McDonald counts on storming finish to equal Miracle's group 1 record
James McDonald hopes a swing in the weights and a rise in distance can offset a disappointing draw for Firestorm as the superstar jockey strives to equal the Australian record for group 1 wins in a season on Saturday at Eagle Farm.
McDonald sits on a personal-best 15 elite victories in Australia in 2024-25 with only the Tattersall's Tiara (1400m) left for him to match 'Miracle' Malcolm Johnston's record of 16 from 1979-80.
Chris Waller-trained Firestorm remains one of the top fancies for the fillies and mares feature, but her and McDonald's hopes were dealt a blow when she drew gate 19. That was 14 of 17 on Friday.
'It's never ideal,' McDonald said.
'The perfect draw was probably between eight and 12 because she does like a bit of room, but obviously we didn't get that, so we need a bit of luck. You never know. Eagle Farm is a big, fair track, so hopefully it plays well.'
Firestorm was a $4.20 chance with Sportsbet, which had Floozie as favourite at $4 and Tashi at $7.50. Last start, those main rivals finished one-two in the group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1300m) when McDonald gave third-placed Firestorm an ideal run from gate nine. Firestorm's impost drops a kilogram on Saturday, while Floozie and Tashi go up 1kg and 1.5kg respectively to all meet at 57kg.
McDonald hoped for genuine pace up front to give Firestorm the chance to launch late.
'She'll improve off her first-up run, and she meets the first two better at the weights, so that bodes well for her, and the 1400 will suit her better,' he said.
Firestorm won the group 2 Millie Fox Stakes first-up at 1300m in February before almost upsetting star filly Lady Shenandoah, and McDonald, with a flying finish in the group 1 Coolmore Classic at 1500m. Waller was taking encouragement from that effort.
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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Norris and Piastri lead way as McLaren get back to work
It was back to something akin to normality for McLaren world championship rivals Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris as the first blows for supremacy at this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix were exchanged. Their last encounter had been a fortnight earlier, a much-debated and, for Norris at least, highly expensive coming together at the Canadian Grand Prix. The pair had been scrapping over fourth place but the result of the British driver's rash move was to put himself out of the race while his Australian teammate was left to salvage fourth place. Back in competition in second practice at the scenic Speilberg raceway, the pair sped to a McLaren one-two, with Norris just in front. Earlier, in first practice, Mercedes driver George Russell, the winner in Canada, was fastest with Piastri third. Norris handed his car to Irish rookie and Formula Two leader Alex Dunne, who promptly marked his Formula One practice debut by getting to with 0.069 seconds of Piastri. That prompted an outpouring of emotion from Dunne, the first Irish driver to take part in a grand prix weekend for 22 years and who benefitted from team obligations to give rookie drivers Formula One experience. .Thanking his team over the radio as the chequered flag fell, the 19-year-old Dunne said: "A little boy's dream came true, and this is definitely the best day of my life. "Thank you everyone for letting me do this, and thanks to Lando as well for trusting me with his car." Back among the contenders - Piastri has a 22-point lead over Norris at the top of the drivers' standings after 10 of the 24 races - it was down to business at the start of another critical weekend. Norris finished 0.157 sec clear of Piastri with four-time world champion Max Verstappen third. The Dutchman finished three tenths off the pace in second practice. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll ended the day in fourth, one place clear of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. Russell, quickest in the opening session, slipped to sixth. For Lewis Hamilton, it was another difficult day at the wheel of his Ferrari. A gearbox problem restricted Hamilton's programme in the first session and then he was only 10th quickest in the day's concluding running. "For some reason I have just got no pace," said Hamilton on the radio, with his best lap nearly a second off the leading time and three tenths adrift of Leclerc in the other Ferrari. With PA It was back to something akin to normality for McLaren world championship rivals Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris as the first blows for supremacy at this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix were exchanged. Their last encounter had been a fortnight earlier, a much-debated and, for Norris at least, highly expensive coming together at the Canadian Grand Prix. The pair had been scrapping over fourth place but the result of the British driver's rash move was to put himself out of the race while his Australian teammate was left to salvage fourth place. Back in competition in second practice at the scenic Speilberg raceway, the pair sped to a McLaren one-two, with Norris just in front. Earlier, in first practice, Mercedes driver George Russell, the winner in Canada, was fastest with Piastri third. Norris handed his car to Irish rookie and Formula Two leader Alex Dunne, who promptly marked his Formula One practice debut by getting to with 0.069 seconds of Piastri. That prompted an outpouring of emotion from Dunne, the first Irish driver to take part in a grand prix weekend for 22 years and who benefitted from team obligations to give rookie drivers Formula One experience. .Thanking his team over the radio as the chequered flag fell, the 19-year-old Dunne said: "A little boy's dream came true, and this is definitely the best day of my life. "Thank you everyone for letting me do this, and thanks to Lando as well for trusting me with his car." Back among the contenders - Piastri has a 22-point lead over Norris at the top of the drivers' standings after 10 of the 24 races - it was down to business at the start of another critical weekend. Norris finished 0.157 sec clear of Piastri with four-time world champion Max Verstappen third. The Dutchman finished three tenths off the pace in second practice. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll ended the day in fourth, one place clear of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. Russell, quickest in the opening session, slipped to sixth. For Lewis Hamilton, it was another difficult day at the wheel of his Ferrari. A gearbox problem restricted Hamilton's programme in the first session and then he was only 10th quickest in the day's concluding running. "For some reason I have just got no pace," said Hamilton on the radio, with his best lap nearly a second off the leading time and three tenths adrift of Leclerc in the other Ferrari. With PA It was back to something akin to normality for McLaren world championship rivals Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris as the first blows for supremacy at this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix were exchanged. Their last encounter had been a fortnight earlier, a much-debated and, for Norris at least, highly expensive coming together at the Canadian Grand Prix. The pair had been scrapping over fourth place but the result of the British driver's rash move was to put himself out of the race while his Australian teammate was left to salvage fourth place. Back in competition in second practice at the scenic Speilberg raceway, the pair sped to a McLaren one-two, with Norris just in front. Earlier, in first practice, Mercedes driver George Russell, the winner in Canada, was fastest with Piastri third. Norris handed his car to Irish rookie and Formula Two leader Alex Dunne, who promptly marked his Formula One practice debut by getting to with 0.069 seconds of Piastri. That prompted an outpouring of emotion from Dunne, the first Irish driver to take part in a grand prix weekend for 22 years and who benefitted from team obligations to give rookie drivers Formula One experience. .Thanking his team over the radio as the chequered flag fell, the 19-year-old Dunne said: "A little boy's dream came true, and this is definitely the best day of my life. "Thank you everyone for letting me do this, and thanks to Lando as well for trusting me with his car." Back among the contenders - Piastri has a 22-point lead over Norris at the top of the drivers' standings after 10 of the 24 races - it was down to business at the start of another critical weekend. Norris finished 0.157 sec clear of Piastri with four-time world champion Max Verstappen third. The Dutchman finished three tenths off the pace in second practice. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll ended the day in fourth, one place clear of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. Russell, quickest in the opening session, slipped to sixth. For Lewis Hamilton, it was another difficult day at the wheel of his Ferrari. A gearbox problem restricted Hamilton's programme in the first session and then he was only 10th quickest in the day's concluding running. "For some reason I have just got no pace," said Hamilton on the radio, with his best lap nearly a second off the leading time and three tenths adrift of Leclerc in the other Ferrari. With PA It was back to something akin to normality for McLaren world championship rivals Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris as the first blows for supremacy at this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix were exchanged. Their last encounter had been a fortnight earlier, a much-debated and, for Norris at least, highly expensive coming together at the Canadian Grand Prix. The pair had been scrapping over fourth place but the result of the British driver's rash move was to put himself out of the race while his Australian teammate was left to salvage fourth place. Back in competition in second practice at the scenic Speilberg raceway, the pair sped to a McLaren one-two, with Norris just in front. Earlier, in first practice, Mercedes driver George Russell, the winner in Canada, was fastest with Piastri third. Norris handed his car to Irish rookie and Formula Two leader Alex Dunne, who promptly marked his Formula One practice debut by getting to with 0.069 seconds of Piastri. That prompted an outpouring of emotion from Dunne, the first Irish driver to take part in a grand prix weekend for 22 years and who benefitted from team obligations to give rookie drivers Formula One experience. .Thanking his team over the radio as the chequered flag fell, the 19-year-old Dunne said: "A little boy's dream came true, and this is definitely the best day of my life. "Thank you everyone for letting me do this, and thanks to Lando as well for trusting me with his car." Back among the contenders - Piastri has a 22-point lead over Norris at the top of the drivers' standings after 10 of the 24 races - it was down to business at the start of another critical weekend. Norris finished 0.157 sec clear of Piastri with four-time world champion Max Verstappen third. The Dutchman finished three tenths off the pace in second practice. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll ended the day in fourth, one place clear of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. Russell, quickest in the opening session, slipped to sixth. For Lewis Hamilton, it was another difficult day at the wheel of his Ferrari. A gearbox problem restricted Hamilton's programme in the first session and then he was only 10th quickest in the day's concluding running. "For some reason I have just got no pace," said Hamilton on the radio, with his best lap nearly a second off the leading time and three tenths adrift of Leclerc in the other Ferrari. With PA
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Newcastle best bets, inside mail for Saturday, June 28, 2025
Form analyst Shayne O'Cass provides his best bets and race-by-race analysis for Newcastle on Saturday. The Daily Telegraph and Racenet form analyst Shayne O'Cass provides his best bets and race-by-race analysis for Newcastle on Saturday. • â– â– â– â– â– NEWCASTLE TIPS BEST BET Race 1 No.3: KIKOIRA Very promising Waller colt who is bound for much better things. NEXT BEST Bruce Mackenzie owned galloper who trials like he'll go places. VALUE BET Race 4 No.4: ESCARGOES Solid debut; all the trials before and after point to a handy horse. QUADDIE Race 5: 1,2,4 Race 6: 2,4,7 Race 7: 4,5,6 Race 8: 2,4 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW KEAGAN LATHAM has an unassailable lead in his defence of the Provincial title GUNDAGAI TIPS BEST BET Race 5 No.1: HAMAGUCHI I Am Invincible/Royal Descent gelding who can keep progressing. NEXT BEST Race 6 No.5: DODGE THE DARK Fast horse who should remain prominent from box two. â– â– â– â– â– NEWCASTLE INSIDE MAIL KIKOIRA (3) was a $650,000 Magic Millions Yearling purchase by Pierata out of the Reisling Slipper Trial placegetter Vincere Volare. Trained by Chris Waller, like all the 'K' horses of Messrs Morgan and Devine, this 3YO has the talent to take him far beyond provincial racing in time. INVISIBLE MAGIC (8) has placed behind three high quality horses in each of her three runs namely Hopper, Anamoe's half-sister Blue Willow and Sister Daae (in town). BET: KIKOIRA to win. MISTY VEIL (11) was bred by Gerry Harvey and was passed at the Magic Millions with a $125,000 reserve. Fair enough too, you can't take any less for a Wootton Bassett filly from such a prolific black-type family as hers. Ran last in her May 26 trial but went as well as all of those in front of her. NEWY (9) is a million times better than what he showed on debut on the Kensington track on June 11. BET: MISTY VEIL to win. OAKFIELD NEPTUNE (5), as his name suggests, is a Bruce Mackenzie-owned filly. Mr Mackenzie pretty much has an Oakfield for every planet in our solar system and so far, most of them have shown something. As for Oakfield Neptune, her latest trial really was out of this world impressive. Hard to miss, easy to like. KEINBAH'S GIFT (3) is a local filly with plenty of trial experience, her fifth and last one was her best one. BET: OAKFIELD NEPTUNE to win. ESCARGOES (4) is a Mulberry/Brad Widdup horse, they being the new Everest slot-holders just announced. This colt was sold for $280,000 at Easter, looks-wise he's a real mix of his father Capitalist and dam-sire Sebring (both Slipper winners). This is a great pedigree. Warning up late over 1100m on debut at Gosford. Speaking of pedigrees. BARKING MAD (3) is by Wootton Bassett and the second foal of Invincibella. Triallng well. LOVING (1) is the only winner in the race. BET: ESCARGOES to win, exacta 4 to beat 3. INNCOURT (1) was $4.40 into $2.40 when he made his Australian debut over 1200m at Wyong on June 8. It was an absolutely brilliant ride by Ashley Morgan who got the timing precise. You could see straight away that he would be better on a bigger track and here we are at Newcastle with an extra 200m added on – that's a plus too. CRIMSON MISS (4) came to Australia from NZ with an Ellerslie second on debut on December 12. Won by a nose at Kembla on May 31 at 1300m – 1400m is better. BET: INNCOURT to win. CROP DUSTER (2) is housed at Scone but has been to Newcastle nine times. No wonder he keeps coming back, he has won four times here and was second once. His record at the Newcastle 1400m is even better, three starts for two wins. Huge run at the midweeks last start. Ditto that last bit for HOW MUCH BETTER (4) who came from last to be beaten a length and a half by his stablemate on the Kensington track last time. BET: CROP DUSTER to win, quinella 2,4, Daily Double 1st Leg 2, 2nd Leg 4. PRINCESS CRUISER (4) was foaled on November 9, 2020, which hands the sad honour and distinction of being the very last foal born by the great Choisir. How appropriate then that she was bought at the HTBA Yearling sale by Paul Perry. Just one other breeding note, her grandam is the Golden Slipper winner, Calaway Gal. Good race mare and trialled like a bomb. SUPERHERO (6) is just so consistent and is getting so close to winning again. BET: PRINCESS CRUISER to win, quinella 4,6, box trifecta 3, 4, 5, 6. MAGICON (4) was foaled at Kooringal Stud at Wagga, is housed at Wyong with Tracey Bartley, but has a real affinity with Newcastle. It's here that the son of Champagne Stakes/VRC Derby winner Prized Icon has raced five times for a win and a second. That win as it happens was over this same distance and he won very easily too. WHETU (2) is a fit and very consistent son of Dundeel. Can't see him not running well in this line-up. SCHOLL DEEP (5) will likely be very prominent in the run. SKIING (9) and STYLEBENDER (10) have claims.
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
This basketballer lived in a shipping container. Now he's part of Australia's equal record NBA draft haul
'But it's definitely warmed up a little bit, and it's a great place to be.' ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony reported that Zikarsky was expected to spend the next two seasons on a two-way contract with the Wolves, allowing him to be able to develop his game between the NBA and its development league. Olbrich joins Giddey at the Bulls Olbrich could team up with fellow Aussie Josh Giddey, who is a restricted free agent and tipped to receive a lucrative new contract from the Bulls after starring for them this past season. Teams don't have to sign second-round picks to contracts and can choose to send them overseas to develop, but there seems a good chance all four will end up in the US league next season. Timberwolves president Tim Connolly said he was 'fired up' about snaring the 18-year-old Zikarsky, who has trained in Minnesota since late March. 'He was a very good competitive swimmer, near Olympic level [at underage level] prior to getting into basketball, so we are fired up,' Connolly told a press conference. 'He is a long-term play but a guy who trained locally, so he appreciates Minnesota. We had a great workout with him, and had him much higher on our board.' Loading Australia's equal-best NBA draft haul With four Australians chosen, this year's draft ranks equal with the 1997 intake for the most Australians ever selected, with Zikarsky (pick 45) the first of the quartet picked up. In 1997, South East Melbourne Magic's Chris Anstey ended up with the Dallas Mavericks after the Portland Trail Blazers drafted him in the first round. C.J. Bruton, Paul Rogers and Ben Pepper were all taken in the second round. The Timberwolves could opt to have the 221-centimetre Zikarsky play elsewhere next year to continue his development, or they could bring him in to learn from veteran centre and four-time NBA defensive player of the year Ruby Gobert. Olbrich was taken by the LA Lakers at pick 55 but had his draft rights traded to the Bulls, who could offer him a two-way contract in which he would move between the G-League and the NBA. Toohey could face a similar situation with the Warriors. ESPN reported during the draft coverage that Proctor was tipped to earn a roster spot with the Cavs, who wanted a young guard to add depth to their line-up. Two-way contracts see players earn about $US600,000 and move between an NBA team and its G-League affiliate. They can suit-up for up to 50 NBA games, and teams can choose to upgrade their contract to a full-season one. The Bulls have a rich history with Australian players. Luc Longley won three-straight titles playing alongside Michael Jordan in the 1990s, while Anstey, Cam Bairstow and Luke Schenscher all spent time at Chicago in the years after. Cavs pick up Proctor, Toohey goes to Golden State The Cavaliers made Proctor the latest Aussie to join their ranks when they took him with pick 49. He joins the team where Matthew Dellavedova (who went undrafted) won a title with LeBron James, while former second-round pick Luke Travers was a two-way player in Cleveland this past season. Cavs general manager Mike Gansey told media that Proctor was expected to sign a multi-year contract with the team. Toohey, a wing for the Sydney Kings, had to wait for the 52nd pick to hear his name called out by Golden State. Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy told media the team traded into the second round to draft Toohey and Florida shooter Will Richard, and he didn't think either player was 'years away' from making an impact for the team. Toohey impressed scouts with his feel for the game and defensive nous, but fell into the second round where the Warriors took him with a selection that was originally held by the Phoenix Suns. Proctor played with Duke University in US college basketball and his teammates Flagg, Khaman Maluach and Kon Knueppel were selected in the top 10. Flagg flies in Dallas; Maluach steals the show The Dallas Mavericks selected Cooper Flagg with the first pick of the draft on Thursday, while 10th pick Maluach stole the show after he capped a stunning rise from South Sudan to the NBA. Cooper Flagg is on his way to the Dallas Mavericks as the No.1 pick in the NBA draft, but the tears of South Sudanese centre Maluach stole the show during the first round. The 216-centimetre Maluach was overcome upon hearing his name called on Thursday (AEST), completing a rise from the streets of South Sudan to the NBA academy, the South Sudan Olympic team and Duke, where he played this past season. His draft rights will be part of the Kevin Durant trade, so while he was drafted by Houston Rockets, he will be headed to the Phoenix Suns. Maluach said he wanted to change perceptions about Africa and promote the best of the continent, rather than its struggles. 'The moment met my expectations,' Maluach said. 'I didn't think I was going to cry, but sometimes I let the emotions out. I was so happy. Everything was just going through my head, my whole journey and my people and the continent I represent, the continent of Africa. 'It just makes me proud because I had beliefs. I believed in myself. I was delusional about my dreams. No matter what the odds are against you, it shows that you can win.' Heckler disrupts the draft's first round Flagg, a Maine native and Duke forward, was a certainty to be the first pick after his stellar season in the US college basketball system, but some conspiracy theorists in the crowd had their say at the start of the event. A fan could be heard screaming 'Dallas was fixed' on the TV broadcast microphones just before NBA commissioner Adam Silver walked to the stage to open the draft. There is an unfounded conspiracy theory among some fans that the Mavericks were awarded the top pick in the NBA draft lottery in return for the shock mid-season trade that resulted in Dallas sending superstar Luka Doncic to the LA Lakers in return for Anthony Davis. Mavs fans protested for weeks after the Doncic trade, while the Lakers gained a young superstar to take over from LeBron James when he eventually retires. The Mavericks received the first draft pick, despite having just a 1.8 per cent chance of doing so. The NBA hosts an annual lottery draw for its top selections as a way of avoiding teams deliberately finishing last to gain the first pick. Loading 'No, I don't know what to say about that,' Flagg said when asked about the conspiracy theory. 'I have no insider information, if that's what you're looking for. But I just feel blessed for the way it all worked out.' Rutgers point guard Dylan Harper was taken at No.2 by the San Antonio Spurs, followed by Bahamas and Baylor University guard V.J. Edgecombe at No.3, who joined the Philadelphia 76ers. In the name of the brothers Duke guard Knueppel went to the Charlotte Hornets with pick four, followed by Rutgers guard Ace Bailey to the Utah Jazz and Texas guard Tre Johnson, who joined the Washington Wizards with pick six. Knueppel is the oldest of five brothers from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, all of whom have names starting with 'K': Kager, Kingston, Kash and Kidman. All five appeared on the ESPN broadcast of the draft and all are aspiring basketballers. New Pelicans could be headed to Melbourne The New Orleans Pelicans, who will play two pre-season games in Melbourne against NBL clubs later this year, picked Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears at No.7 and traded for big man Derick Queen at No.13. The pair will likely debut in Pelicans colours at Rod Laver Arena. Fears hopes the pair can become stars together as the Pelicans re-tool their roster under new boss Joe Dumars. Fears found out about the trade while talking to the media. 'That's super dope. Derik is a great guy, super talented. You can expect a lot from him this season,' Fears said. 'I feel like our connection and our duo is going to go a long way, as well. I'm definitely looking forward to continuing to build that connection, two rookies coming in. You guys should expect big things.' San Antonio were again big winners as they drafted the highly touted Harper at No.2 and then grabbed Arizona defensive ace Carter Bryant at No.14 to pair with French superstar Victor Wembanyama. Harper is the son of five-time NBA championship winner Ron Harper who won three titles with Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls and two with Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Byrant's LA Lakers. Chinese centre Yang Hansen was a surprise early selection by Memphis Grizzlies at No.16, and his draft rights were traded to Portland. The LA Clippers used the 30th pick on Swiss seven-footer Yanic Konan Niederhauser.
