Latest news with #Benchmark64
Sydney Morning Herald
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Prima Bella primed to put the brakes on Hawker Hall's meteoric rise
A resuming metropolitan mare can halt the exciting progress of an emerging local star when they clash at Monday's transferred Newcastle meeting. Prima Bella, a very lightly raced four-year-old in the Matthew Smith stable at Warwick Farm, returns for her first outing and only fourth career start since two runs last spring. That came after she was forced out through injury for nearly a year after making a big impression on debut with an all-the-way win at Wyong late in 2023. But the hard work and long wait can start to pay dividends when she tackles a Benchmark 64 Hcp over the flying 900m. And connections will be buoyed by the conditions having watched her win the first of two recent trials in heavy ground by nearly five lengths. Standing in her way, though, could well be home track three-year-old Hawker Hall who reloads a month after blitzing his maiden opposition by nearly four lengths when resuming as the hottest of favourites, also in heavy ground. And Hawker Hall, a gelding by Russian Revolution with leading trainer Kris Lees, has since won a trial in soft going by a big margin. Hawker Hall has drawn wide, while Prime Bella is nicely placed from barrier five for what looms as a mouth-watering battle made for the conditions, and could pitchfork either galloper into metropolitan company next start. Prima Bella opened around $3.80 in early betting ahead of Hawker Hall ($4.20), with a big gap to honest mare One Kind on the next line around $8.00 and resuming four-year-old Kiribati $10.00.
The Age
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Prima Bella primed to put the brakes on Hawker Hall's meteoric rise
A resuming metropolitan mare can halt the exciting progress of an emerging local star when they clash at Monday's transferred Newcastle meeting. Prima Bella, a very lightly raced four-year-old in the Matthew Smith stable at Warwick Farm, returns for her first outing and only fourth career start since two runs last spring. That came after she was forced out through injury for nearly a year after making a big impression on debut with an all-the-way win at Wyong late in 2023. But the hard work and long wait can start to pay dividends when she tackles a Benchmark 64 Hcp over the flying 900m. And connections will be buoyed by the conditions having watched her win the first of two recent trials in heavy ground by nearly five lengths. Standing in her way, though, could well be home track three-year-old Hawker Hall who reloads a month after blitzing his maiden opposition by nearly four lengths when resuming as the hottest of favourites, also in heavy ground. And Hawker Hall, a gelding by Russian Revolution with leading trainer Kris Lees, has since won a trial in soft going by a big margin. Hawker Hall has drawn wide, while Prime Bella is nicely placed from barrier five for what looms as a mouth-watering battle made for the conditions, and could pitchfork either galloper into metropolitan company next start. Prima Bella opened around $3.80 in early betting ahead of Hawker Hall ($4.20), with a big gap to honest mare One Kind on the next line around $8.00 and resuming four-year-old Kiribati $10.00.
News.com.au
05-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Kembla Grange preview: Ryan chasing a fruitful day on Tuesday
TRAINER Blake Ryan has ambitions of Midways and maybe more with the stable's lightly-raced three-year-old Strawberry Impact which, all things being equal, could have had a hat-trick ahead of Tuesday's Kembla mission. Ryan's gelding has put together an impressive resume in a short time, winning his maiden (at Kembla) in convincing fashion. He followed that up with a closing second in a 1400m Benchmark 64 at Newcastle five weeks later when beaten by the racing's barest possible margin. FIELDS AND FORM KEMBLA ON TUESDAY 'He's had a long first preparation, a couple of his runs have been spaced, and he is still eating and is happy and bright so we'll go to the races again with him,'' Ryan said. 'Looking at his run the other day, it looks like he wants a mile, even further. • 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 one thing I do like about him - I get a sectional report for every runner - and every start he's had, he's been the fastest last furlong in the race so it shows he is going through the line. 'He should get further off that alone. 'He's drawn well again, Chad (Lever) rides him really well so if the same horse turns up that has been going to the races, he's going to be competitive,'' said Ryan. 'I was happy to go to a Benchmark 68 on Tuesday because I basically treated him like he won the other day, because it was a half a bob, and that's where he would have gone anyway but this way, he just hasn't got the full (weight) penalty.' Strawberry Impact was sold for $100,000 at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. The Lime Country bred (then) colt was one of 116 foals that made up the first crop of Yulong Stud resident stallion, Pierata. Strawberry Impact was also the first foal of his dam, Girandola. An unraced daughter of Medaglia D'oro, Girandola, is a half-sister to Co-Champion 2YO Colt in Australian, Invader, as well as the Hong Kong star sprinter Not Listenin'tome. 'If he wins on Tuesday and pulls up well like can go again, he will go to the Midway on Scone stand-alone day,'' Ryan said. 'The owner is happy for me to actually have a throw at the stumps if he is going well when the right race comes along so I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up in a decent race sooner or later. Jockey Chad Lever 'He's a nice horse, he is one of my better ones anyway.' Strawberry Impact will have company on the float from Hawkesbury to Kembla on Tuesday from a relatively new stablemate named All Black which runs out in the last race on the card. The Blueblood Thoroughbreds owned son of Snitzel never got a crack at his Ryan-stable debut at Wyong last month finishing a misleading ninth of 11. 'It's hard because he wasn't fully tested the other day,' Ryan said. 'He didn't even get a tap around the bum. I would have loved to have been able to see him get that and then at least you'd know where he actually sat. 'I think the soft tracks does help him a lot. 'The one thing different we have been able to do, which is why he was sent to me by Bluebloods, Nathan (Doyle) just said he wasn't really coping with stable life at Newcastle so we train him out of a yard here. 'He is outside all the time and he's happy and we don't annoy him too much.' Originally published as Kembla Grange preview: Ryan chasing a fruitful day on Tuesday
Daily Telegraph
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
Canterbury, Ballina previews: Mark Minervini keen to make an Impact
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Newcastle trainer Mark Minervini is enjoying a purple patch of form with his team with six winners from his last 15 starters and heads to Sydney optimistic about the chances of Bonjour Madame and Star Impact. Bonjour Madame has made rapid progress to find herself in midweek company at just her fourth start after an encouraging debut third at Taree on February 25 before winning her next two starts impressively. She to Taree with an all-the-way maiden win before stepping up to a Benchmark 64 at Wyong and proving too good for Broadway Follies and Reducio. 'She impressed me the other day with her win and she was well ridden by Braith Nock,' said Minervini. 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! 'He elected to take the sit behind the first two and when she sprinted in the straight, I thought she was pretty good for a filly only having her third race start and who still have a bit of improvement in her. 'It was a decent step up in grade to go to a provincial Benchmark 64 at Wyong.' The three-year-old steps out in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m) where she has 57.5kg with Tim Clark to ride. 'One of the reasons we booked Tim is because he is such a great on pace rider and the other is how well he rides at Canterbury,' Minervini said. 'I'm not too concerned by the heavy track, he two wins were on the soft and she was very good. 'My only little query is barrier 7. I'm hoping for another scratching or two from the race. 'If she is as strong through the line as she has been, then you would think she would have to be in the finish.' Stablemate Star Impact is the outsider of the field in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1550m) but Minervini expects her to be very competitive. The six-year-old had no luck when slow away at Wyong over 1350m first-up before an improved run stepping up to 1600m when a length-and-a-half fifth to Fiftyfivechevy at Newcastle on April 12. 'I thought stepping up from 1350m to a mile second-up, she was there at the top of the straight to be right in the finish but her condition just gave out the last 100m or so,' he said. 'She has taken good benefit out of that and I expect her to go there just about at her peak. 'I think she gets in very well at the weights with 52.5kg after Molly's (Bourke) claim. 'The heavy track won't bother her, she really appreciates the sting out of the ground, especially as she has gotten older. 'While she hasn't won on town, she has always acquitted herself well and has placed a couple of times including a Midway last year and she never been as well weighted as she is this week. 'It wouldn't surprise me at all if she shook the life out of this race.' Meanwhile, trainers Robert and Luke Price have elected to bring Island Dec back in grade and distance hoping she can get a confidence boosting win in the Benchmark 72 (1100m). The three-year-old scored a first-up win at Canterbury before contesting the Group 1 Surround Stakes and Group 3 P.J. Bell Stakes at her last two starts. 'Back in grade and back to 1100m to help her get the little one per centres right,' said Luke Price. 'I just want to teach her to settle better early in her races and finish off stronger. 'This is a good chance to help her do that and get her benchmark points up and get her confidence up.' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Trainer Paul Shailer advised to be forgiving of the last start failure of Guarded Optimist and expects the gelding to bounce in a big way when he crosses the border. Guarded Optimist was back from $3.80 into $3.10 favourite but only beat three home when eighth behind San Jose Boy over 1800m in a Benchmark 58 at the Gold Coast on April 11. 'It wasn't ideal. The track was playing in favour of leaders or those up on the speed and he just got back in the ruck where it was impossible to make ground,' said Shailer. 'It was a bit of forgive run, he has come through it really well thought and this looks his race to lose really. The four-year-old drops back in grade and steps up slightly in distance when he contests the Class 1 and Maiden Plate at set weight over 1915m with Dylan Turner on board from barrier 2. Turner rode the gelding when a length second behind Sacred Bull in an 1800m Class 1 at the Gold Coast on February 22 before Michael Rodd partnered him to a length second behind Ferino over the same distance in the same grade at Eagle Farm on March 12. Those performances definitely put him right in contention here. 'From a soft gate, he should get a nice run in a race that lacks a fair bit of depth so he looks really well suited,' Shailer said. 'I'm sure he will be very hard to beat.' Guarded Optimist has already proven to be a bargain buy for his owners including Newington Farm who purchased him as a tried horse on Inglis Digital last September for $2,250. He was originally sold as a yearling at Karaka for $150,000 and then again at the NZB Ready To Run Sale for the same amount in 2022. He is by Almanzor who won the French Derby (2100m) as well as the Irish Champion Stakes and Champion Stakes at Ascot and is from a daughter Hurricane Run who won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and Irish Derby among his four Group 1 victories. 'He was an ex-Freedman (Anthony and Sam) from Victoria who won his first start then lost a bit of form after that. 'He looks like a horse that is we can stretch him out over a bit of a trip, he might be able to win a few races.'
News.com.au
29-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Canterbury preview: Trainer Mark Minervini has his stable firing on all cylinders and is optimistic about the chances of his city-bound duo
Newcastle trainer Mark Minervini is enjoying a purple patch of form with his team with six winners from his last 15 starters and heads to Sydney optimistic about the chances of Bonjour Madame and Star Impact. Bonjour Madame has made rapid progress to find herself in midweek company at just her fourth start after an encouraging debut third at Taree on February 25 before winning her next two starts impressively. She to Taree with an all-the-way maiden win before stepping up to a Benchmark 64 at Wyong and proving too good for Broadway Follies and Reducio. 'She impressed me the other day with her win and she was well ridden by Braith Nock,' said Minervini. 🟡⚫ WINNER 🟡⚫ BONJOUR MADAME (3F ex Madame Trop Vite IRE) makes it two-in-a-row, winning at @WyongRaceClub on Thursday. The daughter of @Oaklandsstud PARIAH was a $17,000 purch. from @WillowParkStud at 2023 @mmsnippets Adelaide and just under $50,000 stakes @newcastleraces_ â€' Minervini Racing (@minerviniracing) April 17, 2025 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! 'He elected to take the sit behind the first two and when she sprinted in the straight, I thought she was pretty good for a filly only having her third race start and who still have a bit of improvement in her. 'It was a decent step up in grade to go to a provincial Benchmark 64 at Wyong.' The three-year-old steps out in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m) where she has 57.5kg with Tim Clark to ride. 'One of the reasons we booked Tim is because he is such a great on pace rider and the other is how well he rides at Canterbury,' Minervini said. 'I'm not too concerned by the heavy track, he two wins were on the soft and she was very good. 'My only little query is barrier 7. I'm hoping for another scratching or two from the race. 'If she is as strong through the line as she has been, then you would think she would have to be in the finish.' Stablemate Star Impact is the outsider of the field in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1550m) but Minervini expects her to be very competitive. The six-year-old had no luck when slow away at Wyong over 1350m first-up before an improved run stepping up to 1600m when a length-and-a-half fifth to Fiftyfivechevy at Newcastle on April 12. 'I thought stepping up from 1350m to a mile second-up, she was there at the top of the straight to be right in the finish but her condition just gave out the last 100m or so,' he said. STAR IMPACT (5m ex Bella Cantata NZ) is engaged @aus_turf_club Royal Randwick (Kensington) Wednesday. The daughter of MIKKI ISLE (JPN) was a super @newcastleraces_ (replay) winner last time. @nashhot rides @The_Agency_ BM72 over 1550m. @balius_farm @inglis_sales @ArrowfieldStud â€' Minervini Racing (@minerviniracing) July 15, 2024 'She has taken good benefit out of that and I expect her to go there just about at her peak. 'I think she gets in very well at the weights with 52.5kg after Molly's (Bourke) claim. 'The heavy track won't bother her, she really appreciates the sting out of the ground, especially as she has gotten older. 'While she hasn't won on town, she has always acquitted herself well and has placed a couple of times including a Midway last year and she never been as well weighted as she is this week. 'It wouldn't surprise me at all if she shook the life out of this race.' Meanwhile, trainers Robert and Luke Price have elected to bring Island Dec back in grade and distance hoping she can get a confidence boosting win in the Benchmark 72 (1100m). The three-year-old scored a first-up win at Canterbury before contesting the Group 1 Surround Stakes and Group 3 P.J. Bell Stakes at her last two starts. 'Back in grade and back to 1100m to help her get the little one per centres right,' said Luke Price. 'I just want to teach her to settle better early in her races and finish off stronger. 'This is a good chance to help her do that and get her benchmark points up and get her confidence up.' â– â– â– â– â– Trainer Paul Shailer advised to be forgiving of the last start failure of Guarded Optimist and expects the gelding to bounce in a big way when he crosses the border. Guarded Optimist was back from $3.80 into $3.10 favourite but only beat three home when eighth behind San Jose Boy over 1800m in a Benchmark 58 at the Gold Coast on April 11. 'It wasn't ideal. The track was playing in favour of leaders or those up on the speed and he just got back in the ruck where it was impossible to make ground,' said Shailer. 'It was a bit of forgive run, he has come through it really well thought and this looks his race to lose really. The four-year-old drops back in grade and steps up slightly in distance when he contests the Class 1 and Maiden Plate at set weight over 1915m with Dylan Turner on board from barrier 2. Guarded Optimist wins on debut for @FreedmanRacing 🛡ï¸� Expect a rise in distance for this Almanzor gelding 😉 @bennallen44 â€' (@Racing) June 20, 2024 Turner rode the gelding when a length second behind Sacred Bull in an 1800m Class 1 at the Gold Coast on February 22 before Michael Rodd partnered him to a length second behind Ferino over the same distance in the same grade at Eagle Farm on March 12. Those performances definitely put him right in contention here. 'From a soft gate, he should get a nice run in a race that lacks a fair bit of depth so he looks really well suited,' Shailer said. 'I'm sure he will be very hard to beat.' Guarded Optimist has already proven to be a bargain buy for his owners including Newington Farm who purchased him as a tried horse on Inglis Digital last September for $2,250. He was originally sold as a yearling at Karaka for $150,000 and then again at the NZB Ready To Run Sale for the same amount in 2022. He is by Almanzor who won the French Derby (2100m) as well as the Irish Champion Stakes and Champion Stakes at Ascot and is from a daughter Hurricane Run who won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and Irish Derby among his four Group 1 victories. 'He was an ex-Freedman (Anthony and Sam) from Victoria who won his first start then lost a bit of form after that. 'He looks like a horse that is we can stretch him out over a bit of a trip, he might be able to win a few races.'
