‘It's very exciting': TJ Smith winner Briasa books Everest slot
Nathan Doyle's unbeaten colt Private Harry was the first into the October 18 race at Randwick last month when Kurrinda Bloodstock struck a part-ownership deal with slot-holders Yulong Investments after winning the group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) on March 22.
Briasa, a homebred son of Smart Missile for Ian and Anthony Johnson, pressed his claims for a spot when taking out the $3 million TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) on April 5 at Randwick for John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes.
He was an $8 Sportsbet chance for the richest race on turf behind Hong Kong star Ka Ying Rising ($2) and Private Harry ($7). Regular jockey Tyler Schiller was thrilled to hear the news between races at Gosford.
'It's very exciting,' Schiller said. 'We were hoping [for a slot], because he's a very good, up-and-coming sprinter and on what he did last prep, he showed he's a group 1 sprinter.
'Weight for age should be fine. He's a big boy and hopefully a little spell just does him well. Really pleased with him and very happy to hear.'
Big Dance plans
Trainer Adrian Bott said Les Vampires was likely headed to the paddock before a preparation aimed at the $3 million Big Dance (1600m) in November after stamping his ticket with a commanding win in the Gosford Gold Cup (2100m) on Monday.
A $2.90 favourite, Les Vampires led the $300,000 listed race under Winona Costin and was challenged approaching the home turn, only to kick clear late and win by one-and-a-third lengths from Etna Rosso.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
2 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Hats at dawn: Sydney and Melbourne battle for racing fashion supremacy
The horse-racing wars between Melbourne and Sydney's spring carnivals have begun and the weapons of choice are hats, ties and dresses rather than riding crops – unless they match your outfit. Formal fashion competitions are returning to the Sydney Spring Carnival after a near two-year absence, hot on the Jimmy Choo heels of the announcement by the Australian Turf Club of a $7 million trackside hospitality facility at Royal Randwick in Sydney called Base Camp, challenging the Birdcage at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. You can't have a rival birdcage without feathers, even if they're sticking out of hats. 'Fashion is officially back on track,' says Donna Forbes, head of commercial at the ATC. 'There was strong demand for the competition's return from our loyal racing enthusiasts, racegoers and members of the public.' Formal fashion judging will take place from the Sydney Surf to Turf Day on September 20 to The Everest on October 18, with the winners announced on Moët & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes Day on October 25. Loading Racewear enthusiasts had been disappointed by the ATC's move away from formal fashion competitions, with prizes dribbling down to bottles of champagne before vanishing completely. The decision affected Sydney's already struggling dressmakers and milliners. 'This will definitely mean that business will pick up again here in Sydney,' says award-winning Potts Point milliner Kathryn Lee. 'The majority of my work comes from racing clients. Recently, I've been making more hats for Victorian clients than in NSW.' The categories for the fashion competition at the Sydney Spring Carnival are best suited and best dressed.
The Age
2 hours ago
- The Age
Hats at dawn: Sydney and Melbourne battle for racing fashion supremacy
The horse-racing wars between Melbourne and Sydney's spring carnivals have begun and the weapons of choice are hats, ties and dresses rather than riding crops – unless they match your outfit. Formal fashion competitions are returning to the Sydney Spring Carnival after a near two-year absence, hot on the Jimmy Choo heels of the announcement by the Australian Turf Club of a $7 million trackside hospitality facility at Royal Randwick in Sydney called Base Camp, challenging the Birdcage at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. You can't have a rival birdcage without feathers, even if they're sticking out of hats. 'Fashion is officially back on track,' says Donna Forbes, head of commercial at the ATC. 'There was strong demand for the competition's return from our loyal racing enthusiasts, racegoers and members of the public.' Formal fashion judging will take place from the Sydney Surf to Turf Day on September 20 to The Everest on October 18, with the winners announced on Moët & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes Day on October 25. Loading Racewear enthusiasts had been disappointed by the ATC's move away from formal fashion competitions, with prizes dribbling down to bottles of champagne before vanishing completely. The decision affected Sydney's already struggling dressmakers and milliners. 'This will definitely mean that business will pick up again here in Sydney,' says award-winning Potts Point milliner Kathryn Lee. 'The majority of my work comes from racing clients. Recently, I've been making more hats for Victorian clients than in NSW.' The categories for the fashion competition at the Sydney Spring Carnival are best suited and best dressed.
The Age
8 hours ago
- The Age
Sydney's answer to the Birdcage, Base Camp aims to take The Everest to next level
Sydney is taking its racing rivalry with Melbourne off the track with a new Everest-themed version of Flemington's Birdcage at Royal Randwick. The exclusive Melbourne Cup carnival enclosure has long been a drawcard for big business and stars of the television, film, music and fashion industries. But having challenged the southern state's traditional foothold in the spring with the $20 million slot race, The Everest, Sydney plans to give Melbourne a run for its money in rolling out the red carpet. The Peter V'landys-led Racing NSW has struck a deal with the Australian Turf Club, which owns the Randwick course, to set up Base Camp, a $7 million facility inspired by sport VIP hubs at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and the Australian Open tennis in Melbourne and LIV Golf in Adelaide. ATC chairman Tim Hale said the precinct was a new step in building Sydney's spring carnival. 'Royal Randwick's world-class status is now further enhanced with a brilliant space trackside to view The Everest and Sydney spring carnival,' he said. 'With vision and support from Racing NSW and the proven track record of the ATC in delivering a race-day experience like nothing else, this is an outstanding development for our club.' The Melbourne Birdcage is described by its organisers as 'the world's most lavish temporary facility for corporate guests'.
