Latest news with #Zoustar
New Paper
03-07-2025
- Climate
- New Paper
Wet Winter tale of two horses
SYDNEY Climate has literally set the early stakes to the 2025 Winter Stakes. Sydney's wet and wild weather has been both the push and pull factor to the two top fancies' participation in the A$200,000 (S$167,000) Listed 1,400m race at Rosehill on July 5 (at 1.50pm Singapore time). On one hand, the likelihood of a heavily rain-affected track has been enough to tempt Bjorn Baker to run back-to-back winner Thunderlips on a seven-day back-up. On the other, such a prospect may throw a dampener by depriving the race of second favourite Accredited. Not only will trainer Joseph Pride pray for blue skies, but also for the drying capacity of the Rosehill track to determine whether the son of All Too Hard takes his place. With the course proper a heavy 9 on July 3, Pride is hoping it improves into the soft range as Accredited's best form is on firmer ground. Racing fans will, however, be hoping that, come rain or shine, the Winter Stakes line-up will not change, even if one drop-out, Grand Impact, has already been registered. The late sneaking in of the in-form Thunderlips is a welcome addition, but losing Accredited would rob the race of its gloss. Baker's racing manager Luke Hilton confirmed that Thunderlips had pulled up in great order from his victory in a Benchmark 88 over 1,500m at the same venue last weekend. The six-time winner by Zoustar will take his place alongside stablemate Robusto on Saturday. "He has handled backing up before but it's more so because of the rain-affected track we're going to get," said Hilton. "He loves the wet tracks. He went great on a dry track last week and back on a wet track is going to be an advantage to him." The stable thought highly enough of Thunderlips as a young horse to run him in a brace of Group races in Brisbane as a two-year-old but he did not quite hit the mark. However, he is beginning to fulfil that potential this campaign with three wins from his past four starts, two of them over the 1,400m Winter Stakes journey. Robusto returns to Sydney after failing to beat a rival home first-up in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1,400m) at Eagle Farm, when he had to work early to go forward from a wide draw. While Pride is sweating over the weather, he has already mulled over a back-up plan for Accredited - the Group 2 Missile Stakes (1,200m) at Randwick on Aug 9. "It has been an unfortunate winter for him because there was always a chance it was going to be wet and he just hasn't had much luck yet," said Pride. "He is a nice horse and the main thing I have found in these instances is you just look after the horse, get them through the period, don't run them in unsuitable races and then you've still got a horse there at the end of it." Accredited has won seven of his 17 starts, one of the only blots to his copybook a forgettable trip to Melbourne in May when he failed to navigate the undulations of the Sandown Hillside track. "He had won at Nowra, Warwick Farm, Randwick. I thought, this is a good horse to travel, he is versatile. But, no, he didn't have a bar of it," said Pride. Back in familiar territory at Randwick last start, the five-year-old bounced back to post an impressive win, aided by a textbook Nash Rawiller ride from what could have been an awkward draw. A capacity field of 13 is set to line up in the Winter Stakes with Thunderlips an early 19-5 favourite ahead of Accredited (4-1) with Robusto a 5-1 chance. SKY RACING WORLD
The Age
28-06-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Josh Parr pulls right rein on Elamaz to cap winning treble at Rosehill
Back-up Baker set for return Bjorn Baker was considering a seven-day back-up for Thunderlips into the listed Winter Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill after he gave the Warwick Farm trainer a double on Saturday at the track. Baker, who earlier won with Puntin, went to 86 Sydney winners for the season as he chases a first century in town. He is second only to Chris Waller (145) and went past 150 winners nationwide for the first time. Zoustar four-year-old Thunderlips, $450,000 yearling, backed up a Randwick win on June 7 with a fighting effort to catch Zouatica by a long neck in the 1500m benchmark 88. 'He's hard to catch at times but he's going very well,' Baker said. 'He loves it wet, too, and there's a bit of rain this week. Maybe back-up Baker could return for the back-end of the season.' Asked if he would nominate Thunderlips for the Winter Stakes, he said, 'Why not?' Penza gives Waller a peach Veteran jockey Jeff Penza repaid the faith of premier trainer Chris Waller with a perfect ride to break a run of placings for Changing Colours. Waller called on the 55-year-old, who rides mostly on the provincial and country circuits, to fill the void for him at Rosehill with seven bookings, three of which were later scratched. Changing Colours had two wins and six placings in eight career starts, all in Victoria, including seconds at her past three runs, before tackling the 1400m benchmark 78 for fillies and mares on Saturday. Penza had the four-year-old near last on the turn before negotiating a path through the field. He found clear air at the 250m and Changing Colours charged to a one-and-three-quarter lengths win over Fairway Star. Penza, who rode Summer Flame to victory for Waller in the listed Denise's Joy Stakes at Scone last month, has come back from serious falls at Taree in 2023 (broken ribs, concussion and damaged lungs) and Queanbeyan (leg fractures, broken wrist and shoulder) in 2018. 'That was a good ride, he was patient and he took his gaps and used angles to safely get her into the clear,' Waller said. 'He's a great rider and horseman, and it's a pleasure to have him aboard. He's very fit and keen, and he really is a credit to himself, the way he's stayed fit and mobile. 'He doesn't ride work for us but when we get stuck, I call him. I called him yesterday, and he was 'yeah, no worries'. If you want him there, he'll be there.' Misterkipchoge later broke a 17-month, 18-start drought to give Waller a double. The four-year-old, with Jean Van Overmiere aboard, edged out stablemate Pure Alpha in the 1800m benchmark 78 for a first win since saluting on debut in Australia in January last year. He had eight placings in between the victories. At Eagle Farm, Sydney-based Irishman Tom Sherry rode his first group 1 winner, taking Tashi to victory for Randwick trainer Peter Snowden in the Tattersall's Tiara. Veteran mare lifts for Curtis Trainer Lee Curtis said he may have to put back retirement plans for Bacio Del Mist after she was strong late to win the 2400m Stayers Cup on her home track at Rosehill on Saturday. Jockey Alysha Collett weaved a path through the small field from near last and the seven-year-old lifted to hit the lead 50 m out and beat Mormona by a neck. Collett finished with a double after winning the last on Lady Extreme. 'She's had horrible luck,' said Curtis, who trains a team of 19 with his wife, Cherie. 'The plan was just to go through this prep then wind it up, but these old blokes that own it, they'll probably say we'll race her another 12 months. 'She's been in work a long time. She's had just a little let-up. She's a marvel, for a $30,000 yearling out of Zoustar.' Bacio Del Mist has seven wins and eight placings from 44 starts, with $356,505 in stakes. Super result for Seth's mates The owners of Puntin savoured a special first Saturday win for the talented three-year-old at Rosehill, and trainer Bjorn Baker is confident bigger victories are to come. A $60,000 son of Super Seth, Puntin led the benchmark 72 handicap (1400m) for three- and four-year-olds under Ash Morgan and was strong late to hold out Don't Forget Jack by a short neck. Loading It was a fourth win in six starts for Puntin, which was named after Seth Puntin. 'He died of cancer about two or three years ago and when we bought the Super Seth, it kind of made sense to name him after Seth,' part-owner Cameron Sinclair said. 'They are all his really good mates, so it's a good story and a bloody good horse. We're in Disneck as well, and some of them are first-time owners, so it's really good.'
Sydney Morning Herald
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Josh Parr pulls right rein on Elamaz to cap winning treble at Rosehill
Back-up Baker set for return Bjorn Baker was considering a seven-day back-up for Thunderlips into the listed Winter Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill after he gave the Warwick Farm trainer a double on Saturday at the track. Baker, who earlier won with Puntin, went to 86 Sydney winners for the season as he chases a first century in town. He is second only to Chris Waller (145) and went past 150 winners nationwide for the first time. Zoustar four-year-old Thunderlips, $450,000 yearling, backed up a Randwick win on June 7 with a fighting effort to catch Zouatica by a long neck in the 1500m benchmark 88. 'He's hard to catch at times but he's going very well,' Baker said. 'He loves it wet, too, and there's a bit of rain this week. Maybe back-up Baker could return for the back-end of the season.' Asked if he would nominate Thunderlips for the Winter Stakes, he said, 'Why not?' Penza gives Waller a peach Veteran jockey Jeff Penza repaid the faith of premier trainer Chris Waller with a perfect ride to break a run of placings for Changing Colours. Waller called on the 55-year-old, who rides mostly on the provincial and country circuits, to fill the void for him at Rosehill with seven bookings, three of which were later scratched. Changing Colours had two wins and six placings in eight career starts, all in Victoria, including seconds at her past three runs, before tackling the 1400m benchmark 78 for fillies and mares on Saturday. Penza had the four-year-old near last on the turn before negotiating a path through the field. He found clear air at the 250m and Changing Colours charged to a one-and-three-quarter lengths win over Fairway Star. Penza, who rode Summer Flame to victory for Waller in the listed Denise's Joy Stakes at Scone last month, has come back from serious falls at Taree in 2023 (broken ribs, concussion and damaged lungs) and Queanbeyan (leg fractures, broken wrist and shoulder) in 2018. 'That was a good ride, he was patient and he took his gaps and used angles to safely get her into the clear,' Waller said. 'He's a great rider and horseman, and it's a pleasure to have him aboard. He's very fit and keen, and he really is a credit to himself, the way he's stayed fit and mobile. 'He doesn't ride work for us but when we get stuck, I call him. I called him yesterday, and he was 'yeah, no worries'. If you want him there, he'll be there.' Misterkipchoge later broke a 17-month, 18-start drought to give Waller a double. The four-year-old, with Jean Van Overmiere aboard, edged out stablemate Pure Alpha in the 1800m benchmark 78 for a first win since saluting on debut in Australia in January last year. He had eight placings in between the victories. At Eagle Farm, Sydney-based Irishman Tom Sherry rode his first group 1 winner, taking Tashi to victory for Randwick trainer Peter Snowden in the Tattersall's Tiara. Veteran mare lifts for Curtis Trainer Lee Curtis said he may have to put back retirement plans for Bacio Del Mist after she was strong late to win the 2400m Stayers Cup on her home track at Rosehill on Saturday. Jockey Alysha Collett weaved a path through the small field from near last and the seven-year-old lifted to hit the lead 50 m out and beat Mormona by a neck. Collett finished with a double after winning the last on Lady Extreme. 'She's had horrible luck,' said Curtis, who trains a team of 19 with his wife, Cherie. 'The plan was just to go through this prep then wind it up, but these old blokes that own it, they'll probably say we'll race her another 12 months. 'She's been in work a long time. She's had just a little let-up. She's a marvel, for a $30,000 yearling out of Zoustar.' Bacio Del Mist has seven wins and eight placings from 44 starts, with $356,505 in stakes. Super result for Seth's mates The owners of Puntin savoured a special first Saturday win for the talented three-year-old at Rosehill, and trainer Bjorn Baker is confident bigger victories are to come. A $60,000 son of Super Seth, Puntin led the benchmark 72 handicap (1400m) for three- and four-year-olds under Ash Morgan and was strong late to hold out Don't Forget Jack by a short neck. Loading It was a fourth win in six starts for Puntin, which was named after Seth Puntin. 'He died of cancer about two or three years ago and when we bought the Super Seth, it kind of made sense to name him after Seth,' part-owner Cameron Sinclair said. 'They are all his really good mates, so it's a good story and a bloody good horse. We're in Disneck as well, and some of them are first-time owners, so it's really good.'
New Paper
25-06-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
McDonald aims to equal record with Tiara crown
BRISBANE New Zealand jockey James McDonald will bid to equal Australia's national riding record that has stood for 45 years. Based in Sydney, McDonald has a final chance to equal the riding record for most number of Group 1 wins in a season, when he combines with Firestorm in the A$700,000 (S$580,000) Group 1 Tattersall's Tiara (1,400m) at Eagle Farm on June 28. The 2024 Longines World's Best Jockey has claimed 15 Group 1 races in the 2024-25 racing season. If he wins the Tattersall's Tiara - the final Group 1 race of the season -he will equal the feat of 16 Group 1 wins achieved by champion jockey Malcolm Johnston in 1979-80. Firestorm remains a 16-5 favourite despite drawing barrier 19, and will be one of four runners for Sydney premier trainer Chris Waller, along with Olentia, Konasana and emergency acceptor Gumdrops. Assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth believes the Satono Aladdin mare has the right profile for the race and just needs a genuine speed to produce her best. "She has got exceptional form behind Lady Shenandoah in the Coolmore (Classic) and then in the Doncaster Mile. They just didn't go quick enough for her. She needs a bit of tempo on," he said. "Her first-up run the other day was brilliant. It wasn't a very hard run so she has bounced through that. "She went to the farm for a couple of days and came back and she has done really well." Firestorm won the Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes (1,300m) and beat all but stablemate Lady Shenandoah in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1,500m), before her unplaced run in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1,600m). She finished third to Tattersall's Tiara rival Floozie in the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1,300m) last start. Duckworth expects McDonald to be hungry, not only to equal Johnston's record, but also to ensure his afternoon is worthwhile. "James is only riding three on the day, so he is going to have to make them all count," quipped Duckworth. Zoustar mare Olentia ran a disappointing 10th in the Dane Ripper Stakes, but Duckworth has put a line through that. "She is a better horse than that," he said. Konasana ran fourth in two New Zealand Group 1 races, the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (1,600m) and the Otaki-Maori Classic (1,600m), earlier this year and connections are keen to have another throw at the stumps. "She was unlucky not to win a Group 1 in New Zealand, so she is on the hunt for that elusive race," said Duckworth of the Dundeel mare. SKY RACING WORLD
News.com.au
19-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Tamworth previews: Lyle Chandler's import ready to make long awaited Aussie debut
Scone conditioner Lyle Chandler can throw his hat into the ring for the training performance of the season should the fascinating import Zelestial win at her Aussie debut, two years after her Irish one. Zelestial was foaled in England on January 31 in 2021 but is at least 'half-Australian' given she is a daughter of our own one-time dual hemisphere shuttle sire Zoustar. Her dam, Maderina, who was stakes-placed in France, is a daughter of the Champion 2000m/2400m horse Duke Of Marmalade while Zelestial's next two dam-sires Galileo and Rainbow Quest were peerless in their eras. With such epic bloodlines, Zelestial is being groomed to one day join the elite Kia Ora Stud broodmare band but showed too much in her two Irish runs not to saddle-up and go around in Australia. Fifth on debut at Navan to subsequent Group 3 winner and now Australian resident, Givemethebeatboys, Zelestial hasn't raced since finishing down the order at Listowel on June 4, 2023. She has however, trialled twice in the Hunter region, winning both of them with authority despite the slender margins. 'She had some foot issues like normal Europeans have when they come to Australia; they don't tend to have the best feet, ' Chandler explained. 'She was always showing a nice deal of ability but she was also just struggling to adapt to Australia. 'She has always had a good deal of fortitude, eating well, etc, etc and doing well in the stable but the Farm (Kia Ora) has had to be patient with her.' That patience could reap a tangible reward when Chandler sends Zelestial around in the Functions @ The TJC Maiden Handicap (1200m). 'She is definitely ready to race,'' Chandler says. 'I would say normally a 1200m at Tamworth would be a little bit short for her but I am thinking maybe with a bit of rain and if the tempo is strong, it may favour her to run on a bit and possibly win. 'I'd expect her to be very competitive at 1400m but at 1200m we are going to need all the favours.' Chandler is best known for his exploits with the eight-times winner of $632,800 Banju, whose primary win came at Tamworth in the town's Cup in April 2023. Banju gets the gap and takes out the Tamworth Cup for @Aaronbullock90 and Lyle Chandler! ðŸ�† — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 21, 2023 It's not only Banju and Chandler who have a grand record at the venue, his 'Get Out Stakes' hopeful Zenti is one for one at the Tablelands track. The son of Exosphere aims to maintain his unbeaten tag there today when he leads the field out in the 2TM Sports Show Benchmark 66 Handicap over 1000m. '1000m is probably short of his best, he likes to get out more to that 1200m mark where he can just have his own way a bit,'' Chandler said. 'I think from a nice draw, I certainly wouldn't be surprised if he ran a place.' Chandler's renaming runner on the card is Ladyking whose last-start seventh of 12 at Muswellbrook contained significant 'hidden merit'. 'I thought it was really good,'' Chandler says. 'It ended up being the fastest last 600m and she obviously drew a bad gate there and had drawn a slightly bad gate again at Tamworth. 'She will run another nice race, and she's not far off winning, but I think just because you've got to give away a little bit of a start, that might give her too much to do late.' Ladyking shapes as a broodmare os some worth when she calls it a day on the score of her third dam being the Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner, Our Fiction. â– â– â– â– â– 'He's got some screws loose': Dennett's big challenge Trainer Melissa Dennett has the Widden bred gelding Maxandus in peak physical condition ahead of his Maiden mission on Tuesday but isn't as certain about the horse's mind. The son of Silver Slipper hero Headwater has handed in two rock solid runs to start his career, both of them at home at Tamworth but saddled with the visitor's draw each time. Maxandus has a more desirable barrier in Tuesday's Concrete Industry Country Boosted Maiden Plate (1000m) paving the way for a breakthrough win provided he doesn't beat himself. 'He's got the ability,'' Dennett says. 'But he is probably one of the hottest horses we've ever had. 'He's got some screws loose, put it that way. He doesn't do himself any favours pre-race. 'The outside draws have been good in the past because he goes in and is out before too long, but if he holds himself together in the barriers, that is the perfect draw (3). Maxandus hails from a family made famous by the late Geoff and Beryl White who bred and raced close relation Eremein whose dozen wins included the AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes, AJC Derby, Rosehill Guineas and BMW Stakes. Dennett meanwhile has the found the perfect race for the barn's slick sprinters Zampano and Takanakuy who will briefly become rivals when they square off in the 2TM Sports Show Benchmark 66 Handicap (1000m). One-time boom galloper Zampano is back home in more ways than one after a trip to Sydney for a recent TAB Highway tilt where he finished a respectable fourth. “Goes alright, doesn’t it?â€�- Understatement of the day from @AshMorgan6 after winning the Romantic Dream aboard Zampano @SkyRacingAU @HodderBelinda — Ben Walker (@walkerb83) April 26, 2024 'To be honest, we actually thought he would run better, we were pretty confident,'' Dennett said. 'The track was quite doughy. Ash (Morgan) got off him and said bring him back down but on a better track. 'And it was his first trip away from home too. He's only a young horse, lightly-raced, and he certainly didn't disgrace himself. 'At the 200m, I thought he was going to drop out and run last so he didn't embarrass us anyway and he's pulled up really well.' Not many horses in the last race can boast a better set of numbers than Dennett's honest mare Takanakuy who has won twice at the track and trip but has never managed to place on rain affected ground. 'She's as tough as they come and she always turns up but she won't want it wet,'' Dennett said.
