Charm Stone claims Robert Sangster Stakes to give Mark Zahra Group 1 double at Morphettville
The Melbourne Cup-winning hoop secured a treble on day one of the Adelaide racing carnival, winning both the Group 1 Sangster and Australasian Oaks, along with earlier success aboard a dominant Legacy Bound in the Group 3 Breeders' Stakes.
• 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!
Charm Stone's Sangster triumph made it an incredible four wins in the race for gun trainer Mick Price, who was full of praise for the daughter of I Am Invincible post-race.
'The very pleasing thing is she's a beautiful mare. We've had her since she was a baby,' Price, who trains in partnership with Michael Kent Jr, said.
'She's one of Sheamus' (Mills) yearling buyers and look, he's one of the main players in the stable with Heath Newton and Anthony and it's just very, very satisfying to get a Group 1 for those guys, the mare has deserved it.'
As for his star rider, Price had a short and sharp assessment.
• What the jockeys said: 2025 Robert Sangster Stakes
'Zahra is Zahra, he just lives in the Group 1 world, doesn't he? But really, really pleased for the mare and the owning group,' he said.
Fellow interstate raiders Ameena and Commemorative filled out the placings in the Sangster, Royal Ascot winner Asfoora finished seventh.
Zahra has every reason to keep coming back to the Adelaide racing carnival, he has now won three Group 1s over the last two carnivals, along with an SA Derby win aboard Jungle Magnate in 2022, also for Price and Kent Jr.
'It's special. A bit of luck this time last year, a bit more luck this year, but nice to get a couple of good rides for people I ride for, and the races have just worked out, everything went in my favour today,' Zahra said.
Mark Zahra celebrates after winning the Robert Sangster Stakes aboard Charm Stone. Picture: Makoto Kaneko
Charm Stone will now head to $1m The Goodwood (1200m) on March 10, but Zahra may have another ride in the Morphettville sprint.
'I might have already locked into one, but we can see,' he said.
'I think Giga Kick's coming that day. Anyway, we'll celebrate about this one first. We'll worry about what's happening in two weeks.'
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Interest rising in Reserve Bank
- Brad Waters
Exciting three-year-old Reserve Bank roared into The Goodwood contention with his dominant win in the Group 2 Tobin Bronze Stakes (1200m).
In a prophetic pre-race interview, co-trainer Mick Price said Reserve Bank would remain in Adelaide for The Goodwood on May 10 had he won the Tobin Bronze Stakes.
Price even perfectly described the run Reserve Bank would have, three-wide with cover from his wide gate, in his pre-race chat.
The tactics left star jockey Blake Shinn with one job – ensure Reserve Bank had clear running to work into the race from the home turn.
Shinn perfectly carried out his task, ensuring Reserve Bank found no traffic problems, enabling the colt to work through his gears in the straight to score by 1½ lengths over Sabaj ($9) and Winnasedge ($16).
'Well, he jumped, which was good, and gave Blake Shinn an option to be midfield,' Price, who trains Reserve Bank in partnership with Michael Kent Jr, said.
'He got cover, but he was strong to the finish and was strong 1200 (metres).
'So, I'll leave him here with Chris Bieg and we'll train him together and hopefully he can run in Goodwood and run well.'
Bookmakers promoted Reserve Bank to the third line of Goodwood betting at $8. The Everest winner Giga Kick is the $2.70 favourite in early betting on the $1m feature.
Price and Kent Jr will shoot for their second win in The Goodwood after the pair completed a minor upset with Lombardo in 2022.
Price also won The Goodwood twice when training alone from his previous base at Caulfield.
He prepared three-year-old colt Perfectly Ready to win The Goodwood from barrier 18 in 2006 and with the classy mare Velocitea in 2010.
The Bjorn Baker-trained Imperial Force started as the $3.70 favourite but finished ninth with Jamie Melham in the saddle.
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Mercury
2 hours ago
- Mercury
11-length debut winner Ninja passes city test with narrow win at Rosehill
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. From a runaway provincial maiden win by a massive margin of more than 11 lengths to scrambling home by a short half-head in Sydney Saturday grade. This was the often difficult transition to metropolitan class Ninja was able to negotiate successfully when he held on for a narrow win in the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1300m) at Rosehill Gardens. Trainer Michael Freedman had deliberately downplayed Ninja's huge maiden win but he was more effusive in his praise for the emerging three-year-old sprinter after his city success. • 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! 'While the margin wasn't great and we certainly wouldn't want it over again, I thought there was a lot of merit in it and he's a horse with a future,'' Freedman said. 'I don't care what anybody says, even though the margin was big the other day, it's not easy going from a maiden to a Benchmark 72 in town.'' Ninja's reputation preceded him and he was sent out the $2.40 favourite. He jumped straight to the front, dashed clear in the straight and although tiring late, held off the late surge of promising Without Peer ($9) to win by a short half-head. Crown The King ($11) chased the leader gamely throughout and was a short-head away third with Fermoy closing off strongly to finish fourth, beaten less than a length, in a race that is likely to be a strong three-year-old form reference during the spring carnival. Form jockey Andrew Adkins said Ninja's slender winning margin should not detract from the lightly-raced sprinter's win. 'Ninja is still a work in progress,'' Adkins said. 'It's not like he is doing things wrong but he is doing things a little upside down in places. 'But from the barriers, he stepped better today so he is slowly picking things up. 'It's hard to come out of that grade (provincial maiden) and come to Saturday against a pretty handy field and still win quite dominantly.'' Adkins said Ninja 'didn't have it easy today but he was quite tough late'. 'I don't think he needs to lead but I rode him like the best horse in the race,'' Adkins said. 'He was there and working through the bridle so I didn't want to break his confidence and rip him back just to sit off the lead. 'The more racing he does we will be able to ride him differently, too. He's exciting and still progressing. He's a horse with a lot of upside.'' Ninja, a $380,000 Magic Millions Yearling Sale purchase, is from the first crop of Golden Slipper winner Farnan and is raced in partnership by the My Racehorse Syndications which specialises in micro-shares, as well as some high profile owners including John Camilleri of Sunshine In Paris fame, Widden Stud, Sledmere Stud and Torryburn Stud. The gelding was having just his third start in his debut preparation, having finished third at Kensington before his back-to-back wins. Andrew Adkins speaks with the owners after Ninja's win. Picture: Getty Images Freedman admitted he has been surprised by Ninja's rapid progression this winter. 'Looking back on it I think he might have found that Kensington track a bit tight and the 1100m a bit sharp first-up,'' the trainer said. 'He has certainly loved getting out over a bit further and just getting into a nice rhythm. He may not look like it today but I do think he will appreciate getting out over a bit further.'' Freedman agreed with Adkins that Ninja is 'still learning his craft' and is not sure he will press on with the emerging young sprinter into the spring. 'Ninja is very raw still,'' Freedman said. 'He gets a big 'jig-joggey' in the parade ring. 'He is still not really jumping away as cleanly as we'd like and he's having to be used a bit just to hold a position. When one kicked up inside him he had to use him a bit more to cross so he's done a really good job to win. 'I will see how he pulls up but I'm always a little hesitant with horses that have raced a bit through the winter how far into the spring you press on with them but he's got a bit of upside for sure.'' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Denim doubles up in city Denim Wynen had never trained a city winner until the start of this season. But Monkhana gave the young trainer her second Saturday winner of the month when she scored a strong win in the Midway Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens. Monkhana's win came two weeks after mother-of-two Wynen's breakthrough metropolitan success with Sunshine Law at Rosehill on August 2. 'I'm lost for words, I can't believe it, I'm so excited,'' Wynen said. In a blanket finish where less than a length separated the top four finishers, Monkhana ($3.50 favourite), well ridden by apprentice Anna Roper, scored by a half-length from Vetwelve ($10) with Convergent ($5) a closing strongly for third, just in front of Justela. Monkhana ran second at the Rosehill meeting two weeks ago and Wynen, 29, returned to the track quietly confident about her mare's chances on Saturday. 'I was pretty confident with her today, without saying it,'' she said. 'She trained on well after her last start and has come back a different horse this time in, she is a lot stronger.'' Vetwelve maintained her consistent winter form with another game effort while Convergent showed promising staying potential with his strong finishing effort to claim third placing. Originally published as 11-length debut winner Ninja passes city test with narrow win at Rosehill
Herald Sun
8 hours ago
- Herald Sun
The Last Say: Tips, inside mail, market movers for today's racing
Tips, market movers, inside mail … Ray Thomas brings you all the info you need to back a winner on Rosebud day at Rosehill, PB Lawrence Stakes Day at Caulfield plus Doomben, Morphettville Parks and more. Don't miss out on the headlines from Opinion. Followed categories will be added to My News. Private Eye, the winner of more than $12 million prizemoney, finally gets back to the races for the Group 2 $300,000 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Trainer Joe Pride had Private Eye ready to go for the Missile Stakes over 1200m last week but scratched the horse the day before and instead trialled him at Warwick Farm. As it turned out, the Missile Stakes meeting at Randwick was washed out and Pride admitted last weekend that Private Eye was ready for a 1400m race anyway. So, Private Eye finds himself at Caulfield for the first time in his 43-start career but the eight-year-old gelding remains a force at racing's top level as he showed with his very good first-up third in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap just two months ago. • 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! There has been good support for Private Eye in latest betting – but nothing like the sensational backing for the unbeaten Team Hayes-trained Scenic Point to win the Group 3 $200,000 Quezette Stakes (1100m). Scenic Point opened with Ladbrokes at $3.90 but has firmed into $2.80 after some huge bets including $750 at $4.10, $1000 at $3.90, $720 at $3.80, $500 at $3.30, $1000 at $3.15, $540 at $2.85 and $1000 at $2.60, She is the most popular runner at the meeting with just over $18,000 invested. — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) August 15, 2025 At Rosehill Gardens, the track will be very heavy for the first Sydney stakes race of the season, the Listed $200,000 The Rosebud (1100m) in which the Michael Freedman-trained Pallaton is a firming favourite at $2.30 favourite after some brilliant recent barrier trials. In an unusual twist, the Team Hawkes-trained Theblade was entered for Caulfield, Rosehill and Doomben today. The Hawkes stable landed on the Class 3 Plate (1200m) at Doomben as the best option for Theblade who has drawn well in barrier six and is into $3 favouritism. Meanwhile, NSW's wet winter has claimed another race meeting with the Kembla Grange races postponed when the track was deemed unsuitable for racing today. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ TRACK CONDITIONS ROSEHILL GARDENS Weather: Cool, mostly cloudy day and a forecast top temperature of 18c. Track: Heavy (9). Rail: 1m out. CAULFIELD Weather: Cold, partly cloudy day with a forecast top temperature of 12c. Track: Soft (7). Rail: 9m out. DOOMBEN Weather: Warm, sunny day with a forecast top temperature of 25c. Track: Good (4). Rail: 0.5m out. MORPHETTVILLE PARKS Weather: Cool, cloudy day with increasing showers and a forecast top temperature of 14c. Track: Soft (5). Rail: 9m out, 6m out remainder. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ BE WARY Rosehill's track is Heavy (9) but it won't be the bottomless surface we had at the same course two weeks ago. Rosehill played quite fairly that day although it was difficult to make up ground. The rail was out 4m the last time we raced here but has been shifted to 1m out for today's meeting. It is expected jockeys will steer away from the inside in the straight. Caulfield's rail is out 9m, which is a shift from the 4m position three weeks ago, and the track is a soft 6. There are big fields for the opening four events so watch closely for any track bias. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ROSEHILL GARDENS TIPS BEST BET: Race 8 No.10 CAPTAIN FURAI was first-up over the Rosehill 1400m two weeks ago when he settled outside the leader Elson Boy into the straight then took the lead at the 300m. He looked set to score but the lack of recent racing told in extremely heavy conditions and Elson Boy kicked back underneath to win. Captain Furai will be better for that run, he has won second-up previously, he excels on heavy tracks where he has not missed a top two finish in four attempts winning twice, and he has James McDonald to ride. The one to beat. THE NEXT BEST: Race 4 No.9 AMREEKIYAH is a promising mare by unbeaten US Triple Crown hero Justify who has made the perfect start to her race career, winning each of her three starts. Her two provincials wins back in autumn were good without being spectacular but she was very impressive first-up at Canterbury when she unleashed a brilliant finishing sprint to win easily. Amreekiyah handled then soft 7 track with ease first-up so she is as good a chance as any of handling the heavy Rosehill surface. She's suited getting back on a bigger track and can maintain her unbeaten record. VALUE BET: Race 7 No.3 PALMETTO isn't a noted first-up performer but he has never been trialling better than he has leading into today's race. He's won two deep Group-class trials at Randwick in recent weeks, defeating Beiwacht and Autumn Glow in the first then comfortably holding off Pericles and Lady Shenandoah in the most recent trial. The 1400m is short of Palmetto's best but he's a superior wet-tracker and the heavy surface is the key to his chances. Palmetto's worth having a saver around $8. THE WHISPER: Race 5 No.4 PALLATON was the early Golden Slipper favourite last season after an exceptional debut win but his form tapered away with two unplaced efforts in autumn. But the Michael Freedman-trained colt has been brilliant in two recent Randwick barrier trial wins, darting through to score over 740m then his eye-catching effort over 1044m when he zoomed home wide out to score comfortably. Promising three-year-old who is a deserved Rosebud favourite. • EXPERT TIPS: Professional punter James Molony's race-by-race tips and analysis for Rosehill Gardens ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ CAULFIELD TIPS BEST BET: Race 4 No.7 STYLISH is a much-improved five-year-old mare by Lonhro with three wins from five starts this winter. She was particularly impressive last start finishing strongly to score at Flemington. She is at her best over 1400m and is very effective on soft tracks. Champion jockey Blake Shinn rides and the mare has drawn in the middle of the field so should get the right run with cover. There's a lot to like about Stylish today. NEXT BEST: Race 9 No.11 REVELARE developed into a winning machine over summer with five consecutive wins from 1600m to 2000m. He hasn't raced since March and is first-up at 1600m but he's had the benefit of two recent Ballarat jump-outs including a 1400m win late last month. Drawn ideally in barrier two so he won't have to do any work early and be in a position to challenge from the turn. Followers of this column would have cleaned up on Revelare last preparation and although he has never won first-up previously, both attempts were over 1400m. VALUE BET: Race 8 No.7 SEPALS faces his big test resuming at weight-for-age in the Group 2 Lawrence Stakes. He showed promise in his debut preparation winning three of his five starts before finishing fourth as favourite in the Group 1 Australian Guineas. But it is worth noting Sepals' best effort was his dominant, runaway win in the Group 3 Hayes Stakes over 1400m at Flemington when the track was rated a soft 7. Sepals will enjoy the give in the track at Caulfield today and despite drifting to $10, he's good each way value. THE WHISPER: Race 6 No.4 SCENIC POINT is unbeaten in two starts including the Listed Redoute's Choice Stakes over the Caulfield 1100m course back last season. She's looked the part in two recent Flemington jump-outs and the Team Hayes-trained filly can control the race from the inside barrier. Significantly, Scenic Point has been sensationally backed to win the Quezette Stakes. • EXPERT TIPS: Brad Waters' best bets for Caulfield, plus quaddie picks and race-by-race analysis ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ TAB FIXED ODDS BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS ROSEHILL GARDENS Race 1: Monkhana $8-$4.60, King Ratel $15-$7, Prety Tavi $15-$9 Race 2: Kranich $8-$5.50, Adolphus $8-$6 Race 3: Karinska $15-$11, Wisnierska $51-$26 Race 4: Amreekiyah $5-$3.70, Pippie Beach $11-$6.50 Race 5: Pallaton $2.70-$2.40, Grand Prairie $8-$6.5 Race 6: Pure Alpha $8-$6.50, So You Are $15-$9 Race 7: War Eternal $6-$3.40, Our Gold Hope $11-$8, Ang Pow $15-$13 Race 8: Captain Furai $6-$4.20, Denman Star $15, $9 Race 9: Polyglot $4.20-$3.70, Regimental Colours $13-$8.50, Useapin $16-$9.50 Race 10: Bunker Hut $10-$5.50, Disneck $18-$10 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ LADBROKE BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS ROSEHILL GARDENS Race 1: King Ratel $13-$8.50 including bets of $266 and $200 at $9.25, $120 at $9, $120 at $8.50, Convergent $6-$5.50 with a bet of $500 at $6), Monkhana $5.50-$4.20 with a bet of $445 at $5.50 Race 2: Kranich $9-$5.50 with a bet of $250 at $9, Ninja $2.05-$1.90 Race 3: Karinska $11-$10 after a bet of $250 at $11 Race 4: Pippie Beach $9.50-$6.50 Race 5: Skyhook $4.80-$3.60 after bets of $525 at $4.80, $590 at $4.40 Race 6: Hasty Honey $10-$9.50 after a bet of $220 at $10, Pure Alpha $7-$4.80 after a bet of $330 at $7, She's Unusual $500 at $8.25 Race 7: Adelaide River $10-$8.50 after bets of $510 at $9.75, $2000 at $8.50, War Eternal $4.20-$3.50 after three bets of $400 at $4.20, Semillion $81-$26, Ang Pow $34-$12 after bets of $100 at $37, $405 at $18, $500 at $16, $145 at $15, $155 at $14 Race 8: Captain Furai $7-$5 after bets of $250 and $200 at $7, $360 at $6.50, Denman Star $11-$19 with bets of $150 at $11, $220 a $10 Race 9: Bonita Queen $9-$8.50 after a bet of $220 at $9, Ravenclaw $10-$8, Polyglot $500 at $5, Useapin $18-$10 Race 10: Perfumist $5-$6-$5.50 after bets of $2000 at $6, $250 at $5.75, $445 at $5.50 CAULFIELD Race 1: Verdoux $5-$3.50 with a bet of $525 at $4.80, Shadhaver $200 at $10.25, Behaviour $200 at $11 Race 2: Skippers Canyon $5.50-$3.60 after bets of $875 at $5.50, $390 at $5.25, $2000, $2000, $400 and $350 at $5, $740 at $3.70, Boga Legend $165 at $13 Race 3: Gala Queen $4.80-$3.80 with bets of $525 at $4.80, $500 at $4, $749 and $600 at $3.70 Race 4: Freak Of Nature $150 at $18 Race 5: Tycoon Star $200 at $6, $500 at $5.50, Shining Smile $665 at $4, Hay Street $12-$7.50 with a bet of $180 at $12 Race 6: Scenic Point $3.90-$2.80 after bets of $750 at $4.10, $1000 at $3.90, $720 at $3.80, $500 at $3.30, $1000 at $3.15, $540 at $2.85, $1000 at $2.60, Ferivia $12-$9 with bets of $230 at $12.50, $180 and $140 at $12, $150 at $11 Race 7: Royal Insignia $350 at $6, $500 and $315 at $5.50, Pop Award $330, $215 and $200 at $7 Race 8: Private Eye $3.70-$2.90, Evaporate $500 at $4.15 Race 9: Revelare $4.80-$4 after two bets of $525 a $4.80, King's Valley $11-$7.50 after a $200 bet at $11 • LAURIE'S LONGSHOTS: Laurie Sainsbury says $51 roughie 'worth a throw at the stumps' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ INTERSTATE MAIL Doomben Race 1 No.4 DRACENA Doomben Race 6 No.15 THEBLADE Morphettville Parks Race 3 No.1 BEAST MODE Morphettville Parks Race 4 No.6 LAVISH THINKER • EXPERT TIPS: Graeme Carey's best bets, race-by-race tips, analysis and quaddie picks for Doomben • EXPERT TIPS: Heath Pope's $10 value play for Morphettville Parks; Aaron Mills' best bets for Belmont #Good luck today and I hope you back plenty of winners Originally published as The Last Say: Tips, inside mail, market movers for today's racing Horse Racing Racenet form analyst Chris Vernuccio's best bet is in the feature Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes as he gives his top picks and best lay at Caulfield on Saturday. Opinion Form analyst Shayne O'Cass provides his best bets and race-by-race analysis for Kembla Grange plus tips for Narrandera and Gilgandra on Saturday.
Herald Sun
18 hours ago
- Herald Sun
Horse racing tips: Caulfield best bets for Saturday, August 16, 2025
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. News Corp form analyst Chris Vernuccio takes a look at the PB Lawrence Stakes meeting at Caulfield on Saturday. • 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! ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ BEST BET EVAPORATE (R8 No.6 – $3.90) Evaporate has trialled with intent heading into his first-up run in the PB Lawrence Stakes. Last prep he didn't have much luck in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes and The Kiwi before a soft win in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes to end the prep. NEXT BEST FEDERER (R2 No.12 – $3.80) Federer was held up in the straight last start at Flemington after drawing barrier two. Has now drawn out wide but will trust Blake Shinn to find a spot forward of midfield. VALUE BET HAY STREET (R5 No.8 – $7.50) There has been good support for Hay Street who was as much as $12 when markets came out on Wednesday. The Annabel and Rob Archibald three-year-old may be the only maiden in the Vain Stakes but is coming out of some strong NSW 2YO races that have had subsequent Group 1 form. LAY OF THE DAY JIMMY RECARD (R5 No.5) Jimmy Recard has been backed into favouritism since final field but this is a big step up from winning the 2YO Series Final, and he's also dropping back in trip. THE JOCKEY BLAKE SHINN VERDOUX (R1 No.11 – $3.30), FEDERER (R2 No.12 – $3.80), GALA QUEEN (R3 No.7 – $3.30), STYLISH (R4 No.7 – $4.40), THE PLAYWRIGHT (R6 No.1 – $8.50), ARKANSAW KID (R7 No.1 – $5), EVAPORATE (R8 No.6 – $3.90), FORGOT YOU (R9 No.4 – $9.50). Originally published as On The Punt: Caulfield best bets for Saturday, August 16, 2025
