When you do an in-depth interview with Chris Waller’s right-hand man Charlie Duckworth, there’s one question you can’t avoid asking. When are you going to become a trainer in your own right? And the answer given was a complete surprise — but also explains why Waller puts his full trust in the Englishman. Duckworth grew up in the tiny village […]

Nobody wants a birthday in lockdown unless it was to coincide with a second Flemington winner. It is a scenario Cranbourne trainer Alexander Rae hopes to realise on Saturday with Chief Altony. After bursting on to the scene with a Flemington ­triumph on Cochada on Oaks Day in 2018, the rising 26-year-old has mainly made ends meet picking off wins […]

Luke Dittman was credited as the man behind the scenes in Kukeracha’s last-gasp Queensland Derby win last week and now the son of a gun gets his own chance for master trainer Chris Waller in the Queensland Oaks on Saturday. The son of legendary Mick Dittman, Luke rides a huge number of Waller’s Queensland-based horses in trackwork each week, but […]

Robin Goodfellow’s Racing Tips: Best bets for Thursday, June 3 Sportsmail’s racing expert Robin Goodfellow dishes out his tips for Thursday’s meetings at Uttoxeter, Chelmsford City, Hamilton, Thirsk and Ffos Las. Sportsmail’s racing expert Robin Goodfellow dishes out his tips for Thursday’s meetings  UTTOXETER ROBIN GOODFELLOW  1.45 Drakes Well 2.20 Gameface 2.55 Dynamite Kentucky 3.30 Saint Arvans 4.05 As High […]

Jockey Chris McIver has overturned a 12-month riding ban after he was wrongly alleged to have kicked a horse in the stalls. The 34-year-old was charged back in January under AR228(b) for conducting himself in an improper manner during the loading process in a race at Rockhampton racecourse in Queensland, Australia. McIver pleaded not guilty to the charges and following […]

TAB tipping expert Nick Quinn gives his suggested bets for the feature races at Flemington and Eagle Farm. BEST BET: YULONG JANUARY (Flemington, R5 No.3) VALUE BET: GRACE AND HARMONY (Eagle Farm, R8 No.6) LAY OF THE WEEK: PARRY SOUND (Rosehill, R7 No.8) WINTER CHAMPIONSHIP HEAT 4 (1400M) Flemington, R5, 2.05pm Punters are keen to stick with last-start Flemington winner […]

The hunt has started for a new racing integrity boss in Queensland with Mark Ainsworth, the former top cop in the high-profile Baden-Clay murder investigation, announcing his retirement. It will be the second major departure from the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission in six months after Ross Barnett left as QRIC Commissioner last December to head a team investigating alleged murders […]

HARVEST DAY can follow up an easy recent victory in Ayr's Afternoon Tea At Western House Hotel Handicap (4.25). Mick Easterby's mare was eased before the winning post at Musselburgh eight days ago, but she still crossed the line five-and-a-half lengths clear. This race looks a touch stronger, however the manner of her success suggested she can go in again […]

Chris Calthorpe boasts a Group 1 victory from his only starter in a race at the top grade and the affable trainer jokes it might be time to give the game away if he can extend his record to two with Media Award in Saturday’s Queensland Oaks. Calthorpe has spent much of the last fortnight jumping through hoops to get […]