting and entertainment calendar.

    “The world’s richest race on turf at Royal Randwick brings a live racing experience unmatched in Australian racing,’’ Mr Galanos said.

    “The electric atmosphere throughout the day peaks with the running of the TAB Everest as the crowd joins as one to roar the annual rendition of Sweet Caroline as the horses get to the gates.

    “With public transport and a live concert after the races from Empire Of The Sun all included in a $40 ticket, TAB Everest Day is the year’s best value of any major event in Sydney.

    “Royal Randwick is ready to host the world’s fastest horses and Sydney’s most exciting event in Spring.’’

    Full fields for Saturday’s massive card offering a total of almost $32 million prizemoney are available here and full TAB Fixed Odds markets for all races available here.

    The $20 million TAB Everest contains 12 of Australia’s best horses headed by:

    • Overpass ($9 TAB) representing the Australian Turf Club and slot partners RAM Racing, trained by Bjorn Baker and ridden by Josh Parr, and owned by a syndicate of owners with Darby Racing.

    • A Golden Eagle and TJ Smith Stakes champion in I Wish I Win ($4.50 TAB), trained by Peter Moody and ridden by Luke Nolen of Black Caviar fame, representing slot holder Trackside NZ.

    • Warwick Farm trainer Joe Pride’s two runners – Think About It ($4.50 TAB slot holders Newgate and GPI Racing) ridden by Sam Clipperton and Private Eye ($6 TAB slot Max Whitby and Neil Werrett), who ran second in last year’s TAB Everest, to be ridden by Nash Rawiller. Both horses are managed by Proven Thoroughbreds.

    • Godolphin owning two runners – In Secret ($17 TAB) ridden by Zac Purton for the slot holder and Cylinder ($9 TAB) for jockey Zac Lloyd and the James Harron slot

    • Mazu ($17 TAB) – representing Triple Crown who owned dual Everest winner Redzel. Mazu is prepared by Redzel’s trainers Peter and Paul Snowden and will be ridden by Tommy Berry for The Star and Arrowfield slot

    • Hawaii Five Oh ($17 TAB) trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott with jockey James McDonald aboard for the Aquis slot. The stable also has Alcohol Free ($34 TAB) jockey Craig Williams for Yulong.

    • Sydney’s 13-time Sydney training champion Chris Waller with two runners – Golden Slipper champion Shinzo ($15 TAB Kerrin McEvoy) for Coolmore and Espiona in his own slot for Star Thoroughbreds and jockey Hugh Bowman.

    On a day full of racing highlights, several other innovative races on the card add to one of the biggest programs in Sydney racing history.

    The $2 million Group 3 Feel New Sydney Stakes with a capacity field of 18 runners including emergency runners for The Tab Everest.

    The $2 million The Kosciuszko featuring 14 NSW country-trained gallopers – the richest race in the world for country horses – and with a variety of slot owner agreements won via public ticket purchases.

    The $1 million Silver Eagle – which provides ballot exemption for the first three placegetters into the $10 million Golden Eagle at Rosehill Gardens on 4 November.

  • Cam Davis set for Australian Open and PGA Championship

    Coming off a career-best PGA Tour in the US, Aussie golf star Cam Davis is on the hunt for his second Stonehaven Cup at the Australian Open in November.

    More than five years since an astonishing Australian Open victory, Cam Davis is setting his sights on winning a second Stonehaven Cup.

    The rising star of Aussie golf confirmed on Thursday he would take on the Australian PGA Championship in Brisbane this November, before heading home to Sydney for a shot at another Australian Open title.

    “It’s always enjoyable to come back home and to be part of the Summer Golf in Australia,” Davis said.

    “I have great memories of The Australian and going back there, as well as The Lakes, for the Open is something I’m very much looking forward to.”

    Ranked outside the top 1000 in the world, then 22-year-old Davis produced a sensational against-the-odds performance to take out the 2017 Australian Open.

    Davis, now 28, enjoyed seven top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour in 2023 and tied for fourth at the PGA Championship to execute his best finish to date in his young major championship career.

    He recently finished joint-third at the Fortinet Championship in California to reach a career-high Official World Golf Ranking of 44.

    Perhaps returning to his underdog status, Davis will face a formidable opponent in Australia’s No.1 drawcard Cam Smith at the Australian Open, who will also have another crack at the two local majors.

    Despite three Australian PGA titles to his name, the Stonehaven Cup has eluded Smith – his best finish was a playoff defeat to American Jordan Spieth in 2016.

    The two tournaments are part of a new summer schedule for the 2023/24 PGA Tour of Australasia, which includes trips to five states and New Zealand.

    Having begun with the PNG Open in May, the Tour’s schedule includes two new events – the Webex Players Series in South Australia in October and January’s Heritage Class in Melbourne.

    More than $9 million in prizemoney will be up for grabs in the Tour’s 18 events in a bid to grow the sport in Australia.

    “The fact is that all these kids can’t make enough money in this country to really hone their game,” veteran Australian golfer Paul Gow said on Thursday.

    “Five or six years ago, we had a handful of events and it was awful. The players had nothing.

    “Now, they’ve got something. They’ll make enough money and off they can go and they can support their career.”

  • Country trainer takes on city slickers in Friday’s Port Macquarie Cup (Taree)

    It’s not going to be easy for the country trainers to knock over the city slickers in Friday’s $200,000 Port Macquarie Cup at Taree, but Tony Ball is enthusiastic about the chances of his horse Ljungberg running a big race at good odds ($21 on TAB).

    The cup is one of the last remaining chances for trainers to qualify their horses for the $3 million Big Dance over 1600m at Royal Randwick on November 7 and as such has attracted runners from leading Sydney stables as well as provincial and country stables.

    The Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes stable at Rosehill will start favourite Superium – they also accepted with Mount Popa but it was scratched on Thursday.

    Chris Waller is sending Special Swey to the race from his Rosehill stable.

    But the presence of those Sydney horses doesn’t bother Taree trainer Ball, who was delighted with eight-year-old gelding Ljungberg’s last-start win over 1609m at Taree on September 24 and is looking forward to stepping him up to the 2000m of the cup.

    “If he can win and get a start in the Big Dance that would be a dream come true,” Ball said.

    “I reckon he’ll get the distance of the cup. He just needs there to be a bit of pace so they run along well and he doesn’t start pulling.

    “If he can settle down over the longer distance he’ll get a good cart into the race.

    “He’s been working really well since he won at Taree and (apprentice) Mollie Fitzgerald is riding him again after she rode him there.

    “She’s got a good understanding with the horse. I think he’ll run a good race.”

    Seven-year-old gelding Superium is an interesting runner because his five career wins have been over distances ranging from 1100m to 1400m and he has never raced over further than 1600m.

    But obviously the stable believes that at this stage of his career he can extend to the 2000m and be successful and bookmakers are certainly wary because TAB has installed him as $3 favourite.

    The big plus for Superium, which will carry 55kg, is that the minimum weight for the cup is 54kg and he will carry just one kilogram more than each of the other nine runners.

    Superium has had three runs back from a spell and at his most recent start finished off well for third in a Group 3 race over 1500m at Sandown just last Sunday.

    Holstein, trained by Matt Dunn at Murwillumbah, is second favourite at $4.20 and Special Swey is next in the betting at $5.

    Special Swey is a lightly-raced four-year-old gelding that has not performed well at either of its two runs back from a spell, but which did win a Group 3 race over 2000m in Brisbane during the winter carnival.

    *Gates open at 11.30am and the first race is at 1.05pm. Admission is $10 and $5 concession. Full bar, bistro, TAB and bookmaker facilities.

  • Turnbull Stakes Day, Sun Chariot Stakes Day and Gran Premio Latinoamericano to be beamed live for betting

    The Hong Kong Jockey Club will simulcast for betting five races from the Turnbull Day meeting to be held at Flemington racecourse on Saturday, 7 October. The Turnbull Stakes is a 2000m Group One for four-year-olds and older and contested under set weights and penalties conditions.

    The race attained Group 1 status in 2006 and has served as an important lead-up for major prizes of Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival such as the Cox Plate and the Melbourne Cup. The days broadcasting will commence 12.15 Hong Kong time.

    The 2023 running of the Turnbull Stakes promises to draw worldwide attention as Hong Kong’s Middle-Distance champion Romantic Warrior kicks off his overseas campaign here before a tilt at the Cox Plate. The Danny Shum trained superstar will become the first Hong Kong trained runner to contest in Australia since Dominant’s Sydney Cup venture in 2015.

    Sun Chariot Stakes Day from Newmarket in England (Sat 7 Oct – first race 20:30 Hong Kong time)

    Racing action will continue at Newmarket in the evening with the simulcast of the Sun Chariot Stakes and three other supporting races.

    Named after King George VI’s talented racehorse who won the Fillies Triple Crown in 1942 under legendary jockey Gordon Richards, the featured Sun Chariot Stakes is run over 1600m on the Rowley Mile course for the most promising three-year-olds and older fillies and mares. It forms part of the British Champions Series which will conclude at Ascot on 21 October.

    Gran Premio Latinoamericano from San Isidro in Argentina (Sun 8 Oct – 4:45 Hong Kong time)

    In the early morning of Sunday, 8th October, the Gran Premio Latinoamericano will be simulcast live for betting to Hong Kong racing fans for the first time.

    Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1 2000m for 3yo+) is the richest and most important race in Latin America. First run in 1981, the race is run every year in different member countries and participated by the best horses in the Latin America region. San Isidro Racecourse in Buenos Aires of Argentina will play host to the 2023 renewal.

    Final declarations with barrier draws for the Turnbull Stakes Day, the Sun Chariot Stakes Day races and the Gran Premio Latinoamericano will be available on Friday, 6 October.

  • Extended Australian Open to serve up Sunday start

    Organizers of the Australian Open have announced the 2024 tournament will go for an extended 15 days, starting on a Sunday in a bid to limit late-night matches.

    The Australian Open will start on a Sunday in 2024, becoming a 15-day event in a bid to reduce the pressure on players and fans of late-night finishes.

    Calls have been growing to limit the finish times in a crowded schedule at the season-opening grand slam event in Melbourne.

    Five-time finalist Andy Murray this year played a near six-hour, five-set marathon against Thanasi Kokkinakis that did not reach its conclusion until past 4am, the former world No.1 describing the finish time as “ridiculously late”.

    The 2024 tournament has been scheduled to run from January 14-28.

    The Sunday start will increase the number of sessions on Melbourne Park’s three showpiece courts – Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena and John Cain Arena – from 47 to 52.

    Day sessions on Rod Laver and Margaret Court will feature a minimum of two matches, rather than three as previously, to limit the potential for late finishes.

    Night sessions will continue to feature a minimum of two matches.

    Tournament director Craig Tiley said the changes had come about after listening to feedback from players and fans to limit late finishes.

    “The additional day will achieve this, benefiting scheduling for fans and players alike,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

    “The first round will now be played over three days instead of two.”

  • Socceroos playmaker Tom Rogic announces retirement

    Socceroos playmaker Tom Rogic has retired and says he and his wife’s fertility issues and a desire to focus on his family were a key factor.

    Talismanic Socceroo Tom Rogic has retired from football to focus on his family.

    Rogic, one of the most talented Socceroos in recent years who also starred for Scottish powerhouse Celtic, has called time after scoring 10 goals in 53 internationals between 2012 and 2022.

    The intensely private Canberran opened up on he and his wife’s struggles with fertility before welcoming their daughter in 2021, and with twins due next year, they have returned to Australia to focus on raising their family.

    “After careful consideration I have made the decision to retire from professional football,” Rogic said in a statement posted to Instagram.

    “I have always been rather private with things in my personal life but I feel given the significance, I think it is important for people to understand why and how I have made my decision.

    “Throughout the past seven years, my wife and I have been on an immensely challenging journey with fertility issues.

    “After years of trying and many failed rounds of IVF, my wife and I were fortunate enough to welcome the birth of our daughter in 2021. I have loved every minute of being a dad and consider it my greatest achievement in life.

    “After experiencing some more struggles and heartache with fertility treatment, we have recently received the amazing news that our family is growing and we will be expecting twins in 2024.

    “Given our past and how hard we have fought for this, along with the challenges that will come with having twins and a two year old, now seems like the right time to give my focus and attention to what is the most important thing in my life – my family.”

    The 30-year-old last played for Australia in a World Cup qualifier against Oman in 2022, but withdrew before the play-offs for personal reasons.

    He was left out of Australia’s squad for the Qatar World Cup and hasn’t featured since.

    Rogic missed the 2014 World Cup through injury and was one of the final omissions from the 2018 tournament, though he starred at the 2019 Asian Cup.

    The former futsal player started his career at Central Coast Mariners, winning the A-League premiership before moving to Scotland and later had a short loan stint at Melbourne Victory.

    He won 16 trophies at Celtic but most recently played for West Bromwich Albion, who released him in May after a short and difficult stay.

  • Cleary adds to legacy with second Clive Churchill Medal

    Nathan Cleary’s name has been etched among the greats with a man-of-the-match performance in Penrith’s 26-24 grand final defeat of Brisbane.

    Nathan Cleary has etched his name in the pantheon of great NRL halfbacks, winning a second Clive Churchill Medal and third premiership – all before the age of 26.

    In Penrith’s defeat of Brisbane at Accor Stadium on Sunday, the halfback masterminded the biggest comeback in grand final history.

    He set two tries up and scored one to help Penrith claw back from 24-8 down after 62 minutes, to 26-24 up at the final whistle.

    The performance cemented Cleary’s status as one of the great modern playmakers, and dispelled the narrative that he goes missing in games.

    Cleary has now won more grand finals than either Andrew Johns or Jonathan Thurston and is the first halfback since Peter Sterling to win three premierships before the age of 26.

    Having won the Clive Churchill Medal after the first of Penrith’s three consecutive title wins, Cleary is only the third man to have won the Clive Churchill Medal more than once.

    He joins Bradley Clyde and Billy Slater in an elite club.

    “I just feel like what he’s done in this space of time, there’s been no other halfback that has done it,” said Penrith co-captain Isaah Yeo.

    “I reckon if you put his statistics up against any other halfback at this point, he’s 25, no-one’s done what he’s done.

    “That 20-minute period he put the team on his back and he won us our third grand final in a row. I’m very happy he’s our leader and he’s our seven. It’s a privilege to play with him.”

    Cleary described Sunday’s game as the most difficult of his career.

    “It honestly doesn’t feel real right now,” Cleary said.

    “To the Broncos boys, absolute beast team, very young.

    “Thanks for that game, it’s the hardest game I’ve ever played. To our boys, it’s nothing but love. We’ve worked so hard for this and we’re still just getting started.”

    For his first assist, Cleary dummied past Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam and burst away down the right edge before finding prop Moses Leota on the inside.

    He kicked a 40/20 in the set after points to keep the pressure on, and then threw the last pass to Stephen Crichton to bring the margin to only four points.

    Cleary capped his night off by stepping inside a hole in the final four minutes and sealing victory with a try of his own.

    He kicked a perfect five from five goals and ran for 162 metres, the third-most of any Panther.

  • Amelia’s Jewel off to the Toorak Handicap

    Amelia’s Jewel, trained by Simon Miller and holding an impressive record of 11: 9-2-0, is poised to compete in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap at Caulfield.

    Owner Peter Walsh confirmed, “We’re definitely going to the Toorak, I spoke to Simon a few minutes ago, so that’s locked in.”

    This comes after her successful debut in Melbourne and a comfortable win in the Group 2 Stocks Stakes at The Valley, enhancing her reputation.

    “Damian Lane gave me his opinion yesterday, so we’re definitely going to Caulfield as long as we don’t get too much weight,” Walsh added.

    She is priced at $4 in this year’s Cox Plate odds, only shorter than Hong Kong’s champion Romantic Warrior ($3.60).

    Decisions regarding her racing in the Cox Plate (2040m) or the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) in Sydney will be determined post-Toorak.

    “Simon said ‘why do we have to make a decision now? Let’s just wait and see how she goes in The Toorak, see how the internationals go,’” shared Walsh, leaning toward the Golden Eagle but mentioning, “there’s no need to rush into a decision.”

  • Hong Kong racing season is upon us!

    Hong Kong: A Global Hub for Thoroughbred Racing

    Hong Kong has solidified its status as a top international hub for thoroughbred racing, attracting world-class talent to events like the Hong Kong Cup and the Hong Kong Derby, hosted at its iconic racecourses, Happy Valley and Sha Tin.

    Horse racing in Hong Kong traces its roots to the 1840s when the British introduced the sport during the colony’s inception. Happy Valley Racecourse was established in 1845 and became the epicenter of racing on the island, with even rice cultivation being banned to make room for it!

    Hong Kong’s racing scene has drawn foreign trainers and jockeys, notably Australians like John Moore and John Size. Homegrown talents, such as Ricky Yiu and Tony Cruz, have also made their mark.

    The Hong Kong Jockey Club, founded in 1959 and granted a Royal Charter by Queen Elizabeth II, oversees and regulates racing, holding a monopoly on pari-mutuel betting and contributing significantly to the community.

    Highlighting the calendar is Hong Kong International Races Day, featuring prestigious Group 1 races like the Hong Kong Cup. Other events include the Four-Year-Old Classic Series and the Hong Kong Derby, showcasing the city’s commitment to elite racing.

    Hong Kong’s dynamic racing scene has evolved into a global powerhouse, with iconic venues, prestigious races, and a thriving betting culture, making it a must-visit destination for racing enthusiasts and a stage where champions are crowned!

  • Massive interest this weekend on a G1 day at Caulfield

    We should get a nice guide to the G1 Caulfield Cup on Saturday with two very important lead up races on a strong day of racing.

    The main race is the G1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) with a full field likely to make this a cracking betting race.

    Without A Fight ($3.50) will be a huge focus of attention off his excellent Queensland Winter. But he will plenty of company with G1 winners such as Lindermann ($11), Duais ($15), Alligator Blood ($4.50) and Smokin’ Romans ($26) just some of the contenders. Tack on Pinstriped ($15) and Soulcombe ($11) and you have a quality contest in store.

    That other race with ramifications is the G3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) and we’ll see horses with Cups hopes looking for qualifying entry here. Mr Waterville, First Immortal, Berkeley Square and others chase spots while some already into the futures are Right You Are and Goldman.

    The G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) will give a nice indication of some of the chances in a few weeks. Saltcoats ($15) (if he runs here), Steparty ($2.80), Veight ($4.50) and Scentify ($11) are all big players.

    Promising sprinters will line up in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1400m) with some potentially moving around the states looking for big pay days. Amenable and Nunthorpe are two of those as they are down to take on the older brigade including St Lawrence and Here To Shock.

    The Listed Jim Moloney Stakes (1400m) is the final stakes race on the day and some fillies can make big improvement like Amazonian Lass and Miracle Of Love.

    Racing and Sports