Bourke looks to wet-track performers in bid to hold premiership lead
Nock has strong chances in Insist and Eraantyva at the Anzac Day program on the Kensington track on Friday, then more on the main course at Randwick on Saturday with Akaysha, Massira, Zealously and Lonhro's Queen.
Bourke has hopes as well, which she believes will be enhanced if the tracks stay in the soft range. Photographics, for boss John Sargent, leads the charge on Saturday and is a $2.35 Sportsbet favourite in the Midway Handicap.
'She had a little bit of a setback – just a stone bruise around the stables – so she had a little freshen-up trial in between her runs and she actually won that trial quite impressively and felt really well underneath me,' she said.
'Hopefully she's primed to go again for Saturday. If the rain stays around, it's great for her; she loves the sting out of the track.'
She also rides for Sargent in the last on So Dazzling ($67).
'She's a mare that gets out over more of a trip, so first up, it'll be a bit of a warm-up run,' she said.
'We just want to see her hit the line. But, once again, she always grows a leg on the wet.'
On Friday, Bourke is excited to get back aboard 2024 Country Championship winner Asgarda for Wagga Wagga trainer Doug Gorrel in the last.
'It was wet that day she won the championship, so hopefully the ideal gate, on a wet track, she should be very hard to beat,' Bourke said.
Casual Connection ($6.50) in the fifth for Sargent is another chance.
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'He loves a wet track, he's fit and up to the right distance now,' she said.
Fan favourite farewelled
The racing community is mourning the death on Thursday of three-time group 1 winner Happy Clapper, which died at age 14 from colic.
The Pat Webster-trained gelding won the group 1 Epsom Handicap, Doncaster Mile and Canterbury Stakes in the 2017-18 season and was placed six times behind the legendary Winx. He won $3.7 million in total prizemoney.
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The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
'Not acceptable': Flanagan lashes Dragons after shocker
St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has vowed that the 56-6 loss to the Dolphins will be a blip on the radar and not a trend. "I'll make sure of it. Don't you worry. That's my job," Flanagan said. The veteran coach would not have been expecting such a dire display after two solid wins over Brisbane and Newcastle. Apart from the 46-18 loss to Sydney Roosters on Anzac Day the Dragons had been in every match this season, including three losses by a solitary point. At Suncorp Stadium on Friday night the Dragons collapsed in a heap. "We can make excuses but we are not here to make excuses. It just wasn't up to standard," Flanagan said. "It is really disappointing. I just explained to the group that we will review it. We've got a short turnaround (before playing Cronulla on Thursday night). "It's not acceptable for the Dragons and we will deal with it internally. We will review it closely. I haven't got an answer for you (as to) why (it happened)." The Dragons lost winger Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) in the first half after he spent seven weeks out with the same injury. "Hamstrings," the coach sighed. "That is something else we will need to review. We gave him an extra week (off) and it is really frustrating from a coach's perspective. It is an area we are not flush with. "To lose your winger in the first half is really throws the whole rhythm of the team out." Forward Raymond Faitala-Mariner was replaced due to shortness of breath in the second half. He went to hospital. "I think it was something like an asthma attack and pretty bad. I haven't got any details just yet," Flanagan said. Tuipulotu could be set for another lengthy stint on the sideline and Flanagan will review whether other changes are required for the clash with the Sharks away. "I'll have a look at it," Flanagan said. "I've been around long enough to learn that you have got to be careful straight after a game with what you say and what you do, especially in that space. We will review it and see who is available and make a decision then, but there could be (changes)." The Dragons led early after Valentine Holmes landed a long-range penalty goal before having 50 consecutive points put on them. Flanagan said he had no regrets about the side taking the two points and not going for a try. "I learned a long time ago from better coaches - Jack Gibson and Ron Massey - when two points are available and especially an early gift (you take them). I'd always take the two points," he said. St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has vowed that the 56-6 loss to the Dolphins will be a blip on the radar and not a trend. "I'll make sure of it. Don't you worry. That's my job," Flanagan said. The veteran coach would not have been expecting such a dire display after two solid wins over Brisbane and Newcastle. Apart from the 46-18 loss to Sydney Roosters on Anzac Day the Dragons had been in every match this season, including three losses by a solitary point. At Suncorp Stadium on Friday night the Dragons collapsed in a heap. "We can make excuses but we are not here to make excuses. It just wasn't up to standard," Flanagan said. "It is really disappointing. I just explained to the group that we will review it. We've got a short turnaround (before playing Cronulla on Thursday night). "It's not acceptable for the Dragons and we will deal with it internally. We will review it closely. I haven't got an answer for you (as to) why (it happened)." The Dragons lost winger Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) in the first half after he spent seven weeks out with the same injury. "Hamstrings," the coach sighed. "That is something else we will need to review. We gave him an extra week (off) and it is really frustrating from a coach's perspective. It is an area we are not flush with. "To lose your winger in the first half is really throws the whole rhythm of the team out." Forward Raymond Faitala-Mariner was replaced due to shortness of breath in the second half. He went to hospital. "I think it was something like an asthma attack and pretty bad. I haven't got any details just yet," Flanagan said. Tuipulotu could be set for another lengthy stint on the sideline and Flanagan will review whether other changes are required for the clash with the Sharks away. "I'll have a look at it," Flanagan said. "I've been around long enough to learn that you have got to be careful straight after a game with what you say and what you do, especially in that space. We will review it and see who is available and make a decision then, but there could be (changes)." The Dragons led early after Valentine Holmes landed a long-range penalty goal before having 50 consecutive points put on them. Flanagan said he had no regrets about the side taking the two points and not going for a try. "I learned a long time ago from better coaches - Jack Gibson and Ron Massey - when two points are available and especially an early gift (you take them). I'd always take the two points," he said. St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has vowed that the 56-6 loss to the Dolphins will be a blip on the radar and not a trend. "I'll make sure of it. Don't you worry. That's my job," Flanagan said. The veteran coach would not have been expecting such a dire display after two solid wins over Brisbane and Newcastle. Apart from the 46-18 loss to Sydney Roosters on Anzac Day the Dragons had been in every match this season, including three losses by a solitary point. At Suncorp Stadium on Friday night the Dragons collapsed in a heap. "We can make excuses but we are not here to make excuses. It just wasn't up to standard," Flanagan said. "It is really disappointing. I just explained to the group that we will review it. We've got a short turnaround (before playing Cronulla on Thursday night). "It's not acceptable for the Dragons and we will deal with it internally. We will review it closely. I haven't got an answer for you (as to) why (it happened)." The Dragons lost winger Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) in the first half after he spent seven weeks out with the same injury. "Hamstrings," the coach sighed. "That is something else we will need to review. We gave him an extra week (off) and it is really frustrating from a coach's perspective. It is an area we are not flush with. "To lose your winger in the first half is really throws the whole rhythm of the team out." Forward Raymond Faitala-Mariner was replaced due to shortness of breath in the second half. He went to hospital. "I think it was something like an asthma attack and pretty bad. I haven't got any details just yet," Flanagan said. Tuipulotu could be set for another lengthy stint on the sideline and Flanagan will review whether other changes are required for the clash with the Sharks away. "I'll have a look at it," Flanagan said. "I've been around long enough to learn that you have got to be careful straight after a game with what you say and what you do, especially in that space. We will review it and see who is available and make a decision then, but there could be (changes)." The Dragons led early after Valentine Holmes landed a long-range penalty goal before having 50 consecutive points put on them. Flanagan said he had no regrets about the side taking the two points and not going for a try. "I learned a long time ago from better coaches - Jack Gibson and Ron Massey - when two points are available and especially an early gift (you take them). I'd always take the two points," he said.
West Australian
a day ago
- West Australian
'Not acceptable': Flanagan lashes Dragons after shocker
St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has vowed that the 56-6 loss to the Dolphins will be a blip on the radar and not a trend. "I'll make sure of it. Don't you worry. That's my job," Flanagan said. The veteran coach would not have been expecting such a dire display after two solid wins over Brisbane and Newcastle. Apart from the 46-18 loss to Sydney Roosters on Anzac Day the Dragons had been in every match this season, including three losses by a solitary point. At Suncorp Stadium on Friday night the Dragons collapsed in a heap. "We can make excuses but we are not here to make excuses. It just wasn't up to standard," Flanagan said. "It is really disappointing. I just explained to the group that we will review it. We've got a short turnaround (before playing Cronulla on Thursday night). "It's not acceptable for the Dragons and we will deal with it internally. We will review it closely. I haven't got an answer for you (as to) why (it happened)." The Dragons lost winger Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) in the first half after he spent seven weeks out with the same injury. "Hamstrings," the coach sighed. "That is something else we will need to review. We gave him an extra week (off) and it is really frustrating from a coach's perspective. It is an area we are not flush with. "To lose your winger in the first half is really throws the whole rhythm of the team out." Forward Raymond Faitala-Mariner was replaced due to shortness of breath in the second half. He went to hospital. "I think it was something like an asthma attack and pretty bad. I haven't got any details just yet," Flanagan said. Tuipulotu could be set for another lengthy stint on the sideline and Flanagan will review whether other changes are required for the clash with the Sharks away. "I'll have a look at it," Flanagan said. "I've been around long enough to learn that you have got to be careful straight after a game with what you say and what you do, especially in that space. We will review it and see who is available and make a decision then, but there could be (changes)." The Dragons led early after Valentine Holmes landed a long-range penalty goal before having 50 consecutive points put on them. Flanagan said he had no regrets about the side taking the two points and not going for a try. "I learned a long time ago from better coaches - Jack Gibson and Ron Massey - when two points are available and especially an early gift (you take them). I'd always take the two points," he said.
Perth Now
a day ago
- Perth Now
'Not acceptable': Flanagan lashes Dragons after shocker
St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has vowed that the 56-6 loss to the Dolphins will be a blip on the radar and not a trend. "I'll make sure of it. Don't you worry. That's my job," Flanagan said. The veteran coach would not have been expecting such a dire display after two solid wins over Brisbane and Newcastle. Apart from the 46-18 loss to Sydney Roosters on Anzac Day the Dragons had been in every match this season, including three losses by a solitary point. At Suncorp Stadium on Friday night the Dragons collapsed in a heap. "We can make excuses but we are not here to make excuses. It just wasn't up to standard," Flanagan said. "It is really disappointing. I just explained to the group that we will review it. We've got a short turnaround (before playing Cronulla on Thursday night). "It's not acceptable for the Dragons and we will deal with it internally. We will review it closely. I haven't got an answer for you (as to) why (it happened)." The Dragons lost winger Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) in the first half after he spent seven weeks out with the same injury. "Hamstrings," the coach sighed. "That is something else we will need to review. We gave him an extra week (off) and it is really frustrating from a coach's perspective. It is an area we are not flush with. "To lose your winger in the first half is really throws the whole rhythm of the team out." Forward Raymond Faitala-Mariner was replaced due to shortness of breath in the second half. He went to hospital. "I think it was something like an asthma attack and pretty bad. I haven't got any details just yet," Flanagan said. Tuipulotu could be set for another lengthy stint on the sideline and Flanagan will review whether other changes are required for the clash with the Sharks away. "I'll have a look at it," Flanagan said. "I've been around long enough to learn that you have got to be careful straight after a game with what you say and what you do, especially in that space. We will review it and see who is available and make a decision then, but there could be (changes)." The Dragons led early after Valentine Holmes landed a long-range penalty goal before having 50 consecutive points put on them. Flanagan said he had no regrets about the side taking the two points and not going for a try. "I learned a long time ago from better coaches - Jack Gibson and Ron Massey - when two points are available and especially an early gift (you take them). I'd always take the two points," he said.
