Sunnier weather to give talented Like Lukey a chance to shine
Like Lukey, a gifted four-year-old daughter of 2009 Group 1 Golden Rose winner Denman in the Kris Lees stable at Newcastle, hasn't won since capping an ultra-exciting campaign late last year with a third successive win.
A frustrating and interrupted first half of 2024 eventually gave way to a very exciting galloper early last November.
She opened her account by coming from near last to win a Maiden at Scone over a mile by more than four lengths before setting closer but still easily winning a BM 58 at Muswellbrook, despite not being overly suited on soft ground.
Like Lukey then produced another dominant display in BM 64 company at Hawkesbury over 1800m just two weeks before Xmas, charging home from the trail to win by nearly two lengths.
She then missed narrowly zooming home again in deeper grade at Port Macquarie (2000m) before a tilt at metropolitan opposition all went wrong after a tough run in BM 72 grade back over 1800m on the Kensington track.
Given a lengthy spell, Like Lukey returned with a serious eye-catching run, flashing home from well back to miss by under a length in a strong Country Cup renewal on Scone Cup day five weeks ago.
Again she tackled deeper city company, but didn't fire a shot in unsuitable heavy going behind in-form Mickey's Medal.
But the constant rain over the past month has seemingly met its match with clear and drying weather, and Like Lukey looks ideally placed when she tackles a BM 64 Hcp for fillies and mares over 1600m on what should be a Soft 5 rating.
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7NEWS
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- 7NEWS
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Herald Sun
6 days ago
- Herald Sun
Tamworth, Albury best bets, inside mail for Friday July 19, 2025
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Form analyst Shayne O'Cass provides his best bets and race-by-race analysis for Tamworth and Albury on Friday. The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here! TAMWORTH BEST BET Race 7 No. 10: SAINTLY SANDS Huge run on debut here; even better the next time here as well. NEXT BEST Race 2 No. 3: WANAVAN Won't be left with any excuses from the rails draw. VALUE Race 3 No. 3: HE'STHECHIEF Placed at three of four, lost the rider in the other one. QUADDIE Race 5: 3, 6, 7, 14 Race 6: 2, 4, 5, 6 Race 7: 1, 10 Race 8: 2, 5, 6, 9 Jockey Grant Buckley has a nice book of rides at Tamworth. Picture: Bradley Photos JOCKEY TO FOLLOW GRANT BUCKLEY could be in for a good day. ALBURY BEST BET Race 2 No. 3: STRAIGHT FIRE Arguably 'the best horse in the race' which is a good place to start. NEXT BEST Race 8 No. 6: JUST LUKE LIAM Has a good record at the home track and at this trip. VALUE Race 6 No. 4: ELLIS BEACH Might be the best of a questionable bunch. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ INSIDE MAIL - TAMWORTH RACE 5: McDonalds Tamworth (Bm58) 1400m CONSIDERED (7) is a So You Think granddaughter of Kiss From A Rose which belies her $30,000 price-tag. Chalk her up as another bargain for Group One Thoroughbreds; she's already won back her purchase price in four starts. Last start winner, drawn well, at home. VISUALISE (6) has been rock solid in his four runs since he got to local trainer Jacob Perrett's stable. Beaten a lip at this track and trip by To Be Frank the other day. Bet: Considered to win, quinella 6, 7 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 6: Koobah Performance Horses (Bm82) 1600m RAJNISH (5) has raced at Tamworth twice for a second and then that last start win which also happened to be over the mile. It was a very comprehensive victory too; he came from off the speed to chase down a very respectable bunch. 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News.com.au
15-07-2025
- News.com.au
Early spring carnival contenders in action at Rosehill barrier trials
Sydney's first two stakes races of the upcoming 2025/26 racing season are in the sights of some trainers who put candidates through their paces at the Rosehill Gardens barrier trials on Tuesday. The Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on August 9 and the Listed Rosebud (1100m) seven days later at Rosehill Gardens starts the black-type action in the new racing season. A handful of next season's three-year-olds that stepped out on Tuesday could head towards the Rosebud which is the first lead-up race for the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) which is also run at Rosehill Gardens on September 27. Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup plans to charge out of the blocks in the new season with two emerging gallopers Nashville Jack and Savvy Hallie which both won their respective 900m trials. The two-year-olds are still maidens but Nashville Jack finished fourth on debut in the Group 2 Silver Slipper while Savvy Hallie is two-time Group placed. 'I was really happy with the way both horses trialled,' Widdup said. 'That was Nashville Jack's second trial and he's really developed and is coming up well this prep. 'I'd like to give him a taste of winning and then if everything's going how we want, maybe he's one for the Rosebud. 'Savvy Hallie will have another trial then I want to find the easiest race I can for her. 'She's still a maiden so that box needs to be ticked first and then she'll step up to tackle the good fillies races.' West Of Swindon, now with Ciaron Maher, contested the same trial as Nashville Jack, finishing fifth, and the Silver Slipper and Group 3 Golden Gift runner-up pleased his jockey Dylan Gibbons during the workout. 'He was still a bit woolly and had a bit of a sweat up but he trialled OK and gave me a lovely feel,' Gibbons said. 'The one I did like was his stablemate Stormfront. He felt great.' A horse that missed much of the autumn was the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou -trained Blitzburg which was in the paddock after winning the Group 3 Canonbury Stakes in February. He too was on display for the first time of the preparation on Tuesday and was never allowed off the bridle finishing fourth in his 900m trial. 'He's never been a brilliant trialler but I was happy with what I saw from him,' Ryan said. 'He was only out there to have an easy time because he's trialling again. 'He'll probably head to the Rosebud first-up and then we'll go from there.' Two trainers indicated the Missile Stakes could be on the agenda. , signalled the race as a potential start point for Elettrica and Bjorn Baker is considering it for Perfumist. Freedman also trialled Group 2 Tulloch Stakes winner Pocketing ahead of his four-year-old season while Baker put Point And Shoot through his paces. Both horses are Epsom Handicap candidates and the $10m Golden Eagle is also on the table. Meanwhile, two of Chris Waller and Yulong's high class imported mares Anisette and Moira made their first public appearance ahead of the spring as did last year's Group 1 Metropolitan winner Land Legend and 2022 New Zealand Derby winner Asterix. Moira, the winner of last year's Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Fillies and Mares Turf (2200m), was the pick of those performers.
