Kane Cornes says sorry as secret AFL phone call emerges
Kane Cornes has made a formal apology to four AFL umpires after reports the whistleblowers were preparing to take legal action against the football pundit.
It comes as it emerged on Thursday AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon personally intervened in the matter by setting up a group phone call with the umpires who were reportedly left furious by comments made by Cornes and fellow Channel 7 stars Luke Hodge and Dale Thomas.
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Cornes on Thursday apologised for comments he made about the four umpires when they had been publicly questioned about their handling of Lachie Schultz's ugly concussion in Round 9.
The remarks were made on May 13 during Channel 7's Agenda Setters program.
On Thursday night, Cornes apologised via his radio platform SEN. According to reports Hodge and Thomas are expected to make similar public comments on-air this weekend.
'On May 14th edition of SEN Sportsday I accused field umpires who were officiating that round nine match between Fremantle and Collingwood of misleading the AFL and that they had not seen the incident in which Collingwood's Lachie Schultz suffered a concussion,' Cornes said.
'I made some of those comments having seen two initial statements made by the AFL with regards to the matter on Friday May 9th, and then also on Tuesday May the 13th. And further comments after seeing the additional statement made by the AFL, readdressing their initial statements.
'Now in light of the additional statement, which made it clear that the umpires had not misled the AFL, I acknowledge that the allegations made by me on this show were false and I withdraw them.
'I understand the umpires truthfully told the AFL that they saw the incident and did not mislead the AFL. So I unreservedly apologise to Simon Meredith, Craig Fleer, Justin Power and Martin Roger for making these false allegations.'
Collingwood's Schultz was left concussed during the club's round nine clash against Fremantle at Optus Stadium on May 8.
The 27-year-old was evidently dazed after an ugly fourth-quarter collision with Fremantle's Jordan Clark as play continued to unfold.
A day after match the AFL released a statement saying the umpires 'did not see the injured player at the time so play continued'.
AFL executive general manager of football Laura Kane was then forced to come forward and admit the information given by the umpires was 'inconsistent' with new audio first uncovered by Channel 7's Agenda Setters.
The audio, which can be heard in the above video player, appeared to show the umpires were aware of Schultz' condition.
The saga took a fresh twist, however, only days later when the AFL issued a third statement which noted a miscommunication between the umpiring department and AFL House was to blame for the initial statement.
The umpires — Simon Meredith, Craig Fleer, Justin Power and Martin Rodger — were left 'filthy' with the comments made on The Agenda Setters, per football journalist Tom Morris.
Meanwhile, Seven reports Dillon on Wednesday moved to put an end to the saga by contacting the umpires. Less than 24 hours after Dillon's intervention, Cornes made his public apology.
Speaking on Triple M, Thomas said, as of Wednesday morning, that he 'hadn't received any formal documents from anyone'.
He added: 'While I am aware of the statement that's been made and the report, I honestly can't say anything more until more information or anything else is brought to light.
'Unfortunately I can't give any greater insight to it, but that's as much as I can say.'
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News.com.au
7 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Sapphire Coast preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, June 8, 2025
Trainer Anthony Mountney is banking on King Charles' love of the Sapphire Coast track to overcome a jump in grade and a tricky inside draw. King Charles has built a strong record on the southern New South Wales track with two wins, two seconds and fourth from five starts. His charged home to win two runs ago before a second to The Unique Star who has since won at Warwick Farm during the week. While those two runs were in Benchmark 58 races over 1007m and 1010m respectively, he steps up to 1212m in the Benchmark 66 Handicap where he drawn barrier 1. 'He really does race well at the track,' said Mountney. 'The wetter the better it would be for him. I would look for a really wet track somewhere else for him but he just enjoys the track there so much. 'There is a bit of speed in this race so that should allow him to get off the fence. 'The draw down low in the gates isn't ideal for him. He's a horse who likes to come out wider down the centre of the track. 'He's a funny horse. He's got form over 1000 metres and two wins over a mile but hasn't got anything in between. 'He is strong late and has won on the soft there before including two starts back although he is a heavy track specialist. 'His confidence is up and I expect him to run well. He just needs to get away from the rail.' While Mountney would love the track to be in the heavy range for King Charles, it's the opposite for stablemate Vis I Do who would appreciate a dry track. The five-year-old failed on the wet at his only run at the Sapphire Coast two starts ago before a solid length second behind Grinzinger Moon on a Good 4 at Albury last time out. 'He failed at his last start here because it was a heavy track and he just doesn't handle wet tracks,' he said. 'I took him to Albury and I thought he ran a fabulous race back on top of the ground. 'He didn't get to follow the right horse into the race while the leader was doing it's own thing. 'With the right run into it, I think he could have stretched the winner.' That was over 1175m but the gelding drops back a little in trip when he lines up in the Class 3 Handicap (1010m) although Mountney isn't too concerned. ðŸŒ' Grinzinger Moon brains them and makes it four straight at Albury! â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 16, 2025 'He is coming back in trip but I don't think that will worry him,' he said. 'I have kept him very fresh and his work has been super.' Mountney also has two three-year-olds making their race debut together in the Super Maiden Handicap (1212m) and expects both to acquit themselves very well. Luminesce rolled forward to take the lead and held on to win her first barrier trial at Kembla on May 12 before sitting back and wide when last without being pushed in her second heat on Wednesday. 'She is a filly with a fair bit of quality and one we have had a fair bit of time for,' Mountney said. 'Naturally she is still learning and can do things wrong. 'If she has her mind on the job, she will be very strong in this race.' Pancake Pete also had his only trial at Kembla on May 12 when held into the straight when fifth. 'He's has been working particularly well at home with Jacob's Time. He breezed up lovely on Friday morning,' he said. 'He will probably be the longest odds of all my horses but he is worth a little each-way bet.' ADAM SHERRY'S TOP SELECTIONS BEST BET Race 5 No. 8: VEGAS DREAM Winner and a close second in his two runs at the track and distance. NEXT BEST Race 3 No. 4: LOAFER Nice second at her NSW debut and can go one better. VALUE BET Race 7 No. 1: OWN THEM Brazilian Derby and Hong Kong 2000m winner. Will appreciate the step up in trip and drop in grade. QUADDIE Race 4: 1, 2, 3, 5 Race 5: 2, 8 Race 6: 3, 4, 11 Race 7: 1, 4, 5 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW RICHARD BENSLEY looks a good chance to land a winning double. INSIDE MAIL – SAPPHIRE COAST RACE 1: BEGA CUP 2 DAY CARNIVAL JAN 31 - FEB 1 2026 COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN PLATE 1413m VIVEK (6) ran a handy third over 1300m at Moruya first-up then was checked a couple of times in the straight losing his momentum when seventh over 1410m here on May 4. Dropped back to 1010m and was wide throughout when seventh here three weeks later. Back to 1413m suits. CONJOIN (1) is backing up from a well beaten 10th at Goulburn last week. Has placed five times including a half-length third on a Soft 7 here. IDEELIC (2) will improve off his first-up fourth over 1280m on the Canberra Acton track on May 23. SESTO (2) raced greenly on debut when fifth to the progressive Sparklenglitter who remain unbeaten in three starts. Raced outside the leader and boxed on for third to Consorting One over this track and distance three weeks ago. MCTOMINAY (1) is on debut. Was second in two Victorian jumpouts before moving to the Luke Pepper stable. Led all-the-way to win his trial here on May 18. MOVER AND SHAKER (6) appreciated a drop back in trip and to country grade when a closing fifth at Canberra last start before a spell. Wasn't pushed when fourth in his recent Kembla trial. LOAFER (4) changed stables mid-preparation and made her NSW debut for the Scott Collings yard with a half-length second behind Choice Witness at Corowa on May 19. Drawn well here and can go one better. CYCLONE RUPERT (2) has been on the heels of the placegetters at his last four starts, the latest a fourth behind A Pound Of Salt in a 1200m TAB Highway at Randwick two weeks ago. Drops back to 1010m here but will figure prominently. MISS SCOOP (7) has a win and two placings from three runs here. Will be thereabouts again from the inside draw. SHE'S IN OVERDRIVE (3) began fairly from the inside gate and settled down a little worse than midfield before working home for second behind Consorting One over 1010m on debut here on may 18. 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Yet to place in seven runs at the 1200m but has won over 1600m. MAJOR DESIRE (11) hadn't placed in three first-up runs until kicking off this preparation with a length second behind the in-form Hell Of A Fox over 1212m here three weeks ago. Will appreciate stepping up in distance. Runner-up at his only other run here over this trip. PLATINUM RIDGE (4), the half-brother to stakes winner Opal Ridge, was given a long spell after a debut seventh at Muswellbrook last July. Worked forward to lead and held out Inchyra to score by a length when resuming here three weeks ago. KOTAICHI (3) raced wide when down the track in the Highway at Hawkesbury two run ago before a fourth to Hell Of A Fox at Goulburn last start. OWN THEM (1) found the 1200m too short when resuming in a Bm 74 at Wagga on May 2. The Brazilian Derby winner came to Australia via Hong Kong where he was a winner over 2000m and won at his first start here in a Bm 66 over 1300m at Goulburn. Will appreciate the step up to the mile and drop back in grade. REMADOSI (4) was beaten less than three lengths by Dupli Kate in the MTC Guineas at Wagga before a short half head second to Naval Officer at Parkes. EVOKES (5) closed strongly from near last to win comfortably here two runs back. Made up a lot of ground at Goulburn last start.
News.com.au
7 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Grit and determination leads to a stunning win by Joe Pride's smart mare In Flight Randwick feature
In Flight, racing's pin-up girl, wasn't entitled to win at Royal Randwick on Saturday. The track wasn't as wet as she prefers, she was slow to begin and the race tempo was against her but the flashy mare was still able to find a way to beat a classy field in the Listed $200,000 Bob Charley AO Stakes (1200m). There might have been better horses to win the Australian Turf Club's feature winter sprint but few who try as hard as In Flight. The venerable Charley was there to watch the race named in his honour. He has seen all the great champions win on the famous track over his celebrated 70 years in racing but even he was full of admiration for the mare's determination. ' In Flight looked like she was going to run a good second but you had to like the way she really dug deep to win,' Charley said. 'Earlier in the day, Joe Pride told me this was a race he had never won before but he felt he could do it with this mare. 'I'm happy for Joe because I think he's an outstanding trainer and he's got a good horse with In Flight.' But Pride, who trained a hat-trick of winners to close out the Randwick meeting, started his stable winning streak with In Flight but admitted he was concerned when the winter sunshine resulted in the track being upgraded to a Soft 7 prior to the Bob Charley Stakes. 'When this track started drying out, I was a little bit concerned as the best version of this mare is on really wet tracks,' Pride said. 'The times they are running today aren't too slow at all so for her to come back from winning on a heavy track in Brisbane and get the job done is a very good effort. 'She has earned her crack at this level of racing but that was harder than what we would have liked today. A tough win to In Flight in the Listed Bob Charley AO Stakes at Randwick for @PrideRacing! 🚀 @ProvenTbreds @aus_turf_club â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 • Payne's unique methods shine again as Shohisha salutes 'But she is up at the right time of year and we will see how she pulls before making any more plans. She is doing a great job.' In Flight, ridden by Jay Ford, was backed into $2.35 favourite but she made her supporters sweat before she reeled in topweight Brudenell ($21) near the line to win by a long head with Contemporary ($12) just over a length away third. Ford also admitted he was concerned mid-race when the speed slackened and In Flight was conceding Brudenell a considerable start on the turn. 'To be quite frank, I thought they would go quicker than what they did,' Ford said. 'In the first furlong or so, they spread right out but then the speed backed off. 'I just had to bide my time with cover then present her but she still had it all to do which just shows how genuine she is. 'The second horse laid up outside the lead off a controlled tempo but she was still able to run him down. She was brilliant, just brilliant.' Ford said In Flight 'feels on song' this preparation: 'It's easy to say now she has two stakes wins to her name but she is just oozing confidence,' he said. In Flight is a rising five-year-old mare and was purchased for $220,000 as a yearling by Jamie Walter's Proven Thoroughbreds of Private Eye and Think About It fame. Headley Grange wins first up to give @PrideRacing a Randwick double! 🙌 @aus_turf_club â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 • Hidden Motive digs deep for narrow victory at Randwick Her tough Randwick win improved the mare's race record seven wins (and five placings) from 17 starts and nearly $700,000 prizemoney. Pride believes we haven't seen the best of In Flight yet. 'In Flight is going to keep getting better with age. This time next year she will be a better horse again,' he said. 'But she's a pretty thing. Look at her tail, there are so many different shades of grey in it, she's a beautiful filly. 'I love her. I wouldn't see she is a sweet thing, she can be a bit of a 'tart' but she has all the attributes a good mare needs.' Pride then completed a race-to-race double when Headley Grange ($3.70) came with a powerful late surge through the pack to score by three-quarters of a length from Green Shadows ($15) and Dark Glitter ($21) to win the Singapore Pools Handicap (1300m). Headley Grange was held up for a run from the top of the straight and would have been a good thing beaten but jockey Adam Hyeronimus persevered, found a gap and the Pride sprinter did the rest. In-form sprinter Storm The Ramparts.
News.com.au
7 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Wyong preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, June 8, 2025
If only Hall Of Famer Clarry Conners could count on the equine Iceman as much as he did his two-legged namesake, he would be sure of tallying up his 150th career win at Wyong. Conners, a four-time Golden Slipper-winning trainer among other things — bought, part-owns and of course trains Iceman. It was only natural that we asked him if his name is a tribute to the Champion trans-Tasman jockey Grant Cooksley — aka 'The Iceman'. 'I wish he was,' Conners joked. 'But no, he was a pretty easy horse to name after his mother (Ice Girl). Mention Conners, and the first jockey that comes to mind is Shane Dye, but it was in fact Cooksley who holds the singular honour and distinction as judged by Conners himself. Photo! ðŸ'¸ Iceman gets there in a photo for Clarry Conners and Andrew Adkins! @aus_turf_club â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 16, 2024 The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. 'Grant Cooksley rode the best horse I ever had,' Conners said. 'And Cooksley reckons he was the best horse he ever rode. 'I'll never forget him.' That horse is Mouawad. A year younger brother to Octagonal, Mouawad won seven of his eight career starts and was widely acknowledged as a certainty-beaten at the other in mid-January, 1997 at Royal Randwick. 'He was on the fence and he never got out,' Conners recalled. After that, Mouawad and Cooksley were never beaten, sweeping the Debonair, Australian Guineas, Futurity Stakes and George Ryder in succession. Then a sensation. 'He was the favourite for the Doncaster but the day before, he bumped himself in the pool, it was nothing but the owners decided to send him to stud which was stupid,' Conners said. Mouawad served 32 mares in the spring 1997 but 29 of the mares failed to go in foal. The three that did, all delivered dead foals. With his stud seemingly over before it started, a racetrack return was on the radar. 'I tried to buy him back and I ran out of money,' Conners explained. 'I formed a syndicate for half a million dollars and that was as far as we were going to go and then Y. P Cheng from Domeland bought him for $550,000 and took him to China to go to stud. 'If you can work that out, I can't.' Conners, meanwhile, has had his work cut out working the somewhat enigmatic Iceman out but is getting there. 'He is still a work in progress,' Conners said. 'He is a bit of a dumb horse. I put the nose-roll on him because he gets his head up and he's looking around but the penny will drop one day I hope.' The nose-roll has, it seems, to be propelling Iceman closer to adding to his single Warwick Farm victory with back-to-back thirds, one of them unlucky, during May ahead on his quest in The Enterance Leagues Club Class 1 Handicap (1600m). 'His last two runs have been pretty good and he has drawn a barrier so that will help a little bit,' he said. 'It is a nice race for him on Sunday.' SHAYNE O'CASS' TOP SELECTIONS BEST BET Race 2 No. 10: RAINBOW GODDESS Daughter of Zanbagh placed at four of eight starts in superior company, most times. NEXT BEST Race 1 No. 1: GOLDEN STRAAND Blue blooded Snitzel colt in the Gerry Harvey colours. Trialled well enough to win. VALUE BET Race 6 No. 3: MIZELLA Kim Waugh-trained local who looks ready and able to see out the 2000m now. QUADDIE Race 5: 3, 9, 11, 12 Race 6: 3 Race 7: 2, 4, 9 Race 8: 5, 8 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW ALYSHA COLLETT has a decent book and will be popular with punters across the day. INSIDE MAIL - WYONG RACE 1: EZY PROJECTS - BUILDING MADE EASY MAIDEN HANDICAP 1100m GOLDEN STRAAND (1) is a Gerry Harvey-owned and bred colt by Snitzel out of Kryptelon who was a nine-time winner including the Gai Waterhouse Classic at Ipswich. A half to VRC Sires' placegetter, Fling, this colt has trialled well enough to suggest a winning debut is well within reason. SWEXAN (2) is bred to get two miles (his dam is by Melbourne Cup placegetter Jakkalberry) but could easily run well here on debut. RAINBOW GODDESS (10) is a valuable daughter of Exceed And Excel out of Zanbagh who was well known to this mare's owners, the Taits, and trainer John Thompson. Rainbow Goddess has placed at half of her four starts, three of them seconds. Been in much better races than this one. INNCOURT (1) makes his Australian debut off two recent trials, winning the last one over 1200m. Miler but could run well fresh. PRATT (2) had three starts for Chris Waller prior to him changing hands for $45,000 online in Feb, 2025. The now Mark Minervini-trained three-year-old had trialled well prior to his booming three-and-a-quarter length win at Newcastle on May 26. Can't vouch for the beaten brigade but he thrashed them just the same. HARLEX (1), who shares the same third dam as Yes Yes Yes and In Her Time, has come up with a favourable draw here. Ran well in a deep Class 1 on Scone Cup Day. BRAVE CALL (1) was $17 into $14 when he made his Australian debut at Scone on Cup Day. The Kris Lees-trained gelding had the race snatched away right on the line by one of the locals. Mile again here, drawn 3 compared to 14 at Scone. Beautiful race for him. DIAMOND SHOW (4), a mare in-bred to Eight Carat no less, was miles too good when she won at Hawkesbury over the mile at Hawkesbury third-up. Only one word to describe her, progressive. ICEMAN (3) has claims. MATETE (3) is a son of Dundeel out of Kimillsy who, like Matete, was trained by Kim Waugh for husband Mark and others. Matete's resume says he is unplaced in his four career starts but two are fourths, two are fifths and pretty respectable they were too. REVERBERATES (12) is a very well-bred Brad Widdup-trained filly who chased home an even better bred Brad Widdup mare, Diamond Show (see above) in that mile maiden. Peaking for this and hard to beat. Bet: Matete to win, quinella 3,12 box trifecta 3, 9, 11, 12 MIZELLA (3) is a Kim Waugh-trained local by Winx's soon to be 2025 spring partner, Too Darn Hot. Mizella has won three of her 12 starts. Those wins were at 1000m, 1500m and 1600m which is a nod to her versatility but 2000m here looks both suitable and doable. Dundeel gelding WHETU (2) has raced at Wyong twice and won both times. One of them was over 2000m and he won by three-and-a-half lengths. Rock hard fit. Bet: Mizella to win, box trifecta 2, 3, 6, 8, DD 1st Leg 3, 2nd Leg 5 RACE 7: SCAPE PROPERTIES CG&E BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP 1200m FRENCH MARINE (2) is a rising eight-year-old and just two starts shy of 50. That said, the Kris Lees-trained son of Epaulette posted his seventh career win at Newcastle this time on May 26 and it would have to rank right up there with one of his easiest. Just need some luck late from the rails draw maybe. Not so DIVINE BENE (4). He can be counted on to be right up there on the speed throughout. Purpose-built for these Central Coast tracks. Bet: French Marine to win, quinella 2, 4, box trifecta 1, 2, 4, 9 COCO DREAMING (5) has one win and three seconds from her eight starts but to be fair to the mare, she could have at least one or two more wins added to the present tally had it not been for circumstances beyond her control. We know that when she does have even luck, how good she can be. Keep in mind that the Angela Davies-trained chestnut has raced at Wyong twice for a win and a second. The last preparation of CANDY WOMAN (8) was short and a wee-bit sour but she is handy and the trial the other day was a sweet one. Bet: Coco Dreaming to win, quinella/exacta 5, 8 BEST BETS WYONG BEST BET R2 No.10: Rainbow Goddess Daughter of Zanbagh placed at four of eight starts in superior company, most times. NEXT BEST R1 No.1: Golden Straand Blue-blooded Snitzel colt in the Gerry Harvey colours. Trialled well enough to win. BEST VALUE R6 No.3: Mizella Kim Waugh-trained local who looks ready and able to see out the 2000m now. QUADDIE Race 5: 3,9,11,12 Race 6: 3 Race 7: 2,4,9 Race 8: 5,8
