Latest news with #Benchmark78
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.'
Courier-Mail
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
Tamworth preview: Green Shadows is chasing gold in Tamworth Cup
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. The Big Dance last November was an afterthought for Green Shadows according to co-trainer Gerald Ryan but it's at the forefront of his mind this year. Ryan and co-trainer Sterling Alexiou have targeted the Tamworth Cup (1400m), which carries Big Dance eligibility, as an ideal starting point for Green Shadows who races extremely well first-up. 'The Big Dance will be the plan for him this year. He has to get through this race first and we will see how he goes,' said Ryan. 'About six weeks ago we decided to target the Tamworth Cup first-up with him. 'It would be nice if he could book his place in the Big Dance now and we can make a plan to have him spot on in November.' 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! Green Shadows scored a first-up win in a Benchmark 78 at Warwick Farm on April 1 last year and progressed to winning a Midway at Randwick before capturing the Goulburn Cup at his eighth start for the preparation on August 25. He then had to stay up until November 5 for the $3 million feature. 'The Big Dance was an afterthought with him last campaign. He won the Goulburn Cup at his eighth start and was over the top by the time he got to Randwick three runs later,' he said. 'He still ran an honest race. He drew bad and was out wide all-the-way. 'He spelled well and I reckon he grew which is strange at his age. 'He has comeback well, his work has been good and his trials have been solid without his blinkers on.' He will try and replicate the success of Big Dance winner Gringotts who qualified for the race by winning the Tamworth Cup. Inverell trainer Todd Payne has his stable star and Country Championship Final runner-up Lisztomania in the Cup as well as the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday. 'Tamworth looks more tempting as the rail is out nine metres at Randwick which doesn't help but he does race so well there,' Payne said. 'He hasn't missed a place in six starts there and that's what makes it hard not to look at that race.' Lisztomania has drawn wide in gate 14 in the Tamworth Cup, the same barrier he had when a close second in the Country Championship Qualifier. 'It doesn't really matter too much with him because he will be coming down the middle of the track anyway,' he said. 'He will go for a spell after this and our next mission is The Kosciuszko and we will go into that fresh.' Payne also has three other runners for the day including Desert Cougar, who is a half-sister to Lisztomania, in the Maiden Plate (1000m). The daughter of Capitalist only had one run for Payne at the end of last campaign when fifth to Sharpen The Knives at Armidale on December 8. 'She ran a handy race and we put her away,' he said. 'She trialled well the other day and I'm very happy with her going into this race. I think she is a chance.' Payne also saddles up Celestialconqueror in the Super Maiden (1400m). 'He's a nice horse but will want further as he gets into his preparation,' Payne said. 'The 1400m first-up is a good starting point for him and the blinkers go on. He's worked in them and is a lot more focused.' Takemine will back up in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1000m) following strong closing second over 1100m at Armidale last week. 'She is dropping back to 1000m and will get back but the last time she raced at the track and distance, she rattled home to be beaten a nostril,' he said. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ It's been a long and frustrating preparation with Duped By Spin but trainer Craig Widdison is hoping she can pick up a well-earned win when she crosses the border. Duped By Spin started her campaign at Wagga on November 1 and had a couple of hiccups along the way but found some consistency in the past two months with consecutive placings before contesting last week's Albury Cup. 'She's had a fairly long preparation but nothing has gone right for her,' said Widdison. 'Every time we thought we had he ready, something went wrong then her last few runs had been good up until the Cup last week. 'We were hoping to get to the fence and have a cheap run but that didn't eventuate.' The five-year-old finished second last behind Matusalem in the Listed event but will appreciate a drop back in grade when she backs-up in the Benchmark 82 Handicap (2000m). Prior to that, she was second in the Tom Patton Cup at Wagga, second in the Albury Mile behind County Kilkenny and a close fourth to Star Buyer in the Gundagai Cup. 'Her run in the Albury Cup was good on a heavy track behind County Kilkenny who grows a leg on the wet,' he said 'In the Gundagai Cup, she was left in front and fair way out and just got swamped late. She is a better chaser. 'She has taken no harm out of the Albury Cup and this looks a nice race for her. 'Nick Souquet is back on as well. He knows her quite well and has had some luck on her. 'She deserves another win and hopefully she can get that here.' Widdison's other runner is Sister Shay who is looking for a breakthrough win in the Maiden Handicap (1500m) after placings runner-up in her three runs for Widdison following a debut seventh at Kyneton for Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman. 'She has been great with three seconds in-a-row but it's also been a bit hard to take,' he said. 'I have thrown the blinkers on her this week in the hope they can help her find an extra length or so. 'We have also gone with a claim this week, not that Wardy (Brendan Ward) has done anything wrong. 'We just wanted to try something different and that two kilos might just make the difference.'
Daily Telegraph
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
Tamworth preview: Green Shadows is chasing gold in Tamworth Cup
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. The Big Dance last November was an afterthought for Green Shadows according to co-trainer Gerald Ryan but it's at the forefront of his mind this year. Ryan and co-trainer Sterling Alexiou have targeted the Tamworth Cup (1400m), which carries Big Dance eligibility, as an ideal starting point for Green Shadows who races extremely well first-up. 'The Big Dance will be the plan for him this year. He has to get through this race first and we will see how he goes,' said Ryan. 'About six weeks ago we decided to target the Tamworth Cup first-up with him. 'It would be nice if he could book his place in the Big Dance now and we can make a plan to have him spot on in November.' 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! Green Shadows scored a first-up win in a Benchmark 78 at Warwick Farm on April 1 last year and progressed to winning a Midway at Randwick before capturing the Goulburn Cup at his eighth start for the preparation on August 25. He then had to stay up until November 5 for the $3 million feature. 'The Big Dance was an afterthought with him last campaign. He won the Goulburn Cup at his eighth start and was over the top by the time he got to Randwick three runs later,' he said. 'He still ran an honest race. He drew bad and was out wide all-the-way. 'He spelled well and I reckon he grew which is strange at his age. 'He has comeback well, his work has been good and his trials have been solid without his blinkers on.' He will try and replicate the success of Big Dance winner Gringotts who qualified for the race by winning the Tamworth Cup. Inverell trainer Todd Payne has his stable star and Country Championship Final runner-up Lisztomania in the Cup as well as the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday. 'Tamworth looks more tempting as the rail is out nine metres at Randwick which doesn't help but he does race so well there,' Payne said. 'He hasn't missed a place in six starts there and that's what makes it hard not to look at that race.' Lisztomania has drawn wide in gate 14 in the Tamworth Cup, the same barrier he had when a close second in the Country Championship Qualifier. 'It doesn't really matter too much with him because he will be coming down the middle of the track anyway,' he said. 'He will go for a spell after this and our next mission is The Kosciuszko and we will go into that fresh.' Payne also has three other runners for the day including Desert Cougar, who is a half-sister to Lisztomania, in the Maiden Plate (1000m). The daughter of Capitalist only had one run for Payne at the end of last campaign when fifth to Sharpen The Knives at Armidale on December 8. 'She ran a handy race and we put her away,' he said. 'She trialled well the other day and I'm very happy with her going into this race. I think she is a chance.' Payne also saddles up Celestialconqueror in the Super Maiden (1400m). 'He's a nice horse but will want further as he gets into his preparation,' Payne said. 'The 1400m first-up is a good starting point for him and the blinkers go on. He's worked in them and is a lot more focused.' Takemine will back up in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1000m) following strong closing second over 1100m at Armidale last week. 'She is dropping back to 1000m and will get back but the last time she raced at the track and distance, she rattled home to be beaten a nostril,' he said. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ It's been a long and frustrating preparation with Duped By Spin but trainer Craig Widdison is hoping she can pick up a well-earned win when she crosses the border. Duped By Spin started her campaign at Wagga on November 1 and had a couple of hiccups along the way but found some consistency in the past two months with consecutive placings before contesting last week's Albury Cup. 'She's had a fairly long preparation but nothing has gone right for her,' said Widdison. 'Every time we thought we had he ready, something went wrong then her last few runs had been good up until the Cup last week. 'We were hoping to get to the fence and have a cheap run but that didn't eventuate.' The five-year-old finished second last behind Matusalem in the Listed event but will appreciate a drop back in grade when she backs-up in the Benchmark 82 Handicap (2000m). Prior to that, she was second in the Tom Patton Cup at Wagga, second in the Albury Mile behind County Kilkenny and a close fourth to Star Buyer in the Gundagai Cup. 'Her run in the Albury Cup was good on a heavy track behind County Kilkenny who grows a leg on the wet,' he said 'In the Gundagai Cup, she was left in front and fair way out and just got swamped late. She is a better chaser. 'She has taken no harm out of the Albury Cup and this looks a nice race for her. 'Nick Souquet is back on as well. He knows her quite well and has had some luck on her. 'She deserves another win and hopefully she can get that here.' Widdison's other runner is Sister Shay who is looking for a breakthrough win in the Maiden Handicap (1500m) after placings runner-up in her three runs for Widdison following a debut seventh at Kyneton for Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman. 'She has been great with three seconds in-a-row but it's also been a bit hard to take,' he said. 'I have thrown the blinkers on her this week in the hope they can help her find an extra length or so. 'We have also gone with a claim this week, not that Wardy (Brendan Ward) has done anything wrong. 'We just wanted to try something different and that two kilos might just make the difference.'
Mercury
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Mercury
Tamworth preview: Green Shadows is chasing gold in Tamworth Cup
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. The Big Dance last November was an afterthought for Green Shadows according to co-trainer Gerald Ryan but it's at the forefront of his mind this year. Ryan and co-trainer Sterling Alexiou have targeted the Tamworth Cup (1400m), which carries Big Dance eligibility, as an ideal starting point for Green Shadows who races extremely well first-up. 'The Big Dance will be the plan for him this year. He has to get through this race first and we will see how he goes,' said Ryan. 'About six weeks ago we decided to target the Tamworth Cup first-up with him. 'It would be nice if he could book his place in the Big Dance now and we can make a plan to have him spot on in November.' 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! Green Shadows scored a first-up win in a Benchmark 78 at Warwick Farm on April 1 last year and progressed to winning a Midway at Randwick before capturing the Goulburn Cup at his eighth start for the preparation on August 25. He then had to stay up until November 5 for the $3 million feature. 'The Big Dance was an afterthought with him last campaign. He won the Goulburn Cup at his eighth start and was over the top by the time he got to Randwick three runs later,' he said. 'He still ran an honest race. He drew bad and was out wide all-the-way. 'He spelled well and I reckon he grew which is strange at his age. 'He has comeback well, his work has been good and his trials have been solid without his blinkers on.' He will try and replicate the success of Big Dance winner Gringotts who qualified for the race by winning the Tamworth Cup. Inverell trainer Todd Payne has his stable star and Country Championship Final runner-up Lisztomania in the Cup as well as the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday. 'Tamworth looks more tempting as the rail is out nine metres at Randwick which doesn't help but he does race so well there,' Payne said. 'He hasn't missed a place in six starts there and that's what makes it hard not to look at that race.' Lisztomania has drawn wide in gate 14 in the Tamworth Cup, the same barrier he had when a close second in the Country Championship Qualifier. 'It doesn't really matter too much with him because he will be coming down the middle of the track anyway,' he said. 'He will go for a spell after this and our next mission is The Kosciuszko and we will go into that fresh.' Payne also has three other runners for the day including Desert Cougar, who is a half-sister to Lisztomania, in the Maiden Plate (1000m). The daughter of Capitalist only had one run for Payne at the end of last campaign when fifth to Sharpen The Knives at Armidale on December 8. 'She ran a handy race and we put her away,' he said. 'She trialled well the other day and I'm very happy with her going into this race. I think she is a chance.' Payne also saddles up Celestialconqueror in the Super Maiden (1400m). 'He's a nice horse but will want further as he gets into his preparation,' Payne said. 'The 1400m first-up is a good starting point for him and the blinkers go on. He's worked in them and is a lot more focused.' Takemine will back up in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1000m) following strong closing second over 1100m at Armidale last week. 'She is dropping back to 1000m and will get back but the last time she raced at the track and distance, she rattled home to be beaten a nostril,' he said. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ It's been a long and frustrating preparation with Duped By Spin but trainer Craig Widdison is hoping she can pick up a well-earned win when she crosses the border. Duped By Spin started her campaign at Wagga on November 1 and had a couple of hiccups along the way but found some consistency in the past two months with consecutive placings before contesting last week's Albury Cup. 'She's had a fairly long preparation but nothing has gone right for her,' said Widdison. 'Every time we thought we had he ready, something went wrong then her last few runs had been good up until the Cup last week. 'We were hoping to get to the fence and have a cheap run but that didn't eventuate.' The five-year-old finished second last behind Matusalem in the Listed event but will appreciate a drop back in grade when she backs-up in the Benchmark 82 Handicap (2000m). Prior to that, she was second in the Tom Patton Cup at Wagga, second in the Albury Mile behind County Kilkenny and a close fourth to Star Buyer in the Gundagai Cup. 'Her run in the Albury Cup was good on a heavy track behind County Kilkenny who grows a leg on the wet,' he said 'In the Gundagai Cup, she was left in front and fair way out and just got swamped late. She is a better chaser. 'She has taken no harm out of the Albury Cup and this looks a nice race for her. 'Nick Souquet is back on as well. He knows her quite well and has had some luck on her. 'She deserves another win and hopefully she can get that here.' Widdison's other runner is Sister Shay who is looking for a breakthrough win in the Maiden Handicap (1500m) after placings runner-up in her three runs for Widdison following a debut seventh at Kyneton for Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman. 'She has been great with three seconds in-a-row but it's also been a bit hard to take,' he said. 'I have thrown the blinkers on her this week in the hope they can help her find an extra length or so. 'We have also gone with a claim this week, not that Wardy (Brendan Ward) has done anything wrong. 'We just wanted to try something different and that two kilos might just make the difference.'
News.com.au
23-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Tamworth preview: Co-trainer Gerald Ryan is looking for Green Shadows to lock in his Big Dance place in the Tamworth Cup
The Big Dance last November was an afterthought for Green Shadows according to co-trainer Gerald Ryan but it's at the forefront of his mind this year. Ryan and co-trainer Sterling Alexiou have targeted the Tamworth Cup (1400m), which carries Big Dance eligibility, as an ideal starting point for Green Shadows who races extremely well first-up. 'The Big Dance will be the plan for him this year. He has to get through this race first and we will see how he goes,' said Ryan. 'About six weeks ago we decided to target the Tamworth Cup first-up with him. 'It would be nice if he could book his place in the Big Dance now and we can make a plan to have him spot on in November.' .@GRyanRacing make it back-to-back Goulburn Cup wins! ðŸ�† Green Shadows wins the Goulburn Cup with @RachelK11 on board 🙌 â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 25, 2024 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! Green Shadows scored a first-up win in a Benchmark 78 at Warwick Farm on April 1 last year and progressed to winning a Midway at Randwick before capturing the Goulburn Cup at his eighth start for the preparation on August 25. He then had to stay up until November 5 for the $3 million feature. 'The Big Dance was an afterthought with him last campaign. He won the Goulburn Cup at his eighth start and was over the top by the time he got to Randwick three runs later,' he said. 'He still ran an honest race. He drew bad and was out wide all-the-way. 'He spelled well and I reckon he grew which is strange at his age. 'He has comeback well, his work has been good and his trials have been solid without his blinkers on.' He will try and replicate the success of Big Dance winner Gringotts who qualified for the race by winning the Tamworth Cup. Inverell trainer Todd Payne has his stable star and Country Championship Final runner-up Lisztomania in the Cup as well as the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday. 'Tamworth looks more tempting as the rail is out nine metres at Randwick which doesn't help but he does race so well there,' Payne said. 'He hasn't missed a place in six starts there and that's what makes it hard not to look at that race.' Lisztomania has drawn wide in gate 14 in the Tamworth Cup, the same barrier he had when a close second in the Country Championship Qualifier. Never doubt yourself! A finish for the ages in the Country Championships Final, and Know Thyself wins it by a whisker for @Paulmessara and @LGavranich with @Aaronbullock90 aboard! ðŸ'� @aus_turf_club | @WorldPool â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 5, 2025 'It doesn't really matter too much with him because he will be coming down the middle of the track anyway,' he said. 'He will go for a spell after this and our next mission is The Kosciuszko and we will go into that fresh.' Payne also has three other runners for the day including Desert Cougar, who is a half-sister to Lisztomania, in the Maiden Plate (1000m). The daughter of Capitalist only had one run for Payne at the end of last campaign when fifth to Sharpen The Knives at Armidale on December 8. 'She ran a handy race and we put her away,' he said. 'She trialled well the other day and I'm very happy with her going into this race. I think she is a chance.' Payne also saddles up Celestialconqueror in the Super Maiden (1400m). 'He's a nice horse but will want further as he gets into his preparation,' Payne said. 'The 1400m first-up is a good starting point for him and the blinkers go on. He's worked in them and is a lot more focused.' Takemine will back up in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1000m) following strong closing second over 1100m at Armidale last week. 'She is dropping back to 1000m and will get back but the last time she raced at the track and distance, she rattled home to be beaten a nostril,' he said. â– â– â– â– â– It's been a long and frustrating preparation with Duped By Spin but trainer Craig Widdison is hoping she can pick up a well-earned win when she crosses the border. Duped By Spin started her campaign at Wagga on November 1 and had a couple of hiccups along the way but found some consistency in the past two months with consecutive placings before contesting last week's Albury Cup. 'She's had a fairly long preparation but nothing has gone right for her,' said Widdison. 'Every time we thought we had he ready, something went wrong then her last few runs had been good up until the Cup last week. 'We were hoping to get to the fence and have a cheap run but that didn't eventuate.' The five-year-old finished second last behind Matusalem in the Listed event but will appreciate a drop back in grade when she backs-up in the Benchmark 82 Handicap (2000m). County Kilkenny wins the Albury Mile, the @tpd_racing stable make it back-to-back Albury Mile wins! 🙌 â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 20, 2025 Prior to that, she was second in the Tom Patton Cup at Wagga, second in the Albury Mile behind County Kilkenny and a close fourth to Star Buyer in the Gundagai Cup. 'Her run in the Albury Cup was good on a heavy track behind County Kilkenny who grows a leg on the wet,' he said 'In the Gundagai Cup, she was left in front and fair way out and just got swamped late. She is a better chaser. 'She has taken no harm out of the Albury Cup and this looks a nice race for her. ' Nick Souquet is back on as well. He knows her quite well and has had some luck on her. 'She deserves another win and hopefully she can get that here.' Widdison's other runner is Sister Shay who is looking for a breakthrough win in the Maiden Handicap (1500m) after placings runner-up in her three runs for Widdison following a debut seventh at Kyneton for Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman. 'She has been great with three seconds in-a-row but it's also been a bit hard to take,' he said. 'I have thrown the blinkers on her this week in the hope they can help her find an extra length or so. 'We have also gone with a claim this week, not that Wardy (Brendan Ward) has done anything wrong. 'We just wanted to try something different and that two kilos might just make the difference.'
