Latest news with #FarTooEasy
News.com.au
02-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Apprentice Bailey Wheeler lands ride on 2024 Golden Slipper runner-up Coleman for Group 2 Victory Stakes
Talented apprentice Bailey Wheeler has declared that winning the Group 2 Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday would undoubtedly be the 'highlight of my career'. The 20-year-old has been handed a golden opportunity to put his name in lights on the first day of the Queensland winter carnival, earning the plum ride in the $300,000 race over 1200m on the Chris Waller -trained 2024 Golden Slipper runner-up Coleman. On Friday morning, Coleman was the equal $5.50 favourite for the race alongside Tony Gollan's stable star Hidden Wealth in a wide-open contest. The Kosciuszko champion Far Too Easy, with champion jockey Craig Williams aboard, was $6.50 while the Gollan-trained Freedom Rally had firmed from $26 to $16. Asked what it would mean to win the Victory Stakes on Saturday in a quality field, Wheeler said: 'I think it would stand me in very good stead for the rest of the carnival and to ride my first Group winner for Mr Waller would be the highlight of my career for sure. 'Let's hope I steer him in the right direction because he'll be very hard to beat.' When Wheeler received the text message from his manager revealing he would be riding Coleman, the first person he rang was his proud dad. 'I was very excited,' said Wheeler, who won the $200,000 Wagga Town Plate (1200m) on the Mack Griffith-trained gelding Compelling Truth on Thursday. 'As soon as I got the text message I actually rang my Dad and said 'how good's this?' 'It's a great opportunity to ride in a Group 2 race for Mr Waller and this horse, he's very smart. 'I've ridden in a Group 2 in Sydney but this is definitely the best Group opportunity I've had since I've been an apprentice. 'It gives me confidence that he (Waller) has confidence in me. It's very exciting and the horse's trials have been superb leading into Saturday.' Coleman finished narrowly behind the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained filly Lady Of Camelot in a thrilling $5m Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill in March last year when the colt was trained by Matt Laurie. His best results since that tremendous effort have been third in the Group 1 Sires Produce (1400m) at Randwick last April and second in the Group 2 Roman Consul (1200m) at Rosehill in October. • Busuttin's surprise $41 top seed in three-pronged Derby assault Coleman missed this year's autumn carnival in Sydney after having surgery to remove a fragment from his fetlock. The Victory Stakes will be his first race under Australia's top trainer Waller following disgruntled owner Sharon Cummings' failed Supreme Court attempt to stop the colt from running in the Blue Sapphire Stakes at Caulfield in November when he finished sixth out of seven horses as the $3 favourite while under the tutelage of Laurie. Wheeler said he relished the pressure of features and would treat the Victory Stakes like any other race on multiple Group 1-placed colt Coleman, which has won $1.3m in prizemoney. 'There's a little bit of pressure but I enjoy that, it gives me something to look forward to,' he said. 'I treat it the same, it's just another race basically. It's definitely going to be a big experience. 'I enjoy the pressure, especially around such a live chance. Riding for Mr Waller in a big race, it gives me such great hope. I'm excited.'
Courier-Mail
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
‘I went wow': Craig Williams' emotional bond with country star Far Too Easy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Craig Williams has won the Melbourne Cup, The Everest and the Golden Slipper, but it's for emotional reasons that the trophy for scoring the $2m Kosciuszko on Far Too Easy takes pride of place in his bulging trophy cabinet. The riding legend is about to set up shop riding in the Sunshine State for large parts of the Queensland winter carnival and he kicks off by riding David McColm's star Far Too Easy in the Group 2 Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday. • 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! Far Too Easy is the horse from northern NSW who has survived raging floodwaters and deadly infections and Williams only knew part of the gelding's remarkable backstory before winning The Kosciuszko at Randwick last October. Now, Williams fully appreciates all the emotion and can't wait to link with Far Too Easy on Saturday, with McColm's wonder horse a $6 equal favourite in the Victory as he kicks off a Stradbroke Handicap campaign. • Sky reveals major shake-up to race calling ranks 'The Kosciuszko trophy takes pride of place in my trophy cabinet at home,' Williams told Racenet. 'And that's because I heard David interviewed after the race and I spent time with him and his family. 'I got a really good understanding of what this horse means to them. 'There is a lot of backstory to this horse. 'I had a connection with the horse but I didn't understand it all to start with. 'But then, after listening to the interview, I went 'wow'. Williams has seven rides at Eagle Farm on Saturday and said he loves riding in the Queensland winter, where he often makes a semi-permanent home during the carnival. Queensland has been a happy hunting ground for the Victorian jockey and he has ridden five Group 1 winners in the Sunshine State. They include scoring consecutive Doomben 10,000s after winning the last two years on Bella Nipotina and Giga Kick. • Comeback of the year? Heathcote will never write off Rothfire Far Too Easy is on a Stradbroke Handicap path and Williams says the horse can give the Queensland's most prestigious race a mighty shake. 'On his best form, he is absolutely a great chance in the Stradbroke,' Williams said. 'To sit on his back and ride him, he is such a gentleman and he can produce some phenomenal performances. 'He is a good horse and David is a great horseman. 'I love coming to Queensland and I enjoy the Brisbane carnival to its fullest.' Trainer David McColm and jockey Craig Williams after winning The Kosciuszko. Picture: Getty Images • 'Got to aim high': Flying filly has Stradbroke in sights Meanwhile, Williams will make his first trip to the central Queensland beef capital of Rockhampton when he partners Tony Gollan galloper Comrade Rosa in the $1m The Archer slot race on Sunday. Comrade Rosa is an $11 chance after drawing barrier 12. Williams has sought advice from his great mate, recently retired jockey Michael Cahill, about riding on the Rockhampton track. 'I have never been to Rockhampton before, so I am looking forward to it,' Williams said. 'Michael Cahill has told me racetrack in Rockhampton is great and there's a big, long straight. 'He told me I would enjoy my time up there.' Originally published as Queensland winter carnival: Craig Williams' emotional bond with winter carnival prospect Far Too Easy
News.com.au
01-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Queensland winter carnival: Craig Williams' emotional bond with winter carnival prospect Far Too Easy
Craig Williams has won the Melbourne Cup, The Everest and the Golden Slipper, but it's for emotional reasons that the trophy for scoring the $2m Kosciuszko on Far Too Easy takes pride of place in his bulging trophy cabinet. The riding legend is about to set up shop riding in the Sunshine State for large parts of the Queensland winter carnival and he kicks off by riding David McColm's star Far Too Easy in the Group 2 Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Far Too Easy is the horse from northern NSW who has survived raging floodwaters and deadly infections and Williams only knew part of the gelding's remarkable backstory before winning The Kosciuszko at Randwick last October. Now, Williams fully appreciates all the emotion and can't wait to link with Far Too Easy on Saturday, with McColm's wonder horse a $6 equal favourite in the Victory as he kicks off a Stradbroke Handicap campaign. 'The Kosciuszko trophy takes pride of place in my trophy cabinet at home,' Williams told Racenet. 'And that's because I heard David interviewed after the race and I spent time with him and his family. 'I got a really good understanding of what this horse means to them. 'There is a lot of backstory to this horse. 'I had a connection with the horse but I didn't understand it all to start with. 'But then, after listening to the interview, I went 'wow'. FAR TOO EASY! The horse from the Northern Rivers has claimed The Kosciusko after placing in the last two editions! ðŸ�† — TABtouch (@TAB_touch) October 19, 2024 Williams has seven rides at Eagle Farm on Saturday and said he loves riding in the Queensland winter, where he often makes a semi-permanent home during the carnival. Queensland has been a happy hunting ground for the Victorian jockey and he has ridden five Group 1 winners in the Sunshine State. They include scoring consecutive Doomben 10,000s after winning the last two years on Bella Nipotina and Giga Kick. Far Too Easy is on a Stradbroke Handicap path and Williams says the horse can give the Queensland's most prestigious race a mighty shake. 'On his best form, he is absolutely a great chance in the Stradbroke,' Williams said. 'To sit on his back and ride him, he is such a gentleman and he can produce some phenomenal performances. 'He is a good horse and David is a great horseman. 'I love coming to Queensland and I enjoy the Brisbane carnival to its fullest.' • 'Got to aim high': Flying filly has Stradbroke in sights Meanwhile, Williams will make his first trip to the central Queensland beef capital of Rockhampton when he partners Tony Gollan galloper Comrade Rosa in the $1m The Archer slot race on Sunday. Comrade Rosa is an $11 chance after drawing barrier 12. Williams has sought advice from his great mate, recently retired jockey Michael Cahill, about riding on the Rockhampton track. 'I have never been to Rockhampton before, so I am looking forward to it,' Williams said. 'Michael Cahill has told me racetrack in Rockhampton is great and there's a big, long straight. 'He told me I would enjoy my time up there.'
Herald Sun
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
‘I went wow': Craig Williams' emotional bond with country star Far Too Easy
Craig Williams has won the Melbourne Cup, The Everest and the Golden Slipper, but it's for emotional reasons that the trophy for scoring the $2m Kosciuszko on Far Too Easy takes pride of place in his bulging trophy cabinet. The riding legend is about to set up shop riding in the Sunshine State for large parts of the Queensland winter carnival and he kicks off by riding David McColm's star Far Too Easy in the Group 2 Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday. • 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! Far Too Easy is the horse from northern NSW who has survived raging floodwaters and deadly infections and Williams only knew part of the gelding's remarkable backstory before winning The Kosciuszko at Randwick last October. Now, Williams fully appreciates all the emotion and can't wait to link with Far Too Easy on Saturday, with McColm's wonder horse a $6 equal favourite in the Victory as he kicks off a Stradbroke Handicap campaign. • Sky reveals major shake-up to race calling ranks 'The Kosciuszko trophy takes pride of place in my trophy cabinet at home,' Williams told Racenet. 'And that's because I heard David interviewed after the race and I spent time with him and his family. 'I got a really good understanding of what this horse means to them. 'There is a lot of backstory to this horse. 'I had a connection with the horse but I didn't understand it all to start with. 'But then, after listening to the interview, I went 'wow'. Williams has seven rides at Eagle Farm on Saturday and said he loves riding in the Queensland winter, where he often makes a semi-permanent home during the carnival. Queensland has been a happy hunting ground for the Victorian jockey and he has ridden five Group 1 winners in the Sunshine State. They include scoring consecutive Doomben 10,000s after winning the last two years on Bella Nipotina and Giga Kick. • Comeback of the year? Heathcote will never write off Rothfire Far Too Easy is on a Stradbroke Handicap path and Williams says the horse can give the Queensland's most prestigious race a mighty shake. 'On his best form, he is absolutely a great chance in the Stradbroke,' Williams said. 'To sit on his back and ride him, he is such a gentleman and he can produce some phenomenal performances. 'He is a good horse and David is a great horseman. 'I love coming to Queensland and I enjoy the Brisbane carnival to its fullest.' Trainer David McColm and jockey Craig Williams after winning The Kosciuszko. Picture: Getty Images • 'Got to aim high': Flying filly has Stradbroke in sights Meanwhile, Williams will make his first trip to the central Queensland beef capital of Rockhampton when he partners Tony Gollan galloper Comrade Rosa in the $1m The Archer slot race on Sunday. Comrade Rosa is an $11 chance after drawing barrier 12. Williams has sought advice from his great mate, recently retired jockey Michael Cahill, about riding on the Rockhampton track. 'I have never been to Rockhampton before, so I am looking forward to it,' Williams said. 'Michael Cahill has told me racetrack in Rockhampton is great and there's a big, long straight. 'He told me I would enjoy my time up there.' Originally published as Queensland winter carnival: Craig Williams' emotional bond with winter carnival prospect Far Too Easy
