logo
Trainer Shane Nichols out to continue winning run with well-bred filly Torsheen at Sandown on Saturday

Trainer Shane Nichols out to continue winning run with well-bred filly Torsheen at Sandown on Saturday

News.com.au20-05-2025
A breeder's slice of bad luck could be a piece of good fortune for Mornington trainer Shane Nichols at Saturday's Sandown meeting.
Nichols will run the well-bred Torsheen in the two-year-old fillies handicap at Sandown in which he will chase the stable's fifth win with its last seven runners.
A minor issue forced Torsheen's breeders to withdraw her from a yearling sale last year when the Toronado filly was set to fetch a good six-figure sum.
Torsheen is a half-sister to two-year-old Group 3 winner De Sonic Boom and Listed sprint winner Laverrod.
'I really like her,' Nichols said.
'She's a beautiful filly that I was really lucky to get.
'She just had a little change to one of her knees so they pulled her out of the yearling sales.
'She's a half to two stakes winners so I'm sure she would have sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars because she's a lovely type.'
Torsheen has had three jumpouts this time in, finishing second at her last two hit-outs.
Nichols said Torsheen could find 1000m too short on debut but he expected the youngster to give connections cause for optimism for the rest of her campaign.
'Her jumpouts have been really good and I'm sure she will improve with experience,' Nichols said.
'She might find the 1000m a bit short but the big track at Sandown is a good place to start her off.
'I don't know if she can win a race like that against a few smart ones but I'm confident that we'll walk away from it happy with her run.
'She'll definitely keep improving after that.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Jimmy The Bear named after Frankston YCW teammates of owner-breeder Mike Hirst
Jimmy The Bear named after Frankston YCW teammates of owner-breeder Mike Hirst

News.com.au

time12 hours ago

  • News.com.au

Jimmy The Bear named after Frankston YCW teammates of owner-breeder Mike Hirst

Jimmy The Bear has more than made up for suburban football silverware missed as Frankston YCW past players Mike Hirst, Jimmy Bruin and Nick 'the Bear' Wright enjoy an ownership dream. Former Racing Victoria chairman Hirst, a passionate owner-breeder, gifted five per-cent shares in Jimmy The Bear to ex-Stonecats Bruin and Wright as an excuse to catch up at country race meetings. Stuck on a name for the home-bred Jimmy Creed gelding, now a $1.35m earner, Hirst's partner Lizzie Sweetnam floated the Frankston YCW backline tribute. 'Lizzie said you could call (the horse) Jimmy The Bear and give them both a share each,' Hirst said. 'We said (at the time) it would be great just to drive around country Victoria catching up and having a good time … his first two runs were in the country and he's barely been back since.' Hirst played fullback, with resting ruckman Bruin and converted rover Wright in the pockets. The trio won an U17 premiership in 1974 but lost senior Mornington Peninsula grand finals to Pines, Crib Point and Bonbeach in quick succession. Wright earned the nickname 'the Bear' as he could often be found asleep on massage tables after post-game ales in the Stonecats' clubroom. 'Everyone knows him as 'the Bear', he's been known as the Bear for 40 years,' Hirst laughed. 'He'd always start work early, by the time 10pm came around on a Saturday he was pretty buggered so he'd go out and lay on the trainers' table and we'd wake him up at 1am wanting to go home. 'The koala bear … he spent all his time sleeping.' Jimmy The Bear, trained by Patrick and Michelle Payne, has won 12 of 39 starts and placed 10 times. The six-year-old has dominated middle distance ranks this campaign, with four wins including the Listed Winter Championship Series Final and two second places. Jimmy The Bear is $1.60 favourite to add to the tally on Saturday in the VOBIS Gold Stayers (2400m) at Caulfield. Jimmy The Bear has not raced beyond 2000m before but a win would tip another $126,000 into the prizemoney kitty, including the $30,000 VOBIS bonus. Jimmy The Bear has to date earned Bruin and Wright about $70,000 apiece in prizemoney. 'For Hirsty to make us part of that and Lizzie named the horse, it's just wonderful,' Wright said. 'Originally we were going to go out to the country meetings … we thought better celebrate with a couple owners than only one owner, but he turned out to be a bit better than that. 'Absolutely thrilled, we're bloody rapt, very generous of him.' Wright played alongside Hirst since U12s through to senior Stonecats ranks. 'Jimmy was the resting ruckman at that stage, because of my size, I started out roving but went to back pocket,' Wright said. 'I thought it was a lot easier, not as much running, alongside Hirsty, fullback all the time, it was a good combination.' The good combination has continued on Melbourne racecourses these days and winner's bars.

West Coast chief executive Don Pyke says the Eagles will use every avenue available to improve one-win list
West Coast chief executive Don Pyke says the Eagles will use every avenue available to improve one-win list

West Australian

timea day ago

  • West Australian

West Coast chief executive Don Pyke says the Eagles will use every avenue available to improve one-win list

West Coast chief executive Don Pyke has pledged the club will use every lever available to them to improve their list at the end of the season. It comes as the dual premiership Eagle conceded they had 'not won often enough' as they stare down a dire one-victory season for the first time in club history. Pyke addressed the members and fans in an open letter on Wednesday, where he thanked them for their support in another difficult year. The Eagles have won only 11 of their past 86 games since the start of 2022 in the darkest on-field period in the proud club's history. And there doesn't seem to be a return to September action in sight any time soon as they prepare to claim the third wooden spoon. Last year the Eagles traded in Liam Baker (Richmond) and Matt Owies (Carlton), while they also signed Jack Graham (Richmond) as a free agent to bolster their list. They also brought in five players through the national draft — Bo Allan, Jobe Shanahan, Tom Gross, Lucca Grego and Hamish Davis — as well as Malakai Champion as a next generation academy as a category-B rookie and former Gold Coast-listed backman Sandy Brock through the pre-season supplement selection period as part of a massive list overhaul. In his second season as CEO, Pyke said they would once again look to use every avenue at their disposal to improve their list. 'The club will again use every available lever of draft, trade and free agency at the end of the season to strengthen our playing list,' he wrote. 'Pleasingly, our next generation of players are maturing and developing, with Brady Hough, Reuben Ginbey, Elijah Hewett, Harry Edwards and Harley Reid consistently impressing. 'There is plenty to be excited about from recent draftees Jobe Shanahan, Tyrell Dewar, Bo Allan, Tom Gross, Clay Hall, Malakai Champion, Archer Reid and Tom McCarthy who have shown enough in their early opportunities to indicate plenty of good AFL football lies ahead.' Pyke said they backed the path they were on despite the lack of on-field results so far in 2025. 'While we have not won often enough, we have seen encouraging performances, particularly against top four contenders Brisbane, Geelong and Collingwood, and there has been progress,' he said. 'We know we have a lot of work to do to lift ourselves back up the ladder, but we believe in the path we are on and appreciate your support. 'Our new senior coach Andrew McQualter has led the team with commitment and energy, built a strong connection with our players and is establishing a clear style of play. 'While we have not won often enough, we have seen encouraging performances, particularly against top four contenders Brisbane, Geelong and Collingwood, and there has been progress. 'Every game between now and the end of the season is an opportunity to take steps forward and everyone in our football department are determined to get better quickly.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store