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News.com.au
13-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
The Last Say: Trainer James Cummings plots Golden sign-off on 2025 Stradbroke Handicap Day at Eagle Farm
In the same week he has accepted an offer to train in Hong Kong, James Cummings can secure a farewell Group 1 win for the Godolphin stable with comeback galloper Golden Mile in today's $3 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm. Cummings, who will take a break from training at the end of his Godolphin tenure on July 31 before moving to Hong Kong for the 2026-27 season, has Golden Mile back in Group 1 form just in time for the Stradbroke. Golden Mile, the 2022 Caulfield Guineas winner, was returned to training after a failed stud career and has slowly improved with racing this year including his narrow loss in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup last start when he finished the closest of thirds to the outstanding mare Joliestar. The Godolphin galloper drops from 59kg to 53.5kg and has the tactical speed to take full advantage of barrier two. He has firmed to $8.50 in latest Stradbroke betting behind $3.20 favourite War Machine. Cummings, who has trained 48 Group 1 winners for Godolphin since joining them in 2017, also has Zebra Finch in the Group 1 $1 million JJ Atkins (1600m). Zebra Finch, a last-start Rosehill winner, is at $14 behind local star Cool Archie, the $3.60 favourite. The nine-race Eagle Farm Stradbroke meeting is an outstanding program boasting two Group 1 races, three at Group 2 level, a Group 3 and three Listed races. At Rosehill Gardens, the feature race is the Listed $200,000 Winter Cup (2400m) in which the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott -trained Bear On The Loose is the $3.60 favourite, shading Don Diego De Vega at $3.70. The Sandown meeting in Melbourne doesn't have a stakes race but it does have the best-backed runner anywhere in the nation today, the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained Roadcone in the Celebration Classic (1600m). Roadcone, who is chasing a hat-trick of wins, has firmed from $2.80 to $2.50 after some big bets with Ladbrokes including $1000 and $800 twice at $2.90, $2000 at $2.85, $3500, $3000 twice, $2300, $2000, $1100, $1000 all at $2.70, and $2000 at $2.60. â– â– â– â– â– TRACK CONDITIONS ROSEHILL GARDENS Weather: Cool, partly cloudy day with the chance of a shower or two in the morning and a forecast top temperature of 17c. Track: Soft (5). Rail: 3m out. EAGLE FARM Weather: Mild, mostly sunny day with light winds and a forecast top temperature of 21c. Track: Good (4). Rail: 4m out. SANDOWN-HILLSIDE Weather: Cold, partly cloudy day with the chance of a shower or two and a forecast top temperature of 13c. Track: Soft (5). Rail: 6m out. MURRAY BRIDGE Weather: Cool, cloudy day with the high chance of showers and a forecast top temperature of 17c. Track: Soft (6). Rail: 5m out. Trainer @BBakerRacing gave @bendorries76 the lowdown on Robusto's Stradbroke chances at the Straddie calcutta in Brisbane today ... and he also gave a big tip for one of his runners at Rosehill Gardens. — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) June 13, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– BE WARY Rosehill Gardens has had less than 2mm of rainfall in the last seven days and the track has improved to a soft 5. The rail was in the true position at the most recent Rosehill meeting two weeks ago but the 3m out placement is generally regarded as the fairest, particularly if the track is near the good range. This is the third successive Saturday meeting at Eagle Farm although the May 31 raceday was called off after five races. The rail has been shifted to 4m out after being 2m out last week. The Eagle Farm track is back in the good range for Stradbroke Day and the drier track should provide a fair racing surface. Sandown is rated a soft (5) with the chance of an upgrade later in the day. Trent Quinn gives us his best bet in the G1 Stradbroke Handicap this Saturday at Eagle Farm! ✅ — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) June 13, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– ROSEHILL GARDENS TIPS BEST BET: CODETTA (Race 5 No.2) resumed at Rosehill two weeks ago and had the 'flashing light' on her with a fast-finishing second behind King's Secret. Codetta didn't have a lot of galloping room in the straight but still sprinted her final 600m in 34.07s with a closing 200m split of 11.45s to finish second. Both sectionals were the best of the day. The Chris Waller-trained Codetta is protecting a perfect second-up record – two wins from two attempts – and she meets King's Secret better at the weights. 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 THE NEXT BEST: MICKEY'S MEDAL (Race 6 No.5) was never on the track last start, racing three wide without cover and did a super job to hold off Hopper and win well over this course and distance two weeks ago. The Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained gelding has only missed a place once in six starts this campaign and his Rosehill win was a reward for his consistency. Mickey's Medal is perfectly drawn here, excels over the track and distance and the drier surface is also in his favour. He ticks all the boxes. Oh Mickey, you're so fine! It's Mickey's Medal for the win at Rosehill! 🥇 @NockBraith | @ANeashamRacing | @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025 VALUE BET: HELLBENT ON YOU (Race 10 No.6) had won twice in four attempts this campaign including a fast-finishing effort to score at Kensington before she struggled in very heavy conditions when fourth to Miss Kim Kar at Randwick last start. Although she never stopped trying, the mare was clearly not at her best in the going that day and will appreciate getting back onto a firmer track (soft 5) at Rosehill. She's good each way value at $13. Be honest... who had given up on Hellbent On You before she snuck through to win with @mcacajamez in the saddle for @JTRacingRwik?! That's a win and a half ðŸ'° @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 14, 2025 THE WHISPER: TOURISTIC (Race 8 No.3), a son of English superhorse Frankel, scored his best Australian win when raced clear of rivals to easily win the Lord Mayor's Cup over 2000m at Rosehill two weeks ago. It was a timely return to form for the Peter Snowden-trained stayer and although he has never won beyond 2000m, he was runner-up in the Grafton Cup over 2350m behind a subsequent Group 1 winner, Deny Knowledge, last year. He's effective on all tracks surfaces but the soft 5 surface is ideal. The one to beat in the Winter Cup. See the sights! Touristic wins the Listed Lord Mayors Cup at Rosehill, and that's a double to Andy Adkins today! 🙌 ðŸ�† @SnowdenRacing1 | @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– EAGLE FARM TIPS BEST BET: NEED SOME LUCK (Race 5 No.7), also from the Snowden stable, gets his chance to score an overdue win at stakes level in the Hinkler Handicap. A half-brother to world champion sprinter Chautauqua, Need Some Luck has considerable talent but has done things wrong in his races which has been costly. However, he improved with racing and is building an impressive record with five wins and six placings from 12 starts. He endured a tough, wide run at Randwick first-up and still found a way to win then struck a very heavy track at the Gold Coast and ran well for second at Listed level. He's had a month between runs, looks sharp in a recent Randwick barrier trial and he's does look very hard to beat. ðŸ�€ That's three wins in a row to Need Some Luck, who wins first up at Randwick! @SnowdenRacing1 | @TommyBerry21 | @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 19, 2025 NEXT BEST: COOL ARCHIE (Race 6 No.1) just keeps winning. He's unbeaten in four starts this preparation including the Listed Dalrello Stakes before successive Group 2 wins in the Champagne Classic and BRC Sires Produce Stakes. His most recent wins have been on heavy tracks and he was particularly impressive in the Sires when he powered clear of his rivals to win dominantly over 1400m. Cool Archie isn't just a wet-tracker as he showed in the Dalrello earlier this campaign. The 1600m of the JJ Atkins is a query but it is for most of his rivals, too. Stick with Cool Archie. A barnstorming win by Cool Archie in the G2 BRC Sires' Produce Stakes, and that's four in a row to the @munceracing galloper! 🙌 @BrisRacingClub — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025 VALUE BET: GOLDEN MILE (Race 8 No.6) could score a remarkable Group 1 comeback win in the Stradbroke Handicap. He had a failed stud career last spring but has been slowly working his way back to form this campaign. He produced a terrific Stradbroke Handicap lead-up when narrowly beaten by the outstanding Joliestar in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup two weeks ago. Golden Mile carried weight-for-age of 59kg that day and drops to 53.5kg, he's drawn to get all the favours and is at each way odds. An EPIC finish in the G1 Kingsford Smith Cup sees Joliestar nab them right on the line to take her third Group 1! 🤩 @cwallerracing @mcacajamez @BrisRacingClub @RaceQLD — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 THE WHISPER: FAWKNER PARK (Race 9 No.1) doesn't have to worry about the rampant Antino in the Q22. Fawkner Park has chased home Antino in both the Hollindale Stakes and Doomben Cup, finishing second albeit some four lengths behind the winner who has since been spelled. Fawkner Park romped home in the Q22 last year and is poised for a repeat success. Fawkner Park wins the Q22 in style! @BrisRacingClub @G1TySchil @ANeashamRacing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 15, 2024 • BIG BETS: Punters back 2YO to win $94,500 â– â– â– â– â– TAB FIXED ODDS BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS MARKET MOVERS: Eagle Farm runner backed from $19 into $8.50 @ClintonPayne reveals all the major market movers ahead of raceday on Saturday, including a local galloper that's been well supported in a black type race at Eagle Farm. ðŸ'‡ — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) June 13, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– LADBROKE BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS ROSEHILL GARDENS Race 1: Namaste $8.50-$6 with a bet of $310 a $7.50, Scoop The Pool $11-$6.50 with bets of $235 at $9.50, $500 at $ Race 2: Pharoahzano $27-$14 Race 3: Monte Kate $10-$7 with a bet of $222 at $10), Let's Go Again $8-$7 after a $285 wager at $8, Il Passero $21-$11 Race 4: Don't Forget Jack $18-$9 with a bet of $120 at $18, Hopper $8.50-$4.20 after a bet of $1440 at $5.50, Oui Oui Oui $7.50-$6.50 after a $1,000 bet at $7.75 Race 5: King's Secret $7-$5.50, Stagnum $12-$9 Race 6: Chica Mojito $14-$7, Little Cointreau $6.50-$4.50 with a bet of $365 at $6.50 Race 7: Unstopabull firm at $6.50 after a bet of $500 w/p at $6.50/$2.35, Crafty Eagle $31-$19, Getafix $9-$6.50 after a bet of $265 at $8.50), Snack Bar $4.80-$3.80 with a bet of $588 at $4.40 Race 8: Touristic $5.50-$4.20 with a bet of $400 a $5.50, Steel Blaze $71-$35, Don Diego De Vega $3.50-$4.15-$3.90 including a bet of $1,000 at $4.15 Race 9: Good Prize $23-$14, Quantum Cat $17-$9.50, Kind Words $15-$9, Misterkipchoge $8.50-$9.50-$8.50 with a bet of $235 at $8.50 Race 10: Gently Rolled $46-$21, Totoka $16-$12 with a bet of $200 at $14.50 There have been emotional highs and devastating lows in the Rothfire story, and if he can pull off a Stradbroke miracle it would be trainer Rob Heathcote’s greatest racing moment. @bendorries76 @Racing_QLD @BrisRacingClub — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) June 13, 2025 EAGLE FARM Race 1: Just Party $3.70-$3.20 with a bet of $800 at $3.50, $871 and $800 at $3.30 Race 2: Unspoken $12-$7.50 with a bet of $180 at $12 Race 3: Etna Rosso $4-$2.80 after a bet of $670 at $4), Dillian $2000 w/p at $14/$3.30 Race 4: Quietly Arrogant $4.40-$3.80 with a $600 bet at $4.4, Damien bets of $1600, $1500 and $570 but stays at $5.50 Race 5: Need Some Luck $2.80-$2.50 has been well backed with bets of $2375 at $2.75, $1180 at $2.70, $500 at $2.60, I Am Artie $17-$11 after a bet of $125 at $17 Race 6: Cool Archie $4.20-$3.80 with bets of $1000 and $750 at $4.15, $5000 at $4.05, $7500 place only at $1.70), Torque To Be Sure $21-$19 after a bet of $500 at $19), Navy Pilot $26-$8, Providence $51-$9.50 Race 7: Firestorm $5-$4.40 with bets of $500 at $5, $1000 at $4.60, $500 at $4.40, City Of Lights $7-$10-$6.50, El Morzillo $16-$20-$13 Race 8: Golden Mile $12-$8, War Machine $2.80-$3.30 despite some big bets including $1000 at $3.40 three times, $1000 at $3.20, $5000, $1500, $1000 and $710 at $3.10, The Instructor $26-$15 Race 9: New Endeavour $5.50-$3.90 with a bet of $500 at $5 SANDOWN-HILLSIDE Race 1: Hello Romeo $12-$7 with a bet of $222 at $10, Ocean Spirit $7.50-$4 after a bet of $500 at $, Yolo $4-$3.60 after bets of $690 at $3.90, $500 at $3.65, Victory Tune $365 at $12 Race 2: Terilee with bets of $500 at $3, $500 at $2.90 twice, Two Sigma $101-$71 after a bet of $500 w/p at $101/$14 Race 3: Supernima $10-$7.50 after a bet of $222 at $10, Whateley $800 at $5.50, Ahha Ahha $2.60-$2.90-$2.70 with bets of $500 at $2.95, $500 at $2.80, $1,180 and $666 at $2.70), Nimbustwothousand $17-$9.50 after a bet of $135 at $16 Race 4: Dirty Grin $3.40-$3.70-$3.30 including a bet of $500 at $3.75 Race 5: Trial By Press $18-$15, Blistering $26-$19, Lady Papygate $18-$11, Our Red Morning $61-$35 Race 6: Roadcone (best backed runner in Australia) with consistent support firming from $2.80 to $2.50 after bets of $1000 and $800 twice at $2.90, $2000 at $2.85, $3500, $3000 twice, $2300, $2000, $1100, $1000 all at $2.70, $2000 at $2.60, Nation's Call with a bet of $888 at $10 Race 7: Saban $5-$3.80 after a bet of $500 at $5, Sayedaty Sadaty $9-$5.50 with a bet of $310 at $7.50 Race 8: Talbragar $13-$9.50 after a bet of $165 a $13, Along The River $14-$11 Race 9: Munhamek $31-$19, The Astrologist $46-$27, The Open $7.50-$6 The big bookies give their best and value tips as well as top selections in the Stradbroke Handicap, JJ Atkins and Brisbane Cup ðŸ'‡ What's gambling really costing you? — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) June 13, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– INTERSTATE MAIL Sandown-Hillside Race 5 No.2 EXTREME VIRTUE Sandown-Hillside Race 6 No.5 ROADCONE Sandown-Hillside Race 9 No.15 THE OPEN Murray Bridge Race 6 No.8 ZARKANA Murray Bridge Race 8 No.10 SYNCHRO 14 EXPERTS: STRADBROKE, JJ ATKINS TIPS, BETTING STRATEGIES Form analysts from Racenet and Punters analyse the two big Group 1 races at Eagle Farm on Saturday, presenting their top three selections for each race plus suggested bet. ðŸ'‡ — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) June 13, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– Cejay Graham’s first job was in a fish and chip shop and thank goodness she hated it, because it led her to becoming a jockey, writes @bendorries76. @CejayGraham1 @BrisRacingClub @Racing_QLD — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) June 13, 2025
News.com.au
13-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Kerrin McEvoy determined to farewell James Cummings with Group 1 win in JJ Atkins at Eagle Farm
Champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy will have extra motivation to win the Group 1 JJ Atkins on Saturday as he aims to give James Cummings a winning farewell before the top Sydney trainer takes a well-deserved sabbatical. Cummings will finish up with Godolphin when his contract ends on July 31 before taking a break and then moving to Hong Kong for the start of the 2026-27 racing season. McEvoy has ridden four Group 1 winners for Cummings, the grandson of legendary trainer Bart, and will add another if he takes out the $1m JJ Atkins (1600m) for juveniles on colt Zebra Finch at Eagle Farm on Saturday. 'It'd be great to win another major for James before he finishes his term as head trainer (for Godolphin),' McEvoy said. 'He's done a remarkable job in the time that he's been there so it'd be great to get him out on a good note. 'It was a surprising call, I certainly didn't expect it. He'll be missed in the (Australian) training ranks for sure.' McEvoy won The Galaxy for Cummings on mare Zapateo in March last year on a day when he was rushed to hospital with back and neck injuries following a nasty fall in the last race. His other three majors for the now 37-year-old came in 2019 – the George Main Stakes and Ranvet Stakes (both on Avilius) and the Stradbroke Handicap on Trekking. The three-time Melbourne Cup winner said his favourite of those four major victories was the 2019 Stradbroke. 'He (Trekking) was a horse that James was able to win some really good races with and got better as he got older,' McEvoy said. 'I'm sure he was a horse that James really enjoyed training and that was probably the most satisfying win with him. 'He showed good trust in me because I'd ridden the horse a number of times and myself and the horse were able to form a good association. 'We put that to good use in the Stradbroke. He was able to get a really good run in transit and travelled like the winner the whole race so that was an enjoyable day.' Zebra Finch is paying $15 with bookmakers to win the JJ Atkins, well behind the Chris Waller-trained Hidden Achievement ($6), who was runner-up to Zebra Finch in a 2YO Handicap (1300m) just two weeks ago at Rosehill Gardens. Queensland gallopers Cool Archie ($3.60) and Grafterburners ($8) are well in the market. 'He beat Hidden Achievement fair and square the other day and showed improvement with the blinkers on,' McEvoy said. 'I can see him making his presence felt, that's for sure. 'He's the sort of colt who only does enough so I'm hopeful that in a better field he's going to bring more to the table. 'We'll find out this Saturday in a top-level race for two-year-olds over a mile.'
Daily Telegraph
31-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Telegraph
Zebra Finch eyes Group 1 JJ Atkins glory after Rosehill triumph
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Progressive Godolphin colt Zebra Finch will be given the opportunity to emulate his big-hitting stablemate Broadsiding, earning himself a crack at the JJ Atkins Stakes after lowering the boom on a couple of his more fancied rivals at Rosehill on Saturday. Yesterday's seven-horse affair held more interest than most of the other nine races on the Lord Mayor's Cup undercard given it overflowed with JJ Atkins aspirants including the Chris Waller duo Hidden Achievement and pricey Frankel colt, Sarapo. The Waller pair were expected to fight out on the finish as they had when they met at Gosford on Cup Day but were unable to make the same impact this time despite racing at home. • 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! Both horses were marked at $15 to win the JJ Atkins prior to their respective efforts yesterday. Hidden Achievement blew out to $26 while Sarapo was wound out to $51. Zebra Finch, meanwhile, had his price halved from $51 into $26 for the June 14 feature and carrying the imprimatur of one of the sport's champions. 'If he pulls up well, I'd send him up there, because he is going to get a mile,'' winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy said after the Schweppes Handicap (1300m). 'You obviously need a horse that runs a mile and you need a horse on the improve and that's possibly what he is going to be. ' It wasn't a big winning margin but I am sure with a better quality horse to aim at, he is going to be better again. 'He is the sort of colt that only does enough (but) I am sure if he got challenged there was an extra kick in the lock. 'So if James (Cummings) and the team decide to go to Brisbane for that mile race, I wouldn't be against it.' At least one of the Waller-trained runners from the race looks likely to still make his way up to Brisbane for the last Group 1 two-year-old feature of the season with a decision pending on the other. Yu Long Investments colt Hidden Achievement clocked in third behind Zebra Finch with future Guineas/Derby colt Sarapo three lengths behind in sixth. 'The race lacked tempo, it was a sit and sprint,'' assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth began. 'When Adam (Hyernonimus) won on Hidden Achievement last start, he was mindful that he probably rode him too close that day and took him out of his comfort zone. But he drew so well in a small field today that we basically had to do the same again. 'Adam's adamant that when you can put the bit in his mouth a little bit better, he'll have a better turn of foot. 'Adam is strongly pushing for Chris (to go to Brisbane with him). He said 'I don't care if I ride him or not but you should be running the horse in the JJ', that's his opinion.' As for pricey $750,000 Magic Millions Yearling purchase Sarapo, Team Waller will let the dust settle on the colt's second career start before they decide on his next move. 'He was obviously a long way back off a soft tempo,'' Duckworth explained. 'He is going to be a miler at three you'd imagine, it's just whether you try and break through for that maiden win at two. 'Obviously he is by Frankel so if he ends up in the breeding barn, they're going to be worried about him if he doesn't win at two so it might be an important start for him or do we just look after him and just trust that he'll measure up at three.'' As for Zebra Finch, his own stud career will naturally hinge on the outcome of the JJ Atkins but Darley would dearly love to add another Group 1 winning son of Exceed And Excel to their roster. Not only is Zebra Finch by one of the truly global stallions of the modern era, his dam was a handy performer herself and by Lonhro who holds the rare honour of being crowned both Australian Horse of the Year and Champion General Sire. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Tough as teak gelding Mickey's Medal helped edge the former rodeo rider Braith Nock one step closer to a medal collection of his own as the race for Sydney's Champion Apprentice enters the home straight. Nock and former Riverina whiz Molly Bourke are locked in an arm wrestle to decide who will join an Honour Roll that includes the likes of Jack Thompson, George Moore, Ron Quinton, Malcolm Johnston, Wayne Harris and Darren Beadman. Nock's win on the Annabell and Rob Archibald-trained Mickey's Medal extended his lead over Bourke by five metropolitan wins with August 1 now exactly two months away. Sitting three-wide with no cover may not have been the text-book ride from Nock on Mickey's Medal but it proved to be the winning formula on a day where it paid to be away from the inside fence. 'Everyone just seemed to take their time to get their spots and all of a sudden there were people inside me,' Nock explained. '(But) it was a slow tempo and he was able to travel really good. 'Actually, he was really relaxed coming to the 600m and I had to wake him up and then I was able to idle-up and I still think he might have had a little bit of a think about it things once we got there, but he got left alone for a long time so it was a really good effort. 'He seems to be just relishing his racing and he tries his best every time.' Yesterday's Precise Air Handicap (1500m) was the gelding's sixth run of the current campaign. His $82,500 collect was a tangible reward to effort on his part, drawing some high praise from the stable. 'It was brilliant to see him win,' stable representative Megan O'Leary said. 'I was almost waiting for (runner-up) Hopper to come down the outside of us but he really deserved that win, he's been running so well this prep.' Mickey's Medal was sold twice before he ever saw a racetrack. The great-grandson of broodmare gem Shantha's Choice was secured for $70,000 as a weanling before being reoffered at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale where he fetched $225,000. Originally published as Godolphin colt Zebra Finch pushes for Group 1 JJ Atkins start after his impressive victory at Rosehill
News.com.au
31-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Godolphin's promising colt Zebra Finch pushes for Group 1 J J Atkins start after his impressive victory at Rosehill
Progressive Godolphin colt Zebra Finch will be given the opportunity to emulate his big-hitting stablemate Broadsiding, earning himself a crack at the J J Atkins Stakes after lowering the boom on a couple of his more fancied rivals at Rosehill on Saturday. Yesterday's seven-horse affair held more interest than most of the other nine races on the Lord Mayor's Cup undercard given it overflowed with J J Atkins aspirants including the Chris Waller duo Hidden Achievement and pricey Frankel colt, Sarapo. The Waller pair were expected to fight out on the finish as they had when they met at Gosford on Cup Day but were unable to make the same impact this time despite racing at home. Both horses were marked at $15 to win the J J Atkins prior to their respective efforts yesterday. Hidden Achievement blew out to $26 while Sarapo was wound out to $51. Zebra Finch, meanwhile, had his price halved from $51 into $26 for the June 14 feature and carrying the imprimatur of one of the sport's champions. 'If he pulls up well, I'd send him up there, because he is going to get a mile,'' winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy said after the Schweppes Handicap (1300m). 'You obviously need a horse that runs a mile and you need a horse on the improve and that's possibly what he is going to be. ' It wasn't a big winning margin but I am sure with a better quality horse to aim at, he is going to be better again. 'He is the sort of colt that only does enough (but) I am sure if he got challenged there was an extra kick in the lock. A great battle in the opener at Rosehill with Zebra Finch victorious! ðŸ¦'ðŸ'° @JamesCummings88 | @KPMcEvoy | @godolphin | @aus_turf_club â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025 'So if James (Cummings) and the team decide to go to Brisbane for that mile race, I wouldn't be against it.' At least one of the Waller-trained runners from the race looks likely to still make his way up to Brisbane for the last Group 1 two-year-old feature of the season with a decision pending on the other. Yu Long Investments colt Hidden Achievement clocked in third behind Zebra Finch with future Guineas/Derby colt Sarapo three lengths behind in sixth. 'The race lacked tempo, it was a sit and sprint,'' assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth began. 'When Adam (Hyernonimus) won on Hidden Achievement last start, he was mindful that he probably rode him too close that day and took him out of his comfort zone. But he drew so well in a small field today that we basically had to do the same again. 'Adam's adamant that when you can put the bit in his mouth a little bit better, he'll have a better turn of foot. 'Adam is strongly pushing for Chris (to go to Brisbane with him). He said 'I don't care if I ride him or not but you should be running the horse in the JJ', that's his opinion.' "It worked out perfect!" Hear from Paul Reid and @KPMcEvoy on Zebra Finch, who might be headed north after his win today! @JamesCummings88 | @godolphin | @aus_turf_club â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025 As for pricey $750,000 Magic Millions Yearling purchase Sarapo, Team Waller will let the dust settle on the colt's second career start before they decide on his next move. 'He was obviously a long way back off a soft tempo,'' Duckworth explained. 'He is going to be a miler at three you'd imagine, it's just whether you try and break through for that maiden win at two. 'Obviously he is by Frankel so if he ends up in the breeding barn, they're going to be worried about him if he doesn't win at two so it might be an important start for him or do we just look after him and just trust that he'll measure up at three.'' As for Zebra Finch, his own stud career will naturally hinge on the outcome of the J J Atkins but Darley would dearly love to add another Group 1 winning son of Exceed And Excel to their roster. Not only is Zebra Finch by one of the truly global stallions of the modern era, his dam was a handy performer herself and by Lonhro who holds the rare honour of being crowned both Australian Horse of the Year and Champion General Sire.
