Latest news with #KerrinMcEvoy
News.com.au
22-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Canterbury best bets, inside mail for Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Form expert Adam Sherry analyses the seven-race card at Canterbury on Wednesday, presenting his best bets, quaddie picks and inside mail. • 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! â– â– â– â– â– BEST BET Race 4 No.5 AMREEKIYAH: Went back-to-back in her first campaign. Can remain unbeaten. NEXT BEST Race 5 No.1 NO DRAMA: Loves racing here. Narrowly beaten last start and can go one better. VALUE BET Race 7 No.10 KENMARE BAY: Was good winning at his first run here two starts back. Go close again. QUADDIE Race 4: 1, 5 Race 5: 1, 3, 8 Race 6: 1, 2, 10 Race 7: 3, 7, 10 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Kerrin McEvoy has some nice rides and looks a good chance in the TAB Jockey Challenge. TRIPLE TWO EIGHT (8) was bumped at the start and settled well back on debut at Warwick Farm. Got the outside and closed strongly in the last 50m for third to Tomato Toastie. Will be improved by the run. MISS JONES (2) led when second behind Glorious Moments over 1200m here on June 18. Returned three weeks later when fourth to Infusion after missing the start. KERBER (5) was specked from $21 into $13 on debut in the Listed Lonhro Plate when ninth to Bellazaine. Closed nicely when fifth in his recent Rosehill trial. BET: TRIPLE TWO EIGHT (8) to win. KOKATAHI (2) was a little green on debut and laid in when a three-quarter length third to Central Coast here on June 18. Had an easy trial at Rosehill before a third to Tomato Toastie at Randwick on July 12. SKYGLIDER (7) is a first starter by Flying Artie from the family of dual Group 1 winner Turffontein. Led and kept under a hold when third to Nashville Jack in his first trial at Rosehill. Sat three-wide outside the leaders and came away to win his second heat. SIXTIES (9) was held up for clear running until the 100m when eighth at Gosford on debut. BET: KOKATAHI (2) to win. MAQUISA (8) was okay first-up when third behind impressive winner Stardeel on the Kensington. Unlucky here last start when held up in the straight and having to change course near the 100m when second to Infusion. KILONOVA (4) won on debut at Rosehill in February before a spell. Led and fought on gamely for a head second to Signor Tortoni when resuming over 1200m here two weeks ago. SHALAA GOLD (2) was rewarded for his consistent form when he ended last campaign with a win from Everybody Rise at Warwick Farm. Nice win from the in-form King Of Roseau in his Randwick trial. BET: MAQUISA (8) each-way. AMREEKIYAH (5) did a nice job to beat the favourite Inevitable Truth on debut ta Kembla and followed up with an all-the-way win from Pinito at Newcastle. Trialling nicely including a closing win from Metaphorically in her Hawkesbury heat. ISLAND DREAM (1) followed a Hawkesbury maiden win with a Benchmark 72 win at Rosehill before stepping up to the Group 3 Kembla Grange Classic when 11th to Verona Rose. RINGAROSA (4) was first-up from a length spell for a new stable when fourth to Romeo's Choice at Warwick Farm three weeks ago. Is a winner at this track and distance and drawn to be prominent. BET: AMREEKIYAH (5) to win. NO DRAMA (1) loves Canterbury where he has two wins and a second from three runs. Led all-the-way for a smart win from Naval Commission over this track and distance in April. Returned to Canterbury on June 18 with a solid half-length second to Nana's Wish. GALANO (1) resumed with a stylish win at Muswellbrook. Has won two from three second-up. Was runner-up to Fay's Angel over 1900m here at the end of last campaign. DELRICO (8) was held up for 150m in the straight when fifth to Centenario here last start. Was a winner here last campaign. BET: NO DRAMA (1) to win. THE REPLICANT (10) has won just three races from 39 starts but has a further 22 placings. Three of those placings have been in his three runs here, the latest a second to Hanau on July 9. Has claims from the inside draw. METAPHORICALLY (1) raced well below his best when last behind Getafix and pulled up 1/5 lame on the Kensington last start. Has since finished second to Amreekiyah in a Hawkesbury trial. Resumed with a head third to The Great Houdini and Puntin here first-up. PRETTY POWERFUL (2) was held up over the final 400m and untested at Randwick last start. Won here last campaign. KENMARE BAY (10) has had a lengthy campaign but continues to race well. Came from midfield and pushed out on the turn to beat Tempranillo over this track and distance on May 28. Was five weeks between runs when third to Nana's Wish at Warwick Farm. HOVLAND (7) was very good winning at Hawkesbury over 1800m then had to change course inside the last 100m when fifth to Monarch's Brae here last start. SLY BOOTS (3) was good late from back in the field when fifth to Puntin over 1400m at Rosehill first-up before a sixth to Oh Diamond Lil over 1600m at Randwick last start.
News.com.au
23-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Shayne O'Cass's best bets, inside mail for Wyong and Port Macquarie on Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Form analyst Shayne O'Cass provides his best bets and race-by-race analysis for Wyong on Tuesday, as well as his tips for Port Macquarie. â– â– â– â– â– WYONG TIPS BEST BET Race 1 No.8 ODAKA: Well-bred filly whose talent is way above her current CV. NEXT BEST Race 2 No.2 JUSTICE WARRIOR: Placed at 7 of his 10 starts, at home today and the one to beat. VALUE Race 6 No.7 OH GOLLY GOSH: Gets back but can really power home when circumstances permit. QUADDIE Race 4: 1,3 Race 5: 1,2 Race 6: 1,6,7,8 Race 7: 3,7,9,15 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Kerrin McEvoy has a small but select book of rides at Wyong. WYONG INSIDE MAIL ODAKA (8) is an Ole Kirk filly in the Kia Ora silks who debuted with an eye-catcher at Randwick on January 25 in the race where United States was runner-up. Odaka resumed in the Listed Woodlands at Scone on Cup day and was 'fair' then trialled at Rosehill on June 6. Ready to show her best. DIVO (7) is a daughter of Capitalist. She's also a granddaughter of Makybe Diva. Has plenty of speed/pace so barrier 2 and Wyong ought to play to her strengths. CAPITAL JICINTA (4) resumes at home. Has the talent. BET: ODAKA (8) to win (best bet), exacta 8 to beat 7. JUSTICE WARRIOR (2) will be ridden here by Kerrin McEvoy who rode her dam Srikandi four times for a win in the Tatt's Tiara and Stradbroke as well as a second to Chautauqua in the Manikato. Justice Warrior has placed 7 times in 10 starts; consistent to a fault but awfully costly at times. No excuses today. NGUNNAWAL (3) was a huge drifter on debut at Scone back in February and ran accordingly. Market the guide again but he could/should run a lot better this time. VETWELVE (1) has city form. BET: JUSTICE WARRIOR (2) to win. SAPLING (10) was a $28,000 weanling who sold again as a yearling for $130,000. The Sara Ryan-trained filly's job of winning has been made decidedly easier with the scratching of Cabriole who would have gapped these. As for Sapling, she is back at the home track today after a solid fourth at Canterbury first-up. FIERY LASS (7) was eighth of 11 at Canterbury first-up but was last at the 400m and the four-odd length margin was rapidly diminishing. Cabriole's scratching leaves CONTEMPLATES (6) to represent James Cummings; maybe that is a lead? BET: SAPLING (10) to win, quinella 7,10. CHARLEROI (1) is a Dundeel out of a Snitzel mare; his fourth dam is none other than Shantha's Choice. The Domeland/Sara Ryan gelding has raced four times and been excellent all the way through. The form around him is all rather good. Drawn a little wide, that's all. same for THE PROFESSOR (3) who will jump from the outside alley but he was going back anyhow. if ever a horse could be said to be 'getting close to a win', it is The Professor. NOVEMBER AIR (5) is consistent. Hard to line-up SOUTHERN SKY (6) but wow, what a debut win that was! BET: CHARLEROI (1) to win, quinella 1,3. SUM INVICTUS (2) was a $450,000 Easter Yearling by I Am Invincible out of a mare by Lonhro out of Alizes. The Chris Waller-trained 3YO had 'next time' and 'back to the provincials' all over him post the Canterbury May 28 return. Loves Wyong. CARNEGIE HILL (1) looks rather well 'in' here with 57.5kg in a 55kg limit given he was a last start winner and an easy one too. EMPIRE OF ART (4) probably needs this run but wouldn't be totally shocked if he pulled out something fresh-up with Tommy Berry in the saddle. BET: SUM INVICTUS (2) to win, Daily Double 1st Leg 2, 2nd Leg 15. OH GOLLY GOSH (7) rarely, if ever, runs a bad race and that extends back over her long career which began with a third here at Wyong in February 2021. She was last at the turn that day and stormed home, that's become her trademark in all the years since. Get the timing right and she can win races like that no problem. ZIP ON BY (6) really and truly stretched the $1.35 hot-pot Formal when they met at Gosford. Has won second-up and the extra 300m today can only assist. ONE KIND (8) went out fast and hard here last start and held on doggedly. BET: OH GOLLY GOSH (7) each-way. IRON HAT (15) is going to need some luck to get into the field but she is racing in great form without luck (what's new). Speaking of racing in great form, Ron Quinton's Are Ee Que has won three of her last four. One of them was at Wyong beating Glorioso and co. Drawn 4. Madeline Owen has four wins from right rides on her. FLAME OF HESTIA (9) is out of Hell It's Hot; dare we say the filly herself has been a bit hold and cold? Brings her best and she probably 'just wins'. Time will tell. ZAKOR (7) is right in this. â– â– â– â– â–
News.com.au
13-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Kerrin McEvoy determined to farewell James Cummings with Group 1 win in JJ Atkins at Eagle Farm
Champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy will have extra motivation to win the Group 1 JJ Atkins on Saturday as he aims to give James Cummings a winning farewell before the top Sydney trainer takes a well-deserved sabbatical. Cummings will finish up with Godolphin when his contract ends on July 31 before taking a break and then moving to Hong Kong for the start of the 2026-27 racing season. McEvoy has ridden four Group 1 winners for Cummings, the grandson of legendary trainer Bart, and will add another if he takes out the $1m JJ Atkins (1600m) for juveniles on colt Zebra Finch at Eagle Farm on Saturday. 'It'd be great to win another major for James before he finishes his term as head trainer (for Godolphin),' McEvoy said. 'He's done a remarkable job in the time that he's been there so it'd be great to get him out on a good note. 'It was a surprising call, I certainly didn't expect it. He'll be missed in the (Australian) training ranks for sure.' McEvoy won The Galaxy for Cummings on mare Zapateo in March last year on a day when he was rushed to hospital with back and neck injuries following a nasty fall in the last race. His other three majors for the now 37-year-old came in 2019 – the George Main Stakes and Ranvet Stakes (both on Avilius) and the Stradbroke Handicap on Trekking. The three-time Melbourne Cup winner said his favourite of those four major victories was the 2019 Stradbroke. 'He (Trekking) was a horse that James was able to win some really good races with and got better as he got older,' McEvoy said. 'I'm sure he was a horse that James really enjoyed training and that was probably the most satisfying win with him. 'He showed good trust in me because I'd ridden the horse a number of times and myself and the horse were able to form a good association. 'We put that to good use in the Stradbroke. He was able to get a really good run in transit and travelled like the winner the whole race so that was an enjoyable day.' Zebra Finch is paying $15 with bookmakers to win the JJ Atkins, well behind the Chris Waller-trained Hidden Achievement ($6), who was runner-up to Zebra Finch in a 2YO Handicap (1300m) just two weeks ago at Rosehill Gardens. Queensland gallopers Cool Archie ($3.60) and Grafterburners ($8) are well in the market. 'He beat Hidden Achievement fair and square the other day and showed improvement with the blinkers on,' McEvoy said. 'I can see him making his presence felt, that's for sure. 'He's the sort of colt who only does enough so I'm hopeful that in a better field he's going to bring more to the table. 'We'll find out this Saturday in a top-level race for two-year-olds over a mile.'
News.com.au
13-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Bjorn Baker doesn't want to miss his chance to be at Eagle Farm on Saturday to defend his Stradbroke crown.
Bjorn Baker was 16,000km away when he won the Stradbroke Handicap last year. But he won't miss his chance to be at Eagle Farm on Saturday as he vies to become the first trainer to win back-to-back Stradbroke Handicap crowns in 15 years. The high-flying Sydney trainer was in England last year for the wedding of jockey Rachel King when $16 chance Stefi Magnetica crossed the line first, with Zac Lloyd onboard. King would have almost certainly had jagged the ride if she wasn't tying the knot but in a sliding-doors moment, Lloyd grabbed the unexpected opportunity to score his maiden Group 1 victory. This year, Baker will pin his hopes on five-year-old gelding Robusto, with three-time Melbourne Cup winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy to ride the $26 shot. 'No doubt we're going to need some luck from the wide gate (barrier 18) but it's one of those time-honoured races,' said Baker, who can become the first trainer to successfully defend a Stradbroke title since Con Karakatsanis in 2010 with Black Piranha. 'You come back as the defending champion and it's pretty amazing. 'One thing last year, when I won the Brisbane Cup and the Straddie on the same day I was actually in the UK so it'll be nice to be on track to win a big race like that.' Robusto will go into the Stradbroke first up, having not raced since being runner-up to Waterford in the $500,000 The Lakes (1600m) at Wyong on January 11, but neither Baker or McEvoy are concerned. 'He's had two good trials and a gallop between races so I don't think I could have him much fitter first up,' Baker said about the Group 2 The Ingham (1600m) winner from last December at Randwick. 'Look, he's been a great addition to the stable for (syndicators) Darby Racing and we're very grateful to have him.' Darby bought Robusto for $160,000 on Inglis Digital in September after he had delivered six wins and eight placings from 29 starts for Sydney's premier trainer Chris Waller. In seven starts for his new stable, Robusto has earned $1.6m in prizemoney, with the bulk of that haul coming from his victory in The Ingham. McEvoy said he was quietly confident about his Stradbroke chances, with Robusto carrying a lightweight 52.5kg and being 'a fresh horse on the scene'. 'I think Bjorn has him primed to run at a really high level,' he said. 'He's had a fair few trials and I rode him in a race-course gallop at Warwick Farm and he performed well. 'I think with 52.5kg on his back he's in with a shout for sure in what looks to be a really open race. 'Bjorn has got this horse going to a new level since he got him. He's really gone gangbusters and he looks in good condition. 'I don't mind the fact that he's a fresh horse on the scene. Whether he's good enough, we'll find out but it'd be nice to have a good run in transit and give the horse every chance.' Baker said he was still pinching himself about his 'unbelievable' golden run in which he will chase his fourth Group 1 of the season in Saturday's Stradbroke. 'A couple of things I really wanted to do this year is win one of the majors in The Championships in Sydney and I was lucky enough to win two (the Doncaster Mile with Stefi Magnetica and the Sydney Cup with Arapaho). 'I guess winning the Magic Millions (with O' Ole in January) is very special so it's been a remarkable season. 'I'm very lucky I've got some nice horses, a great team around me and some really good clients.'
News.com.au
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Gosford, Ballina best bets, inside mail for Thursday, June 12, 2025
Form expert Adam Sherry analyses Thursday's card at Gosford, presenting his best bets, value selection, quaddie and jockey to follow as well as his best bets for Ballina. • GOSFORD BEST BET Race 4 No. 2: GOLDEN SMILE Big all-the-way win two runs back. Back to provincial grade and hard to beat. NEXT BEST Has improved with each run and scored a good win last start. Strong chance again. VALUE BET Race 2 No. 2: DONWON Coming off a nice win here last start. Nice chance again. QUADDIE Race 4: 1, 2 Race 5: 1, 2, 6 Race 6: 2, 6 Race 7: 1, 3, 6 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW KERRIN MCEVOY looks a good chance in the TAB Jockey Challenge. BALLINA BEST BET Race 7 No. 4: RAINBOW LASS Just beaten here before winning her next two all on heavy ground. Can bring up the hat-trick. NEXT BEST Race 6 No. 2: YALLA Solid winner two starts ago. Back slightly in trip from his fourth over the mile. INSIDE MAIL – GOSFORD ZING TO ME (3) debuted with a closing second behind Agenda Setter at Hawkesbury last August and has been off the scene until stepping out in a Randwick trial on May 5. She shared the lead and held Glorious Moments. Led for a big win in her second trial at Rosehill from Infusion. JIMMY RECARD (5) was given a shot at the listed Debutant Stakes at Caulfield in the spring where he was eighth to Miss Celine. Closed nicely late for third to Quietly Arrogant in his May 30 Randwick trial. JUST LEGENDARY (6) is a first starter by Justify from the Waterhouse and Bott stable. Sat very wide in winning his Randwick trial then led all-the-way in his Rosehill heat. DONWON (2) resumed with a handy second behind Secure over 1100m at Canterbury. Battled away when fifth to the progressive Queen's Rhapsody at Hawkesbury before scoring a smart win from Hard Rattle over 1000m here last start. Drawn well and will give this a shake. HAWKER HALL (3) kicked off his campaign with a three-and-half length win from He's Cool over 900m at Newcastle on Apr 23. Didn't race again until a fifth to Prima Bella over the same track and distance on May 26. HONEY PERFUME (6) broke her maiden with a big win at Goulburn and followed with a nose second to Shropshire Lad at Scone and a second to Divine Bene here. LOUISBURGH (4) battled away when second behind Ninette in a Wyong Super Maiden first-up on May 8 before going don by a nose to Whispering Rupert over this track and distance three weeks later. Winkers go on. SIGNOR TORTONI (6) was pressured in front before going down by just over a half-length to Octa De Lago when resuming as a $1.35 favourite on a Heavy 9 at Goulburn on May 22. Given three weeks to get over the run. Was a close runner-up in two races on soft ground at Canterbury last time in. GOLDEN SMILE (2) ran nice placings at her first three runs back from a spell. Appreciated stepping up to 1890m with a big maiden win at Newcastle before a fifth on the Kensington. Back to provincial grade and up to 2100m looks ideal. BOLD SPLENDOR (1) returned from a let-up with a fourth over 1600m at Coonabarabran before a two-and-a-half length fourth to Okami Star over the same trip here on May 29. Ready to step up to the 2100m. MR CONSPIRACY (5) closed from near last when fourth to Ant over 200m at Kembla. UNUSUAL PROSPECT (1) was a close second over 2000m at his only run in England last November. Kicked off his Australian career with a strong closing head second to Gwendie over 1600m at Kembla on Jan 29. Hit the line smartly when third to Oso Spirited in his 1030m Rosehill trial. STEEL RAIN (8) boxed on okay for second behind Pick Up The Tab when resuming over 1200m at Kembla. Stepped up to 1500m and led when a head second to Fairhead at Goulburn last start. THE BEAST (3) has placed third in both run this campaign but hasn't looked entirely comfortable on the heavy tracks. He will appreciate getting back on a better surface. COVERT THINKING (6) settled last and made ground along the rails on debut at Hawkesbury before closing nicely for a half-length second to Elivina over 1500m at Newcastle. Backed it up with a handy win over this track and distance on May 29. Gets in well with the 3kg claim. SURREAL I AM (2) kicked off his campaign with a good win at Sunshine Coast before a fifth at the Gold Coast. Bounced back with another nice win at the Sunshine Coast. OAKFIELD MAMSELLE (1) resumes here. Is a first-up winner and unbeaten at the trip. BURJ (6) raced well in her first campaign including a debut win over 1300m in a Newcastle Super Maiden and a half-length second to C'mon mate at Kembla. Wasn't pushed when second to Sovereign Hill in her May 30 Randwick trial. DIDDLE DUMPLING (3) won her maiden over 1400m at Hawkesbury before a seventh in a Randwick Bm72 and fifth to Wooloowin at the Gold Coast. Kept under a hold with plenty to offer in both recent trials. POWER BALLARD (1) will appreciate a drop back to provincial grade and a claim.
