Poor Turnout To See Champ Tough It Out

Only the shortest possible margin in Weekend Hussler's favour saved Royal Randwick yesterday from a disappointing day. Weekend Hussler, already described as a budding champion, could draw only 8300 for his Sydney debut in the Randwick Guineas, about 10,000 less than rolled up to headquarters the previous Saturday. So much for top horses being drawcards in the modern era.

New Rules May Lighten Load For Bush Horses

UNDER new discretionary powers issued to Racing NSW handicappers, country-trained horses entering provincial and metropolitan events are eligible for weight relief.

Magnus Rises To Meet Challenge

THERE is a lot to be said about being in the right place at the right time but for the very smart sprinter Magnus, the right time has involved running up against the wrong horses.

Class Apart Mooted For Run In The Nolan Classic

LEE Freedman has 10 horses at Kembla Grange but the team could be expanded if Class Apart can win the Burberry Handicap (1600m) at Sandown this afternoon.

Guess Who Popped Into Kembla For A Cuppa?

Welcome to Wollongong: Champion Victorian trainer Lee Freedman is banking on Kembla Grange playing a major role as he chases success in the rich Sydney autumn racing carnival. The five-time Melbourne Cup winner, who is based at Rye on the Mornington Peninsula, has set up a satellite operation at the Grange and watched his team work on the course proper yesterday, happy with the whole set-up. "The horses are relaxed and happy and the track is great," he said.

Scheduling Robs Fields Of Talent

DARTMOOR won the Australian Pacing Championship at Gloucester Park in Perth on Friday night. The race was worth $125,000, carried group 1 status and will forever shine bright on Dartmoor's racing record - but with no disrespect to the winner and the horses from Western Australia, the best pacers in the land didn't start.

Spriggs Colt Off And Racing With First-up Win

TEENAGE whiz-kid Blake Spriggs was having his fourth birthday party at Bega races when he told his mother he wanted to "ride horses like daddy".

History Proves Beaten Rose Runners Can Bloom At Group 1 Level

CHANCES are there still will be major rewards in the future for those horses unlucky enough to be beaten in tomorrow's 1400-metre Golden Rose at Rosehill.

Trainers Join Weight-watchers For Doncaster Showdown

THE odds about Weekend Hussler clashing with Racing To Win in next month's Doncaster Handicap lengthened yesterday, with connections worried the horses might be weighted out of the $1.8 million feature.

Southern Move Paying Dividends

HAVING turned his back on a promising rugby league career to stick with horses, Paul Snowden is relishing his new role as assistant trainer to father Peter and boss of the Melbourne stable of Australia's biggest owner, Bob Ingham.