Happy retirement, Romantic Warrior
One of the greats of world racing, Romantic Warrior, has run his final race.
The Hong Kong superstar has been retired following further diagnostic imaging and assessment of his front leg, bringing down the curtain on an extraordinary career in which he earned more than £28 million in prizemoney.
Romantic Warrior will spend the next three months at Conghua Racecourse under veterinary supervision before transitioning to his retirement home. The Hong Kong Jockey Club will also hold a farewell ceremony for the champion at Sha Tin later this season.
Lepolo gets his spring test
Promising McEvoy-trained colt Lepolo gets the chance to prove where he belongs this spring when he steps up to Saturday metropolitan company at Sandown.
The Written Tycoon colt impressed winning on debut at Ballarat Synthetic last month, with the stable believing he will eventually develop into an effective 2000m horse.
Connections will now test that promise in either the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1300m) or the 1600m three-year-old handicap at Sandown on Saturday.
James Cummings begins Hong Kong chapter
Former Godolphin Australia head trainer James Cummings will officially begin the next chapter of his career when the new Hong Kong racing season gets underway at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Cummings joins the Hong Kong training ranks as the jurisdiction's 23rd trainer and begins his first season with 42 horses in work.
His arrival gives Australian punters another major reason to keep a close eye on Hong Kong racing this season.
National Tote to launch as 'One Pool'
Tabcorp's eagerly anticipated National Tote is another step closer, with the merged wagering product to be branded One Pool.
The new system will combine NSW TAB, UTAB and STAB into one larger pool, with Tabcorp moving away from the traditional tote terminology as part of its longer-term global pooling ambitions.
CEO Gillon McLachlan believes the merged pool will provide greater liquidity, improved price stability and opportunities for new jackpot-style products.
Unbeaten Well Written begins Australian spring mission
Unbeaten New Zealand star Well Written returns in Saturday's Group 1 Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie as she begins a campaign connections hope will ultimately take her to Australia.
The Stephen Marsh-trained mare is a perfect six-from-six and will race in the famous Yulong colours.
If all goes to plan, Well Written will head across the Tasman for the Group 1 Epsom Handicap before tackling the $10 million Golden Eagle.
King Of Light ruled out of eastern states spring
Western Australian star King Of Light will not head east this spring after pulling up sore following his Idyllic Stakes victory.
The Morton Racing galloper will now head for a spell.
There remains some chance he could return in time for the Ascot Carnival, but an eastern states campaign has been ruled out.
Sing Your Song wins Australia's hottest maiden
The remarkable recent history of the 1400m three-year-old maiden at Warwick Farm on Wednesday could have continued, with Chris Waller-trained filly Sing Your Song the latest horse to put her name up to join the G1 honour roll.
The previous three winners — Attica, El Castello and Ceolwulf — all subsequently became Group 1 winners, while 2022 runner-up Rediener went on to win an Epsom Handicap.
The homebred Snitzel filly, who is a sister to dual Group 3 winner Matias, impressed breaking her maiden and firmed from $15 into $11 for the Group 1 Flight Stakes. Watch the last 400m.
"I was hoping she could be a Flight Stakes filly," Waller said. "Obviously, there's still a long way to go."
Pro punter calls for industry change
Leading professional punter Kingsley Bartholomew has called for changes to Australia's wagering landscape, revealing his betting turnover has fallen by around 80 per cent as his ability to get set with bookmakers has become increasingly restricted.
Speaking to Gareth Hall on SENTrack and RSN's Giddy Up from the Backing the Punt conference, Bartholomew said he wanted to ensure the professional punter's perspective was heard.
My turnover has dropped 80 percent. I was well over seven figures a week but it's dropped 80 percent from that because I simply can't get on.
The full interview is on SEN.
Queen's Gamble continues to impress
Matthew Smith-trained three-year-old Queen's Gamble continued her rise with another dominant victory at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
With James McDonald aboard, the promising filly put her rivals away impressively and looks ready for a step up in grade. Watch the last 400m.
She appears capable of making her presence felt in some of the stronger three-year-old fillies races this spring, with Saturday company the logical next test.
VRC wants superstar showdown at Flemington
The Victoria Racing Club has officially thrown its hat in the ring to host a proposed invitational showdown between Ka Ying Rising, Autumn Glow and Sheza Alibi.
The idea gathered momentum after Ka Ying Rising's trainer David Hayes revealed there had been behind-the-scenes discussion about organising a match race involving his champion sprinter and Autumn Glow.
VRC racing boss Leigh Jordon has now made it clear Flemington would be eager to host the concept.
"The VRC would love to host the world's biggest match race, here at Flemington," Jordon said.
Editorial at The Daily Punt, covering Australian racing and sport with an eye for where the value sits.
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