Latest news with #Grafton
RNZ News
5 days ago
- RNZ News
Auckland woman horrified council tried to take rough sleepers' tents, sleeping bags
FOR WEEKEND - BULLETINS MATCHER An Auckland woman saw council workers collecting rough sleepers' belongings. Photo: RNZ / Luke McPake An Auckland woman who gave tents and sleeping bags to a group of rough sleepers says she stopped council workers from removing the items a few days later. Some days, Pip Scott walks to and from work in the central city with her dog, and stops to talk to those sheltering at Grafton United Cricket Club overnight. The building has bleacher seats and a roof, and Scott recently gave the people sleeping there two tents, sleeping bags and a pillow. "I have lots of conversations with homeless people on the way to work and most of them are really friendly," she said. "I just feel, you know, they're just going through a rough time, but they always like to say hello to my dog and have a chat. "You can visibly see it, if you're walking around the streets, there just seems to be a lot more people that have come into hard times ." A few days later, Scott was walking past, when workers exited an Auckland Council van with black rubbish sacks and started collecting the belongings. She said the men who slept there were absent, but had stashed the tents and sleeping bags in a small pile under the shelter. "They had found the place where the people had stashed all their warm stuff to sleep in and they were pulling it down out of its place. I walked straight up to them and said, 'Do not take their stuff - what are they going to do? They've got nothing else to keep them warm and it's been freezing this week'." Scott said the council workers left without taking the rough sleepers' belongings, but she was horrified they had tried to collect it. "It's upsetting and I don't know what the answer is, but taking people stuff from them is definitely not the answer," she said. "Imagine coming back from your day and you're about to bed down to sleep on some concrete stairs, and someone's taken your last warmth or barrier for that. "I just think it's cruel." Auckland Council compliance manager Adrian Wilson said there rough sleepers had no designated areas to store belongings and the council was exploring possibilities for this. He said council staff would seize items when they were not removed and "anything of value, including tents, sleeping bags and personal items are stored". The council retained such items for six months, if they were not claimed. "Council staff make every effort to identify the owner of any property left unattended. They initially leave notices requiring the individual to remove their items." Auckland Council's compliance manager Adrian Wilson. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi Social services have warned of worsening poverty, due to economic hardship . On Tuesday, Auckland Council's Community Committee will discuss a report that updates the number of homeless living on Auckland's streets. The number of homeless people rose to 809 in May this year - a 90 percent increase since last September. This followed the release of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development's latest Homelessness Insights Report, which showed 14 percent of people leaving emergency housing were likely homeless . The council report identified two key risks in response to the data provided by outreach services. Auckland Council received more than 500 requests from the public related to rough sleepers in the past 10 months. Head of community impact Dickie Humphries said these ranged from concern about a person's welfare to reporting bylaw infringements and blocked doorways. He said the increase in rough sleepers was concerning. "We are here to make sure that the city in this region is a thriving city for all and Auckland is experiencing homelessness [that] is the antithesis of that vision, so we find it very concerning. "The causes are complex, and what we're hearing from our agencies and what our observations are, is worsening social and economic conditions for people, but that is felt most acutely for those who are already quite vulnerable or on the margins." He said the council was working with social service organisations to respond to concerns from residents and actively patrol the city. "We do have constraints on our resources and the best way to make inroads on this is to do it together. "No one institution, no one organisation can solve this alone, so to get more value out of our offer here from Auckland Council to the region will come through the partnerships that we have." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
The Sun
23-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
I reuse my teabags at least three times and even recycle my HAIR… people judge me but my icky hacks save £9k a year
AFTER making a cup of tea most people chuck the teabag in the bin, but Amanda Duddridge would never dream of being so frivolous. Instead, Amanda carefully squeezes the excess water from the bag and hangs it out on the washing line - to be reused twice, thrice and even eight times over. 7 7 7 This is one of many frugal hacks that save 39-year-old Amanda around £9,000 year. The part-time teaching assistant lives in Pontypridd, South Wales with partner Grafton, 41, and their three daughters, Esmee, 11, Elvie, six, and one year old Elodie. "Instead of bunging a teabag in the bin, I'll peg it to my washing line, let it dry, and then reuse them on a daily basis,' says Amanda. "Yes, the final couple of cups are a bit weaker, but I use less milk in those cups, and my hubby can't even tell. Most people don't realise unless they see me making a cuppa. 'I've even had compliments for my 'right posh brews'. "I did my research, and these methods were used to save during the Great Depression in the 1920s, and they work today. "If the teabags are on their sixth use, I'd add two to a mug. It's just like topping up a pot of tea. Use less milk and let the bags steep for longer, and it's the perfect builders' brew. A box of Yorkshire bags lasts me nine months." Her teabag prowess doesn't stop there. "I soak my mankiest greasiest pots and plates in water containing teabags rather than expensive dishwasher tablets," she reveals. "The tannin in the tea cuts through the grease. Then you grab a handful of teabags and use them to scrub the grease. Ice cold wet used teabags are amazing for sunburn as well.' She even soaks her hair in a solution of warm water and three used teabags for extra shine before a shower. Her other money saving grooming hacks include doing haircuts for her family. She says: "I collect hair from the floor and the brushes to sell to companies who make hair extensions. I make between £50 and £150 for at least 16 inches of even hair." Terrifying time Not one to waste anything, Amanda fishes hair out of the plug-hole, too. "I even use clumps of hair from the drain as a fertiliser for my plants instead of spending £12 on the fertiliser. I bury hairbrush clumps near my veg, and they grow like crazy thanks to keratin in the follicles. 'I scatter hair clumps in the compost bin or soak the strands in water and sprinkle it around the fence line. It's a natural fox repellent because it smells like teenagers." Amanda was shocked into a more frugal lifestyle when the cost-of-living crisis hit in 2021. "That time was terrifying,' says Amanda, who was on maternity leave with Elvie. 'Grafton was bringing home £1,973 a month, and I was on £172 a week in statutory maternity pay. 'Once the mortgage and essential bills are paid, we're left with around £100 a week. Money was so tight I had to use a baby bank for clothes and equipment. "I felt like a failure, but the Baby Bank, just like a food bank, was a lifesaver. 'There were mums and dads from all occupations who needed help. I realised then I was wasting thousands buying everything new. That experience changed me forever." With more than 8 million people in the UK estimated to be using Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services for purchases under £50, and outstanding credit card debt exceeding £70 billion, Amanda believes her methods offer a path to financial freedom. 7 "I reckon many people who are in debt could have avoided it by trying my frugality methods,' she explains. 'The occasional hack won't cut it. It takes commitment to be a tightwad. The savings and money for holidays and treats are worth it." Amanda's super scrimping impacts every part of her family's daily life. "I never throw water I've boiled veggies or pasta in," she says. "I use it to make soup stock. I also let it cool and use it to wash the garden path or water the plants. Tricks like this cut my water bill in half." 'Every crumb counts' She also ensures no bath or shower water goes to waste. Amanda says: "I always have a plug in the bath, so showers and bath water are saved. I'll use the water to then wash the floors, windows, clean the car, or fill the bucket and flush the toilet with it." And even rainwater is saved - a money saving and environmental tip for summer. "I collect rain off the guttering in water butts and put out buckets in the garden as well,' she says. 'I can use that water for cleaning floors, flushing the loo, washing the car, or watering the plants. Fresh rainwater is amazing for hair washing and costs nothing. 'The kids use it for water play outside, and I save it to fill up the blow-up pool in summer. It cuts my water bill, and that's brilliant." Kitchen essentials like foil and parchment paper are also given multiple lives. "I haven't bought kitchen foil or parchment paper for at least six months,' she says. Each time I use a piece of foil, I wipe it down, flatten it, and pop it in a box to reuse. 'I reuse it for lining the oven, cooking baked potatoes in a campfire, a scrunched-up ball is great as a scrubber for the oven grill, and the kids use foil for home crafting. 'I'll also reuse the parchment paper at least four times to wrap lunches. Then it goes into the compost bin, or I use it to start BBQs or rip it up as fertiliser in the garden." To cut her grocery bill, Amanda can buy enough meat for two people and stretch it for a family of five using her DIY "magic mix." She says: "I believe every crumb counts. So I turn used bread, half-eaten toast, and leftover crackers into a savoury crumb mixture in a blender, add in herbs and spices, and keep it in an airtight container. "I add three cups to half a kilo mince with chopped onions, carrot, and mashed potato, and it makes four times the minced patties for burgers. "I use leftover vegetables, pasta, grated vegetables, even the diced stalks of broccoli, as well as rice and dried beans to bulk out meat casseroles. 'Super scrimping' 'I can get at least four uses from cooking oil, and it's more flavourful because of the meal it has already cooked. I keep oil used for different meats in different jars in the fridge." Amanda also takes full advantage of freebies. 'We get free breakfast and snacks at a church baby-group twice a week,' she says. "I've also signed up for the Too Good to Go App. It helps users like me rescue food from going to waste from supermarkets, cafes, and restaurants.' Amanda uses the app and pays between £3 to £5 for surprise bags of food. She says: "I get fruit and vegetables, meat, snacks, and other food. I then incorporate the food into my batch cooking or that day's evening meal. It's posh dumpster diving.' Thanks to the app, her grocery bill, which used to be £100 a week, is now down to £60, saving her almost £2,000 a year. A keen outdoors lover, Amanda tops up her larder with wilderness foraging. She says: "In summer, we fill buckets with blackberries and blueberries. I turn them into jam or preserve the fruit for pies. Blackberries can sell for up to £3 for 100 grams. I get kilos for free." Toiletries and hygiene products are a big expense so Amanda will reuse when she can "I strain used mouthwash to get rid of food bits' she says. Then soak a paper towel in the liquid. Pop the towel into bins. It makes them smell nice. My super scrimping now means our family is debt-free. A few years I was in £3000 debt 'Flushing mouthwash through the loo will leave it sparkling, too.' Amanda also uses towels several times, hanging them on the line so the sun can 'disinfect' them between uses. And old underwear and socks are cut up and used as rags. Despite all of these cut backs, Amanda insists she is not tight-fisted. "I'm not just a mum who tries the occasional money-saving hack," Amanda explains. I am fighting the cost of living with fierce frugality. I'm not being mean; I'm economising." Her dedication has paid off. "My super scrimping now means our family is debt-free. A few years I was in £3000 debt.' Many Brits are stuck in "financial inertia" according to a Paragon Banks study, but Amanda says she is taking action. "I used to be lazy and just buy new,' she says. 'We've all seen hacks on YouTube and thought we'd try them. I decided to stop thinking and start doing. Commit to it for a month, and I guarantee by the end you'll be a convert." Amanda doesn't care knowing that many people find her methods 'gross and icky.' She says: 'I have hacked my way into a money-saving habit, and I'm also saving the planet. I don't care if I am trolled because of my super saving." 7 7
The Australian
19-07-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Grafton preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, July 20, 2025
Trainer Tony Ball was unable to get a winner on the board over the two day Grafton carnival but he's hoping he can do so a few days later. Ball makes the trip north again from Taree to Grafton with three horses in the float, all of which he's got a good deal of confidence about. The most interesting of Ball's brigade comes up in the feature of the day with Xtra Approval getting a good drop in weight for the Maclean Cup (1400m). The six-year-old son of Xtravagant found the 60kg at Hawkesbury last start a touch too tough but drops way down to 55kg with apprentice hoop Shae Wilkes in the saddle. 'It's a nice race for him and he gets about 5kg off some of those horses in the race,' Ball said. 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! 'I thought he ran well at Hawkesbury the other day but just probably didn't appreciate the weight on a heavy track. 'So he now goes down to 55kg with Shae (Wilkes) utilising her claim and I'd expect him to be hard to beat.' Xtra Approval also finds his sweet spot at 1400m after running over the mile last time out. 'Getting back to 1400m probably suits him a bit too,' Ball said. 'He won a Kempsey Cup at the trip late last year and probably just found that mile a touch too far last start.' Earlier in the card will see three-year-old filly Felasuvi have her third run for the stable after starting her career off in Victoria with Leon and Troy Corstens. The daughter of Star Witness was eye catching at Coffs Harbour at her stable debut before finding a Class 1 a touch too tough at this track over the 1006m. She now steps up to 1100m in the second race on the card and goes from a good track but to a rain affected one. 'She gets a senior rider on this week with Siena not there so Matty (McGuren) goes on and that should be good for her,' Ball said. 'With the way the race looks to play out, she'll get the gun run from barrier four and get her chance. 'If she's good enough she'll win but if she's not, we'll just have to go back to the drawing board with her. 'But I'd expect her to go well and she's pulled up a treat from last Sunday so no issues with the seven day back up for her.' Thirty five minutes later will see Ball's bargain buy Where's The Fire look the break through for a win. The five-year-old gelding would be the best bred galloper going around at Grafton being by I Am Invincible and out of a Snitzel mare. 'It's not too often you get an I Am Invincible for $15,000,' Ball said. 'We got him about a year ago and he's been a handy little horse for us. 'I think he won at Grafton before I had him and he's had a few more runs at the track so he knows it well. 'With the drop in grade and Matty going on board, I reckon he'll run a good race. 'He should be nearing his top after two runs now this time in so hopefully he can break through for a win for us.' It's a capacity field for Where's The Fire's race with 16 acceptances including two emergencies for the 1100m contest. JETT HATTON'S TOP SELECTIONS BEST BET Race 1 No. 12: ARCHIE MAXIMUS Forgive his last start run at Coffs Harbour when nothing went his way. Well placed to bounce back. NEXT BEST Race 3 No. 5: LOVE RAT Never got a clear shot last start. With some luck he can bounce back. VALUE BET Race 5 No. 4: XTRA APPROVAL Good weight drop off his last start run at the provincials. Enjoys the drop back in trip too, QUADDIE Race 4: 1, 4 Race 5: 1, 2, 4 Race 6: 2, 6, 12 Race 7: 1, 2, 6, 10 Jockey Matthew McGuren will be popular in the Jockey Challenge with a strong book of rides. Picture: Greg Irvine, Magic Millions JOCKEY TO FOLLOW MATTHEW MCGUREN rides in all seven races on the card and has a couple winning chances. INSIDE MAIL - GRAFTON RACE 1: Andrew Tom Builder Pty Ltd Mdn Plate 1100m Be forgiving of the last start effort of ARCHIE MAXIMUS (12). Had some trouble at the start and on the heavy track, he couldn't get into it. Was also checked on the turn. Can bounce back here and break the maiden. JACOB'S WELL (1) comes out of three provincial maidens. First-up for the new stable and the blinkers come off. ZAINDARA (14) is the stablemate of Archie Maximus. The fact Matt McGuren is booked for that horse and the apprentice is on Zaindara is a lead. Bet: Archie Maximus to win. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 2: Maclean Variety Meats (Bm58) 1100m WITH STYLE (3) has had one start for one win and it was at this track. She's now with Chris and Corey Munce and has looked good at her two trials leading into her first-up run. Tricky barrier but looks classy. MISS WATERLINE (2) ran at Eagle Farm last start. Was wide throughout and drawn out again here so will need some luck. SNOW FALCON (1) is going better than the formguide would suggest. Blinkers come off with the winkers applied. Bet: With Style to win. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 3: Hooked On Seafood (Bm58) 1100m LOVE RAT (5) never got a clear shot at them last time out at Coffs Harbour in a decent race. Can position closer to the speed from barrier two and be in the finish. FULL REGALIA (9) can sprint well first-up from a spell. She's done so in the past and can do so again here. The easier race will suit WHERE'S THE FIRE (3) from Tony Ball's stable. Should be peaking third-up into his campaign. BUSH WARRIOR (12) goes into the numbers as well. Bet: Love Rat to win. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 4: Maclean Hotel (Bm58) 3120m Not too often you see a 3120m race in country NSW. WILL TO EXCEL (1) isn't getting any younger as a nine-year-old but showed last start that he's in good form with a third at Mudgee. Drawn to do no work from the inside barrier. SMELTER (6) will handle the distance. Was a three length winner over 2450m at Beaudesert back in May 26. Bet: Will To Excel to win. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 5: Maclean Bowling Club Maclean Cup 1400m XTRA APPROVAL (4) gets a nice weight drop off his last start run at Hawkesbury when up to 1600m. Will enjoy stepping back in trip to 1400m and he is drawn to get every chance from barrier six with Shae Wilkes on board. AFRICAN DAISY (2) is the proven horse here, given she's a last start winner at Rosehill. Has to carry the big weight but certainly has a class edge. MATTER OF HONOUR (1) has raced at Randwick his last five starts, so Grafton is certainly a change of scenery. WILD CHAP (3) is a Group 3 winner way back when. Needs to improve but finds an easier race. Bet: Xtra Approval each-way. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 6: Gm Accounting Maclean Mdn Hcp 1700m Not the easiest race to dissect given the record of some of these horses. Thought FLEE WITH MEE (2) would appreciate the easy contest. She went close a few starts back and the booking of Matt McGuren suits for this race. Awkward barrier but think she's the best horse in the race. IMMORTELLE (6) should get the run of the race and so often in these open affairs, that's the winning factor. STAR OF KONGO (12) is a 21 start maiden but is knocking on the door for that fist win. Honest on pace effort off a six week freshen up last start and should only improve off that. Bet: Flee With Me to win. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 7: Andrew Tom Builder Pty Ltd Mdn Plate 1100m MEGHAN (10) should get the run of the race from barrier four. She gets here in career best form and will appreciate the strong tempo that looks likely here. SHOWMAN (1) just missed last time out at Murwillumbah. Tricky barrier for Shae Wilkes to navigate but he's probably the best horse in this race. SPILLS (2) burnt petrol early last start and it told late. Can take a sit from a wide barrier today and turn in an improved effort. SECRET KEEPER (6) goes in the mix as well. Bet: Meghan each-way.
News.com.au
19-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Grafton preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, July 20, 2025
Trainer Tony Ball was unable to get a winner on the board over the two day Grafton carnival but he's hoping he can do so a few days later. Ball makes the trip north again from Taree to Grafton with three horses in the float, all of which he's got a good deal of confidence about. The most interesting of Ball's brigade comes up in the feature of the day with Xtra Approval getting a good drop in weight for the Maclean Cup (1400m). The six-year-old son of Xtravagant found the 60kg at Hawkesbury last start a touch too tough but drops way down to 55kg with apprentice hoop Shae Wilkes in the saddle. 'It's a nice race for him and he gets about 5kg off some of those horses in the race,' Ball said. It's a hometown win in the Kempsey Cup! The Tony Ball-trained Xtra Approval roars clear with a visibly thrilled Siena Grima in the saddle ðŸ�† â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 8, 2024 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! 'I thought he ran well at Hawkesbury the other day but just probably didn't appreciate the weight on a heavy track. 'So he now goes down to 55kg with Shae (Wilkes) utilising her claim and I'd expect him to be hard to beat.' Xtra Approval also finds his sweet spot at 1400m after running over the mile last time out. 'Getting back to 1400m probably suits him a bit too,' Ball said. 'He won a Kempsey Cup at the trip late last year and probably just found that mile a touch too far last start.' Earlier in the card will see three-year-old filly Felasuvi have her third run for the stable after starting her career off in Victoria with Leon and Troy Corstens. The daughter of Star Witness was eye catching at Coffs Harbour at her stable debut before finding a Class 1 a touch too tough at this track over the 1006m. She now steps up to 1100m in the second race on the card and goes from a good track but to a rain affected one. 'She gets a senior rider on this week with Siena not there so Matty (McGuren) goes on and that should be good for her,' Ball said. 'With the way the race looks to play out, she'll get the gun run from barrier four and get her chance. Where's The Fire was too hot for his rivals under the urgings of @Aaronbullock90 for trainer Tony Ball at Taree ðŸ'¥ â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 3, 2024 'If she's good enough she'll win but if she's not, we'll just have to go back to the drawing board with her. 'But I'd expect her to go well and she's pulled up a treat from last Sunday so no issues with the seven day back up for her.' Thirty five minutes later will see Ball's bargain buy Where's The Fire look the break through for a win. The five-year-old gelding would be the best bred galloper going around at Grafton being by I Am Invincible and out of a Snitzel mare. 'It's not too often you get an I Am Invincible for $15,000,' Ball said. 'We got him about a year ago and he's been a handy little horse for us. 'I think he won at Grafton before I had him and he's had a few more runs at the track so he knows it well. 'With the drop in grade and Matty going on board, I reckon he'll run a good race. 'He should be nearing his top after two runs now this time in so hopefully he can break through for a win for us.' It's a capacity field for Where's The Fire's race with 16 acceptances including two emergencies for the 1100m contest. JETT HATTON'S TOP SELECTIONS BEST BET Race 1 No. 12: ARCHIE MAXIMUS Forgive his last start run at Coffs Harbour when nothing went his way. Well placed to bounce back. NEXT BEST Race 3 No. 5: LOVE RAT Never got a clear shot last start. With some luck he can bounce back. VALUE BET Race 5 No. 4: XTRA APPROVAL Good weight drop off his last start run at the provincials. Enjoys the drop back in trip too, QUADDIE Race 4: 1, 4 Race 5: 1, 2, 4 Race 6: 2, 6, 12 Race 7: 1, 2, 6, 10 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW MATTHEW MCGUREN rides in all seven races on the card and has a couple winning chances. INSIDE MAIL - GRAFTON Be forgiving of the last start effort of ARCHIE MAXIMUS (12). Had some trouble at the start and on the heavy track, he couldn't get into it. Was also checked on the turn. Can bounce back here and break the maiden. JACOB'S WELL (1) comes out of three provincial maidens. First-up for the new stable and the blinkers come off. ZAINDARA (14) is the stablemate of Archie Maximus. The fact Matt McGuren is booked for that horse and the apprentice is on Zaindara is a lead. Bet: Archie Maximus to win. â– â– â– â– â– WITH STYLE (3) has had one start for one win and it was at this track. She's now with Chris and Corey Munce and has looked good at her two trials leading into her first-up run. Tricky barrier but looks classy. MISS WATERLINE (2) ran at Eagle Farm last start. Was wide throughout and drawn out again here so will need some luck. SNOW FALCON (1) is going better than the formguide would suggest. Blinkers come off with the winkers applied. Bet: With Style to win. â– â– â– â– â– RACE 3: Hooked On Seafood (Bm58) 1100m LOVE RAT (5) never got a clear shot at them last time out at Coffs Harbour in a decent race. Can position closer to the speed from barrier two and be in the finish. FULL REGALIA (9) can sprint well first-up from a spell. She's done so in the past and can do so again here. The easier race will suit WHERE'S THE FIRE (3) from Tony Ball's stable. Should be peaking third-up into his campaign. BUSH WARRIOR (12) goes into the numbers as well. Bet: Love Rat to win. â– â– â– â– â– RACE 4: Maclean Hotel (Bm58) 3120m Not too often you see a 3120m race in country NSW. WILL TO EXCEL (1) isn't getting any younger as a nine-year-old but showed last start that he's in good form with a third at Mudgee. Drawn to do no work from the inside barrier. SMELTER (6) will handle the distance. Was a three length winner over 2450m at Beaudesert back in May 26. Bet: Will To Excel to win. â– â– â– â– â– XTRA APPROVAL (4) gets a nice weight drop off his last start run at Hawkesbury when up to 1600m. Will enjoy stepping back in trip to 1400m and he is drawn to get every chance from barrier six with Shae Wilkes on board. AFRICAN DAISY (2) is the proven horse here, given she's a last start winner at Rosehill. Has to carry the big weight but certainly has a class edge. MATTER OF HONOUR (1) has raced at Randwick his last five starts, so Grafton is certainly a change of scenery. WILD CHAP (3) is a Group 3 winner way back when. Needs to improve but finds an easier race. Bet: Xtra Approval each-way. â– â– â– â– â– Not the easiest race to dissect given the record of some of these horses. Thought FLEE WITH MEE (2) would appreciate the easy contest. She went close a few starts back and the booking of Matt McGuren suits for this race. Awkward barrier but think she's the best horse in the race. IMMORTELLE (6) should get the run of the race and so often in these open affairs, that's the winning factor. STAR OF KONGO (12) is a 21 start maiden but is knocking on the door for that fist win. Honest on pace effort off a six week freshen up last start and should only improve off that. Bet: Flee With Me to win. â– â– â– â– â–
News.com.au
17-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Don Diego De Vega wins drama-filled Grafton Cup
There was no shortage of drama in the 2025 renewal of Thursday's $200,000 Grafton Cup (2350m). Race favourite Bear On The Loose was scratched just before the field was set to jump while second favourite Quietness ran off the track in the concluding stages and cost itself the race. • 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! Quietness led the field of 12 and travelled strongly into the home bend before wandering about and opening the door for Don Diego De Vega to snatch the victory. Don Diego De Vega, trained by Annabel and Rob Archibald, also found his way into the centre of the track under Zac Lloyd after coming from closer to the fence but didn't impede the run of any other horses in doing so. DON DIEGO DE VEGA wins the Grafton Cup! @ZacLloydx gets the best out of the @ANeashamRacing grey to take out the @clarenceriverjc 's feature race, running down Quietness with Zoology in third. @tabcomau — Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) July 17, 2025 It gives Lloyd his first win in the day two feature and he admitted he had to change plans after Bear On The Loose was a late withdrawal. 'My plan sort of changed in the barriers when Bear On The Loose got scratched as one of the speed runners in the race,' Lloyd said. 'Going to the gates he was full of energy so I was confident he was going to begin well and once he did that it made my job pretty easy. 'Got the perfect run behind Quietness and obviously it rolled off the fence and my bloke shot through. 'I probably should have changed my whip when he ran out but he was in front and it didn't matter.' Quietness fought back but was unable to bridge back the margin after losing all of its momentum and finished second for John O'Shea and Tom Charlton. Queensland raider Zoology ran on for third spot while Touristic was fourth.
