Randwick inside mail: Barbara Joseph eyes Big Dance success as 50th milestone looms
Barbara Joseph, aka the Queen of Bombala, will see off another racing season with a couple of live chances at Royal Randwick on Saturday, the same venue as her memorable Doncaster win in 1989 with Merimbula Bay.
• 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!
'Mum had her first starter at Bombala on the fifth of October in 1975,'' son Paul Jones said.
'It's name was Howitt Park, hence her property at Bombala is named that.'
It won.
Howitt Park was to become the first of more than 1000 winners trained by Joseph from Bong Bong to Fannie Bay in Darwin, granting Joseph her 'Cups Queen' status.
'We've lost count of the number of cups she has won, either on her own or in the partnership, because for a while there she was winning every cup.
'She's won the Bombala Cup so many times, Cooma Cups, I think she won five, six or seven Bega Cups.
'She's got a big, beautiful trophy cabinet of all the notable trophies that she's won, a Snake Gully Cup, she won that a few times, Wagga Cup, she won that in 2000 and again not long after.'
Barbara Joseph is closing in on her 50th anniversary as a trainer, her Big Dance prospect Super Helpful is a runner at Randwick on Saturday (top right) and Joseph with jockey Darren Beadman after a win in 1996. Main picture: Jonathan Ng
Then there's all the Canberra Cups, the Darwin Cup and of course the spoils of Merimbula Bay's Doncaster.
Overcrowded as it may be, Joseph would be only too happy to accommodate space for The Big Dance silverware should Team J J R's 2023 Big Dance placegetter Super Helpful rise to the occasion on the first Tuesday of November.
• Thompson has strong hand to cap off outstanding season
The $20,000 yearling whose earnings are within sight of $1m is back at HQ on Saturday, two weeks after his forgettable, and forgivable, failure there.
'He stood there and stepped back when they jumped and missed the start by four,'' Jones said.
'We gave him a 400m jumpout the Wednesday after and he pinged the lids. Billy Owen rode him for me in the jumpout and said he won't be missing it next time.'
Jones, meanwhile, is bullish about the chances of last-start Narrandera winner Cougars in The Agency Real Estate Handicap (1300m).
'Don't underestimate this horse,'' Jones warned.
'He is working with our best horses, (Australian Oaks runner-up) Sun 'N' Sand and he works with Super Helpful and he probably has the wood on them when he sits in front of them.'
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
BEST BET
CIGAR FLICK (race 8) hasn't won since June 29 last year at Eagle Farm when Tommy Berry rode her as was the case in her last two at Randwick and Rosehill where horse and rider can count themselves as unlucky. Fair to say, that this 'niece' and stablemate of Fangirl is a magnet for bad luck but she is a genuine black-type performer. All in all, she is too good to be priced at $12.
• 'I'll miss the team': Cummings prepares for emotional farewell
BEST VALUE
VERY SEWREEL (race 6) is a daughter of Sewreel who won the Oaks Prelude in NZ when Murray Baker had her. Sewreel crossed the Tasman and had four runs our side of the ditch (for son Bjorn) including a third on the Belle Of The Turf. Her Snitzel daughter Very Sewreel was runner-up in the Tassie Oaks for Tulloch Lodge and her debut run for (Bjorn) Baker here two weeks ago had so much merit, most of it hidden. Talented type.
EARLY QUADDIE
RACE 3: 6, 7, 8
RACE 4: 1, 2, 3, 8
RACE 5: 1, 2
RACE 6: 5, 9
QUADDIE
RACE 7: 4, 6, 7, 11
RACE 8: 4
RACE 9: 4, 10, 18
RACE 10: 3, 5, 6, 9
PRICE CHECK
RUBY FLYER (race 5) went off at $51 first-up at Rosehill on July 5 and beat one home but there is a good reason why he was $19 (on Friday morning) for this. First of all, he ran through the line with a bit of purpose there when resuming so we can suggest he has come back in good nick. Next off, he is a second-up winner, a Randwick winner and best of all, his numbers at the mile are four wins and two thirds from seven goes. Gets in nicely now with the 3kg off.
SECTIONAL STARS
KINGSTON CHARM (race 2) was bred by Cathy Hains, the daughter of Kingston Town's owner/breeder David. As her name suggests, Kingston Charm is from one of the great families of the Stud Book that include Melbourne Cup winner, Kingston Rule. As for Kingston Charm, she is more a miler than a two-miler and provided the track plays fair on the weekend, she will be launching her bid hard and fast as was the case when an unlucky second in the July 12 Midway here.
• Untapped talent chasing another win at Randwick on Saturday
RANTAN (race 9) is one of two runners at HQ on Saturday for the Hall of Famer, Ron Quinton. Now if they both happened to win, Quinton would have trained exactly 100 winners at Royal Randwick. God knows how many winners he rode here/there! As for Rantan, she has been racing without much luck this preparation but we know from all the way back to her 900m debut win at Newcastle that she has a booming finish when clear.
TRIAL POINTERS
SHAGGY (race 1) is fast! Very fast! Remember he ran 45 seconds to win his 800m debut by almost six lengths. Hard to know what this exorbitant rail placement means on the day but surely barrier one, first use of the track, with an 11m rail out, can only boost Shaggy's already undeniable winning prospects. Won a Beaumont heat on July 9 – nicely.
STARMAN (race 7) may not be every punter's cup of tea. To be fair to the horse, he is somewhere in between a non-winner and perennially unlucky. If you consider that he has placed five times in 11 Randwick runs then he is probably worth a look at $4 the place and $18 the win for the brave ones.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Australian
27 minutes ago
- The Australian
Tony Gollan reveals his Melbourne and Sydney spring carnival team and target races
Tony Gollan has assembled one of his largest teams to attack the southern spring carnivals, with a formidable five-horse support squad set to join headline traveller Antino. Antino's Cox Plate path is well documented but the champion Queensland trainer will also have sprinters Zarastro and Golden Boom along with Transatlantic and Freedom Rally heading for Melbourne spring missions. • 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! Elite mare Floozie, who won four straight when joining Gollan and then started favourite in the Group 1 Tatt's Tiara, is likely to be deployed in Sydney during the spring. Queensland's star trainer reveals the main goals he has in mind for his touring support squad which will have multiple Group 1 winner and Cox Plate second betting pick Antino as the marquee act. • Vandyke eyes first Victorian spring since Alligator Blood heroics ZARASTRO This is the sprinter who went within a pimple of giving young jockey Angela Jones her first Group 1, being denied by the barest of margins when being run down by a flying Joliestar in the Kingsford Smith Cup during the Queensland winter carnival. 'You might see us head towards the Group 1 Manikato Stakes and then potentially head to Sydney for the Sydney Stakes which is on Everest day,' Gollan said. 'Or we might even look to get him out to 1400m. 'I've got plenty of options with him, but I do want to try him again at Group 1 level at some stage during the spring.' TRANSATLANTIC Gollan has openly said for the last 12 months that Transatlantic has the capability to follow a similar trajectory as two-time Group 1 winning star Antino. Transatlantic didn't finish near them in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap when sneaking into the field but Gollan insists he is a proper horse. 'I'm pretty keen for him to do a pretty similar preparation to Antino in 2023, head towards a Toorak Handicap and then possibly finish in the $2m Five Diamonds in Sydney,' Gollan said. 'This horse has excited me for a while. 'I think a mile is probably his go and possibly further.' Transatlantic may follow a similar path as Antino. Picture: Trackside Photography • Stable switch: Exciting Queensland filly bound for Victoria GOLDEN BOOM The sharp sprinter who has banked more than $1m in prizemoney had one run in Melbourne last spring when finishing runner-up to Mornington Glory in the Listed Carlyon Stakes at The Valley. He was well beaten in the Jimmysstar's Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield in February and hasn't been at the races since, but brained them in a Deagon trial earlier this week. 'He will head to the same race he was in last year, the Carlyon, and then hopefully go to the Group 1 Moir Stakes,' Gollan said. 'Whereas last year I just went to the one race in Melbourne for him, because he was coming off a winter preparation. 'This year we are fresh into a spring carnival preparation. 'After the Moir there are more options for him if he is going well.' Golden Boom (blue and white colours) will target the Moir Stakes. Picture: Trackside Photography • 'She is so humble': Proud mum revels in daughter's premiership feat FREEDOM RALLY Gollan has given this $1m earner three attempts at Group 1 level and he has been unplaced at each. However, he is keen to try something different this spring. 'We want to try to get him out to 2000m this preparation,' Gollan said. 'Whether that be in Melbourne or in Sydney, I don't really have a grand Group 1 goal for him. 'I probably just want to try to get him out in trip, under the top level. 'He will go to Melbourne in the first instance and his first two runs will be there.' Freedom Rally could be tried over 2000m. Picture: Trackside Photography • Bookmaker reveals biggest winners and losers in 2024-25 FLOOZIE The mare was one of the finds of the winter carnival, turning into a winning machine for Gollan after heading north from Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr who trained her in Victoria. She looked the one to beat in the Group 1 Tatt's Tiara, but finished fifth after looking like she had come to the end of her preparation. 'Later in the spring, you will see this mare head down to Sydney,' Gollan said. 'She will have two to three runs before she has a break with next year's winter carnival in mind. 'There are a few good options for her in Sydney, including The Invitation ($2m race for fillies and mares).'
The Australian
27 minutes ago
- The Australian
NRL Market Watch: Josh Kerr to leave Dolphins and rejoin the Dragons
Queensland Origin squad member Josh Kerr is on the verge of returning to St George Illawarra from next season as the club prepares to announce his return on a two-year deal. Kerr is expected to take up an offer until the end of 2027 to return to St George Illawarra after the Dolphins were unable to retain him beyond this season. Interestingly, the Dragons released Kerr midway through the 2023 season with 18 months remaining on his contract to join the Dolphins. That was before Shane Flanagan arrived at the club with Kerr let go just after Anthony Griffin was sacked at the Dragons. Since joining the Dolphins, Kerr has played 43 top grade games including 16 this year. He made his debut for St George Illawarra in 2019 and went on to play 68 top grade games for the club before his departure. His form has been so good for the Dolphins this year he was included in the extended squad by coach Billy Slater for game three of this year's series. However, his celebrations of the Maroons' series win were soured when he was hit with a $10,000 fine following comments he made about referee Ashley Klein the morning after Queensland's victory. Kerr was targeted by Super League clubs and it is understood he weighed up a move to England before opting to remain in the NRL and rejoin St George Illawarra. He will add experience to a forward pack which is filled with rising stars. Kerr joins Cronulla's Daniel Atkinson in joining the Dragons from next year. They have lost Jack de Belin (Eels), Jonah Glover (Rabbitohs) and Sione Finau (Canberra). St George Illawarra also have a two year offer on the table to in-form Tigers player Adam Doueihi. The Dragons were believed to be in the box seat to sign Doueihi after the Tigers only offered a 12-month deal but they have since upped their offer to two seasons following his starring role for the club in their win over the high-flying Bulldogs on Sunday. Kerr is the latest addition to the Dragons squad as they begin to reshape the side to put themselves in contention to return to the finals next season. It is understood the club would consider allowing wingers Mikaele Ravalawa and Tyrell Sloan out of their deals should they find other options while Blake Lawrie is also be free to go. Ravalawa, currently at Souths on loan for this season, and Lawrie have 12 months lefts on their deals while Sloan has another two years. NRL While legend Benny Elias called it 'ugly hatred', the NRL's slap on the wrist for the Tigers players who insulted Bulldogs fans on the weekend is just right, writes Brent Read. NRL West Tigers centre Brent Naden has been hit with a breach notice after the NRL's investigation into his 'khawd' celebration against the Bulldogs, with a trio of other stars officially warned.
News.com.au
27 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Tony Gollan reveals the five horses joining Antino in his Melbourne and Sydney spring carnival team
Tony Gollan has assembled one of his largest teams to attack the southern spring carnivals, with a formidable five-horse support squad set to join headline traveller Antino. Antino's Cox Plate path is well documented but the champion Queensland trainer will also have sprinters Zarastro and Golden Boom along with Transatlantic and Freedom Rally heading for Melbourne spring missions. Elite mare Floozie, who won four straight when joining Gollan and then started favourite in the Group 1 Tatt's Tiara, is likely to be deployed in Sydney during the spring. Queensland's star trainer reveals the main goals he has in mind for his touring support squad which will have multiple Group 1 winner and Cox Plate second betting pick Antino as the marquee act. Our G1 winning stable star Antino heads to Melbourne this week for a big Spring racing campaign aimed at the W.S Cox Plate. This morning he had his first course proper gallop this prep at Eagle Farm for trainer Tony Gollan ridden by a mic'd up Baylee Nothdurft. Take a look ðŸ'€ — Gollan Racing (@tonygollan) August 5, 2025 • Vandyke eyes first Victorian spring since Alligator Blood heroics ZARASTRO This is the sprinter who went within a pimple of giving young jockey Angela Jones her first Group 1, being denied by the barest of margins when being run down by a flying Joliestar in the Kingsford Smith Cup during the Queensland winter carnival. 'You might see us head towards the Group 1 Manikato Stakes and then potentially head to Sydney for the Sydney Stakes which is on Everest day,' Gollan said. 'Or we might even look to get him out to 1400m. 'I've got plenty of options with him, but I do want to try him again at Group 1 level at some stage during the spring.' An EPIC finish in the G1 Kingsford Smith Cup sees Joliestar nab them right on the line to take her third Group 1! 🤩 @cwallerracing @mcacajamez @BrisRacingClub @RaceQLD — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 TRANSATLANTIC Gollan has openly said for the last 12 months that Transatlantic has the capability to follow a similar trajectory as two-time Group 1 winning star Antino. Transatlantic didn't finish near them in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap when sneaking into the field but Gollan insists he is a proper horse. 'I'm pretty keen for him to do a pretty similar preparation to Antino in 2023, head towards a Toorak Handicap and then possibly finish in the $2m Five Diamonds in Sydney,' Gollan said. 'This horse has excited me for a while. 'I think a mile is probably his go and possibly further.' • Stable switch: Exciting Queensland filly bound for Victoria GOLDEN BOOM The sharp sprinter who has banked more than $1m in prizemoney had one run in Melbourne last spring when finishing runner-up to Mornington Glory in the Listed Carlyon Stakes at The Valley. He was well beaten in the Jimmysstar's Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield in February and hasn't been at the races since, but brained them in a Deagon trial earlier this week. 'He will head to the same race he was in last year, the Carlyon, and then hopefully go to the Group 1 Moir Stakes,' Gollan said. 'Whereas last year I just went to the one race in Melbourne for him, because he was coming off a winter preparation. 'This year we are fresh into a spring carnival preparation. 'After the Moir there are more options for him if he is going well.' FREEDOM RALLY Gollan has given this $1m earner three attempts at Group 1 level and he has been unplaced at each. However, he is keen to try something different this spring. 'We want to try to get him out to 2000m this preparation,' Gollan said. 'Whether that be in Melbourne or in Sydney, I don't really have a grand Group 1 goal for him. 'I probably just want to try to get him out in trip, under the top level. 'He will go to Melbourne in the first instance and his first two runs will be there.' • Bookmaker reveals biggest winners and losers in 2024-25 FLOOZIE The mare was one of the finds of the winter carnival, turning into a winning machine for Gollan after heading north from Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr who trained her in Victoria. She looked the one to beat in the Group 1 Tatt's Tiara, but finished fifth after looking like she had come to the end of her preparation. 'Later in the spring, you will see this mare head down to Sydney,' Gollan said. 'She will have two to three runs before she has a break with next year's winter carnival in mind. 'There are a few good options for her in Sydney, including The Invitation ($2m race for fillies and mares).' Floozie brains them in the G2 Dane Ripper Stakes! ðŸ'¥ @tonygollan — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 14, 2025
