Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Sydney Cup has received a shot in the arm after prizemoney for the time-honoured two-miler swelled to $1.6 million. The staying feature of the Sydney autumn carried a $1million purse during the inaugural Championships this year, up from $500,000 last year. But Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club will contribute an extra $300,000 each to next year's race, the 150th running of the event, amid hopes of keeping some of the spring international contingent in Australia.
Balding's team down to one
Trainer Andrew Balding was forced to scratch defending Mackinnon Stakes champion Side Glance on Thursday, but was a little bit more upbeat about Melbourne Cup hopeful Lord Van Percy. Side Glance picked up a problem after his gallant Cox Plate run, leaving Balding's main spring hopes with Lord Van Percy, which needs to win the Lexus Stakes to qualify for Tuesday's Cup. "He's run well at York in the Ebor and that's probably a good guide to handling Flemington," he said.
Buffering in the mix for Hong Kong
Forty Australian-trained horses were among nominations for Hong Kong's international race day in December. Buffering, right, Rebel Dane and Moment Of Change were the notable entries among the nine local nominations for the International Sprint. Chris Waller nominated Hawkspur, Foreteller and Junoob for the Hong Kong Vase, which also included David Payne's Criterion. The dual group1 winner also headed the Australian list of entries for the Cup alongside Contributer, which was included with Waller's Boban and He's Your Man in the Mile. Hong Kong's big race day is on December 14.
