Latest news with #Benchmark64
The Australian
29-07-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
John Leek Jr probed over The Storyteller tubing allegation
Racing Victoria stewards are investigating Pakenham trainer John Leek Jr in relation to alleged race day treatment of a horse, The Storyteller. The Storyteller was scratched by Order of Stewards last Thursday from a 3100m Benchmark 70 at Warrnambool after Leek Jnr was intercepted roadside en route to the track. Race day stewards opened and adjourned an inquiry into the 'circumstances surrounding the late scratching' of The Storyteller, a $4.40 chance at the time in pre-race markets. Racing Victoria (RV) has confirmed The Storyteller-Leek Jnr investigation remains ongoing. Leek Jnr politely declined to comment on the stewards' inquiry and allegations when contacted by this masthead on Tuesday, in respect of the 'ongoing investigation'. • 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! This masthead established RV investigative and intelligence unit stewards, Compliance Assurance Team (CAT), approached Leek Jnr parked roadside near Terang last Thursday. Leek Jnr was allegedly found in possession of equipment which could be used for stomach-tubing the horse. This masthead understands roadside comments from Leek Jnr form part of the stewards' evidence. The CAT stewards wear police-style standard body cameras during integrity operations. This masthead does not suggest Leek Jnr is guilty of any alleged breach, only that RV stewards are investigating an event roadside, which led to an ordered withdrawal of The Storyteller last Thursday. • Blackbookers: Horses to follow during the depths of winter RV would not be drawn on whether the CAT team targeted Leek Jnr specifically, as part of a regular covert surveillance operations, or coincidently drove past the parked horse float at the opportune time. The CAT stewards conduct random and targeted investigations to uphold Victorian racing integrity. Under Australian Rules of Racing (AR255) stomach-tubing or being involved in such activity is banned on the day of a race, trial or jumpout, without stewards' permission. The process involves a tube being fed through a horse's nose, down the throat and into the stomach, to administer sodium-bicarbonate dissolved in water. The 'milkshake' is said to reduce lactic acid and help a horse run further with less fatigue. A minimum 12-month disqualification is mandatory, in absence of special circumstances, if a person is found guilty of 'stomach-tubing or attempted stomach-tubing' on race day or one clear day prior. The Storyteller has an acceptance to race in a 2238m Benchmark 64 on Thursday at Sale. The four-year-old Roc De Cambes gelding, purchased for $25,000 out of an online sale in late April, has won three of five starts and more than $60,000 prizemoney for part-owner Leek Jnr and connections since the digital auction. Gilbert Gardiner Sports reporter Gilbert Gardiner is a sports reporter for the Herald Sun and Sunday Herald Sun. @gilbertgardiner Gilbert Gardiner
Herald Sun
29-07-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
John Leek Jr probed over The Storyteller tubing allegation
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Racing Victoria stewards are investigating Pakenham trainer John Leek Jr in relation to alleged race day treatment of a horse, The Storyteller. The Storyteller was scratched by Order of Stewards last Thursday from a 3100m Benchmark 70 at Warrnambool after Leek Jnr was intercepted roadside en route to the track. Race day stewards opened and adjourned an inquiry into the 'circumstances surrounding the late scratching' of The Storyteller, a $4.40 chance at the time in pre-race markets. Racing Victoria (RV) has confirmed The Storyteller-Leek Jnr investigation remains ongoing. Leek Jnr politely declined to comment on the stewards' inquiry and allegations when contacted by this masthead on Tuesday, in respect of the 'ongoing investigation'. • 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! This masthead established RV investigative and intelligence unit stewards, Compliance Assurance Team (CAT), approached Leek Jnr parked roadside near Terang last Thursday. Leek Jnr was allegedly found in possession of equipment which could be used for stomach-tubing the horse. This masthead understands roadside comments from Leek Jnr form part of the stewards' evidence. The CAT stewards wear police-style standard body cameras during integrity operations. This masthead does not suggest Leek Jnr is guilty of any alleged breach, only that RV stewards are investigating an event roadside, which led to an ordered withdrawal of The Storyteller last Thursday. • Blackbookers: Horses to follow during the depths of winter RV would not be drawn on whether the CAT team targeted Leek Jnr specifically, as part of a regular covert surveillance operations, or coincidently drove past the parked horse float at the opportune time. The CAT stewards conduct random and targeted investigations to uphold Victorian racing integrity. Under Australian Rules of Racing (AR255) stomach-tubing or being involved in such activity is banned on the day of a race, trial or jumpout, without stewards' permission. The process involves a tube being fed through a horse's nose, down the throat and into the stomach, to administer sodium-bicarbonate dissolved in water. The 'milkshake' is said to reduce lactic acid and help a horse run further with less fatigue. A minimum 12-month disqualification is mandatory, in absence of special circumstances, if a person is found guilty of 'stomach-tubing or attempted stomach-tubing' on race day or one clear day prior. The Storyteller has an acceptance to race in a 2238m Benchmark 64 on Thursday at Sale. The four-year-old Roc De Cambes gelding, purchased for $25,000 out of an online sale in late April, has won three of five starts and more than $60,000 prizemoney for part-owner Leek Jnr and connections since the digital auction. Originally published as Racing Victoria stewards probe The Storyteller stomach-tubing allegation against Pakenham trainer John Leek Jr
News.com.au
08-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Canterbury preview: Peter Snowden's faith has been rewarded as a more mature Cassiel shines ahead of midweek target
Trainer Peter Snowden has always known the ability was there and while it has taken time for Cassiel to show it on race day, the gelding has delivered it in spades this preparation. Cassiel placed in three of his four runs last campaign but was his own worst enemy, according to Snowden. With maturity, the four-year-old has been much better this time in, leading all the way to score by more than a length from Apex when resuming at Canterbury on April 21 and backing it up with a two-and-a-half length win from Fly Scotty Fly at Hawkesbury four weeks later in a Benchmark 64 over 1100m with 61kg. 'He just wanted to go too hard and too quick in his races,' Snowden said. 'He is racing a lot more tractably and it is showing in his performances on race day. 'He's probably one of the best trackworkers I've ever had but come race day he just wanted to overdo it and [was] beating himself. 'Now, he is starting to learn to relax a lot better. 'He's not perfect but because he's relaxing more, he's able to find more at the end of his races. 'He will win a lot more races yet if he keeps going the way he is going.' Cassiel races away to salute in the last at Hawkesbury for the @SnowdenRacing1 stable! 🙌 — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 17, 2025 Cassiel steps out at Canterbury on Wednesday in the Hyland Race Colours Benchmark 72 Handicap (1100m) with Tom Sherry again aboard. 'He's definitely going the right way and you can't beat winning form,' Snowden said. 'It's a similar race for him this week and he looks well placed in that grade.' Lightly-raced three-year-old Braveheart is another who possess nice ability and is getting better with time and maturity. 'He is a full brother to King Of Sparta and there's no reason he can't be up to that grade at some stage,' he said. 'He is very lightly raced – he's only had a handful of starts – but every start he has had, he has shown something. 'He had a few little issues in the early days but we have ironed them out now and he is going very well. 'The family keeps getting better as they get older, there's no doubt about that, and I expect him to do the same. The son of I Am Invincible caught there eye with his strong closing third behind Axius on the Kensington first-up and is a leading chance in the Broadsiding @ Darley Handicap (1250m). Axius is too good for them at Randwick, as he wins first up for @NockBraith and @cmaherracing! 🙌 @aus_turf_club @Dynamic_WONIT — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 25, 2025 • 'He has found the right race this week. His first-up run was very good and a similar sort of race this week should see him run very well again,' he said. 'He worked well on Saturday morning and is ready to go.' Snowden is keeping his options open as to whether Infusion makes her race debut at Canterbury in the TAB Handicap (1200m), goes to Gosford on Thursday or waits until next week. 'I just want to get her on the best track I can,' he said. 'She is more effective on good ground than soft so we will see what happens with the weather.' The three-year-old daughter of I Am Invincible has been good in her barrier trials including a nose second to proven performer Highlights after tracking him in the run in her latest heat at Canterbury on June 23. 'She is a nice filly; a big strong thing,' he said 'She had a few growing pains early and it has taken us a while to get her to the track. 'She has been trialling soundly and it was a very good trial at Canterbury at her last one against good company. She was very strong to the line.'
News.com.au
13-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Newcastle preview: Trainer Jarrod Austin optimistic a drop in grade can help Elegant Empress land a confidence boosting win
Warwick Farm trainer Jarrod Austin is banking on a drop back in grade and distance to help deliver a confidence boosting win for his handy mare Elegant Empress. The five-year-old resumed with a safely held third behind Photograph at Canterbury and followed up with a fifth behind Apex at her home track after being forced to race wide when the leader Struck Gold stayed two or three horses wide throughout. 'We could have opted to go to softer races in her first couple of runs but I know her first couple of runs up are there among the best of her preparation,' said Austin. 'We elected to run her in town hoping to get that city win with her. 'We have just missed a couple of times now. She ran second at Warwick Farm first-up last preparation to World Alliance and this time around, she ran third at Canterbury on a heavy track. Heavily-backed favourite World Alliance knuckles down late and records a strong win for @mcsmithracing with Jason Collett in the saddle ðŸ'° â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 10, 2024 'I though that was an excellent run. 'I thought her last run was excellent too after coving ground. They were just a bit too good for her on the day.' Elegant Empress comes down from Benchmark 72 races in town to the Cambridge Classic Benchmark 64 Handicap and is also dropping back from 1100m to 900m. 'She has never been over 900 metres, she only raced over 1000 and 1100 metres,' he said. 'I definitely think she will appreciate the 900 metres more than the 1100 metres. It's just a touch too far for her, especially against that quality of opposition in town. 'Plus dropping to the provincials will definitely help her.' Austin is also looking forward to seeing Jewel County back at the races following a setback after her debut run. The three-year-old filly made her debut at Newcastle on April 23 when fourth behind Mignonette. 'I thought she ran really well first-up,' Austin said. 'She had a little setback between runs and we had to give her a couple of weeks off to get over that. 'I was really encouraged by her first-up run and I thought her trial was nice at Rosehill last week.' Jewel County returns in the Air Control Australia Midway 3YO Maiden Handicap (1400m) where she has drawn the outside in barrier 8. Another photo in the Listed Helen Coughlan Stakes at Eagle Farm with Zaszou getting there by a whisker! ðŸ'¸ @pstokesracing @Brown_ethan8 @BrisRacingClub â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 'She is bred to get over a lot further than the 1250 metres she raced over first-up. She actually bred to get a lot further than the 1400 metres this weekend,' he said. 'She will be better when we can step her up to a mile and even further but I think she finds the right race here to kick off again. 'I think she's a great chance. Jewel County hails from one of the great families in the Australian and New Zealand Studbooks. Not only is she by French Derby and English and Irish Champion Stakes winner Almanzor, himself a son of boom sire Wootton Bassett, she is from a sister to Don Eduardo and Peruzzi and a three-quarter sister to Tristalove and Antwerp. Austin, meanwhile, reported that his stable star Terra Mater has come through her first-up run well in the Listed Helen Coughlan Stakes at Eagle Farm where she finished midfield behind Zaszou. 'I was happy with her run. She put herself into the race from an awkward gate,' he said. 'She hit the front at the top of the straight and for a few strides, I thought she was going to make a real race of it but her condition just gave out late. 'She will more than likely head back to Queensland for the at Ipswich on Saturday week.'
Daily Telegraph
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
Gosford, Ballina previews: Golden Smile seeks redemption
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Imported mare Golden Smile faced a stiff challenge when she stepped up to city company last start but trainer Kris Lees looks to have found an ideal race back in provincial company Golden Smile placed in her first three starts this campaign before breaking through with a big all-the-way win in a Newcastle Maiden on a Heavy 10 over 1890m before stepping up to a Benchmark 64 on the Kensington 11 days later when fifth to Rotagilla over 1800m. 'She was very good in winning but the wet track may have aided her,' said Lees. 'It was a big jump going to town last start and coming back a little in distance could have been detrimental to her. 'Going up to 2100 metres this week looks a nice option for her. 'She is still going to get a winter track this week and she seems to be in good order.' 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! The daughter of Sea The Stars drops back to a Class 1 and Maiden Plate and steps up to 2100m. 'This looks a nice race for her. A bit of a gap between runs may suit her as well being a European-bred mare,' he said. Lightly-raced three-year-old Hawker Hall kicked off his campaign with a three-and-a-half length win over 900m on his home track on April 23 and wasn't seen on raceday again until May 26 when fifth to Prima Bella on a Heavy 10 over the same track and distance. He steps up to 1100m this week in the Class 1 Handicap with Jason Collett back on board. 'We wanted to find the right track and run him at home again,' Lees said. 'The other day, it might have just been a bit too heavy for him. 'He's a big, heavy horse and he does like a bit of cut in the ground but not really testing like it was. 'It was just a bit waterlogged that track and made a bit of hard work for him. 'He might be better suited now getting out over just a little bit further to get a more controlled run (in front).' Lees has been pleased with the form of Surreal I Am in Queensland this preparation where he has won two of his three starts and feels he deserves a chance back in New South Wales. The gelding lines up in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m) where he will make his presence felt. 'His two wins on the Sunshine Coast were on the polytrack but that said, I can't fault him at home,' he said. 'He will be a place chance.' Joining him in that race is Oakfield Mamselle who is resuming from a spell. While she has a win and a second from three first-up runs, Lees feels she will be improved by this run. 'She seems to be coming up well. Her trials were only fair but her work since has been pleasing,' he said. Lees' other runner for the meeting is Enchanted World in the opening race, the 2&3YO Maiden Handicap (1100m). The daughter of Ardrossan debuted on her home track on May 26 where she settled last and came between runners in the straight to finish a three-and-a-quarter length second behind Pratt. 'She was okay on debut and will appreciate stepping up a little in trip,' said Lees. Lees also has Denuto and Irish Thunder running at Ballina and feels they will be competitive in their respective assignments. 'Denuto hasn't been far away and is close to getting a result. Hopefully he can break through,' he said. 'Irish Thunder ran well first-up. He just got hampered a little. 'He has improved from that and should run well.' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ The week started well for trainer Scott Henley when stable star Volcanic Love trialled stylishly at Grafton and he hopes it can end on a high note with a winning double. Henley was pleased when the meeting originally set for Lismore was moved to Ballina when his promising filly Confederate Lady races so well. The three-year-old had her first three starts at the track where she recorded an impressive maiden win over 1012m at just her second career start and placed in her other two runs at the venue. 'I'm definitely not disappointed they moved the meeting to Ballina. She loves the joint,' said Henley. Since resuming with a close third in a Class 1 on a Heavy 10 at Ballina on April 8, Confederate Lady has finished third behind the promising Seymour Stars at Port Macquarie and an unlucky fourth to Takemine at Inverell. 'She was just a gallop short going into that run because we'd had plenty of rain up here and couldn't get her tied right down. 'Then she ran into a good horse at Port Macquarie. 'Last start she got back further than we expected and was a bit stiff. The daughter of Supido is out to add to her record when she steps out in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1000m) where she has drawn barrier 15 although she will come in after scratchings. 'I had her in a couple of Class 1 races that were washed out and the only available race at the next meeting has been a Benchmark 58,' he said. 'Each time in those Class 1s, to my way of thinking, she was a good thing. 'In the (benchmark) 58s, we go from a good thing to just a chance. 'From a wide gate this week, she is just a good chance with luck in running.' Henley has been pleased with the two runs of former Victorian three-year-old Zouandme and gives him a good chance in the Country Boosted Maiden Plate (1000m). The gelding raced on a hot speed when seventh at Grafton first-up before being beaten just over a length when sixth at Inverell. 'He has those two runs,' he said. 'He was big in condition first-up and had a good blow after the race. 'He improved a fair bit off that going into the race at Inverell and has come on nicely since then. 'The only reservation I have is the very heavy track.'
