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West Australian
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Community spirit at the heart of Leonora Golden Gift
This year's Leonora Golden Gift was again one to remember as some of nation's fastest athletes joined Goldfields residents in a series of races that kept spectators entertained. The gold mining town's main drag came to life on Saturday with the much-anticipated work boot sprint, as well as children's activities, a fireworks display and performances from Coterie and Renegade. Sunday played host to junior athletics events and 120 metres, 600m and mile events for all ages before the headline men's and women's elite mile races. The total prize pool this year was $65,000. The iconic competition was formed in 2003 when athlete Raf Baugh and former Shire of Leonora president Graham Dawes floated an idea for a running race to reinvigorate the Goldfields town. Current shire president Peter Craig said this year's carnival went off without a hitch with perfect weather and a bumper field of competitors from all age groups. 'This is an opportunity for everybody, regardless of what age you are and your ability, to partake in the running,' he said. 'There's a lot of money on the table for the (elite runners) but there's certainly opportunities for the younger generation to show their wares and come through them as well.' On Friday, a youth basketball tournament took place and the Leonora Art Prize was opened. A bowls tournament and emergency response challenge also took place at the weekend. The neighbouring ghost town of Gwalia was also a popular attraction with visitors wishing to explore the hessian miners' cottages. Cr Craig said the Gift boosted the region's visitation and highlighted Leonora's rich outback history and heritage. 'Leonora has got a great history, we have Gwalia, the museum and Hoover House,' he said. 'It gives people an opportunity to visit our region. 'We certainly want to promote it and put it out there that the doors are always open to Leonora so come and have a look.' The Golden Gift usually takes place in conjunction with the annual Goldfields Cyclassic, however this event was cancelled this year. Cr Craig said Gift organisers hoped to see the return of the historic road race. 'Hopefully that does come back on the radar in coming years,' he said. 'We all know that everything costs a lot of money and you've got to have some good sponsors. 'We would certainly like to see it back on the cards again.'
West Australian
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Leonora hive of activity once again as Golden Gift takes over Goldfields town
The northern Goldfields town of Leonora was once again a hive of activity on the WA Day long weekend as the annual Golden Gift athletics and community festival took over the town. The two-day carnival for all age ranges peaked on Sunday afternoon with the men's and women's elite mile races, with Olympian Peter Bol the headline runner in the men's event. The total prize pool this year was $65,000. Other running events on the town's main street on Sunday included 120m, 600m and mile events for all ages. Saturday saw the popular work boot sprint, as well as children's activities, a fireworks display and performances from bands — this year Coterie and Renegade were the featured acts. A bowls tournament took place during the weekend, and the Leonora Art Prize was opened. The Golden Gift usually takes place in conjunction with the annual Goldfields Cyclassic, however this event was cancelled this year. Full coverage in the Kalgoorlie Miner this week.
Herald Sun
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Shayne O'Cass's Gosford tips: Saturday, May 10, 2025
Form expert Shayne O'Cass analyses Saturday's 10-race card at Gosford, presenting his race-by-race tips and analysis. • 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! ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 1: GOSFORD IT MIDWAY BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP 1200m TRAFALGAR SQUARE (9) has raced at Gosford once, namely a closing third in between her Golden Gift debut (good) run and a not so good fifth of six in the Kindergarten. Only won once from 16 but talent is not the issue, it is her pattern of slow early/fast late that holds her back. Hope it doesn't beat here again. APACHE BREEZE (4) is another backmarker in the Midway but if things goes his way, he could storm into the medals here. Bet: Trafalgar Square each-way ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 2: ORTUS FINANCIAL 2YO HANDICAP 1200m From day one, KILMAN (2) has 1400m/1600m top shelf late two-yare-old then three-year-old Guineas type written all over him and I note with great interest but zero surprise that has a ticket in the Queensland Sires' and J.J. Atkins. Just hope he gets around Gosford. INQUISITOR (8) could be saved for another day but he's a handy prospect himself. SEQUISTA (1) has two very good runs on her resume at her only runs. HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT (6) has a bright future. Bet: Kilman to win, Kilman to win Queensland Sires' ($51) and J.J. Atkins ($51) ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 3: TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP 1200m ATMOSPHERIC ROCK (17) is, in my opinion, the best horse but the widest draw with the big weight on a track that could, on paper be poison to his pattern, is still somewhat hard to go past just with all the depth in his form. Speaking of depth, JOISELLE (4) has a third to Clear Thinking on her stylish resume. Barrier 3 could be the 'winning draw'. CARRIBEAN KING (6) is from the Dunn stable (tick). The 'cross' is a mere three wins from 37 starts but at least two of them were first-up. Bet: Atmospheric Rock to win or if scratched Joiselle to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 4: POLVIN FENCING SYSTEMS 3&4YO BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP 1600m Can see why AUTOMNE TREE (9) was nominated for the Derby. Look at the pedigree; he is by The Autumn Sun out of a close relative of the Melbourne Cup winner, Gold Trip. I tipped him first-up and he surely did enough to get a pass mark, sixth of 12, fitness telling the last bit. How's this for a couple of scalps? LAST COMMAND (5) won the Paul Perry in March last year beating Just Party and, drum roll please, Broadsiding. Impressive last start winner. Bet: Automne Tree to win, Automne Tree each-way in the Queensland Derby ($101/$26) ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 5: TOOHEYS BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP 2100m TRAPALANDA (15) is a Highclere/Archibald gelding who came from Ireland with a record of two seconds and a 2414m Maiden win by two and a half lengths at Listowel. Had two fitness trials prior to his honourable debut in an 1800m Benchmark 78 on the Kensington where he was $21 into $17 and ran accordingly; as in 'good for next time'. MR BUSTER (14) has had a lovely lead in to this 2100m race, third-up. Sydney form is quite okay. SO DAZZLING (2) is a player but is only one from 25. Bet: Trapalanda each-way, quinella 14, 15 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 6: TRIPLE M THUNDER THOUSAND BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP 1000m RANTAN (12) won on debut in memorable barnstorming fashion but it was her last four starts, three of them anyway, where she has impressed most with her consistency and at a decent level of racing. She went out on a high and trialled really well when third to Jedibeel and Crafty Eagle no less. Just needs a good ride around here. LULUMON (10), who was third in the Inglis Challenge on debut, has run a lot more good races than bad. As for trials, hers have been as good as anything on the day. Bet: Rantan, Lulumon each-way ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 7: GUARDIAN SAFETY SOLUTIONS GOSFORD GOLD CUP 2100m HEZASHOCKA (3) won last year's Gosford Cup, which was run at Newcastle, a track that is much more favourable to him. This son of Shocking has run in some huge races and more or less held his own against the likes of Mr Brightside, Zaaki, Mo'Unga, Alligator Blood and Dubai Honour. Frankly barrier 1 and Gosford has me worried but plenty of faith in the horse. There's a big race in MR WATERVILLE (13). Probably more a handicap over a bit longer but still he's going well. Bet: Hezashocka to win, Mr Waterville to place ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 8: THE COAST 3&4YO QUALITY 1600m DEPTH OF CHARACTER (2) was so dominant winning the Queensland Guineas last Saturday. I really rate the third placed Churchill's Choice so I had to mark the winner 'up' again for how easily he did it. Caveat is that this is a different set-up in that he is taking on older horses and gives all bar one of them a weight advantage. The market may well tell the story regarding the very well-credentialed ROYAL SUPREMACY (7) who would have been my on-top pick but for barrier 15. WOOTTON VERNI (4) was well-backed first-up, lost, but way too early to give up on. Bet: Depth Of Character to win, Daily Double 1st Leg (2), 2nd Leg (4) ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 9: DE BORTOLI WINES TAKEOVER TARGET STAKES 1200m PEREILLE (9) has finished with a medal at 18 of his 23 starts, 11 of them are silver. That's a lot of second but what I found interesting and appealing about this son of Fastnet Rock is that all four of his wins are at this trip. On top of that, he is at home on any surface. BRUDENELL (2) has won 10 from 26. Any horse that wins 10 races in this era has to be hugely admired and he's done it in 26 starts. Excuses last start; trialled well since. Chances go up if the track gets better. Bet: Pereille to win, quinella 2, 9 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 10: RAILWAY HOTEL GOSFORD BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP 1200m MEMORIA (4) has come a long way since winning her debut in a 1000m Maiden at Tamworth on August 2 in 2022. Her resume boasts seven wins and 11 placings from 26 starts. She ran third in the Mona Lisa Prelude in September behind Pajanti who goes well. That's the same mare she beat at Randwick on April 26. One more thing; Memoria is three visits to Gosford for two wins. Dual acceptor ATMOSPHERIC ROCK (12) (Race 3) has claims. KING OF ROSEAU (5) has held his own against some stars of his foal crop from day one. Bet: Memoria to win Originally published as Shayne O'Cass's race-by-race tips, analysis for Gosford on Saturday
West Australian
23-04-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Perks produces history-making form
It's been a big week for Boulder lawn bowler Janet Perks. It began when she was crowned the first woman in 120 years to win the Boulder Bowling Club's blue-ribbon club singles and continued during the Easter long weekend as a member of the victorious Boulder team that took out the coveted Leonora Mixed Tournament. Perks nearly didn't reach the final, before holding off a relatively new bowler Steve Vesey, 21-20. And in the final she was up against Jamie Hooper, who has won the league singles twice but never his own club's championship. In a high-quality final, Perks was the first to reach 25, with Hooper on 18. It was a similar score in the final of the Kalgoorlie Bowling Club's singles final where Joe Kennedy won his sixth title by beating John Bowler, 25-19. At Leonora during Easter, it looked like State player Lisa Featherby, backed by a quality team from Dowerin, would defend the title they won last year after going through the qualifying games undefeated. In the final, they met a team from Boulder that comprised Perks, Kylie and Roger Pascoe, and skipper Lou Trow. Trow's team gave away four shots on the 11th end but levelled the scores after 12 ends — forcing a play-off. With all members of the Boulder team contributing they won the extra end and took out the tournament — the first Goldfields team to do so. The next major tournament will also be in Leonora, as part of the annual Golden Gift program on the June long weekend.
