Golf

Returning to a track he has had much success over, the Phil D'Amato trainee enters the race off a game fifth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) at Del Mar, after being compromised at the break.View the full article

The Saudi Derby (G3) is a new addition to the Churchill Downs competitions seeking to lure foreigners to the Kentucky Derby (G1) but also has attracted some American 3-year-olds looking for an optional route to Louisville, Ky.View the full article

After finishing as the leading earner of any North American-trained horse in 2025 when earnings in the Middle East are included, Hit Show will chart a familiar path when he opens his 6-year-old season Feb. 11.View the full article

By Michael Guerin Talented driver Josh Dickie is hoping the next phase of his career can start with a win at Alexandra Park tonight. Dickie partners last-start winner Father Barry for his father John in the opening race tonight, the $15,000 Classique Landscapers Metro heat and punters can expect to see him doing far more driving for the family and outside stables in the future. Dickie and fiancée Sammy Kilgour have gone out on their own account after two years working for premiership trainers Steve and Amanda Telfer, that stint coming after the couple had been based in Victoria. “We just thought it was time to try to build our own business,” says Dickie. “We have a handful of horses and are training those alongside Dad on his property. “We have nice numbers there now but are looking to grow so will be at the yearling sales next week and I’ll be looking to get back into more freelance driving.” Dickie has driven 14 Group 1 winners and has already started to build his freelance contacts again now he is not tied to a stable. “And we want to train more as well,” he explains. “Dad was almost retired a couple of years ago but the three of us are enjoying being back working together so he says he will be sticking around for a few more years now too. “So the next phase is exciting.” Father Barry sits alongside Higher Power as one of the two most talented trotters in tonight’s opener but both can gallop so their clash could be decided by manners. Higher Power’s trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan hold the key to a few of tonight’s races, with Sooner The Bettor favourite for the main handicap pace even off his 30m backmark. Sooner The Bettor was a last-start third in the Auckland Cup and while his best performances come when able to lead or race handy, he only faces four rivals tonight so his handicap may not be enough to stop him winning. Later in the night a rare mobile sprint for the better grade trotters could see American Muscle potentially the value option as she has produced some top class sprinting performances in the last year.   View the full article

By Michael Guerin A surprise driving decision will see two new combinations at the top of the market in tonight’s $100,000 Fahey Fence Hire Breeders Stakes (8.05pm) at Addington. Champion horseman Blair Orange produced a stunning drive to get General Jen home from five back on the markers in the Garrards Mares Championship two weeks ago, the lead-up race to tonight’s Group 1. But Orange sprung a surprise when he opted to partner General Jen’s stablemate Arafura tonight even though she has drawn the second line and not raced for two months. “Blair does most of our driving and got first choice of out three runners,” said Hayden Cullen, who trains with wife Amanda. “Once he did that it left the drive on General Jen free and we offered that to Mark [Purdon] because he was originally going to come down to partner Arafura. “Mark had already booked his tickets so will now drive General Jen instead and to be honest we can’t really split them.” That means two of the favourites have swapped drivers, with Purdon having reigned Arafura to win the NZ Oaks in November while Orange has done most of the driving behind General Jen. Which mare proves the stable’s best chance could come down to luck and tempo, with General Jen brilliantly fast but Arafura the more proven stayer and winner of both Oaks last season. “We all saw what General Jen did last start and she can win again but if I had to opt for one of ours I’d go Arafura,” says Cullen. “She may not have raced for two months but she is very forward and loves the 2600m. “She will need some luck from the second line but I think she is the best stayer.” The Group 1 is crammed with talent but the lead-up race two weeks ago suggested the four-year-old mares may have more upside than their older rivals like Francent and Esmeralda. Francent did have to work hard last start in the Garrards Championship though and with a better draw tonight gets her chance to try to fight the younger brigade off. The Breeders is the highlight of a stacked Addington programme, with Mr Love the $2.50 favourite for the Lamb And Hayward Trot (7.44pm) even off a 20m handicap. Pinseeker is red hot to win the Studholme Bloodstock feature pace (7.07pm)after easily beating Hadron Collider last start but Cullen, who trains the latter, thinks the gap between them will close tonight. “Our horse needed the run last start so will be a lot better this week but Pinseeker is going to be very hard to beat.” One of the early highlights of the meeting will be Race 1 (4.39pm), which boasts plenty talented pacers still on the way up, including the Cullen-trained Volare. “Our filly has just kept getting better but it is a really good field so it won’t be easy,” he says. View the full article