Latest news with #Group1Winners
News.com.au
3 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Craig Williams prioritises Queensland carnival Group 1s over Melbourne premiership chase
Champion jockey Craig Williams has declared any pursuit of a 10th Melbourne premiership would not be at the expense of current Queensland winter carnival commitments. Williams has key rides in Brisbane on Wednesday and Saturday respectively, with Group 1 bids on Let's Fly (Queensland Oaks), Kimochi (Kingsford Smith Cup) and Party Crasher (Queensland Derby). The 82-time Group 1 winner is likely to ride in Queensland for up to three of the next four Saturdays, with Tatt's Tiara options yet to be locked down. Williams, who has seven mounts at Doomben on Wednesday, including Spicy Martini in the Group 3 Fred Best Classic, a Stradbroke Handicap qualifier, has ridden 55 winners in Melbourne this season. His next opportunity to eat into a 12-win deficit on champion jockey Blake Shinn is King's Birthday Monday at Mornington. 'I've got a mother, I've got a wife (and) I've got a manager, three people that (tell me where to go),' Williams said. 'I'm enjoying what I'm doing, I had a bit of time off with a suspension recently, and I'm happy to ride wherever he (manager) gets me to ride. 'We always look forward to the (Melbourne premiership race) and I guess now we're in a position where it's definitely a realistic goal, but again, my manager tells me where to go.' • Gelagotis camp taking up the fight to MND Shinn, stuck on 67 winners, was poised to claim a second Melbourne premiership in three seasons – third overall – before an injury setback (foot) last week at Cranbourne jumpouts. Williams has eight weeks officially to surpass Shinn but the nine-time champion jockey had only planned to ride through to July 5 – Flemington Finals Race Day – before a short break. The last Melbourne metro meeting for the 2024-25 season is July 30 at Sandown. Williams is slated to return to Ukraine next month on another humanitarian aid mission. Williams and Ukrainian-born wife Larysa the past three years led campaigns to raise more than $2m, primarily for first aid and medical supplies, to support the war against Russia. The 48-year-old conceded the lure of another premiership loomed large, at least for the next month. 'There's no doubt, I've always had a focus point about the championship,' Williams said. 'It's one of those goals every rider strives to go for … obviously it's going to be a consideration when my manager and I work out our schedule for the next period of time. 'I'm really happy where I'm at, at the moment, and I'm loving what I'm doing, so my manager says 'Craig you're going here' then I'm turning up, whatever the weather, I'm happy to be there.' The late Roy Higgins and Bill Duncan won a record 11 Victorian metropolitan premierships apiece, while legendary jockey Damien Oliver retired with 10 titles under the belt. Williams last topped the Melbourne premiership table in 2020.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Trainer Chris Waller and jockey James McDonald aiming to end surprising run of outs
So Suave, a brother to champion mare Verry Elleegant, could help Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller snap one of the longest losing streaks of his celebrated career at Kembla Grange on Tuesday. And superstar jockey James McDonald will be striving to ride his first winner for the Waller stable in a month at Warwick Farm's Wednesday meeting. Waller has had 79 starters since his last winner, Barbray in a Goulburn maiden 11 days ago, and McDonald hasn't ridden a winner for the trainer since scoring on Regulated Affair at Warwick Farm on May 7. Usually, Waller and McDonald give the media plenty of story angles because of the sheer dominance of their trainer-jockey partnership which only makes their recent lack of success more remarkable. But even using the term 'lack of success' is something of a misnomer because the Waller stable broke the $50 million prizemoney barrier for the season over the weekend. • 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! In fact, Waller has prepared the winners of 228 winners on all tracks this season including a national record-equalling 18 at Group 1 level, and has sewn up his 15th successive Sydney trainer premiership. McDonald has also had an outstanding season, riding a career-best 20 Group 1 winners including 14 majors in Australia, and is on track for a seventh Sydney premiership in a row. Waller's recent run of outs doesn't even stretch two weeks but either So Suave or stablemate Ant can end the trainer's losing streak when they clash in the Kembla Grange maiden over 2000m. Ant, who was narrowly beaten in third place behind Dark Arts at Canterbury last start, is the TAB Fixed Odds favourite at $3.40 with So Suave next in betting at $4.80. So Suave, a three-year-old gelding by Zed out of Opulence, has been unplaced in his three starts to date but is bred to appreciate getting out to a more suitable 2000m. His sister, Verry Elleegant, was a mighty stayer and Waller trained her to win 11 Group 1 races including the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, Tancred Stakes and ATC Australian Oaks for more than $14.8 million prizemoney. So Suave is part-owned by Brae Sokolski of Verry Elleegant fame and is the second-last foal out of the dam, Opulence. The broodmare lost her life after giving birth to a sister to Verry Elleegant in 2022. Tragically, Verry Elleegant also died due to complications when giving birth to her first foal in Ireland last year. Then at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, Waller and McDonald team up in all seven races including the superbly-bred two-year-old filly, Ernaux, in the TAB Handicap (1100m). Ernaux is by champion sire I Am Invincible out of Oakleigh Plate winner Booker and sold for $3 million at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale last year. SALE DAY SNIPPET: American businessman John Stewart of @rresoluteracing was underbidder on the Pierro x Winx filly today on Day 2 of #InglisEaster but he made sure he secured the second-top lot â€' this beautiful I Am Invincible x Booker filly of @CoolmoreAus â€' for $3m. — Inglis (@inglis_sales) April 8, 2024 She is resuming at Warwick Farm after finishing a close fourth on debut behind Wootton Lass at Kensington in late March. Central Coast, who makes his debut in the Arrowfield Plate (1100m). Central Coast, also a 2024 Inglis Easter Sale graduate, cost $1.4 million as a yearling and is by Coolmore's sire sensation Wootton Bassett out of three-time Group 1 winner Sunlight.
Daily Telegraph
25-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Telegraph
Ray Thomas' Blackbook: Cummings to learn Leilani Lodge fate
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. The Australian Turf Club board must deal with two significant issues this week – which trainer is allocated Leilani Lodge at Royal Randwick and the outcome of the members vote on the Rosehill sale proposal. The board is understood to be meeting Monday and one of the agenda items is to discuss who gets the keys to the vacant Randwick stables. At least three trainers have made application for Leilani Lodge including Godolphin's James Cummings. The Cummings family has trained out of the famous stable complex since James's grandfather, the legendary Bart Cummings moved in there more than 50 years ago. • 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! James Cummings is understandably sweating on the ATC's call after announcing plans last month to become a public trainer when Godolphin Australia decided to move away from its private training model. Cummings has enjoyed phenomenal success with Godolphin over the last eight years, preparing 50 Group 1 winners for the 'Blue Army' with the likes of Anamoe, Broadsiding, Cascadian, Hartnell, Alizee and Bivouac. He will continue training some of Godolphin's horses next season including Group 1 winners Tom Kitten and Zardozi, and gifted rising three-year-old filly Tempted. The famous Leilani Lodge stables at Randwick But if the ATC decides not to give Cummings Leilani Lodge then the club must find another set of stables for at least 50 horses to keep the young trainer in Sydney racing. Cummings is one of the nation's elite trainers, he's media savvy and popular with punters, and Sydney racing is more competitive if he has a permanent stable presence here. Then on Tuesday, it is the ATC board's time to sweat as it awaits the result of a crucial members vote on the $5 billion Rosehill sale proposal. READ: Tuesday is D-Day for Rosehill sale decision This issue has split the board and the racing industry, and was the talk of the track at Royal Randwick last Saturday. The pros and cons of selling Rosehill, home of the Golden Slipper, has for months prompted robust debate. If members vote in favour of selling Rosehill, the land will be used to build 25,000 new homes while ATC has unveiled plans to redevelop Warwick Farm and build a new training facility near Penrith. But the 'no' vote is still favourite with many leading industry figures against selling Rosehill, the ATC's core asset. ATC expects at least half of the club's membership base of nearly 11,500 to vote on the issue. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Meanwhile, outstanding seven-year-old Private Eye will finally get to barrier trial at Warwick Farm on Monday ahead of his return in the Group 1 $1 million Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm next Saturday. Private Eye, winner of $11.9 million prizemoney, was due to trial last week but wet weather forced the scheduled Canterbury trial session to be cancelled twice. Private Eye will trial on Monday ahead of a return to racing at Eagle Farm next Saturday Picture: George Sal Trainer Joe Pride has already given Private Eye two barrier trials and said the sprinter will only be out to 'stretch his legs' in the 800m Warwick Farm heat to prepare for Saturday's big race. Private Eye is currently at $13 in early TAB Fixed Odds betting for the Kingsford Smith Cup behind Joliestar at $3.50 and Giga Kick at $4. Sunshine In Paris, winner of the Doomben 10,000, is at $6 for the Eagle Farm sprint but the brilliant mare has already been sent to the spelling paddock and will be aimed at the $20 million The Everest in spring. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ FIVE TO FOLLOW Grand Larceny (race 6) was aiming for his fourth consecutive win and although his streak ended, his fast finishing second was a full of merit. The Team Hawkes-trained sprinter was racing in restricted room early in the straight but once he worked into the clear, he produced the fastest closing sectionals of the meeting to lose narrowly. Agarwood (race 1) is only a small filly but she is big on ability. She made it two starts for two wins and like she did on debut at Warwick Farm, the best part of her race was her finishing speed. Agarwood, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, is a natural talent and will only improve with physical maturity. Let's Fly (race 4) had to do a bit of work early to eventually settle outside the leader but then coming to the turn, it was apparent she was still full of running. Let's Fly exploded clear of her rivals to win by nearly six lengths, relishing the heavy track conditions. She deserves her chance in the Queensland Oaks. Flying Embers (race 2) was never closer than three-wide and raced without cover throughout the race but still forged clear to win decisively. There was no fluke about the win and she improved her record to four wins from eight starts. Under-rated filly who can be placed to advantage again. Miss Kim Kar (race 10) went very wide on the home turn and probably found betting going near the outside rail but she accelerated brilliantly to zoom past Flying Thinker near the line with that duo gapping their rivals CRUNCH TIME - Grand Larceny (race 6) charged home from back in the field to finish a close second to Storm The Ramparts. With the extremely heavy track conditions, this was not a day conducive to fast times but Grand Larceny's final 600m of 35.63s and closing 200m of 12.64s were the best sectionals of the meeting. - Agarwood (race 1) led early and controlled the tempo before sprinting her final 600m in 37.24s to win easily. Her sectional was the fastest all meeting by a race winner with the exception of the 1000m race won by Storm The Ramparts. Agarwood's 200m split from the 400m of 11.94s was also one of the fastest of the day. - Let's Fly (race 4) settled outside the leader then ripped her home final 600m in 37.36s, an impressive burst of closing speed at the end of an 1800m race in very testing conditions. - Miss Kim Kar (race 10) made her run wide out on the track but her effort to run her final 600m in 37.55s to win the final race of the afternoon was very good. - Hollywood Hero (race 8) took the short way home along the inside rail but his final 600m of 13.90s was the slowest by any winner at the meeting and emphasised how heavy the track was on the inside late in the day. WHAT THEY SAID - 'I came back at a tricky time during the (autumn) carnival but everything happens for a reason. This is the best I have ever felt on a horse, physically and emotionally, and I'm really enjoying my riding,'' said jockey Dylan Gibbons after his wins on Hollywood Hero and Miss Kim Kar. - 'Hollywood Hero is a strange horse as he just has to be completely switched off early in his races. I emphasised that to Dylan and he was on the same page. It was a great ride,'' said trainer Bjorn Baker. - 'It was a very easy watch. Adam (Hyeronimus, jockey) controlled it in front, the track raced beautifully and she's a terrific filly. This was only her second run, we know she handles wet tracks so she ticked that box, and was drawing away on the line,'' said Tulloch Lodge stable representative Neil Paine after Agarwood's easy win. - 'This horse is a very good wet-tracker, that was the big ace up his sleeve today,'' said Joe Pride, trainer of Storm The Ramparts. - 'I have no doubt in time he will make a very nice horse,'' said Michael Hawkes, trainer of Spione. STEWARDS SAY ■ Providence (race 1) was ridden by replacement jockey Tyler Schiller after Rory Hutchings was overweight. Subsequently, Hutchings pleaded guilty to a charge that he intentionally presented to scales to weigh out without his safety vest in an endeavour to make the allotted weight. Hutchings was also found for making an inappropriate comment to the Clerk of Scales. Hutchings was found guilty of both charges and issues with two suspensions, to be served concurrently, starting June 1 and ending June 29. ■ Flying Embers (race 2) began awkwardly then near the 1300m was steadied after improving onto the heels of First Mission. She raced wide and without cover throughout the event but still scored a tough, deserving win. ■ A Pound Of Salt (race 3) was held up for clear running in the early part of the home straight, then passing the 200m was momentarily held up when being shifted to the outside to find clear running where he finished fast to win. ■ Sisu Spirit (race 4) came under heavy pressure from the 700m and did not respond to his riding, losing ground rounding the home turn. Jockey Adam Hyeronimus eased Sisu Spirit down over the final 300m and felt that the effects of a tough run at Wyong on a heavy tack may contributed to the gelding's disappointing performance. ■ Wuddzz (race 5) was slow to begin and from a wide barrier then was shifted behind runners in the early stages. Held up rounding the home turn before running on strongly to finish second. ■ Collect Your Cash (race 7) did not respond to her riding in the testing going and when out of contention was eased down over the final 400m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed Collect Your Cash to be lame (2/5) in the near-hind leg. RANDWICK SNAPSHOT WITH RON DUFFICY RUN OF THE DAY Obviously with the very testing conditions its hard to identify what was the run of the day but you have to like the look of the two-year-old filly Agarwood who has now done the job twice on wet and dry. She's still untapped. FORGET THEY RAN This track was so wet even proven wet trackers failed. Treat this form with care as its rare we race on a track as heavy as this. HORSE TO FOLLOW I like the look of Grand Larceny who was beaten but far from disgraced considering circumstances. He is still early in his preparation and I'm convinced he has much more to offer moving forward. RIDE OF THE DAY It was great to see Dylan Gibbons go home with a winning double. He has been off with injury of late and this is what he needed to get back on track with more opportunities. NSW RACING – THE WEEK AHEAD What's on in NSW racing this week: Monday: Newcastle, Bathurst Tuesday: Hawkesbury, Albury Wednesday: Canterbury Thursday: Gosford, Armidale Friday: Casino, Goulburn Saturday: Rosehill Gardens, Kembla Grange Sunday: Murwillumbah, Muswellbrook Originally published as Ray Thomas reviews a big Saturday of racing at Royal Randwick
News.com.au
25-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Ray Thomas reviews a big Saturday of racing at Royal Randwick
The Australian Turf Club board must deal with two significant issues this week – which trainer is allocated Leilani Lodge at Royal Randwick and the outcome of the members vote on the Rosehill sale proposal. The board is understood to be meeting Monday and one of the agenda items is to discuss who gets the keys to the vacant Randwick stables. At least three trainers have made application for Leilani Lodge including Godolphin's James Cummings. The Cummings family has trained out of the famous stable complex since James's grandfather, the legendary Bart Cummings moved in there more than 50 years ago. James Cummings is understandably sweating on the ATC's call after announcing plans last month to become a public trainer when Godolphin Australia decided to move away from its private training model. Cummings has enjoyed phenomenal success with Godolphin over the last eight years, preparing 50 Group 1 winners for the 'Blue Army' with the likes of Anamoe, Broadsiding, Cascadian, Hartnell, Alizee and Bivouac. He will continue training some of Godolphin's horses next season including Group 1 winners Tom Kitten and Zardozi, and gifted rising three-year-old filly Tempted. But if the ATC decides not to give Cummings Leilani Lodge then the club must find another set of stables for at least 50 horses to keep the young trainer in Sydney racing. Cummings is one of the nation's elite trainers, he's media savvy and popular with punters, and Sydney racing is more competitive if he has a permanent stable presence here. Then on Tuesday, it is the ATC board's time to sweat as it awaits the result of a crucial members vote on the $5 billion Rosehill sale proposal. This issue has split the board and the racing industry, and was the talk of the track at Royal Randwick last Saturday. The pros and cons of selling Rosehill, home of the Golden Slipper, has for months prompted robust debate. If members vote in favour of selling Rosehill, the land will be used to build 25,000 new homes while ATC has unveiled plans to redevelop Warwick Farm and build a new training facility near Penrith. But the 'no' vote is still favourite with many leading industry figures against selling Rosehill, the ATC's core asset. ATC expects at least half of the club's membership base of nearly 11,500 to vote on the issue. â– â– â– â– â– Meanwhile, outstanding seven-year-old Private Eye will finally get to barrier trial at Warwick Farm on Monday ahead of his return in the Group 1 $1 million Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm next Saturday. Private Eye, winner of $11.9 million prizemoney, was due to trial last week but wet weather forced the scheduled Canterbury trial session to be cancelled twice. Trainer Joe Pride has already given Private Eye two barrier trials and said the sprinter will only be out to 'stretch his legs' in the 800m Warwick Farm heat to prepare for Saturday's big race. Private Eye is currently at $13 in early TAB Fixed Odds betting for the Kingsford Smith Cup behind Joliestar at $3.50 and Giga Kick at $4. Sunshine In Paris, winner of the Doomben 10,000, is at $6 for the Eagle Farm sprint but the brilliant mare has already been sent to the spelling paddock and will be aimed at the $20 million The Everest in spring. â– â– â– â– â– FIVE TO FOLLOW Grand Larceny (race 6) was aiming for his fourth consecutive win and although his streak ended, his fast finishing second was a full of merit. The Team Hawkes-trained sprinter was racing in restricted room early in the straight but once he worked into the clear, he produced the fastest closing sectionals of the meeting to lose narrowly. Agarwood (race 1) is only a small filly but she is big on ability. She made it two starts for two wins and like she did on debut at Warwick Farm, the best part of her race was her finishing speed. Agarwood, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, is a natural talent and will only improve with physical maturity. Let's Fly (race 4) had to do a bit of work early to eventually settle outside the leader but then coming to the turn, it was apparent she was still full of running. Let's Fly exploded clear of her rivals to win by nearly six lengths, relishing the heavy track conditions. She deserves her chance in the Queensland Oaks. Flying Embers (race 2) was never closer than three-wide and raced without cover throughout the race but still forged clear to win decisively. There was no fluke about the win and she improved her record to four wins from eight starts. Under-rated filly who can be placed to advantage again. Miss Kim Kar (race 10) went very wide on the home turn and probably found betting going near the outside rail but she accelerated brilliantly to zoom past Flying Thinker near the line with that duo gapping their rivals CRUNCH TIME - Grand Larceny (race 6) charged home from back in the field to finish a close second to Storm The Ramparts. With the extremely heavy track conditions, this was not a day conducive to fast times but Grand Larceny's final 600m of 35.63s and closing 200m of 12.64s were the best sectionals of the meeting. - Agarwood (race 1) led early and controlled the tempo before sprinting her final 600m in 37.24s to win easily. Her sectional was the fastest all meeting by a race winner with the exception of the 1000m race won by Storm The Ramparts. Agarwood's 200m split from the 400m of 11.94s was also one of the fastest of the day. Agarwood leads all the way and dominates in the first at Randwick! ðŸ'¥ @GaiWaterhouse1 — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025 - Let's Fly (race 4) settled outside the leader then ripped her home final 600m in 37.36s, an impressive burst of closing speed at the end of an 1800m race in very testing conditions. - Miss Kim Kar (race 10) made her run wide out on the track but her effort to run her final 600m in 37.55s to win the final race of the afternoon was very good. - Hollywood Hero (race 8) took the short way home along the inside rail but his final 600m of 13.90s was the slowest by any winner at the meeting and emphasised how heavy the track was on the inside late in the day. WHAT THEY SAID - 'I came back at a tricky time during the (autumn) carnival but everything happens for a reason. This is the best I have ever felt on a horse, physically and emotionally, and I'm really enjoying my riding,'' said jockey Dylan Gibbons after his wins on Hollywood Hero and Miss Kim Kar. - 'Hollywood Hero is a strange horse as he just has to be completely switched off early in his races. I emphasised that to Dylan and he was on the same page. It was a great ride,'' said trainer Bjorn Baker. Hollywood Hero takes the inside alley and wins well at Randwick! ðŸ'� @BBakerRacing | @djgibbons22 — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025 - 'It was a very easy watch. Adam (Hyeronimus, jockey) controlled it in front, the track raced beautifully and she's a terrific filly. This was only her second run, we know she handles wet tracks so she ticked that box, and was drawing away on the line,'' said Tulloch Lodge stable representative Neil Paine after Agarwood's easy win. - 'This horse is a very good wet-tracker, that was the big ace up his sleeve today,'' said Joe Pride, trainer of Storm The Ramparts. - 'I have no doubt in time he will make a very nice horse,'' said Michael Hawkes, trainer of Spione. STEWARDS SAY â– Providence (race 1) was ridden by replacement jockey Tyler Schiller after Rory Hutchings was overweight. Subsequently, Hutchings pleaded guilty to a charge that he intentionally presented to scales to weigh out without his safety vest in an endeavour to make the allotted weight. Hutchings was also found for making an inappropriate comment to the Clerk of Scales. Hutchings was found guilty of both charges and issues with two suspensions, to be served concurrently, starting June 1 and ending June 29. â– Flying Embers (race 2) began awkwardly then near the 1300m was steadied after improving onto the heels of First Mission. She raced wide and without cover throughout the event but still scored a tough, deserving win. â– A Pound Of Salt (race 3) was held up for clear running in the early part of the home straight, then passing the 200m was momentarily held up when being shifted to the outside to find clear running where he finished fast to win. A Pound Of Salt ducks and weaves through the pack to win at Randwick! 🙌 @ZacLloydx | @Howlettracing_ — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025 â– Sisu Spirit (race 4) came under heavy pressure from the 700m and did not respond to his riding, losing ground rounding the home turn. Jockey Adam Hyeronimus eased Sisu Spirit down over the final 300m and felt that the effects of a tough run at Wyong on a heavy tack may contributed to the gelding's disappointing performance. â– Wuddzz (race 5) was slow to begin and from a wide barrier then was shifted behind runners in the early stages. Held up rounding the home turn before running on strongly to finish second. â– Collect Your Cash (race 7) did not respond to her riding in the testing going and when out of contention was eased down over the final 400m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed Collect Your Cash to be lame (2/5) in the near-hind leg. RANDWICK SNAPSHOT WITH RON DUFFICY RUN OF THE DAY Obviously with the very testing conditions its hard to identify what was the run of the day but you have to like the look of the two-year-old filly Agarwood who has now done the job twice on wet and dry. She's still untapped. FORGET THEY RAN This track was so wet even proven wet trackers failed. Treat this form with care as its rare we race on a track as heavy as this. HORSE TO FOLLOW I like the look of Grand Larceny who was beaten but far from disgraced considering circumstances. He is still early in his preparation and I'm convinced he has much more to offer moving forward. RIDE OF THE DAY It was great to see Dylan Gibbons go home with a winning double. He has been off with injury of late and this is what he needed to get back on track with more opportunities. NSW RACING – THE WEEK AHEAD What's on in NSW racing this week: Monday: Newcastle, Bathurst Tuesday: Hawkesbury, Albury Wednesday: Canterbury Thursday: Gosford, Armidale Friday: Casino, Goulburn
