Latest news with #BobCharleyStakes
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Ray Thomas's Blackbook: Five to follow from Royal Randwick on Saturday
Racing expert Ray Thomas has run the rule over Saturday's Bob Charley Stakes meeting at Royal Randwick and found a few he thinks are worth following. â– â– â– â– â– Kujenga (Race 1) was the rank outsider at $81 for the juvenile opener but gave backers of odds-on favourite Hidden Motive a real fright before losing by the narrowest of margins. Kujenga finished powerfully late to just miss but this improving filly can be placed to advantage over winter. You can exhale if you backed Hidden Motive! 🥵 The fav gets his nose down at the right moment to make it two wins in a row in the Randwick opener! @AshMorgan6 @ndoyleracing @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 Gentileschi (Race 3) was coming back slightly in trip and wasn't suited by the slow early tempo but she started to gain momentum late and was charging through the pack to finish a close fifth. She's only had three starts this campaign and will keep improving, particularly as she gets out to a middle distance. Where to look?! ðŸ'€ Four go to the line as one at Randwick, with Shohisha getting the bob in a thriller! @tomo_sherry @DPayneRacing @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 Wooloowin (Race 6) appreciated coming back in grade and ran a much improved race to finish a close third to Thunderlips at big odds. She's been improved by two runs from a spell and is working her way back to winning form. What a win by Thunderlips! 😮 âš¡ï¸� @AnnaRoper_ on board for @BBakerRacing ðŸ'� @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 Quietness (Race 7) ran a blinder at her Australian debut to finish third and cap a great weekend for the John O'Shea-Tom Charlton stable. They celebrated a Queensland Derby quinella with Maison Louis and King Of Thunder and the trainers will be doing the same with Quietness, winner of five of her 11 starts in England, who ran so competitively behind Loch Eagle. Loch Eagle flies to win at Randwick! 🦅 @Leesracing @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 Headley Grange (Race 9) scored brilliantly first-up and was the middle leg of a Joe Pride hat-trick. Headley Grange is extremely consistent and did win at his second and third runs in last preparation. Headley Grange wins first up to give @PrideRacing a Randwick double! 🙌 @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– ON THE CLOCK Callistemon  (Race 2) was held up for a run in the straight but when clear she charged home the final 200m in 11.88s to claim third. Just hop on the Doyle/Morgan express! 🚂 Hellfire Express wins the Midway - and that's the first two Randwick races to @ndoyleracing and @AshMorgan6! @aus_turf_club @Darby_Racing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 Shohisha (Race 3) was a clear last in the small field of seven on the turn but although the race developed into a sprint home, she was able to sprint her final 600m in 34.08s to score an impressive win. Where to look?! ðŸ'€ Four go to the line as one at Randwick, with Shohisha getting the bob in a thriller! @tomo_sherry @DPayneRacing @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 Bengal and Shropshire Lad (Race 4) broke clear of their rivals to fight out the finish of the Highway. Bengal ran his final 200m in 11.82s compared to Shropshire Lads 11.89s with the former edging clear near the line. Bengal hangs on in the TAB Highway for Luke Pepper and @brodie_loy ðŸ'° @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 Loch Eagle (Race 7) finished powerfully at the end of 1600m to score a good win. He savaged the line with a closing 200m of 12.04s to run down Grebeni. Loch Eagle flies to win at Randwick! 🦅 @Leesracing @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 In Flight (Race 8) sprinted her final 600m in a fast 33.73s, the best of the meeting. She ran a closing 200m split of 11.65s to run down Brudenell and win the Bob Charley Stakes. A tough win to In Flight in the Listed Bob Charley AO Stakes at Randwick for @PrideRacing! 🚀 @ProvenTbreds @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– WHAT THEY SAID 'In Flight is going to keep getting better with age. This time next year she will be a better horse again. But she's a pretty thing. Look at her tail, there are so many different shades of grey in it, she's a beautiful filly,' said trainer Joe Pride. 'It's easy to say now she has two stakes wins to her name but she is just oozing confidence,' said Jay Ford, rider of In Flight. 'I'm happy for Joe (Pride) because I think he's an outstanding trainer and he's got a good horse with In Flight,' Bob Charley said. ' Shohisha has been looking for the mile, if it is in their genes, they will get the trip,' said trainer David Payne. 'I've got a few doubles but it's my first city treble. I have been here seven years now and it's probably only this year it has really developed into something,' said Ash Morgan after he rode three winners. 'We feel he is a four-five lengths better horse than what he showed today. He over-raced, he got pestered in front and did a bit of work there. He will improve a lot. Wait until you see him on top of the ground. At home what he has shown us, he is absolutely electric,' said Sean Driver, part-owner of Hidden Motive. â– â– â– â– â– STEWARDS WRAP Callistemon (Race 2) was held up for clear running from the 400m and approaching the 200m was disappointed for a run between Engine Room and Allegro Miss. Callistemon remained held up until passing the 150m where it was finally able to secure clear running. Danish Prince (Race 2) was ridden by apprentice Jace McMurray who was questioned by stewards regarding a towel remaining caught around his left leg during the race. McMurray stated that he had inadvertently left the towel draped across the wither of the gelding after entering the barriers and, as such, this resulted in it remaining attached to his leg through the race. Just hop on the Doyle/Morgan express! 🚂 Hellfire Express wins the Midway - and that's the first two Randwick races to @ndoyleracing and @AshMorgan6! @aus_turf_club @Darby_Racing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 Rotagilla (Race 5) came out of a wide barrier and was shifted behind runners in the early stages. After passing the 1200m was inconvenienced by Mille De Lune, which shifted out when over-racing. Rotagilla raced wide and without cover until passing the 800m where he was awkwardly placed at the heels of Elivina, which was carried out. It's Millie De Lune on the inside who gives @AshMorgan6 a Randwick treble! ðŸŒ� @mcsmithracing @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 Oh Diamond Lil (Race 6) travelled strongly throughout the middle stages but when expected it would quicken in the home straight she didn't respond as expected. Her rider, Jay Ford, told stewards the mare may have raced flat second-up from a spell. What a win by Thunderlips! 😮 âš¡ï¸� @AnnaRoper_ on board for @BBakerRacing ðŸ'� @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 Whinchat (Race 9) reared on jumping and missed the start by six lengths. As stewards were satisfied that Whinchat reared simultaneously to the start being effected, the horse was declared a starter. Headley Grange wins first up to give @PrideRacing a Randwick double! 🙌 @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– NSW RACING – THE WEEK AHEAD Monday: Canterbury, Grafton Tuesday: Scone Wednesday: Kensington Thursday: Gosford, Lismore Friday: Goulburn, Muswellbrook Saturday: Rosehill Gardens, Newcastle Sunday: Coonamble, Port Macquarie â– â– â– â– â– SNAPSHOT – WITH RON DUFFICY RUN OF THE DAY You have to give it to the inexperienced three-year-old filly Shohisha who sat back last in a slowly run race giving weight to the older mares. Not only that she was 1100m to 1600m second-up on a heavy track. FORGET THEY RAN Callistemon never really had a chance to balance up right down the straight in the Midway. With clearer running early she would have gone close to winning. HORSE TO FOLLOW Shropshire Lad is just out of class 1 company and lacked Highway experience but his turn is not far off. It was hard to miss the run of the imported mare Quietness who has a nice future in Australia.
New Paper
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Paper
Pools' Pride and joy in Sydney
Sydney racing was the latest international venue to honour Singapore Pools at one of its metropolitan meetings on June 7. The Singapore gaming company has been regularly named after races from around countries where it offers horse racing wagering in the last two years. After Korea Racing Authority, Hong Kong Jockey Club, 4Racing of South Africa and Perth Racing, Tabcorp was the next to host Pools' delegation at Royal Randwick. The Pools team comprised board member Lee Kwok Cheong, who was accompanied by his wife Sachiko Tamamura, chief product officer Simon Leong and senior manager (product content) Steven Tan. "Singapore Pools is pleased to partner with Tabcorp to bring more variety and quality racing content to our customers," said Leong. "With Tabcorp's extensive simulcast rights across Australia and key global racing jurisdictions, this collaboration enables us to deliver a richer and more exciting racing experience for fans in Singapore." As per custom, a race was picked to commemorate the collaboration. The ninth event on the card of 10, the A$160,000 (S$134,000) BM94 (1,300m) was named the Singapore Pools Handicap. "We would also like to thank Tabcorp for naming a race in honour of Singapore Pools," added Leong. "It is a gesture that affirms the strong and long-standing partnership between our organisations." The race was not without its fair share of drama when favourite Whinchat bombed the start. As Whinchat has won all his six races by leading, backers knew they had burned their fingers. Jockey Jay Ford tried to salvage the situation by restraining Whinchat at the rear instead of playing catch-up with the early pace, but it was to no avail. He beat one home. With the main threat out, $16 second-elect Headley Grange won. Under jockey Adam Hyeronimus, the Exosphere four-year-old dashed to the line a slashing 3/4-length winner from outsiders Green Shadows (Braith Nock) and Dark Glitter (Molly Bourke) to knock in his seventh career win. The win also brought up the middle pin of a treble for trainer Joseph Pride, who sensationally swept the last three races on the card. Earlier, the Warwick Farm handler took the A$200,000 Listed Bob Charley Stakes (1,100m) with $9 favourite In Flight (Ford). Not content with a running double, Team Pride recombined with Hyeronimus in the last, a Benchmark 78 Handicap (1,000m), to wrap up the day in style with Storm The Ramparts ($15). Up north at Eagle Farm in Brisbane, Pride had less joy with his sole runner at the Queensland riches, Lekvarte, who was well beaten by Adiella in the Magic Millions National Classic (1,400m). The three rained-off Group 1 races from last weekend went to an assortment of squads. The Chris Waller-trained Joliestar (James McDonald, $8) was the only favourite to salute, nabbing Zarastro late in the A$1 million Kingsford Smith Cup (1,300m). You Wahng (Tommy Berry) then won the A$700,000 Queensland Oaks (2,200m) at $114 for trainer Kris Lees. Maison Louis (Ryan Maloney, $194) sent more favourite backers licking their wounds in the A$1 million Queensland Derby (2,400m) by beating better-fancied stablemate King Of Thunder (Mark Zahra) for a John O'Shea and Tom Carlton quinella. manyan@
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Grit and determination leads to a stunning win by Joe Pride's smart mare In Flight Randwick feature
In Flight, racing's pin-up girl, wasn't entitled to win at Royal Randwick on Saturday. The track wasn't as wet as she prefers, she was slow to begin and the race tempo was against her but the flashy mare was still able to find a way to beat a classy field in the Listed $200,000 Bob Charley AO Stakes (1200m). There might have been better horses to win the Australian Turf Club's feature winter sprint but few who try as hard as In Flight. The venerable Charley was there to watch the race named in his honour. He has seen all the great champions win on the famous track over his celebrated 70 years in racing but even he was full of admiration for the mare's determination. ' In Flight looked like she was going to run a good second but you had to like the way she really dug deep to win,' Charley said. 'Earlier in the day, Joe Pride told me this was a race he had never won before but he felt he could do it with this mare. 'I'm happy for Joe because I think he's an outstanding trainer and he's got a good horse with In Flight.' But Pride, who trained a hat-trick of winners to close out the Randwick meeting, started his stable winning streak with In Flight but admitted he was concerned when the winter sunshine resulted in the track being upgraded to a Soft 7 prior to the Bob Charley Stakes. 'When this track started drying out, I was a little bit concerned as the best version of this mare is on really wet tracks,' Pride said. 'The times they are running today aren't too slow at all so for her to come back from winning on a heavy track in Brisbane and get the job done is a very good effort. 'She has earned her crack at this level of racing but that was harder than what we would have liked today. A tough win to In Flight in the Listed Bob Charley AO Stakes at Randwick for @PrideRacing! 🚀 @ProvenTbreds @aus_turf_club â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 • Payne's unique methods shine again as Shohisha salutes 'But she is up at the right time of year and we will see how she pulls before making any more plans. She is doing a great job.' In Flight, ridden by Jay Ford, was backed into $2.35 favourite but she made her supporters sweat before she reeled in topweight Brudenell ($21) near the line to win by a long head with Contemporary ($12) just over a length away third. Ford also admitted he was concerned mid-race when the speed slackened and In Flight was conceding Brudenell a considerable start on the turn. 'To be quite frank, I thought they would go quicker than what they did,' Ford said. 'In the first furlong or so, they spread right out but then the speed backed off. 'I just had to bide my time with cover then present her but she still had it all to do which just shows how genuine she is. 'The second horse laid up outside the lead off a controlled tempo but she was still able to run him down. She was brilliant, just brilliant.' Ford said In Flight 'feels on song' this preparation: 'It's easy to say now she has two stakes wins to her name but she is just oozing confidence,' he said. In Flight is a rising five-year-old mare and was purchased for $220,000 as a yearling by Jamie Walter's Proven Thoroughbreds of Private Eye and Think About It fame. Headley Grange wins first up to give @PrideRacing a Randwick double! 🙌 @aus_turf_club â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 • Hidden Motive digs deep for narrow victory at Randwick Her tough Randwick win improved the mare's race record seven wins (and five placings) from 17 starts and nearly $700,000 prizemoney. Pride believes we haven't seen the best of In Flight yet. 'In Flight is going to keep getting better with age. This time next year she will be a better horse again,' he said. 'But she's a pretty thing. Look at her tail, there are so many different shades of grey in it, she's a beautiful filly. 'I love her. I wouldn't see she is a sweet thing, she can be a bit of a 'tart' but she has all the attributes a good mare needs.' Pride then completed a race-to-race double when Headley Grange ($3.70) came with a powerful late surge through the pack to score by three-quarters of a length from Green Shadows ($15) and Dark Glitter ($21) to win the Singapore Pools Handicap (1300m). Headley Grange was held up for a run from the top of the straight and would have been a good thing beaten but jockey Adam Hyeronimus persevered, found a gap and the Pride sprinter did the rest. In-form sprinter Storm The Ramparts.
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Trainer Kris Lees to run Brudenell at Randwick on Saturday after weighing up Eagle Farm option
Racing history might be weighing heavily against Brudenell but trainer Kris Lees wants to give the sprinter his chance in the Listed $200,000 Bob Charley AO Stakes (1100m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Brudenell has been burdened with 59kg, an impost which has proven beyond all but four horses in the last 50 years of the Australian Turf Club's feature winter sprint, formerly known as the June Stakes. Classique Legend had 60kg when he won the Randwick sprint in 2020 en route to his triumph in The Everest, Jungle Edge won under 60.5kg in 2018, and Avoid Lightning (2014) and Oranmore (1977) both carried 59kg. Lees did nominate Brudenell for the Group 2 Moreton Cup at Eagle Farm as well but he felt the Bob Charley Stakes was the more winnable race. 'I will keep Brudenell for Randwick,'' Lees said. 'He's not great on a long float trip anyway. 'I know he has plenty of weight at Randwick but he has probably earned it. He goes to Saturday's race in very good form.'' Brudenell won the Listed Abell Stakes at Moonee Valley earlier this campaign and more recently ran a close second to Barber in the Listed Takeover Target Stakes at Gosford before a last-start third to The Instructor in the Listed Luskin Star Stakes at Scone. It's Brudenell's Abell Stakes, careering away for a classy victory ðŸ'« Mark Zahra & Kris Lees combine for Listed success at The Valley ðŸ¤� — (@Racing) February 28, 2025 The Bob Charley Stakes has attracted a final field of 15 with Front Page, who is co-topweight with Brudenell, also in the Moreton Cup. Also at Eagle Farm, Lees is chasing a third win in the Group 1 $700,000 Queensland Oaks (2200m) with either You Wahng or Eclair Encore. You Wahng, who ran a close third in the ATC Australian Oaks during the Sydney autumn carnival, has maintained her form as evidenced by a solid last start fifth to Philia in The Roses. 'This will probably be a more high pressure Oaks than what we had in Sydney but we know our filly can stay,'' said Lees, who has won the Queensland Oaks previously with Amokura (2023) and Vitesse Dane (2005). An epic win by Treasurethe Moment in the G1 Australian Oaks! She nabs the Victorian-Australian Oaks double in the final strides! 🙌 @mattlaurierace | @LaneDamian | @aus_turf_club | @WorldPool — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 12, 2025 Eclair Encore is also in the Group 1 $1m Queensland Derby (2400m) but Lees said she would contest the fillies classic. 'I'm thinking the Oaks for Eclair Encore despite the bad barrier (18),'' Lees said. 'I feel it is slightly the better option for her. We did consider splitting them up but we have to do what is best for both fillies.'' Amokura has had only five starts since her Oaks success and is resuming after nearly 12 months off in the Sydney Roosters Partners Handicap (1600m) at Royal Randwick. Lees explained Amokura had 'some bone bruising' which kept her out of racing for an extended period but said the mare has had a trouble-free preparation ahead of her comeback on Saturday. Amokura reigns supreme in the Queensland Oaks! ðŸ'' @Leesracing wins his second Queensland Oaks, while Damien Oliver scores his 128th Group 1 victory. — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 3, 2023 'Amokura's had a long build-up but she is going well,'' Lees said. 'I'm only going to give her a couple of runs and then bring her back for the spring.'' Lees also has Loch Eagle taking on stablemate Akomura in the mile race with the gelding impressing the trainer with his first-up eighth behind stablemate Tavi Time in the Scone Cup. Stardom in the Listed Woodlands Stakes.
