Latest news with #Group1StradbrokeHandicap
Mercury
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Mercury
Rothfire in doubt for Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Queensland racing hero Rothfire is unlikely to take his place in Saturday's Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm. Group 1 star Rothfire, who almost pulled off a racing miracle when turning back time to finish a narrow runner-up in the Doomben 10,000, has developed a hoof issue. • 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! 'It is an issue with his near fore hoof and is most probably a stone bruise,' trainer Rob Heathcote told Racenet. 'He is currently receiving treatment from vets and the farrier. 'But he is unlikely to recover in time to take his place in the Group 1 on Saturday.' At the time of writing, Rothfire was a $19 chance in the Kingsford Smith. If he does not race on Saturday, Heathcote said Rothfire would go straight to the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap next month. Rothfire has 55.5kg in the Stradbroke and is a $26 chance in Queensland's most prestigious race. Originally published as Rothfire in doubt for Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup
New Paper
17-05-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
Lim's Kosciuszko a brave third in Aussie debut
Kranji superstar Lim's Kosciuszko did not win at his first Australian outing, but would have still done his legion of Singapore fans proud with his third place at Flemington on May 17. He jumped on terms with noted speedsters in the A$175,000 (S$134,000) Listed Straight Six (1,200m), taking the back of Marble Nine (Jye McNeil), one of the fancies in the 15-horse field. While daylight never really materialised for the Singapore 22-time winner inside the last furlong, the Kermadec seven-year-old still plugged away in a three-way go to finish a ½-length off the winner, $407 outsider Title Fighter. Trainers are not in the business for minor placings, but one could be forgiven to believe trainer Daniel Meagher had just won. The Australian, whose breakout seasons in his nine years at Kranji came in the last four when he notched his 16 Group 1 wins, 10 from Lim's Kosciuszko, was "rapt" with the result, but his voice did betray some mixed feelings, too. "I'm rapt with that first run. He had not raced for seven months, was first-up in a new country, was racing on a straight course for the first time," said Meagher, who is now based in Pakenham. "It was also on a heavy track, and he had 60½ kg on his back, giving 6kg to the next horse. "Let's not forget it was a Listed race, there were some good horses in it. It's a different ball game to run in the city, but he went terrific. "He got in behind horses and was given a kind ride by Ben Melham. There was full of pressure in the race, but Ben's a Group 1 jockey. "I felt Kosi was unlucky late, when he didn't get the split. Ben said he was a still a good horse and he was surprised by the good feeling he got. "I'm so happy with the run. He just keeps turning up and keeps putting our names out there. "I rang (owner) Mr Lim (Siah Mong). He's also very happy." While the Brisbane riches, including the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1,400m) on June 14, had been mentioned as Lim's Kosciuszko's next targets, Meagher said nothing has been cast in stone. "Let's see how he pulls up first. Yes, I have Brisbane in mind, but I don't want to overtax him," he said. "I wanted him to win at home first. I wished he won today, especially for Mr Lim. "The Spring races are only a few months away. Every second or third week, there are plenty of good races here, worth around A$175,000 to A$200,000. "I don't want to rush him." The winner Title Fighter is prepared by trainer Clayton Douglas and was ridden by Tom Prebble, who, ironically, gave Meagher the first of his two Australian winners, Cardone at Pakenham on March 5. manyan@
Herald Sun
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Rockhampton trainer Nick Walsh hellbent on winning The Archer trophy for the locals
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Rockhampton trainer Nick Walsh is hellbent on keeping The Archer trophy in Australia's beef capital as he prepares his gun sprinter Hell for his 'grand final' on Sunday. Walsh believes there are four genuine chances in the $1m slot race over 1300m in TAB's equal favourites Transatlantic and Iowna Merc (both $4), Sandpaper ($4.80) and his four-year-old gelding Hell ($7.50). And in a massive boost for Walsh's hopes, he has secured the services of Rockhampton product and Brisbane's leading jockey in the metro premiership race, Emily Lang, to ride Hell from barrier nine in the hunt for the $565,000 winner's cheque. • 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! 'She's ridden this track since she was pretty young so she definitely knows it well,' Walsh said. 'She knows the horse better than anyone too so I'm really happy about her being on. 'We could've drawn a bit softer but the barrier wasn't a major concern with the way his racing pattern is.' Brisbane's premier trainer Tony Gollan has been vocal about his Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap hopes for Transatlantic but for Walsh, this is Hell's grand final. 'I think he's a great chance, I really do,' said Walsh, who turns 27 later this month. 'I think he's a genuine top-four chance and there are probably four chances in the race. 'Out of those four chances there are a couple of question marks. 'Transatlantic is first-up at 1300m and getting set for the Stradbroke so this isn't his grand-final day, although he'll be wound up enough. 'Then you've got the likes of (Bjorn Baker's southern raiders) Iowna Merc and Sandpaper that haven't been set for the race at all. 'The slot-owners have rung up a couple of weeks ago so it's like 'we'll throw them on the truck and bring them up' (to Rockhampton). 'Tony (Gollan) talks about the Stradbroke for Transatlantic, well this is the grand final for my horse. We're hitting it third-up and he peaks at his third-up run.' The Ricky Vale-trained Rockhampton gelding Namazu won The Archer last year at juicy odds of $16 and Walsh is desperate to keep the trophy in the city in his first attempt at the rich slot race. 'It was won by a local horse last year whose form probably wasn't good enough to win the race,' Walsh said. 'To be able to be done a second time would prove a bit of a point that maybe horses don't travel so well from Sydney or aren't 100 per cent set for the race. 'It'd be a great achievement to win because it's the greatest race we have in Rocky now. It's probably bigger than the (Rockhampton) Newmarket and the cup.' Walsh sees Transatlantic and Sandpaper as the biggest threats to his Archer dream becoming reality. 'They're both drawn soft (barriers two and three) and should get a lovely run,' he said. 'If Sandpaper can travel up well from Sydney then he's definitely one of the main dangers.' Lang rode Hell to third place in the sprinter's last start, a 1200m open handicap at Eagle Farm in early April, with the winner Compelling Truth franking the form with victory in Thursday's $200,000 Wagga Town Plate (1200m). Originally published as Rockhampton trainer Nick Walsh hellbent on winning The Archer trophy for the locals
News.com.au
03-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Rockhampton trainer Nick Walsh hellbent on winning The Archer trophy for the locals
Rockhampton trainer Nick Walsh is hellbent on keeping The Archer trophy in Australia's beef capital as he prepares his gun sprinter Hell for his 'grand final' on Sunday. Walsh believes there are four genuine chances in the $1m slot race over 1300m in TAB's equal favourites Transatlantic and Iowna Merc (both $4), Sandpaper ($4.80) and his four-year-old gelding Hell ($7.50). And in a massive boost for Walsh's hopes, he has secured the services of Rockhampton product and Brisbane's leading jockey in the metro premiership race, Emily Lang, to ride Hell from barrier nine in the hunt for the $565,000 winner's cheque. 'She's ridden this track since she was pretty young so she definitely knows it well,' Walsh said. 'She knows the horse better than anyone too so I'm really happy about her being on. 'We could've drawn a bit softer but the barrier wasn't a major concern with the way his racing pattern is.' Brisbane's premier trainer Tony Gollan has been vocal about his Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap hopes for Transatlantic but for Walsh, this is Hell's grand final. 'I think he's a great chance, I really do,' said Walsh, who turns 27 later this month. 'I think he's a genuine top-four chance and there are probably four chances in the race. 'Out of those four chances there are a couple of question marks. 'Transatlantic is first-up at 1300m and getting set for the Stradbroke so this isn't his grand-final day, although he'll be wound up enough. 'Then you've got the likes of (Bjorn Baker's southern raiders) Iowna Merc and Sandpaper that haven't been set for the race at all. 'The slot-owners have rung up a couple of weeks ago so it's like 'we'll throw them on the truck and bring them up' (to Rockhampton). 'Tony (Gollan) talks about the Stradbroke for Transatlantic, well this is the grand final for my horse. We're hitting it third-up and he peaks at his third-up run.' Hell is just too good for them at Doomben - and that's his 4th win in a row! @BrisRacingClub — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 9, 2024 The Ricky Vale-trained Rockhampton gelding Namazu won The Archer last year at juicy odds of $16 and Walsh is desperate to keep the trophy in the city in his first attempt at the rich slot race. 'It was won by a local horse last year whose form probably wasn't good enough to win the race,' Walsh said. 'To be able to be done a second time would prove a bit of a point that maybe horses don't travel so well from Sydney or aren't 100 per cent set for the race. 'It'd be a great achievement to win because it's the greatest race we have in Rocky now. It's probably bigger than the (Rockhampton) Newmarket and the cup.' Walsh sees Transatlantic and Sandpaper as the biggest threats to his Archer dream becoming reality. 'They're both drawn soft (barriers two and three) and should get a lovely run,' he said. 'If Sandpaper can travel up well from Sydney then he's definitely one of the main dangers.' Lang rode Hell to third place in the sprinter's last start, a 1200m open handicap at Eagle Farm in early April, with the winner Compelling Truth franking the form with victory in Thursday's $200,000 Wagga Town Plate (1200m).
News.com.au
01-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Premier trainer Tony Gollan is eyeing a Stradbroke berth with Archer hopeful Transatlantic
Brisbane's top trainer Tony Gollan is feeling a strong sense of deja vu with his Stradbroke Handicap hope Transatlantic, but this time he hopes it turns out for the best. Over the past two years, Gollan's stable stars Antino and Freedom Rally have fallen agonisingly short of securing spots in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm. Last year, Freedom Rally won the Listed Wayne Wilson (1600m) as a consolation prize while Antino won the same race in 2023 after also dipping out on a Stradbroke berth. But Gollan is praying it will be third-time lucky with Transatlantic, which kicks off his 2025 campaign in the $1m The Archer slot race (1300m) at Rockhampton on Sunday. Jennifer Acton, the slot holder for Transatlantic and widow of Queensland cattle baron Alan, drew barrier two at a Rockhampton property on Wednesday night when participants were asked to pick one of 12 dogs to reveal their gate number. 'To me it feels a little bit like deja vu with those horses (Antino and Freedom Rally),' Gollan said. 'They did really good jobs in their summer preparations and they ticked boxes that they could make Stradbroke horses at that time of their lives. 'Unfortunately we were so close but so far with both of them without getting into the race. 'Both ran in the Wayne Wilson the same day (as the Stradbroke) and were dominant winners. 'Hopefully we're not doing the same thing with this horse (Transatlantic). But he gives me the right feel this horse, similar to those other two horses at the same stage.' Transatlantic won his last start, the $300,000 The Buffering (1400m) at Eagle Farm on December 28, but Gollan had hatched his Stradbroke plan for the son of Snitzel well before that race. 'I really liked the horse going into the Queensland Guineas last year but unfortunately we didn't get to see him as good as what he is because he pulled up with a virus a few days later when he went to the paddock,' Gollan said. • 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! 'He ran second in the Listed Daybreak Lover (in April last year) and he was still an immature horse back then. 'In the Guineas he started second or third favourite but I got a feeling of how good he is. 'The summer was all about getting him ready for hopefully this winter. 'I've felt if he can keep on developing like I hope he can, he can become a really good horse.' Gollan said Transatlantic would likely run in the Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben on May 24 and possibly the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm on May 31, giving him a two-week lead-in to the Stradbroke Handicap on June 14, if he makes the field. 'We have to be realistic. The winter carnival is a massive step up from the summer and there are no easy races, they're all strong, so he needs to go to another level,' Gollan said. 'It feels to me in his work that he really has and I'm hopeful that we'll see that when he gets to the 1300m, 1400m in this preparation. 'If I can get him to the Stradbroke, he's the sort of horse who can be very competitive with a light weight.' Gollan is hunting his first Group 1 on home turf since Jamie Melham rode Vega One to victory in the 2021 Kingsford Smith Cup. In the two-year-old ranks, he rates Hi Barbie as a potential winter carnival star and gelding Boomtown Boss, which will contest this Saturday's Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm, as a serious contender among his three-year-olds. 'Boomtown Boss can't do much more than what he's been doing,' he said. 'He's won his first two races back (this campaign) and he's probably as good a chance as I've had going into a Queensland Guineas since I've been training. 'Of the older sprinters, you've got Hidden Wealth, I think he's gone to a new level, Zarastro is another really nice horse and then there's Transatlantic. 'I think we've got a lot of good horses for a lot of races but I just think this carnival, like I've seen the past two years, it's very hard to win races. 'You need everything to go your way on the day and hopefully that happens to a few of our horses in the carnival. 'It's going to be a strong six or seven weeks but we relish the challenge.' The Stradbroke Handicap is ratings-based so Transatlantic will need a ratings boost to get into the field or win a race that carries ballot exemption.
