Different tales for Firestorm and Floozie in Tatt's test
Champion trainer Chris Waller and star jockey James McDonald have been set a task to bolster their amazing Group 1 records for 2024/25 after race favourite Firestorm drew wide in Saturday's Group 1 $700,000 Tatt's Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm.
A capacity field of 17 runners and five emergencies was declared for the feature main event with Firestorm's draw in barrier 19 set to improve slightly when emergencies come out.
• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Waller is attempting to raise the bar to new heights with his 20th Group 1 of the season while McDonald is hunting his 22nd major of the season and 16th on Australian soil.
Waller could saddle up as many as four starters in the final major of the Australian racing season with Firestorm ($4.40 favourite) joined by Konasana ($31), Olentia ($18) while Gumdrops ($34) is stranded as the fifth emergency.
Queensland's leading trainer Tony Gollan has the best of the local hopes with impressive mare Floozie ($4.60) looking to cap off a remarkable preparation with her fifth consecutive victory.
She has drawn in barrier nine.
Victorian raider Grinzinger Belle ($9.50) and Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes runner-up Tashi give further depth to the Group 1 field.
The Eagle Farm track was rated a Soft 5 at acceptance time. The rail will be in the 6m position on Saturday.
Saturday's nine-race program commences at 11.43am with the final event to be run at 4.35pm.
The Bureau Of Meteorology forecast for Brisbane is.
Wednesday – Mostly sunny. 23.
Thursday – Mostly sunny. 20.
Friday – Partly cloudy. 21.
Saturday – Partly cloudy. 21.
CLICK HERE to get the fields and formguide for the Eagle Farm meeting on Saturday.
Originally published as Tatt's Tiara favourite Firestorm drawn out for Group 1 test as Floozie gets gate nine
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
7NEWS
an hour ago
- 7NEWS
Australian motorsport community rocked by death of much-loved kart racer Joseph Bianchini aged 13
The Australian motorsport community is mourning the sudden death of 13-year-old kart racer Joseph Bianchini. The Griffith, NSW local was hospitalised on Saturday after his health deterioriated and flown to the Sydney Children's Hospital later that day. Karting Australia shared in a statement that he died on Monday. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today 'It is with great sadness that Karting Australia shares the news of the passing of New South Wales junior driver Joseph Bianchini,' the governing body said. 'Joseph, 13, was transported to Griffith Base Hospital in the early hours of Saturday morning after experiencing a sudden deterioration in his health. 'Later that day he was flown to Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick where he sadly passed away on Monday, August 18. 'Joseph was a familiar and much-loved young competitor in our sport, racing in the Cadet and Junior categories across the country. His energy, passion and friendly nature touched many within the karting community. 'On behalf of everyone at Karting Australia, and the broader karting community, we send our heartfelt condolences to Adrian, Maria and Allegra along with the extended Bianchini family and friends during this very difficult time.' The news sparked an outpouring of grief in Griffith and around the karting scene, with Bianchini remembered by many as a kind and encouraging friend, teammate and opponent. It is the second tragedy for his family and the Griffith Kart Club, after Bianchini's uncle — also named Joseph — died aged 15 in a 2003 car accident. 'Words cannot express the loss. Griffith Kart Club has lost another part of its heart and soul,' Griffith Kart Club said after the junior Joseph's death. 'The Bianchini family is part of the very fabric of this club, both in the past and present. Joseph's cheeky smile, sportsmanship, kindness, speed and most of all the respect he had for everyone both on and off the track is something that is admired and an example for all. 'To Adrian, Maria, Allegra, and the extended family and friends our heart goes out to you all.' The elder Joseph Bianchini is remembered with a memorial trophy named in his honour, awarded by the family to the driver with the best attitude, sportsmanship and spirit. Matt McLean, a karting champion who also raced in Supercars feeder series Super2, was with the Bianchini family at the Sydney Children's Hospital. He paid a gut-wrenching tribute on Tuesday. Matt McLean has mourned the loss of Joseph Bianchini. Credit: Instagram 'My little Joseph. Spending your last few days by your side up until your final moments was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do,' the 28-year-old said. 'I feel so honoured to have been there with you and to have shared so many special moments together over your life. 'Words cannot explain how much this hurts, and I just thank you so much for always demonstrating the importance of looking out for those around you with complete and utter selflessness. 'This has left a crater in my heart, but I feel far more complete having had you in our lives even though for such a short time. 'It's only been 12 hours and I just miss you so much already. 'I'm so proud of the young man you had become, and making you proud has always been, and will remain, a priority of mine. Such a gifted boy taken too soon. I love you Coyote, fly high.' Wagga & District Kart Racing Club said they had been 'rocked' by the news of Bianchini's death. 'We send our sincere condolences to the Bianchini family and members of Griffith Kart Club during this tough time. You are all in our thoughts and prayers,' the club said. 'We will miss Joseph's bubbly and often cheeky personality, his sportsmanship and fairness on and off the track. 'The young man he was becoming was truly honourable and selfless. He was always offer encouragement to his fellow karters and would lend a hand to anyone who crossed his path. 'Your memory will forever live on. Forever racing amongst us. Fly High Joseph.' Joseph Bianchini was a keen swimmer. Credit: Griffith Swimming Club Griffith Swimming Club also paid tribute. 'At just 13 years old, Joseph's life was filled with energy, determination and a love for the things that made him happiest,' the club said. 'His passion for motor sport and go-karting gave him purpose, and his time in the pool was never just about swimming — it was training, preparing, building the strength he needed to chase his dream. 'Joseph was cheeky, spirited and brave. He had that rare spark that made people smile, whether he was racing, swimming, or just being his fun, kind and determined self. 'Vale Joseph — forever young, forever remembered.'
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Semi-pro giant-killers pull off another upset against A-League team
Australian soccer's giant-killers from Heidelberg United did not only topple another top-flight team on Tuesday night, they trounced them. There were raucous celebrations from the Warriors at Olympic Village after they overpowered A-League team Wellington Phoenix 4-0 in the quarter-final of the Australia Cup – Football Australia's version of England's FA Cup. The NPL Victoria team's quarter-final win came a week after their 3-0 victory over another A-League outfit, the Western Sydney Wanderers. It also set two new competition records, going down as the biggest win by a state league side against an A-League rival and becoming the first time state league team to record four 'cup-set' wins over A-League clubs. Goals from Max Bisetto and Asahi Yokokawa early in the second half followed a Wellington own-goal in the first half. Chok Dau delivered the crowd-pleasing fourth goal in the 85th minute. The Warriors are now waiting to see which A-League team they will come up against in the Australia Cup semi-final in September. It will be either Sydney FC or newcomers Auckland FC, who meet in their own quarter-final on Saturday night. Fellow NPL team Avondale FC have their chance to make the other Australia Cup semi-final on Wednesday night when they host the A-League's Brisbane City at Green Gully Reserve. While the NPL is a strong, state league competition, they theoretically should be no match for the full-time professionals who inhabit the A-League, with teams including Socceroos players and international recruits. Heidelberg are a powerhouse of the NPL, but their team remains a mix of players with full-time jobs and those who focus on their soccer careers, sometimes while coaching juniors or balancing part-time work.
The Age
an hour ago
- The Age
Semi-pro giant-killers pull off another upset against A-League team
Australian soccer's giant-killers from Heidelberg United did not only topple another top-flight team on Tuesday night, they trounced them. There were raucous celebrations from the Warriors at Olympic Village after they overpowered A-League team Wellington Phoenix 4-0 in the quarter-final of the Australia Cup – Football Australia's version of England's FA Cup. The NPL Victoria team's quarter-final win came a week after their 3-0 victory over another A-League outfit, the Western Sydney Wanderers. It also set two new competition records, going down as the biggest win by a state league side against an A-League rival and becoming the first time state league team to record four 'cup-set' wins over A-League clubs. Goals from Max Bisetto and Asahi Yokokawa early in the second half followed a Wellington own-goal in the first half. Chok Dau delivered the crowd-pleasing fourth goal in the 85th minute. The Warriors are now waiting to see which A-League team they will come up against in the Australia Cup semi-final in September. It will be either Sydney FC or newcomers Auckland FC, who meet in their own quarter-final on Saturday night. Fellow NPL team Avondale FC have their chance to make the other Australia Cup semi-final on Wednesday night when they host the A-League's Brisbane City at Green Gully Reserve. While the NPL is a strong, state league competition, they theoretically should be no match for the full-time professionals who inhabit the A-League, with teams including Socceroos players and international recruits. Heidelberg are a powerhouse of the NPL, but their team remains a mix of players with full-time jobs and those who focus on their soccer careers, sometimes while coaching juniors or balancing part-time work.
