Michael Manley

Brisbane, Melbourne

Journalist at Freelance

Freelance Journalist at Junee Southern Cross

Racing/Sports writer. Tiger tragic. Music lover.

Articles

Brideoake's equine extravaganza

2 weeks ago | racing.com | Michael Manley |Edward Sadler

As David Brideoake nears the end of his training career, he has no regrets about his decision to hang up his binoculars at the conclusion of this season, with his team of horses to be entrusted with his future son-in-law Matt Laurie. "The industry's been great for me, I've had a really good time and a lot of success," Brideoake reflected. "The kids have got involved and now my daughter Kate and Matt Laurie, they're going through an expansion stage, so it's probably a good time to amalgamate.
Yellow Sam from death's door to win

2 weeks ago | racing.com | Edward Sadler |Michael Manley

Trainer Lindsey Smith has revealed that his Golden Topaz winner Yellow Sam was close to death late last year. The five-year-old mare, who scored first-up at Swan Hill last week to give Smith his second win in the race behind Triple Missile in 2022, hadn't raced since October 2024. "When she pulled up after she won at Bendigo last October, she reacted like she had colic. I dropped her at the Bendigo vets and then they transferred her to Ballarat," Smith said.
Robbie Laing's big wins

2 weeks ago | racing.com | Michael Manley

ROBBIE’S ROLL CALL GROUP 1 WINNERS Perfect Bliss (1983 Thousand Guineas) Pantani (2002 SA Derby, 2004 Adelaide Cup) Roman Arch (2006 Australian Cup) Polanski (2013 VRC Derby) OTHER HORSES OF NOTE Lord of the Sky – G1 placed in 2015 TJ Smith & 2015 Goodwood; won Standish, Sir John Monash, Bletchingly Stars of Carrum – G1 placed in 2018 Victoria Derby Missrock – G1 placed in 2017 & 2018 Goodwood & 2018 Black Caviar Lightning Divine Secret – G1 placed 2003 Blue Diamond So Si Bon – G1 placed in...
Laing the 'Pro Hart' of trainers

2 weeks ago | racing.com | Michael Manley

Pat Carey likened his old mate and fellow trainer Robbie Laing to legendary artist Pro Hart in the unique way he approached his craft. Carey knew Laing for 50 years and said he was privileged to have known him for that period. Carey said Laing was one of a kind in terms of his training and he practised what he had learnt from the old school of trainers who used to reside at the Epsom and Mordialloc training centres. “He was unique. There was no limit to him.
Vale Robbie Laing

2 weeks ago | racing.com | Michael Manley

Racing is mourning the loss of five-time Group 1-winning trainer Robbie Laing overnight at the age of 66 after he passed away in his sleep. Only hours earlier, Laing was at Flemington saddling up what was to be his final runner El Soleado, who finished second in the final event at $51. His last winner was Factcheck at the Warrnambool May racing carnival.
Maverick's legacy will live on

2 weeks ago | racing.com | Michael Manley

Describing Robbie Laing as a maverick might be under-selling him as he was truly one of a kind. Laing ran his own race as a trainer and was more than happy to back his own judgement. He loved nothing more than being able to recount when he trained Sir Pentire to win the Grand Annual Steeplechase first-up or the Australian Steeplechase with Mazzacano also first-up.
Memorable HQ win for pair

2 weeks ago | racing.com | Michael Manley

The victory of Marble Nine in the final race at Flemington, the VRC Country Race Day Sprint, proved to be a significant one in the careers of apprentice jockey Hannah Edgley and co-trainer Will Larkin, with each recording their first Flemington winner. Larkin, who is co-trainer alongside Leon and Troy Corstens, said Flemington had proven to be his hoodoo track. “I’ve ticked off all the other city tracks. This one has been a bit of a hoodoo, so it’s great that I’ve ticked it off,” Larkin said.
Spring plan for Treasurethe Moment

3 weeks ago | racing.com | Michael Manley

Matt Laurie intends to follow the traditional spring path with his champion three-year-old filly Treasurethe Moment before deciding on whether she will tackle the Caulfield Cup or the Cox Plate. The rising four-year-old mare has returned to Laurie’s stables and he’s thrilled with her condition. “She’s been trotting on the treadmill on the incline. She’s ready to have a saddle put on her and begin cantering work,” Laurie said.
Shockletz in a thriller at HQ

3 weeks ago | racing.com | Michael Manley

Pre-race Harry Coffey suggested to the owners of Shockletz that it would be an easy watch for them taking out the Country Racing It’s Got It All Trophy (2000m, 3yo). As it turned out Coffey got the winning prediction correct, but on returning to the connections he was a bit sheepish as in his words: “It was far from an easy watch.”“Before the race I told them don’t panic, I'll handle it. It will be an easy watch.
Oh Too Good just gets better

3 weeks ago | racing.com | Michael Manley

Australia's smallest trainer Kevin Daffy struggled for words after the only member of his stable Oh Too Good lived up to her name when she ran out an easy winner of the VOBIS Gold Mile (1600m) at Flemington. Daffy was almost lost for words and kept saying the occasion was "indescribable". “That’s my first metro winner and to do it here at Flemington. This wasn’t in my wildest dream,” Daffy said. “Just winning her first race as a maiden was enough for me at Pakenham.