Latest news with #Jimmy The Bear
News.com.au
24-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Jimmy The Bear named after Frankston YCW teammates of owner-breeder Mike Hirst
Jimmy The Bear has more than made up for suburban football silverware missed as Frankston YCW past players Mike Hirst, Jimmy Bruin and Nick 'the Bear' Wright enjoy an ownership dream. Former Racing Victoria chairman Hirst, a passionate owner-breeder, gifted five per-cent shares in Jimmy The Bear to ex-Stonecats Bruin and Wright as an excuse to catch up at country race meetings. Stuck on a name for the home-bred Jimmy Creed gelding, now a $1.35m earner, Hirst's partner Lizzie Sweetnam floated the Frankston YCW backline tribute. 'Lizzie said you could call (the horse) Jimmy The Bear and give them both a share each,' Hirst said. 'We said (at the time) it would be great just to drive around country Victoria catching up and having a good time … his first two runs were in the country and he's barely been back since.' Hirst played fullback, with resting ruckman Bruin and converted rover Wright in the pockets. The trio won an U17 premiership in 1974 but lost senior Mornington Peninsula grand finals to Pines, Crib Point and Bonbeach in quick succession. Wright earned the nickname 'the Bear' as he could often be found asleep on massage tables after post-game ales in the Stonecats' clubroom. 'Everyone knows him as 'the Bear', he's been known as the Bear for 40 years,' Hirst laughed. 'He'd always start work early, by the time 10pm came around on a Saturday he was pretty buggered so he'd go out and lay on the trainers' table and we'd wake him up at 1am wanting to go home. 'The koala bear … he spent all his time sleeping.' Jimmy The Bear, trained by Patrick and Michelle Payne, has won 12 of 39 starts and placed 10 times. The six-year-old has dominated middle distance ranks this campaign, with four wins including the Listed Winter Championship Series Final and two second places. Jimmy The Bear is $1.60 favourite to add to the tally on Saturday in the VOBIS Gold Stayers (2400m) at Caulfield. Jimmy The Bear has not raced beyond 2000m before but a win would tip another $126,000 into the prizemoney kitty, including the $30,000 VOBIS bonus. Jimmy The Bear has to date earned Bruin and Wright about $70,000 apiece in prizemoney. 'For Hirsty to make us part of that and Lizzie named the horse, it's just wonderful,' Wright said. 'Originally we were going to go out to the country meetings … we thought better celebrate with a couple owners than only one owner, but he turned out to be a bit better than that. 'Absolutely thrilled, we're bloody rapt, very generous of him.' Wright played alongside Hirst since U12s through to senior Stonecats ranks. 'Jimmy was the resting ruckman at that stage, because of my size, I started out roving but went to back pocket,' Wright said. 'I thought it was a lot easier, not as much running, alongside Hirsty, fullback all the time, it was a good combination.' The good combination has continued on Melbourne racecourses these days and winner's bars.
News.com.au
11-07-2025
- Climate
- News.com.au
The Last Say: Tips, inside mail, market movers for today's racing
The equation should be rather simple for progressive mare It's A Knockout today at Royal Randwick. Produce the determined performance she did to salute first up off a seven-week break last start and the Dundeel mare should take a power of beating. Trainer Ciaron Maher has kept It's A Knockout to the 1400 metre for the second up assignment where he'll again make full use of Braith Nock 's 2kg claim which is growing in worth by the day. While It's A Knockout looks poised to deliver another knockout punch at Randwick, it's the hugely popular Jimmy The Bear that is one of the headline attractions at Caulfield. Honest as they come, Jimmy has been in a rich vein of form this winter and looks to have everything in order to continue that trend today up to the 2000 metres. The Caulfield meeting is highlighted by the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes, the first sign we reach each year to remind us that the spring is rapidly approaching. â– â– â– â– â– ROYAL RANDWICK Weather: Mostly sunny day and a forecast top temperature of 18c. Track: Soft (5) Rail: 6m out DOOMBEN Weather: Sunny with a forecast top temperature of 15c. Track: Soft (5) Rail: 1m out CAULFIELD Weather: Mostly sunny with chance of late cloud cover with a top temperature of 17c. Track: Soft (6) Rail: True (entire) MURRAY BRIDGE Weather: Cool, partly cloudy day with forecast top temperature of 16c. Track: Soft (5) Rail: Out 3m from 1200m chute, true remainder â– â– â– â– â– ROYAL RANDWICK TIPS BEST BET Race 9 No.10 IT'S A KNOCKOUT: Stays at the 1400 metre journey following an impressive first up win over this trip last time out. Gets a good draw and with Braith Nock's 2kg claim in play again can go back-to-back. It's A Knockout KO's them first up at Randwick! 🥊 @cmaherracing @NockBraith @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 21, 2025 NEXT BEST Race 10 No.10 SLINKY: Has caught the eye of sectional observers working home well in both runs this time in. Expect the step up to 1400m to work to her advantage as will a more suitable barrier draw. Looks poised to run a bold race. A photo in the last at Warwick Farm! Slinky defeats Not That Easy by a pimple 😳 @RachelK11 @BBakerRacing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 18, 2024 â– â– â– â– â– DOOMBEN TIPS BEST BET Race 4 No.2 TUFF TU MUS: Racing in brilliant form and see no reason that changes today. Is unbeaten in four Doomben appearances, Tiff Brooker stays aboard after guiding him in a recent trial and the good gate should see him mighty hard to hold out. . @vandykeracing13 is on the board early at Eagle Farm! King Callow lifts Tuff Tu Mus to victory in Race 1. — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 26, 2025 NEXT BEST Race 6 No.3 FAT FINGERS: On the quick back up after finishing midfield at the Sunshine Coast last week. Will give away a start but will get her ideal ground today and gets 3kg weight relief with Cobi Vitler in the saddle. Look for her charging home late. â– â– â– â– â– CAULFIELD TIPS BEST BET Race 4 No.2 JIMMY THE BEAR: No prizes for finding a rampaging Jimmy The Bear but for those searching for an anchor for the day, it really does look like him. Good draw should ensure an economical run out to the 2000m at his sixth run for the prep. Jimmy The Bear becomes a winter champion! ðŸ�» The lovable old marvel is victorious in the Winter Championship Final of 2025, after being the beaten favourite of 2023 ðŸ�† @mj_payne @TheBeeegan — (@Racing) July 5, 2025 NEXT BEST Race 6 No.8 KAHHOFF: Grabbed late at Flemington last time out after putting away a strong midweek field the start prior. Rarely far away and from a good draw at his pet distance can give a sight nudging double figure odds. Kahhof explodes at the furlong pole & they couldn't get near him ðŸ'¥ @moloney_racing — (@Racing) June 1, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– RANDWICK BY THE NUMBERS JOCKEY / TRAINER WATCH 47.8% – Randwick Race 4 No.4 BENGAL (Nick Heywood/Luke Pepper) 42% – Randwick Race 8 No.8 PUNTIN (Ashley Morgan/Bjorn Baker) 21% – Randwick Race 10 No.6 VERY SEWREEL (Josh Parr/Bjorn Baker) 19.7% – Randwick Race 5 No.9 HOVLAND (Andrew Adkins/John O'Shea-Tom Charlton) 19.6% – Randwick Race 9 No.6 TIME QUEST (Ashley Morgan-Matthew Smith) JOCKEY WATCH JASON COLLETT – 9 rides, average price $4 RACHEL KING – 10 rides, average price $6.55 JOSH PARR – 6 rides, average price $8.75 BEN OSMOND – 5 rides, average price $9 BRAITH NOCK – 5 rides average price $10.10 RATINGS RULERS Race 6 Number 10 - PIPPIE BEACH $3.40 Race 9 Number 10 - IT'S A KNOCKOUT $3.00 Race 10 Number 5 - CHANGING COLOURS $4.20 SECTIONAL STARS (best last 600m) Race 4 Number 11 - CELERITY $5.60 34.28 Race 4 Number 9 - FLAME OF HESTIA $4.80 34.62 Race 10 Number 10 - SLINKY $6.00 33.91 â– â– â– â– â– ROYAL RANDWICK MARKET MOVERS Race 1: No. 4 CROSSBOW ($8 into $3.80) Race 2: No. 6 IN SUMMER ($6 into $4), No. 11 SHUTTER ($51 into $31) Race 3: No. 2 GLAD YOU THINK SO ($26 into $18), No. 10 CALLISTEMON ($4.80 into $3) Race 4: No. 4 BENGAL ($34 into $19), No. 5 RANTAN ($51 into $26) Race 5: No. 3 FEDERER ($5 into $3.80), No. 10 AROHA STONE ($10 into $7) Race 6: No. 3 SALT LAKE CITY ($14 into $10), No. 4 ZAPHOD ($5.50 into $4) Race 7: No. 3 LULUMON ($7 into $4.60), No. 4 AVONE ($11 into $6) Race 8: No. 4 OH DIAMOND LIL ($6.50 into $4.80), No. 12 FIDDLERS GREEN ($11 into $7) Race 9: No. 10 IT'S A KNOCKOUT ($4.20 into $3) Race 10: No. 5 CHANGING COLOURS ($5 into $4.20), No. 10 SLINKEY ($14 into $6.50) MARKET MOVERS: $14 into $6 in quaddie closer A horse that's been a sectional star in two runs this preparation has been well found by early bird punters ahead of an upcoming assignment on Saturday. ðŸ'‡ — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) July 11, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– BIG BETS ROYAL RANDWICK Race 1 No. 4 – Crossbow – $3000 @ $3.60 Race 3 No. 10 – Callistemon – $6000 @ $4.20 Race 5 No. 3 – Federer – $1000 @ $3.70 Race 6 No. 4 – Zaphod – $1000 @ $4 Race 8 No. 8 – Puntin – $3500 @ $4.50 Race 8 No. 8 – Puntin – $4000 @ $4.60 Race 9 No. 10 – It's A Knockout– $5000 @ $2.40 Race 9 No. 10 – It's A Knockout – $4000 @ $2.60 DOOMBEN Race 1 No. 4 – Pre Eminence – $1200 @ $2.70 Race 4 No. 3 – Tuff Tu Mus – $2500 @ $3 Race 7 No. 15 – Artful Girl – $1500 @ $11 Race 8 No. 10 – John Rambo – $2000 @ $4 Race 9 No. 11 – She Ours – $1000 @ $6 Race 9 No. 11 – She Ours – $5000 @ $8 CAULFIELD Race 1 No. 2 – Signature Scent – $4000 @ $2.25 Race 2 No. 7 – Shadhavar – $9000 @ $4 Race 3 No. 2 – Supercilious – $4000 @ $4 Race 4 No. 2 – Jimmy The Bear – $15,000 @ $1.60 Race 4 No. 2 – Jimmy The Bear – $10,000 @ $1.70 Race 8 No. 6 – In Flight – $9000 @ $2.90 Race 8 No. 6 – In Flight – $5000 @ $2.80 Race 9 No. 5 – Aztec State – $5000 @ $3.40 TIPS FROM THE BIG BOOKIES FOR SATURDAY The bagmen give a tip in the only black-type race on the Eastern Seaboard â€' the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield â€' as well as tricky legs of the Randwick and Doomben quaddies. ðŸ'‡ — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) July 11, 2025 â– â– â– â– â–
News.com.au
10-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Jimmy The Bear worth the shout for passionate owner-breeder Mike Hirst
Jimmy The Bear could again pay for drinks in a Hobart sports bar on Saturday with Caulfield victory but not at the direct expense of passionate owner-breeder Mike Hirst. Hirst shouted drinkers at the Pavilion, a Salamanca Place, Battery Point, watering hole last Saturday after boisterously cheering for triumphant Jimmy The Bear in the Listed Winter Championship Final at Flemington. 'People were looking at me stupid,' the former Racing Victoria chairman laughed. '(Partner) Lizzie and I were screaming out, 'Go Jimmy, go Jimmy' to the point they were all looking at us silly. 'I decided I better shout the bar because I interrupted their afternoon a little too much, it's a small pub though.' Jimmy The Bear, trained by Patrick and Michelle Payne, is the $1.65 favourite in the VOBIS Gold Heath (2000m) at Caulfield. The six-year-old Jimmy Creed gelding, out of Hirst-owned Belvedere Road, has won three of his past five starts and placed second twice in a stellar winter campaign. Jimmy The Bear, a $1.2m prizemoney winner, is a product of a 30-year dedication to a breeding theory – built around a direct descendant of 1955 Kentucky Oaks winner Lalun. Hirst discovered a great-great-granddaughter of Lalun racing in Rockhampton, one of only two relations of the American mare in Australia at the time, and eventually bought her for $3000. Hirst initially offered $20,000 to buy River Royal, the great-grandam of Jimmy The Bear, but the former owner insisted on racing the filly in north Queensland. Hirst tried a second time – at $15,000 – after River Royal raced without success only to be knocked back again. Hirst finally secured River Royal, placed once in seven starts, and chased the dream to breed a Derby or Oaks winner. He almost achieved the feat in 2019 with Victoria Derby runner-up Southern Moon, son of Puissance De Lune out of South Street, a daughter of Jimmy The Bear's grandam On Southbank. 'River Royal's progeny and her progeny's progeny have now won north of $4m (prizemoney),' Hirst said. 'It doesn't mean it's been profitable, by the way, in fact, it's not been!' • Childs to carry out trainer's long-term Monash plan Descendants of River Royal include 2006 Adelaide Cup runner-up Tubular Bells and 2012 Grand Annual Steeplechase winner Awakening Dream. Jimmy The Bear's sister Jenny The Beaver has won two of 15 starts and is an $8 chance in a 2450m Benchmark 64 at Geelong on Thursday. Belvedere Road is in foal to Blue Point. Jimmy The Bear has two young half-brothers, an unraced Omaha Beach two-year-old and Ghaiyyath weanling. JIMMY THE BEAR ðŸ�»ðŸ'° The Winter Championship Final goes to Patrick and Michelle Payne's warhorse! Forgot You was a mighty run for third at $61 for Team Busuttin/Young in honour of Peta Tait ðŸ'– @TheBeeegan @mj_payne — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) July 5, 2025 'I was probably breeding a bit too much stamina and stayer, originally, so I've tried to put a bit more speed into (the family) as we've gone along,' Hirst said. Jimmy The Bear could be freshened after Saturday but Hirst deferred to Payne for any future decisions. 'I don't pretend to tell Patrick what to do, he's a genius at placing his horses,' Hirst said. 'We did push him last year to run in the Toorak (Handicap) and after he went no good (eighth), and Patrick didn't think we should do it but we wanted to have a crack, after that I promised we'd never, ever have a say in where he went, so I don't. 'That will be up to Patrick, I'm not sure what he wants to do but he's got to a rating now, if he wins again on Saturday … and it's no certainty, I'd imagine Patrick will freshen him up a bit … if he wants to have a crack in spring so be it, and if he doesn't, that's fine too.'
