Latest news with #Wagga
News.com.au
06-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Wagga preview: Racing legends chasing Riverina double with equine siblings
CHAMPION jockey, now Riverina based trainer, Danny Beasley can present Hall of Fame legend Neville Begg with two wins inside the space of 45 minutes at Wagga on Monday. Granted, Begg and Beasley have won bigger races than today's back-to-back Wagga Maidens on offer but a win to either horse would be special for both. More so perhaps for Begg who bred the pair, namely the unraced Serenading and her year-older sibling Donegal Bay. The Begg-Beasley duo are the second and third foals respectively out of Fastnet Rock mare Rock And Rose whose sole win came at Sale, over 1717m, in January 2017. Donegal Bay, a son of Star Witness, is the mare's only foal to race prior to today; with an overall record of four placings from seven starts. The most recent two of those have been for Beasley, and both at Albury. His barnstorming Beasley-debut (second) was enough to see him sent out a prohibitive $1.40 favourite in another Bordertown maiden, and while costly for his backers, he lost no love so far as Beasley is concerned. 'He had no luck the other day,'' Beasley said. 'There was one that nearly fell in front of him and barrier one was always going to be not ideal for him because he gets back. 'He's a big horse and he needs a bit of room when he is galloping. It was pretty much a forgive run. 'I'd just love to win a race with the horse and then give him a break because I think he has got a lot more ability than what his record is showing.' Two-year-old Serenading is even more of a Begg-bred than her big brother. Not only does Begg own her mother, he bred and raced her father, namely Blue Diamond winner and emerging young sire, Written By. Serenading hasn't been sighted in public view since her low-key yet pleasing trial at home on Australia Day. 'She wasn't out there to do too much, it was an education, and I had Brodie Loy on her and I thought he did a wonderful job on her,'' Beasley explained. 'He gave her a beautiful trial and she learnt a lot from it. 'She is a really big filly that wasn't ready so we put her out and gave her a break and she's come back and done everything right so far. 'The 1000m will be okay on the Heavy ground because she probably wants it a little bit further.' And while Serenading is, on face value, bred for speed, she does possess more than her share of classic blood. Begg and Beasley would clearly love Serenading to live up to the deeds of her close family member, Serenade Rose. Trained by Lee Freedman, Serenade Rose was the dominant classic filly of her era. Beasley can testify to that; he was on fillies far behind Serenade at the finish of both the VRC Oaks and AJC Oaks. 'She was a great filly,'' Beasley recalled. 'Actually Mr Begg spoke in depth about the pedigree of these two horses and although Donegal Bay has a few little issues that would restrict him from getting out in trip, the big filly Serenading, she does give you every indication she will get out over more ground as she gets older. 'So Mr Begg has said to me, don't be afraid to nominate her for a few of those staying fillies race because you never know what happens.'
News.com.au
06-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Tips and inside mail for racing at Wagga on Monday
The Daily Telegraph's Shayne O'Cass previews racing at Wagga on Monday. BEST BETS WITH SHAYNE O'CASS WAGGA BEST BET Race 2 No. 3: Donegal Bay Third-up, at home, in form. Key is the 1200m. Be strong late. NEXT BEST Race 1 No. 12: Serenading Well-bred first-starter from a top yard with a top jockey. Has a future. VALUE Race 5 No. 1: Galston Gorge Gerry Harvey/Joe Cleary blue-blood drawn perfect in an ideal race. BEST EXOTIC Race 4 quinella Nos. 2,3 QUADDIE Race 5: 1,6 Race 6: 1,4,6,7 Race 7: 1,4,7 Race 8: 2,4,8,10 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Blaike McDougall has ridden 105 winners ar Wagga, more than any other venue he has visited. â– â– â– â– â– WAGGA INSIDE MAIL RACE 1 Serenading was bred by industry legend Neville Begg who has a few horses with Danny Beasley including this filly's brother Donegal Bay which runs in the race after this one. As for this filly, she is on debut and trialled well enough back in January. This is winnable if she actually has the talent that she seems to. Miss Pepeha is bred to win the Grand National Steeplechase but funnily enough back to 1000m suits her. Bet: Serenading to win, quinella 8,12 RACE 2 Donegal Bay, as mentioned above, is a Begg/Beasley housed Wagga local. One thing we can absolutely say for sure about him, is that he is looking for 1200m on a nice big track like this. If anything, the wide draw might have done him a favour. Bonnie Murringo was spelled after a solid enough debut to a handy horse here back on December 17 and has trialled well of late. Tassy Fox is slow early but fast late. Bet: Donegal Bay to win (best bet) RACE 3 Pride Of Jezza has placed three times in his nine starts and you could argue that the best of all runs was in fact his last start in a Super Maiden. Bomerton ran fourth in that same race. He was a half length behind 'Jezza' at the finish but was several horses behind him at the 400m. Daintains Prize was second in that very same, very instructive race! Sets up for a really absorbing rematch today. Bet: Pride Of Jezza each-way, box trifecta 1,3,4,7 RACE 4 Special Prophet has raced at 1600m twice and they are in fact her two most recent runs. She was beaten a lip at Narrandera the first time and won here the next. She can get herself up there on the speed and carries weight too; just a matter of handling the wide draw today. That goes too for Miss Fennell whose record speaks for itself and while it speaks loudly, this is her first time to 1600m. Adasiti was the horse that beat Special Prophet at Narrandera. Bet: Special Prophet to win, quinella 2,3 RACE 5 Galston Gorge is by Zoustar out of Oakleigh Plate winner Mrs Onassis. Bred by Gerry Harvey, he was passed in with a $450,000 reserve at the Magic Millions. Fast forward to the present and Joe Cleary has had the gelding for five starts, winning two of them, one of those was by three-lengths over Mahogany Girl, first-up, like he is today. Hope And Glory won a strong Maiden on debut in January and was runner-up to a handy horse on June 17. Bet: Galston Gorge to win, quinella 1,6 RACE 6 Miss Stalwart has the same barrier and jockey booked for Goulburn on Tuesday. Hard to beat wherever she goes. Choice Witness is trained in Victoria but is just as comfortable and competitive on this side of the border. Best of all perhaps is that he is one for one on Heavy. Three Musketeers, another one housed at Wangaratta, is one for at the Wagga 1200m. His only other run here was a late surging fourth in a Benchmark 82! Bet: Three Musketeers to place RACE 7 Brial Rose has been a bonny mare for Ron Stubbs from day one when she was third to her stablemate Prophet Time on debut then runner-up to Gundy Guy after that. You really couldn't punch many, if any, holes in her form and keep in mind she was unlucky in a Highway last year. Unbeaten on Heavy. Antisocial has the race fitness edge having just won at Swan Hill. The Other Straand won by six at Gundagai and jumped from 12 of 12! Bet: Brial Rose to win RACE 8 Badhatharry has got back and run on hard at his first two starts but when he got a good draw and up to 1400m, Jeff Penza was able to take him to the lead and timed it such that the horse had enough left to win. That was 1400m here on a Soft 7 so a pretty similar set-up today except of course this is a Benchmark 58. That said, it looks as though the quality and quantity of the race will, and has, fallen away a bit. Of those who might come; Darkely is a major player.
News.com.au
23-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Vets advised owners to put down Dandruff but brave galloper continues to thrive for trainer Toby Lake
Dandruff didn't win at Wagga on Sunday, but the Bendigo galloper ticked off a major milestone for a horse that wasn't expected to live long, let alone race as a six-year-old. The Toby Lake -trained Dandruff broke through the $100,000 prizemoney threshold with his third placing in a 2000m race at Wagga, something the stable never thought would happen. Luck deserted Dandruff as a young horse when multiple infections racked his facial structure, requiring surgeries just to save his life. Racing wasn't a thought as vets initially thought their efforts to keep Dandruff alive would fail. 'He should be dead, this horse,' Lake said. 'He's had two sinus operations, and he's got a big chunk of bone missing out of his face. 'It was all infected and he had a bone infection as well. 'He also had a bit of bone sticking out. 'After a couple of operations, the vet advised the owners to put him down.' Thankfully Lake and Dandruff's owners didn't immediately take veterinary advice. Instead, they decided to let the gelding relax in a paddock while they worked out what to do with the son of Written Tycoon. However, Mother Nature had a surprise in store for Lake a few months later. • Richard Callander: Yes, the Brits do racing well … but not as well as us 'Anyway, we just went back to nature, and he went out into the paddock with some young horses for about six months and we just forgot about him,' Lake said. 'We went out to the farm when the six months was done, and he trotted up to us in the paddock and his face had healed. 'It had all healed over. Sometimes time just heals everything. 'We brought him back into work and he's been a great money-spinner ever since.' Dandruff showed staying ability in his first few starts before achieving what was thought impossible a year earlier when he posted his maiden win in emphatic fashion at Swan Hill in April last year. "Dandruff is head & shoulders above its opposition." Poetry from Adam O to start the day 🎙ï¸� @TLakeRacing @chookahope — (@Racing) April 9, 2024 While not being a world beater, Dandruff posted a second win at Swan Hill last year and victories at Ararat and Albury this year. 'He's just been an honest old horse and a few more of them would be great for any stable,' Lake said. 'He's earned everything he's got. 'He's tough and he's brave.' Lake said Dandruff has attracted his own following as he travels from his Bendigo base to tracks in Victoria and southern New South Wales. There's a great story behind all of them, but this horse has been amazing. 'He's got a little bit of a cult following on the country circuit,' Lake said. 'Every time we're at the races, everyone is asking about him. 'He's just a ripper that old horse.' — (@Racing) March 27, 2025 Punters can expect to see Dandruff on a wet track in the coming weeks. 'We've been waiting for wet ground and now the rain has come, there's plenty of options for him,' Lake said. 'He doesn't take much work between runs, but we're sort of weather-dependent with him.'
News.com.au
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Wagga preview: Trainer Bruce Cross and owner Malcolm Chung eye more success with Just Like Tilda
Trainer Bruce Cross and owner/breeder Malcolm Chung are best known via the deeds of the sensational siblings, Epsom winner Final Fantasy and Canberra Cup winner Padfoot Charlie. Now, a quarter of a century on, the pair may have themselves another 'good horse' from the very same 'vines' that produced their former dynamic duo. Her name is Just Like Tilda. The daughter of Divine Prophet created a lasting impression when finishing over the top of her rivals to score an impressive, bookie-busting, debut win at Kembla earlier this month when crunched from an opening quote of $6.50 into $4.80. Cross could be forgiven for talking up Just Like Tilda on the score of her debut but is playing down any hype. 'At the moment, I am holding my powder dry,' Cross 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! 'Her win at Kembla was a good win and I think she has improved a little bit, but I'm just not prepared to put my head on the block yet. 'Sometimes you can put the cart before the horse and you get too excited. 'That's why we are prepared to take a bit of time with her and give her all the chances she deserves.' Cross revealed that he had toyed with the idea of a metropolitan start for Just Like Tilda, instead opting for a trip away down to Wagga. 'I thought about it but I was a little bit too scared that she would just get up in the benchmark system too quick,' Cross explained. 'I'm interested to see what she can do on Sunday and looking forward to it to be honest. 'We are going there with our glass half-full. Whatever happens, the trip away, the floating, that all improves a horse and it sort of adds another string to their bow. 'She is a very sensible little filly, we are going there hoping, we just have to wait for the outcome.' Just Like Tilda will be ridden the Easdown's Accountants Class 1 Handicap (1300m) by Deanne Panya; gun jockey and twin sister of Beany, both of whom spend their mornings at Cross' home ground, Warwick Farm. 'Deanne and Beany are just super young ladies,' Cross said. 'They go out of their way to help you. 'Deanne knows Just Like Tilda pretty well. She's ridden her in a bit of a work and in the trial. 'And to be honest, Deanne might have very well been on her when she won at Kembla except she was suspended. 'Deanne rode a winner (on Thursday) at Gosford, she is very underrated.' Just Like Tilda is the third foal of her dam Matilda Jade whose foaling date (September 14 in 2011) was the exact same day as Winx. Matilda Jade was bred and raced by Chung and trained by Cross but sadly, the daughter of I Am Invincible only raced once, finishing runner-up at Gundagai. 'We took her there thinking she would win easily but she got galloped on and severed a tendon so that was the only start she ever had,' Cross said. SHAYNE O'CASS' TOP SELECTIONS BEST BET Race 7 No. 1: JUST LIKE TILDA Created a big impression when winning at Kembla on debut. NEXT BEST Race 6 No. 3: CONDOR Won three of four and runner-up at the other this preparation. Easy to like. VALUE BET Race 5 No. 4: STAY TUNED Boast some compelling provincial form. Fit and stays all day. QUADDIE Race 4: 1, 2, 3 Race 5: 4, 6 Race 6: 3 Race 7: 1 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW BLAIKE MCDOUGALL will have plenty of admirers to win the TAB Jockeys Challenge. HARDLY FORTUNATE (7), an All Too Hard direct descendant of broodmare gem Extradite, was $9 out to $12 when she debuted at Wagga. Smashing run it was too, she drew 9 of 11, was ninth at the turn and got to within inches of the winner. That was 1000m, this is 1200m now. AL FLORES (5), the first foal of Coolmore Classic winning Dixie Blossoms, has had many chances. Many of us are still licking the wounds from her $1.55 loss at Goulburn the other day. Can atone but needs to win back a few fans. Bet: Hardly Fortunate each-way, quinella 5, 7, box trifecta 2, 5, 7, 12 â– â– â– â– â– BADHATHARRY (2) is a rarity, maybe a one of a kind in present day times given he is out a mare by Harry Lawton's beloved Bureaucracy who won the George Ryder way back in 1991. He's also the damsire of Silent Witness. As for Badhatharry, he has had a textbook build-up to 1400m which he is crying out for. Michael Travers has three accepted here and all three could easily medal. MISS PEPEHA (10) is getting closer than ever to a win. His other one Stormy Malice wants 1400m. Bet: Badhatharry to win â– â– â– â– â– DOC MARCH (11) has been very costly indeed at his last three starts, one at Canberra and two here at home at Wagga. To be fair to the horse, because he is a nice horse, he hasn't been at all helped by wide barriers hence he's been getting way back but running on dutifully. DESERT OPAL (5) has a win, four seconds and a third from his 11 starts, His personal best came last start on May 27 when he won a 1400m Maiden at home at Albury on a Heavy 8. Reliable type, well up to this. Bet: Doc March to win, exacta 11 to beat 5 â– â– â– â– â– CHRISTMAS STAR (2) races in the familiar colours of Shelley Hancox. This grey filly by Star Turn has finished on the podium at eight of her 12 starts. Only two are wins but looking back now, her losses, while costly at the time, were in races where the form has stood up since. Drawn one, should help. ELASTANE MISS (3) has done nothing wrong in her four starts; she won at Albury on a Heavy 10 and all the rest are seconds including one here at home. Third-up here; Blaike McDougall sticking for a third time too. Bet: Christmas Star to win, quinella 2, 3 â– â– â– â– â– STAY TUNED (4) is a Paul and Martha Cave-trained gelding who makes his second visit to Wagga bearing in mind that he broke his maiden here almost 12 months to the day. Fast forward to now and the son of Prized Icon is off a closing second to Hooligan Tommy at Kembla. Ready for 2000m. AVONVIEW (6) is as fit as any horse racing on the card. Well placed apart from the draw. Any upgrade from Heavy could also assist. DANDRUFF (2) will stay all day and is one for one on Heavy. Bet: Stay Tuned to win, Daily Double 1st Leg 4, 2nd Leg 1 â– â– â– â– â– CONDOR (3) had his first 13 starts in Singapore, where he won twice and posted two placings. His last four starts are for Tim Fitzsimmons and are '1211'. That second by the way was at Bendigo by less than a neck. Big winner on the Heavy 9 at Mornington last time. Obviously Condor is flying, pardon the pun. MAJOR TIME (5) is a grand old campaigner from the Gratz Vella camp. He's got a good set of numbers across the board and as for each-way punters are concerned; he has won and placed at 34 of his 65 starts. Bet: Condor to win, exacta 3 to beat 5 â– â– â– â– â– JUST LIKE TILDA (1) was just so impressive winning on debut at Kembla when $6.50 into $4.40. Won with a lot of authority on the day demonstrating a high degree of race-smarts and quality. Deanne Panya knows her well, so does the trainer of course and he's set her a task that while not a total slam dunk, looks pretty close to it. Bet: Just like Tilda to win, exacta 1 to beat 5. WAGGA BEST BET Race 7 No. 1: Just Like Tilda Created a big impression when winning at Kembla on debut. NEXT BEST Race 6 No. 3: Condor Won 3 of 4 and runner-up at the other this preparation. Easy to like. VALUE Race 5 No. 4: Stay Tuned Boast some compelling provincial form. Fit and stays all day. QUADDIE Race 4: 1,2,3 Race 5: 4,6 Race 6: 3 Race 7: 1
News.com.au
04-06-2025
- General
- News.com.au
Wagga, Taree best bets, inside mail for Thursday, June 5, 2025
Racenet and The Daily Telegraph form analyst Adam Sherry provides his best bets and quaddie analysis at Wagga and Taree on Thursday. â– â– â– â– â– WAGGA TIPS BEST BET Race 4 No.7: DEFLECTOR Just nosed out last start and can go one better here. NEXT BEST Race 3 No.11: SHEBRINGS BEAUTY Hasn't been far away in recent runs and gets her chance to break through. VALUE BET Race 7 No.10: SMART POPPY Will appreciate a big drop in weight and stepping up to his pet trip. QUADDIE Race 4: 3, 7, 10 Race 5: 1, 2, 3, 7 Race 6: 1, 2, 3 Race 7: 2, 5, 8, 10 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW BLAIKE McDOUGALL has a solid book of rides and will be popular in the TAB Jockey Challenge. WAGGA INSIDE MAIL RACE 4: MAIDEN PLATE (1300m) DEFLECTOR (7) was held up early in the straight when third to Master Patrick over 1000m first-up in a Super Maiden here. Raced a little keen when a nose second to Sundrop over 1200m at Corowa. Up to 1300m and gets a nice run from the draw. TRIUMPHANT TONIC (6) was caught three-wide without cover when fifth behind big winner Watoto when resuming Wodonga on May 24. Runner-up in both second-up runs. SANTOLINI (10) has been mixing her form but has place claims on her last start fourth at Albury. BET: DEFLECTOR to win. PROPHET'S PROMISE (3) is a first starter by Divine Prophet from the 100 per cent producer Virginia Breeze. Settled just off the leaders and worked to the line nicely without pressure when second to Yindyamarra in his Canberra Acton trial on May 23. YINDYAMARRA (7) is also on debut. went forward speed to sit outside the leader before going to the front on straightening and holding Prophet's Promise by a length. MO SPIRIT (2) drifted back before closing nicely for second to The Bat Fox on debut on the Riverside track here. BET: PROPHET'S PROMISE to win. LET'S GO BRANDON (3) took improvement from his first-up fourth to Secure at Canterbury and dropped back to country grade to score a smart all-the-way win from London Boy at Goulburn. Wide gate just makes his task a little more difficult. ALL ASTERN (2) was just behind the placegetters in her first two runs back from a spell over 1200m before dropping back to 1000m and leading all-the-way at Canberra. Went back-to-back with a nice effort to beat The Mooch over 1000m at Queanbeyan. GALSTON GORGE (1) won impressively first-up last time in. BET: LET'S GO BRANDON to win. SMART POPPY (10) was slow out settling back in the field and was crowded at the 300m before closing for fifth to Grinzinger Moon with 60kg over 1175m at Albury first-up. Drops to 55kg, up to his pet trip and has three wins and two placings for six runs second-up. BLOW IN (2) was a handy third to The Dramatist at Dubbo before a second to Champions League in the Defence Cup over 1460m at Queanbeyan last start. MOSGOLD (5) drops back from a fifth on the Kensington last start. BET: SMART POPPY each-way. â– â– â– â– â– TAREE TIPS BEST BET Race 3 No.1: DARK STRATUM Beaten a head in town three runs back then had a tough run last start. NEXT BEST Race 4 No.7: OTIUM Nice win two starts ago. Back in distance and likes it wet. TAREE INSIDE MAIL RACE 4: WINGHAM CUP (1600m) OTIUM (7) sat outside the leader to score a tough win from Sweet Bubbles over 1700m at Scone before a fourth to Eclair Awesome over 1870m at Newcastle. Back to the mile handles it heavy. WEALTHY INVESTOR (4) is enjoying the heavy tracks of late with a win and two placings from his last five starts. Backing up from a third to Super Nui at Hawkesbury last week. VEANDECHANCE (1) won well over this track and distance two starts back before a break. Will improve off his recent Grafton run. BET: OTIUM to win. RACE 5: BENCHMARK 82 HANDICAP (1250m) GOLD CARD (1) ran down Dis Is Heaven to claim the Hannam Cup over 1007m first-up here on Mar 17. He then went to Canterbury on Apr 21 when seventh to Cassiel over 1100m. Up to 1250m where he is unbeaten in four starts at the track and distance. TIME FOR VICTORY (2) scored his first win here when he came from midfield to beat Zoom Outcome over 1000m on a Heavy 10 on May 13. ZARU (5) scored back-to-back wins here in January. Checked in the last 100m when well back behind Time For Victory first-up on May 13. BET: GOLD CARD to win. MISS REBEL (2) was beaten just over three lengths by Massira in a TAB Highway at Randwick first-up then raced wide without cover when a nose second to So You Suggest at Mudgee. Up sharply in grade when 10th to Zealously at the Scone stand-alone meeting. Back to her right grade. KAYZ TIME (4) went back-to-back at Port Macquarie and here in January before being well beaten in a Rosehill Highway. Resumes here and will make her presence felt. PUNCH ONE OUT (3) is progressive type who broke through for his maiden win in impressive style when a near four-and-a-half length winner at Port Macquarie first-up. Worked forward from the outside gate to lead when fifth to Sheila's Fanta Sea here last start. Stablemate GOLDEN HONOUR (2) was wide throughout when second to Rathoran at Port Macquarie two starts back. Raced keenly when fourth to Rathoran here last start. ZELESTIAL (8) scored a nice win on a heavy track at her Australian debut at Tamworth.
