Latest news with #KemblaGrange
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Trainer Chris Waller and jockey James McDonald aiming to end surprising run of outs
So Suave, a brother to champion mare Verry Elleegant, could help Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller snap one of the longest losing streaks of his celebrated career at Kembla Grange on Tuesday. And superstar jockey James McDonald will be striving to ride his first winner for the Waller stable in a month at Warwick Farm's Wednesday meeting. Waller has had 79 starters since his last winner, Barbray in a Goulburn maiden 11 days ago, and McDonald hasn't ridden a winner for the trainer since scoring on Regulated Affair at Warwick Farm on May 7. Usually, Waller and McDonald give the media plenty of story angles because of the sheer dominance of their trainer-jockey partnership which only makes their recent lack of success more remarkable. But even using the term 'lack of success' is something of a misnomer because the Waller stable broke the $50 million prizemoney barrier for the season over the weekend. • 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! In fact, Waller has prepared the winners of 228 winners on all tracks this season including a national record-equalling 18 at Group 1 level, and has sewn up his 15th successive Sydney trainer premiership. McDonald has also had an outstanding season, riding a career-best 20 Group 1 winners including 14 majors in Australia, and is on track for a seventh Sydney premiership in a row. Waller's recent run of outs doesn't even stretch two weeks but either So Suave or stablemate Ant can end the trainer's losing streak when they clash in the Kembla Grange maiden over 2000m. Ant, who was narrowly beaten in third place behind Dark Arts at Canterbury last start, is the TAB Fixed Odds favourite at $3.40 with So Suave next in betting at $4.80. So Suave, a three-year-old gelding by Zed out of Opulence, has been unplaced in his three starts to date but is bred to appreciate getting out to a more suitable 2000m. His sister, Verry Elleegant, was a mighty stayer and Waller trained her to win 11 Group 1 races including the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, Tancred Stakes and ATC Australian Oaks for more than $14.8 million prizemoney. So Suave is part-owned by Brae Sokolski of Verry Elleegant fame and is the second-last foal out of the dam, Opulence. The broodmare lost her life after giving birth to a sister to Verry Elleegant in 2022. Tragically, Verry Elleegant also died due to complications when giving birth to her first foal in Ireland last year. Then at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, Waller and McDonald team up in all seven races including the superbly-bred two-year-old filly, Ernaux, in the TAB Handicap (1100m). Ernaux is by champion sire I Am Invincible out of Oakleigh Plate winner Booker and sold for $3 million at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale last year. SALE DAY SNIPPET: American businessman John Stewart of @rresoluteracing was underbidder on the Pierro x Winx filly today on Day 2 of #InglisEaster but he made sure he secured the second-top lot â€' this beautiful I Am Invincible x Booker filly of @CoolmoreAus â€' for $3m. — Inglis (@inglis_sales) April 8, 2024 She is resuming at Warwick Farm after finishing a close fourth on debut behind Wootton Lass at Kensington in late March. Central Coast, who makes his debut in the Arrowfield Plate (1100m). Central Coast, also a 2024 Inglis Easter Sale graduate, cost $1.4 million as a yearling and is by Coolmore's sire sensation Wootton Bassett out of three-time Group 1 winner Sunlight.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Kembla Grange, Moree Tuesday previews: Ron Leemon's southbound buddies to strike up a double-act
Golden Rose-winning trainer Ron Leemon makes the familiar trip from Warwick Farm to Kembla Grange today with two of his string – born just a week apart and both showing a positive return on investment for connections. The five-year-old duo of Dapper Dancer and Euromaster were selected and purchased by Leemon at Inglis-run auctions in 2021. Euromaster was knocked down to Manawanui's trainer for $20,000 while Dapper Dancer was slightly less, coming in at $18,000. Dapper Dancer's somewhat meagre purchase price was in no way befitting of the occasion of his sale at Riverside, just next door to Leemon's Manning Street digs. The then-colt had the honour and singular distinction of being the last yearling sired by Testa Rossa to be offered at auction. He was in fact one of only three foals from Testa Rossa's 18th and final crop which altogether totalled 1248 foals. On top of that, Dapper Dancer was the last of his dam Joffa Rose's ten foals, all of them designed and bred by Testa Rossa's owner - John Cappellin. While Testa Rossa was able to win 13 of his 28 starts including six Group 1 s, Dapper Dancer's CV is much less glamorous. The chestnut has so far only managed one win and two minors from his 16 starts. That said, he sent out some very positive and obvious signs that a second win was close at hand when a close and closing fourth at Kembla on May 17 over 1200m. His mission on Tuesday is the Dapto Leagues Club Benchmark 64 Handicap (1300m). 'I was very, very happy with his last run,' Leemon said. 'He didn't have much luck. We couldn't get out to the better going which we were hoping for but that's the way it happens. 'He finished off nicely and we've got to go up in trip. 'He's been placed over 1400m and obviously he is fitter now for the first couple of runs. 'He hadn't raced for a while so I had to get him fit. 'The wet won't worry him. I think the ground suits the Testa Rossas.' ðŸ'� Apprentice Leeshelle Small rides her first winner as Dapper Dancer wins at @hawkesburyrc! @RonLeemonRacing @leesmelly11 — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 14, 2024 Leemon's second and last runner at Kembla on Tuesday is Euromaster who was foaled on September 11 in 2019, just seven days prior to Dapper Dancer's birth at Vinery Stud (once home to Testa Rossa) A son of Eurozone, Euromaster has finished first or second at six of his 13 starts. And while only one of those was a win, Leemon can't find fault with the bay whose earnings will edge closer to $100,000 if successful in today's Midway Class 1 Handicap (1500m). 'He has only ever put one bad run in for me and that was this time back but there were plenty of excuses that day because he was coming back from a good spell,'' Leemon explained. 'He needed that run badly but apart from that, he's been very consistent and he can handle the wet too.' Euromaster boasts a pedigree that is hard to match given it includes two Derby winners, Universal Prince (AJC) and Blevic (VRC), Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Think It Over and arguably one of the all time greats – Lammtarra. Both of Leemon's duo will be ridden by apprentice Olivia Chambers whose own tally of winners is an impressive 108. 'She's only had two rides for me,'' Leemon says. 'She is a very pleasant young lady. If she gets a few more opportunities, I think she can probably ride winners in town if she gets on the right horses.' â– â– â– â– â– Casey chases the cash with Ode So Much He bred him, owns him and trains him but Scone horseman Simon Casey is keeping his expectations in check ahead of today's long awaited racetrack debut of Ode So Much at Moree. The son of Churchill is giving away race experience to all seven of his rivals in the Racing Mates Country Boosted Maiden Handicap (1200m) but showed enough natural ability in his two trials to garner support among punters. As for Casey, he is cautiously optimistic that the blue-blooded bay can post an early win and pocket the $15,000 first prize at the same time. 'I am definitely happy with his trials but you never know what's in them,'' Casey said 'The horse he ran behind (in his Gunnedah trial) ran on Sunday and didn't fire. I'm more hopeful than confident. 'How many times have you seen a horse win two or three trials and go out at $1.80 and get rolled? 'I am taking him there because I think, in the current climate of competitive racing, it is probably the right place for him and if he comes out and blows them away, then we can always come back to the better quality.' Ode So Much is making his debut at Moree but given his pedigree, it could just as easily have been Newmarket, Chantilly or Santa Anita. That's all down to dam-sires like Dylan Thomas, More Than Ready, Slew O'Gold and the immortal Northern Dancer. Casey's other runner at Moree is perhaps ever better bred, namely Nevermista, who was the tenth foal of bonny mare Vormista. Despite his family ties, Nevermista was knocked down for a mere $10,000 when offered up at the 2021 Inglis Weanling Sale in 2021. 'He's been a work in progress,' Casey said. 'He's got the worst conformation in the world. 'He hits himself if he gets a bump, that's how much clearance he has in his action, but he has ability as was shown when he won at Tamworth. 'He is unfortunately one of those horses where everything has to go his way but on Tuesday he has got the right draw. 'He should get a good run in transit just behind the speed and if he can do that, I would have thought he shouldn't be far away in that field.'
News.com.au
3 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–
News.com.au
6 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Adam Sherry's tips, inside mail for Kembla, Tamworth on Saturday, May 31, 2025
Form analyst Adam Sherry provides his best bets, value selection and race-by-race analysis at Kembla and best bets for Tamworthon Saturday. 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! KEMBLA BEST BET Race 4 No. 1: CHARLEROI Has been good in both runs in town. Step up in trip suits. NEXT BEST Race 5 No. 5: ARE EE QUE All three wins are on the heavy and hard to beat again. VALUE BET Race 8 No. 5: CITY LIMITS Closed strongly on a wet track to win here last start. Good chance again. QUADDIE Race 5: 1, 3, 5 Race 6: 1, 4, 6, 9 Race 7: 1, 5, 7 Race 8: 2, 5, 6, 9 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW CHAD LEVER has a nice book of rides and looks a chance in the TAB Jockey Challenge. Chad Lever looks set for a good day at Kembla. Picture: Bradley Photos TAMWORTH BEST BET Race 6 No. 3: LORD PROTECTOR Narrowly beaten fourth first-up. Is a winner this track and distance. NEXT BEST Race 5 No. 5: SAGAPONACK Good effort to win last start. Can go back-to-back. INSIDE MAIL – KEMBLA RACE 1: THE RACE AGAINST SUICIDE RACE DAY 21ST JUNE 2YO MAIDEN PLATE 1000m RAGING FORCE (6) was $7 into $4.20 on debut in the Breeders Plate when wide without cover in finishing a three length sixth to King Kirk. Has since been gelded. Closed strongly under a hold when third in his May 5 Randwick trial. COSMONAUT (1) raced keenly on debut in the Inglis Challenge at Scone when third to Cashbrook and Gilette. IN LIMBO (7) came from well back when third to Amosu in the MM The Debut at the Gold Coast before a fourth to The Playwright in the Widden Stakes. Bet: Racing Force to win RACE 2: OZTECH SECURITY CG&E MAIDEN PLATE 1300m VETWELVE (7) worked forward to race outside the leader before heading towards the outside fence in the straight when third to Kundabung in a Super Maiden on the Kensington first-up. Was handy in his first campaign including a second at Canterbury. RIGHTEOUS LEGEND (4) was three-wide from about the 900m and boxed on well when second to Mignonette at Newcastle first-up. Raced outside the leader and was green in the straight when second to Carnegie Hill at Hawkesbury last start. HOMERIC (1) will be better for his first-up third here. Bet: Vetwelve to win RACE 3: PAUL BRIDGE MEMORIAL F&M MAIDEN PLATE 1300m MAID OF MOOLAH (8) worked home well for a neck second to Nymphadora at Hawkesbury on debut and followed with a fourth to Silver Wedding at Canterbury after being carried wider near the 200m. Battled away for second to Mother Goose here last start. Gets her chance to break through. CHEEKY DANCER (1) was okay when third to Pelosa at Hawkesbury then just nosed but at Tamworth. Boxed on behind Kundabung on the Kensington last start. CRIMSON MISS (2) makes her Australian debut. Runner-up at Ellerslie at her only start. Bet: Maid Of Moolah to win RACE 4: FLICK PEST CONTROL SUPER MAIDEN PLATE 1600m CHARLEROI (1) made ground from well back when third to Maori Chief and Gunroom on debut over 1250m on the Kensington on Apr 25. Was carried wider coming off the bend when fourth to Kundabung as favourite over 1400m on the same track. Looks ideally suited stepping up to the mile. SO LONG FAREWELL (3) was fourth to Maori Chief on debut before a second to Kundabung in that same Kensington race. SHE REX (8) led when fifth in that Kensington race behind Kundabung. Bet: Charleroi to win RACE 5: GO HIRE SITE RENTALS BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP 1000m ARE EE QUE (5) has won three races with all coming on heavy ground. Won her maiden by four lengths at Goulburn last July, won again there in February and returned from a spell with an all-the-way win at Wyong on May 1. Gets in well with the 3kg claim. INOUE (1) resumed with a tough win from Poiema at Gosford and followed up with a nose win from King's Secret over this track and distance on May 10. THE GREY (3) resumes here. Runner-up in both first-up runs. Bet: Are Ee Que to win RACE 6: TRISTAN TRIFFITT EXCLUSIVE ESTATE AGENTS CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1400m NOVEMBER AIR (9) led all-the-way for a nice win at Canberra followed by a second to The Mona Lisa at Goulburn. Stepped up to provincial grade when a third to City Limits in a Bm64 over 1500m on a Soft 7 here on May 17. Drops back top a Class 1. WINNER OF KOWLOON (4) was third to Silver Wedding at Canterbury on debut then fifth to Hopper at Warwick Farm before breaking through over 1200m here on May 17. TANGO QUEEN (6) has claims on her second to Miss Spacegirl last start. Bet: November Air each-way RACE 7: TLE ELECTRICAL WOLLONGONG PROVINCIAL BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP 1200m PRESIDES (1) is a model of consistency. Followed a narrow Newcastle win in March with placings at each of his three runs here. The latest was a head third to Hyperbolic on May 10. Is a winner on the heavy. VEGAS DREAM (5) has won three races, all on the heavy, with the latest at the Sapphire Coast on Apr 4. Was then beaten a nose on a Soft 7 at the same track by Capital Heart. Will make her presence felt. YES SIREE (7) did a nice job to win on a Heavy 10 at Wyong on debut. Bet: Presides to win RACE 8: JJJ RACING MIDWAY BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP 1600m CITY LIMITS (5) had trouble finding clear running until the 100m when fourth to Format here on Mar 14. Returned from a let-up with strong closing run to reel in Tip Top Timing here on May 17. HOOLIGAN TOMMY (2) has been good this campaign with a win and two placings from four starts. Only blip was in a Randwick Midway two starts back. RHEGION (6) battled away when third at Wyong over 1300m second-up. Appreciated the step up to 1600m with a good win here last start. Bet: City Limits each-way
News.com.au
20-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Warwick Farm preview: Talented apprentice Anna Roper keen to make the most of every opportunity
Missing the early part of the season put Anna Roper's goal of winning the Sydney Apprentices title behind the Eight ball but she hasn't given up hope and a solid book of rides at Warwick Farm can help her build on her tally. Roper missed the first three months of the current season due to a quad injury that required surgery and then getting kicked by a horse which extended her time off. 'The apprentice premiership was meant to be the target but loosing that much time made it a bit of an issue but at the same time, you never what what's going to happen in this job,' said Roper. 'In the end, it was a case of just getting on with it and do the best I can for the season. Hopefully without any more injuries. Livin' Thing takes the outside route and wins it comfortably at Kembla Grange! 🙌 @JohnOSheaRacing | @AnnaRoper_ â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 6, 2025 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! 'It's not impossible. If I can keep riding consistently until the end of the season. 'Obviously Braith (Nock) has a bit of a lead on us but I will give it my best.' One of Roper's leading chances at Warwick Farm is Livin' Thing in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m). The John O'Shea and Tom Charlton -trained gelding resumed with a handy win on a heavy track at Kembla from Zaragoza who franked the form with a win at the same course last weekend. 'I really have a lot of time for this horse,' Roper said. 'He gave me a very nice feel at Kembla. From the top of the straight, I always thought he would go straight past them but he had a bit of a think about things. Not because he wasn't genuine but rather he was green and didn't know what to do. 'He still managed to win on raw ability. 'He will learn a lot from that run and I think he's a nice horse going forward once he puts it together a bit better. 'I'm excited to be back on board and up to metro grade. Seeing if he is going to be competitive against the better horses.' Roper also combines with O'Shea and Charlton when Natural Deduction contests the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1600m). Junebug salutes in the Wyong opener with @AnnaRoper_ in the saddle for the @ANeashamRacing stable! ðŸ'� â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 17, 2025 The gelding was doing his best work late when a three length seventh behind Seafall over this same track and distance on May 7. 'It was a really good run,' she said. 'Obviously he was first-up over the mile and he was very fresh and got quite keen in the run. 'To finish off the way he did, I was impressed. 'Second-up with that edge off him, he might relax better. He's drawn a better barrier so hopefully I can have him closer in the run. 'His is two from two second-up and should be a good chance. My only concern is the heavy track which he hasn't been tried on.' Roper rode Junebug to victory at Wyong before a third behind stablemate Asgoodassobergets on Gosford Cup Day. The mare drops back to a Benchmark 72 Handicap (2110m). 'She is a great little horse. The wet track is the most important thing for her,' said Roper. 'She is very honest and loves her job. As long as she gets a smooth run, she is easy to ride. 'It was a very good run last start especially as she had to jump from the outside gate and do all the bullocking work to get across to the front. It was a huge effort. 'I really like her in this field, especially come back to midweek grade.' Roper also rides Fear No Evil for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and Lady Boss for Ciaron Maher. â– â– â– â– â– Every time trainer Gratz Vella has raised the bar, Good Prize has responded with an even better performance. Good Prize scored a couple of nice wins at Queanbeyan over 1200m and 1460m earlier this preparation, but since stepping up to 1600m, the gelding has been even more impressive. 'He has really found his best form. I haven't done anything different with him on the track, I think he has just matured now,' said Vella. 'Once I got him over a bit longer distance has helped. 'I have a little mate with him – a goat. Ever since I put them together, that's when the results started to come.' It started with a Benchmark 65 on his home track at Canberra on April 2 with a near three length win from The Right Rein and the pair returned 16 days later in a Benchmark 84 with Good Prize beating his rival by over two lengths. Good Prize gets the money in the Canberra opener for local trainer Gratz Vella! â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 2, 2025 Vella asked the gelding to step up to provincial company and set him for a Benchmark 68 at Kembla where he again pout a margin on his rivals, this time a two-and-a-half length win from Strawberry Impact. 'After the second Canberra win, I thought he might need two or three weeks to get over the run because he had going straight to Open company and it wasn't a bad field,' he said. 'He recovered so quickly though. He was eating well, his attitude was still good and he actually come on from the run. 'I was quite happy to go to Kembla and take Coriah (Keatings) to claim three kilos. I thought he was a big chance. 'I thought he was in a bit of trouble there at one stage but once he got his action flowing, he just left them for dead. 'I think he will be better again over 2000 metres but at the moment, we will stick with the 1600 metres where he has been doing a good job.' Vella is happy to give the four-year-old a shot at midweek company in the Drinkwise Mile Benchmark 72 where he has barrier 3. 'I think he's a very good chance again,' he said. 'He hasn't gone backwards since Kembla. He's still a very happy horse. 'He has a nice barrier and Coriah rides him again.'
