Munster admits NSW look ‘very good'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
35 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Queensland trainer David Vandyke eyes Victorian Group 1 mission for the first time since Alligator Blood
David Vandyke will head back to the scene of Alligator Blood's first Group 1 triumph when he attacks the Empire Rose Stakes with exciting mare Philia during the Victorian spring carnival. Philia was an excitement machine during the Queensland winter carnival, winning four on the bounce and starting favourite for the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) where she endured a tough run and was beaten 2.5 lengths. Group 2 winner Philia has now returned to Vandyke's Sunshine Coast stable and the astute trainer will aim her at races in her sweet spot of 1600m-2000m. Vandyke and connections had been weighing up a potential mission to Sydney for the riches of the $10m Golden Eagle, but the decision was made that she will head to Melbourne. Mindful that Philia had a busy winter, Vandyke will give her a light spring campaign with the plan to then unleash her in some big races during the 2026 autumn. However, he has revealed that the $1m Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes over 1600m at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup carnival is a key spring goal. Flemington was where Vandyke won the 2020 Group 1 Australian Guineas with Alligator Blood when he trained the now retired seven-time Group 1 winning superstar at the start of the galloper's magical career. Vandyke doesn't think he has had a Melbourne runner since the Alligator Blood adventure, but is looking forward to deploying frontrunning type Philia. 'I want to give her a fairly light spring, she was up a long time going into the winter carnival,' Vandyke said. 'We just hop on a plane at Brisbane Airport and she is there pretty quickly. 'Potentially, she will have one run and then into the Empire Rose. 'Sydney was certainly a consideration, but we ended up making the call to go to Melbourne.' Kerrin McEvoy developed a strong association with Philia during the winter carnival and was impressed at every step of her winter journey. Vandyke says Philia, now four, is back in his stable and had bulked up after a six-week break. 'She will have a couple of runs in spring and then we will look at giving her a good, strong autumn campaign,' he said. 'She has had a good six weeks off and she has come back a lot stronger. 'I will look at targeting races from a mile to 2000m for her. 'I don't think less than a mile is suitable for her and I don't know about more than 2000(m) at this point.' In early betting markets on TAB fixed odds, Fangirl is the $4.50 favourite for the Empire Rose Stakes and Philia is rated a $26 chance.
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Port Adelaide great Travis Boak announces retirement from AFL
Port Adelaide great Travis Boak has announced he will retire at the end of the AFL season. A former captain of the club and three-time All-Australian, Boak sits seventh on the all-time V/AFL games list with 384. Drafted by the Power in 2006, Boak has played in the previous 19 AFL seasons, kicking 214 goals. Playing most of his career in the midfield, Boak was named an All-Australian in 2013, 2014 and 2020, and was runner-up in the 2020 Brownlow Medal. Boak was captain of the Power from 2013-2018. Boak debuted for the Power in 2007, playing 14 matches, including that year's grand final loss to Geelong. The Power has not made it to a grand final since 2007, but has played in four preliminary finals.
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
First Nations group launches bid to protect Victoria Park from Olympic stadium development
An application to prevent the development of a 63,000-seat Olympic stadium at Brisbane's Victoria Park has been lodged with the federal government. The Yagara Magandjin Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC), which lodged the application, considers it "one of the city's most important First Nations sites". The Queensland government's decision to proceed with plans to construct the stadium for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games has been met with some criticism. YMAC spokesperson and Yagarabul elder Gaja Kerry Charlton said the group was "resolute" to protect the site. "[Victoria Park] Barrambin is living Country … we know this place is of great significance and history … it was a complete shock when the premier came out with his stadium plans," she said. The application — made under Section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act (ATSIHP) — allows the Commonwealth to declare long-term protection of a significant Aboriginal area. ATSIHP predates the Mabo decision and the Native Title Act and does not grant property rights. Rather than be presided over by the court, a decision to approve or reject the request lies with the federal environment minister. If the minister is satisfied that a specific area is of significance and under threat, they may issue a legally binding order to protect it. In this case, the application will be decided on by Environment Minister Murray Watt. In a statement, a spokesperson from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water said the application was received on Tuesday morning. "The department is currently reviewing this application and will take all standard steps to progress it, including engaging with the applicant, the proponent and the Queensland government," they said. The 60-hectare park is managed by Brisbane City Council, but legislation passed by the Queensland government last month to exempt venues for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games from planning laws will see the site converted to a 63,000-seat stadium. In a statement, a state government spokesperson said the new laws underpin the delivery of Games infrastructure. 'The new laws provide a bespoke process that recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage matters, incorporating engagement and consultation with relevant parties and preparation of a cultural heritage management plan," they said. Yagara elder Uncle Steven, who consulted on the application to the federal government, said there were "not many places left around south-east Queensland that still contain that significance in cultural heritage". "If that [stadium] goes ahead, we lose part of our history," he said. "It's not only First Nations history, it's Australia's history, Brisbane's history."
