Latest news with #AnnabelArchibald
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Matthew Dunn's quest for NSW country trainers premiership gains momentum
Matthew Dunn's hunt for a first NSW Country Trainers Premiership hinges on what shapes as potential swag of winners on this Northern Rivers meeting. Dunn 's tally of winners on country tracks around the state this season is 64, five behind the current leaders Annabel and Rob Archibald. The Master of Murwillumbah and King of the Highway, hasn't been keeping score but now that the Premiership is 'in play', every winner counts for more. 'I didn't even know to be honest,' Dunn said. 'I don't think we have won one before so it would cap off a good season. 'We've had a better season than what it looks because we've had 20-odd meetings cancelled up here this season so we should be well clear of them if those meetings had of gone ahead. 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 would be fantastic if we could (win the Premiership) but I don't think we've got enough time to get five, but hopefully, fingers crossed.' The 2024/25 season ends on July 31. Aside from the sheer size of his win tally, it is Dunn's incredible strike-rate of 28.5 per cent that underpins his epic season. 'Someone else told me that the other day,' Dunn said. 'That's huge, it's getting close to one in three. 'I think that would be the best strike-rate we've had - ever. 'We obviously race a few horses in Brisbane and in Highways but country racing is the lifeblood of the stable. 'Where we're positioned, we are lucky that we've got access to a number of very good tracks on the Northern Rivers and we support those tracks as strongly as we possibly can. 'It would be great to have a stable full of city horses but we don't have that and the fact that we are able to place them so well and get through their grades, it is a real positive there for the stable.' Dunn saddles-up runners in five races here including a half-sister to an Everest winner, a 'nephew' of a Melbourne Cup winner as well as a direct descendant of the immortal Eight Carat. Dunn's 'Everest sibling' is the $510,000 Easter Yearling purchase, Insinuate, who is a Snitzel half-sister to Yes Yes Yes. Part-owned by Widden Stud, Insinuate has a win and three placings in her four runs for Dunn and will look to add another in the Country Boosted Benchmark 58. It's @MattyDunnRacing and @mallyon_andrew again... that's a treble at Murwillumbah! So You Can Torque rounds up his rivals from back in the field. â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 13, 2024 'She has been really consistent since coming to me, even though she only got a couple (of runs) left in her before she will pull up stumps at the end of this prep and go and breed a foal. 'They sent her to me hoping to improve her resume a little bit and build up a bank and she's done a good job of it. 'She tries her little heart out every time she goes to the races. Dunn, meanwhile, is also bullish on the chances of Castelvecchio filly and Eight Carat descendant Torque Ti Amo in the Country Boosted Maiden Handicap who was an eye-catcher in the Super Maiden on South Grafton Cup Day. 'The stablemate (Gaylord) that beat her the other day, he obviously had good Sydney form a little while ago before I got him and she (Torque Ti Amo) was excellent,' he said. 'That track raced pretty on-pace most of the carnival she raced against that and I thought the step up in trip would help. 'She's a nice filly. She's got a future.' One of Dunn's other main winning prospects is So You Can Torque in the Class 1 Handicap whose dam is a half-sister to Melbourne Cup winner, Vow And Declare. 'I have got a bit of time for him,' Dunn said. 'He's going to get there but he is a slow learner.' â– â– â– â– â– On Monday week, Peter Robl will be trackside at Fannie Bay on a quest for back-to-back Darwin Cups with the former Sydneysider Hadouken. A one-time Randwick trainer himself and now based on the Gold Coast, Robl will be headed south with Hadouken's four-year-old stablemates National Goal and Princess Shanghai in action south of the Tweed. Bred in Queensland, National Defense's current personal best came at Lismore in February when a close and closing runner-up in a 1310m Super Maiden. His most recent performance was at Murwillumbah on June 26 when clocking in with two behind him in the 12 horse 1200m maiden. 'He's a great chance,' Robl said of the gelding in the Lismore Floor Coverings Maiden Plate. 'I thought he just wasn't ready when he ran first-up, that's why he went back to the trials. 'I think the step-up in distance suits him ideally and he's drawn to probably get a nice run in the box-seat.' ðŸ�Žï¸� Leica Pherrari bolts away late and wins at Gatton! â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 9, 2025 National Goal is the fifth foal of the Eagle Farm winning Redoute's Choice mare Moore who holds sibling status to the Bendigo Cup winner, Zupacool. Robl's other runner on the card, Princess Shanghai in the XXXX Gold Maiden Plate, was placed in a 860m maiden at Gatton at her first start under his management in May. That said, the daughter of Nature Strip's sire Nicconi has been underwhelming in her subsequent two but is open to improvement, says the man who booted home four Group 1 winners back in the day. 'She had a few behavioural issues come race-day but I think the step up to 1100m will suit her,' Robl said. 'I think she needs to find the front and find it comfortably so if she can do that, it will give her a chance just to relax and breathe properly which should realistically bring on a better run from her. 'She has ability but she does herself no favours.' Robl, meanwhile, will arrive in Darwin early next week to put the final touches on the 2024 Darwin Cup winner, Hadouken, for his August 4 mission. 'He's shaping up perfectly,' Robl reported 'He'll have a little 900m trial next Tuesday just to top him off for the Cup the following Monday. 'He won the Chief Minister's Cup (last start) which is one of the main lead-ups to the Darwin Cup and he beat Cinque Torri who when we met in the Cup, we are actually going to get weight off him.'
News.com.au
13-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Annabel and Rob Archibald target Ramornie Handicap-Grafton Cup feature double
Annabel and Rob Archibald are mulling over a two-pronged attack for Wednesday's Listed Ramornie Handicap (1200m) while track conditions will determine leading hope Don Diego De Vega's Listed Grafton Cup (2350m) fate on Thursday. The Archibalds are eager to claim a feature double at one of the state's most renowned country carnivals and nominated three contenders for Wednesday's $200,000 main event. Midnight In Tokyo will line up in the Ramornie while Rob Archibald said stablemate Eye Of The Fire was a '50-50 chance' of taking his place. Swiss Exile is also nominated for Grafton but the gelding ran fourth over 1200m at Doomben on Saturday afternoon. A maiden black type victory is high on the agenda for Midnight In Tokyo with the classy mare already placing in stakes company on five occasions this season. The daughter of Kobayashi will be looking to bounce back to her best following her last start sixth in the Group 3 WJ Healy Stakes at Eagle Farm. Eye Of The Fire was hard in the market first-up at Rosehill on June 28 and failed to fire but is capable of bouncing back. 'Eye Of The Fire raced well below expectations first-up, we were expecting a bit more from him but he has come through the run fine,' Archibald said. 'It was maybe a bit of a flat run for Midnight In Tokyo last start because her runs before that were quite good in some nice races. 'Possibly the ground was just a tough firm for her, I am not sure.' Eye Of The Fire, bred and sold by Twin Hills @inglis_sales Classic in 2022. An impressive Saturday win for a progressive horse. Back, wide, but too good! Well done to @ANeashamRacing and a big team of owners. — Twin Hills Stud (@TwinHillsStud) November 30, 2024 Eye Of The Fire has been a drifter from $15 out to $18 in 'all in' betting for the Ramornie Handicap with Midnight In Tokyo at $21. The Kelly Schweida -trained Metalart is the $5.50 favourite for the Ramornie Handicap before the final field is declared on Monday morning while Barber ($6) and Compelling Truth ($7) are among the other leading chances. The Archibalds have nominated four stayers for the Grafton Cup on the following day with Don Diego De Vega ($8) the clear top seed for the stable alongside Sir Chartwell ($51), Akrotiri ($26) and Little Mix ($26). 'We want to see what the track is like but if it's too firm, Don Diego De Vega would be a little query,' Archibald said. 'Sir Chartwell will possibly go there as with Akrotiri and Little Mix but we just want to see what the ground is like before making up our mind.'
Daily Telegraph
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
Puntin delivers the 150th winner for Bjorn Baker this season
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Trainer Bjorn Baker brought up a milestone 150th winner for the season when progressive gelding Puntin showed tremendous fighting qualities to prevail at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Baker has been enjoying the best season of his training career and reached his new benchmark with a month still to go in the season. Puntin has contributed to four of those victories throughout the 2024/25 campaign after he burst onto the scene over the summer with three straights at Nowra, Moruya and Warwick Farm. The son of Super Seth toughed it out on speed to score his maiden city victory in the Captivant @ Kia Ora Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m). 'It's never easy to win on a Saturday and I think there is more in store, he has a great winning record,' Baker said. 'He was tough and it was a good ride. 'I still think the best is yet to come, once we get him up over a bit further.' Bjorn Baker looks on after Ashley Morgan guided Puntin to victory at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Photo:. Puntin was only narrowly beaten first-up this preparation at Canterbury and appreciated the step up from 1250m to 1400m. Jockey Ash Morgan found the front early on and was able to control the tempo of the race. Puntin ($4.40 ) continued to find over the concluding stages to hold off the Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained Don't Forget Jack ($3.90) by a short neck with Chris Waller's Maori Chief ($13) a half neck away in third. 'He had to work a little bit to get there and probably just overdid it a touch,' Baker said. 'I thought it was a good effort. I thought up to 1400m would suit today.' Morgan's decision to go to the front early on held the key to Puntin's latest success. 'I was open to taking a sit today but they put me into a position where had to grab the bull by the horns a little bit,' Morgan said. 'Lucky when he was there he rested for me really well. 'I felt like I was going to be vulnerable late because of that work in the first furlong but he is an incredibly tough horse with a lovely attitude. 'He kept sticking his head out.' The victory continued Morgan's remarkable season, which has included a maiden Group 1, and his third campaign with more than 100 winners. Originally published as Puntin delivers the 150th winner for Baker this season
News.com.au
28-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Puntin delivers the 150th winner for Baker this season
Trainer Bjorn Baker brought up a milestone 150th winner for the season when progressive gelding Puntin showed tremendous fighting qualities to prevail at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Baker has been enjoying the best season of his training career and reached his new benchmark with a month still to go in the season. Puntin has contributed to four of those victories throughout the 2024/25 campaign after he burst onto the scene over the summer with three straights at Nowra, Moruya and Warwick Farm. The son of Super Seth toughed it out on speed to score his maiden city victory in the Captivant @ Kia Ora Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m). 'It's never easy to win on a Saturday and I think there is more in store, he has a great winning record,' Baker said. 'He was tough and it was a good ride. 'I still think the best is yet to come, once we get him up over a bit further.' Puntin was only narrowly beaten first-up this preparation at Canterbury and appreciated the step up from 1250m to 1400m. Jockey Ash Morgan found the front early on and was able to control the tempo of the race. Puntin ($4.40 ) continued to find over the concluding stages to hold off the Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained Don't Forget Jack ($3.90) by a short neck with Chris Waller's Maori Chief ($13) a half neck away in third. 'He had to work a little bit to get there and probably just overdid it a touch,' Baker said. 'I thought it was a good effort. I thought up to 1400m would suit today.' Who doesn't love Puntin! He was tough as nails to win the third at Rosehill ðŸ'° @AshMorgan6 @BBakerRacing — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) June 28, 2025 Morgan's decision to go to the front early on held the key to Puntin's latest success. 'I was open to taking a sit today but they put me into a position where had to grab the bull by the horns a little bit,' Morgan said. 'Lucky when he was there he rested for me really well. 'I felt like I was going to be vulnerable late because of that work in the first furlong but he is an incredibly tough horse with a lovely attitude. 'He kept sticking his head out.'
News.com.au
14-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
A Rosehill treble by Braith Nock hits a milestone and boosts dual premiership aspirations for the star apprentice
Star apprentice Braith Nock remains on target to claim two coveted premierships after his first city treble gave him a century of wins for the season at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Nock combined with the Annabel and Rob Archibald stable to win on Don't Forget Jack in the Racing and Sports Handicap (1400m) and Mickey's Medal in the Ranvet Handicap (1500m). This complemented an earlier win on the Matthew Dale -trained Super Norwest in the TAB Highway (1400m). Nock's treble took him to 33 metropolitan winners and 98 on NSW tracks. He's also ridden two Queensland winners ensuring the apprentice can 'raise the bat' for 100 winners for the season for the first time in his career. With about six weeks of the season remaining, Nock is in the box seat to claim the Sydney apprentices title as he now has a nine-win buffer over nearest rival Molly Bourke. Nock's breakout season also has him second in the NSW premiership, just two behind Ash Morgan. 'It's in reach, definitely,'' Nock said of the NSW premiership. 'I've got a week's suspension coming up soon (he is back next Saturday) which gives that away a bit. 'Ash is getting a few good opportunities so it's going to be hard to run him down. 'But the apprentices title is looking good. We will try to keep the momentum rolling into next Saturday.' Don't Forget Jack ($6.50), trained by Annabel and Rob Archibald, finished strongly to run down early leader Tasoraay ($3.70) to win by a long neck with Hell To Pay ($3.20 favourite) nearly a length away third. Nock said the genuine race tempo set by Tasoraay suited Don't Forget Jack. Don't Forget Jack gets back to form with the perfect run at Rosehill! ðŸ'� @NockBraith | @ANeashamRacing â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 14, 2025 • Portelli's rollercoaster: Filly emerges after Kimochi retirement 'He was very comfortable where we were, just flowing,'' he said. 'We were able to get out and he was a little bit green still, when you let him go he gets a bit wobbly. 'I thought he was tough late. He felt like he was waiting for something once he got there but once I really grabbed him a bit more, he gave.' Don't Forget Jack improved his record to four wins from just eight starts and bounced back from an indifferent run at Rosehill two weeks ago. 'Just nothing went right last start,'' Megan O'Leary said. 'It was obviously his first start here (Rosehill) and he got a bit worked up before the race. 'It was great to see him handle it a bit better today and get back to winning ways.'' O'Leary praised Nock for what she described as a 'brilliant ride'. 'Obviously it was a bit of a sticky draw and there was a bit more early pace than it looked on paper,'' she said. 'But it was a nice, patient ride by Braith and the horse came on well. He enjoys softer tracks and as long as the rain stays around he will be winning again.'' Nock then combined with the Archibald stable again to partner the consistent Mickey's Medal ($3.10 favourite) to a determined half length win over a very game Northern Eyes ($10) with Little Cointreau ($3.90) one-and-quarter lengths away third. ðŸ�… Mickey's Medal gets more gold, storming home to win at Rosehill for @ANeashamRacing! @NockBraith gets a treble halfway through the card! ðŸ'Œ â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 14, 2025 • 'Would have been a Straddie force': Pier wins consolation in style It was almost a case of 'rinse and repeat' for Nock who timed his finishing run to perfection on Mickey's Medal, just as he did on stablemate Don't Forget Jack. 'He was really good. It was quite a good early tempo and he really came under me mid-race,'' Nock said. 'I didn't want to get too close to the leaders' heels, I wanted the option to angle out and get to the outside. 'I had to go for him a little earlier than I would have liked but he was quite tough. I think he thinks about it a bit when he gets there but I just kept at him and he kept going.' Nock and Mickey's Medal are both on a form surge this winter. 'It was another brilliant ride by Braith and Mickey's Medal really put the second horse away,'' O'Leary said. 'The horse is also in the most brilliant form at the minute, he is doing so well at this distance so why should we stop now.'' Sky Thoroughbred Central's Corey Brown then interviewed Nock after Mickey's Medal's win and asked the young apprentice how he was coping with riding favourites at a Sydney Saturday meeting. 'It's all good – the pressure, that's what you live for,'' Nock said.
