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News.com.au
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- Sport
- News.com.au
Warwick Farm trials to feature spring's finest, including Lady Shenandoah and Ceolwulf
Boom filly Lady Shenandoah, King Charles III Stakes victor Ceolwulf, two-time The Everest placegetter Private Eye and gun stayer Alalcance are just a few of the spring stars set to step out at Warwick Farm on Friday morning. The big names - including horse of the year in-waiting Via Sistina – have been out in force this week tuning up for the spring with the next lot of stars to have barrier trials in Sydney's west. Lady Shenandoah, Chris Waller 's winner of three Group 1s this season, will contest a 900m Group trial on the course prosper alongside Joseph Pride 's stars Ceolwulf and Private Eye. Alalcance steps out in a 1000m Group trial on the course proper with Adam Hyeronimus aboard in her first appearance since her run of three straight autumn victories came to an end abruptly in the Sydney Cup. Highly-promising stablemate Sir Delius is in the same heat with Doncaster Mile placegetter Encap. â– â– â– â– â– Champion trainer Chris Waller's move into Godolphin's Carbine Lodge base at Flemington has opened the door for father-son duo Tony and Calvin McEvoy to open up a base at the track. Waller announced this week he would be relocating his Melbourne team to iconic Flemington complex, which boasts 50 boxes at the premier racing venue. His 31-box stable came up for grabs as a result with the McEvoys taking the opportunity to have another location. The McEvoys will continue to operate their main base out of Ballarat. Meanwhile, Godolphin's prized properties of Crown Lodge at Warwick Farm and Osborne Park at Agnes Banks are yet to be snapped up. â– â– â– â– â– Punters shouldn't expect to see Golden Eagle runner-up Lazzat running in the $20 million The Everest – at least not this year. The star galloper Lazzat is an $8 chance in betting for the richest race on turf but a second trip to Australia isn't likely this spring. Trainer Jerome Reynier revealed plans to keep Lazzat's focus in Europe this carnival with an eye on returning to Australia in the future. ðŸ'� @WilliamHaggas has done it again! Lake Forest wins the $10 Million Golden Eagle with Cieren Fallon in the saddle! @aus_turf_club â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 2, 2024 'Maybe next year The Everest for him if six furlongs is really his trip,' Reynier told Nick Luck Daily. 'You never know. This year we want to make him the best European sprinter and needs to win a couple more Group 1s races at that level.' Lazzat highlighted his quality with victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes during the Royal Ascot carnival. Only four horses have been locked in for this year's The Everest after Jimmysstar was announced as the TAB's runner for 2025 earlier this week. The world's best sprinter Ka Ying Rising remains a firm $1.80 favourite.
News.com.au
14-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Coonamble preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, June 15, 2025
Coonamble native Damien Lane loves heading 'home' when he gets the chance and taking a few horses with him is the perfect excuse. 'I still call Coonamble home now and I've been away for 20 years or something like that,' said Lane. 'I've still got a lot of family in Coonamble so taking a few horses to race is a bit of an excuse to go back out there and I like to support the club.' Rarely does Lane go home empty-handed and the Wyong-based trainer has some stronger contenders in ideal races, none more so than Sneaky Sofia in the opening event. The daughter of Merchant Navy contests the 2&3YO Showcase Handicap (1200m) where she is the only winner in the field and gets in with 57kg after the 4kg claim of apprentice Bronte Simpson. First out, first home! Sneaky Sofia leads the journey to secure a winning double for Anna Roper and Damien Lane ðŸ'� â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 29, 2024 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! 'While going 1200m first-up isn't ideal, the conditions of the race really drew me to take her there,' Lane said. 'She is pretty much going from a Class 2 back to a Maiden and with the claim, she is nearly on level weights.' A winner of two races, the filly will appreciate the big drop in grade after a seventh Rosehill on January 18 and a 10th at Muswellbrook on March 28. 'She struck a wet track in a Midway at Rosehill two starts ago and didn't go great so I gave her a freshen up and then didn't pull up great after the Muswellbrook run. She had a quarter crack. 'She trailled really well on the Beaumont the other day once again on a really wet track which she doesn't love. 'Bronte just has to be mindful that she is first-up over 1200m and rate her for the first half of the race.' Lane saddles up All Too Sneaky in the Class 1 (1300m) for fillies and mare and gives the four-year-old a good chance. After a good third at Gosford first-up, she disappointed at Gunnedah while her latest sixth at Gosford was better than it reads. 'She didn't get much luck at Gosford the other day when three and four-deep the trip,' he said. All Too Sneaky runs away with a good maiden win! Anna Roper does a good job in the saddle for Damien Lane. â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 13, 2023 'She is one that will appreciate finding a firmer surface and with her natural speed, will put herself in the first three or four and run really well.' Really Motivated lines up in the same race and while she will be better suited over further, Lane feels she can run well. The five-year-old resumed over 1250m at Gunnedah on May 5 and although she just beat two home, he said the run was better than it looks. 'Bronte rode her and I told her being first-up, not to circle the field and just ride for luck which she didn't get unfortunately,' he said. 'She should have finished a few lengths closer. 'She has improved off the run but has a tricky gate so we will ride her similarly. 'She will run a cheeky race if she gets the luck late.' Lane's other runner for the day is Oakfield Zena in the Super Maiden Plate (1600m). While placed in three of the 12 starts, two of those placings have been over the mile. 'This is probably D-Day for her,' said Lane. 'She went really well over 1200m at Gosford then went straight to 1400m at Newcastle on a really wet track which she didn't handle and over did it in the run. 'We ran her at Wyong over 1200m to get her to settle and hit the line which I thought was okay. 'Up to her right trip from a good draw, now it's time for her to show her best.' ADAM SHERRY'S TOP SELECTIONS BEST BETS Race 3 No. 7: WEST HEAD Has solid provincial form. Can break through. NEXT BEST Race 6 No. 6: FETES DES MERES Made his NSW debut with a booming win. Can go back-to-back. VALUE BET Race 4 No. 5: DIVINE SINNER Racing well without luck. Back to his favourite trip. QUADDIE Race 5: 1, 2, 3 Race 6: 2, 6 Race 7: 2, 4, 8 Race 8: 1, 4, 5 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW KODY NESTOR and CLAYTON GALLAGHER have strong books of rides and should fight out the TAB Jockey Challenge. INSIDE MAIL – COONAMBLE SNEAKY SOFIA (1) has won two races and takes on a field of maidens. Was building a strong before failing at her last two runs with reasons. First go at 1200m but should prove too classy. BLUE DE BEERS (4) had trialled well and started favourite in the Silver Goblet at Dubbo last week where he raced keenly when fifth to Four Degrees. Will be better for the experience and a cross-over nose band goes on. GETTIN' TIPSY (5) battled way for second to Painite last start. THE GIT UP (10) is knocking on the door. Was runner-up to Pressnell when resuming at Dubbo before a sixth at Wellington. Came from midfield and loomed up to the leaders before Fetes Des Meres swooped past at Warren last start. BOUZY'S BABE (2) has improved with each run. Wasn't far away in her first two starts before a nose second to Jasper's Way at Narromine last start. TWINING CLASS (3) was a handy third in debut and has been just behind the placegetters in two other runs. WEST HEAD (7) makes his debut for the Brett Robb stable. Was a neck third to Miss Hvar at Kembla first-up and just behind the placegetters in both runs since at the same track. OAKFIELD ZENA (12) ran a nice race first-up when a length second to Dial A Destiny at Gosford but disappointed over 1400m second-up. Caught wide when dropping back to 1200m at Wyong last start. Placed twice over the mile. PILLAGER (5) finished just behind the placegetters in both runs over this trip. DIVINE SINNER (5) was a handy winner over 1100m at Narromine on Apr 29 and not much luck since. Came from last when beaten a little over two lengths in the Gulgong Cup last start. Back to 1100m where he has won three times. ROTHGATE (7) is racing in good form this campaign with three wins and two placings. Was third to Divine Sinner at Narromine. Won over 1000m at Warren before winning the Gulong Cup. DEION (4) has won two of his last three and will be prominent again. CRUSADER KINGS (1) gave away 2.5kg and race fitness when fourth to Micro Mikki first-up at Wellington without a trial. Met him on level weights and won nicely at Bathurst last start. Gives away 2kg but is race fit now and draw nicely. MICRO MIKKI (2) had a big trial win at Dubbo and a narrow victory over Best Defence at Narromine before going back-to-back with that Wellington win. Was a two-and-a-half length third to Crusader Kings last start. PRESS FORWARD (3) will make his presence felt. FETES DES MERES (6) ran a couple of fourths in Victoria before coming to NSW. Debuted for Garry Lunn with a barnstorming win from near last the he ran past The Git Up at Warren on June 2. ALL TOO SNEAKY (2) ran a handy third over 1200m when resuming at Gosford but was disappointing when last at Gunnedah. Trapped wide when sixth on a Heavy 9 at Gosford last start. Placed her only run here and will appreciate a firmer track. NEBIDA (4) has claims on his Wellington win. TAKEOVER LAD (4) was just behind the placegetters at Armidale and on the Beaumont before a third to Instead at Coonabarabran. Was rewarded for his consistent form with nice win at Gunnedah on May 5. Go close again. INJAIR (8) was given a break after his close third to Tavanasia at Quirindi on Feb 21. Won his Gunnedah trial before resuming with a win from Currumbin Alley there on May 25. HOLLYWOOD GOLD (2) ended his first campaign with a win. At his peak now with two runs and two trials under his belt. EGYPTOLOGIST (4) blundered soon after the start when fifth to Naval Officer at Parkes first-up before a second to Better Tomorrow at Moree. Gets winkers for the first time. STOCKHOLM (1) was third in that Moree race. Battled away for third to Zoomorphic at Dubbo two starts earlier before a tough run in the Parkes Cup. In his right grade here. IMEZAAKI (5) had some handy Queensland form before coming south and finishing third to Pappiana at Inverell for his new stable.
News.com.au
03-06-2025
- General
- News.com.au
Warwick Farm preview: Bjorn Baker is optimistic in Starmae's chances with weight advantage and an ideal barrier
Trainer Bjorn Baker is hoping a drop in grade and weight can help Starmae get back to winning form when she steps out on her home track. The four-year-old has been good in his three starts this preparation including her last two runs in Saturday metropolitan company when fifth to Memoria at Randwick and seventh to Oh Diamond Lil at the Scone stand-alone meeting on May 17 Starmae carried 56kg and 57kg respectively in those two races and drops down to 54.5kg after the claim of apprentice Olivia Chambers in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1300m). 'This is a good race for her. It's a drop back in grade after running in Saturday grade in her last two where she acquitted herself well,' said Baker. 'She gets a good drop in weight with Olivia's claim and she is one from one on this mare having won at Wyong last year. It was an easy watch for the supporters of Starmae as she shakes her maiden tag! @ZacLloydx @BBakerRacing @MyRacehorseAU â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 8, 2024 'Starmae galloped outstanding on Saturday. She was really sharp. 'She may have just taken a couple of runs to get to her peak but this is a good scenario over 1300m again, back in grade, lovely gate (barrier 4) and no weight. 'This is her race to run well.' Baker also saddles up consistent gelding Bat Out Of Hell in the same race where he has drawn barrier 11 but feels he will be better suited once he steps up over a little further. 'He probably needs 1400m and 1500m but he has to start somewhere,' he said. 'He is a horse who always tries his hardest and he has trialled better this time in better than he has in previous preparations. 'We're confident he is going to have a good preparation. Whether it's this week or whether he just gets run under his belt and he'll be ready to go.' Baker was looking forward to seeing Swordplay make her debut at Canterbury last week but she was a late scratching after getting her leg up in the barriers. The daughter of Shalaa has shown plenty of ability and speed to lead all-the-way for big wins in her two barrier trials under Rachel King. 'This is obviously 'Take Two' after she was scratched at the barriers last Wednesday which was unfortunate,' he said. 'She's a lovely, promising filly and she couldn't be any more professional than she has been in her trials.' “VANESSI streaking clear…wins brilliantlyâ€� 🎙ï¸� The 3 year old daughter of Too Darn Hot dropped back to 1100m second up and breaks her maiden with a perfect @nashhot ride! @cwallerracing @RBloodstock @mmsnippets â€' Star Thoroughbreds (@StarTbreds) December 13, 2024 Swordplay has drawn barrier 6 in the TAB Handicap (1100m) with King aboard. 'She has good speed and should roll forward to settle in the first few. Hopefully she brings her trials form to race day,' Baker said. Baker also has Jarrito set to debut in the same race. The daughter of I Am Invincible and Group 1 winner Spright has placed in both trials but will improve with race experience according to Baker. 'She is lovely filly who is still a little bit raw but has done enough in her trials to say she is ready to go to the races,' he said. 'She is definitely going to be better for the run but she is an exciting filly. 'She has drawn an ideal gate and she will hopefully get a smother just behind the speed. She has got a really nice turn of foot.' Baker was pleased with Regimental Colours in her first campaign where she placed in two of her three runs at Canterbury and is looking forward to her return in the Hitotsu At Arrowfield Plate (1100m). 'She has improved a lot both mentally and physically from what she did that preparation,' he said. 'Her trials have been good and while she is open to improvement, she is there to run well.' â– â– â– â– â– Well-bred filly Manaajem kicked off her career with a win and trainer Peter Snowden is quietly confident she can start her second campaign the same way. A three-quarter sister to recent Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes winner Charm Stone and a full sister to Snowden's dual Listed winner Najmaty, Manaajem showed nice ability winning her two trials before debuting with a big win at Wyong on December 31. After pulling up lame when fifth to Alliri on the Kensington 15 days later and was spelled. 'She was just immature and jarred up in her knees,' said Snowden. 'That's why we gave her a good spell and she seems a lot stronger this time in. We have had no issues with her at all.' The daughter of Tassort has trialled stylishly ahead of her return in the Traffic Warden @ Darley Handicap (1100m) when she has drawn barrier 3 with Tommy Berry aboard. Another smart one for TASSORTðŸ�°ðŸ'¥ The @EmiratesPark bred & raced MANAAJEM is individual winner no.21 for her sire, scoring first time asking after 2 previous trial wins🚀 Royally bred with the talent to matchðŸ'° Congratulations to the @SnowdenRacing1 team & all winning… â€' Newgate (@NewgateFarm) December 31, 2024 'Both her trials have been quite good. We have always thought quite a bit of her and we are pleased with the way she has come back,' Snowden said. 'She has a good draw and Tommy has ridden her in nearly all her work and in her trials. 'We are quietly confident she can run well.' Snowden was hoping to get a maiden win on the board for Catonahotinroof at Canberra last start but things didn't go to plan when she missed the start by seven or eight lengths before finishing less than three lengths behind Celestial Breeze in fifth place. 'She just hopped up in the air as the gates opened and lost all chance,' Snowden said. 'She still ran a slashing race to finish as close as she did.' The three-year-old was sent back to the trials where she came from last to beat Wonderstorm at Warwick Farm on May 26 and will make her presence felt in the Asahi Super Dry Plate (1300m). 'She trialled really well the other day. She handles the soft track without any problems,' said Snowden. 'That might play into her hands a little bit this week. 'She has been up a while but is still in good shape and certainly capable of running well.' Snowden is happy with the way Earth Dance Vinnie Three-Time Champion Sire Handicap.
News.com.au
28-05-2025
- General
- News.com.au
Gosford preview: Local trainer Adam Duggan is banking on Divine Bene's love of wet tracks to land another win
Trainer Adam Duggan had a nice opinion of Divine Bene in his early trackwork and trials but a couple of unflattering runs to start his career put that into question. It wasn't until Divine Bene got onto a wet track that he started to perform to a higher level and placed in three consecutive runs as he built into his first campaign. 'He is a horse I had a bit of time for early days but didn't show a lot in his first couple of runs,' said Duggan. 'Once we got him going with a couple of runs under his belt, we worked out he didn't have much of a turn of foot but he could sustain the same speed throughout. 'We also found he had a real liking for wet track. I don't think I've had a horse who has had so many runs on a wet track.' Divine Bene returns strong, winning first up for @adugganracing with @AshMorgan6 in the saddle! ðŸ'� â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 24, 2025 Divine Bene has raced on wet ground in eight of the 10 career starts with seven of them on heavy where he has a win and four minor placings. He returned this campaign with a nice win first-up over 1550m on the Beaumont before a third to Lutetia at Newcastle both on Heavy 8 tracks before a second to Sirius Flyer in a Soft 5 at Quirindi last start. 'It probably wasn't wet enough for him at Quirindi the other day,' he said. The four-year-old gets his preferred conditions when steps out in the Class 1 Handicap (1200m). 'I'm happy to have Ash Morgan back on. He rode him really well to win first-up,' Duggan said. 'He's also in at Inverell. I'll discuss it with his owners but Gosford is my preferred option.' Duggan also has Purple Haze entered for the Super Maiden Handicap (1200m) on his home track. The gelding battled away for third to Yes Siree on a Heavy 10 at Wyong on debut on May 1. 'He has been a real work in progress,' said Duggan. 'He was aided by a fair few scratchings in a fairly soft race on debut if I'm being honest but in saying that, I would be surprised if he doesn't improve. 'I think the 1200m will suit him better and eventually a bit further than that.' Okami Star takes out the opener at Wyong and breaks his maiden! ðŸ'¥ @HeavelonVan â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 1, 2025 Warwick Farm trainer Clarry Conners has been pleased with the way Okami Star has raced this campaign and gives him a change of securing another win in the Class 1 Handicap (1600m). The gelding resumed with a second to Pelosa at Hawkesbury followed by a fifth at Kembla before breaking through with a narrow win from Murphilly at Wyong. Last start, he boxed on a long neck fourth to Ocean One at Hawkesbury. 'He has come back a nice horse this time in,' said Conners. 'At Hawkesbury last start, he went around and got to the front then just eased up on him. 'He's a big striding horse and it would have been better if he kept going on him. 'I'm happy with the horse though.' Conners also feels Proclivity can bounce back from a luckless run last start when he contests the 2&3YO Maiden Handicap (1600m). After a debut second to Caltsar at Newcastle, the gelding finished sixth to Monte Veebee at Kembla. 'It was a good run at Newcastle on debut then at Kembla everything went wrong. He got knocked down and pushed back,' he said. 'Aaron Bullock rode him in his first start and was impressed with the horse. 'I'm very happy to be able to get him again this week. â– â– â– â– â– A slow start and untimely bump put paid to the chances of Angels Cloud last start but trainer Marc Quinn couldn't be happier with his mare and expects her to break through for a well-earned win when she heads to Inverell. Angels Cloud started a $1.90 favourite at Glen Innes earlier this month following three handy placings since joining Quinn 's stable. Unfortunately, she was put out of business in the first couple of strides when she settled further back than expected on her way to finishing second behind Immortal Lass. 'I really thought she would have won at Glen Innes the other day but she took a backwards step when the gates opened and Cody's (Morgan) horse got a march on us and that was the end of the race for her,' said Quinn. What A Rush leads all the way to win the Port Mac opener! ðŸ'¥ â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 27, 2025 'She has had a good couple of weeks since then. 'Obviously last week was a bit of a washout for us. We missed trackwork for a couple of days but they are not going to lose much fitness going on the walker for a couple of days. 'Despite the weather, the horses coped with it really well and she had a lovely gallop on Saturday.' Angels Cloud has drawn ideally on barrier 4 in the Country Boosted Maiden Plate (1100m) with Matthew McGuren to again partner her. 'She has drawn well and Matthew decided to stick with her which is good,' he said. 'All she needs to do is step away and I think she will be hard to beat. Quinn is weighing up his options for Perhaps Perhaps in the Class 1 and Maiden Plate (1800m) but expects her to run a much improved race if she does start. The four-year-old debuted for Quinn with a handy fifth to Justifiably at Port Macquarie on April 19 before backing up on a heavy track there eight days later when down the order behind Imarealamerican over 1500m. She then finished a somewhat unlucky fifth to Visualise over 1400m at Glen Innes. 'Her first run for us was really good and we thought we would try and rider her handier second-up but I don't think she appreciated that and the quick back-up,' he said. 'We didn't want to come back in distance but there wasn't a lot of options for her after so we took her to Glen Innes. 'I thought the run was passable and the step up to 1800m suits her quite well.'
News.com.au
24-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Flying Embers burns bright in Randwick Midway to give apprentice William Stanley his first city success
Former Central West apprentice William Stanley, whose tally of winners recently went beyond 100, posted his first city victory at Royal Randwick on Saturday thanks to a gritty and determined local, Flying Embers. Stanley was the obvious choice for Flying Ember 's trainer John Thompson, not only but mostly owing to the hoop's near faultless record on the mare which prior to Saturday's Midway Handicap was two wins and a nose second from three shared assignments. Their previous two wins were by bigger margins each time but none showcased the mare's desire more than this one given she was forced to race three-wide with no cover from her wide draw. Despite her less favourable run in transit, Flying Embers ($3.40 fav) took control of the race inside the final 200m, fending off a typically brave Danish Prince ($12) with Kembla mare Callistemon ($8) finishing best of the rest. 'Big thanks to John and the team, they've given me a lot of support throughout my moving to Newcastle. I couldn't be happier,' Stanley said. 'I planned on being one-out, one-back, even three pairs one-off, but it was just the way it unfolded. 'She travelled well through the wet and the favourite led, and I didn't want it to give it too much of a lead and she bounced along nicely.' ðŸ'¥ Flying Embers does enough in a tough win at Randwick! @JTRacingRwik â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025 • 'Very easy watch': Agarwood dominates juvenile opener Flying Embers was born and raised at Arrowfield Stud who offered the mare (as agent) at the Magic Millions sale in 2023 where she was secured by Prime Thoroughbreds for $100,000. The daughter of Shalaa is already showing a tidy profit as a racehorse but should make plenty of appeal to breeders later on given her dam is a half-sister to Ortensia. Other notable family members include the sibling trio of Bint Marscay, Filante and Kenny's Best Pal. 'She's a really nice filly,' Thompson said. 'I actually think she doesn't like the wet but she just tries so hard and pushes her way through it. 'I think on top of the ground, she'll show a better turn of foot.' â– â– â– â– â– A Pound Of Salt again demonstrated size doesn't matter when he burst through the pack to score a spectacular win at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Most of his TAB Highway rivals towered over the diminutive A Pound Of Salt but his win in the 1200m spring showed he's 'big' on ability. Trainer Todd Howlett admitted when A Pound Of Salt first came to his stables he never expected the horse to be good enough to win a Highway. 'When I got him, I didn't expect he would win a Highway because he was such a little 'fella',' Howlett said. 'But for an unassuming little horse, what he does is try his hardest every time and that is a great habit for him to have. A Pound Of Salt takes out the Highway at Randwick @Howlettracing_ @ZacLloydx â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) May 24, 2025 • World famous Dapto dogs to be shut down 'He's also got a very good turn of foot which he showed today.' A Pound Of Salt ($6.50) looked to be in a tough spot back inside horses coming around the turn but Zac Lloyd was able to navigate a path through the field and he swept clear late to score by a widening one-and-a-quarter lengths. Super Norwest ($5 favourite) ran on for second, just in front of Plenitude ($6.50). Howlett said A Pound Of Salt might emerge as a 'country cups horse' before praising's Lloyd's winning ride. Lloyd, who rode his first city winner for the month on A Pound Of Salt, said it wasn't his plan to get that far back on settling down. 'I was happy to stay on him today because I didn't give the horse a great ride last start, I gave him too much to do,' Lloyd said. 'So today I went 'underneath' to help the horse but I didn't want to get that far back but he was run off his feet early. 'I was a bit concerned because it is hard to make up ground on these tracks but he did a great job.'
