Racing Australia has listed Chris Waller as the new trainer of Single Gaze, surprising the Canberra racing community.

The former Nick Olive-trained Group 1 winner was recently farewelled from the capital after being sold to Japan’s Northam Stud as a broodmare.

Olive told Tab Radio’s Steve Hewlett that “it was a bit of a shock for all of us involved to be honest”.

Olive said they were “approached to sell her privately, we decided to sell her on the proviso she would be going to stud in Japan”

Canberra’s Keith Dryden-Scott Collings training partnership maintain a 10 win lead in the ACT Trainer Premiership with just two meetings of the 2017-18 racing season remaining.

Pipped at the post last year on the final race day, a first premiership for Collings and another for Dryden would be richly deserved.

They’ve delivered 29 winners at Canberra at a strike rate of 22% delivering more than $571,000 in prize money.

At all venues the partnership has recorded 43 winners in the season this far one fewer than their first year tally as a combination.

Canberra’s Luke Pepper stable is in a good space and has been enjoying plenty of recent success.  

SHEZACRAFTSMAN has been leading the charge scoring at both runs for the yard. She is one of a number of former Kiwi’s with Pepper who were brought as future broodmares by Gold Class Racing.

“She came to us with pretty moderate form in New Zealand over a mile and further but has blossomed in our system,” Pepper said.

 “She’s regained her zest for racing.”

The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) today announced that Canberra will join racing history when it plays host to the iconic 18-carat gold Lexus Melbourne Cup in 2018.

Canberra was revealed as a Tour destination at a special event in Richmond, Melbourne, joining 36 other cities and towns across the globe that will be part of the 16^th annual Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour. 

Canberra Racing Club Business and Marketing Manager Briony Young said being part of the Tour will be an unforgettable experience.