Latest news with #Kovalica
Mercury
a day ago
- Sport
- Mercury
Kovalica ends winning drought in thrilling Q22 win at Eagle Farm
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Prominent Queensland owner Nev Morgan never doubted Kovalica would win another race. He just didn't know when. But the stars aligned on Saturday and Kovalica returned to the scene of his Group 1 Queensland Derby triumph of 2023 – the last time he won a race – to score the rich Q22 (2200m). • 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! But it was far from an easy watch to break the long winning drought as Kovalica dived at New Endeavour on the line and no one at Eagle Farm had much of an idea who had won. Not even Morgan, who thought he might have been narrowly beaten. But when the judge put the winner's number up, Kovalica was in the frame. Kovalica may have not won for a long time and he has often been a tease. But in fairness, he has raced at a high level including tackling a Cox Plate, Melbourne Cup, Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Doncaster Miles. • 'The boys have done it': Hayes proud of sons' landmark Stradbroke success 'Of course I thought he would win again,' Morgan, who owns Kovalica with fellow Queenslander and great mate David Devine, said. 'Even before today, he had won $3.3m in prizemoney. 'He races in all the good races. 'I hope he could even be a Melbourne Cup horse this year, he only got beaten four lengths in the race last year. 'The maestro (Chris Waller) will work all that out. 'I didn't think this horse had won on the line today but my son-in-law said he thought he had, so I'm glad he was right.' • Cool Archie delivers Group 1 milestones in JJ Atkins Winning rider Nash Rawiller also had no idea whether Kovalica had broken the drought. 'It was a long ride back to scale, making sure that I'd got there,' Rawiller said. 'I feel like I've redeemed myself for saying he'd win the Melbourne Cup last year. 'What a horse he's been. 'We made a call during the week – as late as Tuesday morning – to put the blinkers on today. 'You could tell in the run that he was going to do something. 'I've had a bit of a shit time lately, so I feel like I've bounced right back in a big way.' Plenty have questioned whether Kovalica would get back to the winner's stall, but not Waller and his team. 'We haven't lost faith in him and he's been a good horse without winning,' Waller said. 'It took the length of the Eagle Farm straight to get there. 'That's his first win for a couple of years. He's been working to something good.' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Brisbane Cup win fuels Melbourne Cup aspirations for Campaldino - Daniel Pace Campaldino will be set for the race that stops a nation following his impressive victory in the $400,000 Group 2 Brisbane Cup (3200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. The four-year-old gelding sat behind a dawdling speed early in the race before powering ahead of the pack to finish more than a length ahead of the Chris Waller-trained pair Etna Rosso ($3.70) and Manzoice ($12) to rubber-stamp his passage to the $8m Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday in November. 'You've got to look at that type of race for him,' said Adrian Bott, who trains in partnership with racing royalty Gai Waterhouse. 'He saw that out (3200m trip) strongly. Obviously we didn't make any grand plans before today but that (Melbourne Cup) is always in the back of your mind. 'We just wanted to get through this campaign first and he's done an excellent job. 'We were only focused on this campaign but now's the time to go back and analyse what path we take to the Cup.' In a nice twist of fate, Campaldino used to share a trackwork tie-up row with Pier, the winner of the earlier The Wayne Wilson over a mile, in Matamata, New Zealand. 'He's an amazing, progressive horse,' Bott said. 'He's come a long way and that tops off the campaign nicely. He can't have too long off but he's had some nice conditioning this preparation and we'll try and work backwards from the Melbourne Cup. 'He's still learning what it is all about. Even when he hit the front I was worried about him getting there too early. There is still progression (to come).' Jockey Tim Clark was back on Campaldino after guiding him to a 1¾-length victory in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Cup (2400m) on a heavy Eagle Farm track two weeks ago. 'Since the blinkers have been removed he has been much better,' Clark said. 'That has helped him be so strong at the end of his races. 'He's a pleasure to ride and another good find out of New Zealand. He has come here and really found his mojo now. 'He's shooting through the grades nicely. He's thrived with the sun on his back and he can run a strong two miles. 'When he had clean air he really dragged me forward. He had energy stored in the run and he picked up when I let him go.' Originally published as Owner Nev Morgan's unwavering belief in Kovalica pays off with victory in Group 2 Q22 at Eagle Farm
News.com.au
a day ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Owner Nev Morgan's unwavering belief in Kovalica pays off with a last stride victory in the Group 2 Q22 at Eagle Farm
Prominent Queensland owner Nev Morgan never doubted Kovalica would win another race. He just didn't know when. But the stars aligned on Saturday and Kovalica returned to the scene of his Group 1 Queensland Derby triumph of 2023 – the last time he won a race – to score the rich Q22 (2200m). But it was far from an easy watch to break the long winning drought as Kovalica dived at New Endeavour on the line and no one at Eagle Farm had much of an idea who had won. Not even Morgan, who thought he might have been narrowly beaten. But when the judge put the winner's number up, Kovalica was in the frame. Kovalica may have not won for a long time and he has often been a tease. But in fairness he has raced at a high level including tackling a Cox Plate, Melbourne Cup, Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Doncaster Miles. 'Of course I thought he would win again,' Morgan, who owns Kovalica with fellow Queenslander and great mate David Devine, said. 'Even before today, he had won $3.3 million in prizemoney. 'He races in all the good races. 'I hope he could even be a Melbourne Cup horse this year, he only got beaten four lengths in the race last year. Kovalica WINS the G2 Q22 by a whisker! ðŸ'¥ @cwallerracing @nashhot â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 14, 2025 • Cool Archie delivers Group 1 milestones in JJ Atkins 'The maestro (Chris Waller) will work all that out. 'I didn't think this horse had won on the line today but my son-in-law said he thought he had, so I'm glad he was right.' Winning rider Nash Rawiller also had no idea whether Kovalica had broken the drought. 'It was a long ride back to scale, making sure that I'd got there,' Rawiller said. 'I feel like I've redeemed myself for saying he'd win the Melbourne Cup last year. 'What a horse he's been. 'We made a call during the week – as late as Tuesday morning – to put the blinkers on today. 'You could tell in the run that he was going to do something. 'I've had a bit of a shit time lately, so I feel like I've bounced right back in a big way.' Plenty have questioned whether Kovalica would get back to the winner's stall, but not Waller and his team. 'We haven't lost faith in him and he's been a good horse without winning,' Waller said. 'It took the length of the Eagle Farm straight to get there. 'That's his first win for a couple of years. 'He's been working to something good.'
Herald Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Kovalica ends winning drought in thrilling Q22 success at Eagle Farm
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Prominent Queensland owner Nev Morgan never doubted Kovalica would win another race. He just didn't know when. But the stars aligned on Saturday and Kovalica returned to the scene of his Group 1 Queensland Derby triumph of 2023 – the last time he won a race – to score the rich Q22 (2200m). Racenet iQ members get full access to our Pro Tips service, where Greg and our team of professional punters provide daily tips with fully transparent return on investment statistics. SUBSCRIBE NOW and start punting like a pro! But it was far from an easy watch to break the long winning drought as Kovalica dived at New Endeavour on the line and no one at Eagle Farm had much of an idea who had won. Not even Morgan, who thought he might have been narrowly beaten. But when the judge put the winner's number up, Kovalica was in the frame. Kovalica may have not won for a long time and he has often been a tease. But in fairness he has raced at a high level including tackling a Cox Plate, Melbourne Cup, Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Doncaster Miles. 'Of course I thought he would win again,' Morgan, who owns Kovalica with fellow Queenslander and great mate David Devine, said. 'Even before today, he had won $3.3 million in prizemoney. 'He races in all the good races. 'I hope he could even be a Melbourne Cup horse this year, he only got beaten four lengths in the race last year. • Cool Archie delivers Group 1 milestones in JJ Atkins 'The maestro (Chris Waller) will work all that out. 'I didn't think this horse had won on the line today but my son-in-law said he thought he had, so I'm glad he was right.' Winning rider Nash Rawiller also had no idea whether Kovalica had broken the drought. 'It was a long ride back to scale, making sure that I'd got there,' Rawiller said. 'I feel like I've redeemed myself for saying he'd win the Melbourne Cup last year. 'What a horse he's been. 'We made a call during the week – as late as Tuesday morning – to put the blinkers on today. 'You could tell in the run that he was going to do something. 'I've had a bit of a shit time lately, so I feel like I've bounced right back in a big way.' Plenty have questioned whether Kovalica would get back to the winner's stall, but not Waller and his team. 'We haven't lost faith in him and he's been a good horse without winning,' Waller said. 'It took the length of the Eagle Farm straight to get there. 'That's his first win for a couple of years. 'He's been working to something good.' Originally published as Owner Nev Morgan's unwavering belief in Kovalica pays off with a last stride victory in the Group 2 Q22 at Eagle Farm
News.com.au
23-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Chris Waller has four shots at Group 1 record in Doomben Cup
Chris Waller can set a national record for most Group 1 wins and take his stable earnings over the $50m mark for the season if either Kovalica, Lindermann, Osipenko or Militarize wins the $1m Doomben Cup (2000m) at Doomben on Saturday. The champion trainer has had another sensational season preparing 18 Group 1 wins, equalling the all-time record he set in 2018-19. Waller 's stable runners have already earned $49.57m for the 2024-25 season, behind only Ciaron Maher who has set a new national record with $55.4m prizemoney so far. Maher is the trainer of reigning Horse of the Year and $3.50 Doomben Cup favourite Pride Of Jenni who looms as a sizeable hurdle Waller's four starters must overcome for their trainer to claim the Group 1 record. Waller's Doomben Cup quartet is led by Kovalica at $9.50 in latest TAB Fixed Odds betting with Lindermann at $10, Osipenko $17 and Militarize ($19). Kovalica goes into the Doomben Cup after his closing third in the Hollindale Stakes in very heavy track conditions at the Gold Coast, with Militarize finishing fifth and Lindermann ninth. 'I wouldn't be too concerned about their Gold Coast runs, it's just the way the track played that day,'' Waller said. 'I'm happy with all of them. Lindermann has drawn well, so has Kovalica, the other two are drawn out a bit. 'But Pride Of Jenni ensures the race will be run at a genuine tempo so they should all get their chance.'' At Royal Randwick, Waller can continue his surge towards a 15th Sydney trainers premiership in succession with good chances in six of the 10 races. Waller has trained 122 city wins so far this season and has already established a premiership-winning lead over second-placed Bjorn Baker on 77. The Hall of Fame trainer's best chance at Randwick is Ahuriri ($3.80 favourite) for the PF Civil Handicap (2400m). Trainer Joe Pride believes there is no better time to give the race-fit and in-form Cool Jakey his opportunity at 1600m for the Charity Challenge Handicap (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday. 'I want to test him out over a mile,'' Pride said. 'I think it's worth giving him the chance as he was very tough winning over 1400m at Hawkesbury last start.'' Cool Jakey has never raced beyond 1400m in his 16-start career but he has never been in better form either with two wins and two placings from his last four attempts including holding off Gallant Star to win at the Hawkesbury stand-alone meeting. The five-year-old gelding is also one of the best wet-trackers in training, with four of his six career wins coming on heavy going. TAB Fixed Odds price assessors have Cool Jakey as the $2.80 favourite to cope with the famous Randwick 'mile' course. Pride also has Storm The Ramparts ($8) and Testator Silens ($18) lining up in the Taylor Construction Handicap (1000m). Storm The Ramparts resumed with a close second to Lulumon at Gosford two weeks ago while Testator Silens was sixth behind stablemates Dragonstone and In Flight in the Hawkesbury Rush earlier this month. 'I thought Storm The Ramparts went really well at Gosford and this looks a good race for him as he handles heavy tracks,'' Pride said. 'Testator Silens is getting ready for a 1300m race on June 7 and needs this run but I'm hoping he is hitting the line.'' Excelladus has 62kg and a wide barrier but does get his preferred heavy track surface for the Magnolia Lane Financial Services Handicap (1400m). 'He was disappointing at Hawkesbury last start but hopefully he will bounce back on Saturday as he races well at Randwick,'' Pride said. Pride has sent the talented Accredited to Melbourne in search of drier tracks with the sprinter lining up in the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1400m) at Sandown. RACEGOERS CAN BACK CAUSE The Australian Turf Club joins with longstanding charity partner Sporting Chance Cancer Foundation at Royal Randwick on Saturday in support of outreach nurses helping young cancer patients. Saturday's meeting is the 18th anniversary of the Sporting Chance Cancer Foundation Day with 400 guests at a special function raising funds and awareness. It will add to the more than $15 million already raised for nurses to help children with cancer remain at home for as long as possible while undergoing treatment. The Sporting Chance Cancer Foundation was started in 1998 by former Australian Cricket Captain Mark Taylor, rugby league legend the late Reg Gasnier, Olympian Raelene Boyle and triple AFL Brownlow Medalist Bob Skilton. The Foundation's Jack Hughes said: 'In 2023/2024 the outreach program has provided care for 974 kids with cancer across regional NSW by implementing specialised paediatric oncology care, addressing critical gaps in service delivery. 'Fundraising at our annual Royal Randwick race day provides vital support for our outreach nurses.' Coolmore's crack colt Storm Boy is set to make his debut for Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien in the Group 3 Greenlands Stakes at The Curragh on Sunday morning (AEST). The brilliant Storm Boy, who will be ridden by O'Brien's stable jockey Ryan Moore, has eight rivals and is the $2.60 favourite in early betting. O'Brien is readying Storm Boy for the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot next month. This is the same program O'Brien set for another former Australian sprinter, Merchant Navy, who won both races seven years ago. Xxxxxxx The Newcastle provincial meeting on Saturday boasts two runners closely related to two former champions who earned Australian Horse of the Year honours. In the two-year-old race over 900m, the Nathan Doyle-trained Divo makes his debut after two impressive recent barrier trial wins. Divo is out of Demand Attention, herself a daughter of the legendary Makybe Diva, famous for her unprecedented hat-trick of Melbourne Cup wins in 2003-04-05, and Horse of the Year in 2004-05 and 2005-06. Then later in the program, Godolphin's Blue Willow is trying to improve off the two minor placings she's managed to begin her career in a 1400m maiden. Blue Willow is by Blue Point out of Anamato which makes her a half sister to Anamoe, winner of nine Group 1 races and the Horse of the Year title in 2002-03.
News.com.au
23-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Kovalica backed to end drought in Group 1 Doomben Cup
Prominent Queensland owner Nev Morgan feels it 'must be the J-Mac tax' because he says a Group 1 Doomben Cup betting move on Kovalica certainly isn't stable inspired. Kovalica has been one of the great teases of Australian racing, not having won since his dominant Group 1 Queensland Derby two years ago in 2023. • 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! James McDonald was in the saddle that day but has only ridden him a handful of times since, as Kovalica has raced in a Cox Plate, Melbourne Cup, Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Doncaster Miles. With McDonald back in the saddle for the Doomben Cup, Chris Waller-trained Kovalica has met with a steady stream of betting support and has firmed into single figures with bookies after being $14 earlier in the week. The so-called 'J-Mac tax' is essentially where punters are taking shorter odds because McDonald is in the saddle. 'I think it must be the J-Mac tax,' Morgan said. 'It certainly wouldn't be stable inspired, what you see is what you get with Kovalica. 'We are not trying to hide anything. 'You would love to own a million of him, but at the same time he is frustrating. 'He goes around in everything, he has run in Melbourne Cups, Cox Plates, Doncasters, Queen Elizabeths and always runs credibly. 'He is hard to back as a punter, if you are a genuine form student you would look at him and say he's a non-winner. 'James McDonald is generally on horses like Via Sistina and Fangirl and horses like that, so it is great to have him on Kovalica again.' • Shinn in emotional history-making Doomben Cup mission Morgan revealed that after Kovalica's Queensland Derby romp in 2023, sale offers from Hong Kong around the $1m mark came flooding in. Even though Kovalica hasn't won a race since, Morgan and co-owner David Devine are glad they didn't sell Kovalica who has now accumulated $3.3m in prizemoney. 'Some of the offers we got were crazy but we didn't really think about taking any of them,' Morgan said. 'He only cost $110,000 so he doesn't owe us anything.' Kovalica caught the eye last start when getting home from near the tail in the Hollindale Stakes on the Gold Coast, finishing third and beaten less than four lengths by Antino. Morgan believes a strong likely pace set by Pride Of Jenni in the Doomben Cup will probably aid Kovalica. However he quips that he would love Kovalica not to be right at the back of the bus. 'If you go back and have a look at almost all of his runs, he is generally back last trying to circle the field,' Morgan said. 'Winx could do that, poor old Kovalica can't. 'I would love him to get a nice cosy run behind the speed, fifth or sixth in the run or something.' This will be Kovalica's third crack at the Doomben Cup, after first having raced in it when finishing third in 2023. That was when a minor prior setback forced him to race in the Cup in his three-year-old season and then back up to win the Derby seven days later.
