Latest news with #PrideRacing
News.com.au
a day ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Joe Pride mare In Flight on Group 1 path after success in Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield
Sydney raider In Flight completed a stylish Caulfield reconnaissance in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m). The Joe Pride -trained mare hunted New York Lustre on Saturday with Recommendation in third. Pride has future Group 1 targets in mind for the talented mare, including the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield next autumn. In Flight coursed wide around the home bend but let down powerfully under champion jockey Craig Williams, who sealed a Caulfield treble with the feature success. 'Getting around Caulfield the first time … thought we'd be in the run a lot closer,' Pride said. 'Probably not tracking out so wide, and that's probably what made it awkward for her but as soon as she straightened up and balanced up (let rip), she's pretty good mare this. 'I'm probably thinking in the autumn, she's a likely type for an Oakleigh Plate or a Galaxy, a couple nice 1100m races there for her. 'She hasn't got too much to prove to get to that level because she's going through the grades very quickly, it's very exciting.' IN FLIGHT ✈ï¸� Joe Pride's mare is a beauty! She takes the Group 3 Sir John Monash in style, and it's that man @CWilliamsJockey again! @PrideRacing @ProvenTbreds â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) July 12, 2025 In Flight returned $2.50 for favourite backers. Pride has placed the talented mare, an eight-time winner from 18 starts, to perfection. In Flight placed twice in Sydney to start the breakout winter campaign before a Listed success in Brisbane against fillies and mares. She repeated the effort last start in Sydney, defeated the boys. 'She's won in three different states her last three starts, says something about her toughness,' Pride said. 'She's handling it all really well and I'd like to say that was her best run today … she's heading in the right direction, I don't like to think about (future plans) on race day. 'Happy to have a horse heading in that direction because they're very hard to find these horses, she's a very talented mare, not a gross mare so she can cop a little bit of time in the paddock.' Williams praised In Flight's performance and potential. 'She is favourite for a reason,' Williams said. 'Joe has really developed her and taught her well, she's very effective when tracks have a bit more give in the track. 'This is probably the firmest track she's been on this preparation and she won with a bit of authority today. 'She was a pleasing ride, I could do what I wanted with her … first start around Caulfield, one of the plans I had for her was help her around Caulfield but she towed me around.' Williams used fancied Kallos, ridden by champion jockey and current premiership leader Blake Shinn, as cover to give In Flight the best chance. 'She probably could've sat three-wide and closer and still won,' Williams said. 'But we want the perfect ride. I was either going to be following Blake or be in front of Blake and I didn't think Blake was going to be able to get cover. 'His horse had been trialling up really well, so I thought it was the one to beat drawn near where we were, so then I was in a position I decided to be negative, save some energy early and finish off late.'
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Trainer Joe Pride wants rain to arrive for In Flight in Group 3 Monash Stakes at Caulfield
A potentially wet week in Melbourne is ideal timing for Sydney sprinter In Flight when she steps up to Group racing for the first time. Trainer Joe Pride 's in-form mare is set to line up in the Group 3 Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday after back-to-back Listed wins in May. In Flight won the Bright Shadow Quality on a Heavy 8 track at Doomben before a tough victory in the Bob Charley AO Stakes at Randwick in Soft 7 conditions. Pride has freshened the four-year-old with a month between runs a barrier trial. He said a track in the soft range would be perfect for In Flight, who has won seven of 12 starts on rain-affected surfaces. 'She had a nice tick-over trial at Kembla last week,' Pride said. 'She seems to going really good, I'm very happy with the way she's come through that. It was a nice trial from her. 'I'm looking for a little bit of rain down there hopefully this week and if we get that, that would really suit her.' A tough win to In Flight in the Listed Bob Charley AO Stakes at Randwick for @PrideRacing! 🚀 @ProvenTbreds @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 Caulfield was rated a Good 4 on Tuesday but showers are forecast for the rest of the week. Pride said he was confident In Flight would measure up in the weight-for-age contest. 'She's a really nice mare. She's done everything right,' he said. 'It's a little step up in grade although I think that Listed race in Sydney was pretty strong, so there won't be too much difference. 'She's stepping up to weight-for-age but everything about her tells me she's going really well, so she'll run well.' Pride said he will be guided by how In Flight pulls up after the Monash before deciding whether to find another target or give her a break after three runs in three states. 'That might be enough for her … but we'll see how she comes through it first.' Pride, meanwhile, was excited about welcoming Group 1-winning colt El Castello to his stable last week. He confirmed the Spring Champion Stakes winner would still be aimed at the $10m Golden Eagle (1500m) on November 1 after taking over his training from Anthony Cummings. El Castello missed the autumn carnival with a few minor issues after a long spring campaign. 'He's a really nice horse, he's come to me in good shape,' Pride said. 'He's had the autumn off so it sets him up well for a good spring. 'We're very happy with the way he's arrived at the stable, a very nice colt.'
News.com.au
04-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Trainer Matthew Smith plots feature race boilover with Astero in the 2025 Winter Stakes at Rosehill
Trainer Matt Smith is adamant Astero is going well enough to win Saturday's Listed $200,000 Winter Stakes (1400m) but concedes his consistent sprinter is going to need everything to go right at Rosehill Gardens. Smith is preparing to chase a two-state stakes double with Millie De Lune ($4.40) set to chase a valuable black type victory in the Group 3 $300,000 Winx Guineas (1600m) at the Sunshine Coast. Astero ($26) is a knockout hope in Sydney where the son of Zoustar will be chasing a maiden stakes victory in partnership with jockey Andrew Adkins. Smith believes Astero is more than capable of claiming a feature win and his seven-year-old wasn't far away last start when finishing 1-1/2 lengths off Headley Grange with a third in the Listed Civic Stakes. An awkward draw in barrier 10 makes life tougher this time around. 'He just hasn't had much luck with the gates,' Smith said. 'You kind of need luck in these races. 'It's a fairly even field with not much between them. Headley Grange, which beat him the other day, has beaten him a couple of times but we still haven't had a decent run. 'He is still not getting beaten far and has the ability to win one of these races but just needs everything to go right like a few others in the field. 'He is going good but the barrier is just no help to him.' Headley Grange adds the Listed Civic Stakes to his impressive record, and it's a Randwick treble to Jason Collett! 🙌 @PrideRacing @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 21, 2025 Smith will have a strong hand at Rosehill Gardens with World Alliance ($5.50 favourite) is pole position to make it back-to-back victories in the Foundation Female Member Benchmark 88 (1200m). World Alliance added to his fantastic winning record last start when scoring his sixth victory in 16 starts with a slashing success over 1100m at Canterbury. Jockey Jason Collett will continue his association with the son of Rubick. 'He was bloody good last start and is going good too,' Smith said. 'I am really happy with him. His work has been great and he is going well. 'His weight is right. We have given him a month between runs and he is fresh and well. 'I think he will run very well again.' Heavily-backed favourite World Alliance knuckles down late and records a strong win for @mcsmithracing with Jason Collett in the saddle ðŸ'° — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 10, 2024 • Clinton Payne's race-by-race tips, analysis for Rosehill Gardens on Saturday Golden Straand is another Smith galloper in winning form. The smart son of Snitzel is only lightly-raced as rising four-year-old with both of his starts coming this preparation. Golden Straand faced greenly on debut when second at Wyong before keeping his find on the job for an emphatic maiden victory at Gosford. He will get the chance to back up the win with Jay Ford aboard in the The Agency Real Estate Benchmark 72 Handicap (1300m). 'He is a nice horse but starting racing a little bit later, he lacks a bit of racecraft and smarts in a race environment,' Smith said. 'I probably would have liked to find something easier for him but he will run there and is a nice horse, going well. 'He is doing some stupid things but it's probably just racecraft. 'He did it easier the other day but we saw what he did the other day when he ran all over the joint. 'I really like the horse and I think he will get there but you have to keep racing horses like him while they are fit and well.' Anythink Goes ($23) is expected to run a bold race in the Asahi Super Dry Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m) after running a close second to in-form sprinter Thunderlips at Royal Randwick last start on June 7. In Queensland, Millie De Lune is dropping back in trip in pursuit of valuable black type following her fast-finishing fourth over 1800m at Royal Randwick last month.
News.com.au
02-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Trainer Joe Pride desperate for improving Rosehill track for Winter Stakes top seed Accredited
Trainer Joe Pride is cautiously optimistic Sydney's stormy skies will subside in time for top seed Accredited to lead the stable's assault of Saturday's Listed $200,000 Winter Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens. Pride could have as many as four runners in the feature event but the fate of his leading contender hinges on drying conditions in Sydney later this week. Consistent rain and damaging winds have lashed the NSW coast to start the week with Rosehill Gardens rated a Heavy 10 on Wednesday. 'We won't run Accredited if it does stay heavy but if the rain stops we could get back on a soft,' Pride said. 'I would probably run on a soft. It was an optimistic acceptance to be honest, hoping the track would improve for him. 'The horse is going super. I couldn't be happier with him and it's a shame because he is definitely a horse that is better on top of the ground. 'I am not sure we will get that on Saturday.' Accredited, a $4.80 second elect for the Winter Stakes, is a six-time winner on good tracks but scored his first victory on soft going last start when he bounced back to top form to salute over the Royal Randwick 1200m on a Soft 5. In-form hoop Alysha Collett, fresh from a double last Saturday, has been booked to ride Accredited. Accredited too strong in the last at Randwick! Nash Rawiller goes home a winner and Joe Pride goes back to back to finish the day ðŸ'° @nashhot @PrideRacing — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) June 21, 2025 Stablemates Estadio Mestalla ($41) is already in the Winter Stakes field while Cool Jakey ($21) and Testator Silens ($41) would both need scratchings to get into the race as the third and fourth emergencies respectively. Cool Jakey, a winner of four of his eight starts on heavy ground, relishes heavy conditions with Testator Silens also more than capable on rain affected going. 'Cool Jakey and Testator Silens are both wet trackers and even Estadio Mestalla isn't too bad on it,' Pride said. 'Accredited is the worst of the horses on the ground but we have to see what the track dries out to. 'We've had less out west than in town but probably too much to dry out.' Last year's Group 2 The Ingham winner Robusto ($4.20) has opened favourite with the Bjorn Baker- trained galloper returning home after failing to beat a runner home in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm. Baker also has Thunderlips ($5.50) on the seven-day back-up following his terrific victory at the same venue last weekend.
News.com.au
20-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Trainer Joe Pride expects another bold showing from 2025 Civic Stakes favourite Headley Grange
Trainer Joe Pride is yet to find Headley Grange's ceiling but expects the bombproof galloper will be up to the challenge of Saturday's Listed $200,000 Civic Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick. Pride will launch a three-pronged attack in the feature with Headley Grange the clear pick of the litter in the main event of the 10-race card alongside Cool Jakey and Estadio Mestalla. Headley Grange has been a revelation for Pride over the past 12 months and hasn't finished worse than second in nearly a year with four wins in his past eight starts. The son of Exosphere was a well-backed favourite when scoring first-up from a break with a strong victory in Benchmark 94 grade at Randwick. 'I can't remember the last time he missed the place, he is very honest and genuine,' Pride said. 'I think he is one of those ones where you don't need the trainer to recommend him to punters. I am sure they will all pile in. 'He is the clear favourite for a reason, very consistent. I guess if you have to pick holes in what he has to do on Saturday, it's his first time in Listed grade so that has to be against him. 'The conditions of the track are neither here nor there for him. He goes just as well on wet or dry. 'The 1400m is spot on so there's seemingly not many chinks in his armour.' Headley Grange wins first up to give @PrideRacing a Randwick double! 🙌 @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 The Civic Stakes will be the first time in his 17-start career that Headley Grange has been tested in stakes grade but Pride believes his four-year-old is more than worthy of the opportunity. Headley Grange has been one of the most consistent horses in Pride's stable and has continued on an upward trajectory. 'He could well go to another level. I figure he has a ceiling there somewhere,' Pride said. 'He has got the engine there and he won like a Listed race would be well within his mark. He is a going well.' Headley Grange, to be ridden by Jason Collett, is the $2.70 favourite for the Civic Stakes with Cool Jakey at $10 and Estadio Mestalla at $23. Cool Jakey is dropping back in trip with Reece Jones aboard after leading from the front and tiring late in a mile event at Randwick a fortnight ago. • Ray & Duff's Randwick tips: Punters should plan their Exit on Saturday 'It was a mile race and he was OK at the mile on a leaderish track two starts ago but last start at a mile at the pace he went it was too far for him,' Pride said. 'Back 200m here. He has been fortunate enough to race on some wet tracks of late and it's been to his advantage. 'Saturday will be the driest he has had. It could be an issue for him.' While Estadio Mestalla is the outsider of Pride's trio, he's expecting an improved effort from the gelding. Estadio Mestalla finished five lengths off Headley Grange first-up from a break with Chad Schofield to take over the ride. 'He will run much better than his place in the market suggests,' Pride said. 'I can't quite put my finger on what happened to him first-up but he has pulled up well and is a horse that is very capable at this level. 'He has run second in a Little Dance and placed in this race last year. 'I am not asking him to do anything he hasn't before and I think he can get back to that form on Saturday.' He will saddle up another in-form galloper when Storm The Ramparts ($4.20) goes in search of a third consecutive victory in the Asahi Super Dry Benchmark 78 Handicap (1000m). Storm The Ramparts will have to lug the topweight of 61.5kg after scoring back-to-back victories at the same venue this prep. 'He keeps creeping up in the weights but weights in 1000m races don't matter as much,' Pride said. 'I am happy with him. He is honest and genuine. 'He is another one that has been able to hit those soft and heavy tracks at those last three runs. 'Coming back to a track that is a soft 5 is he disadvantaged? Probably.'
