Latest news with #CoxPlate
News.com.au
a day ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Champion mare Via Sistina to kick off latest Cox Plate pursuit in Randwick trial
Champion mare Via Sistina's build-up to her latest Cox Plate tilt will gather momentum when she headlines a star-studded barrier trial session at Royal Randwick on Tuesday. Trainer Chris Waller will get an early guide on how his spring carnival arsenal are going when Via Sistina steps up alongside star stablemates Fangirl, Aeliana, Autumn Glow and Wodeton. Via Sistina is making her first public appearance since her dominant Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in April as she prepares to chase consecutive Cox Plate wins this spring. She lines up in a 850m heat alongside Fangirl while Canadian Group 1 winner Full Count Felicia also steps out. Golden Slipper runner up Wodeton, brilliant Australian Derby winner Aeliana, unbeaten boom filly Autumn Glow and Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes victor Lazzura contest a second 850m heat. 'They will all have very quiet trials on Tuesday, they are a month away from racing,' Waller said. 'The 23rd of August they will be racing. If everything goes to plan (they will have two trials). 'We allow an extra week just in case for a temperature or sore foot and things like that. 'Nine times out of 10 you need it and sometimes you will see them have an exhibition gallop if they haven't had a problem. 'It's just about being careful. You are a month away so you can imagine how much fitness is going to be done in the next month.' Sydney's first Group 1 of the new season, the Group 1 $1 million Winx Stakes, will be staged on August 23. Waller is considering another heavy-handed assault of the race with past winners Via Sistina and Fangirl while Aeliana and Lady Shenandoah, which will trial on Friday at Warwick Farm, are also candidates. 'All four of them could clash in the Winx first-up – Lady Shenandoah, Aeliana, Via Sistina and Fangirl ,' Waller said. 'Autumn Glow will probably go down a handicap path towards an Epsom.' Waller conceded the Winx Stakes may be Via Sistina's only run in Sydney this spring as the stable gives serious consideration to the Group 1 $750,000 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 13 for her second-up assignment. She followed the same path last year after winning the Winx Stakes. “This is a demolition job!â€� Pride Of Jenni runs her rivals ragged with a fantastic front-running ride by @decbates to win the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes! Via Sistina ran on into second and Mr Brightside finished third. @cmaherracing @tabcomau — Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) April 13, 2024 'I think the Makybe Diva will create a bit of interest to us with there being such a gap between the Winx and the King Charles,' Waller said. 'Then you have the Chelmsford but I think the Makybe Diva might suit her and then maybe the Turnbull. 'The Winx could be here only run in Sydney but I won't rule out that she won't stay here either.' Waller will also get a glimpse of one of his soon to be new arrivals when Silver Slipper winner Beiwacht contests the same heat. Beiwacht is among a string of Godolphin heavyweights that will step out on the morning as they prepare to move to new homes next season. Tom Kitten Zardozi, which heads to Ciaron Maher at the beginning of next season.
Courier-Mail
a day ago
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
End of an era for Godolphin in Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. A few tears might be shed when an era ends after Saturday's Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield. The race will feature the last runners prepared from Godolphin's Crown Lodge operation at Flemington and trainer James Cummings' last Stakes runners for the operation. • 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! The Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum-owned Godolphin operation opted to cease employing a private trainer when James Cummings decided to quit the role to take up a Hong Kong training contract. Godolphin will disperse its team into stables including the Ciaron Maher, Ben, Will and JD Hayes and Chris Waller camps, along with the Anthony and Sam Freedman stable, which has prepared horses for Godolphin for some years. Godolphin's Flemington operation has saddled the winners of 101 stakes races, including 19 at Group 1 level. Cox Plate winner Anamoe, dual Australian Cup winner Cascadian and the 2025 All-Star Mile winner Tom Kitten are among the top level winners to spend their time in Melbourne at the 'blue army's' Flemington base. Anamoe provided James Cummings with three of his 19 Group 1 wins for Godolphin's Melbourne stable. Picture: Getty Images. Godolphin's Melbourne representative Nacim Dilmi said the stable will have three runners in its bid for a third Bletchingly Stakes after winning the feature sprint with Viridine in 2020 and Ingratiating in 2023. 'It's going to be a sad day for us as they will be our last runners,' Dilmi said. 'We'll run Inhibitions, Kin and Kallos and we're hoping they can end things with a great result.' Both Inhibitions and Kallos will have their second-up runs in the Bletchingly Stakes while Kin campaigned in Queensland before finishing fifth in the Sir John Monash Stakes at her last outing. 'Inhibitions ran well first-up and she has done well since but, without seeing the weather forecast, she'd like some juice in the track,' Dilmi said. 'Kin likes racing at Caulfield and did a good job in the Monash, she won't be far away. 'I thought Kallos ran all right first-up but he'll be a lot better for the first-up run and can run a better race.' Dilmi said the Flemington team's numbers had dwindled to 10 in recent weeks as horses were transferred to other stables. However, he said the staff had been busy preparing Crown Lodge for its next tenant. 'We're cleaning up the stables and packing up all the gear, keeping the staff busy,' Dilmi said. 'We started quite a while ago, every time the horses departed, so there's not too much to do at the end. 'Chris Waller is taking over Carbine Lodge so we want to give him the stable in the best condition.' Dilmi said Cummings would head to Melbourne on Thursday for a celebratory drink with staff before the final acts of his Victorian stable on Saturday. 'It will be a good send-off. There's a lot to celebrate,' Dilmi said. 'It will be quite emotional next Saturday, for sure. 'The horses will come back to Flemington after the race and we'll look at them and see how they pull up but on Monday or Tuesday, they'll be going.' Originally published as Godolphin trainer James Cummings to have last Melbourne runners in Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
MRC maintains Caulfield Cup prizemoney as part of strategy to attract more World Pool fixtures
Melbourne Racing Club has committed to review Caulfield Cup prizemoney next year. The Caulfield Cup – the first of three prestigious Victorian spring carnival majors – missed out on an increase this year by design, while the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cupattracted significant boosts. 'We are very comfortable that the $5m prizemoney for the Caulfield Cup is the right setting,' acting MRC chief executive Tanya Fullarton said. 'Adding $1m to Caulfield Cup prizemoney would not improve the field at all and that would be a less sensible application of money we have used to enhance our broader stakes races. 'We will review prizemoney for our marquee races each year to make sure they maintain their competitiveness and prestige.' • 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! Racing Victoria, responsible for prizemoney, announced stakes for the 2025-26 season last week. The peak body afforded clubs an opportunity to make their own strategic changes after significant consultation and collaboration through successful industry forums. Moonee Valley Racing Club raised the Cox Plate to $6m (up from $5) to mark a historic last running of Australia's best race on the traditional circuit before its racecourse redevelopment. Victoria Racing Club lifted the Melbourne Cup to $10m (up from $8.75m) to reflect its importance to the Australian sporting and cultural landscape. • Shinn vote produces lofty Flemington expectations The MRC chose to share more than $2m in prizemoney top-ups across multiple Group 1 and feature races. Fullarton said the MRC wanted to get its 'race programming right' before any further prizemoney consideration. 'You need the right races on the right days,' Fullarton said. 'We all want to see the best horses competing and every major MRC race day in the spring is now significantly better and more exciting. 'Racing Victoria has done a good job and listened to clubs, owners, trainers and breeders in fixing spring programming … and respect the racing pattern.' Duke De Sessa winning last year's Caulfield Cup, which will remain at $5m. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images Program changes included Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (September 20) and Thousand Guineas (October 18) back to traditional slots after being tried in mid-November since 2023. The Group 1 CF Orr Stakes moved to November 15 – from autumn – and Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes prizemoney boosted to $1m – up from $200,000 – rounded out a Caulfield spring calendar reshuffle. • Shades of Robbie Laing in young trainer's Sandown hope The four multiple $1m/Group 1 spring race cards could help MRC 'qualify' for more lucrative World Pool fixtures. 'World Pool is a brilliant innovation led by the Hong Kong Jockey Club that yields extra revenue to the club and a deeper pool for Australian punters,' Fullarton said. The MRC is set to advance talks this week with HKJC counterparts on future World Pool events. Caulfield hosted only two World Pool fixtures this season, the 2024 Caulfield Cup and five races on Futurity Stakes day last February. The HKJC-powered World Pool is a co-mingled global betting market on selected race dates. The World Pool has potential to return stronger tote dividends, especially on horses, trainers and jockeys known to Hong Kong punters, while the host jurisdictions and race clubs benefit directly from royalty arrangements. Originally published as MRC maintains Caulfield Cup prizemoney as part of strategy to enhance programming and attract more World Pool fixtures
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Tony Gollan unfazed by prospect of Antino taking on Via Sistina in Cox Plate
Tony Gollan has the highest respect for Via Sistina but has virtually wiped her name from his brain as he uses a laser focus to plot a path towards the Cox Plate for Queensland freak Antino. Nine-time Group 1-winning superstar Via Sistina ($2.30) and Antino ($6) are top of the pops in early Cox Plate betting and it's an even more tantalising prospect considering they are potentially likely to clash several times beforehand. Champion Queensland trainer Gollan is relishing the challenge and said he won't be ducking and diving from tangling with Via Sistina. 'I am aware that we will probably run into Via Sistina after she runs in the Winx Stakes and we will probably run into her the rest of the way through during the spring,' Gollan said. 'But I am more focused on Antino than I am worried about someone else's horse. 'Chris (Waller) has got his own plan for his horse and I've got my own plan for mine, based on what I think will work for me. 'I can alter off that plan if I want but it wouldn't be to be dodging Via Sistina, I would only be changing if I felt I needed to add an extra run before the Cox Plate. 'It's just a process to have Antino at his best for the Cox Plate. 'And I just feel this is the perfect preparation for him, providing everything can go smoothly for us.' ANTINO WINS THE GROUP 1 DOOMBEN CUP!! @tonygollan @blake_shinn @BrisRacingClub @RaceQLD — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) May 24, 2025 Via Sistina has been a racing phenomenon for some time, taking the breath of the racing world away when she spanked her Cox Plate rivals by eight lengths last spring. Antino has been more of a work in progress but he showed last year's Group 1 Toorak Handicap triumph was no fluke when he torched his Group 1 Doomben Cup opposition by four lengths during the recent Queensland winter carnival. Gollan has successfully turned Antino from a sprinter-miler into a middle distance weapon and the exciting gelding ran past Pride Of Jenni like she was standing still when scoring the Doomben Cup in record time. Antino is back in work and Gollan said he wants his stable star to be fourth-up when racing in the Cox Plate. He has tailored an elite spring preparation to suit. 'His first-up run will be Memsie Stakes on August 30 and from there we go two weeks to the Makybe Diva Stakes, they are the two races locked in,' Gollan said. 'Everything going well, my plan would be then three weeks into the Turnbull Stakes and then three weeks into Cox Plate. 'He would be fourth-up into the Cox Plate which I think is probably his optimum. 'Then after that we would hopefully go onto the Champions Stakes as his fifth run of the campaign. 'Antino has put on nice weight, off a short break, and he is doing a bit of three quarter pace work this week as we build things up for him.' Antino and Blake Shinn have been a perfect match, with the star Victorian jockey getting the best out of the Queensland superstar by setting off around his rivals and sustaining a long sprint in his Group 1 wins. Every indication is that the unique Moonee Valley circuit will suit those daring tactics.
New Paper
14-07-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
Plenty of choices await Aeliana
SYDNEY All options are on the table for Group 1 Australian Derby (2,400m) winner Aeliana this spring, including a potential tilt in Australia's weight-for-age championship, the Cox Plate (2,040m) at Moonee Valley on Oct 25. The Chris Waller-trained filly was among the stars of the Sydney Autumn Carnival, finishing a desperately unlucky second to the James Cummings-trained Broadsiding in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2,000m) on March 22, before thumping her rivals to claim the Australian Derby at Randwick on April 5 by more than five lengths. The Castelvecchio three-year-old's maiden Group 1 victory under jockey Damian Lane also gave her prominent Australian syndication Star Thoroughbreds their first Derby triumph. Aeliana - who also has two Group 3 wins to her name - is now just weeks away from her first barrier trial, which will pave the way to her comeback. Denise Martin, the leading syndicator and principal of Star Thoroughbreds, is content to leave Aeliana's spring programming to Waller, but is also excited by what the filly might be able to achieve. "Chris has reported that she has returned extremely well. She has strengthened, matured and developed nicely," said Martin. "Her spring programme is nowhere near finalised, but she will most likely run in a barrier trial at the end of July, and have a second barrier trial a couple of weeks later. "Then we will most likely look at a couple of options towards the end of August, the Winx Stakes and the Memsie (Stakes). "But after that, there are options such as the Makybe Diva (Stakes) at Flemington, the Turnbull (Stakes), the Caulfield Cup and the Cox Plate." It would seem that the world is Aeliana's oyster after her last-start win in the Derby, her fourth career success in 10 starts. Should she be targeted at the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1,400m) at Randwick on Aug 23, Aeliana could be in for a mouth-watering clash with her stablemates, including 2023 Winx Stakes winner Fangirl, 2025 Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1,500m) winner Lady Shenandoah and star mare Via Sistina. Waller has confirmed that Via Sistina will defend her 2024 Winx Stakes win first-up in its 2025 renewal in August. Aeliana's other option for her racing resumption, the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1,400m), will be run at Caulfield on Aug 30. Not overwhelmed by the plethora of opportunities ahead, Martin described the rising four-year-old's progression as "a rose opening". She was particularly delighted to win a classic as she said the syndication did not generally target staying types at the yearling sales. The Star Thoroughbreds, famous for their purple and white stars silks, have been racing horses for decades, but they had tended to go for mostly the sprint riches, most notably with champion stallion Sebring in the 2008 Group 1 Golden Slipper (1,200m). "We were elated because I couldn't have believed I would have purchased a Derby winner," she said. "We would normally buy horses that are sprinter-milers or maybe 2,000-metre horses. "I said to Chris (Waller) the Monday after the Derby - the Caulfield Cup? And he said, 'we'll see'. "Wherever he goes with this horse, I'm going." The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2,400m) was won by the Ciaron Maher-trained Duke De Sessa last year and will be run on Oct 18 at Caulfield. Winning a Derby was Martin's on-track highlight during the 2024-25 season, but it was matched by an achievement away from the racecourse. The sale of 2023 Coolmore Classic winner Espiona for A$4.15 million (S$3.49 million) last July also ranked highly, with Martin having purchased the daughter of Extreme Choice for A$190,000 as a yearling before she went on to amass almost A$3.3 million in stakes. SKY RACING WORLD
