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End of an era for Godolphin in Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield

Courier-Mail

4 days ago

Sport
Courier-Mail

End of an era for Godolphin in Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield

Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. A few tears might be shed when an era ends after Saturday's Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield. The race will feature the last runners prepared from Godolphin's Crown Lodge operation at Flemington and trainer James Cummings' last Stakes runners for the operation. • 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! The Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum-owned Godolphin operation opted to cease employing a private trainer when James Cummings decided to quit the role to take up a Hong Kong training contract. Godolphin will disperse its team into stables including the Ciaron Maher, Ben, Will and JD Hayes and Chris Waller camps, along with the Anthony and Sam Freedman stable, which has prepared horses for Godolphin for some years. Godolphin's Flemington operation has saddled the winners of 101 stakes races, including 19 at Group 1 level. Cox Plate winner Anamoe, dual Australian Cup winner Cascadian and the 2025 All-Star Mile winner Tom Kitten are among the top level winners to spend their time in Melbourne at the 'blue army's' Flemington base. Anamoe provided James Cummings with three of his 19 Group 1 wins for Godolphin's Melbourne stable. Picture: Getty Images. Godolphin's Melbourne representative Nacim Dilmi said the stable will have three runners in its bid for a third Bletchingly Stakes after winning the feature sprint with Viridine in 2020 and Ingratiating in 2023. 'It's going to be a sad day for us as they will be our last runners,' Dilmi said. 'We'll run Inhibitions, Kin and Kallos and we're hoping they can end things with a great result.' Both Inhibitions and Kallos will have their second-up runs in the Bletchingly Stakes while Kin campaigned in Queensland before finishing fifth in the Sir John Monash Stakes at her last outing. 'Inhibitions ran well first-up and she has done well since but, without seeing the weather forecast, she'd like some juice in the track,' Dilmi said. 'Kin likes racing at Caulfield and did a good job in the Monash, she won't be far away. 'I thought Kallos ran all right first-up but he'll be a lot better for the first-up run and can run a better race.' Dilmi said the Flemington team's numbers had dwindled to 10 in recent weeks as horses were transferred to other stables. However, he said the staff had been busy preparing Crown Lodge for its next tenant. 'We're cleaning up the stables and packing up all the gear, keeping the staff busy,' Dilmi said. 'We started quite a while ago, every time the horses departed, so there's not too much to do at the end. 'Chris Waller is taking over Carbine Lodge so we want to give him the stable in the best condition.' Dilmi said Cummings would head to Melbourne on Thursday for a celebratory drink with staff before the final acts of his Victorian stable on Saturday. 'It will be a good send-off. There's a lot to celebrate,' Dilmi said. 'It will be quite emotional next Saturday, for sure. 'The horses will come back to Flemington after the race and we'll look at them and see how they pull up but on Monday or Tuesday, they'll be going.' Originally published as Godolphin trainer James Cummings to have last Melbourne runners in Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield

New Paper

11-06-2025

Sport
New Paper

Cummings to train in Hong Kong in 2026

Less than two months after Godolphin dropped the bombshell that James Cummings would not be their exclusive trainer in Australia, a new door has opened up for the Australian - a gateway to one of the most coveted overseas jobs, training in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) made the announcement at a press conference on June 11, with the grandson of legendary trainer Bart Cummings set to embark on the new journey from the start of the 2026-27 season in September 2026. The 37-year-old was on hand at the official presentation helmed by HKJC's executive director of racing, Andrew Harding, at the Sha Tin Clubhouse, four months after South African trainer Brett Crawford was introduced as the latest addition - but to commence training duties in the 2025-26 season - at a similar briefing on Feb 7. On its website, HKJC extolled Cummings as "one of the most exciting talents in global racing". It highlighted his deep racing roots from one of Australian horse racing's most illustrious families. Great-grandfather Jim was a leading trainer, saddling the 1950 Melbourne Cup winner Comic Court, while his better-known grandfather Bart is one of Australian horse racing's greatest figures with 246 Group 1 wins, including a record 12 Melbourne Cup wins. The fourth-generation trainer actually cut his teeth on horse training with his famous grandfather to eventually train in partnership with him in 2013 until his death in August 2015. Cummings' father Anthony and brother Edward have trained 24 and three Group 1 winners respectively, but the super achiever is the youngest member of the racing dynasty, no doubt aided by the superior stock at his disposal. As Godolphin's head trainer in Australia since May 2017, when he was only 29, Cummings remains the youngest trainer in Australian racing history to achieve 50 group 1 wins by the age of 36.That figure now stands at 52. Some of his notable Group 1 silverware among his haul of more than 1,500 winners feature the Cox Plate (Anamoe in 2022), Australian Cup (Cascadian in 2023 and 2024), Newmarket Handicap (Bivouac in 2020, In Secret in 2023, Cylinder in 2024), Golden Slipper (Kiamichi in 2019), Doncaster Handicap (Cascadian in 2021), Randwick Guineas (Kementari in 2018) and Caulfield Guineas (Anamoe in 2021). Boasting a strike rate of 17 per cent, Cummings is a name seldom unsighted on the weekly winners' list in and around Australia, be it at his Sydney headquarters or at the other cities in Melbourne, Brisbane or Adelaide and their provincial circuits. Some of his best horses include Anamoe, Hartnell, Cascadian, Tom Kitten, Bivouac, Broadsiding and Avilius, all for Godolphin. In the meantime, it will be business as usual as he continues to train for the Blue Army until the end of the current Australian season on July 31, as contractually agreed. On June 14, his focus shifts to his three-horse team at the Brisbane Winter Carnival in Eagle Farm where Golden Mile and Zebra Finch contest the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1,400m) and Group 1 race for two-year-olds, the J.J. Atkins (1,600m) respectively. The third contender is Pisces in the opening event, the Group 3 Gunsynd Classic (1,600m). But, speculation abounds whether he will start, let alone see out the next season as a freelancer, or he will take a sabbatical in light of the Hong Kong move. Shortly after the Godolphin news broke, Cummings had earlier said he would carry on training, even for Sheikh Mohamed's leviathan operation as and when required. He was also in the mix to take over his grandfather's famous Leilani Lodge at Royal Randwick, a family legacy his father Anthony lost when his trainer's licence was revoked by Racing NSW in February due to his financial woes. He has now withdrawn his application, with reigning Melbourne champion trainer Ciaron Maher cited as one of the favourites to get the nod. manyan@

Racing world rocked by sudden death of ‘legendary' trainer

Perth Now

08-06-2025

Entertainment
Perth Now

Racing world rocked by sudden death of ‘legendary' trainer

The racing community is mourning the sudden death of Group 1-winning trainer Robbie Laing, just hours after he celebrated a second-place finish at Flemington. Tributes poured in on Sunday after it emerged Laing had died in his sleep overnight. The veteran, aged in his 60s, had fought back from bankruptcy and a ban to return to top competition in recent years. Laing's El Soleado, ridden by apprentice Sheridan Clarke and carrying 64.5kg, finished second in the last race at Flemington on Saturday. The horse was a winner at Bendigo in April last year — a spirit-boosting win for Laing, who watched from hospital with a leg injury — and has recently bounced back from throat surgery. Laing famously trained Roman Arch, ridden by Craig Newitt, to an upset win in the 2006 Australian Cup at Flemington. If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. Seven years later Hugh Bowman rode Laing's $4000 yearlings purchase Polanski to victory in the 2013 Victoria Derby. 'My life in racing's been fantastic, really,' Laing said in a Channel 7 feature in early 2024. 'It's had its highs and lows, but if you're not prepared to suffer the lows, you're in the wrong caper. 'I don't like failure. Generally whatever I set myself to do, I've done it. 'As a kid I wanted to win the league's best and fairest and I did that. I wanted to be captain of the footy team and I did that. 'I became apprentice in 1974 at the age of 15. I think I rode OK but I got heavy very quick. At the age of 23 I trained my first Group 1 winner Perfect Bliss. 'The Group 1s for me are extra special.' Away from the racetrack, his daughter Grace finished third on The Voice Kids in 2014 while his children were enrolled at Haileybury College in Melbourne. But it all went downhill in 2017 with some of his stable stalwarts leaving his yard, including the loss of fan favourite So Si Bon after he was banned from racing for grabbing The Taj Mahal by the leg in a race. 'The owners decided to give him to someone else, meaning he left the stable. Miss Rock was close to retirement, and she'd won $1.3 million,' Laing recalled. 'Lord Of The Sky won The Standish in early 2018, but he was coming up to an eight-year-old, so the team looked like it was going to be fairly light on. 'The girls were still going to Haileybury. We had a farm to pay off, and there was just so much. 'The stables on course were costing $4000 a week, the rental on our property was $1500 a week and then feed and staff and next thing, we ran out of money. So, the wife and the three kids, they took off. 'I had all the motor vehicles repossessed, lost the farm, smashed my hip in, had to have a brand new hip operation and was declared bankrupt. November 30th, 2019, I had to hand my licence in due to bankruptcy.' If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. Laing's appeal to regain his licence, scheduled for early 2020, was delayed for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, he was forced to stay on the sidelines during that time. 'Luckily, my parents are still fit and healthy. I've got a little bedroom at their place. Rick Smith from PFD Foods gifted me a Holden ute, and that's all I've got at the moment,' he said 'I think it was going to be horses or the dole.' On Sunday, former jockey turned trainer Gavin Bedggood remembered Laing as 'far from conventional but a man who was very good to me'. 'Gave me my first horse as a trainer, many winners as a rider and plenty of advice over the years. Was never given the credit he deserved as a trainer — always had a good two-year-old, handicapper and jumper. Rest easy,' he wrote. Samuel Hyland said: 'Very sorry to hear of the passing of Robbie Laing, always loved riding for Laing. His horses were always tough and fit, he was a great character, an outstanding horseman as well as trainer, thoughts are with Eddie and Sylvia Laing and the Laing Family.' Bryan Martin said: 'The saddest news with the passing overnight of Robbie Laing. Outstanding horseman and always good fun to be around. Amazing mind on pedigrees. Rob could train, young ones, top liners and the jumpers. Very sadly missed Robbie Laing. Prayers with his extended family.' Journalist Bruce Clark wrote: 'Thoughts to the extensive family and many friends of legendary horseman Robbie Laing on hearing his sudden passing.'

Racing world mourns sudden death of ‘legendary' trainer Robbie Laing

7NEWS

08-06-2025

Sport
7NEWS

Racing world mourns sudden death of ‘legendary' trainer Robbie Laing

Five things you need to know about sport for the long weekend

The Advertiser

06-06-2025

Sport
The Advertiser

Five things you need to know about sport for the long weekend

Maitland coach Adams Hughes knew Braedyn Crowley would hit form, it was a matter of providing service to the prolific striker. Crowley has netted five goals in the past three games - all wins - to help the Magpies turn around their NPL Northern NSW campaign. Hughes is hoping Crowley - and Maitland - can carry that form into the Australian Cup clash with NPL leaders Broadmeadow Magic at Cooks Square Park on Saturday. "Braedyn is a fantastic goalscorer and we know if we get him service in the right areas, he is clinical in those spaces," Hughes said. "It has been a whole-squad approach. The movements, the actions and the patterns we are trying to play. He has a knack for being there at the right moment. There are others who are also close to going on a scoring run." Magic last qualified out of NNSW for the Australia Cup main draw in 2023. "They have some individuals who are top quality at this level," Hughes said. "We need to be on top of our game, be energetic and nullify their strengths if we can. We will have a go at them as well. It will be a good marker on where we are at." Edgeworth are through to the final round of the NNSW qualifying after Bangalow forfeited the clash set down for Jack McLaughlan Oval. In other Australia Cup games on Saturday, Weston are at home to Lambton and Cooks Hill travel to Coffs Harbour to take on the Northern Stars. In the NPLM, Adamstown host Charlestown Azzurri in a catch-up game at 4pm. In the NPLW, Broadmeadow tackle Charlestown on Saturday (4pm) at Magic Park. The Newcastle open women's netball representative side are set for an enormous three days in Camden, where they will play 24 30-minute games over three days in pursuit of the NSW title. Perennially a top-two performer, Newcastle are coached by former national league midcourter Narelle Eather and last claimed the title in 2023. They were runners-up last year. "It's really intense because there's no finals, it's first past the post," Eather said. "So, you have to try to win every single game. There's no time for dropping a game. If you do, you then have to hope for the rest of the weekend that one of the other top teams drop a game. "It's a different game playing three days in a row on the concrete. It comes down to survival of the mentally fittest, not just the physical." This year's squad is a mix of youth and experience. Norths goal attack Abbie Gray, a mainstay of the side, will captain Newcastle. Souths pair Aneeka Marcozzi, in the midcourt, and Erin Asquith at goal shooter are experienced campaigners and West Leagues Balance opens centre Laicy Costigan is among the rising talents. Charlestown and Maitland are also in the women's championship division. Cessnock and Charlestown are vying for the men's state title. Several games have been washed out this season, but Newcastle Rugby League's first-grade competition hasn't been as impacted by the weather compared to the region's other premier sports in 2025. The NEWRL continues over the long weekend and kicks off with a bumper clash at Belmont's Cahill Oval on Saturday, when in-form Lakes United (fourth) host Maitland (third) from 3pm. Former NRL player Brock Lamb is set to return from Maitland, and comes up against two of his former Knights teammates in Lakes forwards Sione and Peter Mata'utia. At the same time on Saturday, Kurri Kurri (sixth) are at home to Central (10th) and Macquarie (ninth) are away to Wyong (seventh). On Sunday at 3pm, competition leaders Western Suburbs are away to eighth-placed The Entrance, while South Newcastle (fifth) host Cessnock (second). Wanderers coach Luke Sherwood expects Samoan international Andrew Tuala to improve the Two Blues' scrum in the second half of the Hunter rugby season. Tuala played 50 minutes off the bench in the Two Blues' 22-12 win over University in a catch-up game on Thursday night. The win was Wanderers' second for the season. Tuala came on at loose head and then switched to hooker in the second half. "Defensively, we were really good," Sherwood said. "Uni were camped on our line late in the first half, but we held strong. Our scrum was going backwards, but we defended really well. "We started strong in the second half and got some points on the board. They scored a couple of late tries from kicks but I was happy with the defence. "AT [Tuala] played just over half a game. We changed the front row at half-time and it worked OK. "AT went hard for 30 minutes and then got gassed. He will be a week-to-week scenario. He is working in the mines so he can't fully commit to training and games." In the other catch-up game, Merewether had to work hard to topple Southern Beaches 25-7 at Ernie Calland Field. Newcastle men's division one coach Dave Willott has his sights on a finals appearance at the Hockey NSW Open Field State Championships. The division one men's and women's competition will be played out at Wyong Hockey Centre, starting Saturday and culminating in finals on Monday. Divisions two and three are being contested over the long weekend at Broadmeadow's Newcastle International Hockey Centre. Newcastle's men's side will be led by experienced campaigner and captain Nick Hill. "We've got a good mix of experience and some younger ones," Willott said. "Ryan Woolnough was recently announced in the Australian under-21 squad, and there will be some debutants. "Our goal is to make the final. But making the semis will be the first part of it then we'll go from there." Maitland coach Adams Hughes knew Braedyn Crowley would hit form, it was a matter of providing service to the prolific striker. Crowley has netted five goals in the past three games - all wins - to help the Magpies turn around their NPL Northern NSW campaign. Hughes is hoping Crowley - and Maitland - can carry that form into the Australian Cup clash with NPL leaders Broadmeadow Magic at Cooks Square Park on Saturday. "Braedyn is a fantastic goalscorer and we know if we get him service in the right areas, he is clinical in those spaces," Hughes said. "It has been a whole-squad approach. The movements, the actions and the patterns we are trying to play. He has a knack for being there at the right moment. There are others who are also close to going on a scoring run." Magic last qualified out of NNSW for the Australia Cup main draw in 2023. "They have some individuals who are top quality at this level," Hughes said. "We need to be on top of our game, be energetic and nullify their strengths if we can. We will have a go at them as well. It will be a good marker on where we are at." Edgeworth are through to the final round of the NNSW qualifying after Bangalow forfeited the clash set down for Jack McLaughlan Oval. In other Australia Cup games on Saturday, Weston are at home to Lambton and Cooks Hill travel to Coffs Harbour to take on the Northern Stars. In the NPLM, Adamstown host Charlestown Azzurri in a catch-up game at 4pm. In the NPLW, Broadmeadow tackle Charlestown on Saturday (4pm) at Magic Park. The Newcastle open women's netball representative side are set for an enormous three days in Camden, where they will play 24 30-minute games over three days in pursuit of the NSW title. Perennially a top-two performer, Newcastle are coached by former national league midcourter Narelle Eather and last claimed the title in 2023. They were runners-up last year. "It's really intense because there's no finals, it's first past the post," Eather said. "So, you have to try to win every single game. There's no time for dropping a game. If you do, you then have to hope for the rest of the weekend that one of the other top teams drop a game. "It's a different game playing three days in a row on the concrete. It comes down to survival of the mentally fittest, not just the physical." This year's squad is a mix of youth and experience. Norths goal attack Abbie Gray, a mainstay of the side, will captain Newcastle. Souths pair Aneeka Marcozzi, in the midcourt, and Erin Asquith at goal shooter are experienced campaigners and West Leagues Balance opens centre Laicy Costigan is among the rising talents. Charlestown and Maitland are also in the women's championship division. Cessnock and Charlestown are vying for the men's state title. Several games have been washed out this season, but Newcastle Rugby League's first-grade competition hasn't been as impacted by the weather compared to the region's other premier sports in 2025. The NEWRL continues over the long weekend and kicks off with a bumper clash at Belmont's Cahill Oval on Saturday, when in-form Lakes United (fourth) host Maitland (third) from 3pm. Former NRL player Brock Lamb is set to return from Maitland, and comes up against two of his former Knights teammates in Lakes forwards Sione and Peter Mata'utia. At the same time on Saturday, Kurri Kurri (sixth) are at home to Central (10th) and Macquarie (ninth) are away to Wyong (seventh). On Sunday at 3pm, competition leaders Western Suburbs are away to eighth-placed The Entrance, while South Newcastle (fifth) host Cessnock (second). Wanderers coach Luke Sherwood expects Samoan international Andrew Tuala to improve the Two Blues' scrum in the second half of the Hunter rugby season. Tuala played 50 minutes off the bench in the Two Blues' 22-12 win over University in a catch-up game on Thursday night. The win was Wanderers' second for the season. Tuala came on at loose head and then switched to hooker in the second half. "Defensively, we were really good," Sherwood said. "Uni were camped on our line late in the first half, but we held strong. Our scrum was going backwards, but we defended really well. "We started strong in the second half and got some points on the board. They scored a couple of late tries from kicks but I was happy with the defence. "AT [Tuala] played just over half a game. We changed the front row at half-time and it worked OK. "AT went hard for 30 minutes and then got gassed. He will be a week-to-week scenario. He is working in the mines so he can't fully commit to training and games." In the other catch-up game, Merewether had to work hard to topple Southern Beaches 25-7 at Ernie Calland Field. Newcastle men's division one coach Dave Willott has his sights on a finals appearance at the Hockey NSW Open Field State Championships. The division one men's and women's competition will be played out at Wyong Hockey Centre, starting Saturday and culminating in finals on Monday. Divisions two and three are being contested over the long weekend at Broadmeadow's Newcastle International Hockey Centre. Newcastle's men's side will be led by experienced campaigner and captain Nick Hill. "We've got a good mix of experience and some younger ones," Willott said. "Ryan Woolnough was recently announced in the Australian under-21 squad, and there will be some debutants. "Our goal is to make the final. But making the semis will be the first part of it then we'll go from there." Maitland coach Adams Hughes knew Braedyn Crowley would hit form, it was a matter of providing service to the prolific striker. Crowley has netted five goals in the past three games - all wins - to help the Magpies turn around their NPL Northern NSW campaign. Hughes is hoping Crowley - and Maitland - can carry that form into the Australian Cup clash with NPL leaders Broadmeadow Magic at Cooks Square Park on Saturday. "Braedyn is a fantastic goalscorer and we know if we get him service in the right areas, he is clinical in those spaces," Hughes said. "It has been a whole-squad approach. The movements, the actions and the patterns we are trying to play. He has a knack for being there at the right moment. There are others who are also close to going on a scoring run." Magic last qualified out of NNSW for the Australia Cup main draw in 2023. "They have some individuals who are top quality at this level," Hughes said. "We need to be on top of our game, be energetic and nullify their strengths if we can. We will have a go at them as well. It will be a good marker on where we are at." Edgeworth are through to the final round of the NNSW qualifying after Bangalow forfeited the clash set down for Jack McLaughlan Oval. In other Australia Cup games on Saturday, Weston are at home to Lambton and Cooks Hill travel to Coffs Harbour to take on the Northern Stars. In the NPLM, Adamstown host Charlestown Azzurri in a catch-up game at 4pm. In the NPLW, Broadmeadow tackle Charlestown on Saturday (4pm) at Magic Park. The Newcastle open women's netball representative side are set for an enormous three days in Camden, where they will play 24 30-minute games over three days in pursuit of the NSW title. Perennially a top-two performer, Newcastle are coached by former national league midcourter Narelle Eather and last claimed the title in 2023. They were runners-up last year. "It's really intense because there's no finals, it's first past the post," Eather said. "So, you have to try to win every single game. There's no time for dropping a game. If you do, you then have to hope for the rest of the weekend that one of the other top teams drop a game. "It's a different game playing three days in a row on the concrete. It comes down to survival of the mentally fittest, not just the physical." This year's squad is a mix of youth and experience. Norths goal attack Abbie Gray, a mainstay of the side, will captain Newcastle. Souths pair Aneeka Marcozzi, in the midcourt, and Erin Asquith at goal shooter are experienced campaigners and West Leagues Balance opens centre Laicy Costigan is among the rising talents. Charlestown and Maitland are also in the women's championship division. Cessnock and Charlestown are vying for the men's state title. Several games have been washed out this season, but Newcastle Rugby League's first-grade competition hasn't been as impacted by the weather compared to the region's other premier sports in 2025. The NEWRL continues over the long weekend and kicks off with a bumper clash at Belmont's Cahill Oval on Saturday, when in-form Lakes United (fourth) host Maitland (third) from 3pm. Former NRL player Brock Lamb is set to return from Maitland, and comes up against two of his former Knights teammates in Lakes forwards Sione and Peter Mata'utia. At the same time on Saturday, Kurri Kurri (sixth) are at home to Central (10th) and Macquarie (ninth) are away to Wyong (seventh). On Sunday at 3pm, competition leaders Western Suburbs are away to eighth-placed The Entrance, while South Newcastle (fifth) host Cessnock (second). Wanderers coach Luke Sherwood expects Samoan international Andrew Tuala to improve the Two Blues' scrum in the second half of the Hunter rugby season. Tuala played 50 minutes off the bench in the Two Blues' 22-12 win over University in a catch-up game on Thursday night. The win was Wanderers' second for the season. Tuala came on at loose head and then switched to hooker in the second half. "Defensively, we were really good," Sherwood said. "Uni were camped on our line late in the first half, but we held strong. Our scrum was going backwards, but we defended really well. "We started strong in the second half and got some points on the board. They scored a couple of late tries from kicks but I was happy with the defence. "AT [Tuala] played just over half a game. We changed the front row at half-time and it worked OK. "AT went hard for 30 minutes and then got gassed. He will be a week-to-week scenario. He is working in the mines so he can't fully commit to training and games." In the other catch-up game, Merewether had to work hard to topple Southern Beaches 25-7 at Ernie Calland Field. Newcastle men's division one coach Dave Willott has his sights on a finals appearance at the Hockey NSW Open Field State Championships. The division one men's and women's competition will be played out at Wyong Hockey Centre, starting Saturday and culminating in finals on Monday. Divisions two and three are being contested over the long weekend at Broadmeadow's Newcastle International Hockey Centre. Newcastle's men's side will be led by experienced campaigner and captain Nick Hill. "We've got a good mix of experience and some younger ones," Willott said. "Ryan Woolnough was recently announced in the Australian under-21 squad, and there will be some debutants. "Our goal is to make the final. But making the semis will be the first part of it then we'll go from there." Maitland coach Adams Hughes knew Braedyn Crowley would hit form, it was a matter of providing service to the prolific striker. Crowley has netted five goals in the past three games - all wins - to help the Magpies turn around their NPL Northern NSW campaign. Hughes is hoping Crowley - and Maitland - can carry that form into the Australian Cup clash with NPL leaders Broadmeadow Magic at Cooks Square Park on Saturday. "Braedyn is a fantastic goalscorer and we know if we get him service in the right areas, he is clinical in those spaces," Hughes said. "It has been a whole-squad approach. The movements, the actions and the patterns we are trying to play. He has a knack for being there at the right moment. There are others who are also close to going on a scoring run." Magic last qualified out of NNSW for the Australia Cup main draw in 2023. "They have some individuals who are top quality at this level," Hughes said. "We need to be on top of our game, be energetic and nullify their strengths if we can. We will have a go at them as well. It will be a good marker on where we are at." Edgeworth are through to the final round of the NNSW qualifying after Bangalow forfeited the clash set down for Jack McLaughlan Oval. In other Australia Cup games on Saturday, Weston are at home to Lambton and Cooks Hill travel to Coffs Harbour to take on the Northern Stars. In the NPLM, Adamstown host Charlestown Azzurri in a catch-up game at 4pm. In the NPLW, Broadmeadow tackle Charlestown on Saturday (4pm) at Magic Park. The Newcastle open women's netball representative side are set for an enormous three days in Camden, where they will play 24 30-minute games over three days in pursuit of the NSW title. Perennially a top-two performer, Newcastle are coached by former national league midcourter Narelle Eather and last claimed the title in 2023. They were runners-up last year. "It's really intense because there's no finals, it's first past the post," Eather said. "So, you have to try to win every single game. There's no time for dropping a game. If you do, you then have to hope for the rest of the weekend that one of the other top teams drop a game. "It's a different game playing three days in a row on the concrete. It comes down to survival of the mentally fittest, not just the physical." This year's squad is a mix of youth and experience. Norths goal attack Abbie Gray, a mainstay of the side, will captain Newcastle. Souths pair Aneeka Marcozzi, in the midcourt, and Erin Asquith at goal shooter are experienced campaigners and West Leagues Balance opens centre Laicy Costigan is among the rising talents. Charlestown and Maitland are also in the women's championship division. Cessnock and Charlestown are vying for the men's state title. Several games have been washed out this season, but Newcastle Rugby League's first-grade competition hasn't been as impacted by the weather compared to the region's other premier sports in 2025. The NEWRL continues over the long weekend and kicks off with a bumper clash at Belmont's Cahill Oval on Saturday, when in-form Lakes United (fourth) host Maitland (third) from 3pm. Former NRL player Brock Lamb is set to return from Maitland, and comes up against two of his former Knights teammates in Lakes forwards Sione and Peter Mata'utia. At the same time on Saturday, Kurri Kurri (sixth) are at home to Central (10th) and Macquarie (ninth) are away to Wyong (seventh). On Sunday at 3pm, competition leaders Western Suburbs are away to eighth-placed The Entrance, while South Newcastle (fifth) host Cessnock (second). Wanderers coach Luke Sherwood expects Samoan international Andrew Tuala to improve the Two Blues' scrum in the second half of the Hunter rugby season. Tuala played 50 minutes off the bench in the Two Blues' 22-12 win over University in a catch-up game on Thursday night. The win was Wanderers' second for the season. Tuala came on at loose head and then switched to hooker in the second half. "Defensively, we were really good," Sherwood said. "Uni were camped on our line late in the first half, but we held strong. Our scrum was going backwards, but we defended really well. "We started strong in the second half and got some points on the board. They scored a couple of late tries from kicks but I was happy with the defence. "AT [Tuala] played just over half a game. We changed the front row at half-time and it worked OK. "AT went hard for 30 minutes and then got gassed. He will be a week-to-week scenario. He is working in the mines so he can't fully commit to training and games." In the other catch-up game, Merewether had to work hard to topple Southern Beaches 25-7 at Ernie Calland Field. Newcastle men's division one coach Dave Willott has his sights on a finals appearance at the Hockey NSW Open Field State Championships. The division one men's and women's competition will be played out at Wyong Hockey Centre, starting Saturday and culminating in finals on Monday. Divisions two and three are being contested over the long weekend at Broadmeadow's Newcastle International Hockey Centre. Newcastle's men's side will be led by experienced campaigner and captain Nick Hill. "We've got a good mix of experience and some younger ones," Willott said. "Ryan Woolnough was recently announced in the Australian under-21 squad, and there will be some debutants. "Our goal is to make the final. But making the semis will be the first part of it then we'll go from there."