Furious Max ‘deliberately' RAMS Russell
F1: Max Verstappen has been called out after he rammed into George Russell, showing his frustrations after the team asked him to let Russell through.
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The Australian
5 hours ago
- The Australian
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Far-right Dutch leader Geert Wilders withdrew his party from the government Tuesday in a row over immigration, bringing down a shaky coalition and likely ushering in snap elections. Wilders has been frustrated with what he saw as the slow pace of introducing the "strictest-ever immigration policy", agreed with coalition partners after his shock election win in November 2023. "No signature for our asylum plans... PVV leaves the coalition," said Wilders on X, formerly Twitter, referring to his far-right Freedom Party. The withdrawal opens up a period of political uncertainty in the European Union's fifth-largest economy and major exporter, as far-right parties make gains across the continent. The latest government crisis also comes just weeks before the Netherlands is due to host world leaders for a NATO summit. Last-ditch crisis talks on Tuesday morning lasted barely half an hour before the leaders of the four coalition parties came out in a testy mood. "I have just informed the prime minister that I will withdraw the PVV ministers from the cabinet and that we can no longer bear responsibility for this," said Wilders. "I signed up for the strictest asylum policy, not for the downfall of the Netherlands and that our responsibility for this cabinet therefore ends at this moment," he added. Eighteen months after his surprise election win sent shockwaves through Europe, polls suggest his PVV is still the strongest. However, the gap to his nearest rivals has narrowed, with the left-wing Green/Left party of former European Commission vice-president Frans Timmermans following close behind. The liberal VVD party, a traditional powerhouse in Dutch politics, are also running near the top two, meaning any election would likely be closely fought. VVD leader Dilan Yesilgoz, visibly angry, described Wilders' move as "super irresponsible", adding she was afraid it would open the door to left-wing parties. "How can you do this to the Netherlands?" she told reporters. - 'Patience was up' - In late May, Wilders called an impromptu press conference to announce his "patience was up" with the government of Prime Minister Dick Schoof. He threatened to torpedo the coalition if a new 10-point plan to crimp immigration was not implemented within a few weeks. His plan included border closures for asylum seekers, tougher border controls and deporting dual nationals convicted of a crime. Summarising his demands, he said: "Close the borders for asylum seekers and family reunifications. No more asylum centres opened. Close them." Political and legal experts criticised the plans as unworkable or illegal, with some suggesting Wilders was creating a crisis to collapse the government. The far-right leader has often been called the "Dutch Trump" for his anti-immigrant views -- and instantly recognisable bouffant hairstyle. His ambitions to lead his country were frustrated after his election win, as his coalition partners blocked his premiership bid, settling instead on Schoof as a compromise candidate. The leaders of the four coalition partners agreed not to take up cabinet positions, instead running their parties as parliamentary chiefs. Wilders has been an uncompromising figure in parliament, his quick-witted jousting with Timmermans being a highlight of debates. He has frequently said that the only way to implement his anti-immigrant policies is for him to become prime minister. However, in the fractured Dutch political system, no party can win an absolute majority in the 150-seat parliament and Wilders will need partners. He can count on the support of the BBB farmers' party. The backing of the VVD -- currently an uneasy coalition partner -- is less certain. The fourth party in the current coalition -- the anti-corruption New Social Contract -- has seen support collapse since charismatic leader Pieter Omtzigt stepped down. Far-right parties have been on the rise across Europe. In May, the far-right Chega ("Enough") party took second place in Portuguese elections. In Germany, the anti-immigration far-right AfD doubled its score in legislative elections in February, reaching 20.8 percent. And in Britain, polls show the anti-immigration, hard-right Reform UK party of Nigel Farage is making significant gains following a breakthrough in local elections. ric/fg
News.com.au
7 hours ago
- News.com.au
Warwick Farm best bets, inside mail for Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Racenet and The Daily Telegraph form analyst Adam Sherry provides his best bets and race-by-race analysis at Warwick Farm on Wednesday. • 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! â â â â â WARWICK FARM TIPS BEST BET Race 4 No.5: SOUNDS UNUSUAL Nice efforts to place in both runs this campaign. Won third-up last time in. NEXT BEST Race 5 No.1: BLACK RUN Solid efforts in his three Australian starts. Ready to break through VALUE BET Race 7 No.16: STARMAE Will appreciate a drop back in grade and weight. Drawn ideally. BEST EXOTIC Quinella Race 5: 1, 2 QUADDIE Race 4: 5, 8 Race 5: 1, 2 Race 6: 1, 2, 8 Race 7: 6, 11, 16 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW JAMES MCDONALD will be popular in the TAB Jockey Challenge. â â â â â WARWICK FARM INSIDE MAIL RACE 1: 2YOF MAIDEN HANDICAP (1100m) SWORDPLAY (8) is a sister to the five-time stakes winner Recommendation. This filly led all the way for a big win on a Heavy 8 in her Apr 29 Warwick Farm trial and was an even bigger winner her May 9 Rosehill heat. ERNAUX (10) made a run along the fence and just tired late when fourth to Wootton Lass in her debut run on the Kensington on Mar 26. Wasn't pushed in her recent Rosehill trial. PENPEL (1) had shown nice ability in her trials and debuted with a second behind the impressive Agarwood at Warwick Farm on May 7. BET: SWORDPLAY to win. RACE 2: 3YOF MAIDEN PLATE (1300m) FROSTY GIRL (5) is a first starter by Super Seth. Drifted back early before working home for third to Homeric in her Apr 24 Randwick trial. Sat back and wide before taking off before the 400m in winning her May 13 Warwick Farm heat. CINSAULT (3) has placed in each of her five starts to date including a close third to Declichy Boulevard here. Was runner-up to Extremely Hardys at her last run on July 3. Has trialled well ahead of her return. CATONAHOTINROOF (2) bombed the start and was tailed off before finishing fifth to Celestial Breeze at Canberra last start. BET: FROSTY GIRL to win. RACE 3: 2YO & 3YO MAIDEN PLATE (1100m) CENTRAL COAST (9) is by Woottom Bassett from Sunlight. Got back before coming wide in the straight and making ground for third to Exterio in his May 13 trial here. Settled fourth closed off well for a close second to Albany Road on his May 29 Rosehill trial. CELERITY (3) placed third to Enriched here and third to Gangsta Granny at Hawkesbury at her two runs last campaign. Had one trial in January before another break and has won her two recent trials in very good fashion. REGIMENTAL COLOURS (6) was OK on her first campaign with two placings. Nice win in her May 13 heat here. BET: CENTRAL COAST to win. RACE 4: BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP (1600m) SOUNDS UNUSUAL (5) closed off nicely for a neck second to Dame Commander when resuming here on May 7. Was bumped twice just after straightening when making his run when second to Good Prize here two weeks ago. CANARA (8) was held up on straightening and made up good ground late when a two length third to Maori Chief on Kensington two runs back. Raced wide without cover when fifth to Just Feelin' Lucky at Canterbury last week. Nose roll is off and blinkers back on. PIRAEUS (3) won a Class 3 at Eagle Farm before racing wide when ninth to Fukubana at Doomben last start. BET: SOUNDS UNUSUAL to win. RACE 5: BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP (2200m) BLACK RUN (1) was a handy fourth to Poppin' Champagne here at his Australian debut before a third to Jamberoo at the Hawkesbury stand-alone meeting. Boxed on for a three-quarter-length second to Knights Amour on a Heavy 10 here last start. UP AND UNDER (2) got back and battled away along the fence when fourth to Dame Commander over 1600m here two starts back. Rolled forward to lead last start when third to Knights Amour over 2110m last start. HIGHBORN HARRY (6) was always well back in an on-speed dominated race on the Kensington before a close third to Walking painting in the Midway at Scone. BET: BLACK RUN to win. RACE 6: 3YO & 4YO BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP (1100m) MANAAJEM (8) was impressive winning from Vanlee and Blanc De Noir on debut at Wyong on Dec 31. Pulled up lame when fifth to Alliri on the Kensington 15 days later. Led out wide when a big winner in her May 5 Randwick trial. Closed smartly for a close second to Corniche in her latest heat here. LIVIN' THING (1) resumed with a nice win Zaragoza at Kembla before stepping up to city grade when fourth to First Person here two weeks ago. NIGHT SKY (9) debuted with a smart win from Luinate on a Soft 7 at Wyong on Apr 17 before returning two weeks later with a fourth to the in-form Are Ee Que on a Heavy 10. BET: MANAAJEM to win. RACE 7: 4YO+ BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP (1300m) STARMAE (16) was held up until inside the last 100m when fifth to Memoria at Randwick on Apr 26 before a three length seventh to oh Diamond Lil and Mickey's Medal at the Scone stand-alone meeting. Drawn well and drops in weight with the claim. BELIEVE IN ANGELS (11) will take improvement from his first-up second behind First Person over 100m here two weeks ago. Step up to 1300m suits. He was a second-up winner at this track last campaign. KADALL (6) was a length-and-a-half seventh to Thunderlips on the Kensington second-up before third to Oh Diamond Lil at Scone. BET: STARMAE each-way.
News.com.au
7 hours ago
- News.com.au
Warwick Farm preview: Bjorn Baker is optimistic in Starmae's chances with weight advantage and an ideal barrier
Trainer Bjorn Baker is hoping a drop in grade and weight can help Starmae get back to winning form when she steps out on her home track. The four-year-old has been good in his three starts this preparation including her last two runs in Saturday metropolitan company when fifth to Memoria at Randwick and seventh to Oh Diamond Lil at the Scone stand-alone meeting on May 17 Starmae carried 56kg and 57kg respectively in those two races and drops down to 54.5kg after the claim of apprentice Olivia Chambers in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1300m). 'This is a good race for her. It's a drop back in grade after running in Saturday grade in her last two where she acquitted herself well,' said Baker. 'She gets a good drop in weight with Olivia's claim and she is one from one on this mare having won at Wyong last year. It was an easy watch for the supporters of Starmae as she shakes her maiden tag! @ZacLloydx @BBakerRacing @MyRacehorseAU â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 8, 2024 'Starmae galloped outstanding on Saturday. She was really sharp. 'She may have just taken a couple of runs to get to her peak but this is a good scenario over 1300m again, back in grade, lovely gate (barrier 4) and no weight. 'This is her race to run well.' Baker also saddles up consistent gelding Bat Out Of Hell in the same race where he has drawn barrier 11 but feels he will be better suited once he steps up over a little further. 'He probably needs 1400m and 1500m but he has to start somewhere,' he said. 'He is a horse who always tries his hardest and he has trialled better this time in better than he has in previous preparations. 'We're confident he is going to have a good preparation. Whether it's this week or whether he just gets run under his belt and he'll be ready to go.' Baker was looking forward to seeing Swordplay make her debut at Canterbury last week but she was a late scratching after getting her leg up in the barriers. The daughter of Shalaa has shown plenty of ability and speed to lead all-the-way for big wins in her two barrier trials under Rachel King. 'This is obviously 'Take Two' after she was scratched at the barriers last Wednesday which was unfortunate,' he said. 'She's a lovely, promising filly and she couldn't be any more professional than she has been in her trials.' “VANESSI streaking clear…wins brilliantlyâ€� 🎙ï¸� The 3 year old daughter of Too Darn Hot dropped back to 1100m second up and breaks her maiden with a perfect @nashhot ride! @cwallerracing @RBloodstock @mmsnippets â€' Star Thoroughbreds (@StarTbreds) December 13, 2024 Swordplay has drawn barrier 6 in the TAB Handicap (1100m) with King aboard. 'She has good speed and should roll forward to settle in the first few. Hopefully she brings her trials form to race day,' Baker said. Baker also has Jarrito set to debut in the same race. The daughter of I Am Invincible and Group 1 winner Spright has placed in both trials but will improve with race experience according to Baker. 'She is lovely filly who is still a little bit raw but has done enough in her trials to say she is ready to go to the races,' he said. 'She is definitely going to be better for the run but she is an exciting filly. 'She has drawn an ideal gate and she will hopefully get a smother just behind the speed. She has got a really nice turn of foot.' Baker was pleased with Regimental Colours in her first campaign where she placed in two of her three runs at Canterbury and is looking forward to her return in the Hitotsu At Arrowfield Plate (1100m). 'She has improved a lot both mentally and physically from what she did that preparation,' he said. 'Her trials have been good and while she is open to improvement, she is there to run well.' â– â– â– â– â– Well-bred filly Manaajem kicked off her career with a win and trainer Peter Snowden is quietly confident she can start her second campaign the same way. A three-quarter sister to recent Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes winner Charm Stone and a full sister to Snowden's dual Listed winner Najmaty, Manaajem showed nice ability winning her two trials before debuting with a big win at Wyong on December 31. After pulling up lame when fifth to Alliri on the Kensington 15 days later and was spelled. 'She was just immature and jarred up in her knees,' said Snowden. 'That's why we gave her a good spell and she seems a lot stronger this time in. We have had no issues with her at all.' The daughter of Tassort has trialled stylishly ahead of her return in the Traffic Warden @ Darley Handicap (1100m) when she has drawn barrier 3 with Tommy Berry aboard. Another smart one for TASSORTðŸ�°ðŸ'¥ The @EmiratesPark bred & raced MANAAJEM is individual winner no.21 for her sire, scoring first time asking after 2 previous trial wins🚀 Royally bred with the talent to matchðŸ'° Congratulations to the @SnowdenRacing1 team & all winning… â€' Newgate (@NewgateFarm) December 31, 2024 'Both her trials have been quite good. We have always thought quite a bit of her and we are pleased with the way she has come back,' Snowden said. 'She has a good draw and Tommy has ridden her in nearly all her work and in her trials. 'We are quietly confident she can run well.' Snowden was hoping to get a maiden win on the board for Catonahotinroof at Canberra last start but things didn't go to plan when she missed the start by seven or eight lengths before finishing less than three lengths behind Celestial Breeze in fifth place. 'She just hopped up in the air as the gates opened and lost all chance,' Snowden said. 'She still ran a slashing race to finish as close as she did.' The three-year-old was sent back to the trials where she came from last to beat Wonderstorm at Warwick Farm on May 26 and will make her presence felt in the Asahi Super Dry Plate (1300m). 'She trialled really well the other day. She handles the soft track without any problems,' said Snowden. 'That might play into her hands a little bit this week. 'She has been up a while but is still in good shape and certainly capable of running well.' Snowden is happy with the way Earth Dance Vinnie Three-Time Champion Sire Handicap.
