Grand Eagle takes flight as Rawiller pulls the right rein
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained five-year-old raced keenly early from gate 15, and Rawiller allowed him to roll to the lead.
After pinching a breather, Punch Lane gapped his rivals to win by more than four lengths. The stable was looking at backing him up again next Saturday in the Hawkesbury Cup (1600m).
'He's led before and won, but I just thought he needed wetter [track],' Anthony Freedman said.
'But he's come on from last week, and he's backed up before and won.
'I might throw him in at Hawkesbury even because it will be wet, I think. Whether he can take three runs in a row, I don't know. We'll probably nominate and see what happens.'
Lees considers Target for Memoria
Newcastle trainer Kris Lees was thinking of a shot at the Takeover Target Stakes at Gosford on May 10 with Memoria after she led all the way to win on Saturday.
Under Lees' apprentice Ben Osmond, the five-year-old mare stole a gap early in the straight before finishing three-quarters of a length ahead of Pajanti. It was a 20th city success for Osmond, whose claim now drops from three kilograms to two.
'It was a really well-judged ride, he knows her well,' Lees said.
'She's very honest. We'll keep trying to place her right and at some stage, give her a chance in better company.'
Lees is eyeing a benchmark race at the Coast meeting at Gosford in two weeks, but said the listed Takeover Target could also be an option.
Hyeronimus proves the difference
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable looks set to test 'dork' Les Vampires over even more ground after the four-year-old Pierro gelding won at 1800m in Benchmark 94 level on Saturday.
Now a winner four times in 12 starts, Les Vampires stepped up from 1500m and was strong late to hold off Lees-trained Zaphod.
Adam Hyeronimus gave Les Vampires an economical run just off the pacesetters.
'He's a nice horse, but he's just very quirky,' Hyeronimus said.
'I'm very good friends with the owners, and I'm allowed to say this, but I labelled him as a dork.
'I want to get left, he wants to go right. He's not a hassle, but he just does little things that are a bit annoying.
'The biggest thing with him is to find that rhythm, get him comfortable.'
Stable representative Neil Paine said the rise in distance 'was the worry'.
Beer sets Sunrise for Scone
Kembla trainer Mitch Beer will have a crack at the listed Denise's Joy Stakes at Scone on May 17 with bargain buy Sunrise after she easily claimed the 1100m benchmark 72 Midway Handicap on Saturday at Randwick.
A $45,000 buy at the 2024 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale after one win in six starts in New Zealand, Sunrise took her earnings in Australia past $100,000 with the front-running victory under Rachel King. It came after a seven-length demolition first-up in a Kembla class one.
Laurie extends Sydney streak
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Matt Laurie's golden autumn in Sydney continued when Miss Icelandic booked her spot in the listed Ortensia Stakes with victory at Randwick on Saturday in her first run back for the Victorian trainer.
Miss Icelandic ($10), first-up and having her maiden NSW start, overhauled Passeggiata late by a half neck under Chad Schofield in the benchmark 78 handicap (1000m).
Laurie, who won three group 1s from three starts at the Sydney autumn carnival with Treasurethe Moment and Vinrock, was eyeing a black-type result with Miss Icelandic in the Ortensia at Scone on May 17.
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Courier-Mail
a day ago
- Courier-Mail
Gosford, Ballina previews: Golden Smile seeks redemption
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Imported mare Golden Smile faced a stiff challenge when she stepped up to city company last start but trainer Kris Lees looks to have found an ideal race back in provincial company Golden Smile placed in her first three starts this campaign before breaking through with a big all-the-way win in a Newcastle Maiden on a Heavy 10 over 1890m before stepping up to a Benchmark 64 on the Kensington 11 days later when fifth to Rotagilla over 1800m. 'She was very good in winning but the wet track may have aided her,' said Lees. 'It was a big jump going to town last start and coming back a little in distance could have been detrimental to her. 'Going up to 2100 metres this week looks a nice option for her. 'She is still going to get a winter track this week and she seems to be in good order.' The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here! The daughter of Sea The Stars drops back to a Class 1 and Maiden Plate and steps up to 2100m. 'This looks a nice race for her. A bit of a gap between runs may suit her as well being a European-bred mare,' he said. Lightly-raced three-year-old Hawker Hall kicked off his campaign with a three-and-a-half length win over 900m on his home track on April 23 and wasn't seen on raceday again until May 26 when fifth to Prima Bella on a Heavy 10 over the same track and distance. He steps up to 1100m this week in the Class 1 Handicap with Jason Collett back on board. 'We wanted to find the right track and run him at home again,' Lees said. 'The other day, it might have just been a bit too heavy for him. 'He's a big, heavy horse and he does like a bit of cut in the ground but not really testing like it was. 'It was just a bit waterlogged that track and made a bit of hard work for him. 'He might be better suited now getting out over just a little bit further to get a more controlled run (in front).' Lees has been pleased with the form of Surreal I Am in Queensland this preparation where he has won two of his three starts and feels he deserves a chance back in New South Wales. The gelding lines up in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m) where he will make his presence felt. 'His two wins on the Sunshine Coast were on the polytrack but that said, I can't fault him at home,' he said. 'He will be a place chance.' Joining him in that race is Oakfield Mamselle who is resuming from a spell. While she has a win and a second from three first-up runs, Lees feels she will be improved by this run. 'She seems to be coming up well. Her trials were only fair but her work since has been pleasing,' he said. Lees' other runner for the meeting is Enchanted World in the opening race, the 2&3YO Maiden Handicap (1100m). The daughter of Ardrossan debuted on her home track on May 26 where she settled last and came between runners in the straight to finish a three-and-a-quarter length second behind Pratt. 'She was okay on debut and will appreciate stepping up a little in trip,' said Lees. Lees also has Denuto and Irish Thunder running at Ballina and feels they will be competitive in their respective assignments. 'Denuto hasn't been far away and is close to getting a result. Hopefully he can break through,' he said. 'Irish Thunder ran well first-up. He just got hampered a little. 'He has improved from that and should run well.' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ The week started well for trainer Scott Henley when stable star Volcanic Love trialled stylishly at Grafton and he hopes it can end on a high note with a winning double. Henley was pleased when the meeting originally set for Lismore was moved to Ballina when his promising filly Confederate Lady races so well. The three-year-old had her first three starts at the track where she recorded an impressive maiden win over 1012m at just her second career start and placed in her other two runs at the venue. 'I'm definitely not disappointed they moved the meeting to Ballina. She loves the joint,' said Henley. Since resuming with a close third in a Class 1 on a Heavy 10 at Ballina on April 8, Confederate Lady has finished third behind the promising Seymour Stars at Port Macquarie and an unlucky fourth to Takemine at Inverell. 'She was just a gallop short going into that run because we'd had plenty of rain up here and couldn't get her tied right down. 'Then she ran into a good horse at Port Macquarie. 'Last start she got back further than we expected and was a bit stiff. The daughter of Supido is out to add to her record when she steps out in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1000m) where she has drawn barrier 15 although she will come in after scratchings. 'I had her in a couple of Class 1 races that were washed out and the only available race at the next meeting has been a Benchmark 58,' he said. 'Each time in those Class 1s, to my way of thinking, she was a good thing. 'In the (benchmark) 58s, we go from a good thing to just a chance. 'From a wide gate this week, she is just a good chance with luck in running.' Henley has been pleased with the two runs of former Victorian three-year-old Zouandme and gives him a good chance in the Country Boosted Maiden Plate (1000m). The gelding raced on a hot speed when seventh at Grafton first-up before being beaten just over a length when sixth at Inverell. 'He has those two runs,' he said. 'He was big in condition first-up and had a good blow after the race. 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Daily Telegraph
3 days ago
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Scone preview: It Stays In Vegas can kickstart another big day for Scott Singleton
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Local trainer Scott Singleton will again be a force at Scone's first meeting since their annual Cup day/stand-alone carnival where he posted his 400th career win and won the Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic. Singleton is represented by three of his string on Tuesday starting with the lightly-raced three-year-old It Stays In Vegas who tackles the Arrowfield Country Boosted Maiden Plate (1000m). The son of one-time Arrowfield resident stallion Shalaa resumed in the coveted Red Crown at Muswellbrook on June 1 but proved no match for the long odds-on winner, Raging Force. • 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! 'I was happy enough for him to run second to that horse there but I was disappointed that he couldn't,'' Singleton said. 'I thought he was just a little bit plain but admittedly, he was first-up and he had to sit outside the leader. 'And it was a funny track that day, it was really gluey and a lot of horses didn't like it so I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt that those couple of things might have played against him. 'I think he is a better horse than he went the other day so I am wanting to see him bounce back and do something there on Tuesday.' It Stays In Vegas is a third generation Australian thoroughbred but does indeed have some American blood and via the likes of two epic stallions, one of them an immortal. His third dam was a daughter of Seeking The Gold while her fourth was by Seattle Slew, who this week 48 years ago, completed the US Triple Crown by winning the Belmont Stakes. Singleton, meanwhile, has the honour and distinction of saddling up one of the shortest-priced favourites racing at Scone on Tuesday in Ritzsun ($1.85) in the third race on the eight-event program. Ritzsun has been a model of consistency throughout his nine starts, winning twice (both of them at Scone) together with four placings, three of them seconds. The son of Rosebud winner Sebring Sun's most recent performance was a brave and determined on-pace second in the 1200m TAB Highway conducted at Gosford on the Gold Cup and The Coast day. His Tuesday assignment is the Scone CWA Centenary Benchmark 82 Handicap (1000m). 'Up in grade but down in weight,'' Singleton said. 'He's in an 82 there but he is only carrying 55(kg) so from a good draw and the way he has been working, I would be expecting him to win to be honest.' Ritzsun has already contested three Highways inside his nine starts and win, lose or draw on Tuesday, there will be a fourth somewhere down the road. 'That would be the plan,'' Singleton said. 'He has only won the two (races) so he can win again and still go to a Highway. 'He is definitely good enough to win a Highway if all the stars align.' Singleton is naturally eager for the well-bred mare Insightful Award to post her fourth win in the Darley Country Boosted Benchmark 58 Handicap (1300m) having placed at two of her last three 'away' runs. 'I am hoping that given when she won at Scone earlier in the prep, she bolted in, and that was down to the home-track and she can repeat that because it sort of came from nowhere,'' Singleton said. 'But she has remained in good order. 'She a little bit keen the other day at Warren but she certainly seems in good shape and she'll run well.' Originally published as Scone preview: Three-year-old It Stays In Vegas can kickstart another big day for Scott Singleton
News.com.au
3 days ago
- News.com.au
Scone best bets and inside mail for Tuesday June 10, 2025
Racenet and The Daily Telegraph form analyst Shayne O'Cass provides his best bets and race-by-race analysis at Scone on Tuesday. â– â– â– â– â– SCONE TIPS BEST BET Race 2 No. 2: LADY MEMPHIS Won at Goulburn 16 days after debut second to Private Harry. NEXT BEST Will relish the longer trip while racing at home here. VALUE BET Race 8 No.6: ARCHAIC FORCE Huge run in the Highway here at the Cup carnival. DAILY DOUBLE 1st Leg: 4, 2nd Leg 6 QUADDIE Race 5: 1, 2, 3, 4 Race 6: 4, 12 Race 7: 3, 5 Race 8: 4, 6, 7 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Aaron Bullock versus Ashley Morgan – what a clash! Bullock by a nose (maybe). â– â– â– â– â– SCONE INSIDE MAIL IT STAYS IN VEGAS (8) bumped into Raging Force in the Red Crown but was the second elect, albeit $4.40 out to $11. He ran fifth, which on face value makes him a disappointment, but it was a funny sort of Soft 6 that day so maybe needs to be forgiven. Back home and in an easier race. PRISCILA STATEMENT (7) handed in a solid third on debut at Muswellbrook. Drawn to be prominent throughout. Ballina visitor MOFEED (2) has placed at five of his seven starts, which augurs well for another medal here. BET: IT STAYS IN VEGAS to win. LADY MEMPHIS (2) finished runner-up on debut in a Newcastle Super Maiden to Private Harry. Even the third horse, Rubi's Serve, goes well. No surprise then that the Matthew Smith-trained filly won her next start down at Goulburn. Spelled and has trialled up really nicely since. CAPITAL DANCER (1) has run more good races than bad in her time. This is her pet trip and she gets barrier two and Aaron Bullock. BET: LADY MEMPHIS to win; exacta 2 to beat 1. RITZSUN (9) is a Scott Singleton-trained 3YO and thus giving away age and experience to the entire field here. That said, his numbers make compelling reading. Chief among them is that both his wins were here are home. Trialled well since a second on May 10 in a Highway on Gosford Cup day. Speaking of trials, OUR BOY OLLIE's (4) hitout here on June 5 was a beauty. IN SPADES' (8) best would have her on podium. BET: RITZSUN to win. LOUISBURGH (1) is a son of Zoustar out of Sunset Rock, who beat the subsequent Champagne Stakes winner Go Indy Go in the Cinderella Stakes in 2014. A $250,000 Easter Yearling, Louisburgh has placed at three of his five starts and comes into this off two provincial seconds. So well placed. BACKWARD GLANCE (9) ran fourth, albeit eight lengths behind Saturday's Randwick winner Millie De Lune. BAWNAGLEN (8) should relish the 1350m at home. Bet: Louisburgh to win. SHEILA'S FANTA SEA (4) has a tidy resume of 10 starts, two wins and five placings, three of them seconds. Trainer Wayne Wilkes' daughter Shae has ridden her in all her wins and places, including a very easy win at Taree on May 13. Easy to like. The last time INSIGHTFUL AWARD (2) raced here at home, she won by six. Bit costly since then but never far away, either. TWILIGHT ROCK (1) is one from 19 but has placed 13 times so has to be considered. BET: SHEILA'S FANTASY SEA to win; quinella 2, 4; box trifecta 1, 2, 3, 4. DUBAI WARRIOR (4) debuted at Scone on November 19 last year and ran a huge third to Churchill's Choice no less. Won his maiden at Canberra next start and although he hasn't won again in five runs, he has placed twice and always been running on willingly at the end. Triple Crown's entry PIERONIMO (12) has some deep form. Was second to Millie De Lune (beating The Beats) and has placed again since. BET: DUBAI WARRIOR to win; quinella 4, 12; Daily Double – 1st leg 4, 2nd leg 6. SHUTTER (5) has raced seven times. Take out the debut run at Gunnedah and every once since has contained merit to varying degrees. Everything in the world suggests she will run – and indeed wants – 1700m. The big, home track is another box ticked. Speaking of boxes ticked, barrier three and Aaron Bullock are two reasons why the Greg Hickman-trained JONNY BE SWIFT (2) can challenge here. This is the type of race CROATIAN MADAME (11) can win. BET: SHUTTER to win. ARCHAIC FORCE (6) was a $125,000 Inglis Classic Yearling. Good money for a Cosmic Force but this horse is also a son of NZ Oaks winner and multiple stakes-horse producer Bramble Rose. The Todd Howlett-trained 3YO is cursed when it comes to barrier draws and as for the last run here on cup day, it was huge. MONARCH EXPRESS (4) has talent, a good draw and jockey. DUBAI GOLD (7) has been trialling like a bomb since he got to Nathan Doyle's stable.
