2025 Calaway Gal Stakes: Shaun Dwyer with Dragonne Rouge
Shaun Dwyer enjoyed his 67th birthday on Monday and the wily Sunshine Coast trainer would love nothing better than to cap celebrations with a victory over the big stables in the Listed Calaway Gal Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The Group 1-winning trainer will saddle up $7.50 chance Dragonne Rouge in the $200,000 contest over 1200m for 2YO fillies, a precursor to the start of the Queensland Winter Carnival on Saturday week.
She will go up against the likes of the Tony Gollan-trained star Hi Barbie ($2.90), fellow unbeaten filly Ha'penny Hatch (4.80), trained by Paul Shailer on the Gold Coast, and the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Headbanger ($6).
• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Dwyer is hoping he can win another Group 1 – 21 years after his last – with Dragonne Rouge, who will be targeted towards the $1m JJ Atkins (1600m) on June 14 at Eagle Farm if she can continue the brilliant start to her fledgling career (two starts, two wins).
In his heyday, Dwyer had about 80 horses in work, winning the 2004 Lightning Stakes with flying filly Regimental Gal, the 'Toowoomba Tornado' who the year before captured the rich Magic Millions 2YO Classic on the Gold Coast.
These days, Dwyer's stable numbers have dwindled to about 15 and he has become the hunter rather than the hunted.
'I was a big stable once, I had 80-odd horses at Deagon there for a while,' Dwyer said.
'Those premier trainers, you've got to keep it in reality. They've got a lot of horses and the more they get, the better quality they get and they don't come for nothing.
'It's always good to get a horse (Dragonne Rouge) with that sort of ability. She's just so strong to the line and that's what you want.'
• 'I was a bit green': Healey's time to shine after Alligator Blood regret
Dwyer said he was quietly confident his filly could win on Saturday under the guidance of Andrew Mallyon, who takes the ride in the absence of Damien Thornton (who is riding Ha'penny Hatch) and Michael Rodd (Isti Star).
'When you've got a small team, you're hoping everything goes right and you've done the job,' he said.
'Fortunately I've been here a few times in my life and, yeah, I am pretty confident that if she can get the right ride then she'll go good.
'I think Andrew Mallyon is the ideal rider because he likes those midfield travels and he lets his horses find their feet.'
• Video 'crystal clear' on animal cruelty allegation: lawyer
Dwyer believed the wide expanse of Eagle Farm would suit Dragonne Rouge even better than her last-start victory at Doomben this month when she wore down odds-on favourite Get Ready Lass over 1110m to get the cash on a soft track.
'We've had the benefit of a couple of solid runs,' Dwyer said.
'I've got no doubt that the 1200m at Eagle Farm is probably going to suit her a lot better.
'She can just travel around on the bit and let down. I think her times the other day (at Doomben) were very good.'
Originally published as Sunshine Coast trainer Shaun Dwyer puts a Dragonne Rouge victory in the 2025 Calaway Gal Stakes at the top of his birthday list
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Herald Sun
6 hours ago
- Herald Sun
John Leek Jr probed over The Storyteller tubing allegation
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Racing Victoria stewards are investigating Pakenham trainer John Leek Jr in relation to alleged race day treatment of a horse, The Storyteller. The Storyteller was scratched by Order of Stewards last Thursday from a 3100m Benchmark 70 at Warrnambool after Leek Jnr was intercepted roadside en route to the track. Race day stewards opened and adjourned an inquiry into the 'circumstances surrounding the late scratching' of The Storyteller, a $4.40 chance at the time in pre-race markets. Racing Victoria (RV) has confirmed The Storyteller-Leek Jnr investigation remains ongoing. Leek Jnr politely declined to comment on the stewards' inquiry and allegations when contacted by this masthead on Tuesday, in respect of the 'ongoing investigation'. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! This masthead established RV investigative and intelligence unit stewards, Compliance Assurance Team (CAT), approached Leek Jnr parked roadside near Terang last Thursday. Leek Jnr was allegedly found in possession of equipment which could be used for stomach-tubing the horse. This masthead understands roadside comments from Leek Jnr form part of the stewards' evidence. The CAT stewards wear police-style standard body cameras during integrity operations. This masthead does not suggest Leek Jnr is guilty of any alleged breach, only that RV stewards are investigating an event roadside, which led to an ordered withdrawal of The Storyteller last Thursday. • Blackbookers: Horses to follow during the depths of winter RV would not be drawn on whether the CAT team targeted Leek Jnr specifically, as part of a regular covert surveillance operations, or coincidently drove past the parked horse float at the opportune time. The CAT stewards conduct random and targeted investigations to uphold Victorian racing integrity. Under Australian Rules of Racing (AR255) stomach-tubing or being involved in such activity is banned on the day of a race, trial or jumpout, without stewards' permission. The process involves a tube being fed through a horse's nose, down the throat and into the stomach, to administer sodium-bicarbonate dissolved in water. The 'milkshake' is said to reduce lactic acid and help a horse run further with less fatigue. A minimum 12-month disqualification is mandatory, in absence of special circumstances, if a person is found guilty of 'stomach-tubing or attempted stomach-tubing' on race day or one clear day prior. The Storyteller has an acceptance to race in a 2238m Benchmark 64 on Thursday at Sale. The four-year-old Roc De Cambes gelding, purchased for $25,000 out of an online sale in late April, has won three of five starts and more than $60,000 prizemoney for part-owner Leek Jnr and connections since the digital auction. Originally published as Racing Victoria stewards probe The Storyteller stomach-tubing allegation against Pakenham trainer John Leek Jr
The Australian
10 hours ago
- The Australian
Warwick Farm tips, inside mail for Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Form expert Adam Sherry analyses the seven-race card at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, presenting his best bets, quaddie picks and inside mail. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ WARWICK FARM TIPS BEST BET Race 4 No.5 TAZIMA: Nice fourth at his Australian debut. Extra trip suits. NEXT BEST Race 6 No.1 CASSIEL: Runner-up in Saturday grade last start. Can bounce back. VALUE BET Race 3 No.7 AROHA STONE: Back in grade and distance. Very unlucky here two runs back. QUADDIE Race 4: 5, 9 Race 5: 1, 8, 10 Race 6: 1, 5, 6 Race 7: 5, 10, 13 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW James McDonald is back in town and can take out the TAB Jockey Challenge. LAY OF THE DAY Race 2 No.6 THE STARS: Drawn wide in an open race. A worthy risk at anything less than $4. WARWICK FARM INSIDE MAIL RACE 1: 2&3yo Maiden Handicap (1600m) INDIGO STAR (2) was no match for Stardeel but worked home okay for second over 1100m first-up on the Kensington. Raced three-wide without cover when third to Invisible Magic over 1400m last start. Looks like he will appreciate the step up to the mile. RASP (6) was third at Ballarat at his first run for a new stable before a good closing third at Bendigo over 1400m. Was fourth to Broadsiding in the Fernhill at his only go at this trip. DOLLARS (8) didn't have a lot of luck when beaten as favourite at Coffs Harbour. Handy second at Newcastle last start over this trip. BET: INDIGO STAR (2) to win. RACE 2: 2&3yo Maiden Plate (1100m) DUKE ATREIDES (8), the half-brother to Best Of Bordeaux, started favourite on debut when a two-length fourth to the very promising San Giovanni who won again on the weekend. This colt will take improvement from the run and drawn to be prominent. KOKATAHI (10) was good on debut when a three-quarter length third to Central Coast over 1250m at Canterbury on June 18. Followed up with a handy third to Tomato Toastie at Randwick on July 12. Back to maiden grade. THE STARS (6) placed at her last two runs on last campaign and returned with a second to Samarelle at Newcastle. BET: DUKE ATREIDES (8) each-way. RACE 3: Fillies & Mares Benchmark 72 (1600m) AROHA STONE (7) was something beaten here two runs back when badly held up before finishing a nose behind Covert Thinking. Up in grade and found a strongly run 1800m tough when seventh to Aberlour. Back in grade and back to the mile suits. AUDREY'S LANE (3) resumed from an eight month lay-off with a handy second to Bella Corazon when giving away 3kg. With the benefit of that run, she came from midfield to beat the in-form California Secret at Newcastle. AUTUMN DREAM (6) was very good winning at Kembla last start. Ready to step up to city company. BET: AROHA STONE (7) each-way. RACE 4: Colts, Horses & Geldings Benchmark 72 (1600m) TAZIMA (5) settled three back on the rails before running home strongly late for a three-quarter length fourth to Sammy Conquers All over 1400m on the Kensington at his Australian debut. Won over 2011m at his second and last run in England. FIORSUM FRED (9) was very unlucky at Tamworth two starts ago when held up. He finished eighth to Rajnish but should has gone close to winning. Jumped up in grade and beaten less than three lengths behind Boys Night out in the South Grafton Cup. Drops back sharply in grade and only goes up 2kg. PINK SHALALA (4) and KAPAKIRI (2) have claims. BET: TAZIMA (5) to win. RACE 5: Benchmark 72 (2200m) NAVAL COMMISSION (1) should have run a place at the very least at Rosehill last start when held at two vital stages in the last 150m and finishing fifth behind Good Banter. Placed at his previous three runs as he was building in trip. Winner at this track and distance. HOVLAND (8) was beaten a nose second-up at Gosford before a nice win from Magicon over 1800m at Hawkesbury. Stepped up in class when a length fifth to Monarchs Brae on a heavy track at Canterbury. Up to 2200m for the first time and the blinkers come off. MAGICON (10) has been racing well and scored a deserved win over this trip at Grafton last start. BET: NAVAL COMMISSION (1) to win. RACE 6: Benchmark 72 (1000m) CASSIEL (1) was kicked off his campaign with a good wins at Canterbury on Apr 21 and at Hawkesbury on June 17. Denied the hat-trick when stepping up to Saturday grade when runner-up to Bundeena in a Bm78 at Randwick. Back in grade and hard to beat. MABEL (6) hasn't won since Nov 2023 but she has run some good races. Was a nose second to Angel Fund in a Randwick Midway in January and was a little unlucky when fourth to Bundeena at Randwick last start. JAMBALAYA (5) resumes after a stylish trial win here on July 8. Has a win and two placings from his three fresh runs. BET: CASSIEL (1) to win. RACE 7: Benchmark 72 (1300m) GOLDEN STRAAND (10) was a little green on debut when a length second to Sapphire Rose at Wyong before breaking through with a big Super Maiden win at Gosford. Jumped up to a Bm72 with a game second to Diddle Dumpling at Rosehill. THE REPLICANT (13) hasn't won since beaten Bluff 'N' Bluster over 1400m here on Oct 2, 2023 but is rarely far away. Placed his last two at Canterbury and drawn ideally. AFRICAN DAISY (5) ended an 889-day drought in winning a Rosehill Midway last start. BET: GOLDEN STRAAND (10) to win.
The Australian
10 hours ago
- The Australian
2024 Cox Plate runner-up Prognosis retired to stud
Star galloper Prognosis has run his last race and is set to be retired to stud. The Japanese galloper, who beat all but Via Sistina in last year's Cox Plate, injured a sesamoid ligament while preparing for a return to racing. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'After finishing second in the Hong Kong G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup in April, he had been ridden in preparation for his comeback, but swelling was observed in his right front leg and examination revealed inflammation in the sesamoid ligament,' a statement read. 'After considering the need for a long period of rest and the risk of recurrence, the decision was made to retire him. Discussions are underway with the aim of him becoming a breeding stallion in the future.' While never saluting at Group 1 level, the son of legendary stallion Deep Impact went close in some big races with placings behind the likes of Romantic Warrior and Equinox. His trainer Mitsumasa Nakauchida is certain Prognosis has a bright future in the next stage of his career. 'He came in second in his last race (Queen Elizabeth II Cup) and has always performed well no matter where he was,' Nakauchida said. 'I think he has done really well up until now. He will become a breeding stallion in the future and I believe he will pass on his strengths to his offspring.'
