Latest news with #TheKosciuszko
Herald Sun
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Herald Sun
2025 The Kosciuszko: Defending champ Far Too Easy is out
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. 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. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 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. • Via Sistina's back … and she has some familiar targets in mind 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. Originally published as The Kosciuszko champion Far Too Easy won't defend his country sprint crown in 2025
Courier-Mail
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
‘I went wow': Craig Williams' emotional bond with country star Far Too Easy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Craig Williams has won the Melbourne Cup, The Everest and the Golden Slipper, but it's for emotional reasons that the trophy for scoring the $2m Kosciuszko on Far Too Easy takes pride of place in his bulging trophy cabinet. The riding legend is about to set up shop riding in the Sunshine State for large parts of the Queensland winter carnival and he kicks off by riding David McColm's star Far Too Easy in the Group 2 Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Far Too Easy is the horse from northern NSW who has survived raging floodwaters and deadly infections and Williams only knew part of the gelding's remarkable backstory before winning The Kosciuszko at Randwick last October. Now, Williams fully appreciates all the emotion and can't wait to link with Far Too Easy on Saturday, with McColm's wonder horse a $6 equal favourite in the Victory as he kicks off a Stradbroke Handicap campaign. • Sky reveals major shake-up to race calling ranks 'The Kosciuszko trophy takes pride of place in my trophy cabinet at home,' Williams told Racenet. 'And that's because I heard David interviewed after the race and I spent time with him and his family. 'I got a really good understanding of what this horse means to them. 'There is a lot of backstory to this horse. 'I had a connection with the horse but I didn't understand it all to start with. 'But then, after listening to the interview, I went 'wow'. Williams has seven rides at Eagle Farm on Saturday and said he loves riding in the Queensland winter, where he often makes a semi-permanent home during the carnival. Queensland has been a happy hunting ground for the Victorian jockey and he has ridden five Group 1 winners in the Sunshine State. They include scoring consecutive Doomben 10,000s after winning the last two years on Bella Nipotina and Giga Kick. • Comeback of the year? Heathcote will never write off Rothfire Far Too Easy is on a Stradbroke Handicap path and Williams says the horse can give the Queensland's most prestigious race a mighty shake. 'On his best form, he is absolutely a great chance in the Stradbroke,' Williams said. 'To sit on his back and ride him, he is such a gentleman and he can produce some phenomenal performances. 'He is a good horse and David is a great horseman. 'I love coming to Queensland and I enjoy the Brisbane carnival to its fullest.' Trainer David McColm and jockey Craig Williams after winning The Kosciuszko. Picture: Getty Images • 'Got to aim high': Flying filly has Stradbroke in sights Meanwhile, Williams will make his first trip to the central Queensland beef capital of Rockhampton when he partners Tony Gollan galloper Comrade Rosa in the $1m The Archer slot race on Sunday. Comrade Rosa is an $11 chance after drawing barrier 12. Williams has sought advice from his great mate, recently retired jockey Michael Cahill, about riding on the Rockhampton track. 'I have never been to Rockhampton before, so I am looking forward to it,' Williams said. 'Michael Cahill has told me racetrack in Rockhampton is great and there's a big, long straight. 'He told me I would enjoy my time up there.' Originally published as Queensland winter carnival: Craig Williams' emotional bond with winter carnival prospect Far Too Easy
Herald Sun
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
‘I went wow': Craig Williams' emotional bond with country star Far Too Easy
Craig Williams has won the Melbourne Cup, The Everest and the Golden Slipper, but it's for emotional reasons that the trophy for scoring the $2m Kosciuszko on Far Too Easy takes pride of place in his bulging trophy cabinet. The riding legend is about to set up shop riding in the Sunshine State for large parts of the Queensland winter carnival and he kicks off by riding David McColm's star Far Too Easy in the Group 2 Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Far Too Easy is the horse from northern NSW who has survived raging floodwaters and deadly infections and Williams only knew part of the gelding's remarkable backstory before winning The Kosciuszko at Randwick last October. Now, Williams fully appreciates all the emotion and can't wait to link with Far Too Easy on Saturday, with McColm's wonder horse a $6 equal favourite in the Victory as he kicks off a Stradbroke Handicap campaign. • Sky reveals major shake-up to race calling ranks 'The Kosciuszko trophy takes pride of place in my trophy cabinet at home,' Williams told Racenet. 'And that's because I heard David interviewed after the race and I spent time with him and his family. 'I got a really good understanding of what this horse means to them. 'There is a lot of backstory to this horse. 'I had a connection with the horse but I didn't understand it all to start with. 'But then, after listening to the interview, I went 'wow'. Williams has seven rides at Eagle Farm on Saturday and said he loves riding in the Queensland winter, where he often makes a semi-permanent home during the carnival. Queensland has been a happy hunting ground for the Victorian jockey and he has ridden five Group 1 winners in the Sunshine State. They include scoring consecutive Doomben 10,000s after winning the last two years on Bella Nipotina and Giga Kick. • Comeback of the year? Heathcote will never write off Rothfire Far Too Easy is on a Stradbroke Handicap path and Williams says the horse can give the Queensland's most prestigious race a mighty shake. 'On his best form, he is absolutely a great chance in the Stradbroke,' Williams said. 'To sit on his back and ride him, he is such a gentleman and he can produce some phenomenal performances. 'He is a good horse and David is a great horseman. 'I love coming to Queensland and I enjoy the Brisbane carnival to its fullest.' Trainer David McColm and jockey Craig Williams after winning The Kosciuszko. Picture: Getty Images • 'Got to aim high': Flying filly has Stradbroke in sights Meanwhile, Williams will make his first trip to the central Queensland beef capital of Rockhampton when he partners Tony Gollan galloper Comrade Rosa in the $1m The Archer slot race on Sunday. Comrade Rosa is an $11 chance after drawing barrier 12. Williams has sought advice from his great mate, recently retired jockey Michael Cahill, about riding on the Rockhampton track. 'I have never been to Rockhampton before, so I am looking forward to it,' Williams said. 'Michael Cahill has told me racetrack in Rockhampton is great and there's a big, long straight. 'He told me I would enjoy my time up there.' Originally published as Queensland winter carnival: Craig Williams' emotional bond with winter carnival prospect Far Too Easy
