RESPECTED TRAINER STEPS AWAY FROM RACING

As one door closes, another one opens. That’s Todd Harvey’s mindset as he prepares to walk away from racing. After training horses for nearly two decades, he will retire at the end of the month. A fourth-generation horseman, it’s a sport that has consumed Harvey and his family for years. But although he steps into…

LANE PLEASED WITH PROGRESS OF RACONTEUR FAVOURITE

Bunbury trainer Michael Lane is confident Rusty Dreams can take the next step and show her potential against career-best opposition at Belmont on Saturday. Rusty Dreams, heavily backed to win the Listed Raconteur Stakes (1400m), has come along in leaps and bounds and is on the improve after debuting last year. Rusty Dreams made the…

MILLER HAPPY WITH BONJOY IN RACONTEUR

Trainer Jason Miller is excited about the future prospects of his three-year-old filly Bonjoy and is optimistic she can live up to his expectations at Belmont on Saturday. Miller is pleased with Bonjoy’s progress since her return win two weeks ago and is looking for that momentum to continue in the Listed Raconteur Stakes (1400m).…

NO LIMIT’S FOR EASTHOPE IN RACONTEUR

Trainer Jeremy Easthope has a big of opinion of Upper Limits. He says the three-year-old gelding still has a heap to learn, but potentially could be the best horse he has trained. Upper Limits has been to races eight times for one win and six placings, including a third to Bustler in last year’s Listed…

HYPERION STAKES HISTORY

HYPERION STAKES OVERVIEW Black-type racing resumes at Belmont on Saturday featuring the Hyperion Stakes. Below is an overview of the Group 3 1600m event that has been won by several of Western Australia’s top horses. The Hyperion Stakes was first run in 1972 and won by St Just. It’s held Group 3 status since 1980…

BROOME RACING: A LABOUR OF LOVE FOR PATEMAN

While some things change, some things stay the same. It’s business as usual for veteran trainer Darryn Pateman. As he has done for nearly two decades, Pateman is getting ready for Broome’s season-opening meeting in a fortnight. Pateman is based at Karnup, but each year travels thousands of kilometres to race his horses at Broome…

PLAYING MARIKA A GENUINE SURPRISE PACKET

Stephanie Bakranich, who will saddle up Playing Marika in Saturdays Group 3 Hyperion Stakes (1600m), admits the mare’s recent form has taken her by surprise. Bakranich pinpointed two races for Playing Marika this campaign, but is glad she had a change of heart as it’s panned out better than she could have expected. The seven-year-old…

PIKE IN FORGIVING HYPERION STAKES MOOD

Champion jockey William Pike has set his sights on winning the $200,000 Group 3 Seacorp-Hyperion Stakes (1600m) for a second time at Belmont, confident his mount Dom To Shoot can atone after a flat showing last-start. The Sean and Jake Casey-trained Dom To Shoot started second favourite in the Group 3 Belmont Sprint (1400m), but…

HARVEY’S ATTACKING BID FOR CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Keep Attacking has been strongly backed to win at Belmont on Saturday and trainer Todd Harvey backs the support. Keep Attacking, super impressive when winning first up from a spell, has leapt to favouritism in the Skyracing TV-Provincial Championship Series Final (1400m). Keep Attacking, who touched $5.50, has firmed into $3.40, with Starring Knight displaced…