13 hours ago
Nowra, Hawkesbury previews: From Nowra to Fiji, trainer Paul Jones keeps up on the action
The first and last races at Nowra on Tuesday will have a global audience.
Paul Jones, co-trainer of first starter Kneel Down and progressive miler Bombelleistic, will be watching intently from far-off (and decidedly warmer) Fiji.
Kneel Down's opening assignment comes in the Kel Campbell Fuel Haulage Maiden Plate over 1100m.
The Canberra-based gelding sent out some positive signs when an unhurried fourth in an open heat on the Acton track on June 6.
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'He has been poking around in the jump-outs and the barrier wasn't too bad,'' Jones said poolside from Fiji on Monday.
'They slipped home in a really good time in the trial and we have got a good opinion of the winner.
'We are really happy. He has improved each time we put him in the jump-outs and then the barrier trial was another improvement on that again.
'Personally, I think he is probably going to need the run. He is giving away a little bit of experience but he is not in the strongest of races, so I think a top-three finish wouldn't be a surprise to us.'
Kneel Down can pay down a large portion of his $20,000 purchase price if successful in today's opening gambit at 12.35pm (2.35pm Fiji time).
The replica son of Star Turn is out of a mare by Frankel's half-brother, Bullet Train.
Kneel Down's broodmare sires include a Melbourne Cup winner (At Talaq) and Kingston Town's father (Bletchingly).
Better still, his fifth dam is the 1971 Golden Slipper winner, Fairy Walk.
The gelding's strange moniker was an invention of 1989 Doncaster-winning trainer Barb Joseph.
'Mum named him Kneel Down,'' Jones explained.
'His stable name is 'Neil', I don't know how he got the name Neil, and he is not overly big so it's a bit of a joke around here that the jockeys have to kneel down to get on him.'
Jones will have plenty of time for cocktails and a swim while marking time until the last start winner Bombelleistic steps out in the Country Motor Company Benchmark 66 Handicap (1600m) to wind up proceedings.
A son of the iron-horse Bon Hoffa, Bombelleistic arrived at Nowra having denied Danny Williams' equine warrior My Blue Jeans an 11th career when they met at Goulburn on May 30.
Bombelleistic is far too good at Goulburn! ðŸ'£
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 30, 2025
'We're really happy with Bombelleistic'' Jones said. 'He's come on (since the win).
'I really think he is a Highway quality horse. It's unfortunate that we haven't got one this week.
'There is an 1800m Highway coming up in three weeks' time (but) whether he is still poking around or not, we'll find out.'
Bombelleistic is the fourth foal of Bel Esprit mare She's Belleistic whose previous offspring have all paid their way for the Jones/Joseph team to varying degrees.
'He is a half to Belleistic Kids who is a Sydney winner and I think Bombelleistic is probably going to be a little bit better than Belleistic Kids and even better when he gets out in ground,'' Jones surmised.
'Belleistic Kids competed in the Little Dance last year and Bombelleistic is going to be of that ilk I would say.'
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ROBERT Price is hoping price-tags count for nothing when his $2.000 digital purchase All Saints squares off with the $850,000 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling graduate Celerity at Hawkesbury on Tuesday.
'Cheap' as she may be, All Saints was very costly for her army of supporters on debut at Kembla on February 8.
The Robert and Luke Price-trained local was backed into $1.55 after opening at $2.10.
In her defence, she was only beaten a nose.
Naturally, the Prices and jockey/fan Keagan Latham will be eager for a better outcome when they jointly contest today's HRC Motel 3YO Maiden (1000m).
'It looks like a pretty strong race,'' Price says.
'She trialled nicely, I don't know whether she is a brilliant horse, but she is a very fast horse.
'To what grade she is going to get to, I couldn't tell you, but she should be effective to win a couple for us anyway.
'I think she is going to be better suited ridden with a bit of cover but I will leave it up to Keagan.
'He rode her at her first start and he asks about her from time to time.'
All Saints was born and raised at Widden Stud, home to Golden Slipper winner Sebring, aka All Saints' maternal grandsire.
While All Saints dam Sebring Angel's solitary win came at Charters Towers in Far North Queensland, more notable members of her family include crack fillies Captiva and Adagietto.
The Prices will saddle-up a second potential winner at Hawkesbury on Tuesday when Jamarni seeks out his first career win at start number 10 in the Belle Property Provincial Maiden Handicap (1300m).
'His last run was nice and we get the same rider on that rode the other day, young Zac (Lloyd),'' Price said.
'He is pretty well placed on Tuesday. He is sort of going to be a ten furlong horse at one stage of career bit hopefully he can win a couple on the way through to that distance.'
No one is in a better position to predict Jamarni's future than Price given his innate knowledge of the horse's family.
Jamarni is a close relation to the Price's beloved multiple Group and The Gong winner Count De Rupee.
Born in the Hunter Valley but sold in Victoria, Jamarni was knocked down to the Prices for $80,000.
His dam is a half sister to Horse Of The Year, Lankan Rupee and a member of Sir Patrick Hogan's celebrated Gay Poss dynasty.
