Trainer Henry Dwyer to aim unraced filly Miss Ellaneous at 2025 VOBIS Gold Strike at Warrnambool
Miss Ellaneous will debut against some promising fillies, including the recent $250,000 VOBIS Gold Rush winner Killiana, with only one autumn jumpout behind her.
Dwyer had previously abandoned Miss Ellaneous's spring campaign after one jumpout but said he had seen enough to know the Brazen Beau filly had talent.
•
'We like her,' Dwyer said.
'She's a big, strong filly that we bought at the Magic Millions.
'She trialled up well around that time and we had delusions of grandeur but she just went sore in the knees and we had to put her out again.
'She seems good this time and we've got a good opinion of her but this looks a strong race.'
Miss Ellaneous is a $15 chance in early betting on the VOBIS Gold Strike.
Dwyer said the two-year-old had plenty of improvement left in her and would continue her preparation after her debut test at Warrnambool.
'She's a nice competitive filly but she's probably been rushed a fraction to get to this race because it's such a nice race to kick off in,' Dwyer said.
'But I think she's a good level of horse.
'Whatever she does, she'll improve on but I still think she's good enough to be competitive.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
Lee Freedman will take a step back from training to manage his brother Michael's new satellite stable on the Gold Coast
Five-time Melbourne Cup-winner Lee Freedman will take a step back from training to manage his younger brother Michael's newly announced satellite stable on the Gold Coast. Michael says the 'time is right' to set up an operation consisting of about 30 stables on the Glitter Strip in partnership with his Hall of Fame trainer Lee Freedman, who will take up the role as stable manager. From the new racing season starting on August 1, Michael Freedman will take over the stables currently occupied by Lee. 'I'll be looking to set up a satellite stable on the Gold Coast,' Sydney trainer Michael Freedman said. 'It's still in the process of being approved (by Racing Queensland) but hopefully next week it'll be finalised. 'I'm looking to send quite a few horses from Sydney up there all-year round to race, ideally in those mid-week and Saturday races. 'It gives me a base for Magic Millions, which is an important carnival now, and helps for the Brisbane winter as well because it's always very difficult to find stabling when you do bring horses up there. 'I think the timing is right and I'm looking forward to it.' Freedman said he was still 'working through' the new arrangement with his 68-year-old brother Lee, who has been training at the Gold Coast since March 2021. 'I think the timing's right and Lee and I had a good meeting about it yesterday (Thursday),' he said. 'I wouldn't probably be even contemplating this if Lee wasn't involved. 'Given that he's at a point where he's happy to be doing something along those lines, then it works well for me.' Freedman is following in the footsteps of Sydney's premier trainer Chris Waller, who also runs a satellite stable on the Gold Coast. In the late 1980s, Michael joined his three older brothers Lee, Anthony and Richard to form a highly successful training partnership that prepared more than 100 Group 1 winners, including five Melbourne Cup champions and four consecutive Golden Slipper winners. Michael spent almost a decade in Singapore and a brief stint in Hong Kong before branching out on his own at Randwick in April 2022 following a partnership with brother Richard which saw the two combine to win the 2021 Golden Slipper with Stay Inside. The highlight of his solo training career came last March when filly Marhoona won the Golden Slipper at Rosehill, just six weeks after making her debut at Canterbury. Michael said he planned to visit the Sunshine State more often once his new operation on the Gold Coast was fully established. 'I'll be looking to come up (to Queensland) a bit more during the year at various times,' he said. 'Certainly winter carnival and Magic Millions will be a key focus for me. 'We've got a couple of horses up there already that might run next Saturday and we'll start to trickle a few more up over the course of the next few weeks.' Gold Coast Turf Club boss Steve Lines said he was delighted to welcome a trainer of Freedman's calibre. 'Michael Freedman is one of the country's most respected horsemen and his decision to set up a stable here is a huge vote of confidence in what the Gold Coast has to offer,' Lines said. 'He joins a strong and growing cohort of top-tier trainers calling the Gold Coast home and will only further strengthen the quality of horses we have racing at the Gold Coast, given Michael's association with Godolphin and other prominent owners.'
News.com.au
18-07-2025
- News.com.au
Mitch Cohen and Shayne O'Cass's race-by-race tips, analysis for Rosehill Gardens on Saturday
Racing writers Mitch Cohen and Shayne O'Cass present their race-by-race tips for the 10-race Winter Challenge meeting at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. MITCH'S BEST BET Race 5 No.5 SPYWIRE MITCH'S BEST VALUE Race 1 No.6 ALPHARD SHAYNO'S BEST BET Race 9 No.8 PHEARSON SHAYNO'S BEST VALUE Race 4 No.10 ISLAND DREAM â– â– â– â– â– Shayne O'Cass: Hello Mitchy. A fabulous late season bunch of soon-to-be three-year-olds to get us underway on Saturday. SPICE PRAWN (11) is the fourth foal of dual Group 1 winner Cosmic Endeavour; herself a granddaughter of Twiglet. Spice Prawn should have nearly won on debut on the Kensington track IMHO. Her two trials were excellent. The draw is a concern though. ROYAL AIR FORCE (7), a $900,000 Magic Millions Yearling and son of Wootton Bassett who was born and raised on the Apple Isle has the 'blinkers on' first time as he resumes off two typical 'Waller trials'. He looks a nice horse; oh and he's a half to Think About It too! Mitch Cohen: I can't believe they put up $26 around ALPHARD (6) and he's into his right price now at $7.50. There is no doubt in my mind that he should have won first-up behind Sapphire Rose at Canterbury when he just had no luck with plenty to offer. He only needs to get out from barrier one to show his quality. SAPLING (10) might not have beaten much in her maiden victory at Wyong last time but there was plenty to like about the performance. She will take plenty of benefit from the win. The same goes for I SHOW SPEED (4). He was excellent winning on debut at Canberra. â– â– â– â– â– Shayno: PRETTY TAVI (11) – whose seventh dam is the legendary Chicquita – has finished second and third respectively in her two 1300m Rosehill Midways, including the first-up one on June 28 behind ROLLING MAGIC (1) who runs here as well. Difference might be a more favourable draw for 'Tavi' this time. DENMAN STAR (2) had trialled exceedingly well prior to his bookie-busting Canterbury win. Got a cracking ride that day from Zac Lloyd who is back in time for Saturday. The 1300m looks like it is tailor-made for this absolute dead-ringer for his old man. Mitch: DENMAN STAR (2) has won a quarter of his 16 starts and tipping he can add to that strong record here. He showed an excellent turn of speed to win first-up at Canterbury and trainer Angela Davies has kept the freshness in his legs with a month between runs. Good draw a huge tick. There was nothing wrong with the first-up win of ROLLING MAGIC (1) in the same grade. Barrier 10 makes life harder this time but he's in form. HARRY'S BAR (6) is racing consistently and should be ready to peak third up. ✨ A sparkling win to Denman Star first up gives @ZacLloydx a Canterbury double! ✨ @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 18, 2025 • â– â– â– â– â– Shayno: Love the name, love the horse. Who else could I be talking about Mitchy than PONY SOPRANO (9)? I know you like him too – I'll leave it to you to explain the why – but I just want to give a mention to his trainer Robert Agnew who has a small team up there at Port Macquarie but he was clever enough to buy this horse for $18,000 and then of course there is the stalemate Show 'Em Howl. Of the others, HIGHWAY STRIP (2) is the obvious and VEECEE (8) is the overs. Mitch: PONY SOPRANO (9) has been slashed from $19 into $6.50 and it's easy to see why. This Robert Agnew-trained featured in a Country Championships Qualifier last preparation and wasn't far away for a horse without much experience. His trial tells me he's come back better than ever. FIRST LANDING (1) was only a touch over a length off Storm The Ramparts last start so that's always going to read well for a race like this. Barrier 15 has to be the concern. HIGHWAY STRIP (2) wouldn't know how to run a bad race. Pony Soprano get the respect and the win at Port Macquarie — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 24, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– Shayno: Welcome back Jay Ford; he's riding ISLAND DREAM (10) here for Chris Waller, a filly of some promise IMHO. She's only raced four times – handed in a big debut, won the next two then was pitched into the Kembla Classic and was only beaten five-lengths. Trials are good, barrier not so good. Not even sure of she will step out of her box which leaves it to her stablemate MAORI CHIEF (3) who was close enough to a good-thing beaten here last start; barrier one can be a curse at times. That time was a curse! Mitch: AMUSING (12) is capable of bouncing back after producing an underwhelming run second-up. She was luckless before that in Saturday company so I am eager to be forgiving of her last start effort. We get a double figure quote to find out. DON'T FORGET JACK (1) is racing in top form with two wins in four starts this preparation. He will be one of the strongest late. MR VERSE (2) looks to be a progressive type and his Sunshine Coast win had plenty of merit. Dreaming of a win! Back-to-back wins for Island Dream and @cwallerracing with a treble! ðŸ��ï¸� @KPMcEvoy | @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 26, 2025 • 'It was one in a million': Brad Widdup's big call on The Everest â– â– â– â– â– Shayno: SPYWIRE (5) has raced twice at Rosehill, Mitchy. You may recall he was a very easy and impressive winner on debut three starts prior to his third to Storm Boy in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic. Spywire's other Rosehill run came as recently as June 28 when a close (and unlucky) second to King's Secret. FLYING DESTINY (2) is another good 'Rosehill horse'. Always runs well when he draws well and he's got box three on Saturday. UNSTOPABULL (8) and AXIUS (10) are well in contention. Mitch: I am eager to stay with SPYWIRE (5) and have made him my best on the program. He didn't have the clearest passage in the straight first-up as a gelding but looks to have returned in good order. He strips fitter here and will be ready to win. Ciaron Maher-trained stablemate AXIUS (10) is the clear danger. He was impressive first-up at Randwick Kensington and the runner-up Epic Proportions has won since. YOSHINOBU (6) has raced in stakes company throughout his career and can run well fresh in lesser grade. There were some concerns as they turned for home, but @KPMcEvoy scraped the Dulux aboard Amusing and the first favourite gets home at Canterbury ðŸ'° @godolphin — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 29, 2024 • Rosehill Turf Talk: Cohen spies a special on Saturday â– â– â– â– â– Shayno: USEAPIN (9) finished sixth of nine first-up but only beaten two-lengths first-up. To be fair, if the horse had any luck, he darn near could have won. Whatever the case, we can all agree that it was a most encouraging return from the Yes Yes Yes filly. The 1200m suits big time. TUILERIES (7) is a quality filly from nose to tail. One wonders what might have been in the Magic Millions Guineas had she not drawn 18 of 18! Love the horse, hate the draw here. TOTOKA (8) is slow early/fast late, but sometimes a bit too slow early. Mitch: The only reason TUILERIES (7) isn't even shorter in the market is the wide draw. She's clearly the horse to beat in this but just needs to overcome barrier 10. Her class should carry her a long way. ART'S ALIVE (6) was tough on speed first-up and only went by less than half a length. You'd expect her to be right there again from a good draw. DOLLAR MAGIC (1) put in a rare flat run last start but she has been a consistent performer at this level throughout her career. Tuileries bulldozes home and wins in dominant fashion at Randwick for @SnowdenRacing1! ðŸ'¥ — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 26, 2024 â– â– â– â– â– Shayno: FIOPROSPERO (10) was one of a handful of horses that can count themselves unlucky out that Benchmark 78 here two weeks ago won by GOOD BANTER (3) who swept home unimpeded down the outside. Given she (Good Banter) won an Adrian Knox, she is more than likely a better horse than Fioprospero but personally I like him more at 2400m being a son of Fiorente on the way to a peak. Speaking of horses looking for a trip, the Dundeel mare GENTILESCHI (9) is ripe for 2400m now. Mitch: CORMAC T (2) was on the wrong end of a photo finish last time but can go one better here. He's rock hard fit now, has a win over the 2400m to his name and a good draw too. He's right in this. ASSAILANT (7) got back and was caught deep when hard in the market last time but shouldn't suffer the same fate here from barrier one. A bounce-back performance shouldn't surprise. FIOPROSPERO (10) and GOOD BANTER (3) come out of the same form race as Cormac T and can run well again. Fioprospero makes it two wins in a row at Eagle Farm! 2ï¸�⃣ @baileywheeler05 | @mcsmithracing | @BrisRacingClub — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 5, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– Shayno: Let's look at DISNECK (7) 's Rosehill 1100m runs. First of his three was in the Golden Gift in November 2022 where he was eating up the ground to finish three-lengths off Barber. Three weeks later he came back and thrashed Kimochi. His third one was June 2024 and he rushed home to finish second to In Flight on an unsuitably heavy track. Fair track would help! OUR KOBISON (4) likewise is deadly accurate at 1100m and his on-pace pattern suits Rosehill. STORM THE RAMPARTS (8) is flying. Mitch: WITH YOUR BLESSING (2) was only narrowly getting beaten in Group 3 company behind Iowna Merc the last time we saw him at the races and that looks like great form for this. He has trialled up really nicely ahead of his return and would look well-suited in better company later this prep. SOUTH OF INDIA (12) was a winner at his last visit to this track and trip. Another EPIC finish at Randwick today, with Iowna Merc getting his nose down right on the line in the G3 Liverpool City Cup to deny With Your Blessing and give @BBakerRacing a winning treble! @JoshuaParr8 | @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 1, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– Shayno: PHEARSON (8) is much too good a horse to have gone up at $23 and he's met with support too. For one thing, he has won six races including a Liverpool City Cup and a Heat of the Provincial Championships among other things. He is third-up on Saturday and no one would have missed him charging down the outside here in the Winter Stakes. That was the race that Bjorn Baker's rejuvenated Ingham winner ROBUSTO (1) was so good in. Love and respect the consistency of the stablemate, THUNDERLIPS (10). Mitch: ROBUSTO (1) is going to take a lot of beating in the Winter Challenge. His Stradbroke Handicap run was a clear forget but he was back to his best when surging home last start in the Winter Stakes. Third-up from a good draw, he's hard to beat. The drier the better for ACCREDITED (4). He was excellent finishing third in that Winter Stakes and will relish firmer footing here. THUNDERLIPS (10) and ESTADIO MESTALLA (2) both have big claims in a competitive affair. Phearson leads the whole way to take out the final race at Randwick! @BWiddupRacing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 2, 2024 â– â– â– â– â– Shayno: If BUNKER HUT (4) wins, it might just be the draw we all point to. Mind you, we could say the same if he gets beat, given barrier one can sometimes be a double-edged sword for horses and riders. Whatever the case may be, Bunker Hut is just so consistent and it never hurts to be on-pace at Rosehill. CLOUDLAND (3) was spectacular winning first-up. Sure, it was run to suit but who is to say this won't be? Mitch: KING OF ROSEAU (6) comes into the last after a month freshen-up. Trainer Peter Snowden has given him a tick off trial since his last start where he was a super winner from back in the pack at this track and trip. He will be ready to launch late. BUNKER HUT (4) can run well second-up after a credible first-up performance. Expecting him to be poised to pounce from barrier one. KERGUELEN (12) hasn't been far away while WAR ETERNAL (2) can give a sight at odds.
Courier-Mail
17-07-2025
- Courier-Mail
Bjorn Baker aiming to end record-breaking season with another feature win at Rosehill
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. The curtain closes on the 2024/25 racing season in 11 days and Sydney racing's mover and shaker Bjorn Baker reflects on his best ever season in Australia's most competitive jurisdiction of thoroughbred racing. Back in 2011 he left the nest, branching out on his own after making a name for himself in Sydney in partnership with his father, New Zealand Hall of Famer Murray Baker, with dreams of mixing it with the best Australian racing has to offer. • 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! 'Sydney racing is not easy, there is no kidding yourself, you need quality horses to win races,' he said shortly after commencing Bjorn Baker Racing. 'You need to be improving all the time and working out ways to get better. It is the only way to ensure you can be competitive in Sydney racing.' Fast forward to 2025 and Baker has been true to his word as his best ever season nears the end. A career-best 153 winners, he's second on the Sydney trainers' premiership with 87 winners, almost 30 more than his previous best result and his haul of $3.9m in two-year-old earnings is more than any other Australian trainer. Bjorn Baker claimed the Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January with O' Ole. Picture: Magic Millions Twenty-three stakes winners this season eclipses his previous best of 10 in 2021/22, while 15 two-year-old wins matches his 2022/23 result, but his five two-year-old stakes winners is his best result. 'It's been an amazing season, beyond my wildest dreams,' Baker said. 'I'm very lucky to have a great team of staff and what's been achieved is largely down to their hard work and to the support I get from our owners. 'We've also had a lot of fun along the way. I think it's important to have fun. 'It's not easy getting winners and people don't go into horses not to have fun so race a horse with Bjorn Baker Racing and when we win, we're going to have a good time. 'The two things I'm most proud of this season have been the stable's record in two-year-old races and our performance at Saturday metropolitan meetings.' Bjorn Baker hold Tyler Schiller aloft after they combined with Belclare to win The Invitation at Royal Randwick last October. Picture:On Saturday at Rosehill Gardens, Baker heads into the Listed Winter Challenge (1500m), Sydney's last black-type contest of the season, with two strong chances – race favourite Robusto and inform galloper Thunderlips. Robusto joined the stable in September last year and claimed the $2m Group 2 The Ingham to give Baker one of his biggest wins of 2024/25 and he's heads into Saturday's feature off a luckless second in the Listed Winter Stakes (1500m) three weeks ago. • Pride primed to continue winter hot streak at Rosehill 'I think he goes close with clear air in the straight in the Winter Stakes,' he said. 'He's in great condition, come on from the last run, drawn well and even though he's got 60 kilos, I think he's well weighted. 'His work on Tuesday was definitely the best we've seen from him this preparation so from that point of view, back onto a good track from a good gate, he's going to be very hard to beat.' Robusto, winning The Ingham in December last year, is the favourite in Saturday's Winter Challenge. Picture: Getty Images Stablemate Thunderlips has won three of his last five starts and continues to please his trainer with how he is coping with the workload as a rising five-year-old. 'I just wonder if we should have been a bit more positive last time and if we had, would he have finished closer?' Baker said. 'Wet or dry, he'll handle it, Ash Morgan jumps back on and he's suited at 1500m. 'He's not out of the race.' • Rosehill Turf Talk: Cohen spies a $3 special on Saturday Another prolific horse to the stable this season has been Disneck which resumes from a spell in the Schweppes Open Sprint Handicap (1100m). A three-time Saturday winner from his precious five starts over the summer, Baker declared the Trapeze Artist gelding is coming up well ahead of his five-year-old season. 'The one thing we did learn last preparation is you have to put him where he's comfortable and that means do absolutely nothing early which means he's usually well back in the field,' he said. 'Fast pace and a good track is what he needs and he looks like he'll get that on Saturday but it's never ideal getting back over 1100m at Rosehill.' Disneck won three times during his last campaign in the summer. Picture: Getty Images The stable's other two runners are stable stalwarts Highlights and War Eternal, both resuming from a spell in the Toyota Forklifts Benchmark 88 Handicap (1300m). 'That would be a good race to win, they're great forklifts, I can vouch for that,' he said. 'Both horses are probably more forward than I've had them resuming in the past. 'Two old war horses that will both be over the odds and don't be surprised if they run better than the market expects.' • Truck-driving hobby trainer sets sights on Sydney first With the 2025/26 season less than two weeks away, how does Baker plan to match or eclipse his achievements over the past 12 months? 'Things are shaping up well and we're up for the challenge,' he said. 'There's going to be more pressure on to continue our success and there are also going to be more opportunities with the bloodstock we have. 'We're getting some horses from Godolphin and only this week Darby Racing bought us another couple of nice, tried horses in Mayfair and Snack Bar on the Inglis Digital platform. 'We've also got the best team of yearlings we've ever had. 'I've definitely got more, and I've also got much better quality than what we've had in the past.' Originally published as Bjorn Baker has rewritten his record books this season and is chasing another feature at Rosehill on Saturday
