Latest news with #Aerodrome
Mercury
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mercury
Michael Hawkes declares Gallo Nero ‘horse to beat' in BRC Sires' Produce Stakes
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. A bullish Michael Hawkes has declared 'we're not wary of anybody' in Saturday's BRC Sires' Produce Stakes, believing the wide spaces of Eagle Farm will suit his colt Gallo Nero. Leading jockey Tommy Berry will step up to steer Gallo Nero after regular rider Tyler Schiller suffered a fractured back on Wednesday when filly Rockabye Roxy bucked the hoop in a frightening incident at Canterbury Park. Schiller will miss at least six weeks, ruling him out of the Queensland winter carnival, including the plum ride on $4.20 favourite Gallo Nero in the $1m BRC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m). • 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 Michael Freedman-trained gelding Aerodrome is $6.50, with local star Grafterburners next on the line at $7. 'It's very disappointing for Tyler,' Michael Hawkes, who trains in partnership with his father John and brother Wayne, said on Friday. 'Tommy Berry's a great back-up but Tyler's done all the work on the horse. His time will come.' Hawkes believed Gallo Nero deserved to win his last-start – the Spirit Of Boom Classic at Doomben (1200m) two weeks ago when he finished runner-up behind Cool Archie after being forced to run wide without cover for most of the trip on a Heavy 8 track. • No Frankie, no worries for Giga Kick in Group 1 attack 'He should've won first-up, everyone saw it,' he said. 'In this day and age unfortunately barriers win races and he was no closer than four-deep probably the whole way. 'He deserved to win. Take nothing away from the other horse (Cool Archie) but he got the breaks and went through them while we had to go around them. 'He had a hard run – first-up on a bog track is not ideal – but his first time at 1400m should suit. 'Hopefully he gets a lovely run because I think Eagle Farm will definitely suit him. It's a big, roomy track that he'll appreciate. 'We're not wary of anybody, he's the horse to beat. 'As long as he gets a good run in transit, everything goes his way and he has a bit of luck then he's going to figure in the finish.' Tyler Schiller riding colt Gallo Nero to victory at Royal Randwick last December. Picture: Getty Images Both Aerodrome and Gallo Nero are $8 chances for the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) for 2YOs on June 14 at Eagle Farm. Freedman said he would prefer a dry track on Saturday for the undefeated Aerodrome, despite him winning the Clarendon Stakes (1400m) last start on heavy ground at Hawkesbury. But with persistent rain on Friday and up to 40mm forecast for Brisbane on Saturday, the Golden Slipper-winning trainer won't get his wish. • One-time Derby fancy can bounce back from second-up syndrome 'I was hoping we'd get a firmer track because he's got such a good action,' Freedman said. 'Whilst he won on a Heavy 8 track at Hawkesbury, I don't think he was as good on that surface as he was the start before on a drier track. 'But look, he's travelled up well and he's very bright and happy. I was happy with his work here (in Sydney) on Tuesday. 'It just remains to be seen how the track plays.' Originally published as Michael Hawkes declares Gallo Nero 'horse to beat' in BRC Sires' Produce Stakes
RTÉ News
20-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Almost €8m allocated to Ireland West, Kerry and Donegal airports
Almost €8m in Exchequer funding has been allocated to three regional airports under the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025. The funding has been allocated to Ireland West (Knock), Kerry and Donegal airports. Ireland West (Knock) is to be allocated €5.664m, Kerry will receive €1.813m and Donegal will get €0.346m for a total of €7.823m in funding. The funds will contribute towards capital investment in the areas of safety and security at the three airports, while also supporting projects with a sustainability focus, assisting airports to meet their carbon reduction targets as well as building resilience against climate change. Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien that among the 33 projects being supported this year are Solar PV projects which will see the expanded production of electricity from renewable sources at Donegal Airport and the installation of a solar PV farm at Ireland West Airport. "Other significant investments include new safety and security upgrades at Kerry and Donegal airports as well as the continuation of the Aerodrome Fire Training Centre and Electrical Infrastructure Upgrade projects at Ireland West Airport," the Minister said. Mr O'Brien said this level of targeted support is an indication of the importance Government attaches to the country's regional airports which facilitate connectivity. "The targeted Exchequer funding provided by my Department to this sector has supported strong growth in passenger numbers, with overall passenger traffic across Irish regional airports last year 7% above 2023 levels. This positive trajectory has continued this year with 6% growth in passenger traffic across regional airports in the first quarter," he added.
News.com.au
19-05-2025
- Climate
- News.com.au
Trainer Chris Waller's wet worries ahead of crucial Joliestar trial
Trainer Chris Waller is hopeful Sydney's big wet eases long enough for brilliant mare Joliestar to compete in a crucial Canterbury barrier trial on Tuesday. Waller is using the 900m heat to prepare Joliestar for the Group 1 $1 million Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm on May 31 where the mare is currently the $4 TAB Fixed Odds favourite. But the Canterbury trials session, which has already been postponed from Monday due to heavy rainfall, is in some doubt given the weather forecast is not encouraging. If Joliestar doesn't get to go around at Canterbury, Waller has a fallback option of trialling at Rosehill on Friday. A number of other Brisbane carnival contenders are also due to trial at Canterbury including Hawkesbury Guineas winner Media World, unbeaten Clarendon Stakes winner Aerodrome, and promising three-year-old Angel Capital. The wet weather which has lashed the NSW coast in the last 48 hours resulted in the postponement of Monday's Port Macquarie meeting. Newcastle 's track surface is already a heavy 10 for Tuesday's meeting with club officials hoping there isn't too much rainfall overnight. Tamworth is also hosting a Tuesday raceday with the track in the soft range late on Monday. Racing returns to Royal Randwick on Saturday for the first time in a month with the track rated a heavy 9 late on Monday and rain forecast for Sydney all week. Despite the certainty of a wet track at Randwick, there was a bumper 244 nominations for the 10-race program on Saturday. In a proactive move, Racing NSW moved Friday's Coffs Harbour meeting to Inverell where conditions are much drier.
Motor 1
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Watch Hammond and May Lap The Top Gear Test Track One Last Time
The test track at Dunsfold's Aerodrome in the United Kingdom was the defining location of Top Gear . While much of the presenting took place in a studio, a large chunk of the testing, lapping, and tomfoolery we remember most happened at the fabled airstrip-turned-road course. Used from 2002 as a primary filming location for the show, the Aerodrome faces an uncertain future. In 2018, rumors circulated that the track would be demolished to make room for a new residential housing project. And while development has begun at the opposite end of the airfield, the 1.9-mile track should remain operational at least through 2026, according to . In the wake of that uncertainty, former Top Gear hosts James May and Richard Hammond thought it a good time to revisit the legendary location and reminisce on their experiences. While the Aerodrome is best-known for the Stig's timed "Power Laps," the show also used Dunsfold for a variety of reviews, features, and comparisons. Production of Top Gear was put on hold in 2023 "for the foreseeable future" after host Freddie Flintoff rolled a Morgan 3-Wheeler at Dunsfold while filming, resulting in serious injury. The BBC later reached a settlement with Flintoff reportedly worth $11.3 million at the time. "We know resting the show will be disappointing news for fans, but it is the right thing to do," the BBC said in its 2023 statement. "All other Top Gear activity remains unaffected by this hiatus, including international formats, digital, magazines, and licensing." In fact, Top Gear Magazine in the UK still uses the Aerodrome for timed laps with the Stig , the publication's masked racing driver. As of this writing, the record is held by the McMurtry Spéirling fan car, with a time of 55.9 seconds —making it quicker than even an F1 car. We Miss Top Gear James May and Richard Hammond Are Just Doing Top Gear Stuff Now Top Gear Is Attempting to Set an Off-Road World Record Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Courier-Mail
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Courier-Mail
Hawkesbury Thursday preview: Doyle has Motive for milestone
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle is on the cusp of 300 career winners and can bring up the milestone this week, possibly at Hawkesbury. Doyle currently sits on 297 winners and can make a winning start to the day with Hidden Motive in the opening race, the 2YO Maiden Plate (1100m). The son of Capitalist and Group 1 winner Secret Agenda showed his talent in the early two-year-old trials and a fourth in the Breeders Plate last spring. He returned with a close second to Aerodrome at Warwick Farm on April 16 before a third to Grand Eagle at Randwick 10 days later. 'He ran a super race first-up when he and Aerodrome went head-and-head the whole way,' said David Dyson, racing manager for Nathan Doyle. The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here! 'They cleared out and beat the others by a fair way so it was a very good performance in defeat. 'He may have raced a little flat at Randwick last start with only 10 days between runs. 'He now drops back to provincial grade and I think we have found a very suitable race for him to open his winning account. 'He hasn't drawn too badly in barrier eight. He rolls forward and puts himself on speed so he'll certainly give a good account of himself.' Queen's Rhapsody has also shown plenty of ability in her short career with four second placings from as many starts and all in metropolitan company. The daughter of So You Think only joined Doyle's stable earlier this year and is looking to kick off her preparation on a winning note in the 3YO Maiden Handicap (1100m). 'If you look at the horses she has finished behind – Sakima, Flying For Fun, Gerringong and Crepe Myrtle – if they were in a race like this, they are winning and winning quite convincingly,' said Dyson. 'We all know horses are a confidence animal and it would be nice to see her knock one off at the start of the preparation and she if she can improve through it. The three-year-old has been very good in winning both recent trials, the latest by over a length from Renoir at Newcastle on May 7. • Tears of torment turn to joy in Cole's inspiring return to saddle 'She was very sharp in her first trial and Nathan wanted to give her a solid hit out in her second one with this race in mind,' Dyson. 'He wanted her to win the trial and give her that confidence heading into the race. 'We expect her to acquit herself very well.' Caltsar kicked off his career with a smart win from Proclivity in a Midway Maiden on a heavy track at Newcastle on April 23 and can make it two in-a-row should he start in the Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m). 'He's a lovely horse. The penny still hasn't quite dropped and is learning as he goes along but in 12 months, I think he could be something quite good,' Dyson said. 'It took him a long time to get to top gear but once he did, he really put them away in a couple of bounds. 'If he keep improving, he's going to be metropolitan standard. 'He's also in at Scone on Friday in a Class 1 over the mile where he has drawn barrier five. 'Nathan and his connections will weigh up both options.' Doyle also has another new stable addition, Owen County, in the same race. 'It says eleventh out of twelve in the form (but) he got held up and it took his momentum away completely,' Dyson said. 'If he can keep his momentum up this week over the mile, he will run an improved race but when he gets to 2000m is when we will see him perform at his best.' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Trainer John Sargent was pleased to see a much improved performance from Ocean Diva last time out and expects her to figure prominently again at Hawkesbury. The four-year-old contacted the off-side gate on jumping and was always well back when resuming at Goulburn but was back to her true form when a nose second behind Dreamdeel after leading over the mile at Gosford on April 25. 'That was more like it. She just needs a run of two to get fit,' said John Sargent. 'I thought she just about won that day, she just got nabbed on the line and she has improved with that run.' Ocean Diva stays at the 1600m when she contests the Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap. 'She will be on speed in the running. From the inside draw, she will either lead or trail and obviously, she likes the sting out of the track too,' he said. 'I expect a good run from her again. • Flying local Know Thyself sneaks into Scone Cup field Last preparation, the daughter of Ocean Park led all-the-way to win at Goulburn before a fourth to Flying Bandit in a Midway Handicap over 1800m at Randwick and Sargent is looking to get her back to town after this assignment. 'I nearly put her in the Midway at Scone on Saturday but I just thought this would suit her close to home on her way through to a Midway. 'Hopefully she can go from here up to 2000m. I'm very happy with her and she has trained on really well.' Stablemate Perfect Justice could earn himself a trip north for the Queensland Derby should he be victorious in the Class 1 And Maiden Plate (2000m). The son of Justify followed a Canberra maiden win with two seconds before stepping up to the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes at Rosehill where he finished second last on a heavy track behind Pocketing. He appreciate a better surface when third to Junebug at Wyong last start. 'Molly (Bourke) said as soon as he jumped, he was gone in the Tulloch Stakes. He was way out the back and didn't handle it for a yard,' he said. 'As long as the Hawkesbury track stays in the soft range, then he should run another good race. 'He too will race up on speed, Molly knows him and he's well in at the weights. 'If he happens to win, then he would probably go up to Queensland. 'He's a good stayer and this looks a nice race for him.'
