Latest news with #JimmyTheBear
News.com.au
12-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Narrandera preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, July 13, 2025
The last two years has seen the Narrandera Cup head south of the border to Craig Weeding's stable and he's hoping to do it for a third time. Both the 2023 and 2024 editions of the race were run and won by Prince Of Helena and the Wangaratta-based conditioner has that galloper back for a third straight win and in similar form. The eight-year-old son of Sidestep finished third two starts ago in the Swan Hill Cup prior to running on for fifth at Flemington behind subsequent Winter Championship Final winner Jimmy The Bear. And while not winning since last year's edition of the Narrandera Cup, Weeding is happy with how he's going and thinks the race might even be a touch easier this year. Prince Of Helena wins the Narrandera Showcase Cup and makes it into the Big Dance again! ðŸ�† â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 14, 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 think he's probably coming in with similar or maybe even better form than he has over the last few years,' Weeding said. 'He hit the line pretty good last time in a strong race at Flemington and the form out of that race has been pretty good too. 'Running on well behind a horse like Jimmy The Bear should be a good measuring stick for a Narrandera Cup and just looking at the numbers, it is probably not as strong as last year's Cup.' With the Narrandera Cup winner being eligible for the Big Dance, Prince Of Helena has headed to Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day previously but he's no certainty to target that race again, even if he were to win at Narrandera. 'We've gone the last few years and haven't measured up for various reasons and I think even if he was to win this year, we probably may not go down that path this year with him,' said Weeding. 'We just weren't quite up to it and he's getting older now so we would just be happy to win this race. 'I'm not saying he's 100 per cent not going to push on if he were to win but I've just got that in the back of my mind.' Weeding has one other runner in the $70,000 main event at Narrandera with four-year-old gelding Yam looking to increase his winning streak to four. Vegas Dream dives at Yam and gets there in the nick of time! @AlburyRacing â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 29, 2024 It's a big step in grade but Yam will get in with a light weight after the claim for Mitch Beer's apprentice, Holly Durnan. Yam has enjoyed racing in the wet conditions and Weeding is hoping the track remains a Soft 6 for his latest test. 'He's going great and has just been loving these wet tracks,' Weeding said. 'If he can get a wet track on Sunday I reckon he'll come right into it and be tough to beat.' Both of Weeding's brigade had plenty of fortune following the barrier draw with Prince Of Helena set to jump from the inside while Yam was handed gate three. A field of 12 plus one emergency accepted for the Cup and there's formlines across multiple states. South Australian galloper Not Usual Glorious is set to add plenty of intrigue in the race but is asked to carry 62.5kg while Zouatica is a last start narrow placegetter in Sydney behind Thunderlips. While Weeding has two in the Cup, he's got Big Day Out chasing win number 11 at his 80th start in the fourth race. 'He's been a great horse for the stable and has won more than $300,000 throughout his career,' Weeding said. 'It was good to see him show that he's still got it and win impressively last start so hopefully he can do it again.' JETT HATTON'S TOP SELECTIONS BEST BET Race 8 No. 2: ZOUATICA Just run down last time. Can chalk up another win. NEXT BEST Race 3 No. 5: FIRST DAY Won by a big space last start and can win again. VALUE BET Race 1 No. 1: MO SPIRIT Made ground for fourth on a heavy track last start. Better barrier here. WORTH A RISK Race 8 No.6: COUNTY KILKENNY Won't get this his own way here. QUADDIE Race 5: 1, 3, 4, 7 Race 6: 4, 6 Race 7: 1 Race 8: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW NICK HEYWOOD has only three rides but they all look like winning chances. INSIDE MAIL — NARRANDERA MO SPIRIT (1) is going better than the formguide would suggest. Got a long way back last start at Wagga on a very heavy track but made good ground to run fourth. Better barrier here, something he hasn't had at the last few starts. GIOLA RIVER (6) ran on well last start at Wagga. Drawn well here in barrier one and should be rock hard fit on the quick back up. DANTAINS PRIZE (4) missed the kick last start and couldn't get into the race from there. Form prior reads super for this. Bet: Mo Spirit to win â– â– â– â– â– DEKADANCE (7) hasn't raced in about 46 weeks. Last sighted finishing third to Highway Strip and Ghost Walker, which are super formlines for this contest. Liked her latest trial and think she can return with a win. TRIPTOLEMUS (12) finished third in Dekadance's trial. Looks to have a bit of upside. SPICE OF DUBAI (10) had two trials before changing stables to Tim Donnelly's yard. Won her latest trial but thought the piece of work was just OK. Rolled forward in that heat and would expect her to do something similar here. Bet: Dekadance to win â– â– â– â– â– FIRST DAY (5) won by a big space last start at Wagga over the 2000m. Looks like a promising staying mare out of Ben Brisbourne's yard and she can win again. DOC MARCH (10) is an 11 start maiden but matched it with Due Calzini last start and he did it tough too, trapped four wide without cover across the journey. I think he'll really enjoy the extra ground for this. DUE CALZINI (4) has enjoyed getting out over a trip and now Danielle Seib steps him up again to 2100m. Should be thereabouts on the speed from barrier three, but needs to do a bit to turn the tables on First Day. Bet: First Day to win again â– â– â– â– â– PERIGEAN (5) has some solid form on the board prior to heading for the spelling paddock. Won two straight before tackling metro and provincial company. His record at the distance and when first-up would suggest he's going to be hard to beat for this. DANCEENUFF (7) has been racing well without winning. Should get every chance to break through from gate two with a winnable weight on her back. HELLS SON (9) was trapped wide the whole way last start at Wagga and under the big weight, couldn't tack on. With the rise in grade here he drops 7.5kg but has a poor barrier again. Bet: Perigean to win â– â– â– â– â– SWEET PAREE (3) has run two good second placings coming into this. Held up for a bit at the top of the straight last start before getting clear at the 250m mark. Suited by the step up to 1400m as well. GRACEFUL ELLEN (1) got back at Moruya last start and couldn't get into it but was a strong fresh winner before that. Drawn better here and think she's looking for the 1400m now. MAJOR DESIRE (5) did too much work from a double digit barrier last start and tired late. Now from barrier one, she can bounce to the front and have a bit more in the tank over the concluding stages. Bet: Sweet Paree to win â– â– â– â– â– ZOUWASE (6) won by three at the Sapphire Coast last time out before heading for a break. Judging by his latest trial, he's returned in good shape. Tricky barrier to overcome but the son of Zoustar has all the talent. INVASIVE (2) tackled a Highway last start and didn't disgrace himself. Got back to the rear and went past a few to run midfield. Form prior is super too. SLATE RIPPER (4) will appreciate the drop in grade. DUBAI CENTRE (1) is in the mix as well. â– â– â– â– â– COUGARS (1) wasn't far off in a very strong Highway last start. Up in weight and drawn off the track but expecting him to have too much ability for them here. ROLLO (2) tackled a Country Championships Qualifier at start five and handled himself well. Was a strong heat too and he finished seventh of 16. Drawn well but just might need the run. HELLINDA (3) took the sit behind the leader last start before pouncing away to win well. Has a super record at the distance. â– â– â– â– â– Only Thunderlips was able to run down ZOUATICA (2) last time out and that horse is stakes quality. Can speed across to lead again here and with those types of horses not chasing, he can chalk up a win. PRINCE OF HELENA (3) has won this race the last two years and is going as good, if not better. Hit the line strongly behind Jimmy The Bear last start and that horse has come out and franked the form by winning the Winter Championship Final. COUNTY KILKENNY (6) is ticking away nicely.
The Australian
12-07-2025
- Climate
- The Australian
The Last Say: Tips, inside mail, market movers for today's racing
The equation should be rather simple for progressive mare It's A Knockout today at Royal Randwick. Produce the determined performance she did to salute first up off a seven-week break last start and the Dundeel mare should take a power of beating. Trainer Ciaron Maher has kept It's A Knockout to the 1400 metre for the second up assignment where he'll again make full use of Braith Nock's 2kg claim which is growing in worth by the day. While It's A Knockout looks poised to deliver another knockout punch at Randwick, it's the hugely popular Jimmy The Bear that is one of the headline attractions at Caulfield. • 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! Honest as they come, Jimmy has been in a rich vein of form this winter and looks to have everything in order to continue that trend today up to the 2000 metres. The Caulfield meeting is highlighted by the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes, the first sign we reach each year to remind us that the spring is rapidly approaching. • Coyle looks to raise stakes for flying mare Lulumon The Joe Pride-trained In Flight is holding favouritism for the 1100m clash in what will no doubt be a spirited affair with the speed on from the get go. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ TRACK CONDITIONS ROYAL RANDWICK Weather: Mostly sunny day and a forecast top temperature of 18c. Track: Soft (5) Rail: 6m out DOOMBEN Weather: Sunny with a forecast top temperature of 15c. Track: Soft (5) Rail: 1m out CAULFIELD Weather: Mostly sunny with chance of late cloud cover with a top temperature of 17c. Track: Soft (6) Rail: True (entire) MURRAY BRIDGE Weather: Cool, partly cloudy day with forecast top temperature of 16c. Track: Soft (5) Rail: Out 3m from 1200m chute, true remainder ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ BEST BET Race 9 No.10 IT'S A KNOCKOUT: Stays at the 1400 metre journey following an impressive first up win over this trip last time out. Gets a good draw and with Braith Nock's 2kg claim in play again can go back-to-back. NEXT BEST Race 10 No.10 SLINKY: Has caught the eye of sectional observers working home well in both runs this time in. Expect the step up to 1400m to work to her advantage as will a more suitable barrier draw. Looks poised to run a bold race. • RANDWICK TIPS: Clinton Payne's race-by-race tips, analysis and preview ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ BEST BET Race 4 No.2 TUFF TU MUS: Racing in brilliant form and see no reason that changes today. Is unbeaten in four Doomben appearances, Tiff Brooker stays aboard after guiding him in a recent trial and the good gate should see him mighty hard to hold out. NEXT BEST Race 6 No.3 FAT FINGERS: On the quick back up after finishing midfield at the Sunshine Coast last week. Will give away a start but will get her ideal ground today and gets 3kg weight relief with Cobi Vitler in the saddle. Look for her charging home late. • DOOMBEN TIPS: Graeme Carey's best bets, quaddie picks and race-by-race analysis ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ BEST BET Race 4 No.2 JIMMY THE BEAR: No prizes for finding a rampaging Jimmy The Bear but for those searching for an anchor for the day, it really does look like him. Good draw should ensure an economical run out to the 2000m at his sixth run for the prep. NEXT BEST Race 6 No.8 KAHHOFF: Grabbed late at Flemington last time out after putting away a strong midweek field the start prior. Rarely far away and from a good draw at his pet distance can give a sight nudging double figure odds. • CAULFIELD TIPS: Brad Waters' best bets, quaddie picks, race-by-race analysis ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ JOCKEY / TRAINER WATCH 47.8% – Randwick Race 4 No.4 BENGAL (Nick Heywood/Luke Pepper) 42% – Randwick Race 8 No.8 PUNTIN (Ashley Morgan/Bjorn Baker) 21% – Randwick Race 10 No.6 VERY SEWREEL (Josh Parr/Bjorn Baker) 19.7% – Randwick Race 5 No.9 HOVLAND (Andrew Adkins/John O'Shea-Tom Charlton) 19.6% – Randwick Race 9 No.6 TIME QUEST (Ashley Morgan-Matthew Smith) JOCKEY WATCH JASON COLLETT – 9 rides, average price $4 RACHEL KING – 10 rides, average price $6.55 JOSH PARR – 6 rides, average price $8.75 BEN OSMOND – 5 rides, average price $9 BRAITH NOCK – 5 rides average price $10.10 RATINGS RULERS Race 6 Number 10 - PIPPIE BEACH $3.40 Race 9 Number 10 - IT'S A KNOCKOUT $3.00 Race 10 Number 5 - CHANGING COLOURS $4.20 SECTIONAL STARS (best last 600m) Race 4 Number 11 - CELERITY $5.60 34.28 Race 4 Number 9 - FLAME OF HESTIA $4.80 34.62 Race 10 Number 10 - SLINKY $6.00 33.91 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ROYAL RANDWICK MARKET MOVERS Race 1: No. 4 CROSSBOW ($8 into $3.80) Race 2: No. 6 IN SUMMER ($6 into $4), No. 11 SHUTTER ($51 into $31) Race 3: No. 2 GLAD YOU THINK SO ($26 into $18), No. 10 CALLISTEMON ($4.80 into $3) Race 4: No. 4 BENGAL ($34 into $19), No. 5 RANTAN ($51 into $26) Race 5: No. 3 FEDERER ($5 into $3.80), No. 10 AROHA STONE ($10 into $7) Race 6: No. 3 SALT LAKE CITY ($14 into $10), No. 4 ZAPHOD ($5.50 into $4) Race 7: No. 3 LULUMON ($7 into $4.60), No. 4 AVONE ($11 into $6) Race 8: No. 4 OH DIAMOND LIL ($6.50 into $4.80), No. 12 FIDDLERS GREEN ($11 into $7) Race 9: No. 10 IT'S A KNOCKOUT ($4.20 into $3) Race 10: No. 5 CHANGING COLOURS ($5 into $4.20), No. 10 SLINKEY ($14 into $6.50) ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ BIG BETS ROYAL RANDWICK Race 1 No. 4 – Crossbow – $3000 @ $3.60 Race 3 No. 10 – Callistemon – $6000 @ $4.20 Race 5 No. 3 – Federer – $1000 @ $3.70 Race 6 No. 4 – Zaphod – $1000 @ $4 Race 8 No. 8 – Puntin – $3500 @ $4.50 Race 8 No. 8 – Puntin – $4000 @ $4.60 Race 9 No. 10 – It's A Knockout– $5000 @ $2.40 Race 9 No. 10 – It's A Knockout – $4000 @ $2.60 DOOMBEN Race 1 No. 4 – Pre Eminence – $1200 @ $2.70 Race 4 No. 3 – Tuff Tu Mus – $2500 @ $3 Race 7 No. 15 – Artful Girl – $1500 @ $11 Race 8 No. 10 – John Rambo – $2000 @ $4 Race 9 No. 11 – She Ours – $1000 @ $6 Race 9 No. 11 – She Ours – $5000 @ $8 CAULFIELD Race 1 No. 2 – Signature Scent – $4000 @ $2.25 Race 2 No. 7 – Shadhavar – $9000 @ $4 Race 3 No. 2 – Supercilious – $4000 @ $4 Race 4 No. 2 – Jimmy The Bear – $15,000 @ $1.60 Race 4 No. 2 – Jimmy The Bear – $10,000 @ $1.70 Race 8 No. 6 – In Flight – $9000 @ $2.90 Race 8 No. 6 – In Flight – $5000 @ $2.80 Race 9 No. 5 – Aztec State – $5000 @ $3.40 • LAURIE'S LONGSHOTS: $26 chance 'goes close with average luck' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ INTERSTATE MAIL (VIC/SA) Caulfield Race 3 No.3 XARPO Caulfield Race 4 No.2 JIMMY THE BEAR Caulfield Race 6 No.6 KEEP YOUR COOL Caulfield Race 7 No.9 THE OPEN Murray Bridge Race 7 No.4 RICHE D'AMOUR Murray Bridge Race 9 No.2 MERCHANT BOSS • MURRAY BRIDGE, BUNBURY TIPS: $15 chance 'huge value' PROVINCIAL MAIL (NSW) Newcastle Race 1 No.9 Nullarbor Jane Newcastle Race 7 No.12 Dubai Gold #Good luck today and I hope you back plenty of winners
Courier-Mail
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
Jimmy The Bear worth the shout for passionate owner-breeder Mike Hirst
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Jimmy The Bear could again pay for drinks in a Hobart sports bar on Saturday with Caulfield victory but not at the direct expense of passionate owner-breeder Mike Hirst. Hirst shouted drinkers at the Pavilion, a Salamanca Place, Battery Point, watering hole last Saturday after boisterously cheering for triumphant Jimmy The Bear in the Listed Winter Championship Final at Flemington. • 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! 'People were looking at me stupid,' the former Racing Victoria chairman laughed. '(Partner) Lizzie and I were screaming out, 'Go Jimmy, go Jimmy' to the point they were all looking at us silly. 'I decided I better shout the bar because I interrupted their afternoon a little too much, it's a small pub though.' Jimmy The Bear, trained by Patrick and Michelle Payne, is the $1.65 favourite in the VOBIS Gold Heath (2000m) at Caulfield. The six-year-old Jimmy Creed gelding, out of Hirst-owned Belvedere Road, has won three of his past five starts and placed second twice in a stellar winter campaign. • Singapore migrants 'ready to fire' at Caulfield Jimmy The Bear, a $1.2m prizemoney winner, is a product of a 30-year dedication to a breeding theory – built around a direct descendant of 1955 Kentucky Oaks winner Lalun. Hirst discovered a great-great-granddaughter of Lalun racing in Rockhampton, one of only two relations of the American mare in Australia at the time, and eventually bought her for $3000. Hirst initially offered $20,000 to buy River Royal, the great-grandam of Jimmy The Bear, but the former owner insisted on racing the filly in north Queensland. Hirst tried a second time – at $15,000 – after River Royal raced without success only to be knocked back again. Jimmy The Bear has won three of his five starts this prep, including last week's Winter Championship Series Final at Flemington. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images Hirst finally secured River Royal, placed once in seven starts, and chased the dream to breed a Derby or Oaks winner. He almost achieved the feat in 2019 with Victoria Derby runner-up Southern Moon, son of Puissance De Lune out of South Street, a daughter of Jimmy The Bear's grandam On Southbank. 'River Royal's progeny and her progeny's progeny have now won north of $4m (prizemoney),' Hirst said. 'It doesn't mean it's been profitable, by the way, in fact, it's not been!' • Childs to carry out trainer's long-term Monash plan Descendants of River Royal include 2006 Adelaide Cup runner-up Tubular Bells and 2012 Grand Annual Steeplechase winner Awakening Dream. Jimmy The Bear's sister Jenny The Beaver has won two of 15 starts and is an $8 chance in a 2450m Benchmark 64 at Geelong on Thursday. Belvedere Road is in foal to Blue Point. Jimmy The Bear has two young half-brothers, an unraced Omaha Beach two-year-old and Ghaiyyath weanling. 'I was probably breeding a bit too much stamina and stayer, originally, so I've tried to put a bit more speed into (the family) as we've gone along,' Hirst said. Jimmy The Bear could be freshened after Saturday but Hirst deferred to Payne for any future decisions. 'I don't pretend to tell Patrick what to do, he's a genius at placing his horses,' Hirst said. 'We did push him last year to run in the Toorak (Handicap) and after he went no good (eighth), and Patrick didn't think we should do it but we wanted to have a crack, after that I promised we'd never, ever have a say in where he went, so I don't. 'That will be up to Patrick, I'm not sure what he wants to do but he's got to a rating now, if he wins again on Saturday … and it's no certainty, I'd imagine Patrick will freshen him up a bit … if he wants to have a crack in spring so be it, and if he doesn't, that's fine too.' Originally published as Jimmy The Bear worth the shout for passionate owner-breeder Mike Hirst
News.com.au
05-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Winter warrior Jimmy The Bear delivers again in Winter Championship Final at Flemington
Jimmy The Bear capped a near faultless campaign with victory in the Listed Winter Championship Series Final (1600m) at Flemington. The Patrick and Michelle Payne -trained winter warrior defied a wide barrier and big weight to win the feature in a blanket finish from Munhamek and Forgot You. Reigning Winter Championship winner Munhamek motored into contention late as a $41 outsider. Favourite Oh Too Good travelled outside the leader Magnaspin and looked a winner in the straight but ultimately felt the early race pressure. Jimmy The Bear has won three of his past five starts and been runner-up twice in brilliant campaign. 'Patrick focuses on this time of year and he's just an old marvel,' Michelle Payne said. 'Big thanks to Mike Hirst (owner breeder Jimmy The Bear and former Racing Victoria chairman) and his support of our stable and family for many, many years. 'He's (Jimmy The Bear) is just an old marvel, his win last start put the writing on the wall … brilliant again today. '(Jockey) Billy (Egan) did the best from the barrier, caught a bit wide but a nice resting run from where he was. 'He was looking a good chance all the way down the straight but he had to fight for it, as Jimmy does, he doesn't know how to run a bad race and he fought it out well.' JIMMY THE BEAR ðŸ�»ðŸ'° The Winter Championship Final goes to Patrick and Michelle Payne's warhorse! Forgot You was a mighty run for third at $61 for Team Busuttin/Young in honour of Peta Tait ðŸ'– @TheBeeegan @mj_payne â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) July 5, 2025 Jimmy The Bear completed a double for the Payne partnership. 'I'm sure Patrick is sitting at home with his arms crossed, very, very happy,' Payne said. Egan reunited with Jimmy The Bear on Saturday for the first time this campaign and got the result. Rising star apprentice jockey Tom Prebble had partnered the horse the past four starts but could not finish the job on Saturday due to an untimely suspension. Egan paid tribute to Prebble after the race. 'Tom Prebble is here on-course, shows he's in the game for all the right reasons,' Egan said. 'He's a good kid, this is one of his favourite horses, so good to see him here. 'I admire Tom in a lot of ways, I wish I could've done what he did when I was his age and had his discipline and his good attitude.' Egan enjoyed the win on Jimmy The Bear. 'It's a bit like riding a Group (1) winner then, because how much every in the stable loves this horse.' Egan summed up the situation perfectly on Jimmy The Bear, wide and midfield with a bit of cover. In doing so, Egan had Oh Too Good in his sights the whole way. 'I was three wide but still probably one off with two inside me there, trying to save as much ground as I could,' Egan said. 'With his big weight, Patrick made a good point, we don't want to be giving (Oh Too Good) too big of a head start, he really wore them down … it was a very tough win.' Jockey Ben Allen, who rode Oh Too Good, lamented the eventual race shape. Allen had to use up Oh Too Good early to settle on speed and paid the price late. 'The way I had to ride her I don't think is ideal for her,' Allen said. 'She needs a bit of cover … a bit of a strong head on breeze and she's still learning, so was a bit keen. 'She just felt the pinch late, I still reckon she ran well but she needs circumstances to go her way.'
News.com.au
21-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Training partners Patrick and Michelle Payne claim a winning quartet at Flemington on Saturday
Jimmy The Bear delivered a landmark Flemington four-timer for sibling co-trainers Patrick and Michelle Payne with victory in The David Bourke (1620m). The consistent gelding made amends for a last start Flemington defeat with a strong performance under rising star apprentice jockey Tom Prebble, who sealed a running treble with the win. Michelle Payne hailed the Flemington milestone as 'a huge team effort'. 'Patrick has worked so hard at home with everybody, it's a huge team effort,' Payne said. ' Jimmy is the stable favourite, so beautiful to do it with him.' Earlier on the card, Payne saddled winners Buccleuch, Stop The Rock and Bold Soul. Patrick Payne trained four provincial winners previously at Mildura in 2022. The four-timer bettered Michelle Payne's best efforts in the saddle before she turned her hand to training. 'I nearly rode the quaddie legs at Bendigo one day,' Payne laughed. 'I got pipped on the post, so three sadly.' Payne praised the 'beautiful' rides of Billy Egan (Buccleuch and Stop The Rock) and nephew Tom Prebble (Bold Soul and Jimmy The Bear) at Flemington. Prebble rated Jimmy The Bear nicely three back the rail but needed galloping room in the straight. 'Beautiful ride by Tom, he didn't panic,' Payne said. 'Obviously he had to guide him through a tight run and the horse just did the rest.' Jimmy The Bear is set to advance to the Listed Winter Championship Series Final (1600m) at Flemington on July 5. 'All going well, I can't see why not,' Payne said. 'He's training on beautifully and today was a really effortless win.' Prebble enjoyed riding another winner for the family. 'He put his best foot forward today and he was super,' Prebble said. 'He's a big horse, I knew he would be able to push his way out if I needed to, but had to wait for the race to unfold, Flemington is a beautiful track and usually every horse does gets its chance.' Casino Seventeen, the 2024 Perth Cup winner, finished off well to run second in The David Bourke at his first start in Melbourne for Cranbourne trainer Gavin Bedggood. Holymanz and Pounding rounded out the top four. Earlier, Payne enjoyed the win of progressive three-year-old Stop The Rock. 'He's a lovely horse, he's a real sleeper actually,' Payne said. 'All of his trials before he raced were pretty moderate and Patrick put the blinkers on his first start and he won at good odds at Warrnambool, he just seems to step up to the mark on race day.'
