Latest news with #Group1
Telegraph
7 hours ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Royal Ascot free bets and betting offers 2025
Royal Ascot (June 17-21) is fast approaching and this five-day bonanza of top-class Flat action is one of the most eagerly anticipated weeks in the horse racing calendar. The meeting always opens with a spectacular card on the Tuesday – three of the first four races are Group 1 contests and there are a further five top-level events over the next four days. As ever, there are a huge number of generous betting offers available from online bookmakers for Royal Ascot, which is arguably the best week of racing in the entire Flat season. Such promos give punters numerous opportunities to profit from what is certainly one of the most prestigious meetings (and, of course, social gatherings) in the world. The action gets going with the Queen Anne Stakes – a Group 1 race for the older milers – on the Tuesday, which also features the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes for the sprinters and the Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes for the leading three-year-olds over a mile. The impressive Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Field Of Gold is the headline act for the St James's Palace, if not the entire day. Wednesday features the 1m 2f Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes and on Thursday, which is Ladies' Day, it's the 2m 4f Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup. On Friday there's a Group 1 double-header – the Commonwealth Cup for three-year-old sprinters and the Coronation Stakes for three-year-old fillies over a mile – plus there's another chance for the speedsters on Saturday in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. That's eight top-level contests across the five days in total, and of course there are a host of big-field handicaps, as well as an array of competitive-looking two-year-old races that could unearth some stars of the future. Betting sites are at their most generous with offers and promotions for the big festivals and Royal Ascot is as good as it gets in the horse racing world. When it comes to the handicaps, look out for the bookies with the most generous each-way terms – although extra place races won't be limited to just the handicaps, as many other contests will have big fields and with firms paying well beyond the standard place terms. There will also be loads of boosted odds deals including on some of the week's highest-profile runners. Rosallion (Queen Anne Stakes), Lead Artist (Queen Anne Stakes), Los Angeles (Prince of Wales's Stakes), Illinois (Ascot Gold Cup) and Lake Victoria (Coronation Stakes) are a few of the star horses set for Royal Ascot. Existing customers of horse racing betting sites will be able to find an array of bets with enhanced prices, but it is new customers who can reap the most generous rewards. Bookmakers look to attract new sign-ups by hugely boosting the odds of certain horses. For example, a horse who is generally priced at 2/1 to win could be available at 33/1 for new customers. Such deals may be limited to small stakes, with any winnings beyond the regular odds being paid out as free bets. Take a look at the table above to discover the numerous betting offers available on this year's Royal Ascot.
News.com.au
20 hours ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Pride of Jenni's owner Tony Ottobre to keep his lips sealed on retirement talk for champion mare
Scarred by the keyboard warriors who criticised Pride Of Jenni 's second coming, prominent owner Tony Ottobre has vowed to keep his lips sealed when he decides the time is right to retire the champion mare for good. Ottobre made what he admitted was an emotional decision to call time on the triple Group 1 winner's career after she bled when last in the Champions Mile at Flemington in November. But Ottobre changed his mind in the new year and in March, Pride Of Jenni returned with a bang, winning the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield under 61kg. The seven-year-old then flopped in the $2.5m Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington before a 2.25-length victory in the Listed Anniversary Vase (1600m) at Caulfield early this month. She was then sent to Queensland for the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m), won by local hero Antino, but faded badly to finish 10th out of 12 runners. It prompted further questions over whether it was time for Ottobre to again hang up the saddle for the Ciaron Maher -trained mare, but the owner insisted Pride Of Jenni would be the one to make that call, not him. 'When she's ready, then we'll retire her. And there won't be any fanfare,' said Ottobre, who told Racenet recently that he had banned himself from social media. 'One day she just won't turn up to the races and that'll be it. 'I've already made an announcement and I tried to apologise to say that 'look, I did get it wrong' but it was 'boo-hoo to you Tony, we're still going to give it to you'. 'Well it'll be 'boo-hoo to you guys' because I'm not going to tell them when she's going to retire so it works both ways. 'I've always talked the truth but now I just have to clam up a little bit because it's not good for my family. 'I don't care, you can bag the s*** out of me but my family – my wife, my son, my grandchildren and my friends – they don't like to see that kind of stuff. 'I just can't believe how bad some people are with their thoughts about horses. It's pretty rank.' Pride Of Jenni returns with a bang at Caulfield as she goes all the way to take out the Listed Anniversary Vase 🙌 @cmaherracing @craig_newitt — (@Racing) May 3, 2025 • Ottobre said he felt vindicated in bringing Pride Of Jenni, who had won almost $10.5m in prizemoney, back to the racetrack. 'Because I mentioned that she was going to retire last year, ever since then everyone's been jumping on my case saying 'you should retire her',' he said. 'Then she won the Peter Young Stakes. She was just outside the course record that was 20 years old and had to carry 61kg. 'We did the right thing and people have got to give us some sort of credit for that because we don't retire her just because people say that we should. 'We have a judgment call to make and nine times out of 10 we make the right call. 'As far as I'm concerned, bringing her back and winning two out of the races she's raced in was vindication enough to say we were on the money.' The great mare is back! ðŸ'« Pride Of Jenni picks up where she left off, stringing her opposition out & trouncing them in the Peter Young Stakes. @cmaherracing @craig_newitt — (@Racing) March 15, 2025 Pride Of Jenni left Brisbane on Monday on a truck bound for Melbourne, where she will enjoy a spell before a likely spring carnival campaign. But just don't mention the R-word to Ottobre because he's had a gutful of the negativity surrounding his champion mare. 'They all talk about retiring and age but horses can run up until they're 13,' he said. 'I'm not saying I'll do that with her but it's no big deal that seven or eight-year-olds keep running. ' Chautauqua is the perfect example. He just told everyone that he didn't want to run.'
NZ Autocar
20 hours ago
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
1978 Ford Capri 3.0i Group 1
Mention the words 'Ford' and 'touring car', and most enthusiasts will likely think of the Falcon, Sierra or Escort. Few Kiwi fans recall the Ford Capri, the stylish coupe that some consider made Ford sexy during its tenure. It enjoyed a motorsport career that lasted the majority of its 18-year production run. Originally homologated as a (relatively disastrous) 2.0-litre Group 1 car, it would be developed into a feisty V6 battler. First came the 2.6-litre in 1971, followed by the BMW-battling RS3100. Come 1977 and the Capri 3.0S debuted in Group 1 form. Compared with the previous Capri homologation specials, these were mild. Group 1 regulations were based around series production cars. Ford's presence in the British Saloon Car Championship (BSCC) was spearheaded by the Capri. Gordon Spice would become synonymous with the Group 1 Ford Capri, winning 27 races and scoring six class victories between 1975 and 1980. Five of these were at the wheel of the Capri 3.0S, and four as a team owner. But he never won an outright championship thanks to the way the points were awarded. However, in 1978, Spice would take one of his (and the Capri's) most famous victories. He stood atop the podium at Spa after a gruelling 24 hours, sharing his Belga-sponsored Capri with Teddy Pillette. This car, built by CC Racing Developments, bears the chassis number CC-5. Headed by Dave Cook and Pete Clark, CC Racing Developments screwed together arguably the most competitive Capri 3.0S of the period. From 1977 through to 1982, they engineered between 20 and 25 cars. Most were destined for England. But Europe also provided a market for the CC Capris, quite likely off the back of the Spa successes. The recipe for these cars was fairly simple, owing largely to Group 1 regulations. These dictated a production block, in this instance a 3.0 litre Essex V6. While the showroom version was hardly a performance unit, common opinion suggests that these engines were pumping out around 250-270hp. It's worth mentioning they also had to run induction consistent with the production car. In this instance, a two-barrel Weber carburettor, rendering that power level all the more impressive. The car's Type 5 four-speed gearbox was equipped with a Hewland gearset. An LSD was installed on the rear axle. Suspension allowed more freedom. Adjustable platform front struts with spherical bearing top hats, and a modified leaf-sprung rear ensured trueness to production layout. Appropriate anti-roll bars were installed to retain a degree of body control, and the result was a low-slung stance that only improved the Mk3 Capri's svelte lines. Key to the aesthetic were the 13-inch wheels. The production car rolled on 13s, ergo, so must the race car, albeit wider and shod in competition rubber. These wheels covered an RS3100-sourced vented front rotor grasped by Girling 16 calipers. At the rear, a rudimentary pair of drums. The Spa 24 hour car gained a hefty tank bolted into the rear and quick-fill fuel caps neatly installed under an OEM flap. The flanks saw the installation of lights, to ensure the race numbers were visible in the pitch-black Belgian night. But otherwise, it's a straightforward, competitive Group 1 Capri. The story of CC5 didn't end with its 1978 Spa win, however. As evidenced by the original sticker on the centre switch console, it'd run in England and Europe through until 1981. Drivers like Andy Rouse graced the interior – by all accounts, the car has done a lot of racing. As the 1982 season dawned, so too did the Rover SD1. This marked the competitive end for the Capri, but instead of being mothballed, CC5 was spirited over to Asia alongside its stablemate CC7. The car would be raced at the Macau GP that year, without any notable success, and sold. CC5's contemporary motorsport career would wind up in 1986. At this point the car was acquired by a Manxman named Barry Forth. An ex-motorcycle road racer, Forth operated a business named 'Road and Track Performance.' Catering to a wealthy Asian client base, the company specialised in motorsport preparation but, for whatever reason, the Capri was acquired as part of a deal, then mothballed. Forth would eventually find his way to New Zealand, settling in Canterbury, and bringing a container or two with him. In one of those was the Capri, which would languish in captivity for some time before well-known Christchurch restoration specialist, Gary Wilkinson, came into the picture. While at the Forth residence completing a bit of auto electrical wizardry, Wilkinson tells a story of Capri discovery. A chance glimpse through the open door of the container revealed the unmistakable Mk3 Capri silhouette. The real kicker though? The 'Gordon Spice Racing' sunstrip adorning the front screen. The car wore a fairly plain white coat of paint beneath a thick coat of dust. As a self-diagnosed Ford fanatic, Wilkinson couldn't help but delve further. Closer investigation revealed the Essex V6 between the front struts. The tag in particular caught his eye, bearing the characters 'CC5.' This was where it was left, with Wilkinson finishing up his job and heading back to base where his research would begin. A while later, a deal was made, and Wilkinson pumped up the tyres and rolled CC5 onto a trailer in May of 2018. He recalls his excitement at his initial discovery of the dual fuel fillers and the presence of the 1981 RAC 'advertising permit' stickers. Despite the typical chequered history and neglect that comes with old racing cars, the Capri was complete and authentic. Only the absence of the original Minilite wheels was noted, hardly much of a concern. It'd be 18 months until work would begin on the car. Allan Scott, an ex-Walkinshaw engine development guru, assisted Wilkinson in making the right connections to verify authenticity and restore the car in a manner befitting its provenance. Wilkinson's modus operandi when it comes to restoration is key to the end result. As he says, 'the devil is in the detail,' and it's not always about things being returned to better than new order. Race hardware was never 'perfect,' even in its heyday. Aesthetically, Wilkinson has been careful to retain a degree of original patina. The aforementioned center switch panel wears its age with pride. A trio of Smith's gauges in the dash display decades of telltale readings. The leather of the 'RS' emblazoned steering wheel evokes close-quartered racing in each of its cracks and nicks. The engine and 'box are also original to the car, built in period by Neil Brown Engineering, a company still operating to this day. In the pursuit of power, Wilkinson experimented with some modern Holley carbs. But the original Weber left the engine builder and the dyno operator speechless. A forensic examination showed the carb had some bespoke modifications, an indication that in 1978 they knew exactly what they were doing. Within the rules? Who knows, but perhaps a clue as to how they got those Capris performing so well. Overall, Wilkinson doesn't deem the restoration as being too difficult. Often, the tricky bit is sourcing components, which were generally discarded as the race car evolved. The originality of the Ford Capri meant that, by and large, refurbishment of existing components was the order of the day. Even after being stripped to a bare shell, it revealed an excellent base with virtually no rust. Upon confirming the car's provenance with Dave Cook, Wilkinson learned that the team put around 400 hours into each shell. Every two inches, the seams are hand brazed for stiffness. It did however show signs of a repair in the front left. It's documented that in hour 17 or 18 of that 1978 Spa 24 hour race, Spice nailed the armco and lost his two and a half lap lead. The team would repair the damage, install a new strut, and absolutely send it to the finish. Pilette and Spice would peg back the leading BMW and take that historic win. Wilkinson makes no bones that he's proud the car is presented 'as it ran' in period. No special upgrades or concession to modern trends. 'Just how it was' is his summation. After a season competing among the Historic Touring Cars NZ grid, Wilkinson made the call to put the car up for sale. With such extensive provenance in the UK and Europe, keeping the car on Kiwi soil was always going to be a long shot. The Ford Capri has since left our shores, landing in England. Its next track outing is fitting; competing in the Gordon Spice Trophy race. It's a new addition to the Goodwood Members Meeting, aimed at contemporary and period Group 1 specification touring cars. It's a full circle moment for the Capri, a genuine Gordon Spice machine racing for a trophy bearing the original racer's name. And it's something Wilkinson can be immensely proud of.
Courier-Mail
3 days ago
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
Zebra Finch eyes Group 1 JJ Atkins glory after Rosehill triumph
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Progressive Godolphin colt Zebra Finch will be given the opportunity to emulate his big-hitting stablemate Broadsiding, earning himself a crack at the JJ Atkins Stakes after lowering the boom on a couple of his more fancied rivals at Rosehill on Saturday. Yesterday's seven-horse affair held more interest than most of the other nine races on the Lord Mayor's Cup undercard given it overflowed with JJ Atkins aspirants including the Chris Waller duo Hidden Achievement and pricey Frankel colt, Sarapo. The Waller pair were expected to fight out on the finish as they had when they met at Gosford on Cup Day but were unable to make the same impact this time despite racing at home. • 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! Both horses were marked at $15 to win the JJ Atkins prior to their respective efforts yesterday. Hidden Achievement blew out to $26 while Sarapo was wound out to $51. Zebra Finch, meanwhile, had his price halved from $51 into $26 for the June 14 feature and carrying the imprimatur of one of the sport's champions. 'If he pulls up well, I'd send him up there, because he is going to get a mile,'' winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy said after the Schweppes Handicap (1300m). 'You obviously need a horse that runs a mile and you need a horse on the improve and that's possibly what he is going to be. ' It wasn't a big winning margin but I am sure with a better quality horse to aim at, he is going to be better again. 'He is the sort of colt that only does enough (but) I am sure if he got challenged there was an extra kick in the lock. 'So if James (Cummings) and the team decide to go to Brisbane for that mile race, I wouldn't be against it.' At least one of the Waller-trained runners from the race looks likely to still make his way up to Brisbane for the last Group 1 two-year-old feature of the season with a decision pending on the other. Yu Long Investments colt Hidden Achievement clocked in third behind Zebra Finch with future Guineas/Derby colt Sarapo three lengths behind in sixth. 'The race lacked tempo, it was a sit and sprint,'' assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth began. 'When Adam (Hyernonimus) won on Hidden Achievement last start, he was mindful that he probably rode him too close that day and took him out of his comfort zone. But he drew so well in a small field today that we basically had to do the same again. 'Adam's adamant that when you can put the bit in his mouth a little bit better, he'll have a better turn of foot. 'Adam is strongly pushing for Chris (to go to Brisbane with him). He said 'I don't care if I ride him or not but you should be running the horse in the JJ', that's his opinion.' As for pricey $750,000 Magic Millions Yearling purchase Sarapo, Team Waller will let the dust settle on the colt's second career start before they decide on his next move. 'He was obviously a long way back off a soft tempo,'' Duckworth explained. 'He is going to be a miler at three you'd imagine, it's just whether you try and break through for that maiden win at two. 'Obviously he is by Frankel so if he ends up in the breeding barn, they're going to be worried about him if he doesn't win at two so it might be an important start for him or do we just look after him and just trust that he'll measure up at three.'' As for Zebra Finch, his own stud career will naturally hinge on the outcome of the JJ Atkins but Darley would dearly love to add another Group 1 winning son of Exceed And Excel to their roster. Not only is Zebra Finch by one of the truly global stallions of the modern era, his dam was a handy performer herself and by Lonhro who holds the rare honour of being crowned both Australian Horse of the Year and Champion General Sire. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Tough as teak gelding Mickey's Medal helped edge the former rodeo rider Braith Nock one step closer to a medal collection of his own as the race for Sydney's Champion Apprentice enters the home straight. Nock and former Riverina whiz Molly Bourke are locked in an arm wrestle to decide who will join an Honour Roll that includes the likes of Jack Thompson, George Moore, Ron Quinton, Malcolm Johnston, Wayne Harris and Darren Beadman. Nock's win on the Annabell and Rob Archibald-trained Mickey's Medal extended his lead over Bourke by five metropolitan wins with August 1 now exactly two months away. Sitting three-wide with no cover may not have been the text-book ride from Nock on Mickey's Medal but it proved to be the winning formula on a day where it paid to be away from the inside fence. 'Everyone just seemed to take their time to get their spots and all of a sudden there were people inside me,' Nock explained. '(But) it was a slow tempo and he was able to travel really good. 'Actually, he was really relaxed coming to the 600m and I had to wake him up and then I was able to idle-up and I still think he might have had a little bit of a think about it things once we got there, but he got left alone for a long time so it was a really good effort. 'He seems to be just relishing his racing and he tries his best every time.' Yesterday's Precise Air Handicap (1500m) was the gelding's sixth run of the current campaign. His $82,500 collect was a tangible reward to effort on his part, drawing some high praise from the stable. 'It was brilliant to see him win,' stable representative Megan O'Leary said. 'I was almost waiting for (runner-up) Hopper to come down the outside of us but he really deserved that win, he's been running so well this prep.' Mickey's Medal was sold twice before he ever saw a racetrack. The great-grandson of broodmare gem Shantha's Choice was secured for $70,000 as a weanling before being reoffered at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale where he fetched $225,000. Originally published as Godolphin colt Zebra Finch pushes for Group 1 JJ Atkins start after his impressive victory at Rosehill
Mercury
3 days ago
- Sport
- Mercury
Zebra Finch eyes J J Atkins glory after Rosehill triumph
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Progressive Godolphin colt Zebra Finch will be given the opportunity to emulate his big-hitting stablemate Broadsiding, earning himself a crack at the J J Atkins Stakes after lowering the boom on a couple of his more fancied rivals at Rosehill on Saturday. Yesterday's seven-horse affair held more interest than most of the other nine races on the Lord Mayor's Cup undercard given it overflowed with J J Atkins aspirants including the Chris Waller duo Hidden Achievement and pricey Frankel colt, Sarapo. The Waller pair were expected to fight out on the finish as they had when they met at Gosford on Cup Day but were unable to make the same impact this time despite racing at home. • 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! Both horses were marked at $15 to win the J J Atkins prior to their respective efforts yesterday. Hidden Achievement blew out to $26 while Sarapo was wound out to $51. Zebra Finch, meanwhile, had his price halved from $51 into $26 for the June 14 feature and carrying the imprimatur of one of the sport's champions. 'If he pulls up well, I'd send him up there, because he is going to get a mile,'' winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy said after the Schweppes Handicap (1300m). 'You obviously need a horse that runs a mile and you need a horse on the improve and that's possibly what he is going to be. ' It wasn't a big winning margin but I am sure with a better quality horse to aim at, he is going to be better again. 'He is the sort of colt that only does enough (but) I am sure if he got challenged there was an extra kick in the lock. 'So if James (Cummings) and the team decide to go to Brisbane for that mile race, I wouldn't be against it.' At least one of the Waller-trained runners from the race looks likely to still make his way up to Brisbane for the last Group 1 two-year-old feature of the season with a decision pending on the other. Yu Long Investments colt Hidden Achievement clocked in third behind Zebra Finch with future Guineas/Derby colt Sarapo three lengths behind in sixth. 'The race lacked tempo, it was a sit and sprint,'' assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth began. 'When Adam (Hyernonimus) won on Hidden Achievement last start, he was mindful that he probably rode him too close that day and took him out of his comfort zone. But he drew so well in a small field today that we basically had to do the same again. 'Adam's adamant that when you can put the bit in his mouth a little bit better, he'll have a better turn of foot. 'Adam is strongly pushing for Chris (to go to Brisbane with him). He said 'I don't care if I ride him or not but you should be running the horse in the JJ', that's his opinion.' As for pricey $750,000 Magic Millions Yearling purchase Sarapo, Team Waller will let the dust settle on the colt's second career start before they decide on his next move. 'He was obviously a long way back off a soft tempo,'' Duckworth explained. 'He is going to be a miler at three you'd imagine, it's just whether you try and break through for that maiden win at two. 'Obviously he is by Frankel so if he ends up in the breeding barn, they're going to be worried about him if he doesn't win at two so it might be an important start for him or do we just look after him and just trust that he'll measure up at three.'' As for Zebra Finch, his own stud career will naturally hinge on the outcome of the J J Atkins but Darley would dearly love to add another Group 1 winning son of Exceed And Excel to their roster. Not only is Zebra Finch by one of the truly global stallions of the modern era, his dam was a handy performer herself and by Lonhro who holds the rare honour of being crowned both Australian Horse of the Year and Champion General Sire. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Tough as teak gelding Mickey's Medal helped edge the former rodeo rider Braith Nock one step closer to a medal collection of his own as the race for Sydney's Champion Apprentice enters the home straight. Nock and former Riverina whiz Molly Bourke are locked in an arm wrestle to decide who will join an Honour Roll that includes the likes of Jack Thompson, George Moore, Ron Quinton, Malcolm Johnston, Wayne Harris and Darren Beadman. Nock's win on the Annabell and Rob Archibald-trained Mickey's Medal extended his lead over Bourke by five metropolitan wins with August 1 now exactly two months away. Sitting three-wide with no cover may not have been the text-book ride from Nock on Mickey's Medal but it proved to be the winning formula on a day where it paid to be away from the inside fence. 'Everyone just seemed to take their time to get their spots and all of a sudden there were people inside me,' Nock explained. '(But) it was a slow tempo and he was able to travel really good. 'Actually, he was really relaxed coming to the 600m and I had to wake him up and then I was able to idle-up and I still think he might have had a little bit of a think about it things once we got there, but he got left alone for a long time so it was a really good effort. 'He seems to be just relishing his racing and he tries his best every time.' Yesterday's Precise Air Handicap (1500m) was the gelding's sixth run of the current campaign. His $82,500 collect was a tangible reward to effort on his part, drawing some high praise from the stable. 'It was brilliant to see him win,' stable representative Megan O'Leary said. 'I was almost waiting for (runner-up) Hopper to come down the outside of us but he really deserved that win, he's been running so well this prep.' Mickey's Medal was sold twice before he ever saw a racetrack. The great-grandson of broodmare gem Shantha's Choice was secured for $70,000 as a weanling before being reoffered at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale where he fetched $225,000. Originally published as Godolphin's promising colt Zebra Finch pushes for Group 1 J J Atkins start after his impressive victory at Rosehill
