The Growing Popularity of Horse Riding as a hobby/sport

There is more to horseback riding than just merely sitting on top of the horse ...

How Smart Missile missed the cut and then made the Slipper

'The first day when we took him in with the pony, he had colts in yards alongside him. He could see them through the cracks and smell 'em. He had never seen the pony. He was restless. I put it down to him being a very horny sort of a horse, bully. I went to pass him up to Cameron to start his leading lessons and he took off. He reared on his hind legs like a stallion. He went bang, striking at him. I had to run in and drag him off. He banged me up against the wall and cut all me elbow open. We got the saddle horse out and he started to try to climb the wall, to get to his mates next door."

It's official: Caviar is the best

THE unbeaten Black Caviar is not only the fastest but also the best racehorse on the planet after the release of the World Thoroughbred Rankings yesterday.

HARNESS RACING

MONKEY BUSINESS

Golden glow: O'Shea at home among group 1 heavy hitters

John O'Shea is among the top trainers but is desperate for one of the big four, writes Chris Roots.

Celebrity stalker: Ryan wants Melito to hitch a ride to more group 1 glory

Astute trainer Gerald Ryan will send his multiple group 1-winning filly Melito on a stalking mission in a bid to end More Joyous's domination of Sydney racing. The two mares, along with five rivals, clash in Saturday's Queen Of The Turf Stakes at Rosehill.

FIFA challenge lapses

Football. Australia��s reluctance to back Chilean Elias Figueroa��s reform platform has contributed to his decision not to nominate for the presidency of FIFA. Figueroa, 62, had been identified by a social media lobby group, Change FIFA, as the best candidate to make a three-horse race of the contest between incumbent Sepp Blatter and challenger Mohammad Bin Hamman, which will be decided by FIFA��s 208 voting nations next month. But while the three-time South American

Martin hopeful Fibrillation can set pulses racing

ROSEHILL trainer Tim Martin couldn't pass up an opportunity for a shot at group 1 status with his filly Fibrillation set to do battle again with the VRC Oaks winner Brazilian Pulse at Rosehill on Saturday.

Hawkes targets a lucky day for rising staying star

MOONEE VALLEY

More Joyous takes another turn in spotlight

IF THERE was an award for best supporting actress this racing season, More Joyous would be an unbackable favourite - as she is in most of her races.

Trucking group sues to recoup costs of equine flu outbreak

Graeme Weidenhofer lost $5 million when he was ordered to cease trading, writes Leonie Lamont.

Triumphant return of the cavalry

Antony I. Ginnane delivers a lesson in crowd-pleasing with The Lighthorsemen, writes Jim Schembri.

Sepoy runs, Sepoy wins ��� simple

WHILE it is possible to make a case for most of the 16 runners in tomorrow's $3.5 million Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill, the over-riding factor that nullifies many of the arguments is simply this: SEPOY (No. 1) will run and so it is highly likely that Sepoy will win.

Slipper fits for Cassidy despite busted toe

A BUSTED right toe isn't about to stop Jim Cassidy from repaying the faith and nailing a Golden Slipper on Elite Falls for West Australian multi-millionaire Keith Biggs.

Mozzie threat to horses

A HUNTER Valley vet is warning horse owners to be vigilant following a growing number of horses being examined with unusual neurological signs possibly caused by mosquitoes.

Jets change offers peek at Knights' future: Culina

JETS coach Branko Culina said yesterday that Knights members only need look at the transformation of his club for proof of the benefits billionaire Nathan Tinkler can bring.

Ryder Stakes looms as battle of the big-hitters, says Rosehill veteran

The Golden Slipper may be the race but Saturday's George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill promises to be a classic contest, with New Zealand stars adding to the intrigue. Considered the ultimate lead into next month's $2 million Doncaster Mile, this group 1 weight-for-age feature over 1500 metres should not be lost in the Slipper hype. "It is enormous," John Nicholson said yesterday. "It is one of the great George Ryders for sure. If you follow thoroughbred racing, you are very hard to please if you think that is not a good race." Nicholson will officiate at the Slipper meeting for the 45th and final time because his role as racing manager at the Sydney Turf Club has been made redundant following the merger with the Australian Jockey Club. "It is definitely one of the best I've seen and we have had some real good ones," Nicholson said. "Personally, I think this year's Doncaster Mile is going to be a great contest and that always reflects on the George Ryder. The punters are going to have a ball with this race on Saturday." A field of 15 gallopers were paid up for the $400,000 race, including nine individual group 1 winners. They include the multiple group 1 victors Theseo, New Zealand milers Wall Street and King Mufhasa, and last year's winner Danleigh, which is lining up after his Chipping Norton Stakes victory. Last year's Doncaster Mile winner Rangirangdoo continues his path to defending his title, while Epsom Handicap winner Captain Sonador returns from Queensland. Adding further depth to the contest is last-start Coolmore Classic winner Aloha and the three-year-old group 1 winners Skilled and Ilovethiscity, which collected the Randwick Guineas at his most recent start. In a wide betting market, TAB Sportsbet had Aloha at $5.50 overnight, ahead of Triple Elegance and Ilovethiscity at $8.

A fair go for harmony

Two friends, more friends and a vibe, writes Anita Beaumont.

East Timor 'too small' for regional refugee centre

EAST Timor has reaffirmed its hostility to a refugee processing centre on its territory, even as the Gillard government insists it will still proceed with negotiations with the fledgling country over a plan labelled an embarrassing farce by the opposition.

Tales of the city

Every metropolis has its urban legends. John Birmingham reveals the stories - some funny, some dark - behind these well-known Sydney landmarks.