Latest news with #Aurie's Star Handicap
The Australian
04-08-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Sydney sprinter King Of Roseau dominates in Aurie's Star Handicap at Flemington
Rain, hail or shine at home in Sydney, the Flemington straight could still be the go in spring for Group 3 Aurie's Star Handicap (1200m) winner King Of Roseau. The emerging sprinter, trained by Peter Snowden, dominated the feature event on Saturday from Bandi's Boy, who also dropped into Melbourne to avoid the Harbour City big wet. Snowden said King Of Roseau could return to Flemington, as early as next month. King Of Roseau placed third at Flemington last year behind Growing Empire and First Settler. Growing Empire would go on to place in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes. • 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! Snowden returned on Saturday confident progressive sprinter King Of Roseau would appreciate the straight again. 'He's been going through his grades quite well (in Sydney), but wet tracks up there, especially today, was going to be a no-brainer for us today (to come to Flemington),' Snowden said. 'He's always showed a fair bit actually, running good races against good horses and he just couldn't win, and he got to the point he started to lack a bit of enthusiasm in his races. 'We gelded him and that helped, gone back to benchmark racing and earned his stripes. He's got a real grit about his racing and come through again today. 'Now we know he really likes Flemington we'll come back … not every horse handles Flemington down the straight and this horse has got a bit of an affinity for it.' • 'I was a passenger': In-form Sensation set for Group 1 shot Snowden said conditions would dictate future plans with heavy tracks to be avoided. 'He's OK on soft tracks but when you get on the Heavy 10s, like Sydney is today, it's a no-brainer, no way (he races on that),' Snowden said. 'He's going through his grades quite well now, that was a good field without being a star-studded field but there was some promising horses there and he won with a bit of authority. 'He's an improving horse, he's in good form, he's rock hard fit and he's holding that form well. 'We'll definitely come down (again)… he handles it well, so no doubt we'll be back over the spring.' Jockey Michael Dee sealed a comeback Flemington double with his third Aurie's Star victory. Dee, who rode in Japan through the Australian winter, rated the performance highly. 'The way (King Of Roseau) won that, there's definitely bigger things in store for him,' Dee said. 'Gee he won easily and gave me a lovely feel.' Winning jockey Michael Dee speaks with connections after the win. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images • Crossbow aims higher after maiden win at Flemington Dee was able to get cover early and King Of Roseau sorted out the rest. 'They ran along a lot quicker than I thought they would… as soon as I peeled him to the outside he really took off,' Dee said. 'He quickened up easily and we got just before the clock tower and I asked again and gee he let rip.' Third-placed Marble Nine led the Melbourne brigade from Miss Aria. Favourite Splash Back finished midfield. The Grahame Begg-trained mare appeared a bit lost down the straight after being pushed widest and only got going late. Begg said Splash Back would return to 1400m next start around a bend. Gilbert Gardiner Sports reporter Gilbert Gardiner is a sports reporter for the Herald Sun and Sunday Herald Sun. @gilbertgardiner Gilbert Gardiner
News.com.au
01-08-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Breakthrough stakes win spurring jockey Liam Riordan to seize spring opportunities
A breakthrough stakes success has fuelled jockey Liam Riordan to capitalise on every opportunity, especially with spring on the horizon. Riordan and wife Emily, a racing broadcast producer and reporter, also have a mounting food bill on the home front with 10-week Bernese Mountain Dog Paddington. Paddington is small at the moment but fully grown at 60kg would comfortably outweigh Riordan. Riordan, set to be dialled in at 51kg-52kg in spring to attract lightweight rides, has pin-up off-season sprinter Marble Nine on Saturday at Flemington in the Group 3 Aurie's Star Handicap (1200m). Marble Nine has won three on the bounce, including the past two with Riordan in the saddle. The five-year-old, trained by Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin, claimed the Listed Santa Ana Lane Series Final last start (1200m) at Flemington. 'He's been a good horse to me, not only good horse but a good stable to be riding for,' Riordan said. 'They've been loyal supporters of me for a long time.' Riordan arrived from Sydney on the Corstens' Flemington doorstep about a decade ago and worked towards a career in the saddle ever since. The 28-year-old notched a personal best-equalling 55 winners last season. Marble Nine became just reward for Riordan commitment to the craft. 'Melbourne is probably the hardest state to get going in,' Riordan said. 'There's 20-30 high-class jockeys riding in town week-to-week and I'm on the fringe. 'This year, when I've got the opportunity I've capitalised on it really well … hopefully this horse can put my name out there a bit more and I can get more and more opportunities. 'I haven't gone away this year (holidays), which was the first time in three or four years I've ridden throughout winter. 'I'm riding consistent winners for loads of different stables and hopefully opportunities arise.' Marble Nine is a $5.50 for the Aurie's Star from Splash Back ($2.50) and King Of Roseau ($4.60). 'He's got to carry 59.5kg up in grade but he's a horse in form,' Riordan said. 'Loves the straight and makes his own luck, puts himself right on the bunny and runs along. 'I wouldn't trade him for anything, I think he's there to run a bold race.' Riordan credited a strong support network off the track for consistent race day results. 'Emily does a really good job of keeping me grounded,' Riordan said. 'Three overseas holidays in three years, a wedding, a honeymoon and we just bought a dog. 'I've got to keep riding.'
