Rob Heathcote sure talented filly Carbonara can pass barrier test after debut disaster
Trainer Rob Heathcote is confident there won't a repeat of the barrier mishap which ruined Carbonara's debut race when the talented filly lines up in Saturday's $200,000 Calaway Gal Stakes at Eagle Farm.
Young apprentice Bailey Wheeler was riding Carbonara, named after one of Heathcote's favourite Italian dishes, spaghetti carbonara, when the horse reared in the gates in the $125,000 QTIS 2YO Jewel Prelude over 1110m at Doomben on February 22.
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Carbonara ended up finishing last in a complete forgive run in the nine-horse race won by Sunrays and trained by Kelly Schweida, who went on to win the $500,000 2YO Jewel (1200m) on the Gold Coast last month with Grafterburners.
'She reared in the stalls and that can happen,' Heathcote said about the unfortunate incident in the 2YO Prelude.
'She's a little bit antsy at first and gets a little bit anxious in the barriers.
'Since then we've had to do a fair bit of rehabilitation work and we've had her through our barriers.
'She had a jumpout on Tuesday which was part of the stewards' direction and she passed her barrier certificate. That's why I have her in on Saturday.
'She's an enormous talent. I'm having a horror run with wide barriers but we're still going to run Carbonara on Saturday.'
Rob Heathcote is hoping Carbonara can make a clean getaway in the Calaway Gal Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday, Picture: Liam Kidston
High-flying apprentice Emily Lang will ride Carbonara in a race dominated in the betting markets by the Tony Gollan-trained topweight Hi Barbie ($3.30 with TAB).
Lang is leading the Brisbane jockeys' premiership with 51 victories, six ahead of Jimmy Orman and Angela Jones, who will ride Hi Barbie, the filly resuming after finishing sixth in the $3m Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) in January.
'From the alley (14) obviously it'll be tough and Hi Barbie is pure quality,' Heathcote said.
'She's a $1.2m filly and mine is a little home-bred.'
Heathcote was clearly thinking about his belly when it came to naming Carbonara, who is paying $14 to win the $200,000 Listed Calaway Gal Stakes.
'I love spaghetti carbonara and she's out of a mare called Alle Vongole, which is a famous Italian dish called alle vongole, which in Italian means 'spaghetti with clams',' Heathcote said.
'It's my favourite dish. The half-brother that's out in the paddock, I think I'll call him 'Linguine'.'
Unbeaten pair Ha'penny Hatch ($5) and Dragonne Rouge ($8.50) should also provide stiff opposition in the race for 2YO fillies, while TAB has rated the John Sargent-trained Listen Sweetheart as a $6 chance in her race debut.
Originally published as Trainer Rob Heathcote's bad luck with barrier draws continues with Carbonara in Calaway Gal Stakes
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Herald Sun
6 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.

Courier-Mail
6 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
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Herald Sun
16 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