Latest news with #Accredited
New Paper
11 hours ago
- Sport
- New Paper
Robusto defies weight to win
Robusto defied his topweight to edge out Accredited in the A$200,000 (S$167,000) Listed Winter Challenge (1,500m) at Rosehill Gardens on July 19. Trained by Bjorn Baker, the Churchill five-year-old - who saluted in the Group 2 The Ingham (1,600m) on Dec 14, 2024 - was ridden by Joshua Parr again, after the pair finished an unlucky second to Estadio Mestalla in the Listed Winter Stakes (1,400m) at his last start on July 5. With Robusto shouldering the top impost of 60kg again, Parr made sure history would not repeat itself at the Winter Challenge Day meeting this time. After sitting Robusto in fourth on the rails - behind Accredited (Alysha Collett) and Robusto's stablemate Thunderlips (Ashley Morgan) while Winter Stakes winner Estadio Mestalla (Dylan Gibbons) raced three wide in third - the Sydney-based rider swiftly slotted his mount in between Accredited and Thunderlips upon straightening and went for broke at the 250m. Estadio Mestalla, who led all the way in the Winter Stakes, could not mount a challenge, but it was Accredited who would not go away. Parr had to pull out all the stops on Robusto ($11) before he eventually got the better of Accredited in a thrilling finish. Saltcoats (Zac Lloyd), who had been trailing behind the winner, punched home for third for trainer Chris Waller. Baker was rapt with the win and has picked out two feature races for the Darby Racing-owned galloper in the upcoming Sydney Spring Racing Carnival. "He's been a bit of a revelation," said Baker to Australian Turf Club. "He was unlucky last time, but he's won in The Ingham and it's good to see him back (winning) today with the weights. "We can try and head towards the Spring with a bit of fitness on our side. Great ride by Josh Parr. "His work on Tuesday was a really good winning workout. He definitely ran up to that. "We might even go to the Missile Stakes, back to 1,200m, and possibly look at a race like the Winx (Stakes) if he went well there." The Group 2 Missile Stakes (1,200m) is on Aug 9 at Royal Randwick, while the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1,400m) will be run two weeks later on Aug 23. Parr was glad Robusto showed great tenacity to win. "He's had to carry the weight. We got through and it turned out to be somewhat of a dog fight," he said. "I had him on the back of my mind all day when Timmy (Tim) Clark won The Ingham aboard this horse. (It was) the fight that he showed once in the battle, so I was relying on that, but thank god we got him to win." sharonzhang@
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Has there been a more consistent horse this Sydney winter than Storm The Ramparts?
'He's been going super. What generally finishes up these winter horses is the dry tracks, and he'll get one this weekend. 'He's been on two dryish tracks and run well, but sooner or later one of them will pull him up. It's also his first start out of 78 grade, he steps up to a [benchmark] 88, but he's very consistent, and makes his own luck up in front. He'll be hard to beat again.' Storm The Ramparts is by Headwater, a stallion whose progeny are a bit like a poorly brewed beer – fizz and excitement early on, but prone to going flat quickly. Pride, however, said Storm The Ramparts had been able to improve with each preparation because of his mare, Quick's The Word. 'He's out of a really good mare, he's a half-brother to Dragonstone, which is probably what's carrying him along,' Pride said. 'He's a dream horse to own. A lot of people don't like that 'wet-tracker' term for their horses, but it doesn't bother me. If he's a wet-tracker, he's a wet-tracker.' Pride also starts Estadio Mestalla and Accredited in the feature Winter Challenge, with his pair, and favourite Robusto, the three horses that all slugged it out in a finish a couple of weeks ago in Sydney. 'I think they've got the market right, and I'll be shocked if my two or Robusto doesn't win,' Pride said. 'He's a dream horse to own ... If he's a wet-tracker, he's a wet-tracker.' Joe Pride on Storm The Ramparts 'Estadio Mestalla is racing well and will make his own luck up front again, while Accredited, the turnaround from wet tracks to dry tracks, it's massive when you look at his record. He's a different horse on top of the ground. He raced on a soft 7 last start ... he got through it, but not well. 'Saturday's track will be much firmer, and he'll love it. They're both in their grade now, and I'm happy to pick off races in their grade.' Meanwhile, Pride has a lot of time for two-year-old Reflect, the first horse he has trained for the Think Big Stud, whose white, black and yellow colours were made famous by late owner Dato Tan Chin Nam. The $310,000 Magic Millions purchase has already had one race start, but the big black filly has enormous upside, said Pride, which punters will see over time. Pride also confirmed several Godolphin horses that would be headed to his stable next month, including Caulfield Guineas winner Golden Mile, and Comedy, a two-year-old Snitzel colt that ran in the major lead-up races to the Golden Slipper. Thompson gives his Blessing Randwick trainer John Thompson won't have a runner in the feature Winter Challenge – a race he won last year with $31 shot Jojo Was A Man – but he is counting on the form and impressive fresh record of With Your Blessing to give him a winner at Rosehill on Saturday. With Your Blessing resumes in the July Sprint, an open 1100m handicap, after a 14-week spell and three sharp trials. The six-year-old raced just off the leaders before hitting the line in all three trials, winning the past two at Canterbury and Hawkesbury. The encouraging return follows an excellent summer campaign which included wins at Randwick over 1100m and 1300m in benchmark 78 and 88 respectively on good going, and a photo-finish second to Iowna Merc in the group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) at the track on March 1 in his most recent outing. Thompson believed With Your Blessing was 'a great chance' to return with a win on Saturday. 'He's won a couple of trials, and he's going really good,' Thompson said. 'He had a great prep last prep, and he is first up, and he normally goes well fresh. He's had three trials waiting for this race, so he's ready to go.' Loading With Your Blessing, a $70,000 buy as a yearling, has won $568,205 across 29 starts, including six victories and 10 placings. Three of those wins and two placings have come when the son of Vadamos and Super Trouper was resuming. Thompson's stable will be searching for back-to-back Saturday city successes after Bundeena won first-up at Randwick last week in a 1000m benchmark 78 handicap. The five-year-old Spirit Of Boom gelding, plagued by wide draws last preparation, made the most of an inside barrier and trouble-free run to win by one and a quarter lengths. He has drawn barrier eight with Alysha Collett to steer.
The Age
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
Has there been a more consistent horse this Sydney winter than Storm The Ramparts?
'He's been going super. What generally finishes up these winter horses is the dry tracks, and he'll get one this weekend. 'He's been on two dryish tracks and run well, but sooner or later one of them will pull him up. It's also his first start out of 78 grade, he steps up to a [benchmark] 88, but he's very consistent, and makes his own luck up in front. He'll be hard to beat again.' Storm The Ramparts is by Headwater, a stallion whose progeny are a bit like a poorly brewed beer – fizz and excitement early on, but prone to going flat quickly. Pride, however, said Storm The Ramparts had been able to improve with each preparation because of his mare, Quick's The Word. 'He's out of a really good mare, he's a half-brother to Dragonstone, which is probably what's carrying him along,' Pride said. 'He's a dream horse to own. A lot of people don't like that 'wet-tracker' term for their horses, but it doesn't bother me. If he's a wet-tracker, he's a wet-tracker.' Pride also starts Estadio Mestalla and Accredited in the feature Winter Challenge, with his pair, and favourite Robusto, the three horses that all slugged it out in a finish a couple of weeks ago in Sydney. 'I think they've got the market right, and I'll be shocked if my two or Robusto doesn't win,' Pride said. 'He's a dream horse to own ... If he's a wet-tracker, he's a wet-tracker.' Joe Pride on Storm The Ramparts 'Estadio Mestalla is racing well and will make his own luck up front again, while Accredited, the turnaround from wet tracks to dry tracks, it's massive when you look at his record. He's a different horse on top of the ground. He raced on a soft 7 last start ... he got through it, but not well. 'Saturday's track will be much firmer, and he'll love it. They're both in their grade now, and I'm happy to pick off races in their grade.' Meanwhile, Pride has a lot of time for two-year-old Reflect, the first horse he has trained for the Think Big Stud, whose white, black and yellow colours were made famous by late owner Dato Tan Chin Nam. The $310,000 Magic Millions purchase has already had one race start, but the big black filly has enormous upside, said Pride, which punters will see over time. Pride also confirmed several Godolphin horses that would be headed to his stable next month, including Caulfield Guineas winner Golden Mile, and Comedy, a two-year-old Snitzel colt that ran in the major lead-up races to the Golden Slipper. Thompson gives his Blessing Randwick trainer John Thompson won't have a runner in the feature Winter Challenge – a race he won last year with $31 shot Jojo Was A Man – but he is counting on the form and impressive fresh record of With Your Blessing to give him a winner at Rosehill on Saturday. With Your Blessing resumes in the July Sprint, an open 1100m handicap, after a 14-week spell and three sharp trials. The six-year-old raced just off the leaders before hitting the line in all three trials, winning the past two at Canterbury and Hawkesbury. The encouraging return follows an excellent summer campaign which included wins at Randwick over 1100m and 1300m in benchmark 78 and 88 respectively on good going, and a photo-finish second to Iowna Merc in the group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) at the track on March 1 in his most recent outing. Thompson believed With Your Blessing was 'a great chance' to return with a win on Saturday. 'He's won a couple of trials, and he's going really good,' Thompson said. 'He had a great prep last prep, and he is first up, and he normally goes well fresh. He's had three trials waiting for this race, so he's ready to go.' Loading With Your Blessing, a $70,000 buy as a yearling, has won $568,205 across 29 starts, including six victories and 10 placings. Three of those wins and two placings have come when the son of Vadamos and Super Trouper was resuming. Thompson's stable will be searching for back-to-back Saturday city successes after Bundeena won first-up at Randwick last week in a 1000m benchmark 78 handicap. The five-year-old Spirit Of Boom gelding, plagued by wide draws last preparation, made the most of an inside barrier and trouble-free run to win by one and a quarter lengths. He has drawn barrier eight with Alysha Collett to steer.
News.com.au
05-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Trainer Joe Pride's decision to add blinkers to Estadio Mestalla proves a masterstroke produces a career-best performance in Winter Stakes
Trainer Joe Pride sensed rank outsider Estadio Mestalla was back on his game from the sprinter's mannerisms before his race at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. 'I couldn't understand Estadio Mestalla 's two average runs to start this campaign because he's a very genuine horse, he hasn't got a poor run in him,'' Pride said. 'I have been telling the jockeys 'watch him going to the gates because he'll pull and be a bit ferocious' but at his first two runs back he has gone around to the start like a kid's pony. 'Today, he took off a bit on the rider and I thought, 'this is better'.'' Estadio Mestalla's jockey Dylan Gibbons, who rode a winning treble at the Rosehill meeting, was very aware of Pride's advice before the Listed $200,000 Winter Stakes (1400m). 'I noticed Estadio Mestalla had the spark in him going to the gates today,'' said Gibbons, who also won on the impressive Brave One and Good Banter. 'I thought we were going to see a good performance from the horse and with his 'million' owners, I didn't want to be the most hated man at Rosehill so I had to get him home. 'The horse had no weight, Joe looked like he had him primed for today and I rode him accordingly. It was a tough effort.' Estadio Mestalla, a $61 bolter, began well from his wide barrier, eventually worked his way to the early lead and was never headed to score by one-and-half lengths from Robusto ($13) with another Pride-trained galloper, Accredited ($5.50) a close third. Whinchat was sent out the $4 favourite and was slow to begin but after 400m was able to settle outside Estadio Mestalla but was under pressure from the turn and faded to finish 12th. Pride decided to add blinkers to Estadio Mestalla for the Winter Stakes and the rising seven-year-old was able to score a career-best win. Estadio Mestalla is the star player in the Listed Winter Stakes and wins at big odds! âš½ï¸�â�'ï¸� That's separate doubles to @PrideRacing and @djgibbons22 at Rosehill today! 🙌 @aus_turf_club â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 5, 2025 • 'He is a very competitive horse. I know the market has forgotten about him today and for good reason, his two runs back have been plain,'' Pride said. 'But if you go back to last preparation, he ran second in the Little Dance, second in a South Grafton Cup. He's a good horse on his day and it's just nice to see him return to that. 'I went a little bit early with the blinkers than what I normally would in a preparation but I felt like I had to do something and make a change. 'It was good to see the horse out there rolling along, he looked happy and comfortable and gave a really big kick. You wanted to be closer to the pace today, the track played a little bit like that. 'It was a great ride from Dylan to get him across and keep him interested and it's a big result.' Estadio Mestalla, purchased as a tried horse for $70,000, is raced by The Racing League's NSW Tycoons Syndicate where owners have micro shares in a large team of horses. Popular media Personality Terry Kennedy manages the NSW Tycoons and he had nothing but praise for the roles Pride and Gibbons played in turning around Estadio Mestalla's form. 'Estadio Mestalla is ultra-consistent so that is why it was a bit of a mystery with his first two runs as that is not what we usually see from this horse,'' Kennedy said. It's @djgibbons22 's world, we're just living in it ðŸ'' A treble for the young star as Brave One makes it two on the trot, he's progressing nicely for Team Hawkes! @HawkesRacing â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) July 5, 2025 • Parr continues hot form with a Rosehill double 'It was a masterstroke from Joe to put the blinkers on today and Dylan rode it very well. 'Dylan didn't just sit there three-wide with no cover, he decided to go to the front. He rode it a treat and the horse really wanted to win. 'This is up there with our biggest wins for the NSW Tycoons. 'Estadio' just got beaten in The Little Dance last year so will try to qualify the horse for that Little Dance again and hopefully go one better this time.'' But Pride has more immediate goals in mind for Estadio Mestalla now that the gelding is back in form, suggesting he will be back at Rosehill in two weeks for the final Sydney stakes race of the season, the Listed $200,000 Winter Challenge (1500m). 'Estadio Mestalla usually holds his form so now that he is back to his best, we will look at the Winter Challenge in two weeks,'' Pride said. 'Accredited ran really well for third because he needs a firmer track. I'd say he will be back here for the Winter Challenge, too.'' The final word to Kennedy who hopes the NSW Tycoons win is an omen for Game Three of rugby league's State of Origin between NSW and Queensland at Accor Stadium on Wednesday night. 'I would like to think NSW and their coach Laurie Daley can win the Origin decider,'' Kennedy said.
New Paper
03-07-2025
- Climate
- New Paper
Wet Winter tale of two horses
SYDNEY Climate has literally set the early stakes to the 2025 Winter Stakes. Sydney's wet and wild weather has been both the push and pull factor to the two top fancies' participation in the A$200,000 (S$167,000) Listed 1,400m race at Rosehill on July 5 (at 1.50pm Singapore time). On one hand, the likelihood of a heavily rain-affected track has been enough to tempt Bjorn Baker to run back-to-back winner Thunderlips on a seven-day back-up. On the other, such a prospect may throw a dampener by depriving the race of second favourite Accredited. Not only will trainer Joseph Pride pray for blue skies, but also for the drying capacity of the Rosehill track to determine whether the son of All Too Hard takes his place. With the course proper a heavy 9 on July 3, Pride is hoping it improves into the soft range as Accredited's best form is on firmer ground. Racing fans will, however, be hoping that, come rain or shine, the Winter Stakes line-up will not change, even if one drop-out, Grand Impact, has already been registered. The late sneaking in of the in-form Thunderlips is a welcome addition, but losing Accredited would rob the race of its gloss. Baker's racing manager Luke Hilton confirmed that Thunderlips had pulled up in great order from his victory in a Benchmark 88 over 1,500m at the same venue last weekend. The six-time winner by Zoustar will take his place alongside stablemate Robusto on Saturday. "He has handled backing up before but it's more so because of the rain-affected track we're going to get," said Hilton. "He loves the wet tracks. He went great on a dry track last week and back on a wet track is going to be an advantage to him." The stable thought highly enough of Thunderlips as a young horse to run him in a brace of Group races in Brisbane as a two-year-old but he did not quite hit the mark. However, he is beginning to fulfil that potential this campaign with three wins from his past four starts, two of them over the 1,400m Winter Stakes journey. Robusto returns to Sydney after failing to beat a rival home first-up in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1,400m) at Eagle Farm, when he had to work early to go forward from a wide draw. While Pride is sweating over the weather, he has already mulled over a back-up plan for Accredited - the Group 2 Missile Stakes (1,200m) at Randwick on Aug 9. "It has been an unfortunate winter for him because there was always a chance it was going to be wet and he just hasn't had much luck yet," said Pride. "He is a nice horse and the main thing I have found in these instances is you just look after the horse, get them through the period, don't run them in unsuitable races and then you've still got a horse there at the end of it." Accredited has won seven of his 17 starts, one of the only blots to his copybook a forgettable trip to Melbourne in May when he failed to navigate the undulations of the Sandown Hillside track. "He had won at Nowra, Warwick Farm, Randwick. I thought, this is a good horse to travel, he is versatile. But, no, he didn't have a bar of it," said Pride. Back in familiar territory at Randwick last start, the five-year-old bounced back to post an impressive win, aided by a textbook Nash Rawiller ride from what could have been an awkward draw. A capacity field of 13 is set to line up in the Winter Stakes with Thunderlips an early 19-5 favourite ahead of Accredited (4-1) with Robusto a 5-1 chance. SKY RACING WORLD
