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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.'
Sydney Morning Herald
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Tips and race-by-race guide for Randwick (Kensington) on Friday
Track soft 5 and rail true. RACE 1 8. She Rex is a lightly raced improver well placed to break through second up, with the track gradually drying out, although wouldn't be diving into too short a price. Only held ground from behind the leaders when resuming in a metropolitan super maiden, but better suited here where she can get to the outside over the final 300m. Naturally fitter and hasn't missed a place yet from four starts. 7. Ivy Legend is drawn to get a nice run behind the speed with the winkers coming off, and advantaged with the sting out of the ground. 4. Kikoira is a big watch, resuming as a gelding off a lengthy break and two trials in just his second start for the top stable. Gap to the rest. How to play it: She Rex to win. RACE 2 4. Kundabung is a lightly raced improver from the Chris Waller stable primed to strike second up from the inside draw. Did his best work late when fresh at Newcastle, but can park closer to the speed here, and was scratched from the opening race to run here. Stablemate 5. Maori Chief emerges as a threat, resuming off a sound trial. Was only fair in two runs last prep, but has a real leaning towards soft ground. 3. Gunroom is a must for all exotic plays, improving sharply after a disappointing first-up run at Hawkesbury from well off the speed when backed from $3.30 into $2.60. Watch the market on 6. So Long Farewell, a three-year-old son of Super Seth on debut for the Ciaron Maher stable behind a solid provincial trial. 8. Satin Sparkle, another stablemate of the top selection, heads the rest second up from a soft trailing draw. How to play it: Kundabung to win. RACE 3 3. Hell To Pay, a talented son of Hellbent, resumes behind two improving trials. Was in and around the money through the last campaign, including a dominant maiden win on the Sunshine Coast and a fast-finishing placing as a heavily backed favourite at Newcastle before spelling. Looks ready to return stronger, and well in at the weights after the jockey's 3kg claim. 2. Engine Room was impressive first up sweeping home from near the back as a hot favourite to beat a handy three-year-old maiden line-up. Naturally up in weight, but has plenty of scope, and the third placed runner from that race is the clear top selection in the opener. 4. Insist is the other clear chance. Finished best to win a provincial BM64 first up before only even to the line at Hawkesbury 16 days ago. Be surprised if the winner comes from anywhere else, but include 6. Broadway Follies fourth up from the inside gate, and 7. True Amor, resuming off two trial wins in all trifecta and first four plays. How to play it: Hell To Pay to win. RACE 4 1. Collect Your Cash is well placed to claim a second win in three starts off a month-long break. Tracked the speed before going home best in similar company here four weeks ago when having his first run for the Waterhouse-Bott stable since switching from New Zealand. Then missed by a long neck in a strong provincial BM78. Right at peak fitness now for this trip, and will carry only 1kg more after the rider's 3kg claim. 4. Misterkipchoge has knocked up and left punters on the floor trying to capture a second career win. Placed in all four runs late last year against stronger line-ups up to BM78, three times jumping as clear favourite. That said, again found the line OK when resuming at Hawkesbury, although despite the sound trailing draw here, second-up form is a big query. 3. Fioprospero is a progressive staying type by 2013 Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente. Comes off dominant and back-to-back wins at Eagle Farm, both times powering over the top from the second half of the field. Not convinced, though, this circuit will suit his style. 6. Bestower is best of the rest improving over more ground third up ahead of 8. Fiftyfivechevy, which steps up to a tougher level off back-to-back wins. How to play it: Collect Your Cash to win.
The Age
24-04-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Tips and race-by-race guide for Randwick (Kensington) on Friday
Track soft 5 and rail true. RACE 1 8. She Rex is a lightly raced improver well placed to break through second up, with the track gradually drying out, although wouldn't be diving into too short a price. Only held ground from behind the leaders when resuming in a metropolitan super maiden, but better suited here where she can get to the outside over the final 300m. Naturally fitter and hasn't missed a place yet from four starts. 7. Ivy Legend is drawn to get a nice run behind the speed with the winkers coming off, and advantaged with the sting out of the ground. 4. Kikoira is a big watch, resuming as a gelding off a lengthy break and two trials in just his second start for the top stable. Gap to the rest. How to play it: She Rex to win. RACE 2 4. Kundabung is a lightly raced improver from the Chris Waller stable primed to strike second up from the inside draw. Did his best work late when fresh at Newcastle, but can park closer to the speed here, and was scratched from the opening race to run here. Stablemate 5. Maori Chief emerges as a threat, resuming off a sound trial. Was only fair in two runs last prep, but has a real leaning towards soft ground. 3. Gunroom is a must for all exotic plays, improving sharply after a disappointing first-up run at Hawkesbury from well off the speed when backed from $3.30 into $2.60. Watch the market on 6. So Long Farewell, a three-year-old son of Super Seth on debut for the Ciaron Maher stable behind a solid provincial trial. 8. Satin Sparkle, another stablemate of the top selection, heads the rest second up from a soft trailing draw. How to play it: Kundabung to win. RACE 3 3. Hell To Pay, a talented son of Hellbent, resumes behind two improving trials. Was in and around the money through the last campaign, including a dominant maiden win on the Sunshine Coast and a fast-finishing placing as a heavily backed favourite at Newcastle before spelling. Looks ready to return stronger, and well in at the weights after the jockey's 3kg claim. 2. Engine Room was impressive first up sweeping home from near the back as a hot favourite to beat a handy three-year-old maiden line-up. Naturally up in weight, but has plenty of scope, and the third placed runner from that race is the clear top selection in the opener. 4. Insist is the other clear chance. Finished best to win a provincial BM64 first up before only even to the line at Hawkesbury 16 days ago. Be surprised if the winner comes from anywhere else, but include 6. Broadway Follies fourth up from the inside gate, and 7. True Amor, resuming off two trial wins in all trifecta and first four plays. How to play it: Hell To Pay to win. RACE 4 1. Collect Your Cash is well placed to claim a second win in three starts off a month-long break. Tracked the speed before going home best in similar company here four weeks ago when having his first run for the Waterhouse-Bott stable since switching from New Zealand. Then missed by a long neck in a strong provincial BM78. Right at peak fitness now for this trip, and will carry only 1kg more after the rider's 3kg claim. 4. Misterkipchoge has knocked up and left punters on the floor trying to capture a second career win. Placed in all four runs late last year against stronger line-ups up to BM78, three times jumping as clear favourite. That said, again found the line OK when resuming at Hawkesbury, although despite the sound trailing draw here, second-up form is a big query. 3. Fioprospero is a progressive staying type by 2013 Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente. Comes off dominant and back-to-back wins at Eagle Farm, both times powering over the top from the second half of the field. Not convinced, though, this circuit will suit his style. 6. Bestower is best of the rest improving over more ground third up ahead of 8. Fiftyfivechevy, which steps up to a tougher level off back-to-back wins. How to play it: Collect Your Cash to win.
