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Racing world rocked by sudden death of ‘legendary' trainer

Perth Now

2 days ago

Entertainment
Perth Now

Racing world rocked by sudden death of ‘legendary' trainer

The racing community is mourning the sudden death of Group 1-winning trainer Robbie Laing, just hours after he celebrated a second-place finish at Flemington. Tributes poured in on Sunday after it emerged Laing had died in his sleep overnight. The veteran, aged in his 60s, had fought back from bankruptcy and a ban to return to top competition in recent years. Laing's El Soleado, ridden by apprentice Sheridan Clarke and carrying 64.5kg, finished second in the last race at Flemington on Saturday. The horse was a winner at Bendigo in April last year — a spirit-boosting win for Laing, who watched from hospital with a leg injury — and has recently bounced back from throat surgery. Laing famously trained Roman Arch, ridden by Craig Newitt, to an upset win in the 2006 Australian Cup at Flemington. If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. Seven years later Hugh Bowman rode Laing's $4000 yearlings purchase Polanski to victory in the 2013 Victoria Derby. 'My life in racing's been fantastic, really,' Laing said in a Channel 7 feature in early 2024. 'It's had its highs and lows, but if you're not prepared to suffer the lows, you're in the wrong caper. 'I don't like failure. Generally whatever I set myself to do, I've done it. 'As a kid I wanted to win the league's best and fairest and I did that. I wanted to be captain of the footy team and I did that. 'I became apprentice in 1974 at the age of 15. I think I rode OK but I got heavy very quick. At the age of 23 I trained my first Group 1 winner Perfect Bliss. 'The Group 1s for me are extra special.' Away from the racetrack, his daughter Grace finished third on The Voice Kids in 2014 while his children were enrolled at Haileybury College in Melbourne. But it all went downhill in 2017 with some of his stable stalwarts leaving his yard, including the loss of fan favourite So Si Bon after he was banned from racing for grabbing The Taj Mahal by the leg in a race. 'The owners decided to give him to someone else, meaning he left the stable. Miss Rock was close to retirement, and she'd won $1.3 million,' Laing recalled. 'Lord Of The Sky won The Standish in early 2018, but he was coming up to an eight-year-old, so the team looked like it was going to be fairly light on. 'The girls were still going to Haileybury. We had a farm to pay off, and there was just so much. 'The stables on course were costing $4000 a week, the rental on our property was $1500 a week and then feed and staff and next thing, we ran out of money. So, the wife and the three kids, they took off. 'I had all the motor vehicles repossessed, lost the farm, smashed my hip in, had to have a brand new hip operation and was declared bankrupt. November 30th, 2019, I had to hand my licence in due to bankruptcy.' If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. Laing's appeal to regain his licence, scheduled for early 2020, was delayed for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, he was forced to stay on the sidelines during that time. 'Luckily, my parents are still fit and healthy. I've got a little bedroom at their place. Rick Smith from PFD Foods gifted me a Holden ute, and that's all I've got at the moment,' he said 'I think it was going to be horses or the dole.' On Sunday, former jockey turned trainer Gavin Bedggood remembered Laing as 'far from conventional but a man who was very good to me'. 'Gave me my first horse as a trainer, many winners as a rider and plenty of advice over the years. Was never given the credit he deserved as a trainer — always had a good two-year-old, handicapper and jumper. Rest easy,' he wrote. Samuel Hyland said: 'Very sorry to hear of the passing of Robbie Laing, always loved riding for Laing. His horses were always tough and fit, he was a great character, an outstanding horseman as well as trainer, thoughts are with Eddie and Sylvia Laing and the Laing Family.' Bryan Martin said: 'The saddest news with the passing overnight of Robbie Laing. Outstanding horseman and always good fun to be around. Amazing mind on pedigrees. Rob could train, young ones, top liners and the jumpers. Very sadly missed Robbie Laing. Prayers with his extended family.' Journalist Bruce Clark wrote: 'Thoughts to the extensive family and many friends of legendary horseman Robbie Laing on hearing his sudden passing.'

Racing world mourns sudden death of ‘legendary' trainer Robbie Laing

7NEWS

3 days ago

Sport
7NEWS

Racing world mourns sudden death of ‘legendary' trainer Robbie Laing

Five things you need to know about sport for the long weekend

The Advertiser

4 days ago

Sport
The Advertiser

Five things you need to know about sport for the long weekend

Maitland coach Adams Hughes knew Braedyn Crowley would hit form, it was a matter of providing service to the prolific striker. Crowley has netted five goals in the past three games - all wins - to help the Magpies turn around their NPL Northern NSW campaign. Hughes is hoping Crowley - and Maitland - can carry that form into the Australian Cup clash with NPL leaders Broadmeadow Magic at Cooks Square Park on Saturday. "Braedyn is a fantastic goalscorer and we know if we get him service in the right areas, he is clinical in those spaces," Hughes said. "It has been a whole-squad approach. The movements, the actions and the patterns we are trying to play. He has a knack for being there at the right moment. There are others who are also close to going on a scoring run." Magic last qualified out of NNSW for the Australia Cup main draw in 2023. "They have some individuals who are top quality at this level," Hughes said. "We need to be on top of our game, be energetic and nullify their strengths if we can. We will have a go at them as well. It will be a good marker on where we are at." Edgeworth are through to the final round of the NNSW qualifying after Bangalow forfeited the clash set down for Jack McLaughlan Oval. In other Australia Cup games on Saturday, Weston are at home to Lambton and Cooks Hill travel to Coffs Harbour to take on the Northern Stars. In the NPLM, Adamstown host Charlestown Azzurri in a catch-up game at 4pm. In the NPLW, Broadmeadow tackle Charlestown on Saturday (4pm) at Magic Park. The Newcastle open women's netball representative side are set for an enormous three days in Camden, where they will play 24 30-minute games over three days in pursuit of the NSW title. Perennially a top-two performer, Newcastle are coached by former national league midcourter Narelle Eather and last claimed the title in 2023. They were runners-up last year. "It's really intense because there's no finals, it's first past the post," Eather said. "So, you have to try to win every single game. There's no time for dropping a game. If you do, you then have to hope for the rest of the weekend that one of the other top teams drop a game. "It's a different game playing three days in a row on the concrete. It comes down to survival of the mentally fittest, not just the physical." This year's squad is a mix of youth and experience. Norths goal attack Abbie Gray, a mainstay of the side, will captain Newcastle. Souths pair Aneeka Marcozzi, in the midcourt, and Erin Asquith at goal shooter are experienced campaigners and West Leagues Balance opens centre Laicy Costigan is among the rising talents. Charlestown and Maitland are also in the women's championship division. Cessnock and Charlestown are vying for the men's state title. Several games have been washed out this season, but Newcastle Rugby League's first-grade competition hasn't been as impacted by the weather compared to the region's other premier sports in 2025. The NEWRL continues over the long weekend and kicks off with a bumper clash at Belmont's Cahill Oval on Saturday, when in-form Lakes United (fourth) host Maitland (third) from 3pm. Former NRL player Brock Lamb is set to return from Maitland, and comes up against two of his former Knights teammates in Lakes forwards Sione and Peter Mata'utia. At the same time on Saturday, Kurri Kurri (sixth) are at home to Central (10th) and Macquarie (ninth) are away to Wyong (seventh). On Sunday at 3pm, competition leaders Western Suburbs are away to eighth-placed The Entrance, while South Newcastle (fifth) host Cessnock (second). Wanderers coach Luke Sherwood expects Samoan international Andrew Tuala to improve the Two Blues' scrum in the second half of the Hunter rugby season. Tuala played 50 minutes off the bench in the Two Blues' 22-12 win over University in a catch-up game on Thursday night. The win was Wanderers' second for the season. Tuala came on at loose head and then switched to hooker in the second half. "Defensively, we were really good," Sherwood said. "Uni were camped on our line late in the first half, but we held strong. Our scrum was going backwards, but we defended really well. "We started strong in the second half and got some points on the board. They scored a couple of late tries from kicks but I was happy with the defence. "AT [Tuala] played just over half a game. We changed the front row at half-time and it worked OK. "AT went hard for 30 minutes and then got gassed. He will be a week-to-week scenario. He is working in the mines so he can't fully commit to training and games." In the other catch-up game, Merewether had to work hard to topple Southern Beaches 25-7 at Ernie Calland Field. Newcastle men's division one coach Dave Willott has his sights on a finals appearance at the Hockey NSW Open Field State Championships. The division one men's and women's competition will be played out at Wyong Hockey Centre, starting Saturday and culminating in finals on Monday. Divisions two and three are being contested over the long weekend at Broadmeadow's Newcastle International Hockey Centre. Newcastle's men's side will be led by experienced campaigner and captain Nick Hill. "We've got a good mix of experience and some younger ones," Willott said. "Ryan Woolnough was recently announced in the Australian under-21 squad, and there will be some debutants. "Our goal is to make the final. But making the semis will be the first part of it then we'll go from there." Maitland coach Adams Hughes knew Braedyn Crowley would hit form, it was a matter of providing service to the prolific striker. Crowley has netted five goals in the past three games - all wins - to help the Magpies turn around their NPL Northern NSW campaign. Hughes is hoping Crowley - and Maitland - can carry that form into the Australian Cup clash with NPL leaders Broadmeadow Magic at Cooks Square Park on Saturday. "Braedyn is a fantastic goalscorer and we know if we get him service in the right areas, he is clinical in those spaces," Hughes said. "It has been a whole-squad approach. The movements, the actions and the patterns we are trying to play. He has a knack for being there at the right moment. There are others who are also close to going on a scoring run." Magic last qualified out of NNSW for the Australia Cup main draw in 2023. "They have some individuals who are top quality at this level," Hughes said. "We need to be on top of our game, be energetic and nullify their strengths if we can. We will have a go at them as well. It will be a good marker on where we are at." Edgeworth are through to the final round of the NNSW qualifying after Bangalow forfeited the clash set down for Jack McLaughlan Oval. In other Australia Cup games on Saturday, Weston are at home to Lambton and Cooks Hill travel to Coffs Harbour to take on the Northern Stars. In the NPLM, Adamstown host Charlestown Azzurri in a catch-up game at 4pm. In the NPLW, Broadmeadow tackle Charlestown on Saturday (4pm) at Magic Park. The Newcastle open women's netball representative side are set for an enormous three days in Camden, where they will play 24 30-minute games over three days in pursuit of the NSW title. Perennially a top-two performer, Newcastle are coached by former national league midcourter Narelle Eather and last claimed the title in 2023. They were runners-up last year. "It's really intense because there's no finals, it's first past the post," Eather said. "So, you have to try to win every single game. There's no time for dropping a game. If you do, you then have to hope for the rest of the weekend that one of the other top teams drop a game. "It's a different game playing three days in a row on the concrete. It comes down to survival of the mentally fittest, not just the physical." This year's squad is a mix of youth and experience. Norths goal attack Abbie Gray, a mainstay of the side, will captain Newcastle. Souths pair Aneeka Marcozzi, in the midcourt, and Erin Asquith at goal shooter are experienced campaigners and West Leagues Balance opens centre Laicy Costigan is among the rising talents. Charlestown and Maitland are also in the women's championship division. Cessnock and Charlestown are vying for the men's state title. Several games have been washed out this season, but Newcastle Rugby League's first-grade competition hasn't been as impacted by the weather compared to the region's other premier sports in 2025. The NEWRL continues over the long weekend and kicks off with a bumper clash at Belmont's Cahill Oval on Saturday, when in-form Lakes United (fourth) host Maitland (third) from 3pm. Former NRL player Brock Lamb is set to return from Maitland, and comes up against two of his former Knights teammates in Lakes forwards Sione and Peter Mata'utia. At the same time on Saturday, Kurri Kurri (sixth) are at home to Central (10th) and Macquarie (ninth) are away to Wyong (seventh). On Sunday at 3pm, competition leaders Western Suburbs are away to eighth-placed The Entrance, while South Newcastle (fifth) host Cessnock (second). Wanderers coach Luke Sherwood expects Samoan international Andrew Tuala to improve the Two Blues' scrum in the second half of the Hunter rugby season. Tuala played 50 minutes off the bench in the Two Blues' 22-12 win over University in a catch-up game on Thursday night. The win was Wanderers' second for the season. Tuala came on at loose head and then switched to hooker in the second half. "Defensively, we were really good," Sherwood said. "Uni were camped on our line late in the first half, but we held strong. Our scrum was going backwards, but we defended really well. "We started strong in the second half and got some points on the board. They scored a couple of late tries from kicks but I was happy with the defence. "AT [Tuala] played just over half a game. We changed the front row at half-time and it worked OK. "AT went hard for 30 minutes and then got gassed. He will be a week-to-week scenario. He is working in the mines so he can't fully commit to training and games." In the other catch-up game, Merewether had to work hard to topple Southern Beaches 25-7 at Ernie Calland Field. Newcastle men's division one coach Dave Willott has his sights on a finals appearance at the Hockey NSW Open Field State Championships. The division one men's and women's competition will be played out at Wyong Hockey Centre, starting Saturday and culminating in finals on Monday. Divisions two and three are being contested over the long weekend at Broadmeadow's Newcastle International Hockey Centre. Newcastle's men's side will be led by experienced campaigner and captain Nick Hill. "We've got a good mix of experience and some younger ones," Willott said. "Ryan Woolnough was recently announced in the Australian under-21 squad, and there will be some debutants. "Our goal is to make the final. But making the semis will be the first part of it then we'll go from there." Maitland coach Adams Hughes knew Braedyn Crowley would hit form, it was a matter of providing service to the prolific striker. Crowley has netted five goals in the past three games - all wins - to help the Magpies turn around their NPL Northern NSW campaign. Hughes is hoping Crowley - and Maitland - can carry that form into the Australian Cup clash with NPL leaders Broadmeadow Magic at Cooks Square Park on Saturday. "Braedyn is a fantastic goalscorer and we know if we get him service in the right areas, he is clinical in those spaces," Hughes said. "It has been a whole-squad approach. The movements, the actions and the patterns we are trying to play. He has a knack for being there at the right moment. There are others who are also close to going on a scoring run." Magic last qualified out of NNSW for the Australia Cup main draw in 2023. "They have some individuals who are top quality at this level," Hughes said. "We need to be on top of our game, be energetic and nullify their strengths if we can. We will have a go at them as well. It will be a good marker on where we are at." Edgeworth are through to the final round of the NNSW qualifying after Bangalow forfeited the clash set down for Jack McLaughlan Oval. In other Australia Cup games on Saturday, Weston are at home to Lambton and Cooks Hill travel to Coffs Harbour to take on the Northern Stars. In the NPLM, Adamstown host Charlestown Azzurri in a catch-up game at 4pm. In the NPLW, Broadmeadow tackle Charlestown on Saturday (4pm) at Magic Park. The Newcastle open women's netball representative side are set for an enormous three days in Camden, where they will play 24 30-minute games over three days in pursuit of the NSW title. Perennially a top-two performer, Newcastle are coached by former national league midcourter Narelle Eather and last claimed the title in 2023. They were runners-up last year. "It's really intense because there's no finals, it's first past the post," Eather said. "So, you have to try to win every single game. There's no time for dropping a game. If you do, you then have to hope for the rest of the weekend that one of the other top teams drop a game. "It's a different game playing three days in a row on the concrete. It comes down to survival of the mentally fittest, not just the physical." This year's squad is a mix of youth and experience. Norths goal attack Abbie Gray, a mainstay of the side, will captain Newcastle. Souths pair Aneeka Marcozzi, in the midcourt, and Erin Asquith at goal shooter are experienced campaigners and West Leagues Balance opens centre Laicy Costigan is among the rising talents. Charlestown and Maitland are also in the women's championship division. Cessnock and Charlestown are vying for the men's state title. Several games have been washed out this season, but Newcastle Rugby League's first-grade competition hasn't been as impacted by the weather compared to the region's other premier sports in 2025. The NEWRL continues over the long weekend and kicks off with a bumper clash at Belmont's Cahill Oval on Saturday, when in-form Lakes United (fourth) host Maitland (third) from 3pm. Former NRL player Brock Lamb is set to return from Maitland, and comes up against two of his former Knights teammates in Lakes forwards Sione and Peter Mata'utia. At the same time on Saturday, Kurri Kurri (sixth) are at home to Central (10th) and Macquarie (ninth) are away to Wyong (seventh). On Sunday at 3pm, competition leaders Western Suburbs are away to eighth-placed The Entrance, while South Newcastle (fifth) host Cessnock (second). Wanderers coach Luke Sherwood expects Samoan international Andrew Tuala to improve the Two Blues' scrum in the second half of the Hunter rugby season. Tuala played 50 minutes off the bench in the Two Blues' 22-12 win over University in a catch-up game on Thursday night. The win was Wanderers' second for the season. Tuala came on at loose head and then switched to hooker in the second half. "Defensively, we were really good," Sherwood said. "Uni were camped on our line late in the first half, but we held strong. Our scrum was going backwards, but we defended really well. "We started strong in the second half and got some points on the board. They scored a couple of late tries from kicks but I was happy with the defence. "AT [Tuala] played just over half a game. We changed the front row at half-time and it worked OK. "AT went hard for 30 minutes and then got gassed. He will be a week-to-week scenario. He is working in the mines so he can't fully commit to training and games." In the other catch-up game, Merewether had to work hard to topple Southern Beaches 25-7 at Ernie Calland Field. Newcastle men's division one coach Dave Willott has his sights on a finals appearance at the Hockey NSW Open Field State Championships. The division one men's and women's competition will be played out at Wyong Hockey Centre, starting Saturday and culminating in finals on Monday. Divisions two and three are being contested over the long weekend at Broadmeadow's Newcastle International Hockey Centre. Newcastle's men's side will be led by experienced campaigner and captain Nick Hill. "We've got a good mix of experience and some younger ones," Willott said. "Ryan Woolnough was recently announced in the Australian under-21 squad, and there will be some debutants. "Our goal is to make the final. But making the semis will be the first part of it then we'll go from there." Maitland coach Adams Hughes knew Braedyn Crowley would hit form, it was a matter of providing service to the prolific striker. Crowley has netted five goals in the past three games - all wins - to help the Magpies turn around their NPL Northern NSW campaign. Hughes is hoping Crowley - and Maitland - can carry that form into the Australian Cup clash with NPL leaders Broadmeadow Magic at Cooks Square Park on Saturday. "Braedyn is a fantastic goalscorer and we know if we get him service in the right areas, he is clinical in those spaces," Hughes said. "It has been a whole-squad approach. The movements, the actions and the patterns we are trying to play. He has a knack for being there at the right moment. There are others who are also close to going on a scoring run." Magic last qualified out of NNSW for the Australia Cup main draw in 2023. "They have some individuals who are top quality at this level," Hughes said. "We need to be on top of our game, be energetic and nullify their strengths if we can. We will have a go at them as well. It will be a good marker on where we are at." Edgeworth are through to the final round of the NNSW qualifying after Bangalow forfeited the clash set down for Jack McLaughlan Oval. In other Australia Cup games on Saturday, Weston are at home to Lambton and Cooks Hill travel to Coffs Harbour to take on the Northern Stars. In the NPLM, Adamstown host Charlestown Azzurri in a catch-up game at 4pm. In the NPLW, Broadmeadow tackle Charlestown on Saturday (4pm) at Magic Park. The Newcastle open women's netball representative side are set for an enormous three days in Camden, where they will play 24 30-minute games over three days in pursuit of the NSW title. Perennially a top-two performer, Newcastle are coached by former national league midcourter Narelle Eather and last claimed the title in 2023. They were runners-up last year. "It's really intense because there's no finals, it's first past the post," Eather said. "So, you have to try to win every single game. There's no time for dropping a game. If you do, you then have to hope for the rest of the weekend that one of the other top teams drop a game. "It's a different game playing three days in a row on the concrete. It comes down to survival of the mentally fittest, not just the physical." This year's squad is a mix of youth and experience. Norths goal attack Abbie Gray, a mainstay of the side, will captain Newcastle. Souths pair Aneeka Marcozzi, in the midcourt, and Erin Asquith at goal shooter are experienced campaigners and West Leagues Balance opens centre Laicy Costigan is among the rising talents. Charlestown and Maitland are also in the women's championship division. Cessnock and Charlestown are vying for the men's state title. Several games have been washed out this season, but Newcastle Rugby League's first-grade competition hasn't been as impacted by the weather compared to the region's other premier sports in 2025. The NEWRL continues over the long weekend and kicks off with a bumper clash at Belmont's Cahill Oval on Saturday, when in-form Lakes United (fourth) host Maitland (third) from 3pm. Former NRL player Brock Lamb is set to return from Maitland, and comes up against two of his former Knights teammates in Lakes forwards Sione and Peter Mata'utia. At the same time on Saturday, Kurri Kurri (sixth) are at home to Central (10th) and Macquarie (ninth) are away to Wyong (seventh). On Sunday at 3pm, competition leaders Western Suburbs are away to eighth-placed The Entrance, while South Newcastle (fifth) host Cessnock (second). Wanderers coach Luke Sherwood expects Samoan international Andrew Tuala to improve the Two Blues' scrum in the second half of the Hunter rugby season. Tuala played 50 minutes off the bench in the Two Blues' 22-12 win over University in a catch-up game on Thursday night. The win was Wanderers' second for the season. Tuala came on at loose head and then switched to hooker in the second half. "Defensively, we were really good," Sherwood said. "Uni were camped on our line late in the first half, but we held strong. Our scrum was going backwards, but we defended really well. "We started strong in the second half and got some points on the board. They scored a couple of late tries from kicks but I was happy with the defence. "AT [Tuala] played just over half a game. We changed the front row at half-time and it worked OK. "AT went hard for 30 minutes and then got gassed. He will be a week-to-week scenario. He is working in the mines so he can't fully commit to training and games." In the other catch-up game, Merewether had to work hard to topple Southern Beaches 25-7 at Ernie Calland Field. Newcastle men's division one coach Dave Willott has his sights on a finals appearance at the Hockey NSW Open Field State Championships. The division one men's and women's competition will be played out at Wyong Hockey Centre, starting Saturday and culminating in finals on Monday. Divisions two and three are being contested over the long weekend at Broadmeadow's Newcastle International Hockey Centre. Newcastle's men's side will be led by experienced campaigner and captain Nick Hill. "We've got a good mix of experience and some younger ones," Willott said. "Ryan Woolnough was recently announced in the Australian under-21 squad, and there will be some debutants. "Our goal is to make the final. But making the semis will be the first part of it then we'll go from there."

'Very frustrating': Some teams yet to play as rain deluge forces more changes

The Advertiser

16-05-2025

Climate
The Advertiser

'Very frustrating': Some teams yet to play as rain deluge forces more changes

Northern NSW Football has contingency plans in place but is not yet hitting the panic button as a strong sense of deja vu settles on another water-logged season. Wet weather is causing havoc to winter sport, but perhaps none moreso than soccer. As the region's premier men's competition reached its halfway point last weekend, defending NPL premiers and champions Broadmeadow had only played eight of 11 fixtures after three successive matches were postponed due to rain-affected grounds. Most other clubs have two rounds to catch up with three teams having only one. In the community space, run by the member zones of Newcastle, Macquarie and Hunter Valley, some teams were yet to kick a ball after three rounds. And, with more rain falling during the week and forecast for this weekend and beyond, those teams are set to stay stuck in mud, literally. Newcastle Football general manager Chris Brain has urged players and clubs to remain patient, flexible and "to think outside the square" where possible. He said one club, at their own expense, had booked synthetic courts at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, Speers Point to get some of their miniroos matches played. Other clubs were ground-sharing and some venues, such as upgraded Smith Park in Hamilton North, were being used as hubs. "In comparison to last year, we're in better shape because we've just encouraged clubs to play where we can but be mindful of what council restrictions have in place," Brain told the Newcastle Herald. "In the main, we're getting games played. We've got a backlog but we're crossing our fingers that we can get at least some of the backlog put away in the next couple of weeks, and hopefully we're going to get some better weather. "We've got hubs and clubs are sharing grounds between each other and opening grounds for each other. We've just got to make sure we don't overload those grounds." Northern NSW Football general manager of football operations Liam Bentley said the first phase of premier youth league boys competition has already been extended by two weeks. The senior premier seasons were extended last year and that could be an option again. "From a senior point of view, we're just continuing to monitor the situation," Bentley said. "We've got a bunch of catch-up rounds and wet weather contingencies within that, and we do have a fair bit of this season to go. We're only roughly halfway. "That being said, though, we're definitely not getting complacent. We really need to keep an eye on how many games are getting postponed and make any type of call that we would need to make in an emergency, earlier rather than last minute. "But we're not quite at that point yet with senior football." Extra "wet weather" rounds were built into premier and community soccer seasons this year after competitions had to be extended last year to accommodate a backlog of washed-out fixtures. Broadmeadow coach Jim Cresnar was pleased to get their Australian Cup exchange in against Charlestown at Magic Park on Tuesday night. It was the first hit-out for Magic, who won 3-0 to advance to the next round of the national knockout competition, in four weeks. The NPL's second-placed side, on 21 points, are set to face unbeaten leaders Edgeworth (23 points) at Magic Park on Sunday (2pm), weather pending. The top-of-the-table clash comes after three consecutive wash-outs - away games to Maitland, Valentine and Cooks Hill - for Magic. Edgeworth, whose past two competition games have been postponed, beat Magic 1-0 when they met in round one. "It was very nice to get a game in," Cresnar said. "After about three or four weeks, you're trying to work out where the team is in terms of their fitness and everything else. "The three or four weeks has been very frustrating, the inability to potentially play. "It was a very solid performance, and it gives us a bit of a guide to see where we are as well, missing three or four weeks. "We haven't beaten Edgeworth in three or four years. They've got some good individual players and are well-coached." Round 12 of NPL men and women is scheduled to kick off on Friday night, depending on the weather. Meanwhile, some of this weekend's games have already been shifted in Newcastle Rugby League due to the rain. On Saturday, Wests' home game against Macquarie will now be played at Lyall Peacock Oval in Toronto and Souths' home clash with Kurri Kurri has been moved to Kurri Kurri Sportsground. Northern NSW Football has contingency plans in place but is not yet hitting the panic button as a strong sense of deja vu settles on another water-logged season. Wet weather is causing havoc to winter sport, but perhaps none moreso than soccer. As the region's premier men's competition reached its halfway point last weekend, defending NPL premiers and champions Broadmeadow had only played eight of 11 fixtures after three successive matches were postponed due to rain-affected grounds. Most other clubs have two rounds to catch up with three teams having only one. In the community space, run by the member zones of Newcastle, Macquarie and Hunter Valley, some teams were yet to kick a ball after three rounds. And, with more rain falling during the week and forecast for this weekend and beyond, those teams are set to stay stuck in mud, literally. Newcastle Football general manager Chris Brain has urged players and clubs to remain patient, flexible and "to think outside the square" where possible. He said one club, at their own expense, had booked synthetic courts at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, Speers Point to get some of their miniroos matches played. Other clubs were ground-sharing and some venues, such as upgraded Smith Park in Hamilton North, were being used as hubs. "In comparison to last year, we're in better shape because we've just encouraged clubs to play where we can but be mindful of what council restrictions have in place," Brain told the Newcastle Herald. "In the main, we're getting games played. We've got a backlog but we're crossing our fingers that we can get at least some of the backlog put away in the next couple of weeks, and hopefully we're going to get some better weather. "We've got hubs and clubs are sharing grounds between each other and opening grounds for each other. We've just got to make sure we don't overload those grounds." Northern NSW Football general manager of football operations Liam Bentley said the first phase of premier youth league boys competition has already been extended by two weeks. The senior premier seasons were extended last year and that could be an option again. "From a senior point of view, we're just continuing to monitor the situation," Bentley said. "We've got a bunch of catch-up rounds and wet weather contingencies within that, and we do have a fair bit of this season to go. We're only roughly halfway. "That being said, though, we're definitely not getting complacent. We really need to keep an eye on how many games are getting postponed and make any type of call that we would need to make in an emergency, earlier rather than last minute. "But we're not quite at that point yet with senior football." Extra "wet weather" rounds were built into premier and community soccer seasons this year after competitions had to be extended last year to accommodate a backlog of washed-out fixtures. Broadmeadow coach Jim Cresnar was pleased to get their Australian Cup exchange in against Charlestown at Magic Park on Tuesday night. It was the first hit-out for Magic, who won 3-0 to advance to the next round of the national knockout competition, in four weeks. The NPL's second-placed side, on 21 points, are set to face unbeaten leaders Edgeworth (23 points) at Magic Park on Sunday (2pm), weather pending. The top-of-the-table clash comes after three consecutive wash-outs - away games to Maitland, Valentine and Cooks Hill - for Magic. Edgeworth, whose past two competition games have been postponed, beat Magic 1-0 when they met in round one. "It was very nice to get a game in," Cresnar said. "After about three or four weeks, you're trying to work out where the team is in terms of their fitness and everything else. "The three or four weeks has been very frustrating, the inability to potentially play. "It was a very solid performance, and it gives us a bit of a guide to see where we are as well, missing three or four weeks. "We haven't beaten Edgeworth in three or four years. They've got some good individual players and are well-coached." Round 12 of NPL men and women is scheduled to kick off on Friday night, depending on the weather. Meanwhile, some of this weekend's games have already been shifted in Newcastle Rugby League due to the rain. On Saturday, Wests' home game against Macquarie will now be played at Lyall Peacock Oval in Toronto and Souths' home clash with Kurri Kurri has been moved to Kurri Kurri Sportsground. Northern NSW Football has contingency plans in place but is not yet hitting the panic button as a strong sense of deja vu settles on another water-logged season. Wet weather is causing havoc to winter sport, but perhaps none moreso than soccer. As the region's premier men's competition reached its halfway point last weekend, defending NPL premiers and champions Broadmeadow had only played eight of 11 fixtures after three successive matches were postponed due to rain-affected grounds. Most other clubs have two rounds to catch up with three teams having only one. In the community space, run by the member zones of Newcastle, Macquarie and Hunter Valley, some teams were yet to kick a ball after three rounds. And, with more rain falling during the week and forecast for this weekend and beyond, those teams are set to stay stuck in mud, literally. Newcastle Football general manager Chris Brain has urged players and clubs to remain patient, flexible and "to think outside the square" where possible. He said one club, at their own expense, had booked synthetic courts at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, Speers Point to get some of their miniroos matches played. Other clubs were ground-sharing and some venues, such as upgraded Smith Park in Hamilton North, were being used as hubs. "In comparison to last year, we're in better shape because we've just encouraged clubs to play where we can but be mindful of what council restrictions have in place," Brain told the Newcastle Herald. "In the main, we're getting games played. We've got a backlog but we're crossing our fingers that we can get at least some of the backlog put away in the next couple of weeks, and hopefully we're going to get some better weather. "We've got hubs and clubs are sharing grounds between each other and opening grounds for each other. We've just got to make sure we don't overload those grounds." Northern NSW Football general manager of football operations Liam Bentley said the first phase of premier youth league boys competition has already been extended by two weeks. The senior premier seasons were extended last year and that could be an option again. "From a senior point of view, we're just continuing to monitor the situation," Bentley said. "We've got a bunch of catch-up rounds and wet weather contingencies within that, and we do have a fair bit of this season to go. We're only roughly halfway. "That being said, though, we're definitely not getting complacent. We really need to keep an eye on how many games are getting postponed and make any type of call that we would need to make in an emergency, earlier rather than last minute. "But we're not quite at that point yet with senior football." Extra "wet weather" rounds were built into premier and community soccer seasons this year after competitions had to be extended last year to accommodate a backlog of washed-out fixtures. Broadmeadow coach Jim Cresnar was pleased to get their Australian Cup exchange in against Charlestown at Magic Park on Tuesday night. It was the first hit-out for Magic, who won 3-0 to advance to the next round of the national knockout competition, in four weeks. The NPL's second-placed side, on 21 points, are set to face unbeaten leaders Edgeworth (23 points) at Magic Park on Sunday (2pm), weather pending. The top-of-the-table clash comes after three consecutive wash-outs - away games to Maitland, Valentine and Cooks Hill - for Magic. Edgeworth, whose past two competition games have been postponed, beat Magic 1-0 when they met in round one. "It was very nice to get a game in," Cresnar said. "After about three or four weeks, you're trying to work out where the team is in terms of their fitness and everything else. "The three or four weeks has been very frustrating, the inability to potentially play. "It was a very solid performance, and it gives us a bit of a guide to see where we are as well, missing three or four weeks. "We haven't beaten Edgeworth in three or four years. They've got some good individual players and are well-coached." Round 12 of NPL men and women is scheduled to kick off on Friday night, depending on the weather. Meanwhile, some of this weekend's games have already been shifted in Newcastle Rugby League due to the rain. On Saturday, Wests' home game against Macquarie will now be played at Lyall Peacock Oval in Toronto and Souths' home clash with Kurri Kurri has been moved to Kurri Kurri Sportsground. Northern NSW Football has contingency plans in place but is not yet hitting the panic button as a strong sense of deja vu settles on another water-logged season. Wet weather is causing havoc to winter sport, but perhaps none moreso than soccer. As the region's premier men's competition reached its halfway point last weekend, defending NPL premiers and champions Broadmeadow had only played eight of 11 fixtures after three successive matches were postponed due to rain-affected grounds. Most other clubs have two rounds to catch up with three teams having only one. In the community space, run by the member zones of Newcastle, Macquarie and Hunter Valley, some teams were yet to kick a ball after three rounds. And, with more rain falling during the week and forecast for this weekend and beyond, those teams are set to stay stuck in mud, literally. Newcastle Football general manager Chris Brain has urged players and clubs to remain patient, flexible and "to think outside the square" where possible. He said one club, at their own expense, had booked synthetic courts at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, Speers Point to get some of their miniroos matches played. Other clubs were ground-sharing and some venues, such as upgraded Smith Park in Hamilton North, were being used as hubs. "In comparison to last year, we're in better shape because we've just encouraged clubs to play where we can but be mindful of what council restrictions have in place," Brain told the Newcastle Herald. "In the main, we're getting games played. We've got a backlog but we're crossing our fingers that we can get at least some of the backlog put away in the next couple of weeks, and hopefully we're going to get some better weather. "We've got hubs and clubs are sharing grounds between each other and opening grounds for each other. We've just got to make sure we don't overload those grounds." Northern NSW Football general manager of football operations Liam Bentley said the first phase of premier youth league boys competition has already been extended by two weeks. The senior premier seasons were extended last year and that could be an option again. "From a senior point of view, we're just continuing to monitor the situation," Bentley said. "We've got a bunch of catch-up rounds and wet weather contingencies within that, and we do have a fair bit of this season to go. We're only roughly halfway. "That being said, though, we're definitely not getting complacent. We really need to keep an eye on how many games are getting postponed and make any type of call that we would need to make in an emergency, earlier rather than last minute. "But we're not quite at that point yet with senior football." Extra "wet weather" rounds were built into premier and community soccer seasons this year after competitions had to be extended last year to accommodate a backlog of washed-out fixtures. Broadmeadow coach Jim Cresnar was pleased to get their Australian Cup exchange in against Charlestown at Magic Park on Tuesday night. It was the first hit-out for Magic, who won 3-0 to advance to the next round of the national knockout competition, in four weeks. The NPL's second-placed side, on 21 points, are set to face unbeaten leaders Edgeworth (23 points) at Magic Park on Sunday (2pm), weather pending. The top-of-the-table clash comes after three consecutive wash-outs - away games to Maitland, Valentine and Cooks Hill - for Magic. Edgeworth, whose past two competition games have been postponed, beat Magic 1-0 when they met in round one. "It was very nice to get a game in," Cresnar said. "After about three or four weeks, you're trying to work out where the team is in terms of their fitness and everything else. "The three or four weeks has been very frustrating, the inability to potentially play. "It was a very solid performance, and it gives us a bit of a guide to see where we are as well, missing three or four weeks. "We haven't beaten Edgeworth in three or four years. They've got some good individual players and are well-coached." Round 12 of NPL men and women is scheduled to kick off on Friday night, depending on the weather. Meanwhile, some of this weekend's games have already been shifted in Newcastle Rugby League due to the rain. On Saturday, Wests' home game against Macquarie will now be played at Lyall Peacock Oval in Toronto and Souths' home clash with Kurri Kurri has been moved to Kurri Kurri Sportsground.

Pride Of Jenni books her ticker for Queensland winter carnival with Anniversary Vase victory

News.com.au

03-05-2025

Sport
News.com.au

Pride Of Jenni books her ticker for Queensland winter carnival with Anniversary Vase victory

Pride Of Jenni has beaten tougher opposition but the mare still notched a crucial win in Saturday's Listed Anniversary Vase (1600m) at Caulfield. A Brisbane winter carnival trip hinged on Pride Of Jenni showing a semblance of her imperious best in the Anniversary after her last-start flop in the Group 1 Australian Cup in March. Another moderate performance would have prompted questions about the multiple Group 1 winner's future but the Ciaron Maher -trained Pride Of Jenni did what was required despite being short of peak fitness. While enjoying favourable weight terms under the quality conditions of the Anniversary Vase, Pride Of Jenni still needed to give her rivals up to 7kg at her first run for six weeks. Tactics remained the same as jockey Craig Newitt persevered for the lead after early opposition from Regal Zeus before Pride Of Jenni got into her work from the 1200m. Pride Of Jenni carved out strong mid-race sectionals before rounding the home turn with only a two-length break on her rivals. However, that was enough as placegetters Scheelite ($5) and Pounding ($5) could get no closer than 2¼ lengths from the bold frontrunner on the line. SHE'S BACK! ðŸ˜� Pride Of Jenni is back to her best with a win in the Anniversary Vase at Caulfield! Bring on the Doomben Cup. @cmaherracing @craig_newitt â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) May 3, 2025 Newitt said Pride Of Jenni didn't quicken in the second half of the race but showed little sign of fatigue in the last 200m. 'She never quickened any more but she never weakened. She just kept up her gallop,' Newitt said. 'Her stamina really kicked in. 'I sensed there was something there at the top of the straight so I thought, 'today's the day we'll find out what is there' and, to my surprise, she really kept her gallop through the line.' Newitt said he was more relieved than jubilant about Pride Of Jenni bouncing back to winning ways after the disappointing Australian Cup run. 'She's always fun to ride,' Newitt said. 'The ground was very quick today and she's obviously very effective on wet ground, which she'll get in Brisbane. 'It's just a relief really because we know how good she is on her day.' Owner Tony Ottobre said the Group 1 Doomben Cup would be Pride Of Jenni's next appearance but Maher would determine the rest of her Brisbane winter program. 'She's got a bit more condition than we hoped but obviously she got more (fitness) to come,' Ottobre said. 'She's just a superstar. 'There's more improvement to come, so that's good. 'She's got no niggling issues or anything like that so she's perfect and that's what you see when she's 100 per cent right.'