Latest news with #JasonCollett
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Hawkesbury best bets and inside mail for Thursday, June 26, 2025
The Daily Telegraph form analyst Mitch Cohen provides his best bets and race-by-race analysis for Hawkesbury and top picks at Lismore on Thursday. â– â– â– â– â– HAWKESBURY TIPS BEST BET Race 2 No.4: WILD THOUGHTS Lightly-raced talent poised for a big first-up showing to kick off his second preparation. NEXT BEST Race 3 No.4: LE CHOCOLAT First-up from a lengthy 38-week spell, this gelding has trialled up well and is ready to run a bold race fresh. VALUE BET Race 7 No.3: TOMBA Struggled on heavy ground first-up at Newcastle but can bounce back in a big way here with firmer footing. QUADDIE Race 4: 2, 5, 9 Race 5: 1, 3, 4, 6 Race 6: 1, 2, 7, 10 Race 7: 1, 3, 6, 9 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW JASON COLLETT is having a super season with another treble last Saturday and has great chances with Cold Brew, Miss Judas and True Amor. TRAINER TO FOLLOW Home track conditioner BRAD WIDDUP has had four runners on the card with The Grey and Audrey's Lane both right in the mix. LISMORE TIPS BEST BET Race 3 No.1: BRAVELY Scratched from Wednesday's meeting at Doomben for an easier assignment, he is going to take a power of beating. NEXT BEST Race 4 No.9: ALMALIKAT SARAH Found one better at her past two starts, this filly is ready to breakthrough in a winnable race. VALUE BET Race 7 No.10: LUVTOKNOW She has won two out of her past three on heavy ground and should relish the conditions again here. QUADDIE Race 4: 9 Race 5: 3, 4, 5, 7 Race 6: 2, 5, 7, 8 Race 7: 10, 14 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW DANNY PEISLEY has six rides across the card and can take advantage of several gun draws aboard the likes of Barron and Hardley Grey. TRAINER TO FOLLOW MATT DUNN dominates in this part of the world and with chances like Bravely, Almalikat Sarah and Dernier Lien all set to line up, he can have a fill up. â– â– â– â– â– HAWKESBURY INSIDE MAIL MALBORK CASTLE (1) is a son of trainer Richard Litt's former Group 1 gun Castelvecchio and is coming off a confidence boosting success last start. The three-year-old relished the step up to 1800m at Hawkesbury and should be well-suited at the same venue over 2200m. He can make it two on the spin here. TWILIGHT ELEGANCE (4) has mixed her form this preparation, breaking her maiden first-up over 1400m at Kembla before failing to fire over the Wyong mile. She's from the same family as former star Miss Finland so should appreciate the step up in trip. Her stablemate MAIRE DE PARIS (6) wasn't far off Malbork Castle last time. She can run well. BET: MALBORK CASTLE to win. WILD THOUGHTS (4) was scratched from Saturday's meeting on his home track at Kembla Grange to line up here. He's only had the one start to date but looks set to have a decent future. The son of So You Think wasn't far off subsequent stakes performer Modella in that debut over 1300m back on January 29. COLD BREW (1) has been runner-up in four of his five starts to date. He seems to still be putting it all together but a maiden victory isn't far away. MOCHIMA (7) and SISTER'S RUN (8) have both trialled up fairly ahead of their respective debuts. BET: WILD THOUGHTS to win. RACE 3: SUPER MAIDEN PLATE (1500m) LE CHOCOLAT (4) is somewhat surprisingly still a maiden heading into the final weeks of his four-year-old season. The Chris Waller-trained galloper returns from a 38-week break with a couple of quiet trials typical of the stable. He finds himself in a winnable race here and a win might just be the confidence boost he needs to go on with it. THE BEAST (6) continues to knock at the door with seven placings in nine starts. He should settle on speed and be in this race a long way. JAMARNI (3) is racing consistently this time while Devoted To You in the unknown quantity. BET: LE CHOCOLAT to win, quinella 4,6. MISS JUDAS (5) has had her fair share of chances to break her maiden and gets another golden opportunity here. A placegetter in five of her 11 starts, the daughter of Microphone produced a tidy trial victory in the lead-up to her first-up assignment. 1000m looks to be the perfect kick-off point. EFHARISTO (2) hasn't been seen at the races for 83 weeks when she was runner-up to Erno's Cube in the 2023 Max Lees Classic. If she can recapture that form, she wins this but you have to take her on trust. ZING TO ME (9) had excuses first-up and is capable of bouncing back in a winnable race. BET: MISS JUDAS to win. THE GREY (4) looks as his name suggests and is trained on course with Brad Widdup. He finds this race third-up and should be ready to peak after battling on for third at the same track and trip last time. Widdup has added the blinkers again to keep his mind of the job. Father-son team Rob and Luke Price have two chances in ALL MACHIAVELLIAN (3) and MR ROCK IT (1) can both have claims. The former is the clear class runner if he brings his A-game while the latter has been racing well without winning this time in. DESI EMPEROR (6) keeps running into one better but it's hard to knock his consistency. BET: THE GREY to win. Boxed trifecta 1,3,4,6. AUDREY'S LANE (2) finds herself in the most competitive race on the program. The Brad Widdup-trained mare is first-up from 35-week break with a couple of trials under her belt. She's performed well fresh before and has loves the 1300m with two wins in a placing in three starts at the trip already. The firm track should be to TRUE AMOR's (7) liking. He looked like his wheels were spinning on rain-affected going in town but should get firmer footing here in easier grade. The blinkers go on. CALIFORNIA SECRET (1) has won his past two starts and gets in well considering after Braith Nock's 1.5kg claim. BET: AUDREY'S LANE each-way. TOMBA (3) was a complete forgive first-up at Newcastle when he didn't go a yard on heavy ground. The market said it all – drifting from $3.70 to $5.50 in betting – before only beating a runner home. Back on good ground here, he can bounce back in a big way over a 1500m trip he's won over before. KYEEMA (1) was scratched from Wednesday's Randwick Kensington meeting to target this race. The ex-Hong Kong galloper will take plenty out of his Kenso victory last time and a repeat of that performance undoubtedly has him right in this too. HEAVEN BOUND (6) strips fitter while CRIMSON MISS (9) is lightly-raced with her best in front of her.
News.com.au
24-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Jockey James McDonald resumes premiership chase at Wednesday's Randwick-Kensington meeting
Champion jockey James McDonald continues his relentless march towards a seventh successive Sydney premiership with six rides at Randwick's Kensington meeting on Wednesday. McDonald has ridden 81 Sydney winners so far in the 2024-25 and with 11 metropolitan meetings remaining for the season he has a commanding premiership lead over nearest rival Zac Lloyd on 64 wins then Jason Collett on 61. In the history of Sydney racing, only one jockey has won more than six consecutive premierships and that was Hall of Famer George Moore with eight titles in a row between 1961-62 and 1968-89. Although McDonald intends taking a short break before the new season starts on August 1, he is intent on winning his seventh Sydney premiership in a row, and his ninth overall. • 'Ever since I've been back from disqualification (in 2018) I have won the premiership each year,'' McDonald said. 'It's something I am very proud of and it would be lovely to win that title again.'' McDonald hasn't ridden in Sydney since earlier this month as he has been interstate and then travelled to Royal Ascot in England last week he is the star attraction at Wednesday's winter meeting. The world's number-one ranked jockey competes as fiercely at a Sydney midweek meeting as he does in a Group 1 race which is reflected by his consistent results and premiership success in recent years. McDonald, who has ridden exactly 100 career winners at Kensington for a healthy strike-rate of 17.7%, is on favourites Frosty Girl, Pink Shalala and Getafix. Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller has also had a sensational 2024-25 season with a national record of 19 Group 1 wins and has already secured his 15th consecutive Sydney trainers premiership with 132 winners. He has booked McDonald in five races on Indigo Star, Royal Air Force, Beside The Ocean, Frosty Girl and Pink Shalala. Trainers John O'Shea and Tom Charlton have secured McDonald for the Kensington closer on Getafix. In an exclusive interview with News Corp, McDonald reflected on his outstanding 2024-25 season, his hopes of equalling the national Group 1 riding record, and his horses to watch for the coming spring carnival. â– â– â– â– â– The Group 1 record McDonald is riding favourite Firestorm in the final Group 1 of the season, the $700,000 Tattersall's Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday and if successful he will equal the longstanding national riding record of 16 Group 1 races in a season set by 'Miracle' Mal Johnston in 1979-80. 'Firestorm is definitely a runner's chance,'' McDonald said. 'It would be a huge honour if I could get the record as I have great respect for 'Miracle'. He was an amazing jockey.'' â– â– â– â– â– The season McDonald has enjoyed a career-best season with 21 Group 1 winners so far in 2024-25 including six major race wins overseas. 'It's been a season to dream of, really,'' he said. 'I don't think I could beat what I achieved in the previous years but this season has exceeded them, to be fair. 'I'm extremely proud of my results and I also think back on those near misses in the Saudi Cup and the Dubai Turf so my season could have been off the charts.'' â– â– â– â– â– The highlight ðŸ�† AN INCREDIBLE RACE!! 🇯🇵 FOREVER YOUNG DEFEATS ROMANTIC WARRIOR IN THE 2025 SAUDI CUP!! #SaudiCup | @TheSaudiCup | @netkeiba | @JRAVAN_info | @yahagistable | #サウジカップ | #フォーエãƒ�ーヤング — Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 22, 2025 McDonald could easily have nominated his spectacular wins on champion mare Via Sistina in the Cox Plate and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, or any of his successes with Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior as his season highlight – but instead he chose a narrow loss in Saudi Arabia! 'It might sound funny but my highlight was the Saudi Cup, even though Romantic Warrior was narrowly beaten,'' he said. 'Obviously, I would have loved to have won the race but I learned so much from that loss. 'It was the most respect I have ever had for a racehorse's performance, to go down fighting like Romantic Warrior did that day (second to Forever Young). The duel those two horses had, and they were 11 lengths clear of the rest of the field, was epic.'' â– â– â– â– â– Romantic Warrior History is made! ðŸ�† ROMANTIC WARRIOR becomes the first three-time winner of the Longines Hong Kong Cup for @mcacajamez and Danny Shum! #HKIR | #HKRacing | @HKJC_Racing — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 8, 2024 Hong Kong's champion Romantic Warrior underwent surgery for a fetlock injury last month but has made a complete recovery and will return to racing later this year. 'Romantic Warrior seems fine now and will be back for sure,'' McDonald said. 'He will have his first run in November (Group 2 Jockey Club Cup) and then second-up he will be going for a fourth successive Hong Kong (International) Cup in December.'' â– â– â– â– â– The travel Just so good, Voyage Bubble! ðŸ'' We can't believe it's already 11 days since the crowning our second #TripleCrown winner in Hong Kong racing history... @mcacajamez #ThrowbackThursday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 5, 2025 McDonald's hectic schedule had him riding all over the world this season, winning races in Hong Kong, Japan, United Arab Emirates and England as well as his many commitments in Australian racing. 'I knew my schedule was always going to be pretty busy – it's affected my sleep patterns for sure,'' he said. 'I think it was my trips to the Middle East that really knocked me around the most. I did three trips in a few weeks and that took its toll. 'I've had to go to Hong Kong plenty of times but that is sort of in our time-zone and I've got that down to a bit of a fine art now. 'Then to get a winner at Royal Ascot last week was very special and capped off my season. â– â– â– â– â– Horses to watch Did we just see the Golden Slipper winner?! 😮 Wodeton wins brilliantly at Rosehill for @cwallerracing and @mcacajamez! @aus_turf_club | @CoolmoreAus — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 18, 2025 McDonald got to put Golden Slipper runner-up Wodeton through his paces at Rosehill trackwork on Tuesday morning which is a sure sign that the countdown to the spring carnival has begun. The champion jockey revealed the horses he believes will make a huge impact in the new season – Chris Waller's outstanding rising four-year-olds mares Autumn Glow, Lady Shenandoah and Aeliana. 'Autumn Glow and Lady Shenandoah look unbelievably good – I think they are the two most exciting horses in the country,'' he said. 'One is trying to keep her unbeaten record intact (Autumn Glow) and the other keeps raising the bar (Lady Shenandoah). 'I would love to get back on Aeliana for sure but that is up to her connections. These three are lightly-raced and untapped, really.''
News.com.au
21-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Headley Grange earns a shot at South Grafton Cup with victory in the Listed Civic Stakes at Randwick
Headley Grange, racing's 'Mr Reliable', has surged through his grades this season and is now a stakes winner after he scored at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Trainer Joe Pride 's talented sprinter has forgotten how to run anything but at his very best as he claimed the Listed $200,000 Civic Stakes (1400m). In a nine-race streak that began almost 12 months ago, Headley Grange has not missed a top two finish, winning five times. 'It's crazy,'' Pride said when asked to comment on Headley Grange's remarkable consistency. 'He was good again, it was nice to see him step up that higher grade today. 'It was a tough win and that's never easy to do in a high pressure race with plenty of opposition. 'But he's a quality horse and he has come through the grades really well.'' Headley Grange, confidently baked into $2.45 favouritism, gave Jason Collett the third leg of a winning treble when he comfortably held off Welwal ($26) to win by a half length with Astero ($51) three-quarters of a length away third. The Bjorn Baker -trained Raikkonen ($5) settled outside Headley Grange early but then lost his position when stablemate Iknowastar came across in front of him. Raikkonen then ended up on the rail behind Headley Grange but when the winner eased away from the inside to make his finishing run, Baker's sprinter stayed close to the inside and rallied late to finish an unlucky fourth. But Headley Grange was a deserving winner - and he's not finished yet. Pride revealed plans to set Headley Grange for the South Grafton Cup (1600m) on July 13. The South Grafton Cup is one of a series of races where the winner is eligible to gain a start in the $3 million The Big Dance (1600m) at Royal Randwick on the first Tuesday in November. Headley Grange adds the Listed Civic Stakes to his impressive record, and it's a Randwick treble to Jason Collett! 🙌 @PrideRacing @aus_turf_club â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 21, 2025 • It's A Knockout stuns rivals with dominant victory 'He's come back particularly well this preparation and we will go to the South Grafton Cup next,'' Pride said. 'We will try and qualify him for one of the Dances.'' Headley Grange has now scored successive wins to start his winter campaign after a brilliant first-up effort over 1300m at Royal Randwick two weeks ago. 'I don't think he was quite as sharp today as he was off that hot tempo the other day,'' Pride said. 'Maybe just second up he was a little bit vulnerable today but I would say he will bounce out of this win. 'I don't know if his best trip is 1400m or a mile (1600) yet. We want it to be a mile as there are not as many races around for 1400m races.'' Collett, who completed his treble on Headley Grange after his earlier wins on Callistemon and Lulumon, wasn't legged into the saddle on the Pride sprinter until the Civic Stakes field came out onto the track. Pride, who trained a double in successive races when Accredited won the closer, had made application to Racing NSW stewards to have Headley Grange walked out riderless from the Theatre of the Horse to the course proper. 'At the end of last preparation and again last start, when the jockey mounted Headley Grange he started to suck back and play up a bit in the yard,'' Collett explained. "Nice to see him step up to that higher grade today." Hear from @PrideRacing and Jason Collett on Headley Grange, who won the Civic Stakes today! @aus_turf_club â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 21, 2025 • Brave One's wide run no obstacle in Randwick triumph 'Joe asked the stewards if he could have me legged on last and be last onto the track and that way he is always moving forward and not in that environment. It worked as he was able to stay relaxed.'' The Civic Stakes proved an easy watch for Headley Grange backers as Collett gave the ever-consistent sprinter the smoothest of rides. 'The tempo was solid through the middle section and I had a horse travelling 'lovely' when the opportunity arose pretty early in the straight to pop off,'' Collett said. 'I did although it was a long way from home, especially at that tempo, but he just found another gear. 'When they came to him at the 150 (metres) he went again so that's a really good sign.'' Collett agreed with Pride's assertion that although Headley Grange's win wasn't as dynamic as his first-up effort, the rising five-year-old gelding showed there are better wins in store after he improved his race record to eight wins from 18 starts and nearly $600,000 prizemoney. 'The tempo of that race was different to last start,'' Collett said. 'It was genuinely run but Headley Grange has quickened off it and then he's had to tough it out. 'Both starts he has done it either way. Last start, a turn of foot and today he has had to show he was tough under pressure. They're great attributes to have – he's a really nice horse.''
News.com.au
18-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Gosford preview: Trainer David Pfieffer is banking on two key factors to land Our Little Star in the winners circle
Trainer David Pfieffer feels an unsuitable tempo played against Our Little Star first-up but a drop in grade and distance along with an ideal draw can play right into her hands. The four-year-old raced keenly in fourth spot before finishing a two-and-three-quarter length third behind The Unique Star in a three and four-year-old Benchmark 64 Handicap over 1100m at Warwick Farm. 'It was a good run first-up. The slow tempo probably just caused her to get up on the bridle a little bit too much midrace,' said Pfieffer. 'She still hit the line well and looks to be in for a good preparation.' Our Little Star drops back to a Midway Class 1 Handicap over 1000m, a distance she has placed in each of her three runs over. ✨ Our Little Star breaks through for her first win for Jason Collett and @DavidPfieffer! @hawkesburyrc â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 12, 2025 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! 'Coming back to 1000m should help her settle better and Gosford usually generates a bit of tempo,' he said. 'It's a decent drop in grade so she should be very competitive.' In the same race, Pfieffer also saddles up Explosive Torpido. The five-year-old mare showed she is building towards another win with a length second to Russian Zarina at Hawkesbury before a length third behind Pratt and Harlex at Wyong. 'I wanted to try and split them but it was the right race for the pair. 'The draw looks like it will be the deciding factor. 'They are in good order, they look good, will present well and hopefully fight out the finish. 'I'm hoping they can run the quinella.' Pfieffer's third and final runner for the day is Miss Firestar who will make her race debut in the Nova Coast Services Pty Ltd Super Maiden Handicap (1200m). The daughter of Press Statement showed good early speed in her Warwick Farm barrier trial on April 29 to be among the leaders early before easing round the bend. Kerrin McEvoy kept her under a hold in the straight in finishing sixth behind Columbia Blue. 'She has improved from last time in work and trialled alright the other week,' Pfieffer said. 'The 1200m will suit her better than the 790m trial. Ultimately, she will want seven furlongs down the track but this a good starting point. ðŸ'¥ Explosive Torpido takes the opener at @newcastleraces_ today! @DavidPfieffer @AlyshaCollett â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 8, 2024 'I think there will be a couple of scratching from this race which will help. ' Josh Parr gets on-board and he should give her nice ride and give us some nice feedback. 'I think she could herself running into the placings.' Pfieffer also has two runners at Randwick on Saturday with Oh Diamond Lil in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m) and Whinchat in the Listed Civic Stakes (1400m). Oh Diamond Lil was impressive winning first-up at Scone at the stand-along meeting on May 17 before fading to ninth behind Thunderlips at Randwick on June 7. 'Jay (Ford) got on her for the first time last start and it didn't look like they suited each other well but also, I may have been too easy on her after Scone,' he said. 'You are worried about the big trip up there and back plus the effort to win. 'Maybe I had he her a fraction too fresh the other week. 'I really think she can bounce back.' Whinchat almost made it a double for Pfieffer when he was beaten a half-head by The Instructor in the Listed Luskin Star at Scone. He then cost himself when he reared in the gates at Randwick two weeks ago when second last behind Headley Grange. 'He was sent back to the trials by the stewards where he performed satisfactorily and is back to the races this weekend. 'He will do his thing. Bounce out of the gates and go forward.' â– â– â– â– â– Scone horseman Rod Northam is looking for promising gelding Speedy Henry to make use of his nice barrier to get back to winning form. The son of Hellbent made a winning start to his career at Dubbo last December before a spell and kicked off this campaign with a Class 1 win at home but has had mixed fortunes sin his three runs since. Speedy Henry was making ground late when sixth in a Highway at Randwick on April 26 before a third to Tasoraay at Scone and a safely held sixth behind Hammering Away at Dubbo last time out. 'He's still leaning and is still very green. He's field shy and timid among horses,' said Northam. 'When horses go around him, he baulks off them and he's been shuffled back in a couple of his races where you would think he'd hold a spot. Speedy Henry runs away with Race 5 at Scone for @rodnortham! â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 14, 2025 'The key to him is getting him away and up near the speed and try to not get crowded.' Northam is looking to jockey Reece Jones to have Speedy Henry in a forward position from barrier 4 in the Class 2 Plate (1200m) where he gets in well with 57.5kg. 'He has drawn nicely so if he can begin well and put himself somewhere handy, not cluttered up on the fence, he should be able to race really well,' he said. Grandini was rewarded for her consistent form when she broke through for her first win at Dubbo on June 6. The daughter of Toronado had finished in the top four in eight of her first 10 starts. 'She has been a great money-spinner for her owners,' Northam said. 'I was quite confident going into that race. I thought her first-up run was good. 'She just needed a good ride which she got from Leeshelle and they got the job done nicely.' The four-year-old is striving to make it back-to-back wins when she contests the Class 1 Handicap (1400m). 'Hopefully she takes a bit of confidence out of that win. 'There looks to be nice pace in this race so she should be able to camp just off the speed and be strong late again.' Northam has been pleased with the progress of Bawnaglen who will appreciate stepping up in distance in the Maiden Plate (1400m). 'If Reece can be positive and have him handy, he should be strong late,' he said.
News.com.au
17-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Canterbury preview: A nice book of rides has jockey Jason Collett poised to boost his premiership standing
Jockey Jason Collett is more than happy with the way this season has gone so far including a Group 1 win and is looking to close it out with a bang. Collett currently sits third in the metropolitan jockeys premiership and while James McDonald holds a commanding lead with 81 winners, Collett is just three behind Zac Lloyd with 58 wins and is looking to close the gap. 'I'm really happy with the way the season has gone so far,' said Collett. 'Obviously, winning the Doncaster was huge. It's such a big race. 'I want to try and win any Group 1 but to achieve that was such a huge. 'On the whole, I'm third in the premiership, I'm happy with the stake money I've earnt so it's been a good season.' POINT SCORE (2 c Blue Point - Hill of Grange) runs away from his rivals at @kemblaraces for Amanda Turner, giving @DarleyStallions BLUE POINT a 6th SH 2yo winner this season ðŸ'µ The colt was a $150k buy for his trainer from @Middlebrookstud at the @mmsnippets Gold Coast Yearling… â€' ANZ News (@anz_news) May 31, 2025 The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Collett has a nice book of rides at Canterbury starting with the Gary Portelli -trained Kilbrannan in the Myplates Handicap (1250m). He rode the two-year-old in his last trial at Warwick Farm before the colt debuted with a handy third to Point Score at Kembla with his brother-in-law, Andrew Calder, in the saddle. 'I've had a wee bit to do with the family. Obviously, he is a half-brother to Fireburn and Kintyre and he is a similar type. 'He's got a good attitude and shows a bit of ability. 'He trialled quite nicely when I rode him at Warwick Farm leading into his first run. 'Stepping up a bit further this week will help. 'He's a raw type and whatever he does this week, he will improve again. 'There's a hot favourite in this race of Chris Waller's (Central Coast) but I do like this horse going forward.' Collett partnered the Ciaron Maher -trained So Long Farewell in his first two runs this campaign including a second to Kundabung on the Kensington two runs back. They reunite in the Maurice At Arrowfield Plate (1550m). 'His last run for me was really good on the Kenso. I rode him a bit quieter and he started to put it together late and attacked the line well,' he said. 'I see they rode him up close last start and it may not have been to his liking because he wasn't as strong late. A dominant victory to Kundabung who breaks his maiden at start number three at Randwick today!🙌 @cwallerracing | @aus_turf_club â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 14, 2025 'This distance this week is what I think he will need but it may be a case of making sure he does it right in the first half of the race so he runs on.' The Richard and Will Freedman -trained Miss Jones is an acceptor in the TAB Plate (1250m) and also Maiden Handicap at Gosford on Thursday. Collett was aboard first-up when fourth behind Regimental Colours over 1100m at Warwick Farm and feels a step up in distance is ideal. 'She battled away okay first-up,' he said. 'She has an abundance of early speed so I'd like to make use of that and put her up on the speed. The Canterbury track will suit her style 'There are a couple of handy types in the field but I think she is a good hope.' Collett had his first feel of Fioprospero in a Randwick barrier trial last Friday and was happy with the gelding's effort when sixth in the mid-preparation heat ahead of the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1900m). 'It was a tick over trial to get him ready for this,' he said. 'I don't know too much about his form with most of his runs up in Queensland this campaign but I was happy with his trial.' His final ride is Miss Hades in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1550m). 'She has won at this level in earlier campaign so she does have the ability, she just needs to recapture that,' he said. â– â– â– â– â– Trainer Matthew Smith is pleased with preparation of new recruit Fioprospero and is looking to the gelding to build on it when he steps out at Canterbury. The son of Fiorente kicked off his first preparation for Smith with a sixth behind Debello over an unsuitable 1400m at Kembla on March 4 before heading to Queensland and scoring back-to-back wins at Eagle Farm over 1830m and 1805m. The six-year-old was then just behind the placegetters on the Kensington in late April and the Gold Coast on May 10. 'He's been racing in great form this preparation,' said Smith. 'Most of his runs have been up in Queensland and he won a couple of races at Eagle Farm. 'We just gave him a little freshen up after his last run and trial last week. Fioprospero settled last and wide and worked to the line strongly to finish a three length sixth behind Last Command in the 1200m heat under Jason Collett who will ride him in the Ole Kirk @ Vinery Stud Handicap (1900m). Fioprospero makes it two wins in a row at Eagle Farm! 2ï¸�⃣ @baileywheeler05 | @mcsmithracing | @BrisRacingClub â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 5, 2025 'I was really happy with that trial,' he said.' 'He gives me the impression that he will run a mile and a half so we will look to step him up.' Smith has liked what he seen of Golden Straand in trackwork and his trials and the colt pleased his trainer with his debut second to Sapphire Rose over 1100m at Wyong on June 8. The son of the late Snitzel steps out for his second start in the TAB Plate (1250m) for three-year-old maidens with Jay Ford to ride. 'I quite like this horse and I was happy with his debut run,' Smith said. 'He's a colt that we have brought along slowly. 'He's also in at Gosford on Thursday so I will work out which race suits him better at this stage and we try and build his confidence.' Smith final runner is Serene Nic in the Traffic Warden @ Darley Handicap (1550m). The five-year-old should be forgiven for her last start sixth at Hawkesbury on a heavy track and has since trialled very well when third to Jamberoo at Warwick Farm on May 27. 'She was terrific first-up and at her next start, she ran as expected being second-up off a decent break,' he said. 'She just didn't perform at Hawkesbury last start so we gave her a freshen up. 'She was very consistent last preparation and this is the sort of race she can run very well in.'
