Latest news with #ShaeWilkes
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Monday best bets, inside mail for Monday 28 July, 2025
The Daily Telegraph form expert Shayne O'Cass previews racing at Kempsey on Monday. FIELDS AND FORM KEMPSEY MONDAY KEMPSEY BEST BET Race 2 No. 4: Hayley's Rocket Turned in an encouraging debut in a good looking Super Maiden. NEXT BEST Race 1 No. 7: Everyready Bunny Has 10 thirds in 28 starts, almost always with the best finish of the race. VALUE Race 6 No. 1: Tanglewood Jimmy Boasts a fine record at this venue' third-up here and closing in on another win. BEST EXOTIC Quinella Race 4 Nos. 5,6 QUADDIE Race 5: 2,6,14 Race 6: 1,8,10 Race 7: 1,3,5,7 Race 8: 1,3,10 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Shae Wilkes has some good rides on Monday from start to finish. â– â– â– â– â– RACE 1 Everyready Bunny has a unique record of no wins, no seconds but 10 placings in 28 career starts. A lot of the time, this Novocastrian is finishing faster than most of his rivals. Once again, he has drawn a wide gate but on the plus-side, he has two thirds from three visits to Kempsey. Turning Circle has been costly but consistent having placed at half of her dozen starts. No excuses if beaten. Ultimate can perhaps figure in the placings at odds. Bet: Everyready Bunny to win, exacta 7 to beat 4 RACE 2 Hayley's Rocket trialled well prior to her debut on South Grafton Cup Day in the Super Maiden hence why she was backed from $21 into $12. The John Shelton trained filly was a real eye-catcher in what was a pretty strong race even by Super Maiden standards. Drawn better this time. Vendemmia makes his NSW debut armed with a Sandown placing and one at Ipswich with prior trainers. Warbreccan has claims so too Subsidise. Bet: Hayley's Rocket (best bet) RACE 3 Torque Ti Amo is a direct descendant of the peerless broodmare gem Eight Carat. This Matthew Dunn trained filly was a fast closing runner-up to stablemate Gaylord in the same Super Maiden alluded to above. Drawn wide but the step up in trip might offset that hopefully. Resume brings together Mark Minervini and Luke Rolls who share an incredible 32 per cent winners to runners. She Can Dance and Power Through are contenders. Bet: Torque Ti Amo to win RACE 4 Heart Of Platinum has a tidy resume of 12 starts, one win, two seconds and three third. The daughter of All Too Hard has been effective from 1400m up to 2018m so this 1900m Class 1 & Maiden fits perfectly for her. Not sure the barrier is a plus but has Ben Looker and does get back most times anyway. Justice Please hasn't fared much better in the barrier department hence why she is nominated for a very suitable mile race at Scone later in the week. Bet: Heart Of Platinum to win, quinella/exacta 5,6 RACE 5 Got The Smarts was bred at Gooree and hails from one of its most prized families, of which it has had a few. She is by Gooree's own Smart Missile, is also a half-sister to Tactical Advantage and from the same family as their iron horse Desert War. Got The Smarts has a tidy little CV, is super reliable and good enough to win better races. That said, Mofeed is a genuine obstacle. He too has done by far more good than bad in his nine starts. Written Fame is a reliable horse. October Revolution loves the slop. Bet: Got The Smarts to win, box First 4 Nos. 1,2,6,11,14 RACE 6 Tangelwood Jimmy is third-up and ready to hit a peak after two most encouraging runs at Muswellbrook. The only glaring negative is that he is unplaced in all three starts on Heavy tracks. Pity really, cause he loves it here at Kempsey. Dane Ripper's granddaughter Shine Like It Does ran rather well at Grafton on Ramornie Handicap day. Will be winning races up this way from now on. So You Can Torque (a 'nephew of Vow And Declare) is going to eat up the 1450m now and more after that. Bet: Tanglewood Jimmy to win or is scratched, So You Can Torque to place RACE 7 Yareakh has so far only managed one win in 16 starts but that was on a Heavy 10 at Scone beating Little Beginnings and others. Granted, that win came on debut but he has placed four times since and gave a pretty honourable account of himself in a Highway on Golden Eagle day. Champonnet has had three runs for Matthew Dunn; he won the first of them at Casino on a Heavy 8, easily, and with Jett Newman in the saddle, same as this. Marine Girl is from an astute yard. Resumes off a couple of decent trials. Bet: Yareakh each-way, quinella 1,3 Crowie's Shout has the highest benchmark rating in this race and that always has to count for something. It is clear that his 'best' is better than what most, if not all of these others bring to the table. It is just a case of how close this Anamoe relative is to said best. Whatever the case, barrier 3 and 3kg off for a really talented apprentice boosts his prospects. Miss Uchitel is a big player, she's got Dunn training and Bullock riding, but how will she go if we are on a Heavy 9 or 10?
The Australian
19-07-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Grafton preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, July 20, 2025
Trainer Tony Ball was unable to get a winner on the board over the two day Grafton carnival but he's hoping he can do so a few days later. Ball makes the trip north again from Taree to Grafton with three horses in the float, all of which he's got a good deal of confidence about. The most interesting of Ball's brigade comes up in the feature of the day with Xtra Approval getting a good drop in weight for the Maclean Cup (1400m). The six-year-old son of Xtravagant found the 60kg at Hawkesbury last start a touch too tough but drops way down to 55kg with apprentice hoop Shae Wilkes in the saddle. 'It's a nice race for him and he gets about 5kg off some of those horses in the race,' Ball said. 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! 'I thought he ran well at Hawkesbury the other day but just probably didn't appreciate the weight on a heavy track. 'So he now goes down to 55kg with Shae (Wilkes) utilising her claim and I'd expect him to be hard to beat.' Xtra Approval also finds his sweet spot at 1400m after running over the mile last time out. 'Getting back to 1400m probably suits him a bit too,' Ball said. 'He won a Kempsey Cup at the trip late last year and probably just found that mile a touch too far last start.' Earlier in the card will see three-year-old filly Felasuvi have her third run for the stable after starting her career off in Victoria with Leon and Troy Corstens. The daughter of Star Witness was eye catching at Coffs Harbour at her stable debut before finding a Class 1 a touch too tough at this track over the 1006m. She now steps up to 1100m in the second race on the card and goes from a good track but to a rain affected one. 'She gets a senior rider on this week with Siena not there so Matty (McGuren) goes on and that should be good for her,' Ball said. 'With the way the race looks to play out, she'll get the gun run from barrier four and get her chance. 'If she's good enough she'll win but if she's not, we'll just have to go back to the drawing board with her. 'But I'd expect her to go well and she's pulled up a treat from last Sunday so no issues with the seven day back up for her.' Thirty five minutes later will see Ball's bargain buy Where's The Fire look the break through for a win. The five-year-old gelding would be the best bred galloper going around at Grafton being by I Am Invincible and out of a Snitzel mare. 'It's not too often you get an I Am Invincible for $15,000,' Ball said. 'We got him about a year ago and he's been a handy little horse for us. 'I think he won at Grafton before I had him and he's had a few more runs at the track so he knows it well. 'With the drop in grade and Matty going on board, I reckon he'll run a good race. 'He should be nearing his top after two runs now this time in so hopefully he can break through for a win for us.' It's a capacity field for Where's The Fire's race with 16 acceptances including two emergencies for the 1100m contest. JETT HATTON'S TOP SELECTIONS BEST BET Race 1 No. 12: ARCHIE MAXIMUS Forgive his last start run at Coffs Harbour when nothing went his way. Well placed to bounce back. NEXT BEST Race 3 No. 5: LOVE RAT Never got a clear shot last start. With some luck he can bounce back. VALUE BET Race 5 No. 4: XTRA APPROVAL Good weight drop off his last start run at the provincials. Enjoys the drop back in trip too, QUADDIE Race 4: 1, 4 Race 5: 1, 2, 4 Race 6: 2, 6, 12 Race 7: 1, 2, 6, 10 Jockey Matthew McGuren will be popular in the Jockey Challenge with a strong book of rides. Picture: Greg Irvine, Magic Millions JOCKEY TO FOLLOW MATTHEW MCGUREN rides in all seven races on the card and has a couple winning chances. INSIDE MAIL - GRAFTON RACE 1: Andrew Tom Builder Pty Ltd Mdn Plate 1100m Be forgiving of the last start effort of ARCHIE MAXIMUS (12). Had some trouble at the start and on the heavy track, he couldn't get into it. Was also checked on the turn. Can bounce back here and break the maiden. JACOB'S WELL (1) comes out of three provincial maidens. First-up for the new stable and the blinkers come off. ZAINDARA (14) is the stablemate of Archie Maximus. The fact Matt McGuren is booked for that horse and the apprentice is on Zaindara is a lead. Bet: Archie Maximus to win. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 2: Maclean Variety Meats (Bm58) 1100m WITH STYLE (3) has had one start for one win and it was at this track. She's now with Chris and Corey Munce and has looked good at her two trials leading into her first-up run. Tricky barrier but looks classy. MISS WATERLINE (2) ran at Eagle Farm last start. Was wide throughout and drawn out again here so will need some luck. SNOW FALCON (1) is going better than the formguide would suggest. Blinkers come off with the winkers applied. Bet: With Style to win. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 3: Hooked On Seafood (Bm58) 1100m LOVE RAT (5) never got a clear shot at them last time out at Coffs Harbour in a decent race. Can position closer to the speed from barrier two and be in the finish. FULL REGALIA (9) can sprint well first-up from a spell. She's done so in the past and can do so again here. The easier race will suit WHERE'S THE FIRE (3) from Tony Ball's stable. Should be peaking third-up into his campaign. BUSH WARRIOR (12) goes into the numbers as well. Bet: Love Rat to win. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 4: Maclean Hotel (Bm58) 3120m Not too often you see a 3120m race in country NSW. WILL TO EXCEL (1) isn't getting any younger as a nine-year-old but showed last start that he's in good form with a third at Mudgee. Drawn to do no work from the inside barrier. SMELTER (6) will handle the distance. Was a three length winner over 2450m at Beaudesert back in May 26. Bet: Will To Excel to win. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 5: Maclean Bowling Club Maclean Cup 1400m XTRA APPROVAL (4) gets a nice weight drop off his last start run at Hawkesbury when up to 1600m. Will enjoy stepping back in trip to 1400m and he is drawn to get every chance from barrier six with Shae Wilkes on board. AFRICAN DAISY (2) is the proven horse here, given she's a last start winner at Rosehill. Has to carry the big weight but certainly has a class edge. MATTER OF HONOUR (1) has raced at Randwick his last five starts, so Grafton is certainly a change of scenery. WILD CHAP (3) is a Group 3 winner way back when. Needs to improve but finds an easier race. Bet: Xtra Approval each-way. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 6: Gm Accounting Maclean Mdn Hcp 1700m Not the easiest race to dissect given the record of some of these horses. Thought FLEE WITH MEE (2) would appreciate the easy contest. She went close a few starts back and the booking of Matt McGuren suits for this race. Awkward barrier but think she's the best horse in the race. IMMORTELLE (6) should get the run of the race and so often in these open affairs, that's the winning factor. STAR OF KONGO (12) is a 21 start maiden but is knocking on the door for that fist win. Honest on pace effort off a six week freshen up last start and should only improve off that. Bet: Flee With Me to win. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 7: Andrew Tom Builder Pty Ltd Mdn Plate 1100m MEGHAN (10) should get the run of the race from barrier four. She gets here in career best form and will appreciate the strong tempo that looks likely here. SHOWMAN (1) just missed last time out at Murwillumbah. Tricky barrier for Shae Wilkes to navigate but he's probably the best horse in this race. SPILLS (2) burnt petrol early last start and it told late. Can take a sit from a wide barrier today and turn in an improved effort. SECRET KEEPER (6) goes in the mix as well. Bet: Meghan each-way.
News.com.au
19-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Grafton preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, July 20, 2025
Trainer Tony Ball was unable to get a winner on the board over the two day Grafton carnival but he's hoping he can do so a few days later. Ball makes the trip north again from Taree to Grafton with three horses in the float, all of which he's got a good deal of confidence about. The most interesting of Ball's brigade comes up in the feature of the day with Xtra Approval getting a good drop in weight for the Maclean Cup (1400m). The six-year-old son of Xtravagant found the 60kg at Hawkesbury last start a touch too tough but drops way down to 55kg with apprentice hoop Shae Wilkes in the saddle. 'It's a nice race for him and he gets about 5kg off some of those horses in the race,' Ball said. It's a hometown win in the Kempsey Cup! The Tony Ball-trained Xtra Approval roars clear with a visibly thrilled Siena Grima in the saddle ðŸ�† â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 8, 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! 'I thought he ran well at Hawkesbury the other day but just probably didn't appreciate the weight on a heavy track. 'So he now goes down to 55kg with Shae (Wilkes) utilising her claim and I'd expect him to be hard to beat.' Xtra Approval also finds his sweet spot at 1400m after running over the mile last time out. 'Getting back to 1400m probably suits him a bit too,' Ball said. 'He won a Kempsey Cup at the trip late last year and probably just found that mile a touch too far last start.' Earlier in the card will see three-year-old filly Felasuvi have her third run for the stable after starting her career off in Victoria with Leon and Troy Corstens. The daughter of Star Witness was eye catching at Coffs Harbour at her stable debut before finding a Class 1 a touch too tough at this track over the 1006m. She now steps up to 1100m in the second race on the card and goes from a good track but to a rain affected one. 'She gets a senior rider on this week with Siena not there so Matty (McGuren) goes on and that should be good for her,' Ball said. 'With the way the race looks to play out, she'll get the gun run from barrier four and get her chance. Where's The Fire was too hot for his rivals under the urgings of @Aaronbullock90 for trainer Tony Ball at Taree ðŸ'¥ â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 3, 2024 'If she's good enough she'll win but if she's not, we'll just have to go back to the drawing board with her. 'But I'd expect her to go well and she's pulled up a treat from last Sunday so no issues with the seven day back up for her.' Thirty five minutes later will see Ball's bargain buy Where's The Fire look the break through for a win. The five-year-old gelding would be the best bred galloper going around at Grafton being by I Am Invincible and out of a Snitzel mare. 'It's not too often you get an I Am Invincible for $15,000,' Ball said. 'We got him about a year ago and he's been a handy little horse for us. 'I think he won at Grafton before I had him and he's had a few more runs at the track so he knows it well. 'With the drop in grade and Matty going on board, I reckon he'll run a good race. 'He should be nearing his top after two runs now this time in so hopefully he can break through for a win for us.' It's a capacity field for Where's The Fire's race with 16 acceptances including two emergencies for the 1100m contest. JETT HATTON'S TOP SELECTIONS BEST BET Race 1 No. 12: ARCHIE MAXIMUS Forgive his last start run at Coffs Harbour when nothing went his way. Well placed to bounce back. NEXT BEST Race 3 No. 5: LOVE RAT Never got a clear shot last start. With some luck he can bounce back. VALUE BET Race 5 No. 4: XTRA APPROVAL Good weight drop off his last start run at the provincials. Enjoys the drop back in trip too, QUADDIE Race 4: 1, 4 Race 5: 1, 2, 4 Race 6: 2, 6, 12 Race 7: 1, 2, 6, 10 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW MATTHEW MCGUREN rides in all seven races on the card and has a couple winning chances. INSIDE MAIL - GRAFTON Be forgiving of the last start effort of ARCHIE MAXIMUS (12). Had some trouble at the start and on the heavy track, he couldn't get into it. Was also checked on the turn. Can bounce back here and break the maiden. JACOB'S WELL (1) comes out of three provincial maidens. First-up for the new stable and the blinkers come off. ZAINDARA (14) is the stablemate of Archie Maximus. The fact Matt McGuren is booked for that horse and the apprentice is on Zaindara is a lead. Bet: Archie Maximus to win. â– â– â– â– â– WITH STYLE (3) has had one start for one win and it was at this track. She's now with Chris and Corey Munce and has looked good at her two trials leading into her first-up run. Tricky barrier but looks classy. MISS WATERLINE (2) ran at Eagle Farm last start. Was wide throughout and drawn out again here so will need some luck. SNOW FALCON (1) is going better than the formguide would suggest. Blinkers come off with the winkers applied. Bet: With Style to win. â– â– â– â– â– RACE 3: Hooked On Seafood (Bm58) 1100m LOVE RAT (5) never got a clear shot at them last time out at Coffs Harbour in a decent race. Can position closer to the speed from barrier two and be in the finish. FULL REGALIA (9) can sprint well first-up from a spell. She's done so in the past and can do so again here. The easier race will suit WHERE'S THE FIRE (3) from Tony Ball's stable. Should be peaking third-up into his campaign. BUSH WARRIOR (12) goes into the numbers as well. Bet: Love Rat to win. â– â– â– â– â– RACE 4: Maclean Hotel (Bm58) 3120m Not too often you see a 3120m race in country NSW. WILL TO EXCEL (1) isn't getting any younger as a nine-year-old but showed last start that he's in good form with a third at Mudgee. Drawn to do no work from the inside barrier. SMELTER (6) will handle the distance. Was a three length winner over 2450m at Beaudesert back in May 26. Bet: Will To Excel to win. â– â– â– â– â– XTRA APPROVAL (4) gets a nice weight drop off his last start run at Hawkesbury when up to 1600m. Will enjoy stepping back in trip to 1400m and he is drawn to get every chance from barrier six with Shae Wilkes on board. AFRICAN DAISY (2) is the proven horse here, given she's a last start winner at Rosehill. Has to carry the big weight but certainly has a class edge. MATTER OF HONOUR (1) has raced at Randwick his last five starts, so Grafton is certainly a change of scenery. WILD CHAP (3) is a Group 3 winner way back when. Needs to improve but finds an easier race. Bet: Xtra Approval each-way. â– â– â– â– â– Not the easiest race to dissect given the record of some of these horses. Thought FLEE WITH MEE (2) would appreciate the easy contest. She went close a few starts back and the booking of Matt McGuren suits for this race. Awkward barrier but think she's the best horse in the race. IMMORTELLE (6) should get the run of the race and so often in these open affairs, that's the winning factor. STAR OF KONGO (12) is a 21 start maiden but is knocking on the door for that fist win. Honest on pace effort off a six week freshen up last start and should only improve off that. Bet: Flee With Me to win. â– â– â– â– â–
