Latest news with #CharmStone
New Paper
09-05-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
Giga Kick is Good to go
On weights and measures alone, Giga Kick should street his 12 rivals in the A$1 million (S$833,000) Group 1 The Goodwood (1,200m) at Morphettville on May 10. With a top rating of 116, and Charm Stone the next best on 108, he should be the top-weight and give 4kg or more to the rest. But The Goodwood is a set-weights race where the handicapper sifts through performances in the last two years. As awesome as his second at his penultimate start in the 2024 The Everest (1,200m) was, the lightly raced chestnut has not won since the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1,200m) in May 2023, when his rating peaked to 117. The Scissor Kick five-year-old's next five starts have not been without merit. Trainer Clayton Douglas' seven-time winner never finished worse than three lengths off, with his head-second to Bella Nipotina in The Everest prompting the handicapper to shave only one point off his rating. But six months have elapsed since his last outing - a 2.4-length seventh in the Group 1 Champions Sprint (1,200m) at Flemington on Nov 9. The 2022 Everest winner's rustiness could offset the 55kg (Mark Zahra will ride him ½kg over), but three solid barrier trials have topped him off nicely. Gate 12 is also tricky, but Morphettville's wide straight gives horses ample time to find room. On class, Giga Kick should win, but do not ignore the in-form Reserve Bank, last year's runner-up Stretan Angel and last-start Group 1 Robert Sangster (1,200m) winner Charm Stone. manyan@
News.com.au
29-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Qatar Bloodstock to sell share in super sire Zoustar at Inglis Digital online auction on Wednesday
A rare share in Widden Stud's champion stallion Zoustar will go under the hammer for an expected seven-figure sum when the latest Inglis Digital Auction concludes on Wednesday. Bidding for the share, offered by Qatar Bloodstock, had already reached $800,000 on Tuesday afternoon following the opening of the April (Late) Online action on Anzac Day last week. It's expected a flurry of late action on Wednesday afternoon will see the share rise well over the million mark. Last year Qatar Bloodstock sold to Bangaloe Stud another 1/60th share in the sought-after stallion for $1.3 million – a figure that would value Zoustar at close to $80m. Zoustar is already the sire 65 stakes winners including the likes of Zougotcha, Joliestar, Ozzmosis, Growing Empire, Climbing Star and Zousain. Schwarz, bound for next month's Doomben 10,000, added to Zoustar's record of producing Group 1 winners earlier this year when the four-year-old won the William Reid Stakes at The Valley. Zoustar, currently 14 years of age, is set to stand at Widden's Hunter Valley property for $275,000 for the upcoming 2025 breeding season. • Dethroned The Quokka champion set for Doomben 10,000 It comes as Yarraman Park Stud announced three-time Australian champion stallion I Am Invincible will stand for a reduced fee of $220,000, down from $275,000 last year. I Am Invincible is the sire of last Saturday's Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes winner Charm Stone as well as unbeaten ATC Inglis Sires' Produce Stakes victor Vinrock. Yarraman principal Arthur Mitchell explained the decision to lower I Am Invincible's fee. 'Vinnie is entering his twilight years, and there are limited outside nominations available,' he said in a release. 'We are also mindful of the challenges facing trainers and syndicators, along with breeders – the cost of production and wages, everything has increased. 'We want to ensure everyone has a good chance, no matter which part of the market they operate in.'
Courier-Mail
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
Charm Stone claims Robert Sangster Stakes to give Mark Zahra Group 1 double at Morphettville
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Brilliant mare Charm Stone flew home to snatch Saturday's $1m Robert Sangster Stakes as jockey Mark Zahra ruled Morphettville for a day. The Melbourne Cup-winning hoop secured a treble on day one of the Adelaide racing carnival, winning both the Group 1 Sangster and Australasian Oaks, along with earlier success aboard a dominant Legacy Bound in the Group 3 Breeders' Stakes. • 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! Charm Stone's Sangster triumph made it an incredible four wins in the race for gun trainer Mick Price, who was full of praise for the daughter of I Am Invincible post-race. 'The very pleasing thing is she's a beautiful mare. We've had her since she was a baby,' Price, who trains in partnership with Michael Kent Jr, said. 'She's one of Sheamus' (Mills) yearling buyers and look, he's one of the main players in the stable with Heath Newton and Anthony and it's just very, very satisfying to get a Group 1 for those guys, the mare has deserved it.' As for his star rider, Price had a short and sharp assessment. • What the jockeys said: 2025 Robert Sangster Stakes 'Zahra is Zahra, he just lives in the Group 1 world, doesn't he? But really, really pleased for the mare and the owning group,' he said. Fellow interstate raiders Ameena and Commemorative filled out the placings in the Sangster, Royal Ascot winner Asfoora finished seventh. Zahra has every reason to keep coming back to the Adelaide racing carnival, he has now won three Group 1s over the last two carnivals, along with an SA Derby win aboard Jungle Magnate in 2022, also for Price and Kent Jr. 'It's special. A bit of luck this time last year, a bit more luck this year, but nice to get a couple of good rides for people I ride for, and the races have just worked out, everything went in my favour today,' Zahra said. Mark Zahra celebrates after winning the Robert Sangster Stakes aboard Charm Stone. Picture: Makoto Kaneko Charm Stone will now head to $1m The Goodwood (1200m) on March 10, but Zahra may have another ride in the Morphettville sprint. 'I might have already locked into one, but we can see,' he said. 'I think Giga Kick's coming that day. Anyway, we'll celebrate about this one first. We'll worry about what's happening in two weeks.' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Interest rising in Reserve Bank - Brad Waters Exciting three-year-old Reserve Bank roared into The Goodwood contention with his dominant win in the Group 2 Tobin Bronze Stakes (1200m). In a prophetic pre-race interview, co-trainer Mick Price said Reserve Bank would remain in Adelaide for The Goodwood on May 10 had he won the Tobin Bronze Stakes. Price even perfectly described the run Reserve Bank would have, three-wide with cover from his wide gate, in his pre-race chat. The tactics left star jockey Blake Shinn with one job – ensure Reserve Bank had clear running to work into the race from the home turn. Shinn perfectly carried out his task, ensuring Reserve Bank found no traffic problems, enabling the colt to work through his gears in the straight to score by 1½ lengths over Sabaj ($9) and Winnasedge ($16). 'Well, he jumped, which was good, and gave Blake Shinn an option to be midfield,' Price, who trains Reserve Bank in partnership with Michael Kent Jr, said. 'He got cover, but he was strong to the finish and was strong 1200 (metres). 'So, I'll leave him here with Chris Bieg and we'll train him together and hopefully he can run in Goodwood and run well.' Bookmakers promoted Reserve Bank to the third line of Goodwood betting at $8. The Everest winner Giga Kick is the $2.70 favourite in early betting on the $1m feature. Price and Kent Jr will shoot for their second win in The Goodwood after the pair completed a minor upset with Lombardo in 2022. Price also won The Goodwood twice when training alone from his previous base at Caulfield. He prepared three-year-old colt Perfectly Ready to win The Goodwood from barrier 18 in 2006 and with the classy mare Velocitea in 2010. The Bjorn Baker-trained Imperial Force started as the $3.70 favourite but finished ninth with Jamie Melham in the saddle. Originally published as Charm Stone claims Robert Sangster Stakes to give Mark Zahra Group 1 double at Morphettville
The Australian
26-04-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Charm Stone claims Robert Sangster Stakes to give Mark Zahra Group 1 double at Morphettville
Brilliant mare Charm Stone flew home to snatch Saturday's $1m Robert Sangster Stakes as jockey Mark Zahra ruled Morphettville for a day. The Melbourne Cup-winning hoop secured a treble on day one of the Adelaide racing carnival, winning both the Group 1 Sangster and Australasian Oaks, along with earlier success aboard a dominant Legacy Bound in the Group 3 Breeders' Stakes. • 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! Charm Stone's Sangster triumph made it an incredible four wins in the race for gun trainer Mick Price, who was full of praise for the daughter of I Am Invincible post-race. 'The very pleasing thing is she's a beautiful mare. We've had her since she was a baby,' Price, who trains in partnership with Michael Kent Jr, said. 'She's one of Sheamus' (Mills) yearling buyers and look, he's one of the main players in the stable with Heath Newton and Anthony and it's just very, very satisfying to get a Group 1 for those guys, the mare has deserved it.' As for his star rider, Price had a short and sharp assessment. • What the jockeys said: 2025 Robert Sangster Stakes 'Zahra is Zahra, he just lives in the Group 1 world, doesn't he? But really, really pleased for the mare and the owning group,' he said. Fellow interstate raiders Ameena and Commemorative filled out the placings in the Sangster, Royal Ascot winner Asfoora finished seventh. Zahra has every reason to keep coming back to the Adelaide racing carnival, he has now won three Group 1s over the last two carnivals, along with an SA Derby win aboard Jungle Magnate in 2022, also for Price and Kent Jr. 'It's special. A bit of luck this time last year, a bit more luck this year, but nice to get a couple of good rides for people I ride for, and the races have just worked out, everything went in my favour today,' Zahra said. Mark Zahra celebrates after winning the Robert Sangster Stakes aboard Charm Stone. Picture: Makoto Kaneko Charm Stone will now head to $1m The Goodwood (1200m) on March 10, but Zahra may have another ride in the Morphettville sprint. 'I might have already locked into one, but we can see,' he said. 'I think Giga Kick's coming that day. Anyway, we'll celebrate about this one first. We'll worry about what's happening in two weeks.' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Interest rising in Reserve Bank - Brad Waters Exciting three-year-old Reserve Bank roared into The Goodwood contention with his dominant win in the Group 2 Tobin Bronze Stakes (1200m). In a prophetic pre-race interview, co-trainer Mick Price said Reserve Bank would remain in Adelaide for The Goodwood on May 10 had he won the Tobin Bronze Stakes. Price even perfectly described the run Reserve Bank would have, three-wide with cover from his wide gate, in his pre-race chat. The tactics left star jockey Blake Shinn with one job – ensure Reserve Bank had clear running to work into the race from the home turn. Shinn perfectly carried out his task, ensuring Reserve Bank found no traffic problems, enabling the colt to work through his gears in the straight to score by 1½ lengths over Sabaj ($9) and Winnasedge ($16). 'Well, he jumped, which was good, and gave Blake Shinn an option to be midfield,' Price, who trains Reserve Bank in partnership with Michael Kent Jr, said. 'He got cover, but he was strong to the finish and was strong 1200 (metres). 'So, I'll leave him here with Chris Bieg and we'll train him together and hopefully he can run in Goodwood and run well.' Bookmakers promoted Reserve Bank to the third line of Goodwood betting at $8. The Everest winner Giga Kick is the $2.70 favourite in early betting on the $1m feature. Price and Kent Jr will shoot for their second win in The Goodwood after the pair completed a minor upset with Lombardo in 2022. Price also won The Goodwood twice when training alone from his previous base at Caulfield. He prepared three-year-old colt Perfectly Ready to win The Goodwood from barrier 18 in 2006 and with the classy mare Velocitea in 2010. The Bjorn Baker-trained Imperial Force started as the $3.70 favourite but finished ninth with Jamie Melham in the saddle.
Mercury
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Mercury
Charm Stone claims Robert Sangster Stakes to give Mark Zahra Group 1 double at Morphettville
Brilliant mare Charm Stone flew home to snatch Saturday's $1m Robert Sangster Stakes as jockey Mark Zahra ruled Morphettville for a day. The Melbourne Cup-winning hoop secured a treble on day one of the Adelaide racing carnival, winning both the Group 1 Sangster and Australasian Oaks, along with earlier success aboard a dominant Legacy Bound in the Group 3 Breeders' Stakes. • 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! Charm Stone's Sangster triumph made it an incredible four wins in the race for gun trainer Mick Price, who was full of praise for the daughter of I Am Invincible post-race. 'The very pleasing thing is she's a beautiful mare. We've had her since she was a baby,' Price, who trains in partnership with Michael Kent Jr, said. 'She's one of Sheamus' (Mills) yearling buyers and look, he's one of the main players in the stable with Heath Newton and Anthony and it's just very, very satisfying to get a Group 1 for those guys, the mare has deserved it.' As for his star rider, Price had a short and sharp assessment. 'Zahra is Zahra, he just lives in the Group 1 world, doesn't he? But really, really pleased for the mare and the owning group,' he said. Fellow interstate raiders Ameena and Commemorative filled out the placings in the Sangster, Royal Ascot winner Asfoora finished seventh. Zahra has every reason to keep coming back to the Adelaide racing carnival, he has now won three Group 1s over the last two carnivals, along with an SA Derby win aboard Jungle Magnate in 2022, also for Price and Kent Jr. 'It's special. A bit of luck this time last year, a bit more luck this year, but nice to get a couple of good rides for people I ride for, and the races have just worked out, everything went in my favour today,' Zahra said. Mark Zahra celebrates after winning the Robert Sangster Stakes aboard Charm Stone. Picture: Makoto Kaneko Charm Stone will now head to $1m The Goodwood (1200m) on March 10, but Zahra may have another ride in the Morphettville sprint. 'I might have already locked into one, but we can see,' he said. 'I think Giga Kick's coming that day. Anyway, we'll celebrate about this one first. We'll worry about what's happening in two weeks.' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Interest rising in Reserve Bank - Brad Waters Exciting three-year-old Reserve Bank roared into The Goodwood contention with his dominant win in the Group 2 Tobin Bronze Stakes (1200m). In a prophetic pre-race interview, co-trainer Mick Price said Reserve Bank would remain in Adelaide for The Goodwood on May 10 had he won the Tobin Bronze Stakes. Price even perfectly described the run Reserve Bank would have, three-wide with cover from his wide gate, in his pre-race chat. The tactics left star jockey Blake Shinn with one job – ensure Reserve Bank had clear running to work into the race from the home turn. Shinn perfectly carried out his task, ensuring Reserve Bank found no traffic problems, enabling the colt to work through his gears in the straight to score by 1½ lengths over Sabaj ($9) and Winnasedge ($16). 'Well, he jumped, which was good, and gave Blake Shinn an option to be midfield,' Price, who trains Reserve Bank in partnership with Michael Kent Jr, said. 'He got cover, but he was strong to the finish and was strong 1200 (metres). 'So, I'll leave him here with Chris Bieg and we'll train him together and hopefully he can run in Goodwood and run well.' Bookmakers promoted Reserve Bank to the third line of Goodwood betting at $8. The Everest winner Giga Kick is the $2.70 favourite in early betting on the $1m feature. Price and Kent Jr will shoot for their second win in The Goodwood after the pair completed a minor upset with Lombardo in 2022. Price also won The Goodwood twice when training alone from his previous base at Caulfield. He prepared three-year-old colt Perfectly Ready to win The Goodwood from barrier 18 in 2006 and with the classy mare Velocitea in 2010. The Bjorn Baker-trained Imperial Force started as the $3.70 favourite but finished ninth with Jamie Melham in the saddle. Originally published as Charm Stone claims Robert Sangster Stakes to give Mark Zahra Group 1 double at Morphettville
