Latest news with #JJAtkins
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
Daily Telegraph
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Telegraph
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
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Godolphin's promising colt Zebra Finch pushes for Group 1 J J Atkins start after his impressive victory at Rosehill
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. 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. A great battle in the opener at Rosehill with Zebra Finch victorious! ðŸ¦'ðŸ'° @JamesCummings88 | @KPMcEvoy | @godolphin | @aus_turf_club â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025 '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.' "It worked out perfect!" Hear from Paul Reid and @KPMcEvoy on Zebra Finch, who might be headed north after his win today! @JamesCummings88 | @godolphin | @aus_turf_club â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025 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.
News.com.au
6 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
BRC Sires' Produce to decide if Hi Barbie heads towards Group 1 JJ Atkins
Tony Gollan has always liked Hi Barbie and he says when the penny finally drops, the young filly could morph into something special. But will the penny drop on Saturday in the $1m BRC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm? • Racenet iQ members get full access to our Pro Tips service, where Greg Polson and our team of professional punters provide daily tips with fully transparent return on investment statistics. SUBSCRIBE NOW and start punting like a pro! Two-year-old Hi Barbie, who was an emotional $1.2m yearling purchase for Jennifer Acton who wanted to honour her late husband Alan's legacy in racing, can stake her claim on Saturday for next month's Group 1 JJ Atkins. But it will be a sliding doors moment as Gollan knows the filly could have a lot more to offer in her three-year-old season. • 'This run on Saturday will tell us whether we go to the JJ Atkins, or give her a break and bring her back for the summer,' Gollan said. 'The penny hasn't quite dropped yet, that's been evident really in every run. 'There have been different aspects of each run where you can see she's a young and immature filly. 'When the penny drops, she will be a really nice horse. 'She is still a work in progress, she is working out her style and her pattern. 'It is all happening pretty early for her. 'She is a preparation away from probably really showing what she can do, but she has come on physically since her last run.' Cattle baron Alan Acton raced hundreds of horses over the years – the best was Gollan-trained mare Outback Barbie which won $1.6m in prizemoney. The Actons own several cattle properties in central Queensland but the main one is Wilpeena which is situated just outside Dingo, 150km west of Rockhampton. Tragically, Alan Acton died just over two years ago when his mustering helicopter hit power lines and crashed. Widow Jennifer is continuing her late husband's racing legacy and emotions overflowed when Hi Barbie won the Listed Phelan Ready when she made her debut last November. There have been some trials and tribulations since and Hi Barbie finished a brave sixth in the Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January after recovering from a heart condition that she has suffered at her previous start. Her last start, finishing fifth and beaten three lengths in the Group 2 Spirit Of Boom Classic won by Cool Archie, encouraged Gollan enough to let her loose on the Sires' on Saturday. 'In her last run, she drew wide on a really testing track,' Gollan said. 'Our plan was to let her get into her stride, she ended up back in the field and then she followed the right horse. 'But when it was time to sprint, she was still all over the place a bit. 'She is still quite a young filly, mentally and physically. 'But her run still was quite good if you look at it from a Sires' viewpoint, now going to the big track Eagle Farm. 'I also think she will appreciate getting back on better ground.' Hi Barbie, who is a $34 chance to cause a Sires' boilover, is a get-back type and she has drawn wide in barrier 15 in Saturday's Group 2 event. Craig Williams will ride.
News.com.au
24-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
2025 JJ Atkins on horizon for Sunrays as betting plunge pays off in Bill Carter Stakes at Doomben
Sunrays does not hold a Group 1 JJ Atkins nomination but connections will consider paying a late entry fee after the filly was the subject of a betting plunge to score in arrogant fashion at Doomben. Kelly Schweida 's two-year-old filly was backed from $2.45 to $1.80 in the Listed Bill Carter Stakes (1350m) and backers rarely raised a sweat as Tommy Berry smoked his pipe on the filly who blew away her rivals in the straight. It made it four wins from five starts for the filly who is owned by Queenslander Peter Moran. The filly races in the same colours as Staging, who finished second in the 1998 Doomben 10,000 won by Chief De Beers. Staging was the mother of gallopers such as Duporth, Excites and Tickets and further down the family tree Sunrays is now staking her claim as a highly promising two-year-old. Not only was it a valuable Stakes victory for Sunrays at Doomben, but it also got Schweida and Moran thinking about potentially paying a late fee to race in the JJ Atkins next month. There seems little chance Sunrays will back up in next Saturday's Group 2 BRC Sires' Produce Stakes, but she would surely be a strong contender for the JJ Atkins if connections decided to go that way. SUNRAYS shines brightest in the Bill Carter Stakes, storming home to cap a training double for @schweidaracing! 🌟ðŸ�† #QLDisRacing — RaceQ (@RaceQLD) May 24, 2025 'I'll talk to the owner about whether we pay a late fee for the JJ Atkins,' Schweida said. 'She was arrogant, really, at the finish today. 'She got back a bit further than we thought she might, but she looked like she was smoking and you know that she was going to be strong late. 'Tommy Berry looked like he had them covered on the corner.' Whatever Schweida decides to do with Sunrays, Berry predicted she has a big future. 'She still had a bit of a star gaze when she got to the front so she's got more improvement to come,' Berry said. 'She is a bombproof sort of filly and she is very adaptable and put them to the sword quite quickly.' There were few excuses among the beaten brigade although Chris Waller 's filly Chatterley ran well to finish runner-up at just her second race start.
