Latest news with #Getafix
Sydney Morning Herald
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Breakthrough Randwick victory sparks Caulfield Cup dream for Royal Supremacy
A week after Pride won the listed Winter Stakes with $61 shot Estadio Mestalla leading all the way off a one-week back-up, Aberlour ($14) repeated the feat in a benchmark 78 handicap (1800m). The four-year-old mare, sixth a week earlier at Rosehill in a 1400m race, hung on by a short neck from Bright Red. Jockey Alysha Collett and Pride racing manager Orla Pearl both hailed the win as'unbelievable' when they met after the win. Pearl said taking off the ear muffs and the quick back-up had been the keys on Saturday. King's Secret, aided by a gun ride from Andrew Adkins, won the 1100m benchmark 72 for three-year-olds by a half-length. It was his fourth win in six starts this preparation and likely his last run before a spell. The Saturday Sydney double was Pride's third in four weeks and was capped by a Monash Stakes win at Caulfield with In Flight. He also had a Sydney treble on June 7. Adkins also had a double on Saturday, after earlier winning on Pensativa. Getafix swoops to stamp potential Trainer Tom Charlton was confident Getafix could rise to stakes level after the three-year-old produced a booming finish to nab Cool Jakey on the line in the 1400m benchmark 88. Coming off a midweek Kensington track victory, Getafix provided the most thrilling finish of the day and gave jockey Jason Collett a double. 'He's go the ability to feature in good races,' Charlton said. 'Even today, he probably didn't relax perfectly, but he's a pretty useful horse. At the end of the two-year-old season, he and Linebacker were the ones we thought could shape up well, and he's just taken a bit more time.' Collett earlier led all the way on David Pfieffer-trained Oh Diamond Lil in a benchmark 78 handicap (1600m). Pfieffer was looking to the Coffs Harbour Cup, or another Randwick benchmark race in two weeks, with the mare. Tomato Toastie hot hope for autumn Trainer Adrian Bott believed Tomato Toastie, a half-sister to his two-time group-winning mare English, could return an autumn carnival contender after a gritty victory at Randwick. Competing 10 days after a Warwick Farm win at her second start, the Too Darn Hot filly raced outside leader Pillow Fight for jockey Regan Bayliss in the 1400m handicap for two-year-olds before taking over at the 300m mark. She then survived a late lunge from Crossbow to win by a short half-head. Tomato Toastie is out of the same dam, Al Naifa, as English. 'She was out on her feet late,' Bott said. 'She's not an overly big filly, but she's got a stack of improvement to come. We made the call to come here today, to go one more run now while we can, then we can give her a good break that she deserves. 'I think rushing around for the spring is not going to be the right thing to do. This might set us up nicely for a good autumn campaign.' Scone filly on Highway to success Scone trainer Lou Mary will give filly Pensativa a short break before preparing her for another campaign aimed at a Highway race after she broke through at Randwick on Saturday. The three-year-old, second in her first Highway Handicap two weeks earlier, raced behind leader Smart Jazz under Andrew Adkins in the class 3 Highway Plate (1600m) before hitting the front at the 150m and beating Kranich by a long neck. Loading Pensativa went to three wins and four placings in 13 starts with the victory. 'She's very consistent and she's very brave, and every time we raise the bar, she seems to turn up,' Mary said. 'We are probably going to give her a break now. I think she goes better on top of the ground, and she's still eligible for one more Highway.' Mary said Braebrook Thoroughbreds filly would have four to six weeks off before coming back and working towards another Highway. Import strikes again on front foot Co-trainer Will Freedman believes Walking Painting can step up in grade, with the help of wetter ground, after he pulled off another all-the-way win in benchmark 72 Midway Handicap level. The import ended a drought in Australia with victory at Scone over 1700m on May 17 before two losses at 1800m in a higher grade. He came back to 1600m and 72 level on Saturday at Randwick and produced an even better front-running effort, winning by three-quarters of a length under three-kilogram apprentice Will Stanley. 'I think he probably has to go to 78 grade, but fortunately he handles heavy ground,' Freedman said of the six-year-old's next target. If he gets it wetter, then he will be competitive, but he just doesn't run 1800.'
The Age
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Breakthrough Randwick victory sparks Caulfield Cup dream for Royal Supremacy
A week after Pride won the listed Winter Stakes with $61 shot Estadio Mestalla leading all the way off a one-week back-up, Aberlour ($14) repeated the feat in a benchmark 78 handicap (1800m). The four-year-old mare, sixth a week earlier at Rosehill in a 1400m race, hung on by a short neck from Bright Red. Jockey Alysha Collett and Pride racing manager Orla Pearl both hailed the win as'unbelievable' when they met after the win. Pearl said taking off the ear muffs and the quick back-up had been the keys on Saturday. King's Secret, aided by a gun ride from Andrew Adkins, won the 1100m benchmark 72 for three-year-olds by a half-length. It was his fourth win in six starts this preparation and likely his last run before a spell. The Saturday Sydney double was Pride's third in four weeks and was capped by a Monash Stakes win at Caulfield with In Flight. He also had a Sydney treble on June 7. Adkins also had a double on Saturday, after earlier winning on Pensativa. Getafix swoops to stamp potential Trainer Tom Charlton was confident Getafix could rise to stakes level after the three-year-old produced a booming finish to nab Cool Jakey on the line in the 1400m benchmark 88. Coming off a midweek Kensington track victory, Getafix provided the most thrilling finish of the day and gave jockey Jason Collett a double. 'He's go the ability to feature in good races,' Charlton said. 'Even today, he probably didn't relax perfectly, but he's a pretty useful horse. At the end of the two-year-old season, he and Linebacker were the ones we thought could shape up well, and he's just taken a bit more time.' Collett earlier led all the way on David Pfieffer-trained Oh Diamond Lil in a benchmark 78 handicap (1600m). Pfieffer was looking to the Coffs Harbour Cup, or another Randwick benchmark race in two weeks, with the mare. Tomato Toastie hot hope for autumn Trainer Adrian Bott believed Tomato Toastie, a half-sister to his two-time group-winning mare English, could return an autumn carnival contender after a gritty victory at Randwick. Competing 10 days after a Warwick Farm win at her second start, the Too Darn Hot filly raced outside leader Pillow Fight for jockey Regan Bayliss in the 1400m handicap for two-year-olds before taking over at the 300m mark. She then survived a late lunge from Crossbow to win by a short half-head. Tomato Toastie is out of the same dam, Al Naifa, as English. 'She was out on her feet late,' Bott said. 'She's not an overly big filly, but she's got a stack of improvement to come. We made the call to come here today, to go one more run now while we can, then we can give her a good break that she deserves. 'I think rushing around for the spring is not going to be the right thing to do. This might set us up nicely for a good autumn campaign.' Scone filly on Highway to success Scone trainer Lou Mary will give filly Pensativa a short break before preparing her for another campaign aimed at a Highway race after she broke through at Randwick on Saturday. The three-year-old, second in her first Highway Handicap two weeks earlier, raced behind leader Smart Jazz under Andrew Adkins in the class 3 Highway Plate (1600m) before hitting the front at the 150m and beating Kranich by a long neck. Loading Pensativa went to three wins and four placings in 13 starts with the victory. 'She's very consistent and she's very brave, and every time we raise the bar, she seems to turn up,' Mary said. 'We are probably going to give her a break now. I think she goes better on top of the ground, and she's still eligible for one more Highway.' Mary said Braebrook Thoroughbreds filly would have four to six weeks off before coming back and working towards another Highway. Import strikes again on front foot Co-trainer Will Freedman believes Walking Painting can step up in grade, with the help of wetter ground, after he pulled off another all-the-way win in benchmark 72 Midway Handicap level. The import ended a drought in Australia with victory at Scone over 1700m on May 17 before two losses at 1800m in a higher grade. He came back to 1600m and 72 level on Saturday at Randwick and produced an even better front-running effort, winning by three-quarters of a length under three-kilogram apprentice Will Stanley. 'I think he probably has to go to 78 grade, but fortunately he handles heavy ground,' Freedman said of the six-year-old's next target. If he gets it wetter, then he will be competitive, but he just doesn't run 1800.'
The Independent
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
The enchanting French theme park just 40km from Disney that's cheaper – and far less busy
'Who makes the magic potion?' I asked my 13-year-old nephew Fred as we landed at Charles de Gaulle Airport. 'Getafix,' he replied without hesitation. While the stories of Asterix, the Gaul had been the mainstay of my youth, Fred had recently discovered this world through Netflix's five-part series released in April. As we walked from Les Trois Hiboux hotel into the park, he looked up at the roller coaster rails of the Goudurix ride towering above the Viking area. 'Are we going on that?' he asked, eyes wide with anticipation and disbelief, after all, it boasts five loop-de-loops followed by a corkscrew. This wide-eyed astonishment would set the tone for our entire weekend. The Adventures of Asterix the Gaul follow the warrior Asterix and his fellow Gaulish villagers as they stand up against the might of Julius Caesar and the Roman Empire. First published in 1959, there are now 40 volumes with another due for release this year. With a whopping 393 million copies sold they are the best-selling European comic book series ever and the second best in the world. Some 40km away, Disneyland Paris was preparing for the May bank holiday, one of their busiest weekends with snaking queues and lengthy waits. We were casually strolling straight into the heart of Parc Astérix. While it isn't striving to imitate its larger, more saccharine neighbour (which it actually predates by three years), the park is reaching new audiences through recent book releases like Asterix in Lusitania, due October 2025, and the new Netflix series. Parc Astérix has grown from strength to strength, recording 2.84 million visitors in 2024. With short transfer times from Charles de Gaulle via an €11 shuttle bus, it's positioning itself as a genuine alternative in European theme parks. Fred took charge of our route, map in hand, leading us through the medieval section, past 19th-century Parisian streets, and straight into ancient Egypt. The park divides into iconic sections from the Asterix universe: ancient Egypt and Greece, Rome, and of course the legendary Gaulish village still holding out against Roman might. Each area is meticulously designed with temples, Parthenons, and Viking thrones, populated by familiar faces from the comic series. I watched Fred's delight as we moved between worlds, taking in the seemingly rickety wooden-framed Zeus roller coaster and Toutatis, Europe's second-fastest roller coaster. The Gallic humour translates perfectly for both adults and children. Characters like Getafix the magic potion-brewing druid, Cocofonix the tone-deaf bard, and Netflix's Potus the clueless Roman general wander the park, creating natural photo opportunities. What struck me most was the staff's genuine passion, most had grown up with these stories, and their warmth felt authentic rather than corporate-trained. The variety of attractions impressed us both. On the second day we were joined by some other writers and their families. The youngest member, aged two-and-a-half, rode one attraction a magnificent eleven times. Roller coasters cater to growing kids, with everything accessible for those over 130cm. Shows run throughout the day, high diving, pirate performances, and an exceptional 4D cinema experience. Yes, they're in French, but the visual spectacle translates beautifully, packed with universal humour. Parc Astérix isn't resting on its laurels. This year sees the opening of Cétautomatix (Fulliautomatix in English), a new spinning chariot roller coaster set in the blacksmith's workshop. Plans are also underway for additional hotel accommodation to complement the existing two 3-star and one 4-star properties. Each hotel has its own theme: the Great Hall of Les Trois Hiboux, the stilted village of La Cité Suspendue, and the magical quayside of Les Quais de Lutèce. All sit within walking distance of the park, perfect for recovering from adrenaline-fuelled days. The value proposition speaks for itself. For two adults and two children under 12, Parc Astérix charges €443 for one night and one day, or €593 for one night and two days, including breakfast. Disney charges €970 for a one-night, two-day package excluding breakfast. Food pricing matches Disney's at the fast-food level – €10 for kids' meals, €18 for adults – but the three-course 'all you can eat' buffet at Restaurant Le Cirque costs just €12.50 for children and €35 for adults, compared to Disney's €25/€45 equivalent. Fred returned to our table beaming with a plateful of food. 'What have you got?' I asked. 'Caviar,' he responded. 'I've never had it before.' The buffet offered lasagne, dauphinoise potatoes, roast meats, vegetarian dishes, whole cooked salmon, extensive desserts, and a cheese board to die for – a veritable feast. Fast-track passes are available, though Disney's are slightly cheaper at €190 per person over three years old, while Parc Astérix costs €239/€199 for ages 3-11. However, the Asterix price includes lunch at Restaurant Le Cirque, adding genuine value. Asterix has always been about a small Gaulish village standing up to Roman imperial might. The parallels with Parc Astérix challenging Disney are unmistakable. Despite being almost dead on his feet, Fred was desperate for one more ride. 'Thanks Uncle Matt, this is the best weekend ever!' he said, and a warm glow of happiness surrounded me. Now that Netflix has successfully brought Asterix back to global screens, perhaps it's time British families discovered what the French have known all along: sometimes David really can outshine Goliath. How to do it Airlines including British Airways, easyJet and Jet2 fly to Charles-De-Gaul Paris from the UK. Parc Asterix runs a shuttle bus from the airport costing €11. If you are arriving by Eurostar at Gare du Nord you can walk to the Gare de l'Est metro station (Verdun) where you catch the subway to Palais Royal. From there, you can take one of the buses that depart every 20 minutes.
Sydney Morning Herald
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Trainers hoping J-Mac can get best out of classy Getafix
Getafix's record hasn't quite caught up with his potential just yet – but after a short recess, co-trainer Tom Charlton says the grey has his chance to show his best form at Kensington today. It's been about seven weeks since Getafix finished midfield in the Hawkesbury Guineas and his absence has been a mix of a 'slightly off blood picture' shortly after that race and unfavourable barriers in intended races. Charlton and co-trainer John O'Shea have a strong hand in the TAB Handicap (1300m) with Metaphorically also lining up, but it's Getafix who has had reasonably high expectations attached to him since an impressive debut Kensington track win last year. 'He's definitely got well above average potential, he's just not the most consistent horse looking at his racing record,' Charlton said. 'Whether he's still getting there in developing remains to be seen.' The three-year-old has won twice from his 10 starts. James McDonald has been called on to ride Getafix and the race represents a huge class drop on his last start at group 3 level, but he has to carry 61.5kg. 'He's a big horse, so weight doesn't worry us too much, especially since he's a horse with a good bit of class to him,' Charlton said. 'We like the draw, and he can definitely bounce back. He just wants a nice tempo, to be buried away and come with one crack at them late.' Stablemate Metaphorically will be part of that speed picture as he has a natural on pace pattern and Charlton said his first-up third at Canterbury earlier this month was a nice start to his campaign.
The Age
24-06-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Trainers hoping J-Mac can get best out of classy Getafix
Getafix's record hasn't quite caught up with his potential just yet – but after a short recess, co-trainer Tom Charlton says the grey has his chance to show his best form at Kensington today. It's been about seven weeks since Getafix finished midfield in the Hawkesbury Guineas and his absence has been a mix of a 'slightly off blood picture' shortly after that race and unfavourable barriers in intended races. Charlton and co-trainer John O'Shea have a strong hand in the TAB Handicap (1300m) with Metaphorically also lining up, but it's Getafix who has had reasonably high expectations attached to him since an impressive debut Kensington track win last year. 'He's definitely got well above average potential, he's just not the most consistent horse looking at his racing record,' Charlton said. 'Whether he's still getting there in developing remains to be seen.' The three-year-old has won twice from his 10 starts. James McDonald has been called on to ride Getafix and the race represents a huge class drop on his last start at group 3 level, but he has to carry 61.5kg. 'He's a big horse, so weight doesn't worry us too much, especially since he's a horse with a good bit of class to him,' Charlton said. 'We like the draw, and he can definitely bounce back. He just wants a nice tempo, to be buried away and come with one crack at them late.' Stablemate Metaphorically will be part of that speed picture as he has a natural on pace pattern and Charlton said his first-up third at Canterbury earlier this month was a nice start to his campaign.
