Latest news with #Flemington
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Warwick Farm trials to feature spring's finest, including Lady Shenandoah and Ceolwulf
Boom filly Lady Shenandoah, King Charles III Stakes victor Ceolwulf, two-time The Everest placegetter Private Eye and gun stayer Alalcance are just a few of the spring stars set to step out at Warwick Farm on Friday morning. The big names - including horse of the year in-waiting Via Sistina – have been out in force this week tuning up for the spring with the next lot of stars to have barrier trials in Sydney's west. Lady Shenandoah, Chris Waller 's winner of three Group 1s this season, will contest a 900m Group trial on the course prosper alongside Joseph Pride 's stars Ceolwulf and Private Eye. Alalcance steps out in a 1000m Group trial on the course proper with Adam Hyeronimus aboard in her first appearance since her run of three straight autumn victories came to an end abruptly in the Sydney Cup. Highly-promising stablemate Sir Delius is in the same heat with Doncaster Mile placegetter Encap. â– â– â– â– â– Champion trainer Chris Waller's move into Godolphin's Carbine Lodge base at Flemington has opened the door for father-son duo Tony and Calvin McEvoy to open up a base at the track. Waller announced this week he would be relocating his Melbourne team to iconic Flemington complex, which boasts 50 boxes at the premier racing venue. His 31-box stable came up for grabs as a result with the McEvoys taking the opportunity to have another location. The McEvoys will continue to operate their main base out of Ballarat. Meanwhile, Godolphin's prized properties of Crown Lodge at Warwick Farm and Osborne Park at Agnes Banks are yet to be snapped up. â– â– â– â– â– Punters shouldn't expect to see Golden Eagle runner-up Lazzat running in the $20 million The Everest – at least not this year. The star galloper Lazzat is an $8 chance in betting for the richest race on turf but a second trip to Australia isn't likely this spring. Trainer Jerome Reynier revealed plans to keep Lazzat's focus in Europe this carnival with an eye on returning to Australia in the future. ðŸ'� @WilliamHaggas has done it again! Lake Forest wins the $10 Million Golden Eagle with Cieren Fallon in the saddle! @aus_turf_club â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 2, 2024 'Maybe next year The Everest for him if six furlongs is really his trip,' Reynier told Nick Luck Daily. 'You never know. This year we want to make him the best European sprinter and needs to win a couple more Group 1s races at that level.' Lazzat highlighted his quality with victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes during the Royal Ascot carnival. Only four horses have been locked in for this year's The Everest after Jimmysstar was announced as the TAB's runner for 2025 earlier this week. The world's best sprinter Ka Ying Rising remains a firm $1.80 favourite.
Courier-Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Courier-Mail
2025 The Everest: Jimmysstar confirmed for TAB slot
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Ciaron Maher will get the chance to win The Everest in consecutive years – and so too will slot holder TAB – after freakish Group 1 winner Jimmysstar became the fourth horse signed up for the $20m race in 2025. Jimmysstar, a two-time Group 1 winner last seen storming to victory in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick in April, becomes the fourth horse to score a slot for The Everest in October. The horse they all have to beat, Hong Kong superstar Ka Ring Rising, is confirmed for a slot and is the hot $1.80 favourite, while Private Harry ($6) and Briasa ($8) also have slots. Champion trainer Maher won the 2024 The Everest with Bella Nipotina and will get the chance to go back to back after Jimmysstar scored the TAB slot. • 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! Earlier in his career, Jimmysstar could be an enigmatic galloper and several times went down as raging favourite, including as a $1.26 chance at Flemington and also when starting at $1.75 at Eagle Farm. But the penny has well and truly dropped and he is now widely considered one of the most explosive sprinters in the country. He came from near last to blow away his opposition in this year's Group 1 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield and also powered over the top of his rivals in the All Aged. • David Hayes reveals the key traits that make Ka Ying Rising so special Jimmysstar races in the colours of prominent owner Ozzie Kheir who, along with his close friend Brae Sokolski, tasted Everest success when Yes Yes Yes won for Chris Waller in 2019. Kheir wasn't on track that day but said nothing would keep him away from Randwick when Jimmysstar contested The Everest later this year. 'We were in discussions with TAB for several weeks on Jimmysstar and they were fantastic to deal with and have come to the party with the ownership group's expectations,' Kheir said. • Via Sistina, Fangirl and other stars clear out cobwebs at Randwick trials 'We are very excited to have one of our favourite horses heading towards The Everest which would not have been in our thought processes only nine months ago. 'Jimmy has been a quirky horse from the outset, which has cost him winning in the past, but now he has turned into a racehorse mentally and from his recent videos of him he looks unreal 'He has so much ability. 'He is not a big horse but he is all muscle.' Originally published as 2025 The Everest: Ciaron Maher-trained, Ozzie Kheir-owned Jimmysstar confirmed for TAB slot
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Joseph O'Brien-trained Al Riffa on the Melbourne Cup trail after Curragh Cup romp
Irish trainer Joseph O'Brien might have found the spearhead for his bid for a third Melbourne Cup win at Flemington in November. O'Brien won the 2017 and 2020 Melbourne Cup s with Rekindling and Twilight Payment respectively but did not have a runner in last year's edition of Australia's greatest race. However, O'Brien could be back at Flemington on the first Tuesday in November after Al Riffa 's dominant win in Saturday's Group 2 Curragh Cup in Ireland. The five-year-old stallion, by Wootton Bassett, strolled to a five-length win in the 1-¾ mile (about 2800m) contest under jockey Dylan Brown-McMonagle, who has previously ridden with success in Melbourne. Bookmakers immediately reacted, promoting Al Riffa to the second line of Melbourne Cup betting at $15 behind $11 favourites Sir Delius, Vauban and Via Sistina. O'Brien's stable representative Kevin Blake said Al Riffa relished the rise in distance but would probably get his chance to show his Melbourne Cup credentials in the coming weeks. 'He was very relaxed and Dylan said he was a very easy ride over that trip,' Blake told local media. 'I'd say it's most likely that he'll go straight to the Irish St Leger from here. 'There is a possibility of the Pries Von Berlin he won last year but I'd say it's more likely he'll go straight to the Irish Leger. 'The Melbourne Cup is in the mind thereafter. 'We all know what comes with that but it's what we'd like to do, if we're allowed.' • Brad Waters' Blackbook: Horses to follow from Flemington on Saturday O'Brien has used the Curragh Cup as part of the preparation for both of his Melbourne Cup winners. Both Rekindling and Twilight Payment won the Curragh Cup before their Melbourne Cup triumphs. Melbourne Spring Carnival favourite Red Cadeaux claimed the Curragh Cup in 2011 before finishing second to French galloper Dunaden in one of the closest Melbourne Cup finishes in history later that year. Al Riffa was a Group 1 winner in Ireland as a two-year-old before progressing to score at Group 1 level in Germany last year.
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Horses to follow and forgive from Flemington on Saturday, July 19, 2025
Herald Sun racing writer Brad Waters runs his eye over Saturday's meeting at Flemington, finding five horses to follow and some to forgive from the card. • 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. ARABIAN PRINCE (3rd, Race 2): Terrific debut from the Mick Kent-trained two-year-old. Starting his career over 1800m, a marathon journey for a two-year-old, Arabian Prince relaxed perfectly for jockey Craig Williams before tracking up behind the leaders early in the straight. He got outside runners at the 150m and hit the line hard to be narrowly beaten. Kent has a promising young stayer in his camp by Godolphin's first season former shuttler Ghaiyyath. Arcora books his spot in the Derby! A gritty win for the son of Justify, can he make an impact come Spring? @busuttin — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) July 19, 2025 BOLD SECRET (3rd, Race 4): Bold Secret was well in the market after impressing at the jumpouts but the Phillip Stokes-trained filly struck a little trouble early when pestered by a wayward rival, leaving her racing further back than desired at the halfway point. She took time to get going when pressured but caught the eye with her impressive last 200m to grab third in an encouraging debut. Three in a row for Em Sixty 🥇🥇🥇 An outstanding ride from Johnny Allen who has an early double! @HDwyerRacing — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) July 19, 2025 MATRIARCH ROSE (5th, Race 5): Matriarch Rose had a torrid run in the Rising Stars Series Final but the Dan O'Sullivan-trained mare did a great job to finish as close as she did. Matriarch Rose was left travelling three-wide without cover in windy conditions throughout the race and would have been entitled to tire in the straight. However, she boxed on well to hold her ground in the straight. She's fit and could be ready to win. Lake Vostok wins the fifth at Flemington and Rose Hammond takes the Rising Stars Final in the battle of the apprentices! @LOliverRacing — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) July 19, 2025 EYE OF THE FIRE (4th, Race 6): Eye Of The Fire had his first run in Melbourne and did a good job down the Flemington straight for trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald. The four-year-old showed good speed to race on the pace, facing the breeze, early in the race before boxing on well in the straight to finish just over two lengths from the smart La Fracas at his second run back from a spell. He'll improve off that outing. LA FRACAS âš¡âš¡ A huge last to first win for the favourite in some familiar fast finishing colours 😉 Blake Shinn extends his lead back to seven over Craig Williams! @blake_shinn @MickPriceRacing — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) July 19, 2025 DOCUMENTARY (6th, Race 9): The Nick Ryan-trained sprinter resumed at Flemington on Saturday and should have finished even closer than he did. Drawing barrier four meant he had to concede early ground to find the right part of the track but Documentary ran on well from the 250m until running out of room late on the inside of the winner Losesomewinmore. He looks set to post a win or two in Saturday grade this time in. LOSESOMEWINMORE ðŸ'°ðŸ'° Craig Williams has done it again! Another Saturday treble and he's back within five wins of Blake Shinn in the Melbourne Jockey's Premiership with three Metropolitan meetings left 😬😬 The ðŸ�† is still well and truly up for grabs! @CWilliamsJockey — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) July 19, 2025 Rose eases Prebble's worries in Rising Stars final BAYOU MUSIC (2nd, Race 2): Bayou Music was unlucky to go down narrowly in the Byerley Handicap. He was held up from the 400m until easing out around the heels of the eventual winner Arcora at the 150m. Jockey Jamie Melham told stewards she was unable to improve earlier as those ahead of her were rolling around in the windy conditions. Arcora books his spot in the Derby! A gritty win for the son of Justify, can he make an impact come Spring? @busuttin — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) July 19, 2025 OYSTER LANE (2nd, Race 4): Oyster Lane started as the $3.50 second pick but simply bumped into one better on the day. The Ciaron Maher-trained youngster was only having his second start, his first down the Flemington straight, but did a good job behind a significantly more experienced Shining Smile, who had four previous starts on the course. Oyster Lane can repay his backers soon. Shining Smile + Flemington Straight = ðŸ˜�ðŸ˜�ðŸ˜� Five in a row for the Hayes trained colt, he's a beauty! @Logez27 @lindsayparkrace — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) July 19, 2025 PARIAH PEARL (4th, Race 5): The consistent Pariah Pearl was a touch unlucky not to win the Rising Stars Final. The Busuttin and Young-trained galloper had a soft run to the home turn but ended up in an awkward spot at the 400m and had to be eased at the 200m before rallying to finish a length from the winner. He's worth another chance soon. Lake Vostok wins the fifth at Flemington and Rose Hammond takes the Rising Stars Final in the battle of the apprentices! @LOliverRacing — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) July 19, 2025 BAYOU MUSIC (2nd Race 2) – Held up from the 400m to the 250m. AMBER STAR (10th Race 3) – Disappointed for a run at the 400m and held up in the straight until clear at the 100m. Apprentice Rose Hammond suspended for eight meetings for overuse of the whip on Lake Vostok, the winner of Race 5.
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Craig Williams relishing ‘hunter' role in Melbourne jockeys' premiership battle with Blake Shinn
Champion jockey Craig Williams clawed back to within five winners of Melbourne premiership leader Blake Shinn with a Flemington treble. Williams bookended the card on Saturday with the first winner – Duchess Zou – then piloted home the last two – Sayedaty Sadaty and Losesomewinmore. Shinn moved to 71 on Saturday with one winner at Flemington – La Fracas. There are 25 metropolitan races left in the season. 'Blake is an amazing rider, a great friend of mine too,' Williams said. 'Even when we talked today going out for the last race I said 'mate, you're killing me'. 'He's like the Road Runner, I get close to him and beep, beep and he's off again.' Williams is determined to try and win his 10th Melbourne jockeys' premiership. 'I love hunting,' Williams said. 'I need to hunt, Blake is unbelievable.' LOSESOMEWINMORE ðŸ'°ðŸ'° Craig Williams has done it again! Another Saturday treble and he's back within five wins of Blake Shinn in the Melbourne Jockey's Premiership with three Metropolitan meetings left 😬😬 The ðŸ�† is still well and truly up for grabs! @CWilliamsJockey â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) July 19, 2025 • Sayedaty Sadaty sealed back-to-back wins to reignite spring ambitions. A combination of gelding, more time to acclimatise and placement to advantage has helped the former international, trained by Ciaron Maher, start to repay connections on the racetrack. Assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said Sayedaty Sadaty could race again at 2000m next month before attention turned to bigger prizes. 'I'd say we're one more at (2000m) if the boss wants to go (2400m), we know he can stay,' Turnbull said. 'It's now probably picking the perfect path into spring trying to get him qualified (for Cups), if he's good enough, we can work backwards.' Charterhouse, also trained by Maher, placed third in the 2000m Open Handicap while stablemates Kettle Hill (ninth), Wyclif (13th) and Relentless Voyager (15th) raced 'well from where they were'. Sayedaty Sadaty is settling into life in Australia beautifully! He makes it two in a row and gives @CWilliamsJockey a double, he's back within six wins of Blake Shinn in the Melbourne Jockeys Premiership! @cmaherracing â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) July 19, 2025 • Rose eases Prebble's worries in Rising Stars final Duchess Zou capped a brilliant first racing campaign with her third success in five starts. The Maher-trained filly overhauled Lario in the 1400m 3YO Open Handicap and held a comfortable margin on late-finisher Legacy Bay. Maher said Duchess Zou, who placed third in the Listed Creswick Stakes (1200m) the start before, would benefit from a short break. 'She'll have to get through the grades a little bit (next season), she's obviously on the right path,' Maher said. 'It's a winter race she was expected to win and done it quite well … in a couple months' time, she'll lift again.' Craig strikes back! He gets back within six wins of Blake Shinn in the Melbourne Jockeys Premiership as the favourite Duchess Zou win stylishly ðŸ'�ðŸ'� @CWilliamsJockey @cmaherracing â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) July 19, 2025 • Derby path looms for Busuttin-Young stayer Co-trainer Michael Kent Jr hailed Shinn's initiative as the catalyst for La Fracas completing a hat-trick of wins in the Benchmark 84 sprint (1200m). La Fracas had easily won on heavy tracks at his previous two starts but found himself on firmer going and jumping from the awkward barrier one in the Flemington straight contest. However, Shinn's manoeuvring got La Fracas ($2.40 fav) into the right part of the track from where he finished hard to grab De Bergerac ($5) on the line. 'Midrace, he made a daring move to attach himself to the back of (stablemate) Moby Dick, who he assumed would take him forward into the race,' Kent Jr, who trains La Fracas in partnership with Mick Price, said. 'That was the winning move.'
