Latest news with #ClarendonStakes
News.com.au
04-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Mitch Cohen's Blackbook: Five to follow from Hawkesbury Saturday
News Corp racing expert Mitch Cohen has analysed all the performances from Saturday's Hawkesbury stand-alone meeting and found a few worth following. FIVE TO FOLLOW AERODROME (1st, Race 3) Two wins from two by this promising son of Ole Kirk after his determined victory in the Clarendon Stakes. Stakes tests await in Queensland and he's going to make his presence felt. ✈ï¸� Aerodrome flies to remain unbeaten and take the Clarendon Stakes at @hawkesburyrc! @MFreedmanRacing | @Reganbayliss — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 3, 2025 HEREWARD (2nd, Race 3) Take nothing away from the Aerodrome but this juvenile deserves plenty of credit after leading the field up and sticking on for second on debut over 1400m. He won't be a maiden for long. JUST PARTY (2nd, Race 6) A gelding operation appears to have done the trick with this Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained galloper making an excellent return to just come up short in the Hawkesbury Guineas. He's in for a great prep. ðŸŒ� Media World hangs on in the G3 @hawkesburyrc Guineas and makes it two in a row! @SnowdenRacing1 | @G1TySchil | @YulongInvest — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 3, 2025 Burst through closer to the inside before getting gunned down by a race fit horse in Dragonstone with In Flight close up as well. It was a more than acceptable return and bodes well for the prep ahead over the winter months. HOLLYWOOD HERO (4th, Race 10) It was a race dominated by on-speed runners but he ran on well enough fresh from a break to just miss the placings. He's not a noted first-up performer so he looks set for a fruitful campaign. A great battle between Cool Jakey and Gallant Star in the last at @hawkesburyrc, with Cool Jakey the winner - giving @PrideRacing a treble and Adam Hyeronimus a double! — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 3, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– STEWARDS SAY Starboard (Race 1): Hung in throughout the event and proved difficult to ride. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities apart from losing its off-fore plate during running. Damien (Race 3): Did not respond to his riding and was disappointing in the manner in which it closed off the race. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Coco Jamboo (Race 7): A power malfunction of the barriers delayed the start significantly and the mare was ultimately flat-footed when they jumped, losing five lengths. Stewards placed a warning on her barrier manners. Celui (Race 9): Was found to have bled for the first time and is now banned from racing for three months. Fire Star (Race 9): Did not handle the Heavy track and was further disadvantaged by being obliged to race close to the rail in the home straight. No abnormalities were found but his post-race condition will be followed up. â– â– â– â– â– THE CLOCK SAID Aerodrome (Race 3): Trailed pacesetter Hereward in the run and did his best work late to overpower the David Payne-trained galloper. Aerodrome's last 600m was 34.86 seconds with runner-up Hereward in 35.22. Able Willie (Race 4): Only had one runner behind him at the 600m before surging home to win. He was the only horse to break 34 in the race, surging home with a last 600m of 33.75 seconds. Willing and able! Able Willie wins first up for @cwallerracing and @nashhot ðŸ'� @hawkesburyrc — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 3, 2025 Media World (race 6): Was able to control the speed from the front in the Hawkesbury Guineas before holding on with a last 600m of 34.81 seconds. Runner-up Just Party ran the same distance in a faster 34.06 but couldn't run him down. City Of Lights (race 7): Camped in behind the leaders, this mare surged home in the Hawkesbury Crown with a last 600m of 33.32. Defending champ Coco Jamboo missed the start before finishing off in a race-best 33.13. â– â– â– â– â– TRACK TALK 'I have never had a horse with a pedigree like hers. It's a pedigree made in heaven, a half-sister to Winx by one of the best stallions (Deep Impact) to stand on the planet.' Joe Pride on City Of Lights. 'We were very tempted to geld him but Yulong wanted to give me one more chance with him as a colt and I'm glad they did.' Peter Snowden on Media World. 'I'm hoping he could emerge as a Stradbroke Handicap – he's heading in the right direction, that's for sure.' Snowden again. 'I could hardly pull him up after the post. He has a bright future.'' Regan Bayliss on Aerodrome. 'I will see how he pulls up but all going well we will look at Brisbane now for Aerodrome.' Michael Freedman. 'You could expect him to half not want to be here but he was better than last week.'' Nash Rawiller after Punch Lane 's latest win. Punch Lane leads all the way in the G3 @hawkesburyrc Gold Cup and wins in style!ðŸ�† That's also a double to @nashhot ðŸ'° @FreedmanRacing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 3, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– YOU CAN BET ON IT Hawkesbury Crown City Of Lights was well supported and got backed into $6 after opening at $11. There was winning $2000 wager at $5.50 placed. Hawkesbury Gold Cup All the money was for Punch Lane and the favourite saluted at $2.30 with a weight of dough behind it. Big wins included a $10,000 bet on the winner at $2.30 and a separate $9000 wager placed at $2.20. Hawkesbury Gold Rush Dragonstone was on the fourth line of TAB betting but had drifted out from $6 to $7.50 by the time it saluted. One TAB punter had $2000 each-way on the winner at $5/$1.85. â– â– â– â– â– THE SCHEDULE Monday: Grafton, Gunnedah Tuesday: Kembla Grange Wednesday: Warwick Farm Thursday: Goulburn, Wyong Friday: Coffs Harbour Saturday: Kembla Grange, Gosford, Lismore, Glen Innes Sunday: Mudgee, Queanbeyan â– â– â– â– â– RON DUFFICY'S HAWKESBURY SNAPSHOT RUN OF THE DAY Punch Lane has had a real crack doing it both ends winning over the past three weeks in a row. He is in rare form and is a credit to his trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman. FORGET THEY RAN No dramatic hard luck stories on the day although I'd be forgiving of horses that got back and had to make their run out wide while the well fancied Celui bled which explains his failure. THE BLACKBOOK Aerodrome is a lovely two-year-old that could well be a force during the Queensland Winter Carnival while Just Party was terrific first-up as a gelding and might be ready to go through his grades this campaign. Nash Rawiller did it best with a riding double and two close seconds.
The Australian
03-05-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Aerodrome set for Queensland Winter Carnival campaign after Hawkesbury win
Trainer Michael Freedman has every reason to aim promising two-year-old Aerodrome at the Brisbane carnival after he maintained his perfect race record at Hawkesbury on Saturday. Aerodrome was burdened with 58.5kg topweight on the heavy track but showed his class taking out the $160,000 Clarendon Stakes (1400m). Freedman, a master trainer of two-year-olds, said Aerodrome will be aimed at Eagle Farm's two feature juvenile races, the Group 2 $1m BRC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) on May 31 and the Group 1 $1m JJ Atkins (1600m) on June 14. • 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! 'I will see how he pulls up but all going well we will look at Brisbane now for Aerodrome,'' Freedman said. 'There's a month to the Sires' but he won't need to race again although if he needs it I might give him a barrier trial. 'Then we can look at the JJ Atkins as well because I don't think 1600m will be any issue. 'The best part about both of Aerodrome's wins have been his last 200m – he has been very strong through the line.'' Aerodrome ($2.10) favourite, the topical tip at the Hawkesbury stand-alone given the close proximity of the Royal Australian Air Force base at Richmond, was the immediate chaser of leader Hereward ($41) through the race wearing his brave rival down to win by three-quarters of a length with a similar margin to Zebra Finch ($12). Jockey Regan Bayliss described Aerodrome as a 'beautiful horse who just keeps getting better and better'. 'He certainly knows where the winning post is,'' Bayliss said. 'I'm not sure the Heavy 8 was to his complete liking as he has such a nice action but, as he does, he found a way to win. 'I have no problem with him running a strong mile (1600m). I could hardly pull him up after the post. He has a bright future.'' Regan Bayliss returns to scale aboard Aerodrome after winning the Clarendon Stakes. Picture:The Clarendon Stakes is pushing for Group or Listed status with Aerodrome joining an honour roll that includes Group 1 winners Zardozi and Zoustar. Aerodrome continues Freedman's successful season with his two-year-old team highlighted by Marhoona's Golden Slipper triumph, giving the trainer his second win in the world's richest two-year-old race after Stay Inside won in 2021. A $190,000 Inglis Easter Sale graduate, Aerodrome is a son of first-season sire sensation, Ole Kirk, himself the winner of the 2020 Golden Rose-Caulfield Guineas Group 1 double. Ole Kirk, who stands at Vinery Stud, is represented by his first crop to race this season and already has 10 individual winners including four stakes winners of five stakes races for earnings of nearly $3 million to be leading first-season sire in all four categories. His fee for the upcoming breeding season has increased from $55,000 to $99,000 (inc. GST). Freedman took particular satisfaction winning for Aerodrome's ownership groups that includes Sean Dyson, who works in the mining industry, and is becoming a significant investor in the sport.
News.com.au
03-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Aerodrome set for Queensland Winter Carnival campaign after Clarendon Stakes win at Hawkesbury
Trainer Michael Freedman has every reason to aim promising two-year-old Aerodrome at the Brisbane carnival after he maintained his perfect race record at Hawkesbury on Saturday. Aerodrome was burdened with 58.5kg topweight on the heavy track but showed his class taking out the $160,000 Clarendon Stakes (1400m). Freedman, a master trainer of two-year-olds, said Aerodrome will be aimed at Eagle Farm's two feature juvenile races, the Group 2 $1m BRC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) on May 31 and the Group 1 $1m JJ Atkins (1600m) on June 14. 'I will see how he pulls up but all going well we will look at Brisbane now for Aerodrome,'' Freedman said. 'There's a month to the Sires' but he won't need to race again although if he needs it I might give him a barrier trial. 'Then we can look at the JJ Atkins as well because I don't think 1600m will be any issue. 'The best part about both of Aerodrome's wins have been his last 200m – he has been very strong through the line.'' ✈ï¸� Aerodrome flies to remain unbeaten and take the Clarendon Stakes at @hawkesburyrc! @MFreedmanRacing | @Reganbayliss â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 3, 2025 Aerodrome ($2.10) favourite, the topical tip at the Hawkesbury stand-alone given the close proximity of the Royal Australian Air Force base at Richmond, was the immediate chaser of leader Hereward ($41) through the race wearing his brave rival down to win by three-quarters of a length with a similar margin to Zebra Finch ($12). Jockey Regan Bayliss described Aerodrome as a 'beautiful horse who just keeps getting better and better'. 'He certainly knows where the winning post is,'' Bayliss said. 'I'm not sure the Heavy 8 was to his complete liking as he has such a nice action but, as he does, he found a way to win. 'I have no problem with him running a strong mile (1600m). I could hardly pull him up after the post. He has a bright future.'' The Clarendon Stakes is pushing for Group or Listed status with Aerodrome joining an honour roll that includes Group 1 winners Zardozi and Zoustar. Aerodrome continues Freedman's successful season with his two-year-old team highlighted by Marhoona's Golden Slipper triumph, giving the trainer his second win in the world's richest two-year-old race after Stay Inside won in 2021. A $190,000 Inglis Easter Sale graduate, Aerodrome is a son of first-season sire sensation, Ole Kirk, himself the winner of the 2020 Golden Rose-Caulfield Guineas Group 1 double. Ole Kirk, who stands at Vinery Stud, is represented by his first crop to race this season and already has 10 individual winners including four stakes winners of five stakes races for earnings of nearly $3 million to be leading first-season sire in all four categories. His fee for the upcoming breeding season has increased from $55,000 to $99,000 (inc. GST). Freedman took particular satisfaction winning for Aerodrome's ownership groups that includes Sean Dyson, who works in the mining industry, and is becoming a significant investor in the sport.
News.com.au
01-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Kris Lees hoping Tavi Time can take the first step towards Big Dance redemption with victory in the Hawkesbury Gold Cup
Trainer Kris Lees will have one eye on Big Dance redemption for Tavi Time when his classy campaigner headlines a heavy-handed assault on Hawkesbury's stand-alone card on Saturday. Lees will nearly have all bases covered with runners in four of the five feature races at the meeting, which is expected to take place on a rain affected track. Tavi Time ($8) will line up as one of the leading contenders in the Group 3 $250,000 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) with Jason Collett back in the saddle. A spot in this year's $3m Big Dance is the main carrot for Tavi Time, which started favourite in the same race last year before finishing fourth in the main event. The consistent five-year-old has returned in top order this preparation after finishing a narrow second to Sandpaper first-up at Royal Randwick on All Aged Stakes Day. 'He was good first-up on a solid tempo and was at his top a long way out, which might have just found him out a touch,' Lees said. 'He's going well and the plan is to get him to the Big Dance again. 'He has good soft track form and the one run on really heavy was when the Gosford meeting got transferred to Newcastle so I would probably run him on an (heavy) eight or so.' Tavi Time will be supported by new arrival Love Poem in the Group 3 $250,000 Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m), promising colt Damien in the Clarendon Stakes (1400m) while Brudenell and Bubba's Bay make up a two-pronged attack in the Listed $200,0000 Hawkesbury Gold Rush (1100m). Love Poem ($16) is making her debut for Lees in the Guineas. Sandpaper hangs on to win the last at Randwick! @BBakerRacing | @nashhot | @aus_turf_club | @Darby_Racing â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 19, 2025 • Smith's 'unbelievable' win on game-changing day for NSW racing Kiwi trainer Stephen Marsh had the Snitzel filly to start her career and brought her over for the Group 3 P J Bell Stakes at Royal Randwick on day one of The Championships, where she finished ninth. Lees was a close observer of the race. 'I thought she raced a bit keenly watching the replay and we didn't have her then,' he said. 'She was little keen and has arrived in good order. 'She looks great and has had a tick over trial. From that gate (14) we probably have to give her a chance to be smothered up a touch.' Damien ($3.90) is on trial for a potential trip to Queensland and a crack at the Group 1 JJ Atkins Stakes if he can perform in the Clarendon Stakes with Jason Collett aboard. The emerging son of Hellbent put a field of older horses away stylishly first-up in a dominant 1200m event on home turf at Newcastle. 'Damien has returned in good order,' Lees said. 'It was a pretty strong maiden win against older horses, albeit I am not sure how much depth there was, it was a good test for him. 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¤� â€' (@Racing) February 28, 2025 • Shayne O'Cass's race-by-race tips, analysis for Hawkesbury on Saturday 'Being by Hellbent would suggest he will handle the ground but we will see. He looked OK when he trialled on it and wasn't put under a great deal of pressure so I would say it was a little inconclusive on whether he handles it.' Sprinters Brudenell ($12) and Bubba's Bay ($9) are at opposite ends of their preparations. Brudenell, to be ridden by Dylan Gibbons, is deep in his preparation and is looking to bounce back to his best after being caught wide and fading in the Group 3 Star Kingdom Stakes last start. Bubba's Bay is returning from a spell with Josh Parr booked to ride. 'Brudenell was a forgive run, off the track and working at Rosehill, they never win,' Lees said. 'He is a fit horse so soft is fine but really heavy is a reconsider. 'Bubba's Bay is a really consistent race mare and her trials have been good. 'She will sprint well fresh and improve with racing. We don't want it really heavy first-up.' 'There are a lot of fillies and mares options for her and I wouldn't rule out a Tatt's Tiara for her.'
