Madame Magic stays distance no worries to land $100,000 WA Day Cup at Northam
From the inside barrier, the $13 TABtouch hope tucked away three back along the rail with Idyllic Ruler ($20) and Snazzler ($11) ahead.
Shuffled back to midfield through halfway, Tash Faithfull niggled the five-year-old along passing the 600m when the tempo increased.
But by the 400m mark, Madame Magic was again travelling and as both Idyllic Ruler and Snazzler shifted off the inside, Faithfull shot the daughter of Real Impact up the fence.
200m later, Madame Magic had burst to the front with Ton Of Grunt ($11) – who had covered her every move from the outset – becoming the nearest pursuer.
However, Dan and Ben Pearce's mare showed no signs of flagging and ate up the extended journey to win by almost a length from Ton Of Grunt.
It was only the second time Madame Magic had seen 1600m with her previous effort a closing fifth on New Year's Day after having her momentum checked early in the straight.
After the victory, Ben Pearce suggested she could now be destined for even more enduring targets.
'Going back to early on in her career, we thought she was an Oaks filly coming through,' he said.
'We've never really had a chance to get big preps into her and get her up to that trip.
'This time in, she's been up to go straight through 12, 14, to the mile.
'We're excited to see it and she did well.
'She's had a lot of bad luck throughout her career but she's been consistent and finally got the luck she needed.'
Faithfull had ridden the mare at two of her three prior runs for the preparation for fourth places, missing the victory on May 3 when riding at Kalgoorlie. 'She was just travelling so beautifully underneath me. We got into a really nice rhythm and the flow of the race just suited me to perfection,' she said.
The rider, who sits fifth on the WA jockey premiership with 108 wins, said Madame Magic went to the line with something left in the tank. 'I thought she ran it out really strongly and she gives me a feel like she'd get even further,' she said.
Faithfull has formed a formidable alliance with the Pearce brothers across the season, guiding home Art Session, Rally The Troops, Famous Dain and Wineaclocksumwhere for them all inside the last month.
'They've been great. Big supporter of me and I can't thank them enough,' she said of their combination.
+ Across town, greyhounds Aston Maddox and Night Lighter took their respective heats of the Avon Valley series.
Aston Maddox ($3f) scored by two and a half lengths from Weave The Ring ($10), while Night Lighter ($1.10f) clung on by three quarters of a length from Ruby's Rocket ($21).
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ABC News
10-08-2025
- ABC News
Strong rainfall doubles Avon Descent entrant numbers in river race
More than 300 competitors from around Western Australia have endured ongoing rain and rising river levels as day two of the annual Avon Descent gets underway. Power craft and paddlers took to the streams of the Avon River on Saturday for the 124-kilometre two-day white water time trial from Northam in WA's Avon Valley to Bayswater in Perth. Avon Descent committee chair Greg Kaeding said weekend rain had helped attract additional competitors. "With over 0.7 metre of water in the valley and the last 24 hours of rain, a similar level to 2024 is expected with similar times," he said. "Over 120 craft will now be attempting the ultra 124-kilometre challenge, up on 2024 numbers, with late short course registrations for Sunday still coming in." Paddling duo Brendan Rice and teammate Oscar Jones were the first paddlers to cross the day 1 finish line at Cobbler Pool in Toodyay on Saturday afternoon, closely behind solo paddler and last year's solo winner Luke Dooley. Rice took out the win in 2024 alongside partner Josh Kippin. Power craft day 1 leaders included Team 100, Sea School Fremantle, Send it Racing and Minijetwa. There are 330 competitors for the 2025 event, nearly double last year's field. Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Angeline Prasad said heavy falls could potentially reach far enough inland and increase the river levels for Sunday's portion of the event. "It is possible that we will see rises in the river over the next 24 hours with this type of rainfall," she said. "At this stage, we're not looking at issuing a flood watch but it's something that we'll keep in mind, especially if those heavier falls extend further inland. "At this stage, I'm expecting the heavier falls to stay along the coast, but it's something that we're watching very closely." For the local Ballardong people, the lead-up to the event was a chance to reflect on the spiritual connection to the waterway. Elder Patricia Davis said her fondest childhood memories were of time spent at the river with her family. "As I was growing up, we used the river for swimming, catching our food. Most of our food came from the river, whether it was the birds, or from the trees along the river," Mrs Davis said. "My favourite memories are going down the river in old car top roofs that my dad used to cut off for us, not one, two, but a mob of us." She led officials and competitors through a river blessing ceremony before they took to the water on Saturday. "We want him to look after people while they are on their journey down the river so they can get home safely to their families." As part of Avon Descent celebrations, the Shire of Northam holds the Bilya Festival, made up of street parades and cultural ceremonies on the night before the big race. Shire President Chris Antonio said the organic transition to showcase and acknowledge cultural connection to the Avon River was vital to community cohesion. "I've talked to the elders and they call it 'bilya kep' which is 'river waters' and where they used to swim as youngsters," he said. "And that's especially important during the Avon Descent because we've got a lot of competitors going down the river and safety is important. "If we respect our cultural heritage and our river, it will respect the competitors and spectators."
News.com.au
24-07-2025
- News.com.au
James Cummings prepares for move to train in Hong Kong with final Melbourne runners at Caulfield in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes on Saturday
James Cummings is left only with a lifetime of Melbourne racing and training memories to cherish. The iconic Flemington stable, Carbine Lodge, has all but been emptied now, along with mantelpieces which proudly showcased Godolphin success under Cummings's watch. Only three horses remain in the yard, Kin, Inhibitions and Kallos, ahead of the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) on Saturday at Caulfield – his last runners in Melbourne. Cummings, in Sydney on Saturday to saddle two at Randwick, cannot pack into boxes what is going to be missed the most before a move to train in Hong Kong next year. Flemington, the racecourse and its people – most importantly the loyal Carbine Lodge team but also resident trainers and participants alike, past and present. 'I'll miss the team, a really amazing team that have been assembled and developed a great passion for the horses,' Cummings said. 'They see the horses leave, they're horses that they love … it bubbles a bit of emotion to the surface. 'Seeing that makes you appreciate that even more … missing the team will be the biggest thing. 'We've had really lovely pedigrees, outstanding horses come through the stable, but you know, the horses do come and go. 'The longevity of people that have been here to see the ebbs and flows of the stable … we cherish that … and so that makes it particularly difficult.' Cummings shared a moment with Reg Fleming on Wednesday night in Melbourne. Fleming, who served as foreman for Cups King Bart Cummings, has been a mainstay at Flemington. 'I've always been in his orbit in a way, whether it's growing up from afar in Sydney,' Cumming said. 'His relationship and devotion really to my grandfather and then being a colleague of his … Reg and a number of other staff have been around a long time.' Cummings has upheld a family tradition for top-class success in Melbourne, particularly Flemington. Cummings has saddled 13 of 52 Group 1 wins at Flemington including three Newmarket Handicaps, two Australian Cups, two VRC Oaks and the Victoria Derby before the successful Godolphin chapter. Cummings's father Anthony (Oaks and Derby) and older brother Edward (Australian Cup) boast top class Flemington honours. Bart's deeds remain peerless – 13 Australian Cups, 12 Melbourne Cups, 11 Mackinnon (Champions) Stakes, nine VRC Oaks and eight Newmarket Handicaps among others. 'It's been a very special place to our family,' Cummings said. 'To say it's been a privilege to train here is an understatement really, it truly has been a privilege and more. 'The trophies, that are not quite in the mantelpieces anymore as they've been boxed up, but it's more than just the trophies to show for those great results here. 'There are amazing pedigrees that have been updated and improved by those results, stallions at stud, stallions on the roster, broodmares at stud … and great memories.' Cummings has always held the Flemington mounting yard in the highest esteem. 'The theatre there and the drama and club feel,' Cummings said. 'To think back to those times (big race days), the place looks amazing and it feels like a very privileged place to be, in the thick of the action. 'I'd say that mounting yard encapsulates … everything about Flemington, doesn't it, everything's done well, and plenty of space, and it's a great cauldron, a great test for a horse, as much as it's a cauldron it's spacious. 'There's pressure and everyone's there and you know, the competition couldn't be much stronger … lucky to be a part of it.' Cox Plate success in 2022 with Anamoe at The Valley stamped Cummings's own legacy and avenged a contentious defeat the previous year, a benefit arguably in hindsight. Anamoe was second past the post by a hair margin in the 2021 but sustained interference from Irish raider and Cox Plate winner State Of Rest. Stewards dismissed the high-stakes protest after submissions from all parties. 'In a funny way, it probably opened up his entire four-year-old career because he had something to come back to prove and we got to see so much more of him as a result,' Cummings said. 'If you can remain upbeat and circumspect about those things that just go against you a little bit you give yourself the opportunity to make good and he got his chance for retribution. 'Everybody is better off as a consequence and he set himself up beautifully for the next phase of his career.' • Shinn tightens grips on jockeys' title at Sandown Cummings confirmed the personal and professional importance of a Melbourne spring major Cox Plate. 'I'd won a Slipper and Doncaster in Sydney, very important to get a major in Melbourne … you don't get too many opportunities at those sorts of races,' Cummings said. 'That was an amazing day (2022 Cox Plate) and an amazing race to look back on … it gave the entire team a huge uplift … imagine that day, the next day, next few weeks, people walking out in blue (Godolphin) jackets being congratulated for the feats of that champion horse. 'It's important to celebrate your wins … as much as you resist feeling the difficult days too much, it's inevitable you will still feel the disappointments and those feelings are bitter feelings. 'If you can, I think, without getting carried away, balance that out with celebrating big days. I think that's really proved to be a really good recipe for team culture and your longevity at that level.' Cummings has to keep winning races next year in Hong Kong, if nothing else but to appease his and wife Monica's four children under 10. 'They think I've got hundreds of trophies,' Cummings laughed. 'That's their view of (racing) seeing the trophies come home, but they're probably a bit young, the oldest is 10, so a bit on the younger side to be fully immersed in the ins and outs of the industry. 'Show and tell has been good for the five year old. She's enjoyed taking the odd trophy in. 'There's a few trophies stashed away in drawers as well as on display (at home) … but they'll have to be packed away. I can't take them all.'
West Australian
11-07-2025
- West Australian
Fancy Red anything but expensive for favourite followers as in-form filly takes on Belmont Oaks field
Fancy Red has been anything but expensive for punters in the lead-up to Saturday's Listed $125,000 Belmont Oaks (2019m) at Bunbury where she will again start favourite. The daughter of Sessions has started the market elect in four of her last six runs and emerged successful each time, with her most recent win just seven days prior to this clash. From gate one, Fancy Red sat midfield before William Pike squeezed her home along the fence to win by a length and a half going away from her graduation-class rivals. But despite her winning form and followers' confidence, trainer Adam Durrant says her even-money price is way too short. 'We're under no illusions; $2 is ridiculous,' Durrant told TABradio. 'She's got the Pike tax because she won her last start but when you start breaking down the field… they're never generally that strong. 'I've won them before with horses that aren't genuine stayers and never see that distance again. 'We've got to plan how we can hopefully just ride her quiet, which is how she seems to race best. 'Hopefully she can just get away with it but we're under no illusions and it should be $5 the field; she shouldn't be $2. 'If it was 1400m or 1600m, perhaps, but it is what it is, and we'll take our chance to get some black type.' Durrant has a rich history with the Oaks going back almost two decades when he prepared Kia Ora Miss to win in 2006. He had to wait until 2013 before Summah's Touch provided him with a second but collected the trophy the following year with the Pike-ridden Tick Tick Bloom. He again shared the spoils with Pike in 2023 with Ihts Closing Inn, the fifth of the champion hoop's six wins in the event after scoring with the Grant and Alana Williams-trained Petrouchka last year. Fancy Red steps into unknown territory having her first start beyond a mile in distance, however, that is the case for the bulk of her opponents, too. 'Distance wise, it's a roll of the dice,' Durrant said. 'She certainly wouldn't have been taking on the boys over this trip and we'll rely on a filly that's in the zone. 'She ran through the line strongly the other day, so we'll have a crack. 'The run last Saturday, that was her bonus run. We knew she was going really well and in good form and wasn't looking for the paddock. 'We thought she could win that race, and that's a bonus race, and then it was a good trial hit-out for this week.' Showlas ($5.50) is the only other horse in the field is at single-digit odds after competing in last fortnight's Belmont Guineas with credit, finishing a four-length fifth to Opportunistic. + West On Sidney ($1.36) is a red-hot prospect in The Westcha$e Final (520m) at Cannington after overcoming a chequered passage to land his heat last week.
