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News.com.au
39 minutes ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Grahame Begg mare Splash Back returns for Flemington Group 3 test in Aurie's Star Handicap
Splash Back has delighted trainer Grahame Begg going into the Group 3 Aurie's Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday. The reinvented lightly-raced five-year-old mare, now being trained particularly for speed, has won three of four starts since she joined the Begg yard. Splash Back scored arguably the win of the winter season with a barnstorming result at Flemington last start, charging from an impossible position to win a 1400m Benchmark 90. Begg has freshened up the mare for an early spring campaign, starting in the Aurie's Star – her first look down the straight. 'We're delighted the way she's prepped up,' Begg said. 'Certainly going up a grade (to Group 3) and she hasn't been up the straight before but we're very happy with the way she's going.' Apprentice jockey Tom Prebble retained the ride on Splash Back after back-to-back wins at Caulfield and Flemington. Prebble has maintained an association with the mare in recent work outs including a jumpout. 'He hasn't done anything wrong on her so you got to reward him,' Begg said. 'He's come and done the hard yards, ridden her around in between time … and he can ride 54kg.' SPLASH BACK FROM THE CLOUDS 🤯 🤯 She might be pretty good! Splash Back comes from nowhere to the delight of the punters, giving Tom Prebble a race to race double! @Grahame_Begg — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) June 21, 2025 Splash Back, formerly trained by Andrew Bobbin, opened her account for Begg with a win last year then finished midfield in a 1400m Group 3 at Flemington. The rising six-year-old has thrived in her second preparation with a focus on sharper workouts. 'We got a bit of a handle on her now, changed a few things up as far as the training goes,' Begg said. 'Training her to run over shorter distances … I feel she's more dynamic around the 1400m mark.' • Bigger, stronger' My Gladiola primed for spring Begg flexed spring muscle at the Caulfield jumpouts on Wednesday, with Group 1 winner Magic Time, emerging top class mare Niance and progressive King Zephyr stretching their legs in respective 800m hitouts. Begg welcomed the opportunity to gallop on the grass with turf tracks unavailable at Cranbourne of late due to recent wet weather. 'We've been hamstrung as far as facilities to gallop on grass the last couple of weeks,' Begg said. 'It's very good of the MRC to come to the party and put jumpouts on for the better class horses.' Caulfield Jump Out 1 | Mornington Glory Last year's Moir Stakes champ was in full flight this morning, proving too slick for the likes of Stretan Angel, Desert Lightning & Magic Time ðŸ'¥ REPLAYS: — (@Racing) July 29, 2025 Magic Time will resume in the Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 30 before the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) on September 18. Magic Time won the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes in 2023. Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) on September 6 at The Valley. Begg has enjoyed a stellar season with 67 Victorian winners at a staggering state-best 27.5 per cent strike rate. The tally includes 33 city triumphs at 26.5 per cent winners to runners. 'One thing you can't eat is stats,' Begg laughed. 'You just got to keep on getting results. We try to place (our horses) where they can win, put them in the right scenario (race, track and conditions). 'Always need luck, whatever you do, but the number one thing is trying to put the horses in the right scenario.'
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Mitch Cohen's Blackbook: Five to follow from Royal Randwick
Daily Telegraph racing writer Mitch Cohen has analysed the Royal Randwick meeting on Saturday and found a few worth following. FIVE TO FOLLOW KOIBITO (race 1, 4th) The winner Nashville Jack is a horse you will see in better races but this filly did a terrific job on debut, doing her best work late. She might be a prep away but has potential. SO YOU ARE (race 3, 2nd) This lightly-raced son of So You Think is still learning his craft and hit the line nicely over 1800m in the Highway. He will come into his own over 2000m plus. GLORIOUS MOMENTS (race 4, 1st) It was only a Benchmark 72 but it's easy to see the son of Brutal landing in better races soon. He's got stakes quality and will go through his grades quickly. GLORIOUS 🙌 How good was that from Glorious Moments and @HeavelonVan! Utterly dominant in the fourth at Randwick ðŸ'°ðŸ'° — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) July 26, 2025 SLINKY (race 7, 3rd) Put a line through her run two starts ago when she landed too close, she produced a far better run ridden cold. If she finds herself in a race with speed on next start she's worth backing. TRAVOLTA (race 10, 1st) He's won two of his three starts this preparation and can steadily go through his grades in his second preparation in Australia. Back him with confidence if the track is wet. SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER FOR JASON COLLETT 🕰🰩 He makes it a quartet to finish the day at Randwick on TRAVOLTA 😎 Who was Stayin' Alive in the Quaddie until then? — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) July 26, 2025 STEWARDS SAY Open Secret (race 1): Did not feel comfortable on the soft track. Was found to be coughing post-race and will undergo further veterinary checks, including an endoscopic examination. Forecaster (race 2): Apprentice William Stanley was fined $500 for striking the gelding nine times before the 100m, four more than permitted. In Summer (race 3): Jockey Jason Collett felt the prevailing racing surface hampered her ability to close off as expected. Ruby Flyer (race 5): Did not travel comfortably on the soft track and failed to fire. Was found to be slow to recover post-race. Storm The Ramparts (race 8): A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding was slow to recover and lost his off-fore plate. He will be spelled. The Black Cloud (race 8): Did not let down under pressure and weakened in the straight. Another horse that was slow to recover post-race. Kazalark (race 10): Late scratching at 9.55am on vets advice after being found lame in the off-foreleg. CRUNCH TIME Nashville Jack (race 1): Surged home along the inside to finish his last 600m in 36.09 seconds. Wisnierska (36.08) and Koibito (36.03) both got home well in behind. Investment (race 6): She was last at one stage but relished the conditions as she was a race best split for every furlong from the 1000m to the finish. Her last 600m of 38.90 seconds was a clear best. Cigar Flick (race 8): Only had a couple of runners behind her in the run before doing her best work down the outside to finish her last 600m in 35.45 seconds. Her last 200m of 12.45 was the best of the race. Regimental Colours (race 9): Showed a terrific finishing burst, running the best final three furlongs of the race to win with splits of 11.62, 11.71 and 12.61 seconds. Her last 600m totally 35.94. Regimental Colours strikes late! ðŸ'¥ The @BBakerRacing filly wins race 9 at Randwick, that's three wins today for Jason Collett! ðŸ'¥ — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 26, 2025 TRACK TALK 'He is a nice horse, he has a bit of substance to him.' - Jockey Jason Collett on Nashville Jack. 'I was actually watching the race with Charlie (Duckworth) and said 'I don't know what this Tommy is doing, we said we were going to come through them and have the last crack at them'. Then I said after the race 'that's why Tommy is a jockey and I am a trainer'. - Chris Waller after Cigar Flick's win. 'He's a lovely horse. It's taken a fair while for us to get to this point but finally he's starting to show what we've known he has.' - Stable rep Keith Lam on Glorious Moments. 'If I get offered the chance I'll jump on a plane to come back and ride this horse. I'd go anywhere to ride him.' - Jockey Heavelon Van Der Hoven, who moved to Brisbane on Sunday, on Glorious Moments. 'I thought she could improve a bit today. I said to a few people she had a sneaky chance.' Joe Pride after $61 shot Investment saluted. THIS WEEK IN NSW RACING Monday: Kempsey Tuesday: Wagga, Wellington Wednesday: Warwick Farm Thursday: Scone Friday: Kembla Grange, Coffs Harbour
7NEWS
04-07-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Star jockey Blake Spriggs opens up on decision to retire after devastating fall
Group 1-winning jockey Blake Spriggs has officially called time on his riding career, six months after a horror fall at Moruya left him with life-threatening injuries. In an emotional interview with Lizzie Jelfs for 7Horse Racing, the 33-year-old revealed that medical advice ultimately forced his hand. Watch the full story only on Channel 7's Horse Racing coverage, live from 12pm AEST Saturday, 5 July on Seven and 7plus. 'To hear the neurologist say that if I was to have another concussion or a knock to the head it would most likely kill me, that made it pretty easy to make the decision,' Spriggs said. The fall in January left Spriggs with a shocking list of injuries including multiple broken ribs, a fractured collarbone, a lacerated liver and a bleed on the brain. But it was the internal damage that nearly proved fatal. 'I was essentially drowning in my own blood,' he said. 'I would've died on the track if they didn't respond quickly. I was then taken via helicopter to the hospital.' As paramedics worked frantically to stabilise him, Blake's fiancée, KC Osborne, was at home watching the race live on television. 'When he fell, I just screamed. I didn't know if he was dead or alive,' she recalled. 'I was told by the doctor that Blake was conscious, I thought it might be bad but he's going to make it right? Then the doctor said, 'I'm not sure.' 'I just never expected to hear that. I just said well, you better get in there and save his life because he's got a two-year-old to look after.' Since then, their young son Brooklyn has been the guiding light in Blake's recovery and one of the reasons behind his decision to step away from the sport that once defined him. But as for any dreams of their son carrying on the family legacy in the saddle? 'No, he's not being a jockey,' KC said. 'Trust me I can't handle it.' 'We'll be looking to put a golf club or a tennis racquet in his hand,' laughed Spriggs
News.com.au
07-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Oh Too Good secures first metro win for trainer Kevin Daffy at Flemington
Kevin Daffy, 'Australia's smallest trainer with one horse', is now also a Flemington winner. Oh Too Good avenged a costly Flemington defeat last spring, touched off in the lucrative Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final, with a dominant victory on Saturday in the 1600m Benchmark 100. Oh Too Good could now return to Flemington next month for the Listed Winter Championship Final. 'It's indescribable. My first metro winner and to do it here at Flemington,' an emotional Daffy said. 'I wasn't really sure how she would go on the soft track. We all found out together today on a soft track – very pleasing it was a bit unknown – she's never run on a track other than a Good 4. A big win for trainer, owner and strapper Kevin Daffy who has one horse in work - Oh Too Good gives Ben Allen a Flemington double! @bennallen44 @FlemingtonVRC â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) June 7, 2025 'Not in my wildest dream (train a Flemington winner), winning her first race … (Pakenham maiden) was enough for me. 'Everything she has done since has been a bonus. I know how fortunate I am, as I know how tough this game is. I'm the smallest trainer in Australia with one horse. It's indescribable.' Oh Too Good has won five of 11 starts and banked $569,450 for part-owner Daffy and connections. The mare travelled sweetly in the run and burst clear in the straight to space Jimmy The Bear and Regal Vow. Favourite Jimmy The Bear, trained by Patrick and Michelle Payne, went back from a wide barrier and ultimately had too much ground to make up. Jockey Ben Allen, who sealed a double with the win after victory earlier on Miss Ole, endorsed Oh Too Good's Winter Championship Final potential. 'I was a little concerned coming up in trip because she didn't run out a strong 1400m (last start) but she had a few little issues that weren't right,' Allen said. 'Kev has done a great job, got her spot on. She was a different horse today, relaxed a lot better for me, handled the track perfect and when I went for her she was strong right to the line. 'Jimmy The Bear obviously looked like the one to beat, but he drew awkward and he can step slow so I thought he might have to go back, I always felt we might be in the better spot. 'It was going to take a good horse to pick us up especially with how strong she was.' â– â– â– â– â–
News.com.au
03-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Pride Of Jenni books her ticker for Queensland winter carnival with Anniversary Vase victory
Pride Of Jenni has beaten tougher opposition but the mare still notched a crucial win in Saturday's Listed Anniversary Vase (1600m) at Caulfield. A Brisbane winter carnival trip hinged on Pride Of Jenni showing a semblance of her imperious best in the Anniversary after her last-start flop in the Group 1 Australian Cup in March. Another moderate performance would have prompted questions about the multiple Group 1 winner's future but the Ciaron Maher -trained Pride Of Jenni did what was required despite being short of peak fitness. While enjoying favourable weight terms under the quality conditions of the Anniversary Vase, Pride Of Jenni still needed to give her rivals up to 7kg at her first run for six weeks. Tactics remained the same as jockey Craig Newitt persevered for the lead after early opposition from Regal Zeus before Pride Of Jenni got into her work from the 1200m. Pride Of Jenni carved out strong mid-race sectionals before rounding the home turn with only a two-length break on her rivals. However, that was enough as placegetters Scheelite ($5) and Pounding ($5) could get no closer than 2¼ lengths from the bold frontrunner on the line. SHE'S BACK! ðŸ˜� Pride Of Jenni is back to her best with a win in the Anniversary Vase at Caulfield! Bring on the Doomben Cup. @cmaherracing @craig_newitt â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) May 3, 2025 Newitt said Pride Of Jenni didn't quicken in the second half of the race but showed little sign of fatigue in the last 200m. 'She never quickened any more but she never weakened. She just kept up her gallop,' Newitt said. 'Her stamina really kicked in. 'I sensed there was something there at the top of the straight so I thought, 'today's the day we'll find out what is there' and, to my surprise, she really kept her gallop through the line.' Newitt said he was more relieved than jubilant about Pride Of Jenni bouncing back to winning ways after the disappointing Australian Cup run. 'She's always fun to ride,' Newitt said. 'The ground was very quick today and she's obviously very effective on wet ground, which she'll get in Brisbane. 'It's just a relief really because we know how good she is on her day.' Owner Tony Ottobre said the Group 1 Doomben Cup would be Pride Of Jenni's next appearance but Maher would determine the rest of her Brisbane winter program. 'She's got a bit more condition than we hoped but obviously she got more (fitness) to come,' Ottobre said. 'She's just a superstar. 'There's more improvement to come, so that's good. 'She's got no niggling issues or anything like that so she's perfect and that's what you see when she's 100 per cent right.'
