Latest news with #LukeCurrie
The Australian
04-08-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Nine-time Group 1 winner Mr Brightside back at Flemington trials
The rider was different but it was otherwise business as usual for nine-time Group 1 winner Mr Brightside's return to the jumpouts at Flemington on Monday. Mr Brightside last raced in an unsuccessful trip to Hong Kong in April but arrived at Flemington last week to step up his latest spring campaign for trainers Ben, JD and Will Hayes. • 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! Group 1-winning jockey Luke Currie stepped in for regular rider Craig Williams at Flemington. Ben Hayes said Mr Brightside performed as usual despite not being asked for much in his first hitout in more than three months. 'He just cruised around and did what he normally does so we were happy with him,' Hayes said. 'Luke Currie rode him in the jumpout because Craig is overseas in the Ukraine at the moment and he gave us a good report. 'He said he felt great and did everything he was asked.' • Brad Waters' horses to follow from Flemington on Saturday The Hayes brothers will keep to their usual routine and give Mr Brightside a second jumpout before the gelding returns in the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 16. Mr Brightside won the Lawrence Stakes in 2022 and 2023 before missing last year's race to tackle the Group 1 Memsie Stakes first-up. 'We've stuck to a method that has worked time after time with him,' Hayes said. Mr Brightside (white jacket) had his first jumpout of the spring at Flemington on Monday. Hayes said, while the Hong Kong trip failed to live up to expectations, Mr Brightside had benefited from his first taste of international competition. He said the son of Bullbars was in the category of Cox Plate runner Docklands, who thrived after his trip to Australia to win a Group 1 race at Royal Ascot at his first start back in England. • Blaze of glory: Jumping sensation lands Grand National Hurdle 'I think the trip to Hong Kong might have helped him even though it didn't pan out in the way we wanted,' Hayes said. 'He came back a better horse and it is often the case that horses can improve off travelling. 'Have a look at Docklands. He travelled out here and went back to England and performed really well over there.' Unbeaten filly Scenic Point was another of the Lindsay Park team to step out at Monday's Flemington jumpouts, winning the first heat of the morning. Hayes said Scenic Point would resume in the Group 3 Quezette Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday week but the stable took the chance to give the three-year-old a look at the Flemington straight. 'She got a little bit lost down the straight but it was good to give her a look down the straight in case her spring preparation takes her that way in a race like the Coolmore,' Hayes said. 'We'll see what she does in her first run or two then decide whether she's going to be a Thousand Guineas filly or comes back to the Coolmore. 'It's great that the Thousand Guineas is back where it was (in October) as those fillies could again go on to the Oaks if they're shaping that way.'
News.com.au
04-08-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Lindsay Park star Mr Brightside starts spring campaign in Flemington jumpout
The rider was different but it was otherwise business as usual for nine-time Group 1 winner Mr Brightside's return to the jumpouts at Flemington on Monday. Mr Brightside last raced in an unsuccessful trip to Hong Kong in April but arrived at Flemington last week to step up his latest spring campaign for trainers Ben, JD and Will Hayes. Group 1-winning jockey Luke Currie stepped in for regular rider Craig Williams at Flemington. Ben Hayes said Mr Brightside performed as usual despite not being asked for much in his first hitout in more than three months. 'He just cruised around and did what he normally does so we were happy with him,' Hayes said. 'Luke Currie rode him in the jumpout because Craig is overseas in the Ukraine at the moment and he gave us a good report. 'He said he felt great and did everything he was asked.' The Hayes brothers will keep to their usual routine and give Mr Brightside a second jumpout before the gelding returns in the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 16. Mr Brightside won the Lawrence Stakes in 2022 and 2023 before missing last year's race to tackle the Group 1 Memsie Stakes first-up. 'We've stuck to a method that has worked time after time with him,' Hayes said. Mr Brightside (white jacket) had his first jumpout of the spring at Flemington on Monday. Hayes said, while the Hong Kong trip failed to live up to expectations, Mr Brightside had benefited from his first taste of international competition. He said the son of Bullbars was in the category of Cox Plate runner Docklands, who thrived after his trip to Australia to win a Group 1 race at Royal Ascot at his first start back in England. 'I think the trip to Hong Kong might have helped him even though it didn't pan out in the way we wanted,' Hayes said. 'He came back a better horse and it is often the case that horses can improve off travelling. 'Have a look at Docklands. He travelled out here and went back to England and performed really well over there.' Unbeaten filly Scenic Point was another of the Lindsay Park team to step out at Monday's Flemington jumpouts, winning the first heat of the morning. Hayes said Scenic Point would resume in the Group 3 Quezette Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday week but the stable took the chance to give the three-year-old a look at the Flemington straight. 'She got a little bit lost down the straight but it was good to give her a look down the straight in case her spring preparation takes her that way in a race like the Coolmore,' Hayes said. 'We'll see what she does in her first run or two then decide whether she's going to be a Thousand Guineas filly or comes back to the Coolmore. 'It's great that the Thousand Guineas is back where it was (in October) as those fillies could again go on to the Oaks if they're shaping that way.'
News.com.au
02-06-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Group 1-winning jockey Luke Currie to undergo knee surgery, faces six weeks on sidelines
Surgery will halt jockey Luke Currie's impressive recent form. Currie rode a double for the Hayes brothers at last Saturday's Caulfield meeting to accompany his double at Flemington on May 17 as he built a solid partnership with the Lindsay Park operation. However, a knee issue sustained in a mishap will force Currie to soon go under the surgeon's knife. 'I've done the meniscus in it at the jumpouts,' Currie said. 'It's been sore all the time and they said, at some point, you've got to get it done.' The meniscus acts as a 'shock absorbing' cartilage between femur and tibia bones, producing pain and stiffness in the knee when damaged. Currie said it was the second time he had undergone the minor surgery. 'I did the other one but worse when one flipped over in the gates years ago but they said this one has got a tear in it and had other wear and tear from over the years,' he said. Currie said he expected to be away from racing for about six weeks. However, he said the operation was necessary in order to have him ready for the richer period of the year. 'I just thought, I was always staying here getting going again, so it was the right time to have it done so I'll be right for the spring,' Currie said. Currie has ridden 22 winners in Melbourne in the 2024/25 season. Currie will join Melbourne jockeys' premiership leader Blake Shinn on the sidelines. Shinn last week confirmed he would miss the remainder of the season after sustaining heavy bone bruising in an incident at the Cranbourne jumpouts last month.
Daily Telegraph
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
Jockeys, Bendigo Jockey Club pay tribute to Fiona Ralph
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Jockeys wore black armbands as a mark of respect to the late stablehand Fiona Ralph in the opening race of Wednesday's Bendigo meeting. Ms Ralph died last week from a head injury sustained in an accident at a Bendigo race meeting earlier this month. The Bendigo Jockey Club also named the first race the Vale Fiona Ralph 3YO Maiden Plate in honour of the 58-year-old. The Symon Wilde-trained Darkbonee improved from a promising third at Warrnambool on April 29 to break his maiden at his second outing. • 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! Jockey Luke Currie was aboard the son of Palentino at Warrnambool before steering him to his Bendigo win over Source OF Delight, a grandson of the great Black Caviar. 'He was too good for them,' Currie said. 'He drew well, he jumped well and he learned from his first-up run. 'Today, he flattened out late so he was pretty good.' • Rejuvenated import jumps at Melbourne Cup shot Currie said Darkbonee would continue to develop as he gained experience. 'I think he'll improve again and I think he'll be a horse that will improve with a bit of time,' Currie said. Originally published as Black armbands at Bendigo in honour of late stablehand Fiona Ralph
News.com.au
14-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Black armbands at Bendigo in honour of late stablehand Fiona Ralph
Jockeys wore black armbands as a mark of respect to the late stablehand Fiona Ralph in the opening race of Wednesday's Bendigo meeting. Ms Ralph died last week from a head injury sustained in an accident at a Bendigo race meeting earlier this month. The Bendigo Jockey Club also named the first race the Vale Fiona Ralph 3YO Maiden Plate in honour of the 58-year-old. The Symon Wilde -trained Darkbonee improved from a promising third at Warrnambool on April 29 to break his maiden at his second outing. Jockey Luke Currie was aboard the son of Palentino at Warrnambool before steering him to his Bendigo win over Source OF Delight, a grandson of the great Black Caviar. 'He was too good for them,' Currie said. 'He drew well, he jumped well and he learned from his first-up run. 'Today, he flattened out late so he was pretty good.' Jockeys wore black armbands in the Vale Fiona Ralph 3YO Maiden Plate to honour the much-loved industry figure ðŸ'• Luke Currie claimed the race aboard Darkbonee for @wilde_racing — Racing Victoria (@RacingVictoria) May 14, 2025 Currie said Darkbonee would continue to develop as he gained experience. 'I think he'll improve again and I think he'll be a horse that will improve with a bit of time,' Currie said.
