Blog

THE FORECAST: HONG KONG HEROES Hong Kong does racing differently. In this town the horses are heroes and the jockeys are celebrities, trainers are revered and racing is king. Race day is a celebration of the punt and punters take hard core to a new level – they live and breathe bet slips, beer gardens… Continue reading THE FORECAST: Hong Kong Heroes

THE FORECAST: BJORN AGAIN Who doesn’t love Bjorn Baker? All 6-foot3 of that mad half-Kiwi-half-Swede slam dunking celebration machine. Just add a few pints, a winner, and watch him go. He’s a bit of fun isn’t he? But crikey, can the man train a horse! Bjorn heads west again with his old mate OVERPASS on… Continue reading THE FORECAST: Bjorn Again

THE FORECAST: SPACE JUNK Did you know that Cranbourne has its own meteorite? I’m not talking about the new $1million sprint race on Saturday, it has a legit actual meteorite. Well, the plaster casts of a legit actual meteorite that hit earth about a 1000 years ago raining down on Cranbourne and nearby Devon Meadows… Continue reading THE FORECAST: Space Junk

THE FORECAST: ROAMIN’ IN ROMA It’s a Group 1 race day at my home track Caulfield, yet I won’t be hopping on the rattler and chugging up the Frankston line to soak in the action. No punters, I’m heading north, then west to the bustling metropolis that is Roma for the time-honoured Roma Cup. I’m… Continue reading THE FORECAST: Roamin’ in Roma

Spring Wrap 10 Horses to Follow from the Spring Ceolwulf – Not hard this one, but I think he could be the heir apparent to the best horse in Australia, Via Sistina. Love his turn of foot. Could be anything. Treasurethe Moment – Oaks winners don’t normally go on to great heights but I think… Continue reading THE SPRING WRAP – 10 Horses to follow from the Spring – Ben Clifton

THE FORECAST: NEW JOCKEY, WHO DIS? Racing can be a cruel game sometimes and the sacking of jockey Declan Bates from his long-time dance partner Pride of Jenni is a reminder of that. Horse and jockey splits happen every day, but high-profile changes always raise eyebrows especially when an owner makes a captain’s call. To… Continue reading THE FORECAST: New Jockey, Who Dis?

THE FORECAST: DERBY DAY DELIGHT Did you know the Derby – talking collectively here of the 20-odd races of that name run everywhere from Flemington to Bangalore and Budapest – earned it’s name after a coin toss? The Earl Of Derby and the Sir Charles Bunbury were both mad for a punt. (Unofficial) history suggests… Continue reading THE FORECAST: Derby Day

Weekend Wrap G1 Review Cox Plate Moonee Valley Race 9 – won by Via Sistina Date: 28/10/24 Race Overview – Very strong early tempo but they still ran home well. This race has rated through the roof. Smashed the track record. Horse Summary: Spring Champion Stakes Randwick Race 7 – won by El Castello. Date:… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – Cox Plate – Ben Clifton

THE FORECAST: COX PLATE MEMORIES For true racing fans, the Cox Plate is a real “where were you when” sort of race. the Melbourne Cup is the race that stops a nation, the race that changes lives, the race where winners become household names – if only for a week. But the Cox Plate is… Continue reading THE FORECAST: Cox Plate Memories

Weekend Wrap G1 Review Caulfield Cup Caulfield Race 9 – won by Duke De Sessa. Date: 21/10/24 Race Overview – Strong enough tempo. They got rolling early which found out a lot of horses. Massive margin to 3rd. Horse Summary: The Everest Randwick Race 7 – won by Bella Nipotina. Date: 21/10/24 Race Overview –… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – Everest and Caulfield Cup – Ben Clifton

THE FORECAST: EVEREST DREAMING Did you know that on average 4.5 people die trying to climb Everest each year? Eight have already died this year trying to make it to the top of the world’s biggest mountain. Seems a bit of a risk for what are essentially bragging rights if you make it to the… Continue reading THE FORECAST: Everest Dreaming

Weekend Wrap G1 Review Might And Power Stakes Caulfield Race 7 – won by Deny Knowledge Date: 14/10/24 Race Overview – They went at a good clip early, an obvious tactic to beat Mr Brightside who has shown vulnerabilities with that race shape particularly at 2000m. Horse Summary: Caufield Guineas Caulfield Race 8 – won… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – Deny Knowledge – Ben Clifton

THE FORECAST: GUINEAS DAY BABY The phrase “stallion making race” is thrown around a bit in racing circles, it seems that every Group 1 race has the power to turn a run of the mill young horse into Mr Golden Balls. Everyone with a two-bit share in a colt wants to win a stallion making… Continue reading THE FORECAST: Guineas Day Baby!

Weekend Wrap G1 Review Turnbull Stakes Flemington Race 8 – won by Via Sistina. Date: 07/10/24 Race Overview – Decent early tempo with Duke De Sessa and Eliyass taking up the early speed. Late sections were ok, not great, but they were entitled to get tired in the testing conditions. Horse to Follow: Flight Stakes… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – Via Sistina – Ben Clifton

THE FORECAST: MOVING DAY I’ve only ever moved house once. It wasn’t great. I did all the work and spent the next week moving things around the new house in a never ending game of furniture Tetris that very nearly put me in an institution. In Quebec, Canada’s favourite city, they celebrate moving house on… Continue reading THE FORECAST: Moving Day

 Weekend Wrap G1 Review Golden Rose Rosehill Race 8 – won by Broadsiding Date: 28/9/24 Race Overview – Race has rated pretty well without going huge. This has always looked like a vintage year of 3yo’s and this is the best of them. Horses to Follow: Broadsiding – Market backed this horse as if it… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – Broadsiding – Ben Clifton

THE FORECAST: AND THEN THERE WERE TWO It’s AFL Grand Final weekend, otherwise known as Puntapalooza (responsibly) with wall-to-wall racing and footy, a same-game multi paradise, a weekend to link together an unlikely number of horses in a life-changing Hail Mary bet across three days with confidence. I can’t bloody wait. Fitting then that on… Continue reading THE FORECAST: And Then There Were Two

Weekend Wrap Star Performer of the week Randwick Race 5 – won by Eliyass. Date: 21/09/24 Race Overview – This race has absolutely flown. They have gone out a good tempo and still come home very well. This will be potent. Horses to Follow: Eliyass – Putting together some massive figures. Can win a big… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – Eliyass – Ben Clifton

 Weekend Wrap Star Performer of the week Rosehill Race 8 – won by Traffic Warden. Date: 14/09/24 Race Overview – They didn’t go overly quick early but really good late sectionals. Horses to Follow: Traffic Warden – Just keeps improving. Had shown ability early in its career but never produced a figure like this. Could… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – Traffic Warden – Ben Clifton

THE FORECAST: TIME FOR THE MSG A thought occurred to me while sitting through a particularly mundane session at a racing and wagering conference during the week. If you’re going to bring on an expert panel to talk about some boring-ass regulatory topic, at least introduce them with a bit of pizzaz. “Ladies and gentlemen.… Continue reading THE FORECAST: MSG

 Weekend Wrap Star Performer of the week Randwick Race 7 – won by I Am Me Date: 07/09/24 Race Overview – They went out only fairly for the 1000m in this class but really motored late. The first 3 home were all rails in run. Horses to Follow: I Am Me – Always shown G1… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – I Am Me- Ben Clifton

THE FORECAST: DON’T SLEEP ON COLEMAN Well, we kind of predicted the future in this column last week when I suggested Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside would be turned over by a party-spiling villain, just not sure that anyone could put Enver “Everybody’s Mate” Jusufovic into the villain category. But Saturday is another day,… Continue reading THE FORECAST: Coleman

 Weekend Wrap Star Performer of the week Caulfield Race 2 – won by Craig Date: 31/08/24 Race Overview – They ran this race before the wind took ahold of the day so I wouldn’t be comparing times to laaater in the day but this race has gone well regardless. Out pretty quick and ran home… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – Craig – Ben Clifton

THE FORECAST: VILLAINOUS TIMES As excited as racing fans will be to see PRIDE OF JENNI and MR BRIGHTSIDE back on track in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday, I’m wondering if anyone else is secretly hoping for a villain to spoil the party. Sure, we all love to watch great horses, but we… Continue reading THE FORECAST: Villainous Times

Weekend Wrap Spring is in the air. Star Performer of the week Randwick Race 7 – won by Joliestar. Date: 24/08/24 Race Overview – Only moderate early tempo but late sectionals were amazing. This is potent. Joliestar – Although she is already a G1 winner it looks like her time has arrived. Potentially in the… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – Jolie Star – Ben Clifton

THE FORECAST: HAVIN’ A CAPTAIN COOK You wouldn’t believe it. While meandering my way down the Queensland coast I found myself in 1770 this morning looking for a rock to throw a line off. The normally sleepy coastal hamlet was frothing with grey haired tourists, mad keen and single minded and heading for the Captain… Continue reading THE FORECAST: Havin’ a Capt Cook

 Weekend Wrap The sun is out and the good horses are back! Star Performer of the week Rosehill Race 1 – won by Autumn Glow. Date: 17/08/24 Race Overview – They went out really quick and came home well. Overall time good, margins, good late sectionals, this race ticks all the boxes. Autumn Glow –… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – Autumn Glow – Ben Clifton

THE FORECAST: MORE THAN A GAME How bloody good were video games in the 1980s? Mario Brothers, Legend of Zelda, Dig Dug, Punch Out, the list goes on. Wonder Boy fits snuggly into this category, and while there are some dubious story lines across the field, Wonder Boy was particularly thin. The premise (for those… Continue reading THE FORECAST: More Than A Game

  Weekend Wrap Bit of a down week before the good horses step out next week but still plenty of horses to follow. Star Performer of the week Randwick Race 5- won by Our Kobison Date: 10/08/24 Race Overview – They went out only moderately but scooted home quickly. Our Kobison – Is building a… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – Our Kobison – Ben Clifton

Weekend Wrap Feels like the calm before storm with the good horses set to be returning in the next few weeks. Star Performer of the week Flemington Race 4 – won by Maotai Date: 03/08/24 Race Overview – A real struggle to identify a race of the week so I picked the best rating race… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – Maotai – Ben Clifton

THE FORECAST: DIGITAL LOVE It’s probably never been easier to buy a winner than it is in 2024. Buying a share in a racehorse always comes with an element of risk, but the massive rise of online sales platforms like Inglis Digital mean that the average Joe or Joanne punter, can bid to buy all… Continue reading THE FORECAST: Digital Love

  Weekend Wrap Sprinkling of horses that have Spring aspirations and some maiden winners to follow. Star Performer of the week Caulfield Race 1 – won by I Am Velvet Date: 27/07/24 Race Overview – Hard to compare times to the races later in the day due to the deteriorating track, but there was plenty… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – I am Velvet – Ben Clifton

THE FORECAST: WHEN WINTER IS SPRING (SORT OF)   Have a look at the weather forecast for the next week – in Melbourne anyway. it’s fair dinkum polar. If I see a couple penguins and some elk wandering down the street or some Jamaicans in a bobsled next week on a morning run, I won’t… Continue reading THE FORECAST: WHEN WINTER IS SPRING (SORT OF)

  Weekend Wrap Some horses to follow from this column delivered over the weekend. Star Performer of the week Belmont Race 1 – won by Jokers Grin. Date: 20/07/24 Race Overview – What I love about this race is the late sectionals and the style of the winner, Jokers Grin. Last 400m in 22.04 is… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – Jokers Grin – Ben Clifton

THE FORECAST: BELIEVE!   There’s patience, and then there is absolute steadfast one-eyed unwavering belief.   I reckon the owners of BARAQIEL fit into the latter category when you think about how long they waited to see their horse get to the race track. Bought for $150,000 at the Magic Millions in January of 2020,… Continue reading THE FORECAST: BELIEVE!

  Weekend Wrap A bit of a lull before the good horses are back but still plenty of horses to follow from this weekend’s racing.   Star Performer of the week Caulfield Race 3 – won by Manolo Bling Date: 06/07/24 Race Overview – 2yo’s not normally my go but this race has rated really… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – Show the Bling – Ben Clifton

THE FORECAST: GROUNDHOG DAY   What about Bill Murray. Consider the body of work he has produced over the journey.   Caddyshack. Ghostbusters. Lost In Translation. Stripes. The Life Aquatic. Kingpin. The man is a genius. 73-years old. Absolute genuine bloody American national treasure.   Don’t forget Groundhog Day. What a flick. Anyone who can… Continue reading THE FORECAST: THE GUESSING GAME

  Weekend Wrap There were a few promising horses running over the weekend. Some enhanced their reputation whilst others had their bubble burst.   Star Performer of the week Flemington Race 2 – won by Berkshire Breeze Date: 06/07/24 Race Overview – They went out at a strong tempo but came home well for the… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – Ben Clifton

THE FORECAST: PHAAAAAAR OUT   Way back when I was in Year 11, I knew a girl named Nicole who was someone connected to a horse called Pharein.   I can’t exactly remember how Nicole was connected to Pharein, might have been through her boyfriend’s family or something like that, but I do remember that… Continue reading THE FORECAST: THE GUESSING GAME

Weekend Wrap There was a proven G1 star in action on the weekend and plenty of promising young horses to showcase.   Group 1 Racing – Tatts Tiara Eagle Farm Race 8 – Won by Bella Nipotina Date: 29/06/24 Race Overview – As you would expect in a Group 1 they went out at a… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – Ben Clifton

THE FORECAST: THE GUESSING GAME   I’m a fan of Jane Bunn. It’s an art to deliver relatively banal – yet important – content with just the right intonation that keeps the viewer hooked, absorbed and intrigued, but without eliciting any emotion at all other than a want to hang on and endure for a… Continue reading THE FORECAST: THE GUESSING GAME

 The Weekend Wrap There was no Group 1 racing over the weekend but lets have a look back at some of the best performances. Morphettville Race 2 – Won by Riche D’Amour. Date: 22/06/24 Race Overview – They went out quick in this race but, more importantly, they also came home quick. Well inside standard with… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – Ben Clifton