Latest news with #Asfoora
News.com.au
25-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Trainer Henry Dwyer cautiously optimistic about Asfoora's King Charles III Stakes defence at Royal Ascot
Trainer Henry Dwyer has conceded Royal Ascot-winning Group 1 mare Asfoora could be vulnerable in her King Charles III Stakes title defence next month. Asfoora will be floated to Sydney this week ahead of her long haul flight to Europe on Thursday. Dwyer ideally wanted Asfoora in England already but could not get a suitable flight for the $2.5m prizemoney earner and short-course specialist which stunned Royal Ascot last year. 'Last year we saw a huge improvement from Haydock (4th in a Group 2) to Ascot … we're not really going to get that opportunity this year (racing two weeks after arrival) so we're going in as we are and she probably keeps improving after that,' Dwyer said. 'Last year we went over and thought the Nunthorpe at York in late August was going to be her race and I think we cooked her a bit by that stage, she had a big preparation. 'This year with the later start for her … maybe that will be her peak this time and I think that's the right race for her, the right track for her, and acclimatization wise it would make sense she's better by then. 'I'm looking at that, we used Goodwood as a lead-up to York last year, she probably should've won at Goodwood, she was a bit unlucky not to, so that's on the radar again, and then off to York. 'Whatever happens after that is a bonus.' The astute Ballarat horseman has prepared Asfoora primarily for another European odyssey and said the experience last year helped on and off the track now 12 months on. 'It was a weird feeling last year because we were the Australian but we weren't a hyped Australian and I probably did my best to dull it down a bit because I didn't want to spruik her and then go no good, which was a real possibility,' Dwyer said. 'Whereas this year we know she measures up so it's a lot easier, we know the lay of the land … this year we know exactly what track we want to work on every morning and last year we were finding our feet, those first few weeks. 'She'll be in the same stable as she was last year, she's been to each of the race tracks, she'll be more settled because of that, I think it's a good scenario for us. 'My worry last year with Ascot was a stiff five furlongs (1000m) up the hill there, the worries were unfounded, she coped with it no dramas, it's more like an 1100m which I think is her pet distance and she handled it last year so she can probably do the same this year.'
News.com.au
23-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Asfoora completes crucial gallop at Flemington as Henry Dwyer-trained mare prepares to defend Royal Ascot crown
Royal Ascot champion Asfoora has tuned up for her Group 1 King Charles III crown defence with a slick straight gallop at Flemington on Friday. Asfoora, trained by Henry Dwyer, will be floated to Sydney next week before another European odyssey, starting at Royal Ascot on June 18. The short turnaround from long haul flight, '38 to 40 hours door to door', to race day the only concern for Dwyer, trying to become the first international trainer to defend a Royal Ascot title. 'That would be a nice (achievement),' Dwyer said. 'There's another stat, no Australian horse has ever won a race in France, no Australian-trained horse has ever raced in Ireland, there's all sorts of little things we could tick off along the way for a bit of posterity I suppose. 'When you train 40 horses or something at Ballarat you're not probably going to be training Melbourne Cup winners, little victories like breaking new ground is what it's all about, she was able to do it last year and we could tick off a couple more boxes this year.' Asfoora clocked a solid 44.8 seconds for the last 800m and finished alongside Winnasedge, trained by Nick Ryan, in the 900m course proper jump out. Royal Ascot champion Asfoora has tuned up for her Group 1 King Charles III crown defence with a slick straight gallop at Flemington on Friday. Story: @gilbertgardiner ðŸ'‡ — News Racing (@superracing) May 23, 2025 • Limited options force Ruakaka to launch Sandown raid 'I thought she was really good this morning, we needed to come here and have a solid hit out,' Dwyer said. 'She hasn't raced for, I think the Sangster was four weeks ago, and she's now three weeks before Ascot, we're in a tricky position where we needed to freshen up after what was a bit of a flat run last time probably because of a busy time before it. 'We had a week or 10 days of doing nothing with her and built up to this trial, we tried to use it as a bit of a quasi race to get one in the bank before she goes.' Asfoora has done it!!! She wins the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot! You beauty! 🇦🇰 @HDwyerRacing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 18, 2024 • Asfoora is likely to gallop only once in England before the King Charles III, with Dwyer mindful of the travel toll. 'Last year, from experience, we know she was a bit flattened by the trip, we had four weeks before her first run at Haydock and another three weeks after that to fine tune her,' Dwyer said. 'Whereas this year we haven't got that luxury … she's flying in and racing two weeks later. 'She needed the hit out, the intention was to go out there, travel for 800m and give her a push the last 100m. 'She seems to have pulled up really well from it, she's fit, it's just a matter of having an unbelievably lucky trip like we did last year, nothing went wrong and there were no setbacks.' Dwyer has all but locked in champion jockey Oisin Murphy to ride Asfoora again at Royal Ascot.
News.com.au
25-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Robert Sangster Stakes runner-by-runner form assessments and selections
The $1 million Robert Sangster Stakes has drawn together a classy field of sprinting fillies and mares and here is our form assessment of each of the runners. There was a field of 16 runners declared for the 1200m contest. Here is a runner-by-runner analysis of every horse set to line up on Saturday. â– â– â– â– â– 1 – ASFOORA Speed machine best known for her performances over 1000m and 1100m. Won the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1000m) at Royal Ascot last year. Returned earlier this month and again got the job done in the RN Irwin Stakes (1100m). Wide draw to overcome and yet to win over 1200m. VERDICT: The last 50m will be her problem. Asfoora returned to Australia in fine style earlier today at Morphettville! @HDwyerRacing — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) April 12, 2025 2 – STRETAN ANGEL Quality mare that doesn't win too often but she has contested some of the best sprint races in the land over the past 12 months. Finished a close fourth in the VRC Sprint (1200m) last November and this year was second in the Lightning (1000m), third in the Newmarket (1200m) and fourth in the William Reid (1200m). Drawn a mid gate. VERDICT: The horse to beat off recent runs. Joliestar too good in the Newmarket Handicap! ðŸ�† @LaneDamian @cwallerracing — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) March 8, 2025 3 – CLIMBING STAR Quality mare that won this race last year and since then she's placed third in The Goodwood (1200m), fifth in the Manikato (1200m) and recently resumed with a strong closing third in the RN Irwin Stakes (1100m). Suited at set weights and has proven herself up to this grade. VERDICT: One of the leading contenders. CLIMBING STAR WINS THE SANGSTER! â�ï¸� LACHLAN NIENDORF WINS HIS FIRST GROUP 1! @pstokesracing @LNeindorf @RacingSA — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) April 27, 2024 4 – ESTRIELLA Been terribly out of form for much of the season since winning the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint (1000m) back in October last year. Since then she's been well beaten three times at Group 1 level in the VRC Sprint (1200m), Oakleigh Plate (1100m) and the Galaxy (1100m). Drawn to get every chance. VERDICT: Capable with her A-game but not going well enough. Estriella returns back to form and wins the Millennium Sprint! ðŸ'›ðŸ'š @cmaherracing @BMelham — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) October 19, 2024 5 – SEE YOU IN HEAVEN Local mare resuming form a spell. Given a sounding out with the blinkers on in her recent Balaklava trial. Is a proven fresh performer, winning the Group 3 Behemoth in her two previous racing campaigns. Drawn to get every possible chance. VERDICT: Can make an each-way case for her. 6 – A LITTLE DEEP Beat the boys in the Chautauqua Stakes last spring at The Valley then placed in two solid mares' races over 1200m. Resumed at Flemington late last month and took the prize when winning an open handicap with 60kg. Went through her paces winning a jumpout since and looks primed to peak here from a good draw. VERDICT: Genuine each-way contender. A Little Deep digs deep to take the first at Flemington. — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) March 29, 2025 7 – COMMEMORATIVE Heavily backed but found one better late in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes during The Championships. That run followed a somewhat unlucky performance when strung up on the inside in the Group 1 Galaxy (1100m). She's actually suitably drawn here with an outside barrier as she's a big girl and appreciates room to move. Her form is solid for this. VERDICT: Looks well placed of her form this prep. Infancy wins the G2 Sapphire Stakes first up! ðŸ'ƒ @Leesracing | @aus_turf_club | @WorldPool — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 12, 2025 8 – AVIATRESS Lightly raced mare with a strong record. Won first-up over 1200m in the Matrice Stakes before a midfield finish last time out when coming back in trip to 1100m and beaten less than two lengths in the RN Irwin Stakes (1100m). She was doing her best work late last time and is better suited back out to 1200m. Drawn favourably. VERDICT: Not without place claims back up to 1200m. Hot favourite Aviatress wins the Matrice Stakes! @RJollyRacing — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) March 29, 2025 9 – CHARM STONE Quality sprinter when at her peak but she's struggled to recapture what she showed as a three-year-old. Resumes here after a winless campaign which had a couple of solid performances including a close up third in the Rising Fast at Flemington over 1200m on Derby Day. Won a recent trial and the stable do get them to produce fresh. Tricky gate but Mark Zahra's aboard. VERDICT: Depends which one turns up but at her best she'd have winning claims. He's back! âš¡ï¸� MAHARBA flies up the Flemington straight to hold on in the Group 3 G.H. Mumm Rising Fast Stakes. 🎥 @wwos | #DerbyDay | #MelbCupCarnival — Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 2, 2024 10 – ROLL ON HIGH Doesn't win too often but rarely runs a poor race. Her last two performances have been solid in easier races over 1100m and 1400m. Drawn to get every favour from the inside barrier and capable of racing near the speed. Did beat Stefi Magnetica last year in the Fred best Classic over 1400m. VERDICT: She's not the worst. Nicolini Vito shoots through the gap to win the Victoria Handicap! @lindsayparkrace — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) April 5, 2025 11 – PRAIRIE FLOWER Locally-trained mare that is a consistent performer, from 1100m to 1200m. Always around the mark in mares races and was a close up third in the Rubiton Stakes earlier this year before a midfield finish in the Oakleigh Plate (1100m). Her last two run have both been over 1100m and she's been attacking the line. Wide gate to overcome. VERDICT: Place claims are strongest. 12 – DAKOTA LEE Northern Territory galloper chasing a sixth straight win. She's the winner of 12 from 13 starts with all of her victories coming on the dirt at Alice Springs. Her only defeat was on turf at The Valley in February last year when down the track in a 1000m Benchmark 64 race. VERDICT: Hard to line up but doubt her form will measure up here. 13 – AUSTMARR Speed machine that led them a merry dance at Rosehill recently when leading throughout to win the Birthday Card Stakes over 1200m. Since then, she's been given a tick over trial in Victoria in preparation for this, her toughest assignment. Consistent mare that will give them something to catch. VERDICT: Will be in this for a long way. Austmarr closes out the day at Rosehill with a win in the G3 TAB Birthday Card Stakes for @FreedmanRacing and @KPMcEvoy! @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 22, 2025 14 – AMEENA Three-year-old filly returning from a break with two trials under the belt. First-up in the spring she won the Silver Shadow (1200m) beating some of Sydney's better fillies before a second to Manaal, beating Lazzura, in the Furious Stakes over the same trip. Looked good winning a recent trial and the fillies form mostly held up during the autumn carnival. VERDICT: Big market watch here. Ameena races home and gets the nose in front at the right time to win the Silver Shadow Stakes for @FreedmanRacing! ðŸ�† — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 24, 2024 15 – SHE'S GOT PIZZAZZ Progressive filly that came to Sydney last time off an on pace second in the VOBIS Gold Dash (1200m) and she then got back and stormed home to score in the PJ Bell Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on the second day of The Championships. Drawn to get all the favours here and she's a filly on the up. VERDICT: Can make an each-way case for her. That's pizzazz alright! ðŸ'ƒ She's Got Pizzazz takes the G3 P J Bell Stakes and gives @blake_shinn a Randwick double! @kscoleman | @moodyracingpgm | @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 5, 2025 16 – JASMIN ROUGE Lightly raced filly going into the deep end here. Impossible to line her form up against the older mares but at just her second start she won a 1200m Group 3 for fillies at Caulfield late last year. Made her 2025 return in the Moomba Plate (1100m) and came from well back to record a solid fourth. Given an easy time in a recent trial and gets Ben Melham from the outside gate. VERDICT: Faces a task at start four from the outside draw. Alabama Lass has led all the way to win the 1100m event. First run, first win in Australia after a success stint in New Zealand. @CWilliamsJockey — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) March 29, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– TIPS 1st – STRETAN ANGEL (No. 2) 2nd – CLIMBING STAR (No. 3)
News.com.au
22-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Royal Ascot champ Asfoora enjoys coastal build-up for Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes
Asfoora is no stranger to new surrounds, and a refreshing two weeks by the beach has the Royal Ascot champion ready to zero in on a maiden Group 1 win in Australia on Saturday. Henry Dwyer 's star mare returned with aplomb in the Group 3 Irwin Stakes earlier this month, defeating Sghirripa by a long neck, and is an equal $5 favourite with Sportsbet for Saturday's $1m Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville. Dwyer, who has spent the last two weeks in Adelaide with Asfoora, was buoyed by the Sangster lead-up, the mare's first race in seven months since a European campaign that saw her claim the King Charles III Stakes last June. 'She came through it well, it was a big, big effort, first-up for seven months and being able to win,' Dwyer, who trains at Ballarat, said. 'On the plus side, it wasn't a gut-busting run, she had a lovely soft run behind them and just had to peel off their backs. She might've been a little bit soft late, as you'd expert first-up for seven months. 'You'd expect her to have plenty of improvement in her, we've sort of seen that in her work this morning (Tuesday), she galloped really strongly and pulled up well – she's in a really good spot for Saturday.' Asfoora has been based with trainer David Jolly at Goolwa during this Adelaide campaign, an ideal set up that allows her to enjoy plenty of fresh air along with access to Goolwa Beach, which offers a therapeutic benefit. • Field and barriers: Robert Sangster Stakes, Australasian Oaks 'It suits her in particular, but I'd say any older horse, they love getting a bit of fresh air around, trained out of a yard and going to the beach,' he said. 'She copes with everything really well, she's obviously been around the world, she's a good, seasoned traveller so new environments don't worry her and it's probably good for her to spice things up a bit. '(We thought) if we ever did go to Adelaide, we'd like to keep her with David, we tend to have a few with him here. He's trained horses for us in the past. 'He's a terrific guy and very handy to have on board, he's got a great set up there so it suits us.' While Asfoora's preparation into the Sangster has been ideal, barrier 14 isn't, although the Sangster does have a history of winners from wide gates, including last year's victor Climbing Star, who drew 14. The past three Sangster winners have all drawn wider than 12. 'I would've liked to have drawn a middle barrier and ridden her a little bit quieter,' he said. 'Been midfield and given her a chance to see out a strong 1200m, but I suppose from 14 you either go right forward or right back so we'll have to work out which one we're doing.' "Welcome back to Australia!" Asfoora wins on her return to Australia with a tough win in the R N Irwin Stakes ðŸ'¥ @henrydwyer @AitkenMitch — (@Racing) April 12, 2025 • Jolly pair primed to lead local charge in Sangster Dwyer, is no stranger to success in Adelaide, he won the 2016 Sangster with Precious Gem, and spent some early years living in South Australia. He has fond memories of Morphettville, and also former racecourses Cheltenham and Victoria Park. 'I've had a bit of family history in Adelaide, my family lived over there for several years in my teens, I used to go out to Morphettville, Cheltenham and Vic Park, I'd watch the races and trials at Vic Park,' Dwyer said. 'I do have an affinity with Adelaide, we've won plenty of races over there. 'She's obviously won a Group 1 at Royal Ascot, but she hasn't won one in Australia, if she could do it in the Sangster – it would be great.' The Sangster will be Asfoora's last run in Adelaide before her next globetrotting mission. Dwyer is eyeing the Temple Stakes at Haydock, or the Prix Du Gros-Chene at Chantilly, as a lead-up run into Royal Ascot, as the pair strive to defend their King Charles III Stakes crown on June 17. Life’s a beach for Asfoora @DJollyRacing. Slipping into the ðŸ�–ï¸� lifestyle with a minimum of fuss. ðŸ'· The Rising Sun Photography — Henry Dwyer Racing (@HDwyerRacing) April 18, 2025
