Latest news with #KPMcEvoy
News.com.au
20-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘That is a great recipe': Trainer James Cummings cooks up Randwick rout with four top chances in last race
Godolphin maestro James Cummings was reluctant to rate his four sprinters but hinted the price assessors had it right with Kerguelen as favourite for the Switzerland At Coolmore Handicap (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Cummings will also saddle up Contemporary, Pereille and Razors in the Randwick closer with all four of the stable's sprinters prominent in TAB Fixed Odds betting. But Kerguelen is the $2.40 favourite even though the promising gelding is only third emergency and needs another scratching to gain a start. 'Kerguelen's going really well and it would be nice to get him into the race carrying 52kg,'' Cummings said. 'For a horse on the rise that is a great recipe.'' • A five-year-old son of former champion racehorse and sire Lonhro, Kerguelen has only been to the races six times for three wins and three seconds. But Kerguelen resumed with a strong win over the talented Brave One at Rosehill and drops 5.5kg for the Randwick sprint, albeit he is up sharply grade. 'We have been so patient with this horse,'' Cummings said. 'Although we have always held him in high regard, he's needed time to mature and I would like to think our patience will be rewarded now. 'This might be one of the drier tracks he's raced on but he's going along so sweetly and is a chance to rocket through his grades.'' Kerguelen gives @JamesCummings88 and @KPMcEvoy a Rosehill double! ðŸ'° @godolphin | @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025 • Kerguelen is the pick of the Godolphin quartet and the $2.40 favourite with TAB Fixed Odds with his stablemates Razors at $9, Pereille $9.50 and Contemporary at $11. Razors was twice stakes-placed as a three-year-old but hasn't raced for 12 months. Cummings has given the gelding two recent barrier trials to ready him for a Randwick return. 'I thought it was good work from Razors the other day in his trial and he's coming into this race looking pretty athletic for a horse coming off a long break,'' he said. Pereille ran fourth behind Headley Grange in a strong form race at Randwick last start and Cummings feels the sprinter is at his peak after two runs from a spell. 'He is going well and has come on from that last run,'' Cummings said. 'This does look a suitable race for him.'' Headley Grange wins first up to give @PrideRacing a Randwick double! 🙌 @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 • Topweight Contemporary has to shoulder 59kg after apprentice Benjamin Osmond 's 2kg claim but his second-up effort when third to In Flight in the Listed Bob Charley Stakes is very good form for the Randwick closer. 'Contemporary is knocking on the door and is ready to win,'' Cummings said. 'He is up there where it hurts in the ratings but that is offset with the claim and he should be very strong late in the race.'' Cummings, who will take a break from training at the end of next month before moving to Hong Kong for the 2026-27 season, also has three-year-old fillies Amusing and Glorioso entered for the Quayclean Handicap (1300m) although the trainer hinted only the former was a certain starter. 'I like the look of Amusing, her trials have been good and I'm happy for her to go back to the races,'' he said. 'Glorioso won last start (Gosford) but I'm just considering the options with her, we might even wait for Wednesday (Kensington.'' A great finish at @hawkesburyrc with Glorioso getting the win in a photo - and that's a double to @ZacLloydx! @JamesCummings88 | @godolphin — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 24, 2024 Cummings also has chances interstate with Kin contesting the Listed $160,000 Gai Waterhouse Classic (1200m) at Ipswich while boom two-year-old Observer lines up in the TAB We're On (1420m) at Flemington. 'Kin has a lovely barrier (two) at Ipswich she should be able to be ridden to her strengths,'' the trainer said. 'As for Observer, there is a lot to like about that horse. He was stylish winning last start (by five lengths at Sandown), he has come a long way and will only get better.'' â– â– â– â– â– Hooligan Tommy 'right in the race' Hooligan Tommy, part-owned by NRL legend Greg Alexander, can continue his form surge in the Midway Handicap (1600m). The John Sargent -trained Hooligan Tommy has won two of his five starts this campaign including his dominant effort at Kembla Grange last start by more than three lengths under 60.5kg. Tough four-year-old Hooligan Tommy drops to 58kg and is at $8.50 behind Callistemon at $3.40. 'Hooligan Tommy is on top of his game and is right in the race,'' Sargent said. 'He is better on a firmer track which he will get on Saturday, and a good, hard run mile will suit him. He's worked well during the week and looks great in the coat.'' Hooligan Tommy seems to have found his niche race distance around 1600m after being tried as a stayer last season when he ran unplaced behind Riff Rocket and Ceolwulf in the ATC Australian Derby. Sargent also ran Glad You Think So in that Derby with the gelding finishing a very game third in the prestigious Group 1 classic. Glad You Think So hasn't lived up to that promise since but Sargent is optimistic the stayer can find something like his best form this winter, starting with a comeback run in the Traffic Warden At Darley Handicap (1400m). Glad You Think So fights back and gets up! @jeanvovermeire @jsargentracing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 15, 2023 'He had a so-so campaign last time but I think he's come back in very good order this time,'' Sargent said. 'I think he will sprint well fresh. Although he will get back a bit, as long as he is hitting the line I will know he is on the right track.'' Meanwhile, Sargent has sent emerging filly Bearings interstate for the Ken Cox Handicap (2000m) at Flemington. Sargent was hoping to get Bearings to the Queensland Oaks but the filly failed to qualify despite consistent results this campaign including wins at Goulburn and Newcastle. 'Bearings has gone to Melbourne as this looks a nice race for her with good prizemoney,'' Sargent said. 'She does gets back in her races so hopefully they run along because she will be hitting the line.'' â– â– â– â– â– Hopper ready to Medal at Randwick The winning form of Mickey's Medal has given trainer Peter Snowden added confidence Hopper will be hard to beat in the QMS Media Handicap (1600m). Hopper, a son of former super sire Snitzel, made a race of it with Mickey's Medal at Rosehill three weeks ago, finishing a close second. Mickey's Medal then franked the form by winning again at Rosehill last Saturday. 'The form around Hopper is good, it's always nice to see the form hold up,'' Snowden said. 'The Randwick race sets up well for Hopper. He's drawn a nice gate and should get his chance.'' Oh Mickey, you're so fine! It's Mickey's Medal for the win at Rosehill! 🥇 @NockBraith | @ANeashamRacing | @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025 Snowden has Sakima, also by Snitzel, entered for the Quayclean Handicap (1300m) but is still deciding whether to start the filly. 'Sakima lost her way a little bit last preparation but she's showing some good signs at home with her trackwork,'' Snowden said. 'I still haven't decided if I run her Saturday or wait for Wednesday.'' Snowden is also upbeat about the chances of Xidaki in the Listed $200,000 Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) at Ipswich. â– â– â– â– â– What's in a name? Fans of the blockbuster movie and perennial family favourite Sound Of Music will recognise the name of a three-year-old gelding in the maiden opener at Kembla Grange. So Long Farewell is named after the hit Rodgers and Hammerstein song from the movie and the inspiration is obvious – his dam is Sound Of Music. â– â– â– â– â– Storm Boy ready to roll at Royal Ascot Irish training genius Aidan O'Brien expects to see a 'completely different level of performance' from former Australian sprint star Storm Boy in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at Royal Ascot on Saturday night. Storm Boy ran poorly at his debut for the O'Brien stable in Ireland last month but the brilliant three-year-old colt has pleased the Coolmore crew at trackwork since that run. 'We had a few bits and pieces to iron out of him leading up to the Greenlands Stakes,'' O'Brien told English media this week. 'While we got those things sorted out, we then didn't have the time to get enough work into him to have him where we wanted for that race in conditioning terms. 'But we've been able to get much more serious with him since that run in terms of work and it's very possible you'll see a completely different level of performance at Royal Ascot.'' Storm Boy, who will be ridden by Ryan Moore, is a $5 equal second favourite behind French star and Golden Eagle runner-up Lazzat at $3.90 for the Jubilee Stakes on the final day of the Royal Ascot carnival. • Tips from the big bookies for Saturday's racing â– â– â– â– â– 5 YEARS AGO Trumbull, trained by Kim Waugh and ridden by Tommy Berry, was too good for Order Again in the Civic Stakes, run that year at Rosehill. In the spring, Trumbull returned to win the Sydney Stakes on Everest Day. The Ipswich Cup was not held in 2020 but Bandipur, trained by Kelly Purdy, won the Eye Liner Stakes and Tony Gollan's Solar Star won the Gai Waterhouse Classic. Finally Trumbull comes through for the @tabcomau punters with a peach of a ride from @TommyBerry21 jumping and railing like a greyhound to take out the Civic Stakes for @kimwaugh6 — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 27, 2020 10 YEARS AGO Haussmann, trained by John O'Shea, defeated Two Blue narrowly in an exciting finish to the Civic Stakes. Chris Waller's Dancha finished fast to win the Ipswich Cup, the Wez Hunter-trained Smokin' Joey won the Eye Liner Stakes and Real Surreal found her best form to win the Gai Waterhouse Classic. 20 YEARS AGO The Paul Perry-trained Turaga, ridden by Kathy O'Hara, came from near last with a powerful surge to edge out Terrace and Magic Marvo in a tight three-way finish to the Civic Stakes. Jockey Anthony Patillo won the Ipswich Cup on the Barry Miller-trained Forest Jim then completed the big-race double when he partnered Nessuno, trained by John Wigginton, to the Eye Liner Stakes.
News.com.au
24-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
2025 The Roses: Philia wins at Doomben for trainer David Vandyke
It's been an 11-year wait but Caloundra trainer David Vandyke thinks he has the filly to give him a Queensland Oaks. In 2014, Vandyke won the Doomben Roses with Arabian Gold before that filly came up agonisingly short 14 days later when second to Tinto in the three-year-old fillies' Group 1. Fast forward to 2025 and Philia led from barrier to box to give Vandyke his second victory in the Group 2 The Roses at Doomben on Saturday and bookmakers reacted to the win by firming the filly's Queensland Oaks quote from $11 into $3.50 favouritism for the $700,000 Group 1 on June 7. • 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! 'She was a month between runs and now I've got the nice two-week progression off a hard run today, 2200 (metres). Bring on the Oaks,' Vandyke said. 'Moving forward into the Oaks, when she's got that amazing racing pattern where she can get taken on and absorb pressure, that's a great asset. She loves it. 'She's a half to Duais, a multiple Group 1 winner that won over 2400 (metres) and she goes right back to one of the best families in the world.' . @KPMcEvoy guides Philia to victory in The Roses for @vandykeracing13! — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025 • Philia was forced to work early in The Roses when challenged leaving the straight by Verona Rose before a midrace move from Canny Queen applied more pressure to the leader, but the daughter of All Too Hard was up to the challenge. 'She was more relaxed in herself today which is pleasing going out in trip,' winning rider Kerrin McEvoy said. 'She kicked off the corner but had a bit of a stargaze at the barriers and thought 'job done' so I got a bit vocal with her but she's heading in the right direction. 'She's bred to and I think she will run the distance of the Oaks.' Philia ($3.70) defeated two fast-finishing backmarkers, Jenni's Meadow ($31) by three-quarters-of-a-length with Movin Out ($21) another length back in third. The $3.50 favourite Benagil struggled, beaten almost seven lengths into 10th. • 'I knew she was 100 per cent for today,' Vandyke said. 'She had to sprint a few times during the race and still had the audacity to kick in the straight and hold off the late charge. 'Moving forward into the Oaks, when she's got that amazing racing pattern where she can get taken on and absorb pressure, that's a great asset. She loves it.' Connections of Jenni's Meadow declared 'bring on the Oaks''. Jockey Ethan Brown declared the filly could have won The Roses if she'd drawn better than barrier 14. Co-trainer JD Hayes, who prepares the filly with brothers Ben and Will, said: 'That was a huge Oaks trial. She drew really wide, in the carpark actually, so we had to take our medicine and go back. But it was a beautiful Oaks run, bring on two weeks' time.' Jenni's Meadow firmed from $51 into $8 for the Queensland Oaks while Movin Out shortened from $51 to $11.
News.com.au
26-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Queensland pair Philia and Spicy Martini halt interstate raiders in Princess Stakes and Mick Dittman Plate at Eagle Farm
The local stars repelled the fancied southern raiders on Saturday at Eagle Farm as the major players warmed up for the Queensland winter carnival. Spicy Martini won the $160,000 Listed Mick Dittman Plate (1000m) for Gold Coast trainers Toby Edmonds and Stephen McLean, before Sunshine Coast trainer David Vandyke took out the $160,000 Princess Stakes (1600m) for three-year-old fillies with Philia ($4.80). It was a particularly satisfying win for Vandyke, who has Queensland Oaks plans for Philia, which was ridden by Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy. The $700,000 Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) will be contested at Eagle Farm on June 7. Vandyke comprehensively won the Queensland Oaks three years ago with Gypsy Goddess, ridden by the 'Wizard of the West' Willie Pike. 'It's hard to draw a line through the two of them,' the trainer said after Philia's impressive victory on a Soft 7 track ahead of southern raiders Pinito ($6.50) and Meridiana ($6). 'This girl (Philia) is on-pace and she gets herself a little bit hot and worked up whereas Gypsy Goddess was more one of those relaxed fillies who gets back and finds the line. 'It's hard to draw a comparison but she's pretty special this one (Philia). 'She keeps improving. Every run she gets better and that's what's exciting about her. 'She hadn't raced for five or six weeks. 'It's funny because her half-sister (Duais) won it in 2021 and I won it with Gypsy Goddess (in 2022). 'If the connections joined forces to win the Oaks it'd be the right synergy.' Philia dominates Race 7 at Eagle Farm for @vandykeracing13! @KPMcEvoy â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 26, 2025 Vandyke paid special tribute to trackwork jockey Quinton Cassidy, who suffered a broken arm while riding $83,000 purchase Philia on Tuesday and only got out of hospital on Friday. 'In my opinion he's the best rider I've seen. He's brilliant,' Vandyke said of Cassidy. 'This girl has been very hard to work with. She's got a very independent mind. 'He's worked with her tirelessly and he's really got her in the shape that she is today. 'Without him, she wouldn't be racing now and be as competitive as she is. 'I can't stress that enough. My name might be in the book but he's done the work. 'These blokes are the unsung heroes. It's a dangerous job and they don't get the recognition they deserve.' Noel Callow won three of the first four races, including on Tony Gollan's gelding Hurts So Good in a Benchmark 85 handicap, on a day to remember for the veteran jockey. In the Mick Dittman Plate, Spicy Martini made it three wins from her four races when Kyle Wilson-Taylor grinded away in the straight to pass McEvoy on $3 favourite Zoubaby, with $81 pop Belegato in third. Spicy Martini digs deep to win Race 6 at Eagle Farm! ðŸ'Š @EdmondsRacing â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 26, 2025 'I probably don't think I've ridden a horse that tries as hard as her,' Wilson-Taylor said. 'The other horse (Zoubaby) had her beat all the way down the straight. Kerrin started roaring and I thought 'I might try that' and then she responded. 'Gee she's a good mare and Toby's a good trainer. We work really well together.' Edmonds said Spicy Martini, bought online for just $8000, was a 'good story'. 'She's a really good filly and she's quite underdone yet,' he said. 'She's still got a wiry coat and a long way to go. We've got high hopes for her this preparation. She just digs in, she's tough and unassuming.' Edmonds said Spicy Martini would next head to the $200,000 Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas (1200m) on May 10.
