Latest news with #ClintonMcDonald
News.com.au
13-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Four-Play, Quadzilla: Gilbert Gardiner's Sandown-Hillside tips for Saturday
Form analyst Gilbert Gardiner presents his best bets plus quaddie selections for the nine-race card at Sandown-Hillside on Saturday. Form analyst Gilbert Gardiner presents his Four-Play and Quadzilla for Sandown-Hillside on Saturday. â– â– â– â– â– SANDOWN-HILLSIDE FOUR-PLAY $25 each-way HELLO ROMEO (2) win at $7.50/2.40 Showed good ability in first racing preparation, only narrowly beaten in a 1000m race on debut and won second-up at Bendigo. Lindsay Park thought enough of the then Hello Youzmain colt to travel to New Zealand for the Karaka Millions 2YO and far from disgraced, beaten 3.3 lengths. Gelded since and jumped out nicely, third in one heat and won the other. Drawn out but more than capable of giving this a shake. Hello Romeo is too good for them to record his first win in the opener at Bendigo! ðŸ'¥ @lindsayparkrace — (@Racing) November 13, 2024 $50 win AHHA AHHA (8) at $2.70 Smart and speedy filly Ahha Ahha won with authority track and distance last start and could easily go on with the job here. Drawn to stalk the speed and with no weight on her back – up in grade – should be hard to run down. Ahha Ahha has won two of nine starts to date and placed on four occasions. The Clinton McDonald-trained filly has an opportunity to build on that record should track conditions suit – does not want the surface too wet. Withdrawn from a similar race last Saturday with rain about. Ahha Ahha utilises a beautiful trip, pouncing at the top of the straight & sprinting away for a comfortable win ðŸ'° @cmcdonaldracing @jamieleekah07 — (@Racing) May 24, 2025 $25 each-way PARIAH PEARL (1) at $15/$4.60 Consistent mare has won two of her past four starts and placed second three back behind the in-form Hughes. Last start led a slightly stronger race at Caulfield and faded in the straight. Back in grade a touch and won at Sandown previously. Drawn to be prominent and EXTREME VIRTUE (2), drawn wide, looks to be the only other speed influence. Pariah Pearl could be hard to hold out should the four-year-old mare be afforded an economical run in transit. Apprentice jockey Tom Prebble has won three of six starts on the mare and been runner-up once. Pariah Pearl continues her strong run of form with victory on Anzac Day ðŸ'° @busuttin — (@Racing) April 25, 2025 $25 each-way MILFORD (6) at $13/$3.90 More than capable on his day and has a dynamite turn of hoof in the right conditions. Third up on Saturday and solid form and improvement the past two 1400m and 1600m events at Caulfield. Up to 1800m now, a winning distance previously, and blinkers reapplied. Just about any horse in the race could this so happy to play at the odds. Include TEMPESTI (3) and lightly-weighted PUDDING (12) in exotics. Milford knocks a few out of the quaddie & salutes at $41! 😳 Did you back him? @decbates @ballymorestabls — (@Racing) May 18, 2024 â– â– â– â– â– SANDOWN-HILLSIDE QUADZILLA LEG 1, RACE 6 ROADCONE (5) was expertly handled last start by apprentice jockey Luke Cartwright to lead and dominate the race with no weight. Drops in grade here but extra 5.5kg could weigh them down a fraction. NATION'S CALL (7) has won third-up twice previously and should be ready to figure in the finish. HIYAAM PROUD (6) second-up after being tried in Sydney last month but struck a heavy track. Should appreciate the Soft (2-2) surface on Saturday. 1ST LEG 5, 6, 7 LEG 2, RACE 7 SABAN (8) could rinse and repeat last start, track and distance winner in similar company. Drawn wide but gets back in the run usually solid enough speed in the race to put the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained gelding back in the frame. SAYEDATY SADATY (10) stuck on last start behind Saban. Is he looking for 2000m now? MILFORD (6) a knockout chance but more than capable on his day. Include PUDDING (12) down in weight. 2ND LEG 6, 8, 10, 12 LEG 3, RACE 8 MANOLO BLING (13) has the speed and upside to offset the wide barrier. Nicely weighted – 53kg with apprentice jockey Tom Prebble claiming two kilograms – and won with authority first-up at Bendigo. Placed fourth last start in Listed grade in Adelaide. Market has the race pretty well figured out with HARRY GOT STYLES (6) and CHINQUI (12) the main threats. Include KATSU (1), first start for Lindsay Park and best form would be good enough. 3RD LEG 1, 6, 12, 13 LEG 4, RACE 9 THE OPEN (15) has been around the mark the past three starts and should be in the picture again. Too far back last start and worked to the line to run third but never a serious threat. Hard fit and suited by conditions. HUGHES (12) has been a model of consistency, won three of the past four starts. RUN HARRY RUN (7) worked into contention first-up but peaked on the run. The four-year-old gelding has won second-up and winkers applied. Include LIM'S KOSCIUSZKO (1) and CAFE MILLENIUM (10). 4TH LEG 1, 7, 10, 12, 15
The Australian
07-06-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Miss Ole prevails as future star fillies emerge at Flemington
Miss Ole and Espana stamped their credentials as fillies of the future at Flemington on Saturday. The pair engaged in a stirring duel late in the Brendan Drechsler Handicap (1100m), with Miss Ole, trained by Clinton McDonald, shading Espana on the post. Racenet iQ members get full access to our Pro Tips service, where Greg and our team of professional punters provide daily tips with fully transparent return on investment statistics. SUBSCRIBE NOW and start punting like a pro! Espana, trained by Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans, pinched a break inside the last 200m and held a margin until Miss Ole stretched out. 'She's a winner,' McDonald said. 'She had to be tough there, she was just coming and coming. 'I was confident but it was coming very quickly the post. 'I know Lloyd Kennewell has a good opinion of his horse … it ran fantastic, I think it will be a good form race and she can go to the paddock … and we'll look for something in the spring for her.' McDonald said the straight experience would benefit Miss Ole on a spring path towards the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Derby Day. 'She's not a big filly but she's tough and tenacious,' McDonald said. 'We don't know where the ceiling is just yet. 'She's been down the straight so we'll look at the Flemington straight races for the three-year-olds, we'll see where she ends up … obviously a race like the Coolmore could be on the cards. 'We'll target something like that, I think she's a very good filly and I think she'll keep improving.' Miss Ole stepped slowly on debut at Warrnambool and finished fifth. She made amends with a strong come-from-behind at Sandown last start. 'It's good to have another nice filly and she'll be somewhere in the spring,' McDonald said. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ETNA ERUPTS Fire Of Etna scraped the rail under star apprentice Jaylah Kennedy to win the 1400m Benchmark 78 on Saturday at Flemington. Fire Of Etna, one of three Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained mares in the field, drove through on the fence, inside the eventual third-placed stablemate Avebury, to get the result. 'She's a really tough mare, been really honest throughout her whole career,' Sam Freedman said. 'Probably the last 10 days she's really come to life, bouncing around the place ready to run a good race, she looks outstanding. 'Avebury was very tough, probably just did a bit of work early. To this mares credit, she bobs up sometimes when you least expect it. 'Great ride from Jaylah, she was patient, waited and there wasn't much of a run there, great ride.' Fire Of Etna returned $19 despite having won two of three starts first-up previously. MUKTAMIL PUTS MIND ON JOB Muktamil made hard work of the 2520m Benchmark 84 at Flemington. The consistent gelding, trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, trucked into the race ominously but waited for eventual placegetters Bold Soul and Goldenstatewarrior. 'He's always consistent but he's a thinker,' Busuttin said. 'He's jogged into it and probably looked like he was going to put them away and did a hard job of it. 'He could've put them away easier I think, but a win's a win and we'll take it.' Gilbert Gardiner Sports reporter Gilbert Gardiner is a sports reporter for the Herald Sun and Sunday Herald Sun. @gilbertgardiner Gilbert Gardiner
News.com.au
07-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Miss Ole prevails at Flemington to stamp Coolmore Stud Stakes ambitions
Miss Ole and Espana stamped their credentials as fillies of the future at Flemington on Saturday. The pair engaged in a stirring duel late in the Brendan Drechsler Handicap (1100m), with Miss Ole, trained by Clinton McDonald, shading Espana on the post. Espana, trained by Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans, pinched a break inside the last 200m and held a margin until Miss Ole stretched out. 'She's a winner,' McDonald said. 'She had to be tough there, she was just coming and coming. 'I was confident but it was coming very quickly the post. 'I know Lloyd Kennewell has a good opinion of his horse … it ran fantastic, I think it will be a good form race and she can go to the paddock … and we'll look for something in the spring for her.' Miss Ole too strong at Flemington giving her back-to-back metro wins, a filly on the rise! @cmcdonaldracing @bennallen44 @FlemingtonVRC â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) June 7, 2025 McDonald said the straight experience would benefit Miss Ole on a spring path towards the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Derby Day. 'She's not a big filly but she's tough and tenacious,' McDonald said. 'We don't know where the ceiling is just yet. 'She's been down the straight so we'll look at the Flemington straight races for the three-year-olds, we'll see where she ends up … obviously a race like the Coolmore could be on the cards. 'We'll target something like that, I think she's a very good filly and I think she'll keep improving.' Miss Ole stepped slowly on debut at Warrnambool and finished fifth. She made amends with a strong come-from-behind at Sandown last start. 'It's good to have another nice filly and she'll be somewhere in the spring,' McDonald said. â– â– â– â– â–
News.com.au
06-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
In-form jockey Ben Allen aiming to continue winter hot streak at Flemington
Jockey Ben Allen wants to build on recent form, consistency and continuity with key rides at Flemington on Saturday. Allen has ridden 22 winners the past month, including multiples at Caulfield, Pakenham, Kilmore and Sale, to build a solid foundation for the winter season. 'I'm just getting better rides and being a bit more consistent,' Allen said. 'I've always been a bit stop start in my career … I'm trying to be more consistent, just keep riding as much as I can and ride for as many people as I can and it seems to be working. 'I've been getting really good support the past few weeks, a lot of riders going away. I've got the opportunities and a lot of luck as well, you need luck on the side and the right horses. 'It will be harder when the bigger riders get back, but while they're gone I've got to make the most of it … it can turn very quickly racing. 'One week you're flying and the other week you could be struggling, so I take it as it comes.' Allen has five rides at Flemington on Saturday including smart two-year-old Miss Ole. The Clinton McDonald-trained filly won nicely at Sandown last start under Ben Melham. 'She's pretty smart,' Allen said. 'I didn't do too much on her (Tuesday gallop), just got a feel and I like her.' Miss Ole stepped slowly first-up at Warrnambool and rattled home to run fifth. The Ole Kirk filly jumped cleanly at Sandown last month and duly saluted. Miss Ole is $2.20 for the 1100m Brendan Drechsler Handicap from Espana, placed third on debut behind the favourite. First starters Santana and Sonofkirk round out the top four in the market. Allen has Oh Too Good in the VOBIS Gold Mile (1600m) on Saturday. The $3.10 second elect behind last-start winner Jimmy The Bear is third-up at Flemington. Oh Too Good placed fourth last start at Sandown. 'She can improve up in trip,' Allen said. 'Drawn outside is ideal, take her time getting across, and she ran well at Flemington before.' Oh Too Good was touched off in a 1600m race at Flemington second-up last campaign. Allen's other Flemington rides include Stylish (Race 3), backing up after a luckless start last Saturday at Caulfield, Ardakan (R7) and Tijuana (R9).
News.com.au
26-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Cranbourne trainer Clinton McDonald with unraced army preparing for spring
Youth will spearhead Cranbourne trainer Clinton McDonald 's rebuild after the loss of several of his stable stars. McDonald lost some of his best horses in the first half of 2025 for various reasons beyond his control, costing him potential feature wins during the autumn. Last year's Blue Diamond Stakes winner Hayasugi died after complications following surgery while smart three-year-olds Stanley Express and Refusetobeenglish left his stable to race in Hong Kong. McDonald also lost Group 2 winner Angel Capital to the Chris Waller stable after powerful owner and breeder Yu Long Investments bought the exciting three-year-old. 'We lost a lot of good horses,' McDonald said. 'In any stable, that puts a massive hole.' However, McDonald said his stable numbers have improved significantly in recent times with the aid of bloodstock agent Shane McGrath, with whom he combined to secure Hayasugi as a yearling. McDonald said more than 80 per cent of horses on the books have not raced, leaving the stable optimistic of a bumper spring period. 'Shane has been really helping me drive the business and get more horses and it's going well,' McDonald said. 'We've got some really nice young horses coming through. 'It's the most horses that we've had on the books. 'I think there's about 130 horses there and only 19 that have raced there's a lot of young horses there. 'But we've got a good team for the spring.' McDonald's stable has been firing during the late autumn period with seven winners from its last 21 runners, including a winning double at last Saturday's Sandown meeting. Three-year-old filly Ahha Ahha completed the stable's double after two-year-old Miss Ole made up for blowing the start at Warrnambool with a decisive win at her second outing. McDonald said he expected both horses to develop into stakes contenders during the spring.
