Latest news with #Bauhinia
Herald Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Herald Sun
Horse racing tips: Moruya best bets, inside mail and preview for Sunday, August 17, 2025
Trainer Lee Curtis is eager for the return of their stable star Bauhinia and he's looking to add some black type to her resume in the near future. The four-year-old daughter of Hellbent already has a feature-race win at Wyong having taken out the Wyong Magic Millions Stakes in December last year. Curtis, who trains in partnership with his wife Cherie, said the stable have their eye firmly on another local feature with Wyong's $200,000 Mona Lisa Stakes later this month circled on the calendar. • 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! The duo are hoping her preparation gets off to a flyer when she resumes at Wyong on Sunday in the Mona Lisa Stakes Prelude Plate over 1200m. 'She's certainly come back bigger and stronger as a four-year-old mare and it's exciting to have her back and at the races,' Curtis said. 'Nothing went right for her up on the Gold Coast but she's had a nice spell and it's done her a world of good. 'Her two trials have been good. Jeff (Penza) rode her in the first one and he's aboard on race day. 'Both her first-up runs have been good and she obviously won when resuming last time in so hopefully it's the same on Sunday.' With Penza in the saddle, Bauhinia has drawn a perfect gate in barrier three of the seven horse field. Almost every horse in the field will have an advantage of race fitness over Bauhinia but Curtis is hoping her class can shine through. The likes of Regimental Colours, Dollar Magic and Lulumon have been up and running throughout the winter period while Countyourblessings returns off a let up from the Brisbane carnival. 'The market says she's the horse to beat but the field has come up pretty strong,' Curtis said. 'A lot of those mares have form throughout the off season period and will be looking to catch us first-up. 'But hopefully she shows her class and with the improvement we expect from her, hopefully she gets it done.' Bauhinia wins the Magic Millions 3YO & 4YO Stakes at Wyong. Picture: Bradley Photos Bookmakers posted Bauhinia as the $2 favourite to make her return to racing as a winner. A few races later will see Still Alice also make her return to racing in the Mounties Group Benchmark 64 over 1100m. A full sister to the Curtis' former stakes winner Meryl, Still Alice took a bit of time to mature but went to another level during her most recent preparation. The stable had Meryl up and early as a two-year-old having run in the Gimcrack Stakes on debut before returning in the summer to win the BJ McLachlan Stakes and contest the 2018 Magic Millions 2YO Classic. 'She's a full sister to Meryl and Meryl was up as an early two-year-old and won a BJ McLachlan,' Curtis said. 'This girl is a bit different because she took but I liked the way she returned going into last preparation and I've got similar thoughts now. 'I think she was just a very immature girl early on but she's going super now and you're seeing that in her performances on race day. 'She won first-up over this track and distance last time in so hopefully she can do the same this time around.' Bookies posted Still Alice as a double-figure chance to return as a winner with Peter Snowden's debut winner Johnny heading the market as a $3.50 favourite. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ WYONG TIPS BEST BET Race 7 No.9: ROYAL SUPREMACY The best placed horse I've seen for a long time. Only bad luck can beat him. NEXT BEST Race 4 No.5: BAUHINIA Talented mare that is stakes class. Winner at the track and should be able to chalk up another here on her way to the Mona Lisa. VALUE BET Race 6 No.10: STILL ALICE A winner first-up over the same track and trip last time in and judging by her trials, she's returned even better. JOCKEY TO FOLLOW BRAITH NOCK has a super book of rides across the card, highlighted by Royal Supremacy in the last. Braith Nock and Royal Supremacy can win again. Picture: Getty Images QUADDIE Race 4: 5 Race 5: 1, 3, 5 Race 6: 2, 10, 11, 14 Race 7: 9 WYONG INSIDE MAIL RACE 1: CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1600m) ZELJKO (3) enjoyed the heavy conditions last time out at Kembla Grange and maps to get a super run in transit. Throughout five career starts, he's never missed a place and looks likely to continue that trend here. NKOSI (1) adds plenty of intrigue into this race as a former Kiwi that's won over the staying trips. Has had two good trials and while he's likely to improve for the run, I think he's got a bit of class. TESSY TEE (5) next best. BET: ZELJKO to win. RACE 2: 4YO&UP MAIDEN HANDICAP (1100m) KARMARDO (2) comes out of a strong race at Kembla. Sat up on the speed before tiring and finishing in a midfield position. Drawn out wide but has the speed to cross and lead and with the fitness benefit, he can break through for a maiden victory. CHILLI CRAB (3) looks to be the only conceivable danger. Two strong trials ahead of his return has him primed for a forward showing. BET: KARMADO to win. RACE 3: 3YO MAIDEN PLATE (1200m) ARTISTIC VENTURE (9) returns off two strong trials. Finished third in the Inglis Millennium earlier this year and a repeat of that will see her win this by a long way. Just needs luck from barrier 12. THE MAGIC MAN (6) hasn't won in seven starts but has run some ripping races. Had no luck last time out at Rosehill when trapped wide without cover but should get every chance here from barrier one. BET: ARTISTIC VENTURE to win. RACE 4: MONA LISA STAKES PRELUDE (1200m) BAUHINA's (5) best career performance came at this track and trip when taking out the Magic Millions Wyong Stakes earlier this year. Had excuses at her next subsequent start on the Gold Coast. Has been prepared for this with two trials and is drawn well in gate three. COUNTYOURBLESSINGS (1) gets here off a freshen up after running second to Kin in the Gai Waterhouse Classic. Gives them all weight but has class. DOLLAR MAGIC (3) is a prolific placegetter. Hasn't won in a while but continues to race well. BET: BAUHINIA to win. RACE 5: MIDWAY BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1350m) FLYING ORCHID (3) looks to be a horse of some promise following a dominant win on debut at Newcastle. Has had a short spell since and resumes off a few trials. FLYING ARGYLE (1) is steadily improving with each run. Has the top weight to carry but should be at his peak fourth-up into the campaign. BET: FLYING ORCHID to win. RACE 6: BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1100m) STILL ALICE (10) has turned in two strong trials ahead of her return. Shaped up in some strong races last time in. Two for three at the track and also a strong first-up performer. HYDROMETER (1) bled last time out so you can forgive him of the effort. Has looked sharp at the trials ahead of his return and is also a winner around Wyong. SHIRVINGTON (2) won two for three last campaign and resumes off two trials. Has a big win at this track and distance and that came first-up from a spell. BET: STILL ALICE each-way. RACE 7: WYONG CUP PRELUDE (2000m ROYAL SUPREMACY (9) is a weighted certainty. Perfectly placed here in a Class 6 as a horse with a rating of 94 following his last start victory at Randwick. Maps to get a good run from barrier three with Braith Nock in the saddle. AGE OF SAIL (4) is first-up off a Sydney Cup preparation. Should only improve for the run but he's got a bit of class about him. EL JASOR (5) was solid first-up from a break at Randwick when running on behind Travolta. Likely to be back and running on late. BET: ROYAL SUPREMACY to win. Originally published as Wyong race day tips, inside mail and preview for Sunday, August 17, 2025
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Wyong race day tips, inside mail and preview for Sunday, August 17, 2025
Trainer Lee Curtis is eager for the return of their stable star Bauhinia and he's looking to add some black type to her resume in the near future. The four-year-old daughter of Hellbent already has a feature-race win at Wyong having taken out the Wyong Magic Millions Stakes in December last year. Curtis, who trains in partnership with his wife Cherie, said the stable have their eye firmly on another local feature with Wyong's $200,000 Mona Lisa Stakes later this month circled on the calendar. The duo are hoping her preparation gets off to a flyer when she resumes at Wyong on Sunday in the Mona Lisa Stakes Prelude Plate over 1200m. 'She's certainly come back bigger and stronger as a four-year-old mare and it's exciting to have her back and at the races,' Curtis said. 'Nothing went right for her up on the Gold Coast but she's had a nice spell and it's done her a world of good. 'Her two trials have been good. Jeff (Penza) rode her in the first one and he's aboard on race day. 'Both her first-up runs have been good and she obviously won when resuming last time in so hopefully it's the same on Sunday.' With Penza in the saddle, Bauhinia has drawn a perfect gate in barrier three of the seven horse field. Almost every horse in the field will have an advantage of race fitness over Bauhinia but Curtis is hoping her class can shine through. The likes of Regimental Colours, Dollar Magic and Lulumon have been up and running throughout the winter period while Countyourblessings returns off a let up from the Brisbane carnival. 'The market says she's the horse to beat but the field has come up pretty strong,' Curtis said. 'A lot of those mares have form throughout the off season period and will be looking to catch us first-up. 'But hopefully she shows her class and with the improvement we expect from her, hopefully she gets it done.' Bookmakers posted Bauhinia as the $2 favourite to make her return to racing as a winner. A few races later will see Still Alice also make her return to racing in the Mounties Group Benchmark 64 over 1100m. A full sister to the Curtis' former stakes winner Meryl, Still Alice took a bit of time to mature but went to another level during her most recent preparation. The stable had Meryl up and early as a two-year-old having run in the Gimcrack Stakes on debut before returning in the summer to win the BJ McLachlan Stakes and contest the 2018 Magic Millions 2YO Classic. 'She's a full sister to Meryl and Meryl was up as an early two-year-old and won a BJ McLachlan,' Curtis said. 'This girl is a bit different because she took but I liked the way she returned going into last preparation and I've got similar thoughts now. 'I think she was just a very immature girl early on but she's going super now and you're seeing that in her performances on race day. 'She won first-up over this track and distance last time in so hopefully she can do the same this time around.' Bookies posted Still Alice as a double-figure chance to return as a winner with Peter Snowden's debut winner Johnny heading the market as a $3.50 favourite. â– â– â– â– â– WYONG TIPS BEST BET Race 7 No.9: ROYAL SUPREMACY The best placed horse I've seen for a long time. Only bad luck can beat him. NEXT BEST Race 4 No.5: BAUHINIA Talented mare that is stakes class. Winner at the track and should be able to chalk up another here on her way to the Mona Lisa. VALUE BET Race 6 No.10: STILL ALICE A winner first-up over the same track and trip last time in and judging by her trials, she's returned even better. JOCKEY TO FOLLOW BRAITH NOCK has a super book of rides across the card, highlighted by Royal Supremacy in the last. QUADDIE Race 4: 5 Race 5: 1, 3, 5 Race 6: 2, 10, 11, 14 Race 7: 9 WYONG INSIDE MAIL RACE 1: CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1600m) ZELJKO (3) enjoyed the heavy conditions last time out at Kembla Grange and maps to get a super run in transit. Throughout five career starts, he's never missed a place and looks likely to continue that trend here. NKOSI (1) adds plenty of intrigue into this race as a former Kiwi that's won over the staying trips. Has had two good trials and while he's likely to improve for the run, I think he's got a bit of class. TESSY TEE (5) next best. BET: ZELJKO to win. RACE 2: 4YO&UP MAIDEN HANDICAP (1100m) KARMARDO (2) comes out of a strong race at Kembla. Sat up on the speed before tiring and finishing in a midfield position. Drawn out wide but has the speed to cross and lead and with the fitness benefit, he can break through for a maiden victory. CHILLI CRAB (3) looks to be the only conceivable danger. Two strong trials ahead of his return has him primed for a forward showing. BET: KARMADO to win. RACE 3: 3YO MAIDEN PLATE (1200m) ARTISTIC VENTURE (9) returns off two strong trials. Finished third in the Inglis Millennium earlier this year and a repeat of that will see her win this by a long way. Just needs luck from barrier 12. THE MAGIC MAN (6) hasn't won in seven starts but has run some ripping races. Had no luck last time out at Rosehill when trapped wide without cover but should get every chance here from barrier one. BET: ARTISTIC VENTURE to win. BAUHINA's (5) best career performance came at this track and trip when taking out the Magic Millions Wyong Stakes earlier this year. Had excuses at her next subsequent start on the Gold Coast. Has been prepared for this with two trials and is drawn well in gate three. COUNTYOURBLESSINGS (1) gets here off a freshen up after running second to Kin in the Gai Waterhouse Classic. Gives them all weight but has class. DOLLAR MAGIC (3) is a prolific placegetter. Hasn't won in a while but continues to race well. BET: BAUHINIA to win. RACE 5: MIDWAY BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1350m) FLYING ORCHID (3) looks to be a horse of some promise following a dominant win on debut at Newcastle. Has had a short spell since and resumes off a few trials. FLYING ARGYLE (1) is steadily improving with each run. Has the top weight to carry but should be at his peak fourth-up into the campaign. BET: FLYING ORCHID to win. RACE 6: BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1100m) STILL ALICE (10) has turned in two strong trials ahead of her return. Shaped up in some strong races last time in. Two for three at the track and also a strong first-up performer. HYDROMETER (1) bled last time out so you can forgive him of the effort. Has looked sharp at the trials ahead of his return and is also a winner around Wyong. SHIRVINGTON (2) won two for three last campaign and resumes off two trials. Has a big win at this track and distance and that came first-up from a spell. BET: STILL ALICE each-way. ROYAL SUPREMACY (9) is a weighted certainty. Perfectly placed here in a Class 6 as a horse with a rating of 94 following his last start victory at Randwick. Maps to get a good run from barrier three with Braith Nock in the saddle. AGE OF SAIL (4) is first-up off a Sydney Cup preparation. Should only improve for the run but he's got a bit of class about him. EL JASOR (5) was solid first-up from a break at Randwick when running on behind Travolta. Likely to be back and running on late.
South China Morning Post
01-07-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong residents and tourists revel in handover anniversary festivities
From free museum visits and tram rides to discounted meals and fun runs, residents and tourists took full advantage of offers by thousands of businesses, braving the frequent showers to revel in the celebrations of the city's 28th anniversary of its handover to Beijing. Rows of bright red national and Hong Kong flags adorned the streets and tourist attractions on Tuesday, as around 3,800 restaurants offered special discounts, hoping to attract diners and boost spending. A parade of about 30 fishing boats along Victoria Harbour drew crowds despite the gloomy weather, while the Star Ferry offered free one-day rides between Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui, an opportunity that many tourists seized to visit Golden Bauhinia Square. Near the Wan Chai ferry terminal, the spot features the famous Bauhinia statue, a prominent symbol of the city's 1997 handover. Sinopec, which sponsored the free ferry rides, also set up booths to hand out complimentary panda plush toys and Chinese flags to passengers. Among those celebrating was Lili Zhong, 25, a recent master's graduate visiting Hong Kong and Macau with her mother from Shandong province. 'I was given a national flag and a Hong Kong flag at Tsim Sha Tsui by the staff there. I feel they are very meaningful souvenirs available only on Tuesday,' Zhong said.
Miami Herald
09-06-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Black and white creature — snacking on snails — is new species in French Guiana
In the tropical rainforests of French Guiana, a new species has been hiding in plain sight. Sibon nebulatus, a species of snail-eating snake, is found all the way from Mexico to northeastern Brazil, according to a study published June 6 in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa. But now, genetic testing has revealed that some snakes mistaken for S. nebulatus were actually a different, cryptic species. Cryptic species are animals that may morphologically, or physically, look the same as another species, but are 'genetically distinct' and have their own evolutionary lineage. The new species was found in French Guiana, researchers said, on the northern edge of the Amazon Rainforest. Sibon nebulatus, or the black and white snail-eating snake, was collected from Mont Itoupé at an elevation of about 2,600 feet, according to the study. The snakes are about a foot long from snout to body, with a seven-inch tail, researchers said. Their heads are distinct from the cylindrical shape of their bodies, and their snouts are short and blunt. The snakes earn their name from their coloration pattern, photos show. The snakes are gray with white bellies and covered in thick black bands that extend the length of their bodies. '(The black and white snail-eating snake) is only known from French Guiana, (where it was so far mistaken with S. nebulatus whereas specimens of S. nebulatus (strictly speaking) were considered to belong to a new species) but it is widespread throughout the territory at the exception of the upper Maroni basin and along the coastal strip of savannas where S. nebulatus occurs,' the study explains. Researchers suspect the snake can also be found in the old growth forests of neighboring Surinam, but no records have been made so far. 'Several specimens have been observed feeding on snails in French Guiana,' researchers said. 'One specimen was observed at (5:30 a.m.) perched at about (20 feet) above the ground on a vine of the genus Bauhinia and disappeared in a cavity in the trunk.' Researchers said the existence of a second species was hypothesized for decades, but it wasn't until more recent records and genetic testing was used that the theory could be proven. French Guiana is on the northern coast of South America, north of Brazil and along the Atlantic Ocean. The research team included Antoine Fouquet, Alejandro Arteaga, Átilas R. De Sousa and Robson W. Avila.
Time Out
16-05-2025
- Business
- Time Out
Urban Revivo
With over 400 stores worldwide, Chinese fast-fashion brand Urban Revivo (UR) finally made its way to our city with its first Hong Kong outlet in Harbour City. Spanning across an 813 sqm space, the shop features a large-scale floral art installation inspired by the Bauhinia flower, with its roots designed to resemble a Möbius strip to symbolise UR's "infinite vitality in Hong Kong's fashion landscape". Offering a curated selection of nearly 1,000 products, shoppers can browse through the latest collections of womenswear, menswear, footwear, as well as a range of accessories like bags, hats, and sunglasses.
