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Courier-Mail
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
Canterbury preview: Luke Price wants a soft option for Mogwai
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Co-trainer Luke Price feels Mogwai has found himself in the right race to kick off his latest campaign but hopes the track improves back into the soft range. Despite Mogwai having a heavy track win to his credit, Price believes a soft track is ideal for the former Godolphin gelding. 'While he has won on a heavy track once before, he is a horse whose best form is on Good 4 to Soft 6,' said Price, who trains in partnership with his father, Robert. The son of Epaulette made his way to the Price's Kembla base late last year when purchased on Inglis Digital for $75,000. He kicked off for his new trainers in the best possible fashion with an all-the-way win from Tartana and So Good So Cool at Kembla on December 28. He then stepped straight to Saturday city grade when a neck third behind Zondee at Rosehill on January 18 before two unplaced runs. 'He did a good job last campaign after a long time off,' Price said. 'He scored a nice win first-up albeit in a provincial race on his home track but he did carry a big weight. 'He went great at his next start in city grade when he ran third. 'I think he's a horse who likes to stride along. He doesn't like being held up which happened at his last run.' The four-year-old is leading contender in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1250m) first-up provided the track improves. 'He is coming up really well, I like Tommy Berry on him and I don't mind the barrier. It gives him room to stride along where he is comfortable,' he said. 'If he lobs outside the leader, he can run a very cheeky race.' Price believes Canterbury is the ideal track for Invade And Conquer who likes to control things in front. Like Mogwai, Price said the track condition is all important to the gelding who was unplaced in both runs on heavy ground. 'He's honest but he just needs a Soft 5 track at worst,' he said. 'I'm not sure if he will go around this week. We will just see how the track comes up on race morning.' The four-year-old was a dominant winner on his home track back on March 22 before a wide run when eighth at Hawkesbury followed by a fourth at Kembla. He led and give a good kick on straightening at Kembla last start before being caught on the post by Hyperbolic. From barrier 3, he would be a good chance in the Benchmark 72 (1550m) with Rachel King aboard. 'He was brave the other day. He just didn't see the horse come down the outside,' said Price. 'He's drawn well and has a good jockey on in Rachel who rates them very well in front.' The Price's other runner for the day is Miss Hvar in the Benchmark 72 (1550m) for fillies and mares. The daughter of Ocean Park debuted with a strong closing run from well back to grab Kuwait on the line at Kembla on April 19 before jumping up to a Benchmark 68 when fourth to Hyperbolic on May 10. 'I thought she ran really well the other day in a slowly run race that was dominated by the on speed horses,' Price said. 'She had to make a sustained run from near last and the track was starting to get a doughy for her. 'She has a good rider on in Tyler Schiller, has no weight and will go back any way so the barrier is not a huge concern. 'Like the other two, I just hope the track dries up a bit.' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Connections of Gunroom are banking on three key factors in the gelding's bid to break through for his first win. After leading at Warwick Farm last start, Gunroom looked home before being caught late be the flying Hopper. The son of Snitzel, who hails from the family of eight-time Group 1 winner Apache Cat, will give his rivals something to catch in the Broadsiding @ Darley Handicap (1250m). 'I thought he had the race won last start hence why we have opted to claim this week and the blinkers go on,' said Ben Vassallo, racing manager for B K Racing and Breeding. 'Also, getting him around a tighter circumference track that is rain affected as well as two kilo claim with Braith Nock. 'I think those factors can have him in a good position to break his maiden this week.' The Joe Pride-trained three-year-old was actually first past the post on debut at Hawkesbury last October before losing the race on protest to Lady Zodiac followed by a third at Wyong. This campaign, Gunroom resumed with a sixth at Hawkesbury before second placings to Maori Chief and Hopper in Super Maidens at Kensington and Warwick Farm taking his overall record to four placings from six starts. 'He hasn't been disappointing. It's just been frustrating to be so close to be honest,' Vassallo said. 'The jockey was soft on him late. It probably would have helped us in the (stewards) room if he pushed him out. 'Since then, he has had some good runs but some frustrating seconds. 'His pedigree says he will be better over further but we just want to win that maiden and then we can look to step him up in trip next preparation to 1400m or a mile.' B K Racing and Breeding also have Long Legs making her debut in the Ranvet Handicap (1100m) for two-year-old fillies. The Gary Portelli-trained daughter of Russian Revolution have been very good in both barrier trials on wet ground with Andrew Calder aboard who sticks with her. 'She is a beautiful filly. She is probably more of a three-year-old type than a two-year-old but we are late in the season now,' Vassallo said. 'She has thrived off everything we have asked of her. 'She has had a couple of weeks to prepare for this off that second trial. 'I expect her to run right up to her trials especially with the sting out of the ground.'
Herald Sun
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Canterbury preview: Luke Price wants a soft option for Mogwai
Trainer Luke Price feels his Canterbury-bound trio have found themselves in the right races, he just hopes the track can improve to the soft range to maximise their chances. Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Co-trainer Luke Price feels Mogwai has found himself in the right race to kick off his latest campaign but hopes the track improves back into the soft range. Despite Mogwai having a heavy track win to his credit, Price believes a soft track is ideal for the former Godolphin gelding. 'While he has won on a heavy track once before, he is a horse whose best form is on Good 4 to Soft 6,' said Price, who trains in partnership with his father, Robert. The son of Epaulette made his way to the Price's Kembla base late last year when purchased on Inglis Digital for $75,000. He kicked off for his new trainers in the best possible fashion with an all-the-way win from Tartana and So Good So Cool at Kembla on December 28. He then stepped straight to Saturday city grade when a neck third behind Zondee at Rosehill on January 18 before two unplaced runs. 'He did a good job last campaign after a long time off,' Price said. 'He scored a nice win first-up albeit in a provincial race on his home track but he did carry a big weight. 'He went great at his next start in city grade when he ran third. 'I think he's a horse who likes to stride along. He doesn't like being held up which happened at his last run.' The four-year-old is leading contender in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1250m) first-up provided the track improves. 'He is coming up really well, I like Tommy Berry on him and I don't mind the barrier. It gives him room to stride along where he is comfortable,' he said. 'If he lobs outside the leader, he can run a very cheeky race.' Price believes Canterbury is the ideal track for Invade And Conquer who likes to control things in front. Like Mogwai, Price said the track condition is all important to the gelding who was unplaced in both runs on heavy ground. 'He's honest but he just needs a Soft 5 track at worst,' he said. 'I'm not sure if he will go around this week. We will just see how the track comes up on race morning.' â€' Aquis Stallions (@AquisFarm) September 14, 2024 The four-year-old was a dominant winner on his home track back on March 22 before a wide run when eighth at Hawkesbury followed by a fourth at Kembla. He led and give a good kick on straightening at Kembla last start before being caught on the post by Hyperbolic. From barrier 3, he would be a good chance in the Benchmark 72 (1550m) with Rachel King aboard. 'He was brave the other day. He just didn't see the horse come down the outside,' said Price. 'He's drawn well and has a good jockey on in Rachel who rates them very well in front.' The Price's other runner for the day is Miss Hvar in the Benchmark 72 (1550m) for fillies and mares. The daughter of Ocean Park debuted with a strong closing run from well back to grab Kuwait on the line at Kembla on April 19 before jumping up to a Benchmark 68 when fourth to Hyperbolic on May 10. 'I thought she ran really well the other day in a slowly run race that was dominated by the on speed horses,' Price said. 'She had to make a sustained run from near last and the track was starting to get a doughy for her. 'She has a good rider on in Tyler Schiller, has no weight and will go back any way so the barrier is not a huge concern. 'Like the other two, I just hope the track dries up a bit.' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Connections of Gunroom are banking on three key factors in the gelding's bid to break through for his first win. After leading at Warwick Farm last start, Gunroom looked home before being caught late be the flying Hopper. The son of Snitzel, who hails from the family of eight-time Group 1 winner Apache Cat, will give his rivals something to catch in the Broadsiding @ Darley Handicap (1250m). 'I thought he had the race won last start hence why we have opted to claim this week and the blinkers go on,' said Ben Vassallo, racing manager for B K Racing and Breeding. 'Also, getting him around a tighter circumference track that is rain affected as well as two kilo claim with Braith Nock. 'I think those factors can have him in a good position to break his maiden this week.' The Joe Pride-trained three-year-old was actually first past the post on debut at Hawkesbury last October before losing the race on protest to Lady Zodiac followed by a third at Wyong. This campaign, Gunroom resumed with a sixth at Hawkesbury before second placings to Maori Chief and Hopper in Super Maidens at Kensington and Warwick Farm taking his overall record to four placings from six starts. 'He hasn't been disappointing. It's just been frustrating to be so close to be honest,' Vassallo said. 'The jockey was soft on him late. It probably would have helped us in the (stewards) room if he pushed him out. 'Since then, he has had some good runs but some frustrating seconds. 'His pedigree says he will be better over further but we just want to win that maiden and then we can look to step him up in trip next preparation to 1400m or a mile.' B K Racing and Breeding also have Long Legs making her debut in the Ranvet Handicap (1100m) for two-year-old fillies. The Gary Portelli-trained daughter of Russian Revolution have been very good in both barrier trials on wet ground with Andrew Calder aboard who sticks with her. 'She is a beautiful filly. She is probably more of a three-year-old type than a two-year-old but we are late in the season now,' Vassallo said. 'She has thrived off everything we have asked of her. 'She has had a couple of weeks to prepare for this off that second trial. 'I expect her to run right up to her trials especially with the sting out of the ground.' Horse Racing Form analyst Adam Sherry provides his best bets, value selection and race-by-race analysis at Canterbury on Wednesday. Horse Racing Giga Kick's trainer Clayton Douglas has given a telling insight into his champion horse after giving him a spin around Eagle Farm ahead of the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup.
Mercury
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Mercury
Canterbury preview: Luke Price wants a soft option for Mogwai
Co-trainer Luke Price feels Mogwai has found himself in the right race to kick off his latest campaign but hopes the track improves back into the soft range. Despite Mogwai having a heavy track win to his credit, Price believes a soft track is ideal for the former Godolphin gelding. 'While he has won on a heavy track once before, he is a horse whose best form is on Good 4 to Soft 6,' said Price, who trains in partnership with his father, Robert. The son of Epaulette made his way to the Price's Kembla base late last year when purchased on Inglis Digital for $75,000. He kicked off for his new trainers in the best possible fashion with an all-the-way win from Tartana and So Good So Cool at Kembla on December 28. He then stepped straight to Saturday city grade when a neck third behind Zondee at Rosehill on January 18 before two unplaced runs. 'He did a good job last campaign after a long time off,' Price said. 'He scored a nice win first-up albeit in a provincial race on his home track but he did carry a big weight. 'He went great at his next start in city grade when he ran third. 'I think he's a horse who likes to stride along. He doesn't like being held up which happened at his last run.' The four-year-old is leading contender in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1250m) first-up provided the track improves. 'He is coming up really well, I like Tommy Berry on him and I don't mind the barrier. It gives him room to stride along where he is comfortable,' he said. 'If he lobs outside the leader, he can run a very cheeky race.' Price believes Canterbury is the ideal track for Invade And Conquer who likes to control things in front. Like Mogwai, Price said the track condition is all important to the gelding who was unplaced in both runs on heavy ground. 'He's honest but he just needs a Soft 5 track at worst,' he said. 'I'm not sure if he will go around this week. We will just see how the track comes up on race morning.' The four-year-old was a dominant winner on his home track back on March 22 before a wide run when eighth at Hawkesbury followed by a fourth at Kembla. He led and give a good kick on straightening at Kembla last start before being caught on the post by Hyperbolic. From barrier 3, he would be a good chance in the Benchmark 72 (1550m) with Rachel King aboard. 'He was brave the other day. He just didn't see the horse come down the outside,' said Price. 'He's drawn well and has a good jockey on in Rachel who rates them very well in front.' The Price's other runner for the day is Miss Hvar in the Benchmark 72 (1550m) for fillies and mares. The daughter of Ocean Park debuted with a strong closing run from well back to grab Kuwait on the line at Kembla on April 19 before jumping up to a Benchmark 68 when fourth to Hyperbolic on May 10. 'I thought she ran really well the other day in a slowly run race that was dominated by the on speed horses,' Price said. 'She had to make a sustained run from near last and the track was starting to get a doughy for her. 'She has a good rider on in Tyler Schiller, has no weight and will go back any way so the barrier is not a huge concern. 'Like the other two, I just hope the track dries up a bit.' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Connections of Gunroom are banking on three key factors in the gelding's bid to break through for his first win. After leading at Warwick Farm last start, Gunroom looked home before being caught late be the flying Hopper. The son of Snitzel, who hails from the family of eight-time Group 1 winner Apache Cat, will give his rivals something to catch in the Broadsiding @ Darley Handicap (1250m). 'I thought he had the race won last start hence why we have opted to claim this week and the blinkers go on,' said Ben Vassallo, racing manager for B K Racing and Breeding. 'Also, getting him around a tighter circumference track that is rain affected as well as two kilo claim with Braith Nock. 'I think those factors can have him in a good position to break his maiden this week.' The Joe Pride-trained three-year-old was actually first past the post on debut at Hawkesbury last October before losing the race on protest to Lady Zodiac followed by a third at Wyong. This campaign, Gunroom resumed with a sixth at Hawkesbury before second placings to Maori Chief and Hopper in Super Maidens at Kensington and Warwick Farm taking his overall record to four placings from six starts. 'He hasn't been disappointing. It's just been frustrating to be so close to be honest,' Vassallo said. 'The jockey was soft on him late. It probably would have helped us in the (stewards) room if he pushed him out. 'Since then, he has had some good runs but some frustrating seconds. 'His pedigree says he will be better over further but we just want to win that maiden and then we can look to step him up in trip next preparation to 1400m or a mile.' B K Racing and Breeding also have Long Legs making her debut in the Ranvet Handicap (1100m) for two-year-old fillies. The Gary Portelli-trained daughter of Russian Revolution have been very good in both barrier trials on wet ground with Andrew Calder aboard who sticks with her. 'She is a beautiful filly. She is probably more of a three-year-old type than a two-year-old but we are late in the season now,' Vassallo said. 'She has thrived off everything we have asked of her. 'She has had a couple of weeks to prepare for this off that second trial. 'I expect her to run right up to her trials especially with the sting out of the ground.'
Herald Sun
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Barber cuts it fine to post first win for new connections in Takeover Target Stakes
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Ex-Godolphin sprinter Barber quickly proved he was a very wise investment with a stakes victory at just his second start for new trainer Richard Litt at Gosford on Saturday. Purchased for $215,000 at an Inglis Digital auction late last year, Barber paid off a significant portion of that price tag with a narrow win in the Listed $250,000 Takeover Target Stakes (1200m). It came at just his second start for Litt and delivered his owners a $140,000 windfall. • 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! 'They are maybe a little bit short (of the investment) but today would be a good payday,' Litt said. 'He is a wonderful horse, he ran extremely well first-up at Canterbury, probably a little bit unlucky. 'Today I couldn't watch when he was three-wide, I just bowed my head and thought oh well, what will be will be, and it was good to see him tough it out.' Jockey Tyler Schiller was unable to find cover and remained in the three-deep line throughout, making his run inside the final 600m alongside the Kris Lees-trained Brudenell ($11). The paired off to fight it and went toe-to-toe over the length of the home straight. Barber ($8) got his nose down when it counted to get the measure of Brudenell to score in a photo finish with the James Cummings-trained Spacewalk ($18) surging home for third. Barber's win ensured punters landed a significant plunge after he opened as much as $26 with bookies during the week. • Know Thyself continues stellar form to win The Coast 'I saw the money coming for him, it's definitely not mine,' Litt said. 'But massive congratulations to Jason and the Monarch Racing boys. 'They put their money on the line to buy this horse and we've got a massive result.' Litt has been made a habit of winning with Godolphin cast-offs with the likes of Balkans, Huon, Sedition, Destination and Morton's Fork all successful for the trainer. 'They are wonderful to buy off,' Litt said. 'You know what you're getting. They're great horses. 'James is a wonderful trainer and they have a great team. 'They are very transparent and from my point of view, I am very lucky to be able to buy them.' Litt is open to heading to Queensland for a Brisbane winter carnival assault with Barber. The gelding holds nominations for the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 and Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap in the Sunshine State. Originally published as Barber overcomes tough run to post first win for new connections in Takeover Target Stakes
Daily Telegraph
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
Wagga, Wyong previews: Nickson chasing a Majestic win
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. An interrupted preparation for Felix Majestic could provide trainer Gary Nickson the opportunity to claim a second win in the Wagga Town Plate 37 years after his first with Grand Gaelic. The Wagga Town Plate (1200m) on day one of the carnival wasn't on the agenda for Felix Majestic but a missed run in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes and a lack of suitable options in Sydney has forced Nickson to look further afield. 'His preparations always seem to get interrupted,' said Nickson. 'I was getting him ready for the All Aged Stakes but it was going to be a wet track which he doesn't like so we didn't accept. 'He is screaming to go back the races and this is the only suitable race for him at the moment.' The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here! Felix Majestic resumed this campaign with an eye-catching fourth behind Eagle Nest in the Group 3 Maurice McCarten Stakes at Rosehill back on March 15. The gelding normally jumps quickly to take up his favoured frontrunning role but was slow out that day and settled a conspicuous last. 'The 1100m was too short but he absolutely rattled home from last at the top of the straight,' he said. 'Then we couldn't find anything for him so I had to trial him. That was over 1200m and went to the line with his head on his chest. 'It was the fastest time of the day and Molly Bourke was just sitting on him.' Josh Parr rode the gelding first-up but Bourke reunites with him this week where they have drawn ideally in barrier 6. 'He's a good horse. You just have to know how to ride him,' Nickson said. 'Molly knows exactly what to do and he goes very well for her. 'He's got a high cruising speed and can maintain it for the whole race anywhere from 1200m to 1400m. 'If anyone wants to take him on, they do so at their own peril. He will break their hearts.' Queanbeyan trainer Nick Olive doesn't have a runner in the Town Plate but saddles up two leading chances on the card in the Extravagant Choice and Exceedingly Hot. Extravagant Choice only joined Olive's stable at the start of this preparation after being purchased of Inglis Digital last October for the princely sum of $3,000. In nine starts for Olive, he was won three races and has won over $65,000. 'He has been a little ripper for us. He has definitely exceeded our expectations and I just love the horse,' said Olive. 'He is so easy to train, he just goes through everything really nicely.' Two of his three wins have come in his last three starts over 1610m at the Sapphire Coast and 1800m at Bathurst and he looks like he will relish the step up to 2000m in the Benchmark 66 Handicap. 'He is in a rich vein of form. He has been so consistent and is absolutely thriving within himself,' Olive said. 'I'm looking forward to seeing how he goes over the 2000 metres. 'He won very well last start and was given a good ride by Caitlin (Sinclair).' Olive has Final Comment in the same race but said he will likely be scratched after drawing the outside gate. Exceedingly Hot scored a tough win at Wagga on March 1 followed by two good placings and is a leading chance in the Benchmark 66 Handicap (1600m). 'He is another horse who is really happy. He has just thrived the last couple of months,' Olive said. 'Drawing barrier 1 is ideal for him. He will should get a lovely run and hopefully he's right there in the finish.' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Circumstances have just been against Titanium Miss at her past two starts but trainer Tracey Bartley is banking on a big drop in class and a return to her home track to get the filly back into winning form. Titanium Miss was caught three-wide without cover on a sizzling speed when ninth behind French Ruler in the Provincial-Midway Wildcard at Wyong two starts ago. She then went to Randwick for the Group 3 James H B Carr Stakes on April 19 where she finished last behind Lilac, beaten just over four and-a-half lengths. 'The other day, I think it just the quality of the race that told on the end result,' Bartley said. 'She was whacking away alright and just stopped the last little bit. 'I had a blood test dome and couldn't find anything wrong. 'She faced the breeze out wide at Wyong and they went 10 lengths faster than standard for the first 1000m that day. 'It was a ridiculous speed and she had to stop. 'Her two runs before that were really good and on those performances, she is right in this race.' The three-year-old filly has drawn barrier 7 in the Benchmark 68 Handicap (1350m) with Tim Clark to ride. 'The barrier is ideal and she can roll forward at her own tempo,' he said. 'I think we might have fought her a little bit hard when holding her up. 'We will just let her roll forward and if she leads, she will lead on her ear and can dictate the race. We will do a Gai Waterhouse. 'She drops considerably in class so she should be able to go into this race and perform to her best.' Earlier in the day, Bartley expects Think Of One to figure prominently in the Midway Maiden Plate (1600m). The son of So You Think resumed over 1400m at Scone when sixth behind Spenzalot and will relish the step up in distance. 'Aaron Bullock come back after the race and said get him out over a mile. He will appreciate that,' Bartley said. 'They were just a bit nippy got him over the 1400m. Under the circumstances, he was quite happy with him.' 'I think he finds himself in the right race. 'Going up to the mile, on a wet track, he will roll up on the speed and I think he will be hard enough to beat around his home track.'
