Latest news with #KeaganLatham
News.com.au
4 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Shayne O'Cass's best bets and inside mail for Kembla Grange, Moree on Tuesday
Racenet form analyst Shayne O'Cass provides his best bets and inside mail for Kembla Grange on Tuesday, as well as his tips for Moree. â– â– â– â– â– KEMBLA TIPS BEST BET Race 3 No.1 ANT: Always looked like a 2000m horse and gets his first chance to prove it here. NEXT BEST Race 1 No.4 BEAUTY DASH: Blue-blood who has sent out all the rights signs in her trials. VALUE Race 5 No.11 DAPPER DANCER: Only win was on Heavy; well-weighted here after the claim. QUADDIE Race 4: 1,2,3,11 Race 5: 2,4,7,11 Race 6: 2 Race 7: 3 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Leader/defending title champion Keagan Latham is on 49 Provincial wins this season. KEMBLA INSIDE MAIL BEAUTY DASH (4) races in the same colours as Hong Kong idol Beauty Generation. This mare is by I Am Invincible out of a Encosta de Lago mare who is herself out of a Zabeel mare so she's got the pedigree to get somewhere. Trialled three times dating back to July last year and lots to like about all of them. THAIBEEFSALADE (10) has raced here at home 13 times for four placings, sometimes in 'strong' maidens. KOWLOON VICTOR (3) is a fast horse. Market watch advised. BRIDE WARS (5) and the debutante JUST LIKE TILDA (8) are most worthy of support. BET: BEAUTY DASH (4) to win, exacta 4 to beat 10. EMPRESS TSARINA (3) is a Russian Revolution filly whose dam is a Canterbury winning half-sister to Mazu and Headway. This Edward O'Rourke trained 3YO was $41 on debut, clocking in an 'even' fourth of seven behind I Am Brave in the opener on Scone Cup day. Drawn well this time and has the race experience now CUBAN RAIN (8) 's best two runs so far have both been here at home The extra 100m now, second-up, could make all the difference to her. Ditto that last bit for the stablemate JAMARNI (9). BET: EMPRESS TSARINA (3) to win, quinella 3,8. ANT (1) is by Snitzel out of a half-sister to Appearance but his future lies at the mile and beyond. The Chris Waller gelding has a get back/run on pattern but that could change now that he gets to 2000m. Whatever the case and wherever they ride him, he is crying out for this trip. The same goes for his stablemate SO SUAVE (3) who is of course, the younger brother of Verry Elleegant. Pardon the pun but I have a theory MR CONSPIRACY (16) might run well at this trip. BET: ANT (1) to win, quinella 1,3, MR CONSPIRACY (16) to place. OH GOLLY GOSH (11) has finished on the podium at 16 of her 37 starts which is an appealing scenario for each-way punters bearing in mind that she has only won three times. A few points there; one of those wins was on Heavy and she does generally give away headstarts in her races. Nicely weighted. HOT BANDIT (1) is from the in-form Luke Pepper stable. The horse has the highest benchmark rating of all who gets in 3 kgs less thanks to the claim. INVADE AND CONQUER (2) 's best form has been here at home. BET: OH GOLLY GOSH (11) each-way. DAPPER DANCER (11) may have only managed one won from 16 starts but it helps that it was on a Heavy track given the conditions on Tuesday. The form guide says he is four starts at Kembla with nothing to show for it but that last run here on May 17 was actually rather good. For the record, the Ron Leemon-trained chestnut finished a length and tail fourth behind Miss Spacegirl who will naturally be awfully hard to beat again. WINNER OF KOWLOON (7) and ONE LAST SHOT (3) are both players in an open race. BET: DAPPER DANCER (11) each-way, Daily Double 1st Leg 11, 2nd leg 3. THE PROFESSOR (2) brings together father (trainer) Richard Collett and son (jockey) Jason for the 402nd time. Their current tally is 71 wins and 108 placings. One win and one placing among that total can be attributed to The Professor who has been good in his two runs back this time; just got too far back with big weights each time. EUROMASTER (4) doesn't win often but he doesn't run many bad races. TOKYO QUEEN (6) is a Newcastle winner inside her three starts. BET: THE PROFESSOR (2) to win, box trifecta 2,4,6,8. ZARAGOZA (3) is the sixth and last foal of Ramornie winner Jerezana whose prior offspring included Osborne Bulls and Zapateo. A former Godolphin resident himself, Zaragoza has been with the Prices at Kembla for a while and done very well indeed. In fact, he just loves racing in the Illawarra; his record here is 7 starts for three wins and three placings. Ticks a lot of boxes – especially the jockey! CASSIEL (4) rolled a pretty good lot of sprinters at Canterbury first-up. Mitch Beer local SCISSOR ME TIMBERS (6) is an absolute muddie! Eager to see how the market treats CLOSE ENCOUNTER (7) who trialled well the other week. BET: ZARAGOZA (3) to win, box trifecta 3,4,6,7. â– â– â– â– â–
Courier-Mail
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
Newcastle preview: A confident Empress Of Japan is ready to rule
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Jockey Keagan Latham was thrilled to see Empress Of Japan return to form with a booming victory last start and feels she can replicate it when she heads up the motorway to Newcastle. The Michael Freedman-trained filly had finished just behind the placegetters at Kembla at her first two runs back this campaign before dropping back to country grade at Goulburn and storming home from near last to beat Zipitilist over 1400m. 'We always thought a little bit of her, myself and Michael,' said Latham. 'She won her first start at Gosford and then she ran in the Percy Sykes at Randwick. 'Unfortunately, she was taken out with a bit of interference and I think it knocked her confidence a little bit in the prep thereafter. 'Even though it was only a small margin in the end, she had the best part of eight to ten lengths to make up at the top of the straight. 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! 'She travelled well but when I pushed the button, she really let down with a terrific turn of foot.' Empress Of Japan can potentially earn herself a shot at a black type race over the winter with a win in the Benchmark 68 Handicap (1500m) where she had barrier 2. 'The key is she likes to be ridden with a bit of cuddle to allow her to come with one strong run,' Latham said. 'While she has a good draw this week, I don't think she will be any closer than midfield and have one last shot at them. 'The long straight at Newcastle allows her to do that.' Latham and Freedman also combine with lightly-raved gelding Gone To Cape York in the Class 1 Handicap (1250m). The three-year-old scored on debut at Nowra under Latham before a three length seventh at Wyong last start when ridden by Zac Lloyd. 'It was a good effort to win on debut because he's not really an 1100m horse and he took the length of the straight to get his head in front,' said Latham. 'At Wyong, he didn't have much room in the straight. He was just among horses and could get a real crack. 'From the draw, he should get plenty of room and the length of the straight at Newcastle is going to be his best advantage.' Latham rode the John Sargent-trained Khant Fail to back-to-back placings at Newcastle and Wyong last preparation and is looking forward to renewing their association in the Maiden Plate (1850m). The four-year-old daughter of New Zealand and Australian Derbies and Caulfield Cup winner Mongolian Khan has been good in finishing third in both runs this time in over 1500m an 1600m and will appreciate the step up in trip. 'She gave me a nice feel last prep but she was a big baby. She is a tall animal and definitely needed to grow into herself,' he said. 'She's had two this time in over short distances and I thought she has run pretty well. 'She ran well at Newcastle last prep and steps up to a more suitable trip this week. 'John is very good with staying fillies and from barrier 1, we will have her a close as she is comfortable and I think she can run quite a sneaky race.' Latham also has two rides to local trainer Paul Perry on Passalacqua in the Maiden Plate (1250m) and debutant Seven Wonders in the 2YO Maiden Plate (900m). 'I think Passalacqua has matured a lot more this prep and he can run a sneaky race,' he said. 'I haven't ridden Seven Wonders but you can never under estimate Paul Perry's horses, especially at home.' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Trainer Kerry Parker was pleased with the way Equilibrist reacted with the blinkers on or the first time at his most recent start and feels he can back it up with another big run. The four-year-old was only fair in beating two home when resuming at Kembla last month which prompted Parker to make the gear change. Equilibrist went back from a wide gate to settle near last before coming inside runners on the bend and squeezing through a gap late to finish a length third behind Eclair Awesome over 1600m at Gosford on April 10. The four-year-old looks suited stepping up in trip in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1850m) with Jason Collett aboard. 'His first-up run was just a pass mark. He seemed to be floating a bit too so I decided to put the blinkers on to help him focus a bit more,' said Parker. 'He raced really well with the blinkers on. He raced between horses and hit the line well showing a bit of determination. 'I was really proud of his run. 'If he can reproduce his Gosford run over the 1850m, you would like to think he will put himself in the finish again.' A little rain in Newcastle will also be a positive for the son of Trapeze Artist. The gelding won his maiden on a Heavy 8 at Kembla last October and it was a Soft 6 at Gosford last start. 'I think getting his toe in the ground is beneficial to him,' Parker said. Joining Equilibrist on the trip from Kembla is four-year-old mare Audenzia who contests the Maiden Plate (1850m). The daughter of Brazen Beau kicked off her preparation with a nice second behind Montigo Bay over 1500m on her home track on February 25 before a fourth to Queen Strada over the same track and distance 17 days later. She then three weeks between runs when seventh behind Empuse over 1500m at Hawkesbury on April 5. 'She is looking for the longer trip now,' said Parker. 'Her last start at Hawkesbury, she was just at her top the whole way and couldn't get into that really nice rhythm. 'She is a little bit one-paced and the 1850m looks to be up her alley. 'If she can get herself in a handy position up on speed, she will keep grinding away.'
Daily Telegraph
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
Newcastle preview: A confident Empress Of Japan is ready to rule
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Jockey Keagan Latham was thrilled to see Empress Of Japan return to form with a booming victory last start and feels she can replicate it when she heads up the motorway to Newcastle. The Michael Freedman-trained filly had finished just behind the placegetters at Kembla at her first two runs back this campaign before dropping back to country grade at Goulburn and storming home from near last to beat Zipitilist over 1400m. 'We always thought a little bit of her, myself and Michael,' said Latham. 'She won her first start at Gosford and then she ran in the Percy Sykes at Randwick. 'Unfortunately, she was taken out with a bit of interference and I think it knocked her confidence a little bit in the prep thereafter. 'Even though it was only a small margin in the end, she had the best part of eight to ten lengths to make up at the top of the straight. 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! 'She travelled well but when I pushed the button, she really let down with a terrific turn of foot.' Empress Of Japan can potentially earn herself a shot at a black type race over the winter with a win in the Benchmark 68 Handicap (1500m) where she had barrier 2. 'The key is she likes to be ridden with a bit of cuddle to allow her to come with one strong run,' Latham said. 'While she has a good draw this week, I don't think she will be any closer than midfield and have one last shot at them. 'The long straight at Newcastle allows her to do that.' Latham and Freedman also combine with lightly-raved gelding Gone To Cape York in the Class 1 Handicap (1250m). The three-year-old scored on debut at Nowra under Latham before a three length seventh at Wyong last start when ridden by Zac Lloyd. 'It was a good effort to win on debut because he's not really an 1100m horse and he took the length of the straight to get his head in front,' said Latham. 'At Wyong, he didn't have much room in the straight. He was just among horses and could get a real crack. 'From the draw, he should get plenty of room and the length of the straight at Newcastle is going to be his best advantage.' Latham rode the John Sargent-trained Khant Fail to back-to-back placings at Newcastle and Wyong last preparation and is looking forward to renewing their association in the Maiden Plate (1850m). The four-year-old daughter of New Zealand and Australian Derbies and Caulfield Cup winner Mongolian Khan has been good in finishing third in both runs this time in over 1500m an 1600m and will appreciate the step up in trip. 'She gave me a nice feel last prep but she was a big baby. She is a tall animal and definitely needed to grow into herself,' he said. 'She's had two this time in over short distances and I thought she has run pretty well. 'She ran well at Newcastle last prep and steps up to a more suitable trip this week. 'John is very good with staying fillies and from barrier 1, we will have her a close as she is comfortable and I think she can run quite a sneaky race.' Latham also has two rides to local trainer Paul Perry on Passalacqua in the Maiden Plate (1250m) and debutant Seven Wonders in the 2YO Maiden Plate (900m). 'I think Passalacqua has matured a lot more this prep and he can run a sneaky race,' he said. 'I haven't ridden Seven Wonders but you can never under estimate Paul Perry's horses, especially at home.' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Trainer Kerry Parker was pleased with the way Equilibrist reacted with the blinkers on or the first time at his most recent start and feels he can back it up with another big run. The four-year-old was only fair in beating two home when resuming at Kembla last month which prompted Parker to make the gear change. Equilibrist went back from a wide gate to settle near last before coming inside runners on the bend and squeezing through a gap late to finish a length third behind Eclair Awesome over 1600m at Gosford on April 10. The four-year-old looks suited stepping up in trip in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1850m) with Jason Collett aboard. 'His first-up run was just a pass mark. He seemed to be floating a bit too so I decided to put the blinkers on to help him focus a bit more,' said Parker. 'He raced really well with the blinkers on. He raced between horses and hit the line well showing a bit of determination. 'I was really proud of his run. 'If he can reproduce his Gosford run over the 1850m, you would like to think he will put himself in the finish again.' A little rain in Newcastle will also be a positive for the son of Trapeze Artist. The gelding won his maiden on a Heavy 8 at Kembla last October and it was a Soft 6 at Gosford last start. 'I think getting his toe in the ground is beneficial to him,' Parker said. Joining Equilibrist on the trip from Kembla is four-year-old mare Audenzia who contests the Maiden Plate (1850m). The daughter of Brazen Beau kicked off her preparation with a nice second behind Montigo Bay over 1500m on her home track on February 25 before a fourth to Queen Strada over the same track and distance 17 days later. She then three weeks between runs when seventh behind Empuse over 1500m at Hawkesbury on April 5. 'She is looking for the longer trip now,' said Parker. 'Her last start at Hawkesbury, she was just at her top the whole way and couldn't get into that really nice rhythm. 'She is a little bit one-paced and the 1850m looks to be up her alley. 'If she can get herself in a handy position up on speed, she will keep grinding away.'
News.com.au
22-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Newcastle preview: Promising filly Empress Of Japan can capitalise on a confidence boosting win and go back-to-back
Jockey Keagan Latham was thrilled to see Empress Of Japan return to form with a booming victory last start and feels she can replicate it when she heads up the motorway to Newcastle. The Michael Freedman -trained filly had finished just behind the placegetters at Kembla at her first two runs back this campaign before dropping back to country grade at Goulburn and storming home from near last to beat Zipitilist over 1400m. 'We always thought a little bit of her, myself and Michael,' said Latham. 'She won her first start at Gosford and then she ran in the Percy Sykes at Randwick. 'Unfortunately, she was taken out with a bit of interference and I think it knocked her confidence a little bit in the prep thereafter. 'Even though it was only a small margin in the end, she had the best part of eight to ten lengths to make up at the top of the straight. 2YO Savabeel filly, Empress Of Japan (ex Tsukioka) brings up a four-timer for her sire, winning on debut for @MFreedmanRacing at @gosford_races 🙌 She was a $150k @inglis_sales Easter buy for her trainer, @GandharviRacing and @mickwallace from her breeders, @littleavondale.… â€' Waikato Stud (@WaikatoStud) March 16, 2024 The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. 'She travelled well but when I pushed the button, she really let down with a terrific turn of foot.' Empress Of Japan can potentially earn herself a shot at a black type race over the winter with a win in the Benchmark 68 Handicap (1500m) where she had barrier 2. 'The key is she likes to be ridden with a bit of cuddle to allow her to come with one strong run,' Latham said. 'While she has a good draw this week, I don't think she will be any closer than midfield and have one last shot at them. 'The long straight at Newcastle allows her to do that.' Latham and Freedman also combine with lightly-raved gelding Gone To Cape York in the Class 1 Handicap (1250m). The three-year-old scored on debut at Nowra under Latham before a three length seventh at Wyong last start when ridden by Zac Lloyd. 'It was a good effort to win on debut because he's not really an 1100m horse and he took the length of the straight to get his head in front,' said Latham. 'At Wyong, he didn't have much room in the straight. He was just among horses and could get a real crack. 'From the draw, he should get plenty of room and the length of the straight at Newcastle is going to be his best advantage.' Impunity starts our day off with a strong win to break his maiden at Newcastle today under a fantastic ride from Aaron Bullock ðŸ�‡ Congratulations to our owners and our fantastic team at home 🥂ðŸ'� â€' John P Thompson (@JTRacingRwik) April 13, 2024 Latham rode the John Sargent -trained Khant Fail to back-to-back placings at Newcastle and Wyong last preparation and is looking forward to renewing their association in the Maiden Plate (1850m). The four-year-old daughter of New Zealand and Australian Derbies and Caulfield Cup winner Mongolian Khan has been good in finishing third in both runs this time in over 1500m an 1600m and will appreciate the step up in trip. 'She gave me a nice feel last prep but she was a big baby. She is a tall animal and definitely needed to grow into herself,' he said. 'She's had two this time in over short distances and I thought she has run pretty well. 'She ran well at Newcastle last prep and steps up to a more suitable trip this week. 'John is very good with staying fillies and from barrier 1, we will have her a close as she is comfortable and I think she can run quite a sneaky race.' Latham also has two rides to local trainer Paul Perry on Passalacqua in the Maiden Plate (1250m) and debutant Seven Wonders in the 2YO Maiden Plate (900m). 'I think Passalacqua has matured a lot more this prep and he can run a sneaky race,' he said. 'I haven't ridden Seven Wonders but you can never under estimate Paul Perry's horses, especially at home.' â– â– â– â– â– Trainer Kerry Parker was pleased with the way Equilibrist reacted with the blinkers on or the first time at his most recent start and feels he can back it up with another big run. The four-year-old was only fair in beating two home when resuming at Kembla last month which prompted Parker to make the gear change. Equilibrist went back from a wide gate to settle near last before coming inside runners on the bend and squeezing through a gap late to finish a length third behind Eclair Awesome over 1600m at Gosford on April 10. The four-year-old looks suited stepping up in trip in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1850m) with Jason Collett aboard. 'His first-up run was just a pass mark. He seemed to be floating a bit too so I decided to put the blinkers on to help him focus a bit more,' said Parker. 'He raced really well with the blinkers on. He raced between horses and hit the line well showing a bit of determination. Eclair Awesome goes back-to-back with @ZacLloydx in the saddle for @mcsmithracing! ðŸ'¥ â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 10, 2025 'I was really proud of his run. 'If he can reproduce his Gosford run over the 1850m, you would like to think he will put himself in the finish again.' A little rain in Newcastle will also be a positive for the son of Trapeze Artist. The gelding won his maiden on a Heavy 8 at Kembla last October and it was a Soft 6 at Gosford last start. 'I think getting his toe in the ground is beneficial to him,' Parker said. Joining Equilibrist on the trip from Kembla is four-year-old mare Audenzia who contests the Maiden Plate (1850m). The daughter of Brazen Beau kicked off her preparation with a nice second behind Montigo Bay over 1500m on her home track on February 25 before a fourth to Queen Strada over the same track and distance 17 days later. She then three weeks between runs when seventh behind Empuse over 1500m at Hawkesbury on April 5. 'She is looking for the longer trip now,' said Parker. 'Her last start at Hawkesbury, she was just at her top the whole way and couldn't get into that really nice rhythm. 'She is a little bit one-paced and the 1850m looks to be up her alley. 'If she can get herself in a handy position up on speed, she will keep grinding away.'
