Caulfield Cup

Joseph O'Brien could launch a two-pronged attack on Saturday's Caulfield Cup with Okita Soushi (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Valiant King (GB) (Roaring Lion) described to be in rude health ahead of the Group 1 contest. With two G1 Melbourne Cup triumphs on his CV already courtesy of Rekindling (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}) and Twilight Payment (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) to add to a G1 Cox Plate triumph with State Of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), O'Brien knows what it takes to win the big-race riches in Australia. The team at Owning Hill...

The return of Group 1 racing in Japan is officially about six weeks away, but Sunday's 2000-metre Sapporo Kinen--a Group 2 in name only--sees the return to action of some familiar names who are potentially looking to prep for big spots further afield over the coming months. Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), the 2021 G1 Tokyo Yushun hero, makes his first start since finishing fifth to world's top-rated racehorse Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) in defence of his title in the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic Mar. 25, with a...

Eleven-times Group 1 winner Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) is likely to visit leading European sire Sea The Stars (Ire) in her first year at stud in 2023, Racing.com reports. Co-owner Brae Sokolski told the website that the decision was not final, but that the ownership was leaning in the direction of breeding to the sire that has been represented by the world's top-rated turf horse Baaeed (GB) and the legendary stayer Stradivarius (Ire). "She'll be served to northern hemisphere time and while no final decision has been made on...

Following the frantic Saturday, a sense of serenity returns to the European racing scene on Sunday with Deauville hosting the leading action including the G1 Darley Prix Morny and G1 Darley Prix Jean Romanet. In the latter contest, France says bienvenue to the Australian wonder Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) who makes her eagerly anticipated Northern Hemisphere debut under Frankie Dettori for the Francis-Henri Graffard stable. Her astounding 11 Group 1 wins in her former country make her a figure of worldwide renown, but a 12th in Europe would truly...

Deja (Fr) (Youmzain {Ire}), recent winner of the Old Newton Cup for Phoenix Thoroughbreds, could be heading to Australia later this year after being given entries for the G1 Caulfield Cup and G1 Melbourne Cup. The winner of five of his eight starts to date, the 5-year-old, who is trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam, has been raised seven pounds for his most recent victory and looks likely to carry top weight in the Ebor H. at York on Saturday, Aug. 22. "We have had it on our mind all year to...

Mirage Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}) has been sold to race in Australia, with new connections already eyeing outings in the G1 Caulfield and G1 Melbourne Cups. Trained by Sir Michael Stoute in Britain, Mirage Dancer won four of his 16 starts and was last seen when finishing 2 1/4 lengths second in the G3 Glorious S. at Goodwood last week. The 5-year-old will join the yard of training partners Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young after he jets out of Newmarket next month. Busuttin told www.racing.com, "He's been bought for Caulfield...