Latest news with #MaidenPlate
Courier-Mail
a day ago
- General
- Courier-Mail
Wagga, Taree previews: Southern Dancer eyes redemption
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Southern Dancer may only have one win to her name but trainer Gary Colvin is adamant her record should read much better. The three-year-old claimed a maiden win over 1175m at just her second start and has been placed in five of her next 11 starts. The latest of those placings was over 2050m at Wodonga 12 days ago when third to First Day when luck wasn't her friend. 'Southern Dancer is probably one of the unluckiest horses I've ever had,' said Colvin. 'She has had a lot of bad draws and no luck in a number of races. 'We went to Wodonga last start and she just got held up at a vital stage. 'With a 200m straight, it was too late when she got out but she hit the line full of running. 'Hopefully all the bad luck is behind her now.' 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! The daughter of I Am Immortal steps out in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (2000m) which is a Heat of the Wagga Stayers Series with Blaike McDougall to again ride. 'Blaike rode her at Canberra a couple of starts back and said she will get over 2400m metres,' Colvin said. 'I'll just stick to the 2000 metres for now but I really like her. 'Back to a big track, I'm confident she will run really well.' In the same race, he also saddles up Kerma Art who is having his first go at the 2000m. 'He won a couple of races and is usually not too far away,' he said. 'He has been running up to a mile but he's a bit of a one-pacer so I thought I would try him over the 2000 metres and see what happens. 'He's no star but he should be thereabouts. Lightly-raced four-year-old Deflector has been very good in placing at her two runs this preparation and is a leading contender in the Maiden Plate (1300m). The daughter of Pride Of Dubai resumed with a third to Master Patrick in a Wagga Super Maiden over 1000m where she was held up early in the straight. She then finished a nose second to Sundrop over 1200m at Corowa 18 days later. 'She is coming along quite nicely and I expect her to go very well,' Colvin said. 'She is a typical Pride Of Dubai, taking a bit of time to mature but she is starting to it her straps now. She is getting better with every run. 'You like to see them continuing to come on and that is what she is doing.' Another maiden who is closing in on his first win is Doc March who contests the Maiden Plate (1600m). The son of Prized Icon was runner-up in consecutive starts at Wagga before a fourth to Chilly Charlie at Canberra on May 9. 'He just got back and could make up the ground to win in a couple of races here at Wagga,' Colvin said. 'I knew he wanted a bit of ground but he is on his way and going pretty well. 'He has had about a month since his last run but he is ticking over very well.' Joining him in this race is Astern Torch who is coming off a third to Track And Field on the Wagga Riverside 12 days ago. 'He has been a very frustrating horse. He showed me ability early on but is a bit of a one-pacer,' he said 'He keeps doing enough to convince me to persevere with him.' Meanwhile, Colvin said he is pleased with stable star Another One who resumes from a long spell at Randwick on Saturday. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Trainer Lyndall Olson is hoping home track advantage can offset her queries as Gold Card and Zaru strive for success in one of the day's features. Gold Card and Zaru line up in the Corey Brown Cup at Taree just two weeks after the track was flooded. The heavy ground is just one query Olson has for the pair who appreciate soft tracks at this stage of their careers. 'As they have gotten older, they have shown they prefer soft tracks rather than the heavy,' Olson said. Gold Card kicked off his latest campaign with a win in the Hannam Cup over 1007m at Taree on March 17 before a five week gap into his next start when a three length seventh to Cassiel at Canterbury. He steps up to 1250m in the Benchmark 82 race where he is a perfect four from four over the track and distance. 'It was a nice win over the 1000 metres then we went to Canterbury and he wasn't disgraced at all,' said Olson. 'I'm just a bit worried about the time he has had between runs. 'It's been just over six weeks between since his last race. Whether he needs the run or not. 'We have taken the three kilos off with Leanne Boyd aboard but he well and I expect him to run a nice race.' Zaru finished down the track when resuming under 61kg at Taree on May 13 but Olson isn't reading too much into that performance. 'It was hard to make ground from back in the field with his weight and also the 1000 metres was too short for him,' she said. 'We just had to find a race for him to kick off in. 'As he has gotten older, he is a become wiser and he doesn't like the heavy going any more. 'We've got Aaron Bullock back on and he does seem to have a way with him. 'Like Gold Card, he loves his home track.' Olson has no qualms about the track rating for Gold Melody after she scored a stylish win over 1250m on a Heavy 10 at home on May 13. The four-year-old is a strong chance again in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1300m). 'She did really well to win last start. It was a nice ride from Anna (Roper),' she said. 'She has trained on really well and I think she is a good chance again from barrier one.'
Courier-Mail
22-05-2025
- Business
- Courier-Mail
Inverell preview: Mayfield-Smith hoping for a bright spot after a week of gloom
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. FIVE-TIME Group 1 winning trainer Noel Mayfield-Smith has welcomed Racing NSW's $650,000 Emergency Support Package to aid flood-hit communities in the State's north announced this week. Mayfield-Smith, who is stationed at Coffs Harbour, will be at Inverell to participate in a ten-race card featuring close to 150 horses, each of them with their own trainers and owners eager to finally get down to business. The meeting was supposed to be a home meeting for Mayfield-Smith but with Coffs Harbour waterlogged, the Inverell Turf Club, was last week announced as the host venue. 'We had to get a meeting, we've just been starved of race meetings and being able to earn your percentage in prizemoney. It is a big difference between racing and not racing,' Mayfield-Smith said. 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! And then on Thursday, Mayfield-Smith learned of the package of support emanating from Racing's chief body and CEO Peter V'landys in response to the severe flooding that has devastated the Mid North Coast and Northern Rivers regions. 'It's a damn good thing for racing that they have done this because at least the people affected see that the people in charge are supportive and do care for the fact that they haven't been able to put meetings on,' Mayfield-Smith said. This will be just the second time Mayfield-Smith's has ventured to Inverell which he makes with stablemates Ausbred Yahoo and Cardsharp in tow. Helmet mare Ausbred Yahoo has only managed to win once in her 24 starts but has racked up seven minors. The most recent of those was a fast finishing third at Casino on May 3 in a 1400m affair. Her mission this week is the Stewarts Grain Trading Class 1 & Maiden Plate over 1600m. 'She's been a bit difficult to train in that she is not a big horse and she goes a bit strong but she has always shown a lot of ability and she's got a really solid turn of foot,' Mayfield-Smith said. Whereas Ausbred Yahoo will jump from barrier 1, her stablemate, and blue blood, Cardsharp has been dealt 15 in the Campbell's Fuel Boosted Benchmark 58 Handicap over 1400m. The son of Caravaggio has seemingly been underwhelming since his last win at Coffs Harbour in late 2024, but with excuses according to the man who sees him every day. 'He goes good but he's just had no luck,' Mayfield-Smith said. 'He's been tardy out of the gates throughout his career and probably three of his runs this time, there's been excuses for him so it has just been an average campaign but the horse is going well.' Mayfield-Smith revealed some sad news with his beloved galloper Famous Seamus passing away last month after a misstep while frolicking in retirement. He was aged 16. Better news in relation to his former companion, In Top Swing, who Mayfield-Smith reports is thriving ahead of turning 25 on August 1. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Local boy Todd Payne was happy to sponsor the first race at Inverell but will be a lot happier to win the last with track specialist Takemine. Payne will be on course for the 11am start the marathon 10-race card to present a sash and a handshake to whoever wins the Payne Racing Lisztomania Benchmark 66 Handicap (1800m). Fast forward to 4.25pm and Payne will saddle-up blue blood mare Takemine in the Shane Edmonds Finishing Card Benchmark 58 Handicap (1050m). While the daughter of Group 3 MVRC Tesio Stakes and Wyong Mona Lisa Stakes winner Lubiton has only converted two of her ten placings into wins, she has a particular affinity with the Inverell circuit. 'She loves being at home. Two goes for two wins here,' Payne said. 'She did everything right the other day at Tamworth, she just found a bit of bad luck up the running. 'If she got the runs at the right times, she probably puts them away, but that's just her. She is a get back horse and she'll be finding the line late. 'The Inverell track suits her, every horse gets their opportunity here.' It is only fitting that Payne sends Kalahari Heart around on the same card that recognises her more famous sibling, Lisztomania. A daughter of the four-time Group 1 winner Show A Heart, Kalahari Heart ticks over to start 40 in search of win number seven and a third at Inverell should it happen. 'She's getting on a bit now, she's a seven-year-old mare but her work at home has been great,' Payne said. 'She's just got to take it the races now. 'She's just raced a bit flat at the last couple but we backed off her work and she's jumping out of her skin.' Payne, meanwhile, will have more than passing interest in the fate of Lot 58 at the upcoming Magic Millions National Weanling Sale on the Gold Coast. The Tamac Stud Farm (Walcha) born and raised North Pacific colt is the seventh foal of broodmare gem Kalahari Princess. Payne has a perfect record with the mare's three offspring he has trained, namely the Country Championships Final runner-up Lisztomania, Kalahari and Desert Cougar who shed his maiden status at Tamworth on Tuesday.
Herald Sun
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Randwick-Kensington preview: Strong hand has Ciaron Maher in box seat
The Ciaron Maher stable have a three-pronged attack in the Maiden Plate including two in the market but assistant Sydney trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord isn't dismissing the roughie of the trio. She Rex heads the stable's charge at the $4.80 second favourite with TAB Fixed Odds behind Charleroi ($2.40) while So Long Farewell is at $8.50 and Cheeky Dancer is the outsider of the field at $31. She Rex has placed in each of her five career starts and is looking to atone for her last start third as a $2 favourite when third behind Convergent over this track and distance. 'First-up this time was good behind Engine Room and we had the Kensington race as a target because it had an Inglis bonus,' Gerard-Dubord said. 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 found the front but probably could have gone a bit quicker. The horses from the back got momentum on her and she isn't a filly with much of a turn of foot. 'We have Tim Clark back on her who will suit her. He's very good at rating them in front. 'Hopefully she can get that maiden win out of the way shortly.' So Long Farewell ran well on debut when fourth behind Maori Chief over 1250m here three weeks ago. The son of Super Seth will take plenty of benefit from the experience and will appreciate stepping up in trip. 'We used that as a starting point for him and he ran a nice race,' he said. 'He was a bit new considering he was there off one trial. 'When they quickened, it took him a bit of time to pick up but the last bit of his race was very good. 'Jason (Collett) was very positive in his feedback and was keen to stick with him which is a good sign.' Cheeky Dancer may have been beaten at Tamworth last start but was unlucky when going down by a nose. Prior to that, she worked home well for third behind Pelosa over 1300m at Hawkesbury. 'She had a few issues as a young horse before we got her which is why she hasn't race until now as a four-year-old, said Gerard-Dubord. 'We took her to Tamworth because it was a good prizemoney race. 'When she got out, she got a bump and was only just beaten. 'We are happy with her and she deserves her chance here.' The stable also has three two-year-olds looking to book a trip to Queensland for the winter carnival. Ripley and Jenni Gone Bonkers contest the first division of the two-year-old handicap, the Schweppes Handicap (1400m). Ripley debited with a handy third behind Secure over 1100m at Canterbury on April 21. 'He was very good on a tight track and the 1100m was probably a bit sharp for him,' said Gerard-Dubord. 'Stepping up in trip will be a big positive. That is what he is looking for. 'The give in the track will be no issue to him, the only problem is the barrier. It's a little bit tricky.' Jenni Gone Bonkers was last of six behind Buffalo in a strong 1200m maiden at Newcastle first-up before a half-length second to Just A Journey at Kembla. 'She was very good last start. The winner controlled the race in front and she kept grinding to the line and just missed,' he said. 'She has drawn well and we are very happy with her.' Agent Zero can improve off his debut fifth behind Miss Freelove at Canterbury when he steps out in the Broadsiding @ Darley Handicap. 'He is a horse we like but he is still learning and still switching on,' he said. 'He will appreciate the step up in trip.' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Randwick trainer Craig Carmody is enjoying a career best season and can take a step closer a personal milestone with Sizzler on his home turf. Carmody has a boutique training operation with between 10 and 12 horses in work and has already prepared 10 winners this season at a strike rate of 14.5 per cent along with along with a further 16 placings from 69 runners. Five of those winners have come from his last starters with Sizzler providing two wins which has taken Carmody to 96 career winners. 'It's been a really good season. We are trying to place them to advantage and make the most of every opportunity,' said Carmody. 'I've got a fantastic team of staff, a couple of really good riders and the horses are all very happy. Hopefully it continues.' Sizzler ended last campaign with a Class 2 win at Goulburn and has gone to a new level this preparation with two good wins in Benchmark 68 races at Kembla, the latest by two lengths form Presides on April 19. The five-year-old looks a good chance in the Ole Kirk @ Vinery Stud Handicap (1250m) and moving Carmody a step closer to his 100th career winner. 'I'm really happy with the horse. He has really got his act together and has got a bit of confidence,' Carmody said. 'The races have been set up nicely for him. He's drawn decent barriers and had a nice run off the speed but his acceleration has been really good. 'All the way along, he has been quite an effective horse. 'He was unlucky not to have won on town before. A couple of times in his three-year-old year he was unlucky a few times. 'My only query is the wet track. When you look through his form, he doesn't have the best record on wet ground. 'The track was still quite wet on Tuesday morning but I'm hoping it can improve. 'They will gallop a horse on it at 6.30 on Wednesday morning so I will see how the track is before deciding if he runs or I want until Warwick Farm next week. 'I'm trying to be a bit picky because he is going so well and I want everything to be perfect. It would be lovely to see him win one in town.'
News.com.au
13-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Randwick-Kensington preview: She Rex and So Long Farewell lead the charge for Ciaron Maher but Cheeky Dancer can cause an upset
The Ciaron Maher stable have a three-pronged attack in the Maiden Plate including two in the market but assistant Sydney trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord isn't dismissing the roughie of the trio. She Rex heads the stable's charge at the $4.80 second favourite with TAB Fixed Odds behind Charleroi ($2.40) while So Long Farewell is at $8.50 and Cheeky Dancer is the outsider of the field at $31. She Rex has placed in each of her five career starts and is looking to atone for her last start third as a $2 favourite when third behind Convergent over this track and distance. 'First-up this time was good behind Engine Room and we had the Kensington race as a target because it had an Inglis bonus,' Gerard-Dubord said. Convergent wins on debut for Jim & Greg Lee with @Reganbayliss in the saddle ðŸ'° @aus_turf_club â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 25, 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! 'She found the front but probably could have gone a bit quicker. The horses from the back got momentum on her and she isn't a filly with much of a turn of foot. 'We have Tim Clark back on her who will suit her. He's very good at rating them in front. 'Hopefully she can get that maiden win out of the way shortly.' So Long Farewell ran well on debut when fourth behind Maori Chief over 1250m here three weeks ago. The son of Super Seth will take plenty of benefit from the experience and will appreciate stepping up in trip. 'We used that as a starting point for him and he ran a nice race,' he said. 'He was a bit new considering he was there off one trial. 'When they quickened, it took him a bit of time to pick up but the last bit of his race was very good. 'Jason (Collett) was very positive in his feedback and was keen to stick with him which is a good sign.' Cheeky Dancer may have been beaten at Tamworth last start but was unlucky when going down by a nose. Prior to that, she worked home well for third behind Pelosa over 1300m at Hawkesbury. 'She had a few issues as a young horse before we got her which is why she hasn't race until now as a four-year-old, said Gerard-Dubord. 'We took her to Tamworth because it was a good prizemoney race. 'When she got out, she got a bump and was only just beaten. Secure, secures the win in the first at Canterbury with @nashhot on board for @cwallerracing! â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 21, 2025 'We are happy with her and she deserves her chance here.' The stable also has three two-year-olds looking to book a trip to Queensland for the winter carnival. Ripley and Jenni Gone Bonkers contest the first division of the two-year-old handicap, the Schweppes Handicap (1400m). Ripley debited with a handy third behind Secure over 1100m at Canterbury on April 21. 'He was very good on a tight track and the 1100m was probably a bit sharp for him,' said Gerard-Dubord. 'Stepping up in trip will be a big positive. That is what he is looking for. 'The give in the track will be no issue to him, the only problem is the barrier. It's a little bit tricky.' Jenni Gone Bonkers was last of six behind Buffalo in a strong 1200m maiden at Newcastle first-up before a half-length second to Just A Journey at Kembla. 'She was very good last start. The winner controlled the race in front and she kept grinding to the line and just missed,' he said. 'She has drawn well and we are very happy with her.' Agent Zero can improve off his debut fifth behind Miss Freelove at Canterbury when he steps out in the Broadsiding @ Darley Handicap. 'He is a horse we like but he is still learning and still switching on,' he said. 'He will appreciate the step up in trip.' â– â– â– â– â– Randwick trainer Craig Carmody is enjoying a career best season and can take a step closer a personal milestone with Sizzler on his home turf. Carmody has a boutique training operation with between 10 and 12 horses in work and has already prepared 10 winners this season at a strike rate of 14.5 per cent along with along with a further 16 placings from 69 runners. Five of those winners have come from his last starters with Sizzler providing two wins which has taken Carmody to 96 career winners. 'It's been a really good season. We are trying to place them to advantage and make the most of every opportunity,' said Carmody. 'I've got a fantastic team of staff, a couple of really good riders and the horses are all very happy. Hopefully it continues.' Sizzler ended last campaign with a Class 2 win at Goulburn and has gone to a new level this preparation with two good wins in Benchmark 68 races at Kembla, the latest by two lengths form Presides on April 19. The five-year-old looks a good chance in the Ole Kirk @ Vinery Stud Handicap (1250m) and moving Carmody a step closer to his 100th career winner. 'I'm really happy with the horse. He has really got his act together and has got a bit of confidence,' Carmody said. 'The races have been set up nicely for him. He's drawn decent barriers and had a nice run off the speed but his acceleration has been really good. 'All the way along, he has been quite an effective horse. 'He was unlucky not to have won on town before. A couple of times in his three-year-old year he was unlucky a few times. 'My only query is the wet track. When you look through his form, he doesn't have the best record on wet ground. 'The track was still quite wet on Tuesday morning but I'm hoping it can improve. 'They will gallop a horse on it at 6.30 on Wednesday morning so I will see how the track is before deciding if he runs or I want until Warwick Farm next week. 'I'm trying to be a bit picky because he is going so well and I want everything to be perfect. It would be lovely to see him win one in town.'
The Age
12-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Lundholm confident gelding will show his class at Wellington
Dubbo horseman Clint Lundholm will make the short trip to Wellington on Tuesday with a number of leading contenders set to represent the stable. Lundholm has Twining Class set to break through for a first win when it contests the LSS Locksmith & Security Solutions Country Boosted Maiden Plate (1000m). 'He's only had the two starts, but they have both been good efforts,' Lundholm said. 'Kody Nestor takes the ride, and if he gets any luck from the awkward draw, then he should be hard to hold out.' Georgina McDonnell takes the ride on the Lundholm-trained Good View in the OTL Over The Line Racing Class 1 & Maiden Plate (1700m). 'She's a filly by Brutal, and she has been heading in the right direction,' Lundholm said. 'Her latest run was OK and she's drawn the rails.' Lundholm has a two-prong attack in the Federal Hotel Maiden Handicap (1100m) with Matilda Of Tuscany (Mitch Stapleford) and Best Defence (Zoe Hunt). 'Matilda Of Tuscany had won a trial at Wellington and finished second in another at Dubbo before she debuted with a third at Narromine when beaten just over two lengths,' Lundholm said. 'And Best Defence was having his first start for me when he was just edged out by Micro Mikki at Narromine. He's been placed in five of his 12 starts having been with Cody Morgan and Todd Howlett before me, and he's just about ready to win.' Willinga Karisma (Nestor) represents the stable in the Grand Hotel & Bottle Shop Country Boosted Benchmark 58 Handicap (1400m).
