Kiwi jockey Wiremu Pinn ready for fresh Sydney start after injury woes
'It's been a shame. I would have ridden a lot more winners this season, the way I was riding. I've just had so many injuries and I've had a lot of time off.'
His focus was now building connections and momentum in Sydney.
'I'm fit, healthy and ready to go,' he said. 'I want to make a good impression and if I do get the support, hopefully I'll stay for longer. I believe 90 per cent of being a good jockey is riding good horses. It doesn't matter if you're James McDonald or an apprentice who hasn't had a ride before, if you are on a good horse, you are more of a chance to win.
'It's just about getting support, and I'll spread my wings and work hard, and see who wants to give me rides.'
Pinn starts his push with Lenape Vibe ($41) in the sixth and Speycaster ($61) in the feature Lord Mayors Cup, both for Waller. He also picked up the ride on Matt Dale-trained Acappella Sun ($19) in the last.
'On these wet tracks, anything can happen,' he said of Speycaster, one of three Waller runners in the listed race. 'I've very competitive and I'll be trying, don't worry about that. Lenape Vibe, it will probably need the run, but the one in the last is probably my best chance.
'I'm looking for a manager, so it's been a bit of a slow start, but I'm sure it will only take that one winner for trainers to see how I ride and hopefully I'll get a few more. Especially with these better riders heading to Queensland for the carnival, there are more opportunities for us young fellas.'
Trainer Tom Charlton hopes Derby contender can prove him wrong
Randwick trainer Tom Charlton didn't imagine Maison Louis joining main stable hope King Of Thunder as a chance in the Queensland Derby (2400m).
That was before the pair hit the line strongly together in third and fourth last start in the group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m). Now Charlton believes Maison Louis could prove him wrong.
Charlton, a co-trainer with John O'Shea, will chase his third group 1 win when King Of Thunder ($9.50 Sportsbet) and Maison Louis ($19) tackle the staying test on Saturday at Eagle Farm.
King Of Thunder has long been on a path to the race for three-year-olds after finishing a close third in the group 2 Tulloch Stakes and fifth in the group 1 ATC Derby over the Sydney autumn.
Maison Louis, though, jumped into consideration off a 1900m benchmark handicap win at Canterbury on April 21, which followed maiden and class 1 wins at Goulburn over 1500m and 1600m. He should hold a forward position under Ben Melham with a draw in gate four.
'King Of Thunder obviously has had a lot more racing experience at this level,' Charlton said. 'He probably seems like the more natural stayer out of the two and Maison Louis, it's all sort of happened in his first campaign. He's taking his racing very well, but we're yet to try him at this trip.
'Off his last run, you'd be very confident that he would handle the distance. I personally thought he was never going to be a strong stayer, so let's hope he can prove me wrong. I thought he was more a 2000m horse, but I guess three-year-olds at this grade, they can probably get a bit more forgiveness at that trip.
'He's just progressed more and more with each race. We gave him a little break after he went to Canterbury, and he's answered all the questions he's been asked.'
King Of Thunder (Mark Zahra), third in the Rough Habit, has barrier 14. Charlton and O'Shea also have Candlewick in the group 3 Fred Best Classic (1400m).
'She probably showed a bit of inexperience in the Hawkesbury Guineas [when sixth],' he said. 'Just probably took the wrong option of going inside the eventual winner, and she ended up rolling down off the fence to the inferior ground.'
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News.com.au
16 hours ago
- News.com.au
The Ray Thomas Blackbook: A recap of Lord Mayor's Cup Day at Rosehill
Racing expert Ray Thomas has run the rule over Saturday's Lord Mayor's Cup meeting at Rosehill Gardens and found a few he reckons are worth following. â– â– â– â– â– FIVE TO FOLLOW Codetta (Race 5) had to ease towards the centre of the track to get into the clear before charging home for a first-up second to King's Secret. Codetta's closing sectionals were the fastest of the day and she can be placed to advantage next start. Island Dec (Race 5 ) was the 'hidden' run of the meeting. She was held up for a run on the turn and had to ease off heels to get to the outside. The race was over at this point but Island Dec ran on to finish only eighth, recording a fast final 600m of 34.27s and closing 200m split of 11.59s. It's no secret that King's Secret has a bright future! ðŸ'' He wins at Rosehill for @PrideRacing and Andrew Adkins! @aus_turf_club | @ProvenTbreds — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025 Kerguelen (Race 7) always looked to be in a controlling position and sprinted home strongly under 57.5kg to score a good first-up win from a very game Brave One. The winner and runner-up put nearly three lengths on their chasing rivals. Kerguelen gives @JamesCummings88 and @KPMcEvoy a Rosehill double! ðŸ'° @godolphin | @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025 Don Diego De Vega (Race 8) was first-up in the Lord Mayor's Cup and his effort to finish fourth was full of merit. The winner, Touristic was far too good, but Don Diego De Vega caught the eye running on strongly late for fourth, recording fast closing sectionals. See the sights! Touristic wins the Listed Lord Mayors Cup at Rosehill, and that's a double to Andy Adkins today! 🙌 ðŸ�† @SnowdenRacing1 | @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025 Liberty State (Race 10) was never on the track, racing three-and-four wide without cover then went even wider on the turn before unleashing a brilliant burst of acceleration to reel in her rivals for an outstanding first-up win. Follow her with confidence as she has an unbeaten second-up record. Liberty State returns after a spell with a big win in the last at Rosehill, and that's a double to @djgibbons22! 🥳 @HawkesRacing | @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– ON THE CLOCK Hidden Achievement (Race 1) wasn't suited by the slow early tempo but ran on well for third, producing a final 200m of 11.55s, the second fastest closing sectional of the day. A great battle in the opener at Rosehill with Zebra Finch victorious! ðŸ¦'ðŸ'° @JamesCummings88 | @KPMcEvoy | @godolphin | @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025 Lady Extreme (Race 3) was resuming in the Midway but impressed with her fast-finishing win. She ran her final 600m in a swift 34.60s with a final 200m split of 11.85s. Lady Extreme swoops on them to take the Midway at Rosehill first up! ðŸ'¨ @blakeryan86 | @AlyshaCollett | @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025 Codetta (Race 5 ) didn't have a lot of galloping room in the straight but still sprinted her final 600m in 34.07s with her closing 200m split of 11.45s to finish second. Both sectionals were the best of the day. It's no secret that King's Secret has a bright future! ðŸ'' He wins at Rosehill for @PrideRacing and Andrew Adkins! @aus_turf_club | @ProvenTbreds — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025 Touristic (Race 8 ) reeled off a sub-12s final 200m split at the end of 2000m to win the Lord Mayor's Cup. Touristic ran his closing 200m in 11.98s to win by a widening margin. See the sights! Touristic wins the Listed Lord Mayors Cup at Rosehill, and that's a double to Andy Adkins today! 🙌 ðŸ�† @SnowdenRacing1 | @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025 Liberty State (Race 10 ) covered so much extra ground but was still able to rip home her final 600m in 34.89s to score a very good win. Liberty State returns after a spell with a big win in the last at Rosehill, and that's a double to @djgibbons22! 🥳 @HawkesRacing | @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– WHAT THEY SAID 'It wasn't a big winning margin but I am sure with a better quality horse to aim at, Zebra Finch is going to be better again. He is the sort of colt that only does enough (but) I am sure if he got challenged there was an extra kick in the locker,'' jockey Kerrin McEvoy said. 'The race lacked tempo, it was a sit and sprint. Adam (Hyeronimus, jockey) is adamant that when you can put the bit in his mouth a little bit better, he'll have a better turn of foot. Adam is strongly pushing for Chris (Waller to go to Brisbane with him). He said 'I don't care if I ride him or not but you should be running the horse in the JJ', that's his opinion','' stable representative Charlie Duckworth said. 'Today was my first time on Kerguelen 's back and he really took my eye in the parade. He's a nice horse and gave me a really good feel. He travelled like the winner during the race and to dig in first up at the 1200m like that was a good effort,'' jockey Kerrin McEvoy said. ' King's Secret switched right on today, showed good speed, travelled the whole way and when I asked for him, there was plenty there. He showed a good turn of foot so that's nice to know that he can handle a wet track like that. It's opens more doors going forward,'' jockey Andrew Adkins said. 'Any stakes winner is rewarding but to get two winners back in town today is very satisfying and it helps build that confidence. I've been back at the provincials for a while now and I've had great success there. It's been great for my confidence and now as we head into the winter months, the opportunities to come back and ride in town are opening up and like today, I've made the most of some really great opportunities,' Adkins again after winning the Lord Mayor's Cup on Touristic. â– â– â– â– â– STEWARDS SAY Maori Chief (Race 4) was hampered near the 250m when obliged to shift in away from the heels of Kundabung but was still very disappointing in the manner in which it gave ground in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Pure Alpha (Race 6) was inconvenienced near the 1400m when carried out by Forecast. Pure Alpha had some difficulty obtaining clear running prior to the 200m then just prior to the finish line became unbalanced due to contact from Little Cointreau, which shifted in. Sir Lucan (Race 8 ) was expected to settle in a prominent position, however, due to crowding at the start between Shahzad and Kadavar, Sir Lucan was required to settle near the rear of the field. Kadavar was severely crowded on jumping between Sir Lucan and Speycaster, which jumped in abruptly, and, as a consequence, settled at the rear of the field. Liberty State (Race 10 ), the eventual winner, raced three and four wide and without cover throughout the event. Summer Flame (Race 10 ) was bumped on jumping then travelled satisfactorily through the early and middle stages, however, when placed under pressure she gave no response and made an audible respiratory sound. When Summer Flame commenced to give ground abruptly from the 200m she was eased the filly down over the final stages of the race. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be lame (1/5) in the off-foreleg. â– â– â– â– â– NSW RACING – THE WEEK AHEAD Monday: Corowa, Warren Tuesday: Kembla Grange, Moree Wednesday: Warwick Farm Thursday: Taree, Wagga Wagga Friday: Dubbo Saturday: Royal Randwick, Newcastle Sunday: Wyong, Sapphire Coast â– â– â– â– â– ROSEHILL SNAPSHOT – RON DUFFICY RUN OF THE DAY Kerguelen resumed off a long spell in testing conditions doing an admirable job winning. He probably has the most upside moving forward to go through his grades. FORGET THEY RAN Pure Alpha hit more than a couple of snags in the run never really getting fully balanced. Given a clear run with momentum he probably would have won. HORSE TO FOLLOW It's hard to get carried away following horses off wet tracks but King's Secret and Liberty State  were both quite dominant in their wins on the day and have more to offer.
News.com.au
a day ago
- News.com.au
John Hawkes: Ka Ying Rising still has a box to tick for The Everest
Hall of Fame trainer John Hawkes has provided his expert endorsement of the sprinting talents of The Everest favourite Ka Ying Rising – but with one qualification. 'Ka Ying Rising looks a really, really good horse but he has got to travel from Hong Kong and settle in here,'' Hawkes said. 'Most probably he will be fine but it is never easy when you are travelling a horse overseas. 'At least he has a very good trainer (Hall of Famer David Hayes) and he's a mature horse now. 'He should be OK and if he gets here without a problem then he is going to be hard beat but you never really know until they do it.'' There's nearly five months to the $20 million The TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 18 but Ka Ying Rising is the dominant $1.90 TAB Fixed Odds favourite ahead of Newcastle's unbeaten Private Harry at $6 and the Hawkes Racing -trained Briasa at $8. Ka Ying Rising is spelling after a perfect Hong Kong season where he won all his eight starts brilliantly, including four at Group 1 level culminating with his runaway win in the Chairman's Sprint Prize at Sha Tin in late April. The John Size-trained Helios Express, who was placed in seven races behind Ka Ying Rising this season, made the most of his formidable rival's absence with a fast-finishing win in the Group 3 Sha Tin Handicap on Saturday night, running a fast 1m 8.14s. But the very talented Helios Express is being called Hong Kong's version of Hay List, the outstanding sprinter who was unfortunately born in the same era as the unbeatable Black Caviar and often ran second, albeit well beaten, behind the great mare. Ka Ying Rising has not yet been locked in by a slot-holder for The Everest but this seems only a matter of time with Hong Kong Jockey Club in advanced talks with slot-holder Australian Turf Club. The Hawkes-trained Briasa is a confirmed Everest starter after being snapped up by slot-holders Max Whitby, Neil Werrett and Col Madden. Briasa is spelling after winning the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick during The Championships in April before finishing fourth to Jimmysstar in the All Aged Stakes. Hawkes, who trains in partnership with his sons Wayne and Michael, said Briasa and the stable's other autumn Group 1 winners, Nepotism (Champagne Stakes) and Devil Night (Blue Diamond Stakes) will return to light work this month. 'The good thing with Briasa is he's already qualified (slot) for The Everest, so it's great to get that out of the way,'' Hawkes said. 'The Everest is a very tough race, it won't be easy to win, but we are in with a chance. 'We are only planning to give Briasa one or two runs before The Everest. Horses like him won't have too many runs each preparation as that way they can keep racing for longer.'' The Hawkes stable also had success with Liberty State at Rosehill Gardens last Saturday with the smart mare overcoming a wide run to score an impressive first-up win. Liberty State, who helped boost the Hawkes stable's earnings for the 2024-25 season to a personal-best $10.87 million and counting, also earned praise from winning rider, Dylan Gibbons. 'Ideally I would have been happy with three deep, four deep wasn't part of the plan,'' Gibbons said. 'But when you are out there, there isn't much you can do so I was happy to leave her in her rhythm. 'She seemed to love that ground, there was no kickback in her face, and it gave her the chance to explode.'' Gibbons is hoping he can retain the ride on Liberty State as the mare has an unbeaten second-up record. 'Normally, I'm a big believer when horses go so well first-up they can taper off at their second runs back,'' Gibbons said. 'But I told Michael (Hawkes) and her owners I would not be surprised if that hasn't knocked the wind out of her at all. 'She seemed to pull up in good order and came back in like it was nothing. It will be interesting to see what sort of level she can get to now on the basis of that win.''
The Australian
2 days ago
- The Australian
Eagle Farm gets unexpected Super Saturday after Queensland Derby Day washout
Eagle Farm will host a 10-card Super Saturday of racing next weekend, with a bumper three Group 1s to be staged following the abandonment of four races on Queensland Derby Day on Saturday. Jockeys complained of poor visibility at Eagle Farm after persistent heavy rain during the day, forcing officials to abandon the Derby meeting after five races on Saturday on another wet day in Brisbane. • 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! The jockeys met after the running of the Group 2 BRC Sires' Produce (1400m), won by Cool Archie on a Heavy 10 track, before voicing their concerns about visibility in the awful conditions at Eagle Farm. It means Group 1 races the Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) and the Queensland Derby (2400m) will be rescheduled to next Saturday at Eagle Farm, with the Queensland Oaks (2200m) for 3YO fillies to be run as per normal on that day. The Fred Best Classic, which offers the winning three-year-old a golden ticket into the Stradbroke Handicap in two weeks, will now be staged on Wednesday on Doomben. • Munce colt Cool in crisis to take out Sires' Produce However, the Group 3 Fred Best will now be run over the shorter distance of 1350m instead of 1400m. The winning trainer of the Fred Best will need as much time as possible to prepare their horse for the Group 1 Stradbroke (1400m) on June 14. Just five of the nine races on Saturday were contested before RQ officials decided to abandon the key winter carnival meeting after the jockeys voiced their concerns about the poor visibility on the track. 'We work with the riding group and obviously the rider and horse welfare is the No.1 priority when it comes to these issues,' Racing Queensland chief steward Josh Adams said. 'We felt the track was safe but it was the visibility and the kickback which ultimately resulted in the remainder of the card being cancelled. 'Hopefully the rain goes away and we can run the rescheduled races under fine conditions next week.' Martin Harley after riding Cool Archie to victory. Picture: Trackside Photography • Kiwi import at home on heavy track in dominant Eagle Farm win To accommodate the three rescheduled races from Derby Day, a Benchmark 90 Handicap and Class 6 Handicap due to be contested at Eagle Farm next Saturday will be shifted to the Sunshine Coast next Sunday. All scratchings will be reinstated for the rescheduled races. Brisbane Racing Club will honour all general admission tickets from Saturday for the Eagle Farm meeting on next weekend. Weather in Brisbane should fine up from Tuesday and little rain is predicted from then onwards for the rest of the week.
