Latest news with #CountryChampionships
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Warren, Corowa Monday previews: Country Champs winner chasing a treble
COUNTRY Championships-winning trainer Doug Gorrel shapes up for a treble at Corowa on Monday with three horses all blessed with a direct connection to a Melbourne Cup winner. First of the Wagga-housed visitors to race is Dantains Prize, which sports the same predominantly bottle green colours of Gorrel's Country Championships heroine, Asgarda. Like her, Dantains Prize was born and raised at the historic Lamont family farm, Kooringal Stud, which is also home to her sire Prized Icon. Dantains Prize's Melbourne Cup connection dates back 80 years to her eighth dam, Rainbird. As for Gorrel's filly, she is still searching for her first medal of any kind after half a dozen starts. That said, she did manage to hand in her current personal best at her most recent outing when clocking in fourth in an Albury 1400m Country Maiden. 'She's not a bad little pony in trackwork but she's yet to produce it on race day so it was good to see her run that race the other day,'' Gorrel said. 'We've taken the shades (blinkers) off to see if that helps, but she's going well, and if she wants to do it, she has certainly got some wins in her. 'It just concerns me she hasn't put one away yet but she's only had the six starts so here's hoping Monday is the day 'It's really up to her, she's cherry ripe and she's ready to win.' Gorrel meanwhile is rightfully more bullish about the winning prospects of stablemate Tycoon Artie which just happens to claim the aforementioned 1945 Melbourne Cup winner Rainbird as his ninth dam. Tycoon Artie's four white feet have carried him to four wins in his 18 starts including two of his last four appearances. His most recent victory was a comfortable win at the very same venue over the very same trip as Monday's Carlton & United Breweries Benchmark 58 Handicap (1200m). 'He's in top form and probably deserves the paddock but we're going to give him one more and then he can go and have a break,'' Gorrel said. 'He is creeping up in the weights, but I think he'll be pretty hard to beat with John Kissick on. 'He hasn't got enormous ability, but he does try.' All three of Gorrel's Corowa bound trio will be ridden by Kissick, rounded out aboard Sorry Sunshine in the final race on the card. Sorry Sunshine was bred by Gorrel, using a stallion that he says 'no one has ever heard off'. That stallion is Apologia which won once in 11 starts: an 800m maiden at Wingatui, ironically on Melbourne Cup Day in 2006. But that's not Apologia's only connection with the race that stops a nation. His fourth dam is the celebrated broodmare Taiona whose four stakes-winning offspring include Gurner's Lane which famously ran down the immortal Kingston Town in the 1982 renewal. As for Sorry Sunshine, he tackles the eminently suitable Balldale Hotel Benchmark 58 Handicap (1600m) with a solid, recent, fourth still fresh in his trainer's mind. 'I normally space his runs back he can back-up,'' Gorrel said. 'He's done it before. He backed up and won at the Wagga carnival ten days after a non-TAB meeting at Deniliquin so he can do it. 'He probably deserves the paddock too but I think there's one more in him. 'He's just starting to winter up a bit in the coat but his work has been good and it looks a good race for him.' â– â– â– â– â– DUBBO master Michael 'Mick' Mulholland aims to maintain his current hot streak when Warren hosts its first winter meeting of 2025 on Monday. Mulholland is closing in on 200 winners, nine of which have come at the track widely accepted to be the 'Randwick of the West' thanks to its long straights and sweeping bends. Two of Mulholland's last four runners are winners and while his last runner – Jasper's Way – was officially 10th of 13 at Gunnedah, it could and should have been so much different. 'He had no luck at all actually,'' Mulholland said. 'I thought he could have run in the first three if he could have kept going up the fence. 'He was running into it nicely and the 1600m will suit him right down to the ground on Monday. 'He hasn't got a real lot of gate-speed, so he'll sit back a little bit and work into it. 'He's just a big three-year-old that is still learning more than anything.' Jasper's Way is sure to start considerably shorter than his $61 Gunnedah starting price when he fronts-up on Monday for the Warren Showgrounds Class 1 & Maiden Plate (1600m). Jasper's Way is a son of the former crack two-year-old Pariah and member of one of the most notable families in the Australian Stud Book. His fourth dam is Stage Hit whose seven wins include the now Group 1 features; the Coolmore Classic and Canterbury Stakes. There is sure to be a great deal of interest centred on Mulholland-trained gelding The Impeckable which will partner Jasper's Way on the hour-long drive, west from Dubbo. A striking brown/black coloured gelding, The Impeckable hasn't raced since winning at Orange on November 22 last year but has put in the groundwork for his return with a couple of trials at Narromine and Mudgee respectively. 'I was getting him ready for a TAB Highway but a few little niggly things came into play and the weather and things like that,'' Mulholland said. 'This will be his first run back. He's fit enough but I'm just not a hundred per cent if he's a hundred per cent there though, that's all. 'Even though he has trialled good both times, I'm just not convinced myself. 'He has been against some pretty handy horses, and he's hasn't been far away all his runs, he has been very honest right through.'
Perth Now
7 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
WA sporting legend passes away after battle with cancer
South West sporting luminary Malcolm 'Chick' Elson died last week after a long battle with cancer. Elson featured in more than 250 league games for the Boyanup-Capel-Dardanup — now Eaton — Football Club between 1969 and 1985. While his football career saw him suffer injuries including a punctured lung and numerous broken bones, Elson told the Times in 2020 his battle with cancer had been far tougher. 'The cancer hasn't taken over any one time, it keeps moving around, but the oncologists say if you can survive 10 years with cancer, you're a miracle,' he said. 'It's a bit like cards, you either play with the hand you're dealt or chuck him in and give up, and I'd rather keep playing the game.' In his later years, Elson continued his association with sport through masters competitions, playing football with the Bunbury Sharks and Mandurah Makos and representing the Bunbury Bears at basketball's Country Championships. Elson took to the court for the final time at the 2024 edition of the tournament and was on the sidelines in March to cheer on his team for their last go-around. Malcolm 'Chick' Elson. Credit: Nicolette Barbas / Bunbury Herald Earlier this year, Elson told the Times he was confident continuing to play sport had 'helped a hell of a lot' in his fight. The Bunbury Basketball Association said they were 'deeply saddened' by Elson's passing. 'Chick's dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to the sport and the people around him have left an incredible legacy that will not be forgotten, fostering a love for the game that will continue to inspire generations,' they said. 'Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all who had the privilege of knowing him.' Eaton Football Club called Elson 'one of the greats who loved our club with a passion'. 'You always looked forward to our jumper presentation nights where you would proudly present your beloved No.7,' they said. 'Chick, we will all miss you greatly.' Elson is survived by wife Michelle, daughters Jaye, Carly and Kyra and seven grandchildren.
West Australian
22-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Shiloh O'Reilly to jet off to Singapore for 30th annual International Little Athletics Championships
Geraldton athletics star Shiloh O'Reilly is set to represent WA in the under-16s division at the prestigious 30th annual International Little Athletics Championships in Singapore. The 14-year-old, who is coached by her mum Clair, is gearing up for her trip to Singapore in July, which was a goal she set for herself a few years ago when she started her athletics journey. At age 10, Shiloh set out to just win the champion girl honours at her school athletics carnival. Partnered with her mum and coach, the duo set out to nurture her love of athletics, now finding herself competing against the best that State and country have to offer. In March this year, Shiloh impressed as she represented the State in the under-16s heptathlon when she earnt a bronze before two weeks later competing in the high jump where again she won a bronze, adding to her already extensive collection of medals. It has been an impressive career to date for Shiloh, considering she is training as an independent and is completely self-funded. Shiloh trains both on the track and at home in her back paddock where there is equipment suitable for her training, including a high jump set-up. She now finds herself preparing for her biggest meet to date in Singapore, where she will compete in the under-16s high jump. Clair O'Reilly said she was over the moon with her efforts and was immensely proud of her daughter. 'As her mum I am so proud of her and her efforts over her time in the sport,' she said. 'Just the work she has put in since she started has been awesome and has been a special thing to see. 'Then as a coach I am just so excited for her as an athlete and the place that she can potentially go with her talents.' Shiloh jets off to Singapore in the first week of July. SHILOH'S ATHLETICS CV 2022: Country Championships, Kalgoorlie 2023: Country Championships, Northam 2023: State Champion (junior high jump) 2023: State silver medallist (senior high jump) 2023: State bronze medallist (200m hurdles) 2023: Qualified for 80m hurdles 2023: Competed at Australian Track and Field Championships in Brisbane 2023: Competed at Australian Little Athletics Championships 2024: Country Championships, Geraldton 2024: WA State heptathlon 4th place 2024: Competed at Australian Track and Field Championships in Adelaide 2025: Country Championships, Bunbury 2025: WA State Track and Field Championships (bronze in heptathlon) 2025: WA State Track and Field Championships (bronze in senior high jump) 2025: Qualified for Perth nationals 2025: Australian Track and Field Championships in Perth
The Advertiser
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
NEWRL: Coach baffled by Country omissions; newbies' first win; forward's big ban
Rebels coach Garth Brennan is baffled how two Newcastle players, particularly, were overlooked for the NSW Country side. Newcastle won the Country Championships for a third consecutive year in March, but only five players feature in an 18-man Country side named to play City at Brookvale on Saturday. "I was expecting more," Brennan said. "I don't know who the fullback or the hooker is, but they must be exceptionally good. "To keep [Cameron] 'Spider' [Anderson] and Liam Wilkinson out of the team, they must be exceptional players." Newcastle's Country reps include Maitland trio Chad O'Donnell, James Bradley and Matt Soper-Lawler, Central's Lachlan O'Brien and Wests' Jake Goodwin. "I thought he had a great campaign, Jake," Brennan said. "The other four speak for themselves; will never let you down. "I thought Liam Wiscombe (Wests) should have been in the conversation. Luke Higgins (Northern) too. There's a few that were unlucky." Anderson's omission at least means he can try and help Central, who are second last, notch their first win against Wyong on Sunday. Aaron Gorrell-coached Country face City at 1.50pm. Northern Hawks, the newcomers to the women's premiership which kicked off last weekend, started their inaugural campaign with a 10-4 win over Souths on Sunday and Brennan, who is also the Hawks' head of football, described them as the club's "shining light". The Hawks are mostly made up of former Raymond Terrace players, a club no longer in the competition. "The commitment, the team ethic from most of them, whenever we have a function all the girls are there, they've got a really good vibe amongst them that [coach] Brooke Roach has developed," Brennan said. The win came as the Hawks' lost their fourth consecutive men's match. They are dead last ahead of hosting defending premiers Maitland on Saturday. "We're missing [prop] James Taylor," Brennan said. "He is a rough chance this weekend. "We didn't have Henry Penn on Sunday, Floyde Tighe our halfback hasn't been there. It will take time. "The competition is so close. A couple of wins and we're back up there." They escaped with a 12-6 win over Wyong to stay in touch with the top five, but The Entrance are now set to be without forward Jack Alipate for the next month. Alipate copped a combined four-game ban for two charges, dangerous contact and a dangerous throw, in Sunday's Central Coast derby. He won't return until round 10 following a bye. The Entrance, who are 2-2, have had a mixed start to the year but look to be building. On Sunday, they host a Cessnock side who will be without winger Joe Woodbury for the next two games after he was suspended for a shoulder charge. Central hooker Joey Morris was the other player banned out of round five, copping one week for dangerous contact. LADDER: Wests, Maitland (8), Souths, Kurri, Cessnock (6), Lakes, The Entrance (4), Wyong, Macquarie (2), Central, Northern (0). Rebels coach Garth Brennan is baffled how two Newcastle players, particularly, were overlooked for the NSW Country side. Newcastle won the Country Championships for a third consecutive year in March, but only five players feature in an 18-man Country side named to play City at Brookvale on Saturday. "I was expecting more," Brennan said. "I don't know who the fullback or the hooker is, but they must be exceptionally good. "To keep [Cameron] 'Spider' [Anderson] and Liam Wilkinson out of the team, they must be exceptional players." Newcastle's Country reps include Maitland trio Chad O'Donnell, James Bradley and Matt Soper-Lawler, Central's Lachlan O'Brien and Wests' Jake Goodwin. "I thought he had a great campaign, Jake," Brennan said. "The other four speak for themselves; will never let you down. "I thought Liam Wiscombe (Wests) should have been in the conversation. Luke Higgins (Northern) too. There's a few that were unlucky." Anderson's omission at least means he can try and help Central, who are second last, notch their first win against Wyong on Sunday. Aaron Gorrell-coached Country face City at 1.50pm. Northern Hawks, the newcomers to the women's premiership which kicked off last weekend, started their inaugural campaign with a 10-4 win over Souths on Sunday and Brennan, who is also the Hawks' head of football, described them as the club's "shining light". The Hawks are mostly made up of former Raymond Terrace players, a club no longer in the competition. "The commitment, the team ethic from most of them, whenever we have a function all the girls are there, they've got a really good vibe amongst them that [coach] Brooke Roach has developed," Brennan said. The win came as the Hawks' lost their fourth consecutive men's match. They are dead last ahead of hosting defending premiers Maitland on Saturday. "We're missing [prop] James Taylor," Brennan said. "He is a rough chance this weekend. "We didn't have Henry Penn on Sunday, Floyde Tighe our halfback hasn't been there. It will take time. "The competition is so close. A couple of wins and we're back up there." They escaped with a 12-6 win over Wyong to stay in touch with the top five, but The Entrance are now set to be without forward Jack Alipate for the next month. Alipate copped a combined four-game ban for two charges, dangerous contact and a dangerous throw, in Sunday's Central Coast derby. He won't return until round 10 following a bye. The Entrance, who are 2-2, have had a mixed start to the year but look to be building. On Sunday, they host a Cessnock side who will be without winger Joe Woodbury for the next two games after he was suspended for a shoulder charge. Central hooker Joey Morris was the other player banned out of round five, copping one week for dangerous contact. LADDER: Wests, Maitland (8), Souths, Kurri, Cessnock (6), Lakes, The Entrance (4), Wyong, Macquarie (2), Central, Northern (0). Rebels coach Garth Brennan is baffled how two Newcastle players, particularly, were overlooked for the NSW Country side. Newcastle won the Country Championships for a third consecutive year in March, but only five players feature in an 18-man Country side named to play City at Brookvale on Saturday. "I was expecting more," Brennan said. "I don't know who the fullback or the hooker is, but they must be exceptionally good. "To keep [Cameron] 'Spider' [Anderson] and Liam Wilkinson out of the team, they must be exceptional players." Newcastle's Country reps include Maitland trio Chad O'Donnell, James Bradley and Matt Soper-Lawler, Central's Lachlan O'Brien and Wests' Jake Goodwin. "I thought he had a great campaign, Jake," Brennan said. "The other four speak for themselves; will never let you down. "I thought Liam Wiscombe (Wests) should have been in the conversation. Luke Higgins (Northern) too. There's a few that were unlucky." Anderson's omission at least means he can try and help Central, who are second last, notch their first win against Wyong on Sunday. Aaron Gorrell-coached Country face City at 1.50pm. Northern Hawks, the newcomers to the women's premiership which kicked off last weekend, started their inaugural campaign with a 10-4 win over Souths on Sunday and Brennan, who is also the Hawks' head of football, described them as the club's "shining light". The Hawks are mostly made up of former Raymond Terrace players, a club no longer in the competition. "The commitment, the team ethic from most of them, whenever we have a function all the girls are there, they've got a really good vibe amongst them that [coach] Brooke Roach has developed," Brennan said. The win came as the Hawks' lost their fourth consecutive men's match. They are dead last ahead of hosting defending premiers Maitland on Saturday. "We're missing [prop] James Taylor," Brennan said. "He is a rough chance this weekend. "We didn't have Henry Penn on Sunday, Floyde Tighe our halfback hasn't been there. It will take time. "The competition is so close. A couple of wins and we're back up there." They escaped with a 12-6 win over Wyong to stay in touch with the top five, but The Entrance are now set to be without forward Jack Alipate for the next month. Alipate copped a combined four-game ban for two charges, dangerous contact and a dangerous throw, in Sunday's Central Coast derby. He won't return until round 10 following a bye. The Entrance, who are 2-2, have had a mixed start to the year but look to be building. On Sunday, they host a Cessnock side who will be without winger Joe Woodbury for the next two games after he was suspended for a shoulder charge. Central hooker Joey Morris was the other player banned out of round five, copping one week for dangerous contact. LADDER: Wests, Maitland (8), Souths, Kurri, Cessnock (6), Lakes, The Entrance (4), Wyong, Macquarie (2), Central, Northern (0). Rebels coach Garth Brennan is baffled how two Newcastle players, particularly, were overlooked for the NSW Country side. Newcastle won the Country Championships for a third consecutive year in March, but only five players feature in an 18-man Country side named to play City at Brookvale on Saturday. "I was expecting more," Brennan said. "I don't know who the fullback or the hooker is, but they must be exceptionally good. "To keep [Cameron] 'Spider' [Anderson] and Liam Wilkinson out of the team, they must be exceptional players." Newcastle's Country reps include Maitland trio Chad O'Donnell, James Bradley and Matt Soper-Lawler, Central's Lachlan O'Brien and Wests' Jake Goodwin. "I thought he had a great campaign, Jake," Brennan said. "The other four speak for themselves; will never let you down. "I thought Liam Wiscombe (Wests) should have been in the conversation. Luke Higgins (Northern) too. There's a few that were unlucky." Anderson's omission at least means he can try and help Central, who are second last, notch their first win against Wyong on Sunday. Aaron Gorrell-coached Country face City at 1.50pm. Northern Hawks, the newcomers to the women's premiership which kicked off last weekend, started their inaugural campaign with a 10-4 win over Souths on Sunday and Brennan, who is also the Hawks' head of football, described them as the club's "shining light". The Hawks are mostly made up of former Raymond Terrace players, a club no longer in the competition. "The commitment, the team ethic from most of them, whenever we have a function all the girls are there, they've got a really good vibe amongst them that [coach] Brooke Roach has developed," Brennan said. The win came as the Hawks' lost their fourth consecutive men's match. They are dead last ahead of hosting defending premiers Maitland on Saturday. "We're missing [prop] James Taylor," Brennan said. "He is a rough chance this weekend. "We didn't have Henry Penn on Sunday, Floyde Tighe our halfback hasn't been there. It will take time. "The competition is so close. A couple of wins and we're back up there." They escaped with a 12-6 win over Wyong to stay in touch with the top five, but The Entrance are now set to be without forward Jack Alipate for the next month. Alipate copped a combined four-game ban for two charges, dangerous contact and a dangerous throw, in Sunday's Central Coast derby. He won't return until round 10 following a bye. The Entrance, who are 2-2, have had a mixed start to the year but look to be building. On Sunday, they host a Cessnock side who will be without winger Joe Woodbury for the next two games after he was suspended for a shoulder charge. Central hooker Joey Morris was the other player banned out of round five, copping one week for dangerous contact. LADDER: Wests, Maitland (8), Souths, Kurri, Cessnock (6), Lakes, The Entrance (4), Wyong, Macquarie (2), Central, Northern (0).
News.com.au
10-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Bush star Know Thyself claimed a second feature for the autumn with a gritty win the Listed The Coast at Gosford
Country star Know Thyself enhanced his growing reputation as a big money race performer with a tough effort to score at Gosford on Saturday. The Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich -trained gelding backed up his $1 million Country Championships victory last month with an impressive win in the Listed $500,000 The Coast (1600m). It was Know Thyself 's fourth win in succession this preparation and solidifies his standing among the state's best country gallopers. He was left in front a long way from home but his quality shone through to capture the main event on Gosford stand-alone day. 'It was a tough win today,' Messara said. 'I thought the leader really ran along at a good clip and we planned to sit where we did. 'That went to plan but the winner went at a solid number so I thought he was really good to hold them off. 'We just got the blinkers on him and I just wonder if he waited for them to come up to him before he kicked on but he certainly held them at bay and it was a lovely ride by Ash (Morgan).' Morgan, who has enjoyed a career best start to 2025 that included a maiden Group 1 aboard Private Harry, took bad luck out of the equation from barrier 10 and settled outside the lead. Pacesetter Townsend ($10) made sure it was a genuinely run affair but Know Thyself had his measure from the top of the straight. Know Thyself gave his rivals something to catch but held the Annabel and Rob Archibald -trained Depth Of Character ($4.60) to a length margin with Chris Waller 's Mare Of Mt Buller ($9) in third. Know Thyself makes it four on the trot and wins The Coast! ðŸ'¥ @AshMorgan6 | @Paulmessara | @LGavranich â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 10, 2025 • Gai goes back to future with fourth Gosford Gold Cup 'I got to Rach (King on Townsend) early but I just had to work on him and trust that he was fit,' Morgan said. 'I knew he would see the mile out well. 'I felt a little bit vulnerable a furlong and a half out but he dug in late and strongest late. 'He is really tough.' Know Thyself's career earning went soaring past the $1 million mark with his seventh victory in 10 starts. It's been an amazing autumn campaign already for the four-year-old, which has now put four wins together on the bounce. He won his way into the Country Championships Final by capturing the Northern Wild Card before winning the $1 million main event on day one of The Championships. Messara and Gavranich elected to keep him in work following the Country Championships win to target further late carnival riches with Know Thyself winning again in the lead-up to his The Coast assault. 'It's a fantastic program coming through that Country Championships race,' Messara said. 'There is plenty of races for him and it's hard to avoid these races, it's a Listed race and another stakes winner for The Autumn Sun, who we have up at stud. 'It's fantastic.' Never doubt yourself! A finish for the ages in the Country Championships Final, and Know Thyself wins it by a whisker for @Paulmessara and @LGavranich with @Aaronbullock90 aboard! ðŸ'� @aus_turf_club | @WorldPool â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 5, 2025 • Higher Achievement on cards for Waller colt Messara and Gavranich are considering backing up Know Thyself in Listed $200,000 Scone Cup (1600m) next Friday on their home track at Scone. The stable will wait to see how the gelding pulls up in the coming days before making the decision but are eager for Know Thyself to gain eligibility for this year's $3 million Big Dance, held at Royal Randwick on Tuesday, November 4. Rustic Steel successfully completed the The Coast-Scone Cup double in 2022 before claiming the Big Dance. 'That will get him in the race (Scone Cup),' Messara said. 'The horse comes first and we will see how he pulls up from today. 'It was a solid run today and we want to make sure he is a 100 per cent before we make that distance but we might have a wet week this week in Scone so if it's a heavy track we might be tempted to go around.' Messara plans to nominated Know Thyself for the Scone Cup on Monday before deciding whether the stable will run their stable star in the feature event. The first two runners home in the Scone Cup received eligibility for this year's Big Dance.
