Big Swinger bails out favourite backers with stunning burst in Caulfield win
Favourite backers were poised to write off their money with 200m to run in the Catanach's Jewellers Handicap (1200m).
The Charlotte Littlefield -trained Big Swinger carried the hopes of thousands of punters in win bets and multis but they had a tough watch throughout the $150,000 race.
• 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!
A combination of Big Swinger's racing manners and goings on ahead of him left jockey Ben Allen to negotiate a difficult trip from the start.
Big Swinger got up on to the heels of other runners at least twice midrace as the strong galloper looked for racing room.
Big Swinger was still held up behind a wall of horses halfway down the straight, leaving Allen searching for options.
However, Allen managed to ease Big Swinger off heels from where the smart prospect charged to a narrow win over the $21 chance Flyer.
Big Swinger was enormous at Caulfield! @HayfieldsRacing @bennallen44 @MelbRacingClub pic.twitter.com/9MB9lj6yhK
â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) May 31, 2025
Big Swinger's finishing burst was a relief to the gelding's band or owners on course as well as those that took the short odds about the three-year-old son of Trapeze Artist.
'About 100(m) to go, we were going to run an unlucky fifth,' Littlefield's husband Julian Hay said.
'It takes a good horse to do that.'
Hay said Big Swinger's finishing burst was no surprise, adding the gelding clocked some 'scary' trackwork times at Littlefield's Pakenham base.
Big Swinger's win left the Creswick Series of three-year-old sprints as ideal winter targets for the winner of four of six starts.
However, Hay said Big Swinger was still 'soft-boned', meaning Littlefield was more likely to give the emerging prospect more time to develop.
'He's the best horse we've ever trained, we think, he's got that much ability,' Hay said.
â– â– â– â– â–
PREBBLE REPAYS PAYNES
Apprentice jockey Tom Prebble sealed a Saturday double at Caulfield with victory on Jimmy The Bear for his uncle and aunty Patrick and Michelle Payne.
Prebble, who by his own admission did not give Jimmy The Bear the best steer first-up when second to the in-form War Machine, more than made amends on Saturday.
Jimmy The Bear finished over the top of tenacious leader Regal Zeus, courtesy of a perfectly-timed and economical Prebble steer.
Prebble faced the potential of being posted wide again on Jimmy The Bear but the rising star found cover at a crucial stage in the 1600m Benchmark 100 JRA Handicap to set up the win.
Jimmy The Bear gives Tom Prebble a double at Caulfield, even better when it's a win for family! @mj_payne pic.twitter.com/lR8Muiaddk
â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) May 31, 2025
'The race probably didn't unfold exactly how I planned, I didn't want to repeat the same thing that happened last start, being caught three deep on a fast tempo,' Prebble said.
'I was able to get in and he was good … 1400m up to 1600m, second up, his record is pretty impeccable, so I knew he would be strong.
'He's a complete and utter fighter, he wants to race and I'm very fortunate Patrick has given me the opportunity now to ride him twice after probably not giving him the best of steers first ride.'
Prebble piloted the impressive winner Splash Back earlier on the card for Grahame Begg.
WHITE LINE FEVER LANDS JOURNAL ANOTHER WIN
A touch of 'white line fever' brought imported galloper Dublin Journal victory in the Ian Miller Handicap (2000m).
Dublin Journal has been a good money spinner for connections, especially after trainers Ben, JD and Will Hayes worked out the gelding loves the cut and thrust of racing among other horses.
Luke Currie rode the seven-year-old in that fashion at Caulfield, opting against going out wide when held up on the home turn, instead driving Dublin Journal ($9) along the inside to beat I Am The Empire ($26).
Dublin Journal gives Luke Currie and the Hayes team a double at Caulfield @lindsayparkrace pic.twitter.com/4Ei4xkTicA
â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) May 31, 2025
'He requires a lot of luck and Luke executed it perfectly,' JD Hayes said.
'He's a funny horse. As soon as he gets outside them, he gives up but he loves the crash and bash and pokes through late.'
Earlier, Currie combined with the Hayes brothers in Madiyya 's third straight win in the Rod Griffiths Handicap.
Madiyya sustained a long run from the rear of the field before the $1.75 favourite defied the late challenge of the $10 chance I ONLY WISH.
PRESS THE BUTTON
Trial By Press answered the call to run down Extreme Virtue in the Selangor Turf Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield.
The Greg Eurell -trained five-year-old daughter of Danerich preserved a perfect second-up record – now three from three – with the win under apprentice jockey Ryan Houston.
Trial By Press is two from two this preparation! @GregEurell @HoopHouston @MelbRacingClub pic.twitter.com/YSZpYyPhYd
â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) May 31, 2025
Extreme Virtue looked set to pinch the race around the bend, the Lindsay Park-trained mare skipped clear under apprentice jockey Dakotah Keane, but Trial By Press would not be denied.
'I thought coming into the turn the leader started to skip away a little bit and thought gee we might struggle to run this down and to her credit she dug deep,' Eurell said.
'Typical of the mare, as I said to Ryan, she's very push button, the more you ask the more she gives and that's exactly what she did today.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
World Gold Council's latest short film shines spotlight on WA Goldfields
The World Gold Council's latest short film to premiere on Thursday focuses on activities in WA's Goldfields, with particular emphasis on an Indigenous company's partnership with a global mining giant. Gold: The Journey Continues — Australia demonstrates how the local gold industry, First Nations communities and businesses were collaborating to deepen Indigenous participation in WA's gold mining sector. The film is the third in a global series from the council that tell 'real stories of those who live and work in responsible gold mining operations', and follows the global success of Gold: A Journey, in 2023, starring British film star Idris Elba. Representatives from the World Gold Council, Minerals Council of Australia, and Gold Industry Group visited Kalgoorlie-Boulder on Wednesday ahead of the film's premiere at WA Museum Boola Bardip in Perth on Thursday night. The three groups are presenting the film in partnership. The gold council's chief strategy officer Terry Heymann said the film series aimed to highlight the social and community value being generated through 'responsible' gold mining, a sector more known for its economic contribution. 'Given Australia is the world's third-largest gold producer and home to what is widely regarded as the oldest Indigenous culture, we've long wanted to explore the wisdom, experiences and learnings embedded in Australia's gold mining sector,' he said. 'A sustainable gold mining industry is contingent on championing ways for Indigenous people to preserve their deep connections to land and nature while benefit as active participants. 'Exploring partnerships that are achieving this through courage, trust, patience and resilience to overcome what can be exciting but complex challenges has been an immensely insightful and rewarding experience.' Central to the film is mining services company Carey Group, which employs First Nations people and is anchored by its 30-year partnership with global gold mining group AngloGold Ashanti at the Sunrise Dam mine in the northern Goldfields. Carey Group founder and managing director Daniel Tucker has played a key role forging new pathways for Indigenous people, fusing traditional knowledge with a business mindset and skills. Rowena Leslie, co-founder of mining services firm Kai Rho Contracting, who is also featured in the film, was mentored by Mr Tucker. Similarly, Gohar Rind, owner of technology firm Yira Yarkiny Group, benefited from a Carey Group scholarship. AngloGold's contractual arrangements have been augmented with business coaching and mentoring. AngloGold vice-president investor relations, communication and ESG Andrea Maxey said the company was focused on supporting local economics and communities. 'Our purchasing and supply chain team works closely with our community team to ensure mechanisms that build trust (and) cultural awareness, (with) hands-on support built into contracts,' she said. Mr Tucker said Aboriginal-owned business participation in mining was evolving, with Carey Group starting 30 years ago with a blank canvas but a strong vision to work and thrive in industries 'that had long left us out'. 'Our breakthrough came in 1996 when AngloGold Ashanti — then Acacia Resources — saw more opportunity than risk in creating Australia's first Indigenous partnership with Carey Group,' he said. 'Fast forward to today, and our journey is inspiring First Nations people across Australia and in regions as far afield as Canada to consider similar models. 'We are proud and grateful to share our story in this documentary.' Mr Tucker said the role of Indigenous businesses in mining was still in its infancy. 'There is still so much opportunity for First Nations-owned businesses to grow, diversify and achieve major milestones into the future,' he said.
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
Veteran Storm coach Bellamy makes big coaching call
Craig Bellamy is set to continue as Melbourne coach for a 24th year, deciding against moving into a new role at the NRL club or retirement. Bellamy, 65, signed a unique five-year contract with the Storm in 2022 that allows him to decide each year whether he will continue in the head coach position. With Melbourne currently in fourth spot on the NRL ladder and among the title favourites, Bellamy will confirm at a press conference on Thursday morning before Storm training he has taken up the option to stay on next year. A regular visitor to the Gold Coast where he has a house and family, Bellamy has recently been linked with a move to the Titans at the end of his contract. He became Storm coach in 2003, leading the team to a semi-final in his first year. Since then the Storm have played in 21 finals series, winning the grand final on five occasions and the minor premiership eight times. Coaching 590 games, he has a winning percentage of 69.49 per cent. His enthusiasm for the game doesn't appear to be wavering, this year committing to additional duties as an advisor to NSW State of Origin coach Laurie Daley. Halfback Jarome Hughes said earlier this week Bellamy hadn't told the players about his future plans but hoped the coach would stay on for another season. "He's such a great coach and he's been such a great mentor for all of us players for so long - so the longer he stays the better," the Dally M Medallist said. "It's whatever's best for him and his family and whatever he wants to do, but I can't see him hanging it up too soon. "He'll get bored at home in his mansion at Albert Park so I'm sure he'll go around again." Melbourne host sixth-placed North Queensland on Friday night and will be back to full-strength after skipper Harry Grant and winger Xavier Coates sat out their Gold Coast win following State of Origin duty.
News.com.au
4 hours ago
- News.com.au
Benny Blanco insists Selena Gomez wedding is still ‘not scheduled' despite Ed Sheeran RSVP
The Shape of You hitmaker confirmed during Vanity Fair's Lie Detector video series last month that he'd been invited to the wedding, leading fans to believe that the nuptials may be happening sooner than expected. However, during an appearance on Australia's Today show on Wednesday, Benny insisted that they haven't set a date, but he has informally invited Ed already. When asked if he was thrilled when Ed revealed the RSVP," the music producer replied, 'I just told him, 'I'm gonna have a wedding and you're gonna come to the wedding..."
