Latest news with #MissileStakes
New Paper
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Paper
Robusto defies weight to win
Robusto defied his topweight to edge out Accredited in the A$200,000 (S$167,000) Listed Winter Challenge (1,500m) at Rosehill Gardens on July 19. Trained by Bjorn Baker, the Churchill five-year-old - who saluted in the Group 2 The Ingham (1,600m) on Dec 14, 2024 - was ridden by Joshua Parr again, after the pair finished an unlucky second to Estadio Mestalla in the Listed Winter Stakes (1,400m) at his last start on July 5. With Robusto shouldering the top impost of 60kg again, Parr made sure history would not repeat itself at the Winter Challenge Day meeting this time. After sitting Robusto in fourth on the rails - behind Accredited (Alysha Collett) and Robusto's stablemate Thunderlips (Ashley Morgan) while Winter Stakes winner Estadio Mestalla (Dylan Gibbons) raced three wide in third - the Sydney-based rider swiftly slotted his mount in between Accredited and Thunderlips upon straightening and went for broke at the 250m. Estadio Mestalla, who led all the way in the Winter Stakes, could not mount a challenge, but it was Accredited who would not go away. Parr had to pull out all the stops on Robusto ($11) before he eventually got the better of Accredited in a thrilling finish. Saltcoats (Zac Lloyd), who had been trailing behind the winner, punched home for third for trainer Chris Waller. Baker was rapt with the win and has picked out two feature races for the Darby Racing-owned galloper in the upcoming Sydney Spring Racing Carnival. "He's been a bit of a revelation," said Baker to Australian Turf Club. "He was unlucky last time, but he's won in The Ingham and it's good to see him back (winning) today with the weights. "We can try and head towards the Spring with a bit of fitness on our side. Great ride by Josh Parr. "His work on Tuesday was a really good winning workout. He definitely ran up to that. "We might even go to the Missile Stakes, back to 1,200m, and possibly look at a race like the Winx (Stakes) if he went well there." The Group 2 Missile Stakes (1,200m) is on Aug 9 at Royal Randwick, while the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1,400m) will be run two weeks later on Aug 23. Parr was glad Robusto showed great tenacity to win. "He's had to carry the weight. We got through and it turned out to be somewhat of a dog fight," he said. "I had him on the back of my mind all day when Timmy (Tim) Clark won The Ingham aboard this horse. (It was) the fight that he showed once in the battle, so I was relying on that, but thank god we got him to win." sharonzhang@
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
With Your Blessing ready to launch in July Sprint ahead of Missile Stakes bid
Trainer John Thompson would be eager to put next month's Group 2 Missile Stakes on the agenda if With Your Blessing can fire first-up at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. With Your Blessing has already shown he's up to stakes company after only narrowly being defeated by Iowna Merc at his final autumn run in the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup. 'He just has to keep stepping up,' Thompson said. 'He nearly won that stakes race last time in so he isn't far away. 'If won on Saturday, you would say yes to a Missile Stakes.' The Group 2 $300,000 Missile Stakes (1200m) is Sydney's first stakes race of the new season on August 9. With Your Blessing can earn his crack at the feature when he returns in the July Sprint (1100m). The son of Vadamos has trialled up well and is a $6 elect with Alysha Collett continuing her association with the gelding. Thompson is hoping With Your Blessing can break his Rosehill drought after only placing twice in seven starts at the venue. 'He will run really well and if was Randwick I would be really confident because he hasn't won at Rosehill,' Thompson said. 'I wouldn't read too much into it but he is going as good as ever so I am really happy with the horse. 'He has about seven runs at Rosehill and hasn't won there but hopefully we can change that.' Thompson will be chasing a quick fire double with Impunity ($15) in the Mostyn Cooper Benchmark 78 Handicap (2400m). The son of Dundeel gets to his ideal trip third-up and is expected to relish the step up in distance with Chad Schofield aboard. 'He is just a real 2400m horse,' Thompson said. 'I didn't bother going again shorter because it is just too short for him but he's got a good draw there and a good jockey. 'He will be a lot closer in the run and should run well.' Thompson had a winner last weekend with Bundeena before producing untapped talent Sea Admiral to salute at Kembla Grange on Tuesday. I SHOW SPEED CAN LIVE UP TO HIS NAME Trainer Todd Smart didn't know I Show Speed was named after a YouTube star but the name could prove fitting if his Canberra galloper can remain unbeaten in the 2YO Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. IShowSpeed is an American online personality with more than 42 million subscribers on YouTube and close to five billion views with videos with the likes of footballing superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar. 'I didn't know this until my son Harry told me,' Smart said. 'I thought he must have thought it was fast, calling it I Show Speed but he told me one day and told me he was a YouTuber. 'I didn't know much about it by he is by Peltzer, who has only had a handful of starters and I think he will run a credible race.' I Show Speed made a terrific first impression in his maiden start, doing his best work late to score in a 1050m event at Canberra. Smart was rapt with the victory but concedes his promising two-year-old's form is hard to get a guide on with that victory coming on the polytrack. 'I always say with the polytrack wins, you can't line it up at all,' Smart said. 'If you have decent horse that goes and wins on the poly, you go up to Sydney and they are long odds. 'You can only win but if he was to win on the grass somewhere you would probably think he was a better chance.' 'I think he is a good place chance and we will ride him in a similar way to first-up. 'There are a few horses in the race have trialled well but haven't had the race pressure but he has had a race and was strong through the line.' I Show Speed is a $19 chance with Jean Van Overmeire aboard. INDIA MAKING UP FOR LOST TIME Speedy sprinter South Of India can put a mid-prep setback behind him in a touch over 60 seconds at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Trainer Ross McConville had plans to take South Of India to Queensland for a $200,000 race over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast earlier this month but had to pull the pin after the gelding got a virus. South Of India can claim a handy consolation prize in the $160,000 July Sprint (1100m). 'He had a bit of a virus so it took a week to get over but he's fine now,' McConville's assistant trainer Nigil Monahan said. 'His work was very good on Tuesday and he comes back with a lightweight too with Anna Roper riding him. 'The only other start he's had over the Rosehill 1100m was a win and sometimes it can play leaders bias on Rosehill. 'I think he should be a really good chance, especially with that In Flight form, but we are really happy with him.' South Of India produced a strong first-up display when he led the field up and was collared late to finish fourth behind In Flight in the Listed Bob Charley AO Stakes (1100m) at Royal Randwick. In Flight franked the form last weekend when the speedy mare produced a scintillating burst to score in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield. Bookies rated South Of India, a winner at the same track in trip in January, as an $8.50 chance to win the Schweppes Sprint with the lightweight of 52kg before he was supported into a $4.80 favourite. The four-year-old will jump towards the outside of the field but apprentice Anna Roper is hopeful he can overcome it. 'South Of India has obviously drawn a bad barrier and we've got Storm The Ramparts so he is a horse you can't really hold up,' Roper said. 'He is horse that likes to roll along and get in his own mindspace out in front so he can be difficult in that way. 'As long as he gets a little bit of peace up in front and Storm The Ramparts can take a sit behind us, he's definitely a chance.'
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Rosehill inside mail: Our Kobison can revive winter fortunes in July Sprint
One-time Everest fringe-dweller Our Kobison can reset his winter campaign at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday in the same race that was taken out by three-times Everest participant Eduardo five years prior. The Angela Davies -trained five-year-old was in the mix for a spot in last year's $20m sprint after finishing runner-up to Joliestar in the Show Country Stakes. It wasn't enough to entice any of the slot-holders but there are plenty of avenues open to Davies in season 2025/26 including in the first stakes race of the new racing year, the Group 2 Missile Stakes at Royal Randwick in three weeks time. Horse and trainer's immediate focus is on Saturday's July Sprint (1100m) after a recent trip north of the border. The Gosford housed gelding's first interstate test in the Lightning Stakes at Eagle Farm on June 7 was as forgettable as it was forgivable as Davies explained. 'He sat five-deep and hung off the turn, I thought he finished off terrific, he was entitled to drop out of it with where he was and how the race was run, he never got on the track,'' Davies said. 'He is back to a favoured track and a favoured trip on Saturday. 'I could have gone to the Ramornie at 1200m but I think his pet distance is 1100m and I think Rosehill is his pet track.' Davies, who boasts a phenomenal winning strike rate of 24 per cent (52 per cent when placings are added), took her career tally to 204 when Denman Star charged past his rivals to post a not entirely unexpected first-up win at Canterbury last month. A near replica of his Golden Rose winning father, Denman, Davies' gelding lines up in this weekend's Midway over 1300m. • Mitch & Shayno's Rosehill tips: 'Too good a horse to go up $23' 'It's probably an ideal distance,'' Davies said. 'I don't know whether the track is ideal for him because he does tend to drop the bit and get back a little bit but we will have to try and ride him accordingly. 'He has just continued to improve and continues to please me last prep and this preparation. 'We just seem to have got him going good at this stage and he is just a happy horse. 'He is entitled to have a crack at a Midway for sure and certain.' â– â– â– â– â– BEST BET PHEARSON (race 9) was bought for $65,000 as a yearling and has earnings of $686,075 with the promise of more to come. The Brad Widdup-trained son of Exosphere has won a Liverpool City Cup and Festival Stakes so is comfortable in stakes grade. He is third-up in Saturday's Winter Challenge off two improving runs in the Civic and Winter Stakes on the way there. Keep in mind that one of his two track/distance runs was his 2023 Festival Stakes win with (same jockey) Tom Sherry up. BEST VALUE ISLAND DREAM (race 4) was a big third on debut at Newcastle then won at Hawkesbury and Rosehill Gardens in quick succession. Trainer Chris Waller even pitched her into the Group 3 Kembla Classic at start four of her first preparation when and where she was only beaten five and a half lengths. Back now and the trials have been rather good. Has a bright future ahead and soft won't worry her. Dreaming of a win! Back-to-back wins for Island Dream and @cwallerracing with a treble! ðŸ��ï¸� @KPMcEvoy | @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 26, 2025 EARLY QUADDIE RACE 3: 1, 2, 8, 9 RACE 4: 2, 3, 10 RACE 5: 2, 5, 8, 10 RACE 6: 7, 8, 9, 11 QUADDIE RACE 7: 3, 7, 9, 10 RACE 8: 1, 2, 4, 8 RACE 9: 8, 9, 10 RACE 10: 1, 3, 4 PRICE CHECK DISNECK (race 8) has traversed the Rosehill 1100m three times prior to his impending return to racing in the July Sprint priced at an inviting $13. The first one was his debut, which was a closing eighth of 14 in the Golden Gift. He was back there three weeks later and thrashed Kimochi et al. The third and last time over the t/d was an honourable second in the Listed Starlight Stakes. If they can run on, then he can run on faster than the rest. SECTIONAL STARS TOTOKA (race 6) has only managed two wins in her 15 starts but she has contested races including the Gimcrack, Sweet Embrace, Magic Night, Up And Coming, Callander-Presnell and Denise's Joy. She ran well in some, not so well in others, but to be fair to her, she has to be ridden stone cold early so she can unleash her powerful finish. UNSTOPABULL (race 5) has finished with a medal at 12 of his 21 starts which speaks to his consistency. Four of them were gold medals but one wonders how many of his placings could have been wins with a bit of luck here and there, that is to say, he usually gets back in his races, especially when he draws wide. He just needs a fair track on Saturday so he can post what would be a somewhat deserved win for a horse who almost never runs poorly. Last at the turn, first over the line! ðŸ'¥ Unstopabull wins up along the inside, it's a @nashhot running double! ðŸ'� @cwallerracing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 28, 2024 TRIAL POINTERS SPICE PRAWN (race 1) is the fourth foal of the dual Group 1 winner, Cosmic Endeavour. Her third dam is Twiglet who was a bonny racemare herself but nothing short of a broodmare gem given the success of her foals Easy Rocking and the epic Hong Kong sprinter, Fairy King Prawn. Spice Prawn showed enough in her two losing runs at her first prep (one unlucky) to indicate talent. Easy trial winner on July 7 at Hawkesbury. PONY SOPRANO (race 3) was purchased by his trainer Robert Agnew for $18,000 at the Inglis Gold Yearling Sale in 2023. It has proven to be a canny buy on Agnew's behalf, the gelding has already won $50,000 in just five starts and he's not quite turned four yet. So much to like about his two trials up at Port Macquarie (second) and Taree (won) in two uncommonly strong Open heats.
News.com.au
15-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Early spring carnival contenders in action at Rosehill barrier trials
Sydney's first two stakes races of the upcoming 2025/26 racing season are in the sights of some trainers who put candidates through their paces at the Rosehill Gardens barrier trials on Tuesday. The Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on August 9 and the Listed Rosebud (1100m) seven days later at Rosehill Gardens starts the black-type action in the new racing season. A handful of next season's three-year-olds that stepped out on Tuesday could head towards the Rosebud which is the first lead-up race for the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) which is also run at Rosehill Gardens on September 27. Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup plans to charge out of the blocks in the new season with two emerging gallopers Nashville Jack and Savvy Hallie which both won their respective 900m trials. The two-year-olds are still maidens but Nashville Jack finished fourth on debut in the Group 2 Silver Slipper while Savvy Hallie is two-time Group placed. 'I was really happy with the way both horses trialled,' Widdup said. 'That was Nashville Jack's second trial and he's really developed and is coming up well this prep. 'I'd like to give him a taste of winning and then if everything's going how we want, maybe he's one for the Rosebud. 'Savvy Hallie will have another trial then I want to find the easiest race I can for her. 'She's still a maiden so that box needs to be ticked first and then she'll step up to tackle the good fillies races.' West Of Swindon, now with Ciaron Maher, contested the same trial as Nashville Jack, finishing fifth, and the Silver Slipper and Group 3 Golden Gift runner-up pleased his jockey Dylan Gibbons during the workout. 'He was still a bit woolly and had a bit of a sweat up but he trialled OK and gave me a lovely feel,' Gibbons said. 'The one I did like was his stablemate Stormfront. He felt great.' A horse that missed much of the autumn was the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou -trained Blitzburg which was in the paddock after winning the Group 3 Canonbury Stakes in February. He too was on display for the first time of the preparation on Tuesday and was never allowed off the bridle finishing fourth in his 900m trial. 'He's never been a brilliant trialler but I was happy with what I saw from him,' Ryan said. 'He was only out there to have an easy time because he's trialling again. 'He'll probably head to the Rosebud first-up and then we'll go from there.' Two trainers indicated the Missile Stakes could be on the agenda. , signalled the race as a potential start point for Elettrica and Bjorn Baker is considering it for Perfumist. Freedman also trialled Group 2 Tulloch Stakes winner Pocketing ahead of his four-year-old season while Baker put Point And Shoot through his paces. Both horses are Epsom Handicap candidates and the $10m Golden Eagle is also on the table. Meanwhile, two of Chris Waller and Yulong's high class imported mares Anisette and Moira made their first public appearance ahead of the spring as did last year's Group 1 Metropolitan winner Land Legend and 2022 New Zealand Derby winner Asterix. Moira, the winner of last year's Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Fillies and Mares Turf (2200m), was the pick of those performers.
