Latest news with #JonathanMunz
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Grahame Begg shifts focus to Nonconformist at Flemington after Zloties' untimely injury ends Group 1 swan song
Trainer Grahame Begg has cancelled a swan song Queensland Group 1 mission for Zloties. Group 2 winner Zloties was going to be retired after the Group 1 Tattersall's Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 28 but an injury setback brought forward the plans for life after racing. Zloties, a $15 chance in early Tatt's Tiara markets, won five of nine career starts including the Group 2 Queen Of The South Stakes (1600m) for owner-breeder Jonathan Munz. 'She's retired,' Begg said. 'She's not heading north … she's heading to the breeding barn.' Meanwhile, Begg has Nonconformist set for a Benchmark 100 at Flemington on Saturday. Nonconformist has a big weight and wide draw but Begg said 2000m distance would suit the rising nine-year-old. 'He ran well (first-up in Adelaide), we're happy with him,' Begg said. 'He actually raced like he wanted 2000m in the mile race. 'He's trained on well, so we're very happy.' Nonconformist is $6.50 second favourite from hat-trick candidate Liberami, up in grade from a Benchmark 84 last start. Nonconformist, a $2.3m prizemoney earner, has performed consistently albeit without a win since the 2023 Group 2 Blamey Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield. The evergreen Rebel Raider gelding has raced exclusively in stakes' grade since 2020. 'He's conceding a good bit of weight under the conditions, in a Benchmark 100,' Begg said. 'A couple horses have 53kg in the race, conceding six kilos to a few but we're happy.' Begg said Nonconformist would be freshened after Saturday and prepare for the spring. 'The idea was to give him one or two runs, back off him and come up again for the spring,' Begg said. 'We won't have any major, lofty goals, races like (the Coongy) suit him.' Begg confirmed Listed Bel Esprit Stakes winner Niance is in the paddock, with spring targets in mind for the smart sprint mare, while Splash Back, who also won at Caulfield last Saturday, would head to Flemington on June 21 in a 1400m fillies and mares Benchmark 90.
News.com.au
30-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
No Frankie, no worries for Giga Kick in Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup mission
No Frankie, no worries. Giga Kick and his trusty sidekick, Frankie the pint-sized pony, have been the Batman and Robin of the Australian racing scene. Little Frankie was originally purchased about a decade ago by Giga Kick's owner Jonathan Munz for his sons Albert and Alex. Frankie and Giga Kick are rarely seen without each other and in recent years Frankie has been the star racehorse's constant travelling companion. But Frankie hasn't made the trip to Brisbane for his great mate's Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) mission. 'Giga Kick flew up this time, so Frankie didn't make the trip,' Giga Kick's trainer Clayton Douglas said. 'It's the first time he has been away without Frankie. 'Hopefully it's not a jinx, we will see on Saturday.' While there is no Frankie to keep Giga Kick company, there is a growing sense of confidence from the Giga Kick camp that the elite sprinter could be getting back to some of his three-year-old form which saw him become an Everest champion in 2022. The multiple Group 1 -winner may have been beaten first-up when the conditions of the Group 1 Goodwood in Adelaide should have suited him. But little went to plan and although he didn't win – and hasn't won for two years – Douglas was happy with what he saw when Giga Kick surged late for third behind Reserve Bank. The 3YO colt has now won three races in a row ðŸ'' @MickPriceRacing @jamieleekah07 — (@Racing) May 10, 2025 * Callow to miss Derby after jockey altercation Newmarket Handicap champion Joliestar is the $3 favourite for the Kingsford Smith but Douglas points out Giga Kick ($5) beat her home in The Everest last year. 'Joliestar is going to start favourite and rightly so, but if Giga Kick had even luck and won the other day in Adelaide, what price would he be?' Douglas said. 'The last time we met Joliestar, we beat her in The Everest. 'It seems like we could get a bit of rain on Saturday and I'm not concerned about that, I think it will be suitable for him. 'Giga Kick's last preparation was a bit of a wait and see prep with him and it was good that he was able to perform in The Everest (finishing runner-up to Bella Nipotina) the way he did. 'The horse is now in even better condition and his body is moving great. 'Whether we are going to see the three-year-old sort of form from him that we once saw, I hope so, but it is hard to say. 'One thing I do know is he's going to be more than competitive on Saturday.' All runners in the Kingsford Smith Cup, as well as the Group 1 Queensland Derby, were trotted up in front of vets on Friday and cleared to start.
