Latest news with #JoyStakes
The Age
28-06-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Josh Parr pulls right rein on Elamaz to cap winning treble at Rosehill
Back-up Baker set for return Bjorn Baker was considering a seven-day back-up for Thunderlips into the listed Winter Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill after he gave the Warwick Farm trainer a double on Saturday at the track. Baker, who earlier won with Puntin, went to 86 Sydney winners for the season as he chases a first century in town. He is second only to Chris Waller (145) and went past 150 winners nationwide for the first time. Zoustar four-year-old Thunderlips, $450,000 yearling, backed up a Randwick win on June 7 with a fighting effort to catch Zouatica by a long neck in the 1500m benchmark 88. 'He's hard to catch at times but he's going very well,' Baker said. 'He loves it wet, too, and there's a bit of rain this week. Maybe back-up Baker could return for the back-end of the season.' Asked if he would nominate Thunderlips for the Winter Stakes, he said, 'Why not?' Penza gives Waller a peach Veteran jockey Jeff Penza repaid the faith of premier trainer Chris Waller with a perfect ride to break a run of placings for Changing Colours. Waller called on the 55-year-old, who rides mostly on the provincial and country circuits, to fill the void for him at Rosehill with seven bookings, three of which were later scratched. Changing Colours had two wins and six placings in eight career starts, all in Victoria, including seconds at her past three runs, before tackling the 1400m benchmark 78 for fillies and mares on Saturday. Penza had the four-year-old near last on the turn before negotiating a path through the field. He found clear air at the 250m and Changing Colours charged to a one-and-three-quarter lengths win over Fairway Star. Penza, who rode Summer Flame to victory for Waller in the listed Denise's Joy Stakes at Scone last month, has come back from serious falls at Taree in 2023 (broken ribs, concussion and damaged lungs) and Queanbeyan (leg fractures, broken wrist and shoulder) in 2018. 'That was a good ride, he was patient and he took his gaps and used angles to safely get her into the clear,' Waller said. 'He's a great rider and horseman, and it's a pleasure to have him aboard. He's very fit and keen, and he really is a credit to himself, the way he's stayed fit and mobile. 'He doesn't ride work for us but when we get stuck, I call him. I called him yesterday, and he was 'yeah, no worries'. If you want him there, he'll be there.' Misterkipchoge later broke a 17-month, 18-start drought to give Waller a double. The four-year-old, with Jean Van Overmiere aboard, edged out stablemate Pure Alpha in the 1800m benchmark 78 for a first win since saluting on debut in Australia in January last year. He had eight placings in between the victories. At Eagle Farm, Sydney-based Irishman Tom Sherry rode his first group 1 winner, taking Tashi to victory for Randwick trainer Peter Snowden in the Tattersall's Tiara. Veteran mare lifts for Curtis Trainer Lee Curtis said he may have to put back retirement plans for Bacio Del Mist after she was strong late to win the 2400m Stayers Cup on her home track at Rosehill on Saturday. Jockey Alysha Collett weaved a path through the small field from near last and the seven-year-old lifted to hit the lead 50 m out and beat Mormona by a neck. Collett finished with a double after winning the last on Lady Extreme. 'She's had horrible luck,' said Curtis, who trains a team of 19 with his wife, Cherie. 'The plan was just to go through this prep then wind it up, but these old blokes that own it, they'll probably say we'll race her another 12 months. 'She's been in work a long time. She's had just a little let-up. She's a marvel, for a $30,000 yearling out of Zoustar.' Bacio Del Mist has seven wins and eight placings from 44 starts, with $356,505 in stakes. Super result for Seth's mates The owners of Puntin savoured a special first Saturday win for the talented three-year-old at Rosehill, and trainer Bjorn Baker is confident bigger victories are to come. A $60,000 son of Super Seth, Puntin led the benchmark 72 handicap (1400m) for three- and four-year-olds under Ash Morgan and was strong late to hold out Don't Forget Jack by a short neck. Loading It was a fourth win in six starts for Puntin, which was named after Seth Puntin. 'He died of cancer about two or three years ago and when we bought the Super Seth, it kind of made sense to name him after Seth,' part-owner Cameron Sinclair said. 'They are all his really good mates, so it's a good story and a bloody good horse. We're in Disneck as well, and some of them are first-time owners, so it's really good.'
Sydney Morning Herald
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Josh Parr pulls right rein on Elamaz to cap winning treble at Rosehill
Back-up Baker set for return Bjorn Baker was considering a seven-day back-up for Thunderlips into the listed Winter Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill after he gave the Warwick Farm trainer a double on Saturday at the track. Baker, who earlier won with Puntin, went to 86 Sydney winners for the season as he chases a first century in town. He is second only to Chris Waller (145) and went past 150 winners nationwide for the first time. Zoustar four-year-old Thunderlips, $450,000 yearling, backed up a Randwick win on June 7 with a fighting effort to catch Zouatica by a long neck in the 1500m benchmark 88. 'He's hard to catch at times but he's going very well,' Baker said. 'He loves it wet, too, and there's a bit of rain this week. Maybe back-up Baker could return for the back-end of the season.' Asked if he would nominate Thunderlips for the Winter Stakes, he said, 'Why not?' Penza gives Waller a peach Veteran jockey Jeff Penza repaid the faith of premier trainer Chris Waller with a perfect ride to break a run of placings for Changing Colours. Waller called on the 55-year-old, who rides mostly on the provincial and country circuits, to fill the void for him at Rosehill with seven bookings, three of which were later scratched. Changing Colours had two wins and six placings in eight career starts, all in Victoria, including seconds at her past three runs, before tackling the 1400m benchmark 78 for fillies and mares on Saturday. Penza had the four-year-old near last on the turn before negotiating a path through the field. He found clear air at the 250m and Changing Colours charged to a one-and-three-quarter lengths win over Fairway Star. Penza, who rode Summer Flame to victory for Waller in the listed Denise's Joy Stakes at Scone last month, has come back from serious falls at Taree in 2023 (broken ribs, concussion and damaged lungs) and Queanbeyan (leg fractures, broken wrist and shoulder) in 2018. 'That was a good ride, he was patient and he took his gaps and used angles to safely get her into the clear,' Waller said. 'He's a great rider and horseman, and it's a pleasure to have him aboard. He's very fit and keen, and he really is a credit to himself, the way he's stayed fit and mobile. 'He doesn't ride work for us but when we get stuck, I call him. I called him yesterday, and he was 'yeah, no worries'. If you want him there, he'll be there.' Misterkipchoge later broke a 17-month, 18-start drought to give Waller a double. The four-year-old, with Jean Van Overmiere aboard, edged out stablemate Pure Alpha in the 1800m benchmark 78 for a first win since saluting on debut in Australia in January last year. He had eight placings in between the victories. At Eagle Farm, Sydney-based Irishman Tom Sherry rode his first group 1 winner, taking Tashi to victory for Randwick trainer Peter Snowden in the Tattersall's Tiara. Veteran mare lifts for Curtis Trainer Lee Curtis said he may have to put back retirement plans for Bacio Del Mist after she was strong late to win the 2400m Stayers Cup on her home track at Rosehill on Saturday. Jockey Alysha Collett weaved a path through the small field from near last and the seven-year-old lifted to hit the lead 50 m out and beat Mormona by a neck. Collett finished with a double after winning the last on Lady Extreme. 'She's had horrible luck,' said Curtis, who trains a team of 19 with his wife, Cherie. 'The plan was just to go through this prep then wind it up, but these old blokes that own it, they'll probably say we'll race her another 12 months. 'She's been in work a long time. She's had just a little let-up. She's a marvel, for a $30,000 yearling out of Zoustar.' Bacio Del Mist has seven wins and eight placings from 44 starts, with $356,505 in stakes. Super result for Seth's mates The owners of Puntin savoured a special first Saturday win for the talented three-year-old at Rosehill, and trainer Bjorn Baker is confident bigger victories are to come. A $60,000 son of Super Seth, Puntin led the benchmark 72 handicap (1400m) for three- and four-year-olds under Ash Morgan and was strong late to hold out Don't Forget Jack by a short neck. Loading It was a fourth win in six starts for Puntin, which was named after Seth Puntin. 'He died of cancer about two or three years ago and when we bought the Super Seth, it kind of made sense to name him after Seth,' part-owner Cameron Sinclair said. 'They are all his really good mates, so it's a good story and a bloody good horse. We're in Disneck as well, and some of them are first-time owners, so it's really good.'
Courier-Mail
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
2025 WJ McKell Cup: Jeff Penza rides Je Zous for Chris Waller
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Prolific hoop Jeff Penza and champion trainer Chris Waller will be out to orchestrate another feature race heist with promising import Je Zous in Saturday's Listed WJ McKell Cup (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Waller has called upon one of his most reliable sources to pilot several of his key chances on home turf, including his lightly-raced new addition, with many of Sydney's big guns either on holidays or riding on Group 1 Tatt's Tiara day at Eagle Farm. Penza and Waller have made for a formidable combination for many years with the hoop riding 80 winners for the champion conditioner – the second-most of any trainer he has ridden for. • 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! It was only recently when the dynamic duo combined for a shock stakes win in May when $61 outsider Summer Flame scored an upset win in the Listed Denise's Joy Stakes at Scone. 'We've had a terrific run together,' Penza said. 'It's always a pleasure riding his horses. 'They are always extremely well trained and tractable. 'Chris at Rosehill is always going to have plenty of runners and he always looks after me on provincial Saturdays.' • 'We have to focus on the positive things about our sport': O'Shea's rallying cry Je Zous is only in her first preparation in Australia after racing with success in Europe, winning at Group 3 level in the Denny Cordell Lavarack & Lanwades Stud Fillies Stakes at Gowran Park last year. The Waller stable has indicated Je Zous could be a potential Caulfield Cup hopeful and the Zoustar mare could take a significant step in that direction in the McKell Cup for which she is rated a $26 chance. 'She looks to have some really nice form overseas,' Penza said. 'She is only having her second run in Australia obviously and is second up there on Saturday. 'It was short of her best the other day (1400m) so the step up to 2000m should suit her. 'It sounds like she is a horse they have some time for.' • Revealed: Controversy behind Winx, Black Caviar 'Legend' gong Penza has six rides in total for Waller across the card. A rider of more than 2300 winners, the talented hoop is closing the half century mark for this season and has a strong book at Moruya to prepare for Saturday's card. The 55-year-old is enjoying life in the saddle as much as ever. 'My body is feeling really good,' Penza said. 'If you don't enjoy it, you won't do it very well but I am enjoying it. I am very happy. 'I had a bit of a lean trot there for a while but it comes and goes and I think the last month or two months have been really good. 'Hopefully I can continue that into next season and have a good season again.' Penza will be in line to chase a Cup double on Saturday's program with the experienced hoop set to connect with Speycaster ($6.50) in the Irresistible Pools Benchmark 90 Stayer's Cup (2400m). • Rosehill Turf Talk for Saturday: $19 value bet Speycaster's last win came in the same race last year after finishing seventh in the Listed Winter Cup the previous start. He was fourth in the same lead-up this year. 'Speycaster put in an improved performance last start and the 2400m should suit him,' Penza said. 'He did win this race last year.' Penza also combines with Maori Chief (race 3), Changing Colours (race 4), Vanessi (race 5) and Lenapi Vibe (race 8). Bookies rate Changing Colours ($4.80) as the best of those chances, with the daughter of The Autumn Sun set to return to Sydney after a run of three straight close seconds in Melbourne, the most recent behind Suances at Sandown. • Shayne O'Cass's race-by-race tips, analysis for Rosehill Gardens on Saturday 'Changing Colours has had those three seconds in a row down in Melbourne so she is knocking on the door,' Penza said. 'I don't know her too well given she has been racing in Melbourne but her form is very consistent so hopefully she can step up in Sydney.' Maori Chief ($14) can reap the benefits of an inside draw in the Captivant @ Kia Ora Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m) while Vanessi ($15) is second-up in the TAB Benchmark 72 Handicap (1100m). Lenape Vibe ($41) is an outside chance in Asahi Super Dry Benchmark 78 Handicap (1800m). Originally published as 2025 WJ McKell Cup: Jockey Jeff Penza to ride Je Zous for trainer Chris Waller
Sydney Morning Herald
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘He's a real horseman': Waller ‘honoured' to give veteran jockey city chances
Veteran jockey Jeff Penza is content riding on the provincial and country circuits, but when Chris Waller calls needing someone to fill the void in town, he answers. And Waller says it's an honour to give the 55-year-old opportunities. Penza will make a rare trip to a Saturday metropolitan meeting to partner up to six Waller-trained runners, including WJ McKell Cup chance Je Zous, on the 10-race card at Rosehill. 'I'd struggle to get seven rides at the provincials on a Saturday, so very happy,' said Penza, who was down for seven Waller rides before Chica Mojito was scratched on Thursday. 'I don't do a lot of trackwork for him, but I always fill the gaps when they need me to. If they ring me up the night before and ask me to do trackwork, I'm always going to say yes. 'We go back a long, long way. I'm pretty sure I was riding for him when he first came over from New Zealand [in 2000], so he's very supportive and I appreciate it very much.' Penza rides consistently for Waller at provincial meetings, but he has enjoyed success with the premier Sydney stable at higher levels, including with long-shot Summer Flame just last month in the listed Denise's Joy Stakes at Scone. Waller said there were 'lots of options, but we had no hesitation going to Jeff' for Saturday's runners. 'He's a credit to himself and his family, how fit he keeps himself, and he's a real horseman,' said Waller, who will win a 15th consecutive Sydney trainers premiership.
The Age
26-06-2025
- Sport
- The Age
‘He's a real horseman': Waller ‘honoured' to give veteran jockey city chances
Veteran jockey Jeff Penza is content riding on the provincial and country circuits, but when Chris Waller calls needing someone to fill the void in town, he answers. And Waller says it's an honour to give the 55-year-old opportunities. Penza will make a rare trip to a Saturday metropolitan meeting to partner up to six Waller-trained runners, including WJ McKell Cup chance Je Zous, on the 10-race card at Rosehill. 'I'd struggle to get seven rides at the provincials on a Saturday, so very happy,' said Penza, who was down for seven Waller rides before Chica Mojito was scratched on Thursday. 'I don't do a lot of trackwork for him, but I always fill the gaps when they need me to. If they ring me up the night before and ask me to do trackwork, I'm always going to say yes. 'We go back a long, long way. I'm pretty sure I was riding for him when he first came over from New Zealand [in 2000], so he's very supportive and I appreciate it very much.' Penza rides consistently for Waller at provincial meetings, but he has enjoyed success with the premier Sydney stable at higher levels, including with long-shot Summer Flame just last month in the listed Denise's Joy Stakes at Scone. Waller said there were 'lots of options, but we had no hesitation going to Jeff' for Saturday's runners. 'He's a credit to himself and his family, how fit he keeps himself, and he's a real horseman,' said Waller, who will win a 15th consecutive Sydney trainers premiership.
