Latest news with #AnnaRoper
The Australian
04-08-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Without Parallel stays unbeaten at Rosehill to emerge as a contender for The Kosciuszko
Country NSW's leading trainer Matt Dunn has his sights on The Kosciuszko after his emerging talent Without Parallel remained unbeaten at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. The four-year-old mare made it four from four when revelling in the heavy conditions to trounce her rivals in the Highway Class 3 Handicap (1200m). Immediately after the win, installed Without Parallel into The Kosciuszko pre-field market as a $26 chance for the $2m 1200m country feature at Randwick on October 18. • 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! 'We have to start thinking seriously about the race now,' Dunn said. 'Horses can go from Highway races to The Kosciuszko but they need to win like she did. 'I did something similar with a horse called Derry Grove. He won two Highways before running in The Kosciuszko. 'I've got a bit more time up my sleeve with this horse, so I'll go home and plot a path. 'She's a good candidate.' Without Parallel was sent out the $2.45 favourite and gave her backers a painless watch, dominating from the front before surging clear in the straight to win by an ever widening 4¾ lengths from Via Vegas ($18) with Cougars ($8) a half-head back in third. The victory was the perfect start to the new season for apprentice Anna Roper, who was having her first ride for Dunn and provided the prolific trainer with his 41st Highway winner. 'It's a really impressive effort,' Roper said. 'She added another string to her bow today with the wet track and in Sydney grade. 'I was sort of hoping to lead and when that horse crossed me, I didn't really want to follow it so I just popped outside it. • Waller and J-Mac ignite Godolphin's new era 'It meant I was able to get to the best part of the track so it was good to do that with her. 'She handled that track really well and to do that over 1200 (metres), Matt has got a really nice horse on his hands. 'Super turn of foot. Turning for home I gave her one slap down the shoulder and she took off like a rocket, so she is a really nice horse for the future. 'She's the nicest horse I've sat on in a Highway, that's for sure and certain.' Without Parallel started her career with two starts in the Northern Rivers district of NSW before resuming in June when she recorded her third win at Eagle Farm. Dunn said the daughter of former Kiwi-based shuttle stallion Time Test still has plenty of scope to continue her progression through the grades. 'The way she did that was no surprise to me,' he said. 'The only question I had was if she was going to get through the heavy ground and she's ticked that box now. 'I was hopefully she's handle it because she's that right shape. She's a speed horse that's nimble and athletic. 'If today was a dry track I'd have expected her to do that to them. I hold her in good regard. • Crossbow aims higher after maiden win at Flemington 'Today was another positive. 'She handles firm, good, soft and heavy, she can make the pace or come off speed. 'A real little runner. She's an intelligent little racehorse that just does it.' Roper heads into 2025/26 after the best return of her short career, riding 77 winners during last season with 23.5 metropolitan winners to finish third in the Sydney apprentices' premiership. 'That was my first ride for Matt so it was good to get the job done like that for him,' Roper said. 'I'd really like to get to 100 winners this season shore up my place riding in town so it was good to get off to a fast start like that. 'Last season I missed the first few months through injury so this year to plan is to try to get to 100. 'I really want to work on my consistency too this season in town on a week-to-week basis. 'I've been very lucky with the support I've received from some big stables like Ciaron's. He's been so supportive to my career.'
News.com.au
02-08-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Without Parallel remains unbeaten and emerges as a strong contender for The Kosciuszko after a commanding win at Rosehill
Country NSW's leading trainer Matt Dunn has his sights on The Kosciuszko after his emerging talent Without Parallel remained unbeaten at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. The four-year-old mare made it four from four when revelling in the heavy conditions to trounce her rivals in the Highway Class 3 Handicap (1200m). Immediately after the win, installed Without Parallel into The Kosciuszko pre-field market as a $26 chance for the $2 million 1200m country feature at Randwick on October 18. 'We have to start thinking seriously about the race now,' Dunn said. 'Horses can go from Highway races to The Kosciuszko but they need to win like she did. 'I did something similar with a horse called Derry Grove. He won two Highways before running in The Kosciuszko. 'I've got a bit more time up my sleeve with this horse, so I'll go home and plot a path. 'She's a good candidate.' Without Parallel was sent out the $2.45 favourite and gave her backers a painless watch, dominating from the front before surging clear in the straight to win by an ever widening four-and-three-quarter lengths from Via Vegas ($18) with Cougars ($8) a half-head back in third. The victory was the perfect start to the new season for apprentice Anna Roper, who was having her first ride for Dunn and provided the prolific trainer with his 41st Highway winner. 'It's a really impressive effort,' Roper said. 'She added another string to her bow today with the wet track and in Sydney grade. 'I was sort of hoping to lead and when that horse crossed me, I didn't really want to follow it so I just popped outside it. Without Parallel strolls in to win the third at Randwick! ðŸ'¥ Favourite backers enjoy the easy watch! 😅 @mattydunnracing @AnnaRoper_ â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 2, 2025 • Waller and J-Mac ignite Godolphin's new era 'It meant I was able to get to the best part of the track so it was good to do that with her. 'She handled that track really well and to do that over 1200 (metres), Matt has got a really nice horse on his hands. 'Super turn of foot. Turning for home I gave her one slap down the shoulder and she took off like a rocket, so she is a really nice horse for the future. 'She's the nicest horse I've sat on in a Highway, that's for sure and certain.' Without Parallel started her career with two starts in the Northern Rivers district of NSW before resuming in June when she recorded her third win at Eagle Farm. Dunn said the daughter of former Kiwi-based shuttle stallion Time Test (GB) still has plenty of scope to continue her progression through the grades. 'The way she did that was no surprise to me,' he said. 'The only question I had was if she was going to get through the heavy ground and she's ticked that box now. 'I was hopefully she's handle it because she's that right shape. She's a speed horse that's nimble and athletic. 'If today was a dry track I'd have expected her to do that to them. I hold her in good regard. Without Parallel indeed! Damien Thornton and Matthew Dunn combine to take the second at Eagle Farm @_damienthornton @mattydunnracing â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) July 19, 2025 • Crossbow aims higher after maiden win at Flemington 'Today was another positive. 'She handles firm, good, soft and heavy, she can make the pace or come off speed. 'A real little runner. She's an intelligent little racehorse that just does it.' Roper heads into 2025/26 after the best return of her short career, riding 77 winners during last season with 23.5 metropolitan winners to finish third in the Sydney apprentices' premiership. 'That was my first ride for Matt so it was good to get the job done like that for him,' Roper said. 'I'd really like to get to 100 winners this season and sure my place up riding in town so it was good to get off to a fast start like that. 'Last season I missed the first few months through injury so this year to plan is to try to get to 100. 'I really want to work on my consistency too this season in town on a week-to-week basis. 'I've been very lucky with the support I've received from some big stables like Ciaron's. He's been so supportive to my career.'
News.com.au
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Rising apprentice Anna Roper preparing for big day at Rosehill Gardens
Anna Roper is eager to make the most of her opportunities at Rosehill Gardens and expects Spywire to be hard to beat with even luck on Saturday. Roper has a handy book across the 10-event card with the Ciaron Maher -trained Spywire headlining the bunch in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m). Spywire is the $2.70 favourite to score his first win since debut preparation as a two-year-old but wasn't far away first-up with Roper aboard. The son of Trapeze Artist only got clear air halfway down the Rosehill straight before just missing behind form sprinter King's Secret. 'Spywire was a tad unlucky first-up but also peaked on his run late,' Roper said. 'The team went into that run thinking he would take improvement off it and I think he certainly will, he was wirey in the coat. 'I think he will take massive improvement. He will need a little bit of luck from a tricky barrier. 'He is a horse that I don't know if you can push or pull too much. You have to let him flow in his rhythm so as long as he gets some luck he should be very competitive.' Pony Soprano has been the subject of a substantial betting move with the Robert Agnew -trained galloper shortening from $19 into $6.50 for the TAB Highway Class 2 Handicap (1100m). Roper kicks her day off on the country galloper and sees the son of Thronum as a great winning chance. Pony Soprano has won two of his five starts already and Roper has piloted the three-year-old in both of his lead-up trials. 'He is a lightly-raced galloper but he targeted those Country Championships races with him and it just showed how much of an opinion he had of him,' Roper said. 'His trials have been really good. He is two from two first-up so if he is going as well as we think he is, he should be very competitive in a Highway. 'I think he is a nice horse.' Roper is excited to reconnect with the Annabel and Rob Archibald -trained Don't Forget Jack ($6.50) after helping the gelding to a first-up victory at Hawkesbury. The son of Headwater was slowly away second-up when the pair combined and never feature but has since finished first and second at Rosehill Gardens. 'He missed the kick that day at Rosehill but seems to be jumping better,' Roper said. 'As long as he gets the start right from barrier one, that's probably the concern. 'But he seems to be very consistent this preparation and Annabel is doing a great job with him. 'He is getting better and better with every run.' It will be the first time Roper pilots John O'Shea and Tom Charlton' s Good Banter ($4.40 favourite). The daughter of Tavistock scored a drought-breaking success at the same venue last start over 2000m and steps over a mile and a half this weekend. 'Good Banter gets back up to the 2400m,' Roper said. 'I have never ridden the horse but the win was good last start so hopefully that adds a bit of confidence and she can go on with it.' Roper has 22½ metropolitan wins and only sits behind Braith Nock (40 wins) and Molly Bourke (24 wins) on the Sydney apprentices premiership. Stables have been making the most of Roper's 2kg claim in the winter months with the apprentice set to ride for seven different trainers on the weekend. She also rides Ringarosa (race 6), South Of India (race eight) and War Eternal (race 10). 'I have had terrific support in town from so many different stables,' Roper said. 'They have all been so consistent and I couldn't be more thankful for it. 'Obviously you have to keep showing up and doing the job when they put you on but it's great to have that sort of support and I am excited for Saturday and if everything goes to plan it will be a good day.'
The Australian
20-05-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Warwick Farm preview: Title fire still burns bright for Anna Roper
Missing the early part of the season put Anna Roper's goal of winning the Sydney Apprentices title behind the Eight ball but she hasn't given up hope and a solid book of rides at Warwick Farm can help her build on her tally. Roper missed the first three months of the current season due to a quad injury that required surgery and then getting kicked by a horse which extended her time off. 'The apprentice premiership was meant to be the target but loosing that much time made it a bit of an issue but at the same time, you never what what's going to happen in this job,' said Roper. 'In the end, it was a case of just getting on with it and do the best I can for the season. Hopefully without any more injuries. 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! 'It's not impossible. If I can keep riding consistently until the end of the season. 'Obviously Braith (Nock) has a bit of a lead on us but I will give it my best.' One of Roper's leading chances at Warwick Farm is Livin' Thing in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m). The John O'Shea and Tom Charlton-trained gelding resumed with a handy win on a heavy track at Kembla from Zaragoza who franked the form with a win at the same course last weekend. 'I really have a lot of time for this horse,' Roper said. 'He gave me a very nice feel at Kembla. From the top of the straight, I always thought he would go straight past them but he had a bit of a think about things. Not because he wasn't genuine but rather he was green and didn't know what to do. 'He still managed to win on raw ability. 'He will learn a lot from that run and I think he's a nice horse going forward once he puts it together a bit better. 'I'm excited to be back on board and up to metro grade. Seeing if he is going to be competitive against the better horses.' Roper also combines with O'Shea and Charlton when Natural Deduction contests the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1600m). The gelding was doing his best work late when a three length seventh behind Seafall over this same track and distance on May 7. 'It was a really good run,' she said. 'Obviously he was first-up over the mile and he was very fresh and got quite keen in the run. 'To finish off the way he did, I was impressed. 'Second-up with that edge off him, he might relax better. He's drawn a better barrier so hopefully I can have him closer in the run. 'His is two from two second-up and should be a good chance. My only concern is the heavy track which he hasn't been tried on.' Roper rode Junebug to victory at Wyong before a third behind stablemate Asgoodassobergets on Gosford Cup Day. The mare drops back to a Benchmark 72 Handicap (2110m). 'She is a great little horse. The wet track is the most important thing for her,' said Roper. 'She is very honest and loves her job. As long as she gets a smooth run, she is easy to ride. 'It was a very good run last start especially as she had to jump from the outside gate and do all the bullocking work to get across to the front. It was a huge effort. 'I really like her in this field, especially come back to midweek grade.' Roper also rides Fear No Evil for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and Lady Boss for Ciaron Maher. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Every time trainer Gratz Vella has raised the bar, Good Prize has responded with an even better performance. Good Prize scored a couple of nice wins at Queanbeyan over 1200m and 1460m earlier this preparation, but since stepping up to 1600m, the gelding has been even more impressive. 'He has really found his best form. I haven't done anything different with him on the track, I think he has just matured now,' said Vella. 'Once I got him over a bit longer distance has helped. 'I have a little mate with him – a goat. Ever since I put them together, that's when the results started to come.' It started with a Benchmark 65 on his home track at Canberra on April 2 with a near three length win from The Right Rein and the pair returned 16 days later in a Benchmark 84 with Good Prize beating his rival by over two lengths. Vella asked the gelding to step up to provincial company and set him for a Benchmark 68 at Kembla where he again pout a margin on his rivals, this time a two-and-a-half length win from Strawberry Impact. 'After the second Canberra win, I thought he might need two or three weeks to get over the run because he had going straight to Open company and it wasn't a bad field,' he said. 'He recovered so quickly though. He was eating well, his attitude was still good and he actually come on from the run. 'I was quite happy to go to Kembla and take Coriah (Keatings) to claim three kilos. I thought he was a big chance. 'I thought he was in a bit of trouble there at one stage but once he got his action flowing, he just left them for dead. 'I think he will be better again over 2000 metres but at the moment, we will stick with the 1600 metres where he has been doing a good job.' Vella is happy to give the four-year-old a shot at midweek company in the Drinkwise Mile Benchmark 72 where he has barrier 3. 'I think he's a very good chance again,' he said. 'He hasn't gone backwards since Kembla. He's still a very happy horse. 'He has a nice barrier and Coriah rides him again.' Good Prize opened $7 with TAB Fixed Odds and firmed into $5.50 behind Sounds Unusual at $4.20 and Naval Commission at $5.
Daily Telegraph
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
Warwick Farm preview: Title fire still burns bright for Anna Roper
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Missing the early part of the season put Anna Roper's goal of winning the Sydney Apprentices title behind the Eight ball but she hasn't given up hope and a solid book of rides at Warwick Farm can help her build on her tally. Roper missed the first three months of the current season due to a quad injury that required surgery and then getting kicked by a horse which extended her time off. 'The apprentice premiership was meant to be the target but loosing that much time made it a bit of an issue but at the same time, you never what what's going to happen in this job,' said Roper. 'In the end, it was a case of just getting on with it and do the best I can for the season. Hopefully without any more injuries. 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! 'It's not impossible. If I can keep riding consistently until the end of the season. 'Obviously Braith (Nock) has a bit of a lead on us but I will give it my best.' One of Roper's leading chances at Warwick Farm is Livin' Thing in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m). The John O'Shea and Tom Charlton-trained gelding resumed with a handy win on a heavy track at Kembla from Zaragoza who franked the form with a win at the same course last weekend. 'I really have a lot of time for this horse,' Roper said. 'He gave me a very nice feel at Kembla. From the top of the straight, I always thought he would go straight past them but he had a bit of a think about things. Not because he wasn't genuine but rather he was green and didn't know what to do. 'He still managed to win on raw ability. 'He will learn a lot from that run and I think he's a nice horse going forward once he puts it together a bit better. 'I'm excited to be back on board and up to metro grade. Seeing if he is going to be competitive against the better horses.' Roper also combines with O'Shea and Charlton when Natural Deduction contests the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1600m). The gelding was doing his best work late when a three length seventh behind Seafall over this same track and distance on May 7. 'It was a really good run,' she said. 'Obviously he was first-up over the mile and he was very fresh and got quite keen in the run. 'To finish off the way he did, I was impressed. 'Second-up with that edge off him, he might relax better. He's drawn a better barrier so hopefully I can have him closer in the run. 'His is two from two second-up and should be a good chance. My only concern is the heavy track which he hasn't been tried on.' Roper rode Junebug to victory at Wyong before a third behind stablemate Asgoodassobergets on Gosford Cup Day. The mare drops back to a Benchmark 72 Handicap (2110m). 'She is a great little horse. The wet track is the most important thing for her,' said Roper. 'She is very honest and loves her job. As long as she gets a smooth run, she is easy to ride. 'It was a very good run last start especially as she had to jump from the outside gate and do all the bullocking work to get across to the front. It was a huge effort. 'I really like her in this field, especially come back to midweek grade.' Roper also rides Fear No Evil for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and Lady Boss for Ciaron Maher. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Every time trainer Gratz Vella has raised the bar, Good Prize has responded with an even better performance. Good Prize scored a couple of nice wins at Queanbeyan over 1200m and 1460m earlier this preparation, but since stepping up to 1600m, the gelding has been even more impressive. 'He has really found his best form. I haven't done anything different with him on the track, I think he has just matured now,' said Vella. 'Once I got him over a bit longer distance has helped. 'I have a little mate with him – a goat. Ever since I put them together, that's when the results started to come.' It started with a Benchmark 65 on his home track at Canberra on April 2 with a near three length win from The Right Rein and the pair returned 16 days later in a Benchmark 84 with Good Prize beating his rival by over two lengths. Vella asked the gelding to step up to provincial company and set him for a Benchmark 68 at Kembla where he again pout a margin on his rivals, this time a two-and-a-half length win from Strawberry Impact. 'After the second Canberra win, I thought he might need two or three weeks to get over the run because he had going straight to Open company and it wasn't a bad field,' he said. 'He recovered so quickly though. He was eating well, his attitude was still good and he actually come on from the run. 'I was quite happy to go to Kembla and take Coriah (Keatings) to claim three kilos. I thought he was a big chance. 'I thought he was in a bit of trouble there at one stage but once he got his action flowing, he just left them for dead. 'I think he will be better again over 2000 metres but at the moment, we will stick with the 1600 metres where he has been doing a good job.' Vella is happy to give the four-year-old a shot at midweek company in the Drinkwise Mile Benchmark 72 where he has barrier 3. 'I think he's a very good chance again,' he said. 'He hasn't gone backwards since Kembla. He's still a very happy horse. 'He has a nice barrier and Coriah rides him again.' Good Prize opened $7 with TAB Fixed Odds and firmed into $5.50 behind Sounds Unusual at $4.20 and Naval Commission at $5.
