Latest news with #MaidenHandicap
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Navy Pier returns primed to atone for disappointing debut
An untapped provincial-based three-year-old is primed to kick-start his career when he gets his first taste of drier ground at the Taree meeting on Monday. Navy Pier, a son of Divine Prophet in the David Atkins stable at Newcastle, returns for only his second start in a Maiden Handicap over 1400m. Back in March, despite trialling well and surrounded by plenty of hype before his debut outing on the Beaumont track, Navy Pier was disappointing for his sole owner. He was heavily backed from $5 into $2.90 that day, but drawn low on what quickly turned out to be inferior ground, was never comfortable on the heavy rating finishing five lengths from the winner. But the form around that race was strong, although connections abruptly tipped Navy Pier out for another break, and more time to strengthen and mature. He was given one easy trial in heavy ground four weeks ago, and connections have been deliberate and patient in waiting for the right race and distance on a drier surface. Loading Although rain is forecast for the Mid North Coast later this week, Monday's rating should be about a good 4 or soft 5, and Navy Pier drew to get a cosy run with cover just off the speed. He opened around $3.80 in early betting and is set to challenge both resuming three-year-old Zainstar ($3.30), which hasn't raced for 11 months, and Epic Statement ($3.60), which is second-up, for ultimate favouritism. Significantly, Navy Pier is Atkins' only runner on the eight-race program, after he scratched Rockbarton Max from the opening maiden after he drew the outside barrier, and promising three-year-old Expido opened a hot $1.45 favourite.
The Age
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
Navy Pier returns primed to atone for disappointing debut
An untapped provincial-based three-year-old is primed to kick-start his career when he gets his first taste of drier ground at the Taree meeting on Monday. Navy Pier, a son of Divine Prophet in the David Atkins stable at Newcastle, returns for only his second start in a Maiden Handicap over 1400m. Back in March, despite trialling well and surrounded by plenty of hype before his debut outing on the Beaumont track, Navy Pier was disappointing for his sole owner. He was heavily backed from $5 into $2.90 that day, but drawn low on what quickly turned out to be inferior ground, was never comfortable on the heavy rating finishing five lengths from the winner. But the form around that race was strong, although connections abruptly tipped Navy Pier out for another break, and more time to strengthen and mature. He was given one easy trial in heavy ground four weeks ago, and connections have been deliberate and patient in waiting for the right race and distance on a drier surface. Loading Although rain is forecast for the Mid North Coast later this week, Monday's rating should be about a good 4 or soft 5, and Navy Pier drew to get a cosy run with cover just off the speed. He opened around $3.80 in early betting and is set to challenge both resuming three-year-old Zainstar ($3.30), which hasn't raced for 11 months, and Epic Statement ($3.60), which is second-up, for ultimate favouritism. Significantly, Navy Pier is Atkins' only runner on the eight-race program, after he scratched Rockbarton Max from the opening maiden after he drew the outside barrier, and promising three-year-old Expido opened a hot $1.45 favourite.
Sydney Morning Herald
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Singleton stable set for Lovely trip away to Narromine
A trip away and return to the flying short course are set to pay dividends for a tough Scone filly at today's Narromine meeting. And punters have seemingly been given a decisive leg-up from the Scott Singleton stable, with front-running Too Darn Lovely by-passing a home meeting on the same day to zero in on a weaker target in the central west. Dropping back from a higher-graded race at Muswellbrook over 1000m three weeks ago when she faded after leading, Too Darn Lovely reloads in a Benchmark 58 Handicap over the 800m scamper course on a tighter and more advantageous track for on-speed sprinters. The start before in a better BM 58 at Quirindi (1000m), Too Darn Lovely ran a quick time in beating a handy sprint field. She again draws to control the race under regular apprentice Leeshelle Small, and back on her preferred firmer ground, looks set to take her strike rate to five wins from 14 starts. A speedy daughter of fashionable sire Too Darn Hot, Too Darn Lovely could be aimed at a more challenging provincial sprint, or even a Saturday Highway if she takes care of this moderate field. While Singleton has accepted for seven runners at the Scone meeting, Thor's Lightning, second-up in a Maiden Plate over 1300m, is his only other runner at Narromine. The meeting, though, is set to be dominated by Dubbo stables. Loading The Clint Lundholm yard, among its better chances, will run exciting debutant filly Miss Rapide in a Maiden Plate over 800m, along with resuming My Boy Scout in a Maiden Handicap (1100m), and promising filly Matilda Of Tuscany shooting for back-to-back wins after a dominant Maiden breakthrough at Warren.
The Age
22-06-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Singleton stable set for Lovely trip away to Narromine
A trip away and return to the flying short course are set to pay dividends for a tough Scone filly at today's Narromine meeting. And punters have seemingly been given a decisive leg-up from the Scott Singleton stable, with front-running Too Darn Lovely by-passing a home meeting on the same day to zero in on a weaker target in the central west. Dropping back from a higher-graded race at Muswellbrook over 1000m three weeks ago when she faded after leading, Too Darn Lovely reloads in a Benchmark 58 Handicap over the 800m scamper course on a tighter and more advantageous track for on-speed sprinters. The start before in a better BM 58 at Quirindi (1000m), Too Darn Lovely ran a quick time in beating a handy sprint field. She again draws to control the race under regular apprentice Leeshelle Small, and back on her preferred firmer ground, looks set to take her strike rate to five wins from 14 starts. A speedy daughter of fashionable sire Too Darn Hot, Too Darn Lovely could be aimed at a more challenging provincial sprint, or even a Saturday Highway if she takes care of this moderate field. While Singleton has accepted for seven runners at the Scone meeting, Thor's Lightning, second-up in a Maiden Plate over 1300m, is his only other runner at Narromine. The meeting, though, is set to be dominated by Dubbo stables. Loading The Clint Lundholm yard, among its better chances, will run exciting debutant filly Miss Rapide in a Maiden Plate over 800m, along with resuming My Boy Scout in a Maiden Handicap (1100m), and promising filly Matilda Of Tuscany shooting for back-to-back wins after a dominant Maiden breakthrough at Warren.
Mercury
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Mercury
Murwillumbah preview, tips: Ethan Ensby's Rainbow Lass chases hat-trick
In-form mare Rainbow Lass isn't just chasing a hat-trick of wins, she is on trial for a possible feature race target at next month's Grafton carnival. Following two solid wins over 1000m and 1200m on her home track at Casino, trainer Ethan Ensby feels to time is right to test Rainbow Lass over a longer distance in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1550m). 'She is going enormous at the moment,' said Ensby. 'She is obviously stepping up to the 1500m for the first time and being by Pariah, she probably isn't bred to get that far but at home, my partner rides her work and she is showing us she is that 1400m to a mile type. 'She sat three-wide working up the hill at Casino over the 1200 metres last start which is like running 1300 or 1400 metres. 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! 'She does like a wet track so the Soft 7 will suit her. My only concerns are the weight, she carriers 58.5kg after Izzy's (Neale) claim, and the gate if she happens to blow the start like she has been known to do. 'If she gets out and into a good position, she should be very competitive. 'If she happens to win this race, I might aim her at the Grafton Guineas.' Ensby is looking forward to seeing Mahuika Maroi make her race debut in the Country Boosted Maiden Handicap (1200m). The three-year-old has been safely beaten in both her barrier trials but Ensby said things didn't go as he'd hoped on either occasion. 'When she trialled at the Gold Coast, it was supposed to be on the B Grass but they switched to polytrack which I wasn't very happy about. 'I didn't want to trial on the poly but with the weather the way it was, she had to go around and use it as a bit of a gallop and hope for the best. 'She wasn't put under any pressure that day. 'We then went to Grafton for her next trial and she slipped coming out of the gates on the wet track and tweaked a muscle hence while it's been a while until her first start. 'She finds a really nice race start off in and although the 1200 metres will be short of her best, I think she will run a nice race with the expectation she will be better for it.' Ensby has Shez Mysterious and Gold Puma in the Maiden Handicap (1550m) but is leaning towards splitting the pair and saving the later for either Port Macquarie or Lismore during the week. Shez Mysterious failed on her home track on May 30 but Ensby feels it is worth forgetting that run and judge her on her first two starts. The daughter of So You Think debuted with a fourth to Rainbow Lass on a Heavy 10 at Casino before coming from a conspicuous last when beaten just over a length in fourth place at Inverell on May 23. 'I think the heavy track and the quick back-up went against her last start. She just didn't handle it,' he said. 'I think it would pay to forgive her for that. 'I've given her a bit of time since then and the beauty of training at the farm is it allows me to put her out during the day. 'He first-up run at Casino was encouraging then second-up, she stood like a deer in the headlights in the barrier at Inverell and came out a clear last. 'She really closed of strongly though. 'I give her a really good chance with Ben Looker on board from barrier 1.' ADAM SHERRY'S TOP SELECTIONS BEST BET Race 6 No. 1: SAXINOUE Unbeaten second-up and steps up to a suitable trip. NEXT BEST Race 8 No. 11: LUCKY NEKO Led all-the-way last start and can go back-to-back. VALUE BET Race 4 No. 7: FEATHERTOP Handy effort after a wide run last start. Looking for the extra trip. QUADDIE Race 5: 2, 5 Race 6: 1, 5 Race 7: 1, 3, 5 Race 8: 2, 11 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Hard to go past JETT NEWMAN in the TAB Jockey Challenge with her strong book of rides. INSIDE MAIL – MURWILLUMBAH RACE 1: MURWILLUMBAH CUP AUGUST 22 COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN HANDICAP 1200m HERALD ANGEL (2) settled midfield and worked home nicely between horses to finish a neck second behind the tough Diva's Reign on debut at Grafton. Will take benefit from the experience. GAVIN (3) finished a couple of close placings along with two fourths last campaign. MAHUIKA MAROI (4) is a first starter by Redwood. Wasn't pushed when third to Olivershare on an unsuitable synthetic track in her Gold Coast trial. Bred to get over further. Bet: Herald Angel to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 2: RACING MATES COUNTRY BOOSTED BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1010m NO RAGRETS (5) broke through with a big win from Barron at Ballina last start. Led and kicked away to win by nearly four lengths. Will take plenty of confidence out of that. ODETTE'S ORCHID (6) likes to lead or be right up on speed. Forced to settled near midfield when last on a Heavy 10 at Ballina first-up. Will be fitter for the run, appreciate a firmer track and can bounce back. HUMPHREE BEAR (2) missed the kick and was well back throughout first-up. Chance on Grafton win from Rainbow Lass. Bet: No Ragrets to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 3: TOPLINE THOROUGHBREDS MAIDEN PLATE 1010m SIGLO DE ORO (1) raced outside the leader and boxed on well for a two length fourth behind Make A Call when resuming over 1110m at Doomben. Back to 1010m and was beaten a nose at his only run at this trip. DARE TO LOVE (5) finished a half-length in front of Siglo De Oro when third in that Doomben race. Buffeted at start and worked early when seventh at Doomben last start. Will find this easier. MISS LINNY (7) will be better over further but can run well first-up. Bet: Siglo De Oro to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 4: TOOHEYS GRAFTON CUP PREVIEW BM 82 HANDICAP 2020m FEATHERTOP (7) ran handy races in his first two runs back at Doomben. Raced three-wide midfield when a two length seventh to Fiorsum Fred in a 1600m Highway at Scone on May 17. Up to 2000m now. Stablemate FULL OF SINCERITY (1) resumed with a good win at Ballina before a long neck third at Ipswich. Just behind the placegetters over 2200m in two runs since. Gets a 2kg claim. SHERRIFF CODY (6) jumps up to 2020m and has placed in four from six at the trip. Bet: Feathertop each-way ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 5: XXXX GINGER MAIDEN HANDICAP 1550m SILENT CALL (2) had his chance when a neck second at Benalla over 1600m in February. Resumed for a new stable with a closing fifth at Doomben over 1200m. Step up in trip suits. ALMALIKAT SARAH (5) has improved with each run. Came from well back when fifth at Grafton on debut. Led when second at Beaudesert six week later then just caught by Rick For Reward at Ballina last start. CASTERLY ROCK (3) was held up on the home turn when third to Jillaroo at Doomben last start. Bet: Silent Call to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 6: BRIMS CONCRETE & LANDSCAPE SUPPLIES BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1550m SAXINOUE (1) settled well back before closing off nicely despite finishing seventh when resuming over 1200m at Grafton. Jumps up to 1550m. He is unbeaten second-up including a win here on his home track. ALL ABOUT ARTIE (5) has had a long campaign which started with a win at Ipswich in January and he continues to race well. Was a three-quarter length third at Warwick two starts back before a half-length second to Monastery at Ballina. BETTER YET (4) drop sin grade from his win and fourth at Ipswich at his past two starts. Bet: Saxinoue to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 7: RIVERVIEW HOTEL BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1550m INSINUATE (3) recorded her maiden win over this track and distance in February. After a couple of unplaced Eagle Farm runs, dropped back to country grade with a big win at Casino followed by a third last start both over 1400m. RAINBOW LASS (5) was just pipped at Ballina before winning her next two starts nicely at Casino over 1000m and 1200m. Up to 1550m for the first time which is a query but her dam won up to 1600m so worth a try. CAPITAL BOSS (1) has claims on his Gold Coast two starts back. Bet: Insinuate to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 8: MURWILLUMBAH SERVICES CLUB BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1200m LUCKY NEKO (11) was caught three-wide without cover when fifth to Ultimate Say at Grafton first-up. Jumped straight to the front and scored by over a length from Rock The Machine over 1400m at Casino last start. Drops back to 1200m but drawn well and gets a 2kg claim again. FLAME TREE STAR (3) resumes here and has placed in both first-up runs. Was beaten a short half head by Neil over 1100m fresh up last time in. SUPERZOOM (6) had a tough run at Warwick last start and has been freshened. Is a winner this track and distance. Bet: Lucky Neko to win
