Bella Nipotina welcomes Zoustar colt
Champion mare Bella Nipotina has welcomed her first foal, delivering a lovely Zoustar colt at 7:40am on Friday morning.
Longwood Thoroughbred Farm reported that both Bella and her new arrival are doing well.
Happy days for one of Australian racing's most popular mares.
Pretty Baby heads to the Jim Moloney
Exciting South Australian filly Pretty Baby has her next spring assignment locked in.
She will head to Caulfield on September 27 for the Listed Jim Moloney Stakes (1400m), where she will get another opportunity to test herself in Stakes company.
Napoleonic cruises in Randwick trial
Napoleonic produced an impressive piece of work at Randwick on Friday morning, cruising to an easy trial victory under Zac Lloyd.
The John O'Shea-trained four-year-old scored by almost three lengths over Our Emperor and Surfin' Bird, with Campione D'Italia also taking part in the heat.
Ka Ying Rising eclipses Black Caviar's peak rating
The numbers surrounding Ka Ying Rising continue to reach extraordinary levels ahead of his Australian arrival.
The world's champion sprinter has been elevated to an IFHA rating of 135 following his stunning 1:06.11 course-record performance at Sha Tin, surpassing Black Caviar's career-high mark of 132.
The rating puts Ka Ying Rising alongside Baaeed, Harbinger and Equinox on 135, with only a select few horses having gone higher, including Frankel and Flightline at 140 and Sea The Stars at 136.
Rob Waterhouse was equally blown away by the performance, with one telling TTR the Sha Tin victory produced the highest time figure he had ever given a horse.
Another huge piece of evidence that Australia is about to see something very special in The Everest.
The Goodwood to be renamed after Bruce McAvaney
One of South Australian racing's biggest races will be renamed in honour of legendary broadcaster Bruce McAvaney.
The famous Group 1 Goodwood will carry McAvaney's name, recognising the enormous contribution the proud South Australian has made to racing and Australian sport.
The announcement follows news that McAvaney will also be inducted into the South Australian Racing Hall of Fame.
Transatlantic spring in doubt after trackwork mishap
Group 1 winner Transatlantic is bruised and battered following a trackwork accident at Randwick, putting his spring campaign in doubt.
The Tony Gollan-trained galloper lost his footing and slipped on the bitumen before heading onto the track.
"He's bruised and battered and has ripped himself up a bit," Gollan said.
The setback comes after Transatlantic's Group 1 Toorak Handicap victory last spring.
Manikato shaping as one of the best in years
Racing Previews on X has highlighted just how strong this year's Group 1 Manikato Stakes is shaping up, with a potentially outstanding field coming together two weeks out.
Potential runners include Oliveanotherday, Beiwacht, Giga Kick, Jimmysstar, My Gladiola, Napoleonic, Beadman, Extragalactic, Charm Stone, Bridal Waltz and Geegees Mistruth.
If the majority make it to the race, we could be looking at one of the strongest editions of the Manikato in years.
Michael Moroney to be honoured at Flemington
The late champion trainer Michael Moroney will be honoured at Flemington on Saturday with a race named after him for the first time.
The former Exford Plate has been renamed the Listed Michael Moroney Stakes (1400m) for three-year-olds, with Racing Victoria and the Victoria Racing Club paying tribute to the 55-time Group 1-winning trainer.
Moroney passed away 18 months ago at the age of 66 after an extraordinary career spanning New Zealand and Australia.
Scratchings strengthen Sheza Alibi's hand
The withdrawals of Aeliana, Birdman and Buckaroo could make life even easier for hot favourite Sheza Alibi in Saturday's Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington.
Nick Noonan believes the reduced field and Sheza Alibi's move into barrier five only improve the likely map for the emerging star.
"I think it makes the map even easier for her," Noonan said on The Verdict.
Noonan also identified another runner he expects to be heavily advantaged by the likely race shape, adding another layer of intrigue to Saturday's Group 1.
Editorial at The Daily Punt, covering Australian racing and sport with an eye for where the value sits.
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