Latest news with #Mickey'sMedal
The Age
27-06-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Tips and race-by-race guide for Rosehill on Saturday
3. Livin' Thing looks to have a bit of scope about him to take a few more steps and he was quite dynamic in winning in midweek company a couple of weeks ago. This is up in class, but he drops nicely in the weights and promises to get another good run behind the speed. Gets away from wet tracks now but nothing there to suggest he needs them to fire. 5. King's Secret looked good winning a month ago, then potentially had excuses as he fizzed up behind the gates when a battling fifth two weeks back. If you can forgive that run he has to be a major chance. 1. Spywire is a big query first up since running a much improved race at the Sunshine Coast in January. He looked very smart as a two-year-old and his trials have been handy. First run as a gelding, too. Market a decent pointer, but no surprise if he's right in the finish. 6. Rantan can do a lot better than what she showed when she was in the market first up behind Lulumon at Gosford about seven weeks ago. Dry track is a big plus for her, so if she has any luck she can feature. How to play it: Livin' Thing to win. Race 6 – 1.55PM SCHWEPPES HANDICAP (1500 METRES) 7. Mickey's Medal can easily continue on his winning way after finding his groove at this track and trip in his past two starts. He's creeping up in class now but stays down in the weights with the claim and has a great racing style that usually has him just on the speed and in a striking position. He'll get that chance again with a noted front-runner drawn wide. 1. Green Shadows backs up after quite a respectable effort in the Civic Stakes last week and isn't badly treated with the claim. He only has to run up to his recent form to be competitive back to a benchmark 88. 2. Thunderlips is impossible to leave out, and he should be right around the mark again. Very well ridden when scoring at Randwick three weeks ago, landing in a good spot off an outside gate and bursting through late. Best form is on softer ground, but that's the only negative you could find. 4. Step Aside beat King Of Roseau first up, then a month between runs, and he ran on without threatening into third at Sandown. Back home with a similar gap, and he's always a chance in this sort of race. How to play it: Mickey's Medal to win. Race 7 – 2.35PM IRRESISTIBLE POOLS STAYER'S CUP (2400 METRES) 8. Casual Connection is as honest as they come, and that's a big head start in a field of stayers that are a little inconsistent. He's the only horse in this that has won a race in the current preparation. Dominant on a heavy track at Randwick two runs back, taking off before the turn and running them into the ground, then not disgraced behind Tympanist when up in weight. Has the luxury of 53kg, and while he'd be more dangerous on a wet track, what he'll strike here should be no disadvantage. 6. Mormona showed a glimpse when finishing off nicely late in the Winter Cup at this track and over this distance second up from a spell. He is about 600 days since his last win, but might be able to settle closer this time and have a better chance. 11. Awesome Wonder was more than a month between runs when safely held at 2000m two weeks ago, but she is very much a 2400m horse and is capable of improving. 4. Speycaster has run well in two starts at this track since returning from Victoria and a repeat of that last-start fourth in the Winter Cup is good enough to have him in the finish somewhere. How to play it: Casual Connection to win. Race 8 – 3.15PM ASAHI SUPER DRY HANDICAP (1800 METRES) 13. Kazalark might be just about ready to fire fourth up after two years off the scene. That's based on the massive improvement he showed last time out at Canterbury where he made a heap of late ground before running onto heels and easing up very late when fifth over the 1550m. He drops 4kg, draws well and gets up to a nice distance for him. Would be surprised if he doesn't run well at each-way odds. 10. Piggyback might well be more effective on wetter tracks, but it is also possible she just didn't come up as well as she has this time around when unplaced in three summer runs. Summer good tracks can be very different to winter ones. She was excellent at Randwick three weeks ago when just beaten in a slowly run race. Trip suits and she's a big chance. 12. Federer was a drifter in betting and did look a little one paced when working home fairly behind Thunderlips at Randwick first up. Given he's jumping the 400m in trip here suggests the stable thought similar. Has shown talent, of course, winning his first two and can't be condemned on one run. 7. Impunity might be close to a win after quite a nice return at 1500m behind Mickey's Medal. Ran some nice late sectionals and was just warming up. Big watch on 1. Hutchence first up for Chris Waller. His UK form is over 2400m plus, but you'd expect him to show something fresh at 1800m. How to play it: Kazalark each way. Race 9 – 3.50PM TOYOTA FORKLIFTS W J MCKELL CUP (2000 METRES) 3. Elamaz is easily the most interesting horse racing all day at Rosehill. French import that is already a stakes winner and is yet to finish worse than second in seven starts. He profiles a little like stablemate Eliyass, which won first up around this time last year, then went onto a spring campaign. This gelding hasn't raced beyond 1600m, which is a major difference, but he's had three trials, and you'd expect him to be on the pace. If he's above average and has settled in, he wins this race. 4. Touristic has a much better set-up than what ultimately unfolded in the Winter Cup where he started $4.40. It was a slowly run race, and he's finished on well, but without ever looking a chance. Back to 2000m suits and draws to make a lie of last start. If Elamaz doesn't fire, he's the one to beat. 2. Loch Eagle is on trial at 2000m, but he does it third up on the back of a strong win at the Randwick mile. He is arguably more effective on wetter tracks but just that little bit of give may be enough with the extra trip. Usually competitive and can be here. 6. Glory Daze had his chance when favourite in the Winter Cup, though he may have been a little further back than ideal given how the race was run. Another who relishes the very wet ground, but he's hard fit and can run well. How to play it: Elamaz to win. Loading Race 10 – 4.30PM CHANDON HANDICAP (1200 METRES) 13. Lady Extreme steps up in class, but she was impressive a month ago mowing down Let's Go Again to win a Midway first up off no official trial. She's had some time to get over that run and finds a race that should have genuine speed, and she's come up with barrier one. Still lightly raced for a five-year-old and on the way up, she can measure up to this company. 12. Snack Bar has his 13th different rider as the blinkers go on following his second placing behind King Of Roseau last time out. He did look to have his chance, but perhaps coming back 100m with the shades on he's worth another chance. 2. Eye Of The Fire is a consistent type resuming, and he did win his first two starts last preparation before continuing to race well. Likely gets back, but he's been able to handle that style of racing in the past. 10. Liberty State was awesome when storming down the middle to win easily first up a month ago, and it will be interesting to see if she can reproduce that. The gap between runs gives her that chance and a drier track is no issue. How to play it: Lady Extreme to win.
Sydney Morning Herald
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Tips and race-by-race guide for Rosehill on Saturday
3. Livin' Thing looks to have a bit of scope about him to take a few more steps and he was quite dynamic in winning in midweek company a couple of weeks ago. This is up in class, but he drops nicely in the weights and promises to get another good run behind the speed. Gets away from wet tracks now but nothing there to suggest he needs them to fire. 5. King's Secret looked good winning a month ago, then potentially had excuses as he fizzed up behind the gates when a battling fifth two weeks back. If you can forgive that run he has to be a major chance. 1. Spywire is a big query first up since running a much improved race at the Sunshine Coast in January. He looked very smart as a two-year-old and his trials have been handy. First run as a gelding, too. Market a decent pointer, but no surprise if he's right in the finish. 6. Rantan can do a lot better than what she showed when she was in the market first up behind Lulumon at Gosford about seven weeks ago. Dry track is a big plus for her, so if she has any luck she can feature. How to play it: Livin' Thing to win. Race 6 – 1.55PM SCHWEPPES HANDICAP (1500 METRES) 7. Mickey's Medal can easily continue on his winning way after finding his groove at this track and trip in his past two starts. He's creeping up in class now but stays down in the weights with the claim and has a great racing style that usually has him just on the speed and in a striking position. He'll get that chance again with a noted front-runner drawn wide. 1. Green Shadows backs up after quite a respectable effort in the Civic Stakes last week and isn't badly treated with the claim. He only has to run up to his recent form to be competitive back to a benchmark 88. 2. Thunderlips is impossible to leave out, and he should be right around the mark again. Very well ridden when scoring at Randwick three weeks ago, landing in a good spot off an outside gate and bursting through late. Best form is on softer ground, but that's the only negative you could find. 4. Step Aside beat King Of Roseau first up, then a month between runs, and he ran on without threatening into third at Sandown. Back home with a similar gap, and he's always a chance in this sort of race. How to play it: Mickey's Medal to win. Race 7 – 2.35PM IRRESISTIBLE POOLS STAYER'S CUP (2400 METRES) 8. Casual Connection is as honest as they come, and that's a big head start in a field of stayers that are a little inconsistent. He's the only horse in this that has won a race in the current preparation. Dominant on a heavy track at Randwick two runs back, taking off before the turn and running them into the ground, then not disgraced behind Tympanist when up in weight. Has the luxury of 53kg, and while he'd be more dangerous on a wet track, what he'll strike here should be no disadvantage. 6. Mormona showed a glimpse when finishing off nicely late in the Winter Cup at this track and over this distance second up from a spell. He is about 600 days since his last win, but might be able to settle closer this time and have a better chance. 11. Awesome Wonder was more than a month between runs when safely held at 2000m two weeks ago, but she is very much a 2400m horse and is capable of improving. 4. Speycaster has run well in two starts at this track since returning from Victoria and a repeat of that last-start fourth in the Winter Cup is good enough to have him in the finish somewhere. How to play it: Casual Connection to win. Race 8 – 3.15PM ASAHI SUPER DRY HANDICAP (1800 METRES) 13. Kazalark might be just about ready to fire fourth up after two years off the scene. That's based on the massive improvement he showed last time out at Canterbury where he made a heap of late ground before running onto heels and easing up very late when fifth over the 1550m. He drops 4kg, draws well and gets up to a nice distance for him. Would be surprised if he doesn't run well at each-way odds. 10. Piggyback might well be more effective on wetter tracks, but it is also possible she just didn't come up as well as she has this time around when unplaced in three summer runs. Summer good tracks can be very different to winter ones. She was excellent at Randwick three weeks ago when just beaten in a slowly run race. Trip suits and she's a big chance. 12. Federer was a drifter in betting and did look a little one paced when working home fairly behind Thunderlips at Randwick first up. Given he's jumping the 400m in trip here suggests the stable thought similar. Has shown talent, of course, winning his first two and can't be condemned on one run. 7. Impunity might be close to a win after quite a nice return at 1500m behind Mickey's Medal. Ran some nice late sectionals and was just warming up. Big watch on 1. Hutchence first up for Chris Waller. His UK form is over 2400m plus, but you'd expect him to show something fresh at 1800m. How to play it: Kazalark each way. Race 9 – 3.50PM TOYOTA FORKLIFTS W J MCKELL CUP (2000 METRES) 3. Elamaz is easily the most interesting horse racing all day at Rosehill. French import that is already a stakes winner and is yet to finish worse than second in seven starts. He profiles a little like stablemate Eliyass, which won first up around this time last year, then went onto a spring campaign. This gelding hasn't raced beyond 1600m, which is a major difference, but he's had three trials, and you'd expect him to be on the pace. If he's above average and has settled in, he wins this race. 4. Touristic has a much better set-up than what ultimately unfolded in the Winter Cup where he started $4.40. It was a slowly run race, and he's finished on well, but without ever looking a chance. Back to 2000m suits and draws to make a lie of last start. If Elamaz doesn't fire, he's the one to beat. 2. Loch Eagle is on trial at 2000m, but he does it third up on the back of a strong win at the Randwick mile. He is arguably more effective on wetter tracks but just that little bit of give may be enough with the extra trip. Usually competitive and can be here. 6. Glory Daze had his chance when favourite in the Winter Cup, though he may have been a little further back than ideal given how the race was run. Another who relishes the very wet ground, but he's hard fit and can run well. How to play it: Elamaz to win. Loading Race 10 – 4.30PM CHANDON HANDICAP (1200 METRES) 13. Lady Extreme steps up in class, but she was impressive a month ago mowing down Let's Go Again to win a Midway first up off no official trial. She's had some time to get over that run and finds a race that should have genuine speed, and she's come up with barrier one. Still lightly raced for a five-year-old and on the way up, she can measure up to this company. 12. Snack Bar has his 13th different rider as the blinkers go on following his second placing behind King Of Roseau last time out. He did look to have his chance, but perhaps coming back 100m with the shades on he's worth another chance. 2. Eye Of The Fire is a consistent type resuming, and he did win his first two starts last preparation before continuing to race well. Likely gets back, but he's been able to handle that style of racing in the past. 10. Liberty State was awesome when storming down the middle to win easily first up a month ago, and it will be interesting to see if she can reproduce that. The gap between runs gives her that chance and a drier track is no issue. How to play it: Lady Extreme to win.
The Age
14-06-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Sir Lucan heats up again for Winter Cup as Nock gets one hand on title
'It's within reach, definitely,' Nock said of the senior crown. 'But I've got a week's suspension [now], so that probably gives that away a bit, but the apprentices' title is looking pretty good. We'll just keep the momentum rolling and I'm back next Saturday, so I don't miss too much. '[Morgan] is getting a few good opportunities as well so it's obviously going to be hard to run him down.' The two-kilogram claimer took Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained Don't Forget Jack ($6.50) and Mickey's Medal ($3) to wins after claiming the Highway Handicap on Matt Dale-prepared Super Norwest. He gave Don't Forget Jack and Mickey's Medal rails runs before finding clear air to let them chase down Tasoraay and Northern Eyes respectively. Kurrinda Bloodstock-owned Super Norwest went forward from a wide gate before getting a seamless run just behind the speed and a clear shot at Antilocapra, which she beat by a short head. 'It was a good win, and I've got to say, that was a 20 out of 10 ride,' Kurrinda Bloodstock's Sean Driver said. Andrew Adkins and Dylan Gibbons also rode multiple winners. Adkins won with Freight Train and Motoscafo, while Gibbons took King Of Roseau and pick-up ride Sacred Rocks to victories. Gibbons' day was soured by a four-meeting (June 22-29) careless riding suspension from race nine with Half Yours, which shifted and severely checked Nock's ride, Cormac T. Filly delivers for Portelli and Calder Spring prospect Queen Of Clubs eased the pain of Warwick Farm trainer Gary Portelli, while giving group-1 winning New Zealand jockey Andrew Calder a thrill in the opening race. The Maurice filly, a $300,000 Magic Millions yearling, was near last before storming through a gap and past her rivals for a one and a quarter-length win over Regulated Affair in the 1400m race for two-year-olds. The maiden win as a $35 Sportsbet chance at her fourth start came a day after Portelli lost Kimochi to a career-ending tendon injury. Kimochi was set to race in the $3 million Stradbroke Handicap, won by War Machine on Saturday at Eagle Farm. 'One door closes and another one opens, and I've been saying all along this is my next best thing,' Portelli said. 'I've been waiting for her, she does things at home that are just … I said she just can't get beat on the weekend, then she drew 10 and I thought, we'll just get a better price.' Portelli said Queen Of Clubs would likely be spelled before being aimed the major fillies races in the spring, while group 1-winner Kimochi would be retired. 'It's a pretty decent tear and she's more valuable as a broodmare now,' he said. Saturday's win was also a memorable moment for Calder, whose only other victory in Sydney came 21 years ago. 'I came over just out of my apprenticeship when I was about 20. I rode a listed winner here for Gerald Ryan,' Calder said. 'I've been around. I went to Macau for seven years, Singapore for a year after that, then back to New Zealand for a fair while. Then our whole family moved over here two or three years ago and I've been getting more into it.' Calder and his family are based at Warwick Farm, where he works with father-in-law, Richard Collett. Charity benefits from Baker proposal Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker was again kicking in for a worthy cause after Winning Proposal scored her first win for the stable on Saturday at Rosehill. In her third start for Baker, the three-year-old filly was strong to the line with an inside run under apprentice Anna Roper to win the 1100m benchmark 72 handicap by a half-length from Overfull as a $10 chance. Baker pledged on Friday at a calcutta that he would donate $10,000 to Equine Pathways Australia, a para-equestrian program for people with a disability, if he had a winner anywhere on Saturday. Last month Baker pledged his winnings from Miss Kim Kar's victory at Randwick to Racing NSW's flood relief program for northern NSW participants. King Of Roseau breaks drought The biggest cheers at Rosehill on Saturday came from the owners of King Of Roseau when jockey Dylan Gibbons took the Capitalist three-year-old to a second career win in 16 starts. The Peter Snowden-trained gelding had not won since his debut at Canberra in December 2023 and had since competed several times in stakes and big money races, placing six times. A $14 chance in a 1300m benchmark 78 on Saturday, King Of Roseau sprinted quickly up the inside to easily beat Snack Bar. Loading 'Full credit to the horse, he hasn't won in a long time,' Gibbons said. 'I said to the owners pre-race he's probably the nicest class 1 horse going around. 'I was probably back a bit further than I would have liked, but he was in a beautiful rhythm and when he smoked up behind them, I just needed an out. When he got there, he had a bit of a float but then he went right on with the job.'
Sydney Morning Herald
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Sir Lucan heats up again for Winter Cup as Nock gets one hand on title
'It's within reach, definitely,' Nock said of the senior crown. 'But I've got a week's suspension [now], so that probably gives that away a bit, but the apprentices' title is looking pretty good. We'll just keep the momentum rolling and I'm back next Saturday, so I don't miss too much. '[Morgan] is getting a few good opportunities as well so it's obviously going to be hard to run him down.' The two-kilogram claimer took Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained Don't Forget Jack ($6.50) and Mickey's Medal ($3) to wins after claiming the Highway Handicap on Matt Dale-prepared Super Norwest. He gave Don't Forget Jack and Mickey's Medal rails runs before finding clear air to let them chase down Tasoraay and Northern Eyes respectively. Kurrinda Bloodstock-owned Super Norwest went forward from a wide gate before getting a seamless run just behind the speed and a clear shot at Antilocapra, which she beat by a short head. 'It was a good win, and I've got to say, that was a 20 out of 10 ride,' Kurrinda Bloodstock's Sean Driver said. Andrew Adkins and Dylan Gibbons also rode multiple winners. Adkins won with Freight Train and Motoscafo, while Gibbons took King Of Roseau and pick-up ride Sacred Rocks to victories. Gibbons' day was soured by a four-meeting (June 22-29) careless riding suspension from race nine with Half Yours, which shifted and severely checked Nock's ride, Cormac T. Filly delivers for Portelli and Calder Spring prospect Queen Of Clubs eased the pain of Warwick Farm trainer Gary Portelli, while giving group-1 winning New Zealand jockey Andrew Calder a thrill in the opening race. The Maurice filly, a $300,000 Magic Millions yearling, was near last before storming through a gap and past her rivals for a one and a quarter-length win over Regulated Affair in the 1400m race for two-year-olds. The maiden win as a $35 Sportsbet chance at her fourth start came a day after Portelli lost Kimochi to a career-ending tendon injury. Kimochi was set to race in the $3 million Stradbroke Handicap, won by War Machine on Saturday at Eagle Farm. 'One door closes and another one opens, and I've been saying all along this is my next best thing,' Portelli said. 'I've been waiting for her, she does things at home that are just … I said she just can't get beat on the weekend, then she drew 10 and I thought, we'll just get a better price.' Portelli said Queen Of Clubs would likely be spelled before being aimed the major fillies races in the spring, while group 1-winner Kimochi would be retired. 'It's a pretty decent tear and she's more valuable as a broodmare now,' he said. Saturday's win was also a memorable moment for Calder, whose only other victory in Sydney came 21 years ago. 'I came over just out of my apprenticeship when I was about 20. I rode a listed winner here for Gerald Ryan,' Calder said. 'I've been around. I went to Macau for seven years, Singapore for a year after that, then back to New Zealand for a fair while. Then our whole family moved over here two or three years ago and I've been getting more into it.' Calder and his family are based at Warwick Farm, where he works with father-in-law, Richard Collett. Charity benefits from Baker proposal Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker was again kicking in for a worthy cause after Winning Proposal scored her first win for the stable on Saturday at Rosehill. In her third start for Baker, the three-year-old filly was strong to the line with an inside run under apprentice Anna Roper to win the 1100m benchmark 72 handicap by a half-length from Overfull as a $10 chance. Baker pledged on Friday at a calcutta that he would donate $10,000 to Equine Pathways Australia, a para-equestrian program for people with a disability, if he had a winner anywhere on Saturday. Last month Baker pledged his winnings from Miss Kim Kar's victory at Randwick to Racing NSW's flood relief program for northern NSW participants. King Of Roseau breaks drought The biggest cheers at Rosehill on Saturday came from the owners of King Of Roseau when jockey Dylan Gibbons took the Capitalist three-year-old to a second career win in 16 starts. The Peter Snowden-trained gelding had not won since his debut at Canberra in December 2023 and had since competed several times in stakes and big money races, placing six times. A $14 chance in a 1300m benchmark 78 on Saturday, King Of Roseau sprinted quickly up the inside to easily beat Snack Bar. Loading 'Full credit to the horse, he hasn't won in a long time,' Gibbons said. 'I said to the owners pre-race he's probably the nicest class 1 horse going around. 'I was probably back a bit further than I would have liked, but he was in a beautiful rhythm and when he smoked up behind them, I just needed an out. When he got there, he had a bit of a float but then he went right on with the job.'
