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News.com.au
04-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘He is up to that level': Robert Agnew has Country Championships aspirations for Show ‘Em Howl
Trainer Robert Agnew believes Show 'Em Howl has the ability to be a Country Championships contender next year but would be content if his lightly-raced talent won his way out of calculations for the series this winter. Agnew is preparing to bring his untapped talent back to town to target one of two races on Winter Stakes day at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday as he looks to build on his competitive early record of two wins from five starts. Show 'Em Howl gave a glimpse of his potential the last time he was in town with an eye-catching fourth behind the speedy Calico Miss in Highway grade. 'I feel off his Highway run two weeks ago, I could win a Country Championships heat over 1200m at Port Macquarie first-up,' Agnew said. 'I could give him a few starts this preparation and then put him away. 'We have runs and wins up the sleeve to play with but if he was to win the Benchmark 72 on Saturday then moving forward two weeks later he is going to be better for the 1500m. 'So if he was to win two in two weeks, I wouldn't be waiting for the Championships because as nice as a race as it is, he would be third-up on four wins and I couldn't put him in the garage until February.' Calico Miss races away with the TAB Highway at Randwick! ðŸ'° @weir_mikayla @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 21, 2025 Show 'Em Howl ($8) is the seventh emergency in the TAB Highway Class 3 Handicap (1300m) but has also accepted in the The Agency Real Estate Benchmark 72 (1300m) on the same card. Agnew holds no fears running Show 'Em Howl in the tougher assignment if scratchings don't get him a Highway start. 'I definitely think he is up to that level,' he said. 'There is some nice horses in it but I definitely think he is capable. 'I wanted to stick to Highway this week and go to the 72 in two weeks time because he doesn't have any Highway options coming up. 'Everyone says he is a nice 1400m to a mile horse so I would love to take him over 1500m in two weeks time. 'If it's really wet, I'd rather the 1200m and not the 1300m.' Apprentice Anna Roper has been booked to pilot Show 'Em Howl in both races.
News.com.au
03-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Ray Thomas, Shayne O'Cass tips, analysis for all 10 races at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday
Form analysts Ray Thomas and Shayne O'Cass debate the chances on the 10-race Winter Stakes meeting at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Shayno thinks he's found massive value in $71 pop VALIMI (Race 10 No.14), an import who's been trialling 'fantastic', while Ray advises punters to stick with EXIT FEE (Race 3 No.6). â– â– â– â– â– RAY'S BEST BET Race 3 No.6 EXIT FEE RAY'S BEST VALUE Race 8 No.13 COSMONOVA SHAYNO'S BEST BET Race 9 No.14 RUBY FLYER SHAYNO'S BEST VALUE Race 10 No.14 VALIMI â– â– â– â– â– Ray Thomas: I was taken by RAGING FORCE (1) 's win at Kensington when he led throughout to win easing down by four lengths. This came after an easy first-up win in the Red Crown at Muswellbrook. Promising colt who is destined for big things in the spring. His danger is HORSESHOE HILL (11). She was very impressive winning her maiden at Hawkesbury and is right up to Saturday grade. CAESAR (7) has looked very good in successive barrier trials and is one to watch. Shayne O'Cass: MARCHON (9), by Wootton Bassett out of Ottawa Stakes placegetter Marchena, was just gliding along throughout when he won his June 20 heat here. I concede race experience is gold, particularly with two-year-olds, so RAGING FORCE (1) commands respect. That's a big win at Randwick to Raging Force, who makes it two wins in a row! ðŸ'° @TommyBerry21 @SnowdenRacing1 @aus_turf_club @Darby_Racing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 25, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– Thomas: ZOURIPPER (1) looked good winning first-up at Kembla last start, Shayno. It was only a class 1 but he made light of 60kg and showed good acceleration to come from off speed and win by a widening margin. He gets into this race with 55kg after the claim and will go close. IRON MAN (1) is a dual acceptor (he's third emergency for race 7) but he does look very hard to beat if he starts in this race. Trainer Kerry Parker has a couple of good each way chances with EQUILIBRIST (7) and CLOSE ENCOUNTER (10). O'Cass: RT, it's funny how pedigrees work sometimes because Trapeze Artist was a 'duffer' on wet tracks yet here's one of his sons EQUILIBRIST (7) who ploughs through the slop. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that his fourth dam is Easy Date, the mother of the brilliant Snippets who was an absolute swimmer. Whether it is heavy or soft, Equilibrist is in good nick to win this. NOBLE SOLDIER (2) 's 'best' is better than any of his rivals. He was good enough first-up in a much deeper race than this one. Zouripper you ripper! ðŸ'¥ The @JTRacingRwik trained gelding wins at double figure odds in Race 2 at Canterbury with @SchofieldChad on board. — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 24, 2024 • Rosehill Turf Talk: Best bet gets a key gear change, plus a $71 tip â– â– â– â– â– Thomas: EXIT FEE (6) was heavily backed first-up at Randwick and ran on well for a close second to the speedy Calico Miss in a Highway. He looked to have his chance the other day but will be improved by the run. Drawn to get all the favours and he does go well this track. LUNAITE (4) would have been top pick with a better barrier. Gate 22 looks terrible on paper but she will come into barrier 14 after the emergencies come out. She was very competitive in a strong form race last start. Bengal won a Highway first-up then finished unplaced in the same race that Lunaite contested. He's worth another chance. MARTINI MUMMA (5) is also back in her right grade. O'Cass: I've gone with one of racing's real bargain basement buys, LET'S GO BRANDON (10) who was bought online in May 2024 for $1,250. He's already won $37,125 in four starts and take it to the bank, it should be $13,000 more had he not thrown away a potential debut win at Canberra on Black Opal Day. He's got his act together now with back to back wins and he's not done with yet. There is nothing like Highway form for a Highway. Enter your selection, RT, and that's EXIT FEE (6) who has won one and was runner-up to Lisztomania in another. SHOW 'EM HOWL (21) was huge in his Highway debut. Calico Miss races away with the TAB Highway at Randwick! ðŸ'° @weir_mikayla @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 21, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– Thomas: CODETTA (1) has been placed in two starts this track since resuming, and she has been luckless in both. She was held up in the straight until charging through for second behind King's Secret (who has since won again) then she was trapped three-wide without cover before a game third to Winning Proposal. Codetta was a beaten favourite last start but she lost no admirers in defeat. I've been on her both starts and have to stay with her, Shayno, particularly now she is up to 1300m. GATEKEEPER (7) is a very interesting runner. He's superbly-bred, won nicely on debut, and resumes off two easy trials, the most recent when he was desperate to go faster. DIDDLE DUMPLING (4) and GOLDEN STRAAND (8) both come off big wins at Gosford. O'Cass: How about DIDDLE DUMPLING (4) 's form, RT. She had four runs as a two-year-old including back-to-back fifths in Manaal's Sweet Embrace and in the Percy Sykes (Lady of Camelot was second). Then she opened her three-year-old season with a second to Aeliana! Not surprisingly, Diddle Dumpling bolted in at Wyong first-up and she is well up to Saturday city grade. Riff Rocket's little half-sister CODETTA (1) is your rolled-gold model of consistency. Paid the price for her 7 of 9 alley last time and hasn't fared any better this weekend either. Nakeeta Jane's son GATEKEEPER (7) could have a high ceiling. It's no secret that King's Secret has a bright future! ðŸ'' He wins at Rosehill for @PrideRacing and Andrew Adkins! @aus_turf_club | @ProvenTbreds — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– Thomas: I wasn't sure which way to go here, Shayno, but landed on TARPAULIN (5). He showed promise with successive wins on winter tracks last year then he was tested at stakes level where he ran competitively to just miss a place in the Danehill Stakes last spring. He resumes off a long spell but he trialled brilliantly at Canterbury. SHALL BE (4) has his share of ability and does go well fresh. I'm wary of STORM THE RAMPARTS (1). He is flying this campaign and just missed notching a hat-trick of wins last start. He carries weight well and makes his own luck racing on speed. POKERJACK (6) is an each-way contender. O'Cass: I'm also with TARPAULIN (5). There was a bit of a boom on him this time last year when he won those two midweeks late in his two-year-old season. His best run since then, and so far, was his fourth in the Danehill Stakes last spring. He has been off the scene a fair while but his trials indicate a happy and healthy horse ready to race. He loves the wet too. But he'll have to be right up to the mark to beat a very fit and in-form STORM THE RAMPARTS (1). That said, he is right up in the weights. SHALL BE (4) is fast, drawn well, has 2kg off and excels on wet ground. Tarpaulin runs away with it! ðŸ'¨ @mcacajamez and @JamesCummings88 combine to win the Randwick opener 🙌 — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 27, 2024 â– â– â– â– â– Thomas: If winning becomes a habit then I'll go with WINNING PROPOSAL (2), Shayno. She's always been a filly of talent and finally had luck go her way with a tough win over this course and distance last start. She finds herself in a fillies and mares race and is not badly weighted after the claim. HI DUBAI (1) has run two excellent races since resuming and this is an easier assignment. USEAPIN (7) and LONHRO'S QUEEN (5) both have a powerful finishing surge and are value chances. O'Cass: QUEEN OF THE MILE (3) has turned in more good runs than bad ones, and by far. It is just plain to see that the race that what best suits her is a Saturday city Benchmark 78. So much so that this Saturday will be her sixth '78' in a row subsequent to her noteworthy third in the Magic Millions 3&4YO at Wyong on Dec 28. The caveat is she needs it to dry out. USEAPIN (7) is well up to winning this and I made her my best bet last time but she was scratched. I've got to mention her nonetheless. ðŸ'� Winning Proposal with a late effort to get the win along the inside at Rosehill! @BBakerRacing | @AnnaRoper_ — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 14, 2025 • â– â– â– â– â– Thomas: GENTILESCHI (14) bumped into a smart type when chasing home She's Unusual over 1800m at Randwick last start. Although no match for the winner, Gentileschi beat the rest of her rivals convincingly and is ready to win. ASSAILANT (17), a former English galloper, has shaped promisingly in two Australian starts for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. He puts himself into his races early and is tough under pressure. SOUNDS UNUSUAL (7) is worth another chance now he's up to 2000m and imported galloper NELLIE LEYLAX (1) has a wide barrier and big weight but has ability, too. O'Cass: GUZUMPED (18) is an emergency with no jockey but I'm hoping he gets a run, RT. I have been 'on' the son of Dundeel both runs this preparation and they haven't been at all bad. Third-up, loves the wet and loves 2000m. No one could have missed Ortensia's granddaughter GENTILESCHI (14) in that 1800m Benchmark 78 at Randwick on June 21. You have found her, Ray, and I understand why as she looks ready for 2000m again and excels with the sting out. Don't forget GOOD BANTER (15) won the Adrian Knox on a Heavy 9. She's nice... unusual! She's Unusual wins in style for @JohnOSheaRacing with @TommyBerry21 in the saddle! 🤩 @aus_turf_club @OTIRacing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 21, 2025 • â– â– â– â– â– Thomas: Did you know COSMONOVA (13) is unbeaten third-up from a spell? I think she is ready to maintain that record after two solid efforts this campaign including her closing third at Randwick last start. I don't mind her barrier because if she can slide across and find cover then she is going to be hard to hold out. DOLLAR MAGIC (14), racing's professional placegetter, will be in the mix again and KING OF ROSEAU (11) really attacked the line to score here last start but he has to come back slightly in trip. WORLD ALLIANCE (8) will be charging home and Bunker Hut always races well fresh. O'Cass: I didn't realise that statistic about COSMONOVA (13) and concede she has a great chance. In saying that, I want to be with FLEETWOOD (4). He is something of a rarity at Godolphin given he was bought not bred. They must have liked him because $160,000 is not an insignificant sum for an Encryption yearling. He has turned out to be another canny buy for the Royal Blue, having won five races and more than $330,000 in a relatively short time. Best of all, he is unbeaten in both starts on Heavy. BUNKER HUT (3) has an inviting and enticing set of numbers right across the board except maybe that he hasn't won on heavy and all his best form is on good tracks. Cosmonova gets the head down in time to win Race 3 at Rosehill for @PrideRacing in a thrilling photo finish! ðŸ'¸ — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 3, 2024 • â– â– â– â– â– Thomas: WELWAL (2) had five weeks between runs when he finished strongly for second behind Headley Grange in the Civic Stakes. The winner is in rare form and Welwal ran a blinder to get within a half-length. He will be fitter and handles soft tracks. In a race of many chances THUNDERLIPS (10) is in career-best form and on the seven-day back-up after his fast-finishing win at Rosehill over 1500m. WHINCHAT (8) has again drawn wide but if he breaks cleanly and races on speed, he will take running down. ACCREDITED (4) bounced back to winning form on the drying track last start. His chances soar if the track is closer to good than heavy. O'Cass: RUBY FLYER (14) is the sort of horse who could make his presence felt in The Big Dance if he got there and it was pouring cats and dogs on the day. My point there is that he is one of the best muddies racing all day on Saturday, he is a Randwick Mile winner and was placed in a Rowley Mile. This is 1400m of course but no less suitable for the Brad Widdup-trained gelding. WELWAL (2) was given the perfect ride by Tommy Berry when ripping into the margin behind Headley Grange last start. He is getting oh so close. ASTERO (11) is always underrated. 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 • â– â– â– â– â– Thomas: KERGUELEN (5) went up sharply in grade but was sent out a short-priced favourite before finishing an even fourth to Accredited. He looked to have every chance but still stuck to his task and was beaten just over a length. Kerguelen is back in his right grade and is drawn to get the run of the race. SACRED ROCKS (12) produced an amazing effort to win over 1300m here three weeks ago. She has drawn off the track but she will go back early and charge home. BRAVE ONE (10) drew wide and covered extra ground but was still too classy at Randwick. The barrier is the concern again. LITTLE COINTREAU (8) doesn't run a bad race. I know what you like in the last, Shayno and if it wins, to use one of your phrases, you will be a hero to a nation. O'Cass: I'm with VALIMI (14), RT! This is the French import with Kris Lees whose form back home includes three stakes race appearances, most notably the 2023 French 2000 Guineas where he ran fifth. What about his Australian runs? They weren't great, that is true, but it would seem to be that he can only go on soft and/or heavy tracks. His trials were just fantastic too. At $71, I think Valimi is over the odds and will run a big race. Joe Pride-trained horses seem to hold to their form like no other trainer and for that reason alone, LITTLE COINTREAU (8) has to go in somewhere.
News.com.au
03-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Tamworth preview: Justin Bowen backs eager apprentice Bronte Simpson to get the job done on Zakor
Muswellbrook housed galloper Zakor will make the trip out to Tamworth for the eighth time in his career chasing what would be his third win at the track and distance set aside for the feature event. The six-year-old's first run at Tamworth coincided with his first win; Aaron Bullock steering the then Jan Bowen-trained two-year-old to an easy triumph in the April 6, 2021 maiden immediately prior to his honourable fourth in the annual Romantic Dream Plate. Fast forward to the present and while Zakor is still owned by his breeder, Jan Bowen, he has switched stables to her grandson, Justin, for whom the horse has raced nine times. During that sequence, Zakor posted an emphatic win at his home track last centred in between four other minor placings. Zakor lands some good bets and gets up at @thebrookracing for local trainer Justin Bowen! â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 22, 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! 'He was tops,' Bowen said. 'You take the winner (Flame Of Hestia) out and he's right there fighting it out for the finish. The winner was just a class above them on the day and we won't find one of them at Tamworth, that's for sure. 'The Wyong track is a little tight and he is a big boy so by the time he winds-up it's all over but a track like Tamworth will definitely suit him. 'He is always highly competitive and back to his own grade on Friday, it is certainly one of races that with the right run and a bit of luck, he'll be right there. 'If we can find the right race, which I think we have, he is ready to break through again.' Zakor has been ridden by some of the best in the business in his time with Justin Bowen, namely Aaron Bullock, Ashley Morgan, Clayton Gallagher, Darryl McLellan and Josh Parr. This week, it will be the turn of highly regarded young apprentice Bronte Simpson in the TLE Electrical Benchmark 74 Handicap (1000m). 'I have followed her for a while and she is riding really well,' Bowen said. 'She is always messaging me every time we've got a runner asking if we have anything and we finally got the right one for her. 'Zak is pretty tractable. He is pretty easy just to jump and be on speed and the way Bronte rides, she does such a good job, so I think she'll get along with him pretty well.' Atoka breaks her maiden at her 26th start! 😮 â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 6, 2025 For the record, Zakor is a son of Golden Rose and Doomben 10,000 winner Epaulette who was exported to Turkey in 2021 to continue his stud duties. Bowen heads to Tamworth with a second Epaulette foal, this one named Atoka who is raced in partnership by Jan Bowen and the Hunter Valley living legend, Pat Farrell. The four-year-old Atoka is rated a $71 chance to win the Anytime Self Storage Units Class 1 Handicap (1200m) but is given a much better hope of securing a rare (second) win by her trainer. 'It is a nice race for her,' Bowen said. 'She gets through the wet and she enjoys Tamworth. 'I can see her bouncing back and running a good one.' Atoka will need a few scratchings to make the cut, stablemate Thirteen Under will need a flood of absenteeism in the same race, but is not without hope of a medal should he be granted the opportunity. 'He is his own worst enemy. He gets too far back and misses the kick but if he can jump clean and put himself in a position, he is also one that can just pipe up and run a blinder on the day,' he said. â– â– â– â– â– Ace race broadcaster Anthony Manton can add another winner to his tally should the Waikato Stud graduate Imezaaki find his old spark in the Warnelec Electrical Services Benchmark 58 Handicap (2100m). Manton is no stranger to the winner's stall, most often with company from others in one of his Patriot Bloodstock ventures. As for Imezaaki, he was originally sold for $200,000 at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale to Bjorn Baker. It was during his stay there that Imezaaki recorded his career personal best when finishing third in the Group 3 BRC Grand Prix (2100m) in December 2023. This week's assignment is over the exact same trip, third-up off a 1400m and mile run for his new handler, Craig Clegg. Encoder storms home down the outside in the Grand Prix Stakes, saluting for @freedman_lee! â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 16, 2023 'He has run over a trip a few times before,' Clegg said. 'I have been happy enough with him. I would have loved to have had another mile under his belt, just to be more satisfying, but we'll know on Friday whether that's true or not. 'I have looked through his form, he's run places on Soft but it is going to be Heavy (this week) but they have all got to plough through it.' Clegg, meanwhile, takes two of his string into the rich and rewarding Anytime Self Storage Units Country Boosted Class 1 Handicap over 1200m with Rembroy and Cascan fighting it out for the enhanced purse. 'It's a $30,000 Country Boosted race,' Clegg said. 'It terrific what Racing NSW are doing for up here.' Clegg is leaning the way of Rembroy and hardly surprising given the powerful nature of the gelding's June 16 win at Tamworth under Aaron Bullock. 'The last 50 to a 100 metres was nice the other day and Aaron said the same thing,' Clegg said. 'He's drawn (barrier) 3 so Aaron will put him in a nice comfy spot, you'd think.' And while Rembroy has been dealt a 'winning draw', his stablemate will be one of the last of the runners called up. 'Cascan is drawn wide but it's a get back type who will hopefully run home,' Clegg said. 'It might be a bit short for her but I had to give it a run somewhere to get a bit of match fitness under her belt.'
News.com.au
01-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
The Kosciuszko champion Far Too Easy won't defend his country sprint crown in 2025
Reigning champion Far Too Easy won't be eligible to defend his The Kosciuszko crown this spring with trainer David McColm eyeing off another $2 million feature on The Everest day. Far Too Easy claimed the state's richest country sprint at his third attempt last spring after a pair of near misses in the race. The build up for this year's Kosciuszko began in earnest on Tuesday with TAB sweepstakes tickets for slot holders going on sale. • But a stable move from Murwillumbah to the Gold Coast has ruled McColm's stable star out of a fourth tilt at the 1200m feature. 'It weighed heavily on our minds (to delay the move) but it was a bit of a difficult one,' McColm said. 'We've got 16 boxes on the Gold Coast. We had been at Murwillumbah for 30 years so it's a massive undertaking and for the family to pack up, move schools, and stuff like that, it's daunting in that respect but from a training point of view it will be nice. 'There are a couple of different races we are looking, one of them on The Everest day (the Sydney Stakes), so we will be back down in the spring, it just won't be in the Kosciuszko.' The Group 3 $2 million Sydney Stakes (1200m) is also run on October 18 at Royal Randwick, less than an hour before the $20 million The Everest. Far Too Easy proves dreams can come true, and races past Front Page to become the 2024 Kosciuszko champ for @DavidMccolm2 and @CWilliamsJockey 🙌 @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 19, 2024 Far Too Easy was on the third line of betting at $8 for The Kosciuszko. Two-time The Kosciuszko winner Front Page, runner-up in last year's race, is the $4 early favourite for this year's feature sprint with Clear Thinking at $6 and both Gallant Star and Know Thyself at $8. Sweepstakes tickets will be available until Monday, September 8 with 14 tickets drawn on September 10. Winning ticket holders will then negotiate a slot deal with connections of NSW country or ACT-trained horses. Far Too Easy is a $4.50 chance to end his winter carnival preparation on a high note in Saturday's Listed $300,000 Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) at the Sunshine Coast. A second crack at the Listed $200,000 Ramornie Handicap (1200m) at Grafton on July 16 is off the table for Far Too Easy.
News.com.au
27-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Trainer Blake Ryan rapt with ‘honest' mare Lady Extreme ahead of Rosehill Gardens test
Proven performer Lady Extreme has given trainer Blake Ryan every indication she's ready to back up her slashing first-up performance at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Lady Extreme is one of the most consistent horses in Ryan's barn and can make it back-to-back victories in the Chandon Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m). The daughter of Extreme Choice was an excellent first-up winner at Midway grade last month. Ryan gave her a month to get over the run and hopes it can pay significant dividends in the final event on the program. 'She was terrific first-up and is as honest as you can find a horse anywhere,' Ryan said. 'I've been really happy with her the past couple of weeks. I had her in the other week but pulled her out. 'I wasn't convinced she was ready to be back at the races but have been really happy with her this week and I am happy with her as I was first-up.' Lady Extreme swoops on them to take the Midway at Rosehill first up! ðŸ'¨ @blakeryan86 | @AlyshaCollett | @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025 Lady Extreme reaped the benefits of being ridden colder last start before surging late to get up. Despite drying barrier one, Ryan is eager for jockey Alysha Collett to take a similar approach. 'I don't want to be too close,' Ryan said. 'We've had the opinion all the way along to ride her like we did the other day with Alysha on her, let the speed go and have one crack at them. 'Where she had drawn in the past has forced our hand going forward and a lot of people think she is a speed horse, but she's not.' Lady Extreme's record of three wins and six placings from 10 starts has already made her a promising broodmare prospect. A win on Saturday could see Ryan attempt to make her even more valuable. 'If she happened to win on Saturday and it's half pie-in-the-sky stuff but she would be a three-time city winning mare by Extreme Choice so the only thing left to do would be to try and get black type,' he said. 'It's 17 days to the Ramornie (at Grafton) from Saturday and if she won I'd nominate her but she mightn't get enough points to get into that field.'
