Latest news with #King'sSecret
New Paper
12-07-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
Cross-border Pride and joy
Leading Sydney trainer Joseph Pride enjoyed a good day at not one, but two offices in Australia on July 12. The 2024-25 Australian horse racing season may be drawing to an end with only around two weeks remaining, but the Warwick Farm handler was not letting up on his quest for more winners to pad up his successful campaign, even across borders. At home in Randwick, he struck a race-to-race double with two from his team of four runners - King's Secret ($22) in a Benchmark 72 handicap (1,100m) followed by Aberlour ($71) in a Benchmark 78 handicap (1,800m), both with A$160,000 (S$135,000) purses - to tie with Ciaron Maher on the Sydney metropolitan trainer's premiership on 45 winners, but still staying in fifth place on a countback for seconds. In racing, trainers never split their winners, be it in a lowly Class 1 at Wagga or a Group 1 in Flemington, and Pride is no different. However, if his geographical location on that day was anything to go by, a greater sense of "Pride and joy" must have been felt 700km away from home - Caulfield. A little less than three hours after cheering his duo home from the simulcast TV monitors at the Melbourne racecourse, and the obligatory phone chats to the owners and stable supervisor Orla Pearl, Pride was reaping the rich reward for his hit-and-run one-horse mission with consistent mare In Flight in the A$200,000 Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1,100m). Typical of airline flights, the $16 favourite was also late to take off. Three wide at the rear, the Flying Artie four-year-old must have given her punters the same fingernail-chewing moments as a passenger waiting for hours on the tarmac. But once Craig Williams throttled her up upon straightening, she finally became airborne, sprouting wings towards a soft landing with one length to spare from New York Lustre (Jamie Melham). Even for Pride, it was only when the Proven Thoroughbred black and lime green silks were over the line that he could release his pent-up nervous energy with a cathartic fist pump from his Caulfield vantage point. "I thought we would be a lot closer in the run and not tracking out so wide," he said. "That is probably what made it so awkward for her, but as soon as she straightened up and balanced up, she was good - she's a pretty good mare, this mare." The Proven colours also flew high at one half of Pride's Sydney double, King's Secret, who is the half-brother of one of Pride's and Proven's best horses, Group 1 Epsom Handicap winner Private Eye. "It's impressive. To see a mare throw horses like that again and again and to have the family in the stable. It's something special," said Pearl to Sky News, referring to their dam Confidential Queen. The mood was a lot less joyous in the Daniel Meagher camp in Caulfield, though. The former Kranji-based Australian trainer's two-time Singapore Horse of the Year Lim's Kosciuszko was soundly beaten in eighth place - his third defeat in as many starts since moving to Australia. One race earlier, Singapore Derby winner Lim's Saltoro fared even worse. After three encouraging runs at the same track, the 10-time Kranji winner put in his worst run by beating one home. In mitigation, he was eased out of the race in the home straight by jockey Jason Maskiell, who kept looking down to his left and right, as if something had gone amiss. The win by In Flight, who may be aimed at either the Oakleigh Plate or The Galaxy next year, also capped a treble for Williams, who has now whittled down the gap on the back-from-injury leader, Blake Shinn - who did not win any race - to four wins (67 versus 63). With five metropolitan meetings still left, the Shinn-Williams showdown will keep racegoers on the edge of their seats at the business end of the Melbourne season. manyan@
Courier-Mail
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
Trainer Joseph Pride finds the Secret to latest rising star
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Private Eye's little brother King's Secret enhanced his growing reputation as an emerging star in his own right with another super sprinting performance at Royal Randwick on Saturday. The Joseph Pride-trained galloper continued his remarkable preparation when scoring his fourth victory in six starts in the Petaluma Benchmark 72 Handicap (1100m). Jockey Andrew Adkins has forged a hugely successful partnership with King's Secret throughout his preparation and produced a peach from an awkward alley to get the gelding home again. • 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! 'Joe and the team keep raising the bar and he keeps saying how high,' Adkins said. 'He is going super this preparation. He has really come to and is maturing. 'I was a bit worried going to the gates, that is the calmest he has ever been, I thought if he'd had enough or not. 'It is just him maturing and switching on and learning to the do the right things and all the basics. 'He's got the hang out if and is winning with style now.' King's Secret had been beaten two starts ago but has bounced back to his best in a big way with victories at Rosehill Gardens and Randwick at his past two. 'You have to take your hat off to Joe, he knows his horses so well,' Adkins said. 'Two back sort of went amiss, I said I don't know what's going on with him but Joe said we had him too fresh. 'They took him back home and sorted him out. Gave him a bit of work and he came back and won.' King's Secret had to give weight to his rivals with the topweight of 60.5kg but it did little to stunt his momentum. He three-wide early but Adkins was able to put himself in the perfect spot, one out and one back. • Tomato Toastie triumphs in thrilling finish King's Secret ($6.50) let down powerfully from the furlong pole, holding off the Bjorn Baker-trained Stardeel ($3.90 favourite) by a half-length with Godolphin's Celerity ($6.50) close up in third. 'He puts his best foot forward and Andrew rode him brilliantly today,' Pride's stable representative Orla Pearl said. 'He knows him so well now. 'Before the race he said, 'we won't be riding the race, we'll be riding the horse' and that's exactly what he's done. 'And the horse, he is just so versatile and he has proved that.' 'It's impressive. To see a mare throw horses like that again and again and to have the family in the stable, it's something special.' King's Secret is a son of Shalaa out of Confidential Queen, which produced Private Eye. Private Eye has been a revelation for Pride and Proven Thoroughbreds throughout his career with more than $12 million in prizemoney earned. The son of Al Maher was placed in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap during the Brisbane winter carnival. • Maher smells more success with unbeaten filly Just how high King's Secret reaches remains to be seen but Adkins, who had an earlier winner aboard Pensativa, is adamant the future is bright. 'He has carried topweight there against some good gallopers and has done a terrific job so I really don't know (what his ceiling is),' he said. 'It will be interesting to see after a spell how he develops and matures again and how he comes back, then we could probably tell.' His latest victory seals the BOBS horse the year crown for the stable and owners for consecutive years after In Flight claimed the title by winning the same race. King's Secret has banked $73,125 in bonuses this season. Pearl confirmed King's Secret will now be headed for a well-deserved spell with a fantastic record of four wins and three placings from eight starts. Pride, who was in Melbourne to watch In Flight in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes, enjoyed a quick fire double in Sydney with Aberlour also scoring in the Toyota Forklifts Benchmark 78 Handicap (1800m). It was Pride's third Saturday metropolitan double in the past four weeks with Estadio Mestalla and Storm The Ramparts both scoring for the stable last weekend. His in-form galloper Headley Grange will attempt to qualify for the $3 million Big Dance when he contests Sunday's South Grafton Cup at Grafton. Originally published as Joseph Pride's young sprinter King's Secret continues hot form with impressive win at Randwick
Daily Mirror
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Inside King Charles' 'hidden and secret' home royals use for romantic getaways
The Royal Family has one 'hidden and secret' residence that has a long history of love stories, experts have revealed in a new documentary, and it has often been used for romantic getaways by the Windsors Many of the Royal Family's homes are some of the most famous buildings in the UK - with millions of tourists flooding to visit them each and every year. Buckingham Palace is the very centrepiece of London itself, and Windsor Castle - rich with history - dates back nearly 1000 years. The Windsors also have some high-profile properties that they own privately, like the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk - where they spend Christmas every year - and the imposing Balmoral Estate in the Scottish Highlands, where they spend a few weeks in every summer enjoying quality time as a family, far away from the spotlight that is usually trained upon them. But there is a little-known other royal residence that is the subject of a new documentary for Channel 5 and has long been the place where some of the House of Windsor's love stories have played out: Birkhall. A relatively modest - by royal standards anyway - lodge house very near to Balmoral, Birkhall is one of King Charles's retreats - and it's one of his favourite places in the world to spend time, the experts revealed. In Birkhall: The King's Secret Sanctuary, experts explained that it isn't just Charles who has many special memories at the Scottish residence, but in fact, everyone from Prince William to the late Queen has had a significant moment in their love stories play out in this stunning property, and it's even been dubbed the "Honeymoon home" of the Royal Family. Historian Professor Chandrika Kaul revealed that "William apparently spoke to Kate's father and asked his permission to marry Kate on a weekend visit in Birkhall," adding, "And he asked him before he asked Charles!" William getting permission from Michael Middleton to marry his long time girlfriend is by no means the only romantic moment that has occurred at Birkhall. The lodge house was also the setting of Charles's proposal to Camilla who said afterward to the press "I'm just coming down to earth," as she beamed and showed off her engagement ring back in 2005. She is said to have replied, "Of course!" when Charles finally popped the question - and the experts all agreed that Birkhall holds a very special place in the King and Queen's hearts. "I think when they land at Birkhall," said former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond, "It's a case of really 'phew, here we are. We're going to enjoy one another's company, and we're going to walk, and we're going to sit, and we're going to read, we're going to have a little drink, and we're going to just be together.' "I think it is one of their very favourite place to be," she explained. Another expert said that it was the closest thing to a "marital home" the King and Queen actually has. Charles and Camilla also spent their honeymoon there - which the experts revealed is something of a family tradition. The late Queen and Prince Philip also spent their honeymoon up at Birkhall, far away from the spotlight getting to enjoy their first weeks as newlyweds in the seclusion of the stunning Scottish countryside. Jennie Bond explained, "Quite a few newlyweds have chosen to spend their time at Birkhall," with expert Ken Wharfe adding the Duke and Duchess of Kent did the same, and Afua Hagan noting Sophie and Edward also selected it for their honeymoon. "It became known as the sort of honeymoon home," explained Ingrid Seward - editor in chief of Majesty magazine. The "hidden and secret" Birkhall was first purchased by Prince Albert when he took over the lease of Balmoral. He intended his eldest son to use the property, but Prince Edward didn't much enjoy spending time there and the lodge house became something of a "Victorian Airbnb" the documentary revealed. In the 1950s the Queen Mother took over the house, and added an extensive wing to it, elevating it and making it more suitable to host multiple guests. After her death in 2002, it passed to Charles who has further put his own stamp on it, whilst leaving some heartbreaking tributes to his beloved grandmother in place, with whom he was always very close. Birkhall: The King's Secret Sanctuary, is on available to stream on 5! Get the inside scoop on the monarchy with Mirror Royal
The Age
27-06-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Tips and race-by-race guide for Rosehill on Saturday
3. Livin' Thing looks to have a bit of scope about him to take a few more steps and he was quite dynamic in winning in midweek company a couple of weeks ago. This is up in class, but he drops nicely in the weights and promises to get another good run behind the speed. Gets away from wet tracks now but nothing there to suggest he needs them to fire. 5. King's Secret looked good winning a month ago, then potentially had excuses as he fizzed up behind the gates when a battling fifth two weeks back. If you can forgive that run he has to be a major chance. 1. Spywire is a big query first up since running a much improved race at the Sunshine Coast in January. He looked very smart as a two-year-old and his trials have been handy. First run as a gelding, too. Market a decent pointer, but no surprise if he's right in the finish. 6. Rantan can do a lot better than what she showed when she was in the market first up behind Lulumon at Gosford about seven weeks ago. Dry track is a big plus for her, so if she has any luck she can feature. How to play it: Livin' Thing to win. Race 6 – 1.55PM SCHWEPPES HANDICAP (1500 METRES) 7. Mickey's Medal can easily continue on his winning way after finding his groove at this track and trip in his past two starts. He's creeping up in class now but stays down in the weights with the claim and has a great racing style that usually has him just on the speed and in a striking position. He'll get that chance again with a noted front-runner drawn wide. 1. Green Shadows backs up after quite a respectable effort in the Civic Stakes last week and isn't badly treated with the claim. He only has to run up to his recent form to be competitive back to a benchmark 88. 2. Thunderlips is impossible to leave out, and he should be right around the mark again. Very well ridden when scoring at Randwick three weeks ago, landing in a good spot off an outside gate and bursting through late. Best form is on softer ground, but that's the only negative you could find. 4. Step Aside beat King Of Roseau first up, then a month between runs, and he ran on without threatening into third at Sandown. Back home with a similar gap, and he's always a chance in this sort of race. How to play it: Mickey's Medal to win. Race 7 – 2.35PM IRRESISTIBLE POOLS STAYER'S CUP (2400 METRES) 8. Casual Connection is as honest as they come, and that's a big head start in a field of stayers that are a little inconsistent. He's the only horse in this that has won a race in the current preparation. Dominant on a heavy track at Randwick two runs back, taking off before the turn and running them into the ground, then not disgraced behind Tympanist when up in weight. Has the luxury of 53kg, and while he'd be more dangerous on a wet track, what he'll strike here should be no disadvantage. 6. Mormona showed a glimpse when finishing off nicely late in the Winter Cup at this track and over this distance second up from a spell. He is about 600 days since his last win, but might be able to settle closer this time and have a better chance. 11. Awesome Wonder was more than a month between runs when safely held at 2000m two weeks ago, but she is very much a 2400m horse and is capable of improving. 4. Speycaster has run well in two starts at this track since returning from Victoria and a repeat of that last-start fourth in the Winter Cup is good enough to have him in the finish somewhere. How to play it: Casual Connection to win. Race 8 – 3.15PM ASAHI SUPER DRY HANDICAP (1800 METRES) 13. Kazalark might be just about ready to fire fourth up after two years off the scene. That's based on the massive improvement he showed last time out at Canterbury where he made a heap of late ground before running onto heels and easing up very late when fifth over the 1550m. He drops 4kg, draws well and gets up to a nice distance for him. Would be surprised if he doesn't run well at each-way odds. 10. Piggyback might well be more effective on wetter tracks, but it is also possible she just didn't come up as well as she has this time around when unplaced in three summer runs. Summer good tracks can be very different to winter ones. She was excellent at Randwick three weeks ago when just beaten in a slowly run race. Trip suits and she's a big chance. 12. Federer was a drifter in betting and did look a little one paced when working home fairly behind Thunderlips at Randwick first up. Given he's jumping the 400m in trip here suggests the stable thought similar. Has shown talent, of course, winning his first two and can't be condemned on one run. 7. Impunity might be close to a win after quite a nice return at 1500m behind Mickey's Medal. Ran some nice late sectionals and was just warming up. Big watch on 1. Hutchence first up for Chris Waller. His UK form is over 2400m plus, but you'd expect him to show something fresh at 1800m. How to play it: Kazalark each way. Race 9 – 3.50PM TOYOTA FORKLIFTS W J MCKELL CUP (2000 METRES) 3. Elamaz is easily the most interesting horse racing all day at Rosehill. French import that is already a stakes winner and is yet to finish worse than second in seven starts. He profiles a little like stablemate Eliyass, which won first up around this time last year, then went onto a spring campaign. This gelding hasn't raced beyond 1600m, which is a major difference, but he's had three trials, and you'd expect him to be on the pace. If he's above average and has settled in, he wins this race. 4. Touristic has a much better set-up than what ultimately unfolded in the Winter Cup where he started $4.40. It was a slowly run race, and he's finished on well, but without ever looking a chance. Back to 2000m suits and draws to make a lie of last start. If Elamaz doesn't fire, he's the one to beat. 2. Loch Eagle is on trial at 2000m, but he does it third up on the back of a strong win at the Randwick mile. He is arguably more effective on wetter tracks but just that little bit of give may be enough with the extra trip. Usually competitive and can be here. 6. Glory Daze had his chance when favourite in the Winter Cup, though he may have been a little further back than ideal given how the race was run. Another who relishes the very wet ground, but he's hard fit and can run well. How to play it: Elamaz to win. Loading Race 10 – 4.30PM CHANDON HANDICAP (1200 METRES) 13. Lady Extreme steps up in class, but she was impressive a month ago mowing down Let's Go Again to win a Midway first up off no official trial. She's had some time to get over that run and finds a race that should have genuine speed, and she's come up with barrier one. Still lightly raced for a five-year-old and on the way up, she can measure up to this company. 12. Snack Bar has his 13th different rider as the blinkers go on following his second placing behind King Of Roseau last time out. He did look to have his chance, but perhaps coming back 100m with the shades on he's worth another chance. 2. Eye Of The Fire is a consistent type resuming, and he did win his first two starts last preparation before continuing to race well. Likely gets back, but he's been able to handle that style of racing in the past. 10. Liberty State was awesome when storming down the middle to win easily first up a month ago, and it will be interesting to see if she can reproduce that. The gap between runs gives her that chance and a drier track is no issue. How to play it: Lady Extreme to win.
Sydney Morning Herald
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Tips and race-by-race guide for Rosehill on Saturday
3. Livin' Thing looks to have a bit of scope about him to take a few more steps and he was quite dynamic in winning in midweek company a couple of weeks ago. This is up in class, but he drops nicely in the weights and promises to get another good run behind the speed. Gets away from wet tracks now but nothing there to suggest he needs them to fire. 5. King's Secret looked good winning a month ago, then potentially had excuses as he fizzed up behind the gates when a battling fifth two weeks back. If you can forgive that run he has to be a major chance. 1. Spywire is a big query first up since running a much improved race at the Sunshine Coast in January. He looked very smart as a two-year-old and his trials have been handy. First run as a gelding, too. Market a decent pointer, but no surprise if he's right in the finish. 6. Rantan can do a lot better than what she showed when she was in the market first up behind Lulumon at Gosford about seven weeks ago. Dry track is a big plus for her, so if she has any luck she can feature. How to play it: Livin' Thing to win. Race 6 – 1.55PM SCHWEPPES HANDICAP (1500 METRES) 7. Mickey's Medal can easily continue on his winning way after finding his groove at this track and trip in his past two starts. He's creeping up in class now but stays down in the weights with the claim and has a great racing style that usually has him just on the speed and in a striking position. He'll get that chance again with a noted front-runner drawn wide. 1. Green Shadows backs up after quite a respectable effort in the Civic Stakes last week and isn't badly treated with the claim. He only has to run up to his recent form to be competitive back to a benchmark 88. 2. Thunderlips is impossible to leave out, and he should be right around the mark again. Very well ridden when scoring at Randwick three weeks ago, landing in a good spot off an outside gate and bursting through late. Best form is on softer ground, but that's the only negative you could find. 4. Step Aside beat King Of Roseau first up, then a month between runs, and he ran on without threatening into third at Sandown. Back home with a similar gap, and he's always a chance in this sort of race. How to play it: Mickey's Medal to win. Race 7 – 2.35PM IRRESISTIBLE POOLS STAYER'S CUP (2400 METRES) 8. Casual Connection is as honest as they come, and that's a big head start in a field of stayers that are a little inconsistent. He's the only horse in this that has won a race in the current preparation. Dominant on a heavy track at Randwick two runs back, taking off before the turn and running them into the ground, then not disgraced behind Tympanist when up in weight. Has the luxury of 53kg, and while he'd be more dangerous on a wet track, what he'll strike here should be no disadvantage. 6. Mormona showed a glimpse when finishing off nicely late in the Winter Cup at this track and over this distance second up from a spell. He is about 600 days since his last win, but might be able to settle closer this time and have a better chance. 11. Awesome Wonder was more than a month between runs when safely held at 2000m two weeks ago, but she is very much a 2400m horse and is capable of improving. 4. Speycaster has run well in two starts at this track since returning from Victoria and a repeat of that last-start fourth in the Winter Cup is good enough to have him in the finish somewhere. How to play it: Casual Connection to win. Race 8 – 3.15PM ASAHI SUPER DRY HANDICAP (1800 METRES) 13. Kazalark might be just about ready to fire fourth up after two years off the scene. That's based on the massive improvement he showed last time out at Canterbury where he made a heap of late ground before running onto heels and easing up very late when fifth over the 1550m. He drops 4kg, draws well and gets up to a nice distance for him. Would be surprised if he doesn't run well at each-way odds. 10. Piggyback might well be more effective on wetter tracks, but it is also possible she just didn't come up as well as she has this time around when unplaced in three summer runs. Summer good tracks can be very different to winter ones. She was excellent at Randwick three weeks ago when just beaten in a slowly run race. Trip suits and she's a big chance. 12. Federer was a drifter in betting and did look a little one paced when working home fairly behind Thunderlips at Randwick first up. Given he's jumping the 400m in trip here suggests the stable thought similar. Has shown talent, of course, winning his first two and can't be condemned on one run. 7. Impunity might be close to a win after quite a nice return at 1500m behind Mickey's Medal. Ran some nice late sectionals and was just warming up. Big watch on 1. Hutchence first up for Chris Waller. His UK form is over 2400m plus, but you'd expect him to show something fresh at 1800m. How to play it: Kazalark each way. Race 9 – 3.50PM TOYOTA FORKLIFTS W J MCKELL CUP (2000 METRES) 3. Elamaz is easily the most interesting horse racing all day at Rosehill. French import that is already a stakes winner and is yet to finish worse than second in seven starts. He profiles a little like stablemate Eliyass, which won first up around this time last year, then went onto a spring campaign. This gelding hasn't raced beyond 1600m, which is a major difference, but he's had three trials, and you'd expect him to be on the pace. If he's above average and has settled in, he wins this race. 4. Touristic has a much better set-up than what ultimately unfolded in the Winter Cup where he started $4.40. It was a slowly run race, and he's finished on well, but without ever looking a chance. Back to 2000m suits and draws to make a lie of last start. If Elamaz doesn't fire, he's the one to beat. 2. Loch Eagle is on trial at 2000m, but he does it third up on the back of a strong win at the Randwick mile. He is arguably more effective on wetter tracks but just that little bit of give may be enough with the extra trip. Usually competitive and can be here. 6. Glory Daze had his chance when favourite in the Winter Cup, though he may have been a little further back than ideal given how the race was run. Another who relishes the very wet ground, but he's hard fit and can run well. How to play it: Elamaz to win. Loading Race 10 – 4.30PM CHANDON HANDICAP (1200 METRES) 13. Lady Extreme steps up in class, but she was impressive a month ago mowing down Let's Go Again to win a Midway first up off no official trial. She's had some time to get over that run and finds a race that should have genuine speed, and she's come up with barrier one. Still lightly raced for a five-year-old and on the way up, she can measure up to this company. 12. Snack Bar has his 13th different rider as the blinkers go on following his second placing behind King Of Roseau last time out. He did look to have his chance, but perhaps coming back 100m with the shades on he's worth another chance. 2. Eye Of The Fire is a consistent type resuming, and he did win his first two starts last preparation before continuing to race well. Likely gets back, but he's been able to handle that style of racing in the past. 10. Liberty State was awesome when storming down the middle to win easily first up a month ago, and it will be interesting to see if she can reproduce that. The gap between runs gives her that chance and a drier track is no issue. How to play it: Lady Extreme to win.
