Paul Nairn's confidence heading into the Breeders Crown has been boosted by a stunning private workout from Conon Bridge far more than the colt's previous huge wins.

The metal-lined container about the breadth and width of your laptop in the corner of the horse box is New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock's gauge to the chances of Kawi in Saturday's $200,000 Makfi Challenge at Hastings.

The glamour horses headlining the New Zealand assault on Sunday's A$1.5 million Breeders Crown at Melton have not fared well in the barrier draws.

Stayer Protectionist has taken a major step towards his defence of the Melbourne Cup with a barrier trial win at Newcastle.

Few things in horse racing are more important than history.

A winning double at Moonee Valley has Victorian horseman David Hayes optimistic heading into the spring.

Big name Kiwi pacing stars all produced the goods in their Crown semifinals at Ballarat on Saturday night.

A move away from preparing a team of mostly jumpers has given mother-daughter training partners Lyn Tolson and Leonie Proctor a stakes win at Moonee Valley.

There are few better racecourse sights than a top-class steeplechase on a fine day at Ellerslie when the best are out on the track.

A strong performance at Cambridge tonight could promote Cyclone Chief to being the dark horse of the Kiwi assault on the Breeders Crown.

Dependable winter galloper Taurus wasn't bogged down by weight of expectation at Otaki where he confirmed a trip north with another winning strike.

The great Rough Habit was a wonderfully versatile performer at the highest level and his close relative Addictive Habit is now showing he has inherited a healthy dose of that family flair.

A staggering 50 per cent of New Zealand's champion racehorse Mongolian Khan is being offered for public consumption.

Even with a slight question mark over his head regarding the Te Rapa track conditions, Private Hero (No3, R5) appeals as a real prospect this afternoon.

With history and weight against Golden Slipper winner Vancouver in the San Domenico Stakes, the Gai Waterhouse stable has two ready-made excuses.

The next 24 hours is likely to tell us whether we will see star galloper Volkstok'n'barrell in New Zealand this preparation.

Former Cambridge trainer Bjorn Baker didn't celebrate Burbero's run-of-the-day A$175,000 Missile Stakes victory at Randwick on Saturday night.

The silent hero behind superstar pacer Christen Me enjoyed a rare public outing with him yesterday and Murray Howard liked what he felt.

If Brian Anderton's heart could survive the white hot tension of winning Saturday's $75,000 Grand National he will live to be 100.

Harness racing's grand old man Charles Roberts doesn't get on planes often these days - he picked the right day to make an exception on Saturday.

High Forty completed a winter of content for trainers Brian and Shane Anderton when he crowned a wonderful jumping season with a runaway Grand National Steeplechase victory at Riccarton.

Our Gazza took full advantage of an easing of the Riccarton track to provide one of his part-owners with a timely victory.

Turn Me Loose will be running after all in the $200,000 Makfi Challenge at Hastings on August 29.

Horses with two duck eggs in their past two starts don't usually stand out as Pick6 anchors but The Faithful is an exception to that rule at Cambridge tonight.

A US$1 million shot at the world's best trotters looks increasingly unlikely for New Zealand hero Stent this year.

Five Victorian trainers at the centre of cobalt charges have avoided a suspension of their licences but they will face a spring carnival prize money freeze.

Close your eyes when you talk to Jacob Lowry and you would swear you are in the company of a 27-year-old.

Record-breaking trainer Murray Baker will barely have time to unpack his holiday bags from Canada and Alaska before he tackles the problem of getting Turn Me Loose a start in the $200,000 Makfi Challenge Stakes at Hastings on August 29.