Geraldton Buccaneers prepare for their biggest challenge yet as they host the top-placed Warwick Senators
The Buccs are coming off a win at home last round, while the star-studded Senators sit atop the table with nine wins from nine games in season 2025.
Wildcats listed players Elijah Pepper and Todd Withers have been leading the way for the Senators this season, tallying up some incredible statistics.
Pepper averages 40 points, six rebounds and seven assists while Withers averages 16 points, four rebounds and one assist per game. The pair have proven to be a headache for sides this season, with no one able so far to hand Warwick their first loss of the season.
Buccs coach Dayle Joseph said it will be a welcome challenge as the Buccs look to cause a major upset this Saturday at home.
'I think it's a really good challenge for us,' he said.
'Considering over the last couple of weeks we've been up and down and our standards haven't probably been where we would like them to be.
'We've had a couple of weeks to work on that and hopefully we can put something together and challenge the Senators this weekend.'
The sixth-placed Buccs, with a 5-3 record, now have the opportunity to pick up back-to-back wins at home when they face the Senators and will be looking to lean on their home fans for support.
Joseph said the home crowd played a huge part in the contest of the game.
'Being at home is a great advantage to have with our home fans behind us,' he said.
'I think it is great however for any away side that comes up here to face us.
'They have the opportunity to play in front of a packed house even if it isn't their fans, it certainly amps everyone up.'
An added hunger has been adopted by the Buccs after dropping a very winnable game at home against the East Perth Eagles in round six.
Joseph said the squad took the loss to heart and used it as motivation to bounce back last round with a strong win over the Perry Lakes Hawks, hoping to carry that same hunger into Saturday night.
'We spent a bit of time on Tuesday highlighting some some areas and it did get a bit personal with a few things we weren't doing right,' Joseph said.
'We took that loss at home to heart but from that we improved a lot last week.
'I wouldn't say we were great last week but we certainly improved a lot on what we showed the week before.
'So we're hoping we can improve on that again against obviously, this is a real test when you plan the top team who's undefeated.
'They have NBL quality players on their squad, and hopefully we can answer that challenge.'
The Geraldton Buccaneers take on the Warwick Senators at Activewest Stadium May 24 with tip off at 7pm.
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The Australian
5 days ago
- The Australian
Randwick inside mail: Barbara Joseph eyes Big Dance success as 50th milestone looms
One of the undisputed queens of the sport of kings is days away from reaching an epic milestone that will take her to '50 not out'. Barbara Joseph, aka the Queen of Bombala, will see off another racing season with a couple of live chances at Royal Randwick on Saturday, the same venue as her memorable Doncaster win in 1989 with Merimbula Bay. • 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! 'Mum had her first starter at Bombala on the fifth of October in 1975,'' son Paul Jones said. 'It's name was Howitt Park, hence her property at Bombala is named that.' It won. Howitt Park was to become the first of more than 1000 winners trained by Joseph from Bong Bong to Fannie Bay in Darwin, granting Joseph her 'Cups Queen' status. 'We've lost count of the number of cups she has won, either on her own or in the partnership, because for a while there she was winning every cup. 'She's won the Bombala Cup so many times, Cooma Cups, I think she won five, six or seven Bega Cups. 'She's got a big, beautiful trophy cabinet of all the notable trophies that she's won, a Snake Gully Cup, she won that a few times, Wagga Cup, she won that in 2000 and again not long after.' Barbara Joseph is closing in on her 50th anniversary as a trainer, her Big Dance prospect Super Helpful is a runner at Randwick on Saturday (top right) and Joseph with jockey Darren Beadman after a win in 1996. Main picture: Jonathan Ng Then there's all the Canberra Cups, the Darwin Cup and of course the spoils of Merimbula Bay's Doncaster. Overcrowded as it may be, Joseph would be only too happy to accommodate space for The Big Dance silverware should Team J J R's 2023 Big Dance placegetter Super Helpful rise to the occasion on the first Tuesday of November. • Thompson has strong hand to cap off outstanding season The $20,000 yearling whose earnings are within sight of $1m is back at HQ on Saturday, two weeks after his forgettable, and forgivable, failure there. 'He stood there and stepped back when they jumped and missed the start by four,'' Jones said. 'We gave him a 400m jumpout the Wednesday after and he pinged the lids. Billy Owen rode him for me in the jumpout and said he won't be missing it next time.' Jones, meanwhile, is bullish about the chances of last-start Narrandera winner Cougars in The Agency Real Estate Handicap (1300m). 'Don't underestimate this horse,'' Jones warned. 'He is working with our best horses, (Australian Oaks runner-up) Sun 'N' Sand and he works with Super Helpful and he probably has the wood on them when he sits in front of them.' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ BEST BET CIGAR FLICK (race 8) hasn't won since June 29 last year at Eagle Farm when Tommy Berry rode her as was the case in her last two at Randwick and Rosehill where horse and rider can count themselves as unlucky. Fair to say, that this 'niece' and stablemate of Fangirl is a magnet for bad luck but she is a genuine black-type performer. All in all, she is too good to be priced at $12. • 'I'll miss the team': Cummings prepares for emotional farewell BEST VALUE VERY SEWREEL (race 6) is a daughter of Sewreel who won the Oaks Prelude in NZ when Murray Baker had her. Sewreel crossed the Tasman and had four runs our side of the ditch (for son Bjorn) including a third on the Belle Of The Turf. Her Snitzel daughter Very Sewreel was runner-up in the Tassie Oaks for Tulloch Lodge and her debut run for (Bjorn) Baker here two weeks ago had so much merit, most of it hidden. Talented type. EARLY QUADDIE RACE 3: 6, 7, 8 RACE 4: 1, 2, 3, 8 RACE 5: 1, 2 RACE 6: 5, 9 QUADDIE RACE 7: 4, 6, 7, 11 RACE 8: 4 RACE 9: 4, 10, 18 RACE 10: 3, 5, 6, 9 PRICE CHECK RUBY FLYER (race 5) went off at $51 first-up at Rosehill on July 5 and beat one home but there is a good reason why he was $19 (on Friday morning) for this. First of all, he ran through the line with a bit of purpose there when resuming so we can suggest he has come back in good nick. Next off, he is a second-up winner, a Randwick winner and best of all, his numbers at the mile are four wins and two thirds from seven goes. Gets in nicely now with the 3kg off. SECTIONAL STARS KINGSTON CHARM (race 2) was bred by Cathy Hains, the daughter of Kingston Town's owner/breeder David. As her name suggests, Kingston Charm is from one of the great families of the Stud Book that include Melbourne Cup winner, Kingston Rule. As for Kingston Charm, she is more a miler than a two-miler and provided the track plays fair on the weekend, she will be launching her bid hard and fast as was the case when an unlucky second in the July 12 Midway here. • Untapped talent chasing another win at Randwick on Saturday RANTAN (race 9) is one of two runners at HQ on Saturday for the Hall of Famer, Ron Quinton. Now if they both happened to win, Quinton would have trained exactly 100 winners at Royal Randwick. God knows how many winners he rode here/there! As for Rantan, she has been racing without much luck this preparation but we know from all the way back to her 900m debut win at Newcastle that she has a booming finish when clear. TRIAL POINTERS SHAGGY (race 1) is fast! Very fast! Remember he ran 45 seconds to win his 800m debut by almost six lengths. Hard to know what this exorbitant rail placement means on the day but surely barrier one, first use of the track, with an 11m rail out, can only boost Shaggy's already undeniable winning prospects. Won a Beaumont heat on July 9 – nicely. STARMAN (race 7) may not be every punter's cup of tea. To be fair to the horse, he is somewhere in between a non-winner and perennially unlucky. If you consider that he has placed five times in 11 Randwick runs then he is probably worth a look at $4 the place and $18 the win for the brave ones.
The Australian
5 days ago
- The Australian
Sapphire Coast preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, July 27, 2025
A win on their home track would be the perfect end to a career best season for trainers Barbara Joseph and her sons Paul and Matt Jones. The stable set themselves a target of 52 winners for the year and enter the meeting on 51 winners with a strong hand to held them reach their goal. 'I like to set a target of 52 winners, that's a winner a week across the season,' said Paul Jones. • 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! 'This is clearly the best season we have had as a partnership but it would be great if we can get that last winner to reach our target.' Jones was extremely happy with the run of Graceful Ellen when a neck second at Narrandera two weeks ago and gives her a great chance to go one better in the Class 2 Handicap (1200m) with stable apprentice Claire Ramsbotham aboard. 'She is a little filly who isn't overly robust but she is really well and I'm very happy with her,' he said. 'Claire rode her very aggressive the other day to suit how Narrandera was playing. 'The two speed horses around her dropped out and she was still fighting out the finish. It was a really good effort. 'She goes into this meeting as one of our best chances.' Although finishing down the track at both runs back from a spell, Jones feels Zouwase can figure prominently when he steps up to a suitable distance in the Class 1 and Maiden Plate (1600m). 'He has just been a bit immature in his action and changes stride two or three times in the straight,' he said. 'I just have to try and convince the jockeys to ride through it and he will hit the line. 'At home he is working very well. Billy (Owen) has ridden him once this week to get a feel for him. 'Walk The Pier is coming off a good win for a new stable and out of stronger races prior to that. He will be hard to beat but stepping up to the mile with the blinkers back on will help Zouwase.' Jones was pleasantly surprised by the debut performance of Texas Star when third behind Sir Franklin and The Main Event at Moruya and expects him to run well again in the Super Maiden Handicap (1200m) despite a wide draw. 'He was giving away a lot of experience but I was very happy with his run behind two pretty nice horses,' Jones said. 'Unfortunately, he has draw out wide so we might have to be a little negative early and try and get across to the rail and sneak some runs. 'I feel when the track is wet there, it's better to be closer to the rail as you turn into the straight.' Jones was pleased to see Kneel Down draw a good gate in the opening event, the Maiden Plate (1000m) after wide draws impacted on his two runs at Moruya. 'He drew well at his first start and was beaten a head but he drew wide at his next two starts where he had to be ridden backwards,' he said. We have freshened him up and blinkers on and his work on Tuesday was excellent.' Jones said She's High Society is ready to run a big race first-up in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1200m) despite not having a barrier trial or jumpout. 'With a lack of barrier trials jumpouts, we have given her eight or nine gallops to get her ready and she is working the house down,' he said. 'She drawn well and if she can hang on the back of Sir Franklin, I think she can run in the top three.' ADAM SHERRY'S TOP SELECTIONS BEST BET Race 4 No.3: WALK THE PIER Debuted for a new stable with a big win last start. The one to beat again. NEXT BEST Race 5 No.6: LONDON STAR Came from a long way back when runner-up to Walk The Pier. Can go one better. BEST VALUE Race 3 No.4: GRACEFUL ELLEN Game effort for second after a tough run last time out. Placed both runs here. QUADDIE Race 4: 3, 4 Race 5: 6, 11 Race 6: 2, 3, 6, 7 Race 7: 1, 2, 3 Billy Owen has three good chances at the Sapphire Coast. Picture: Getty Images JOCKEY TO FOLLOW BILLY OWEN has three rides and all are capable of winning. WORTH A RISK Race 7 No.6: MONNIE Every chance last start and only battled away. May want further. INSIDE MAIL – SAPPHIRE COAST RACE 1: Eden Tyrepower Country Boosted Mdn Plate 1000m YOUR MAGIC (3) was spelled after dropping out to last on debut here in December. Resumed with a handy second to I Show Speed on the Acton at Canberra on July 4. Visors on and can go one better. KNEEL DOWN (1) is better than his last two starts after drawing wide gates. Was a head second on debut over 1100m at Nowra. Blinkers go on and drawn to get an ideal run. SMOLENSKI (8) is a first starter by Farnan. Was good after sitting wide when third to Exiled Prince and sixth to Duke Of Bronte in his two Goulburn trials. Bet: Your Magic to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 2: South Coast Fish Processors Country Boosted (Bm58) 1200m DENI GAL (2) has had a long campaign but continues to race well. Appreciated a drop in grade to storm home and win at Moruya last Monday. In the same grade is a winner at this track and distance. SIR FRANKLIN (1) finished runner-up in his first four starts including on debut here over 1000m behind Southern Deel. Rewarded for his form with an all-the-way win from The Main Event at Moruya on July 11. SHE'S HIGH SOCIETY (9) scored a nice win from Zoutemus over 1000m here back in December. Only two runs last prep after some bad luck. Will make her presence felt. Bet: Deni Gal to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 3: Arv Caravans Hcp (C2) 1200m GRACEFUL ELLEN (4) kicked off her campaign with a narrow win at Bathurst after being taken wider on the turn. Raced up on speed and kept fight when a neck second to Sundrop who had the sit on her at Barrandera last start. ALOTTOSAY (2) ran three consecutive placings to start her career including a long neck second to Throw One In here before breaking through with a nice win at Nowra on Apr 20. Resumed with a barn storming win from Winnie Fortune at Moruya on July 11. TIMELESS GRACE (5) won well on debut at Wagga but disappointed at Moruya last start. Blinkers go on. Bet: Graceful Ellen each-way ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 4: Eden Sport & Rec Club Plate (C1) 1600m WALK THE PIER (3) had some handy provincial form including a debut second to Correon at Kembla before changing stable and scoring a three length win from London Star at Moruya. Drawn well and can go back-to-back. ZOUWASE (4) was beaten as favourite first-up over 1435m at Moruya then raced-wide without cover over 1400m at Narrandera. Will appreciate the step up to 1600m. Stepped up to 1600m third-up here last campaign and scored a big win from Ideelic. Blinkers back on and can bounce back. PLAYFUL PUZZLE (8) won nicely at Queanbeyan two runs back before getting second on protest at Moruya. Bet: Walk The Pier to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 5: Great Southern Inn Mdn Plate 1400m LONDON STAR (6) sat second chasing Badhatharry and kept fighting to a length second at Wagga. Was bumped at the start and settled near last before running on strongly along the rails to finish second behind Walk The Pier. SABLONNEUSE (11) was a handy third in his Kembla trial and debuted with a fourth to Gooloo Bucky at Moruya. Will take improvement from the run. CLOSETHEDOORDARCY (4) has finished runner-up in three of her last five starts including a nose second to Chebici at Queanbeyan. Her two recent failures have been on heavy tracks. Bet: London Star to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 6: South Coast Timber Eden Cup (Bm66) 1400m MISS STALWART (7) ran home strongly to beat Tom Cruising here on June 8 then got a long way back and made up some ground when ninth to Donwon at Moruya. Came from a clear last when fifth to all-the-way winner Pretty Vegas and Tonkatsu Goddess at Goulburn last start. CAPITAL HEART (3) was a length-and-a-half third to Donwon at Moruya two starts back but was disappointing in beating just one home behind Your Not The Boss there last start. Drops back in grade. EPAULLO CREED (2) has placed two of his last three. Up in grade but drops 4kg on his last start nose second to East Harlem. Bet: Miss Stalwart each-way ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 7: Coachman's Motel Eden Super Mdn Hcp 1200m BROOKLYN LIGHTS (1) rolled along in front and just faded in the straight but wasn't disgraced when fifth behind Fleeting Spirit on debut on the Kensington on March 26. Returns from a spell after two nice trials behind Bandi's Boy and Cambar. THE MAIN EVENT (3) returned from a long spell with a string closing run from last of 12 on the corner to finish a three-quarter length second to Sir Franklin over 1010m at Moruya on July 11. Step up to 1200m suits and drawn to settle closer. TEXAN STAR (3) was on debut when coming from the send half of the field to finish third to Sir Franklin. Will be prominent again. Bet: Brooklyn Lights to win
News.com.au
25-07-2025
- News.com.au
Randwick inside mail: Barbara Joseph eyes more success in Big Dance as 50th milestone looms
One of the undisputed queens of the sport of kings is days away from reaching an epic milestone that will take her to '50 not out'. Barbara Joseph, aka the Queen of Bombala, will see off another racing season with a couple of live chances at Royal Randwick on Saturday, the same venue as her memorable Doncaster win in 1989 with Merimbula Bay. 'Mum had her first starter at Bombala on the fifth of October in 1975,'' son Paul Jones said. 'It's name was Howitt Park, hence her property at Bombala is named that.' It won. Howitt Park was to become the first of more than 1000 winners trained by Joseph from Bong Bong to Fannie Bay in Darwin, granting Joseph her 'Cups Queen' status. 'We've lost count of the number of cups she has won, either on her own or in the partnership, because for a while there she was winning every cup. 'She's won the Bombala Cup so many times, Cooma Cups, I think she won five, six or seven Bega Cups. 'She's got a big, beautiful trophy cabinet of all the notable trophies that she's won, a Snake Gully Cup, she won that a few times, Wagga Cup, she won that in 2000 and again not long after.' Then there's all the Canberra Cups, the Darwin Cup and of course the spoils of Merimbula Bay's Doncaster. Overcrowded as it may be, Joseph would be only too happy to accommodate space for The Big Dance silverware should Team J J R's 2023 Big Dance placegetter Super Helpful rise to the occasion on the first Tuesday of November. • Thompson has strong hand to cap off outstanding season The $20,000 yearling whose earnings are within sight of $1m is back at HQ on Saturday, two weeks after his forgettable, and forgivable, failure there. 'He stood there and stepped back when they jumped and missed the start by four,'' Jones said. 'We gave him a 400m jumpout the Wednesday after and he pinged the lids. Billy Owen rode him for me in the jumpout and said he won't be missing it next time.' Jones, meanwhile, is bullish about the chances of last-start Narrandera winner Cougars in The Agency Real Estate Handicap (1300m). 'Don't underestimate this horse,'' Jones warned. 'He is working with our best horses, (Australian Oaks runner-up) Sun 'N' Sand and he works with Super Helpful and he probably has the wood on them when he sits in front of them.' â– â– â– â– â– BEST BET CIGAR FLICK (race 8) hasn't won since June 29 last year at Eagle Farm when Tommy Berry rode her as was the case in her last two at Randwick and Rosehill where horse and rider can count themselves as unlucky. Fair to say, that this 'niece' and stablemate of Fangirl is a magnet for bad luck but she is a genuine black-type performer. All in all, she is too good to be priced at $12. BEST VALUE VERY SEWREEL (race 6) is a daughter of Sewreel who won the Oaks Prelude in NZ when Murray Baker had her. Sewreel crossed the Tasman and had four runs our side of the ditch (for son Bjorn) including a third on the Belle Of The Turf. Her Snitzel daughter Very Sewreel was runner-up in the Tassie Oaks for Tulloch Lodge and her debut run for (Bjorn) Baker here two weeks ago had so much merit, most of it hidden. Talented type. EXTRAORDINAIRE 😱😱 Tom Sherry takes the short way home and gets up on the 80-1 shot to finish the day at Randwick! Anyone get the quaddie? 😅😅 @tomo_sherry @ANeashamRacing — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) July 12, 2025 EARLY QUADDIE RACE 3: 6, 7, 8 RACE 4: 1, 2, 3, 8 RACE 5: 1, 2 RACE 6: 5, 9 QUADDIE RACE 7: 4, 6, 7, 11 RACE 8: 4 RACE 9: 4, 10, 18 RACE 10: 3, 5, 6, 9 PRICE CHECK RUBY FLYER (race 5) went off at $51 first-up at Rosehill on July 5 and beat one home but there is a good reason why he was $19 (on Friday morning) for this. First of all, he ran through the line with a bit of purpose there when resuming so we can suggest he has come back in good nick. Next off, he is a second-up winner, a Randwick winner and best of all, his numbers at the mile are four wins and two thirds from seven goes. Gets in nicely now with the 3kg off. Estadio Mestalla is the star player in the Listed Winter Stakes and wins at big odds! âš½ï¸�â�'ï¸� That's separate doubles to @PrideRacing and @djgibbons22 at Rosehill today! 🙌 @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 5, 2025 SECTIONAL STARS KINGSTON CHARM (race 2) was bred by Cathy Hains, the daughter of Kingston Town's owner/breeder David. As her name suggests, Kingston Charm is from one of the great families of the Stud Book that include Melbourne Cup winner, Kingston Rule. As for Kingston Charm, she is more a miler than a two-miler and provided the track plays fair on the weekend, she will be launching her bid hard and fast as was the case when an unlucky second in the July 12 Midway here. • Untapped talent chasing another win at Randwick on Saturday RANTAN (race 9) is one of two runners at HQ on Saturday for the Hall of Famer, Ron Quinton. Now if they both happened to win, Quinton would have trained exactly 100 winners at Royal Randwick. God knows how many winners he rode here/there! As for Rantan, she has been racing without much luck this preparation but we know from all the way back to her 900m debut win at Newcastle that she has a booming finish when clear. TRIAL POINTERS SHAGGY (race 1) is fast! Very fast! Remember he ran 45 seconds to win his 800m debut by almost six lengths. Hard to know what this exorbitant rail placement means on the day but surely barrier one, first use of the track, with an 11m rail out, can only boost Shaggy's already undeniable winning prospects. Won a Beaumont heat on July 9 – nicely. @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 15, 2025 STARMAN (race 7) may not be every punter's cup of tea. To be fair to the horse, he is somewhere in between a non-winner and perennially unlucky. If you consider that he has placed five times in 11 Randwick runs then he is probably worth a look at $4 the place and $18 the win for the brave ones.
