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Mercury
an hour ago
- Sport
- Mercury
Zebra Finch eyes J J Atkins glory after Rosehill triumph
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Progressive Godolphin colt Zebra Finch will be given the opportunity to emulate his big-hitting stablemate Broadsiding, earning himself a crack at the J J Atkins Stakes after lowering the boom on a couple of his more fancied rivals at Rosehill on Saturday. Yesterday's seven-horse affair held more interest than most of the other nine races on the Lord Mayor's Cup undercard given it overflowed with J J Atkins aspirants including the Chris Waller duo Hidden Achievement and pricey Frankel colt, Sarapo. The Waller pair were expected to fight out on the finish as they had when they met at Gosford on Cup Day but were unable to make the same impact this time despite racing at home. • 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! Both horses were marked at $15 to win the J J Atkins prior to their respective efforts yesterday. Hidden Achievement blew out to $26 while Sarapo was wound out to $51. Zebra Finch, meanwhile, had his price halved from $51 into $26 for the June 14 feature and carrying the imprimatur of one of the sport's champions. 'If he pulls up well, I'd send him up there, because he is going to get a mile,'' winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy said after the Schweppes Handicap (1300m). 'You obviously need a horse that runs a mile and you need a horse on the improve and that's possibly what he is going to be. ' It wasn't a big winning margin but I am sure with a better quality horse to aim at, he is going to be better again. 'He is the sort of colt that only does enough (but) I am sure if he got challenged there was an extra kick in the lock. 'So if James (Cummings) and the team decide to go to Brisbane for that mile race, I wouldn't be against it.' At least one of the Waller-trained runners from the race looks likely to still make his way up to Brisbane for the last Group 1 two-year-old feature of the season with a decision pending on the other. Yu Long Investments colt Hidden Achievement clocked in third behind Zebra Finch with future Guineas/Derby colt Sarapo three lengths behind in sixth. 'The race lacked tempo, it was a sit and sprint,'' assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth began. 'When Adam (Hyernonimus) won on Hidden Achievement last start, he was mindful that he probably rode him too close that day and took him out of his comfort zone. But he drew so well in a small field today that we basically had to do the same again. 'Adam's adamant that when you can put the bit in his mouth a little bit better, he'll have a better turn of foot. 'Adam is strongly pushing for Chris (to go to Brisbane with him). He said 'I don't care if I ride him or not but you should be running the horse in the JJ', that's his opinion.' As for pricey $750,000 Magic Millions Yearling purchase Sarapo, Team Waller will let the dust settle on the colt's second career start before they decide on his next move. 'He was obviously a long way back off a soft tempo,'' Duckworth explained. 'He is going to be a miler at three you'd imagine, it's just whether you try and break through for that maiden win at two. 'Obviously he is by Frankel so if he ends up in the breeding barn, they're going to be worried about him if he doesn't win at two so it might be an important start for him or do we just look after him and just trust that he'll measure up at three.'' As for Zebra Finch, his own stud career will naturally hinge on the outcome of the J J Atkins but Darley would dearly love to add another Group 1 winning son of Exceed And Excel to their roster. Not only is Zebra Finch by one of the truly global stallions of the modern era, his dam was a handy performer herself and by Lonhro who holds the rare honour of being crowned both Australian Horse of the Year and Champion General Sire. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Tough as teak gelding Mickey's Medal helped edge the former rodeo rider Braith Nock one step closer to a medal collection of his own as the race for Sydney's Champion Apprentice enters the home straight. Nock and former Riverina whiz Molly Bourke are locked in an arm wrestle to decide who will join an Honour Roll that includes the likes of Jack Thompson, George Moore, Ron Quinton, Malcolm Johnston, Wayne Harris and Darren Beadman. Nock's win on the Annabell and Rob Archibald-trained Mickey's Medal extended his lead over Bourke by five metropolitan wins with August 1 now exactly two months away. Sitting three-wide with no cover may not have been the text-book ride from Nock on Mickey's Medal but it proved to be the winning formula on a day where it paid to be away from the inside fence. 'Everyone just seemed to take their time to get their spots and all of a sudden there were people inside me,' Nock explained. '(But) it was a slow tempo and he was able to travel really good. 'Actually, he was really relaxed coming to the 600m and I had to wake him up and then I was able to idle-up and I still think he might have had a little bit of a think about it things once we got there, but he got left alone for a long time so it was a really good effort. 'He seems to be just relishing his racing and he tries his best every time.' Yesterday's Precise Air Handicap (1500m) was the gelding's sixth run of the current campaign. His $82,500 collect was a tangible reward to effort on his part, drawing some high praise from the stable. 'It was brilliant to see him win,' stable representative Megan O'Leary said. 'I was almost waiting for (runner-up) Hopper to come down the outside of us but he really deserved that win, he's been running so well this prep.' Mickey's Medal was sold twice before he ever saw a racetrack. The great-grandson of broodmare gem Shantha's Choice was secured for $70,000 as a weanling before being reoffered at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale where he fetched $225,000. Originally published as Godolphin's promising colt Zebra Finch pushes for Group 1 J J Atkins start after his impressive victory at Rosehill
Mercury
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Mercury
Margot Robbie's secret Gold Coast hideaway up for sale
Don't miss out on the headlines from Celebrity Life. Followed categories will be added to My News. A luxurious property hidden away on the Gold Coast hinterland, and a favourite of Hollywood star Margot Robbie, has hit the market. Known as The Orchard, the 7.4 acre property surrounded by rainforest and national park is a secluded hide-out for the Oscar nominated actor when she returns to her Gold Coast hometown. Coastal real estate agent Ed Cherry said Robbie had visited the property, located down the road from where she grew up, multiple times. A favourite Gold Coast hideaway for Hollywood star Margo Robbie has hit the market. (Photo by Robert Smith/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images) The secluded 7.4 acre property is surrounded by rainforest and national park in the Tallebudgera Valley. Picture: 'It is one of her favourites,' he told NewsWire. 'She loves that it's got that Byron Bay feel, but it's in the middle of Tallebudgera Valley so it's central to the Gold Coast, airport, the amenities down at Currumbin Creek and everything you want to do in the area,' he said. 'It has a hobby farm feel, but it's very private with a big gate at the front, which you enter over a concrete bridge. 'The property is surrounded by a creek then backs onto the Tallebudgera hinterland with old growth forest and national park behind you.' The Queenslander style home sits on a hobby farm but has been renovated with modern amenities inside. Picture: The home has been renovated to have the same feel as a modern home or apartment. Picture: The private and peaceful sanctuary is described as a haven for people seeking wellness and tranquility with modern luxury. The property has more than 30 fruit and nut trees and a veggie garden to enjoy as you soak up the beauty of nature, as well as an in ground pool, cabana and other amenities. 'It's got a really calming wellness feel to it,' Mr Cherry said. The property has more than dozens of fruit and nut trees and a veggie garden. Picture: The private and peaceful sanctuary is described as a haven for people seeking wellness and tranquility with modern luxury. Picture: 'When you enter the property you see it's had extensive renovations that have been done, it looks like an old Queenslander, but it has a very modern cottage feel inside. 'It's everything you feel from a modern home or a new apartment in a cottage-style home on the hinterland.' The property is open to offers over $4.9 million Originally published as A Gold Coast hideaway of Hollywood star Margot Robbie hits the market
Courier-Mail
4 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
I spent 3 days at the USA's most scenic ski resort, Heavenly Mountain
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. Like siblings hugging in a snowstorm, Heavenly Mountain Resort has two distinct sides – one in Nevada and the other California. Here's how to ski both in 72 hours, enjoying stunning Lake Tahoe views, epic tree runs, swathes of powder and a fun village. X DAY ONE: Afternoon Turn away from famous Lake Tahoe and point your rental all-wheel drive uphill, along a narrow road hugged by old lodges. You'll weave around bends that become increasingly white with snow until you find yourself side-by-side with skiers zipping down one of Heavenly's home trails. Instead of parking and racing onto the slopes, climb higher to the behemoth that is Tahoe Ridge Resort, a Holiday Inn Club Vacations property clinging to the mountainside. Spend the afternoon in the resort's heated pool, partially undercover but mostly not, and enjoy the magic of tiny flakes dancing to the water. Dinner One of the benefits of staying in a resort as large as Tahoe Ridge is you don't need to leave. In the main building, you can play pool and ping-pong, then enjoy burgers at The Ridge Club Bistro. If you feel like eating in your apartment, there's the small Marketplace on site, or you can drive 30 minutes down the mountain into Gardnerville for groceries. Tahoe Ridge Resort. DAY TWO: Morning After frying up bacon and eggs in your apartment, catch Tahoe Ridge Resort's fun Skier Express gondola to Stagecoach Express. The chairlift leads to some of the mountain's best intermediate runs, and if the snow has fallen thick and fast overnight, you can take advantage of the advanced wooded areas, chutes and bowls on the Nevada side of Heavenly. Lunch By lunchtime, make your way to Tamarack Lodge, a handy meeting point for friends riding opposite sides of the resort. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, so nab a table and cover it with plates of chicken tenders, pizzas and bowls of chilli. Heavenly Mountain Gondola. Afternoon If you're travelling with kids, take it slow in the beginner zone outside Tamarack Lodge. This is where you'll find the children's Ski & Ride School, as well as tubing and an alpine coaster. Families can access the tubing and coaster – without the need to ski – via Heavenly's gondola, caught from the heart of Heavenly Village, on the California side. Evening Enjoy an easy apartment dinner before making your way to Tahoe Ridge's single-room cinema to watch a complimentary screening of The Super Mario Bros Movie. Before you go, grab a packet of microwave popcorn from the Marketplace. Snowboard lessons on the resort's Californian side. Picture: Jennifer Ennion DAY THREE: Morning Enjoy a day off the slopes as you move to the California side of Heavenly where there's a pedestrian village full of restaurants, bars and shops, including big-brand stores such as Showcase and Patagonia. If you prefer community stores oozing authenticity, drive to The Village Board Shop to browse a top range of boards and outerwear. Lunch You're spoilt for choice for village dining options, but for something simple and affordable, swing by Sugar Pine Bakery for cinnamon scrolls and apple pies. Or for a real change of pace you can join locals at Cuppa Tahoe, a café in a bookshop with fabulous cosy nooks filled with vintage furniture and chalkboards. Order one of the specialty drinks, such as the caramelised pear tea latte. The Baked Bear ice-cream sandwich. Picture: Jennifer Ennion Afternoon Head back to the village for a spin on the small Heavenly Village Ice Rink before heading to The Baked Bear for an over-the-top ice-cream cookie sandwich. With bellies stretched, check into Forest Suites Resort, a sprawling low-level property a short stroll from Heavenly Mountain Gondola. It has an inviting foyer lounge, outdoor hot tubs, and apartments with full kitchens. Dinner Skip the tourist traps and cross the highway to Poké Rok, offering visitors a refreshing break from burgers and fried food. Order a giant sushi roll with crab or shrimp, or a poke bowl brimming with ahi tuna, salmon or teriyaki chicken. Your body will thank you for it. Forest Suites Resort at Heavenly Village. DAY FOUR: Morning Forest Suites offers a decent free buffet breakfast of pancakes, hash browns and sausages. You can then catch the gondola to mid-mountain or, to fully experience the California side of Heavenly, hop on the free shuttle to California Lodge. Eager skiers jump on the chairlift here, but if the weather is particularly wild, line up for the aerial tramway. There's a stack of epic runs on this side of the mountain, especially if you score a fresh snow day. If you're advanced, drop into Powder Bowl Woods and be sure to ride the black terrain back to the base at the end of the day. Lunch Lakeview Lodge is a great lunch spot, offering a cosy respite from a snowstorm. This lodge is the quintessential back-to-basics experience with plenty of character and window seats. Make yourself a cup of hot apple cider, order the gyro and grab a rocky road cookie while they're warm. Afternoon Spend the rest of the day lapping your favourite runs. If it's snowing heavily, keep your eyes on the opening of the Sky Express chair so you can claim more fresh turns through trees or down fast blues. (Sky Express offers some of the best views of Lake Tahoe on clear days.) Celebrate a day of fun riding back at Forest Suites Resort with free s'mores by an outdoor fire. The writer was a guest of Vail Resorts, South Lake Tahoe and Visit California. Skiers enjoy great views of Lake Tahoe. How to get to Heavenly Mountain Resort The closest airport to Heavenly Mountain Resort is in Reno, Nevada, but save yourself the hassle of two flights and travel with Qantas into San Francisco where you can collect a hire car for an easy 3.5-hour drive to Lake Tahoe. Find more travel tips at Where to stay at Heavenly Mountain Resort Tahoe Ridge Resort is an on-snow property with a restaurant, games room, activities centre, pool, hot tubs, saunas and free shuttle. In town, Forest Suites Resort is a great mid-range, family option, a short stroll to Heavenly Mountain Gondola. Skiing/snowboarding tips The Heavenly ski season is from mid-November to mid-April, snow dependent. If you're snowboarding in the Tahoe region for several days, buy an Epic Australia Pass for unlimited riding at three Aussie resorts, as well as Heavenly. Originally published as I spent 3 days at the USA's most surprising ski resort, Heavenly Mountain
Mercury
5 hours ago
- Health
- Mercury
Smokerlyzers tackling smoking in Tasmanian Aboriginal community
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News. For Sienna Scotney-Barron a reading on a new smokerlyzer was a shock. The 20-year-old, who is studying medical science at university, has been smoking on and off since she was 16. But with the help of Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre alcohol and other drugs co-ordinator Tina Goodwin (Burgess) she hopes to kick the habit. 'The first reading was a reality check,' Ms Scotney-Barron said. 'I want to focus on my health and getting the number down.' Her low green reading of two on the smokerlyzer – a carbon monoxide monitor that provides real-time, visual feedback on smoking's immediate effects – brought a smile to her face on Friday. The TAC is hoping to reduce smoking rates and drive better health outcomes for Aboriginal communities, with the help of the new smokerlyzers at its five health clinics across the state. Ms Goodwin (Burgess), said the technology was a gamechanger. 'Clients are either shocked, excited, intrigued or interested after receiving their smokerlyzer results,' she said. 'They can't wait to see if they can get their reading down at the next opportunity and they want to bring their family and friends in to have a go. 'At TAC, quitting smoking is everyone's business. 'Our team is committed to better outcomes for our people, and the Smokerlyzers have given us a new way to start life-changing conversations.' Ms Goodwin (Burgess) said while the internal effects of smoking are hard to see, putting the numbers on a screen can be a great motivator. 'We're seeing real curiosity, determination and even excitement from clients who want to understand and improve their results,' she said. 'We chose the advanced smokerlyzer model, with the capacity to safely measure carbon monoxide levels in pregnant women, who are an important cohort for us to educate and empower given the low birth weights we see in Aboriginal communities.' The initiative is one of several programs across the state as part of the Tasmanian Council of Social Service's Smoke-Free Communities Project, which aims to decrease nicotine rates among community service organisation clients and staff. TasCOSS CEO, Adrienne Picone, said the TAC's integration of new technology to show the effects of smoking demonstrated the power of taking innovative approaches. 'Community organisations such as the TAC have trusted relationships with the people they serve, making them uniquely positioned to support smoking cessation in ways that governments or clinical services alone can't achieve. 'Tasmania continues to see some of the worst rates of smoking and nicotine use in Australia, but organisations like TAC are doing the heavy lifting to turn this around, leading the way to create smoke free communities by empowering people to take small, practical steps to change addictive habits.'
Courier-Mail
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
Kembla preview: Claire Lever's patience pays off with Yes Siree
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. As legendary trainer Bart Cummings once said, 'Patience is the cheapest thing on racing and the least used.' Hawkesbury trainer Claire Lever is one person who follows that ideology with her horses and her latest subject is the three-year-old Yes Siree. From his early days the stable, the gelding showed Lever he was blessed with nice ability and even after he won a Hawkesbury barrier trial last November, she put him away knowing he wasn't ready to take the next step. 'He showed nice ability from the time he came into the stable but he was really slow to mature,' said Claire Lever. 'He kept growing and took a long time to come together to where you want him to be. Trainer Claire Lever with her jockey/husband, Chad. Picture: Bradley Photos 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! 'He grew more than we expected and took time to mature. 'I know he trialled well last time around but we just wanted to see him develop a bit more so we tipped him out. 'It wasn't until this preparation that he got to where we could do a bit more with him.' Returning for a late autumn and winter campaign, Yes Siree rewarded Lever and his owners with a debut win at Wyong on May 1. 'He trialled well then went to the races and won his first start,' Lever said. 'It probably wasn't an overly strong form race but it was over an unsuitably short distance for him and he did a few things wrong so he's progressing. 'It nice to have a horse in the stable that will keep improving that has been looked after.' That Wyong win came on a Heavy 10 but it was no surprise he handles the conditions so well being a son of Everest winner and Randwick 1200m track record holder Yes Yes Yes from an O'Reilly mare. Yes Siree is looking to make it two from two when he steps out on the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m) at Kembla on another heavy track with Grant Buckley to ride. 'It's a heavy track again but the Yes Yes Yes' have won all well on heavy tracks,' she said. 'The fact he ticked that box off, you can go to the races with that little bit more confidence that the track is not going to worry him too much. 'Down the track, I think 1400m will be is best distance but stepping up to 1200 metres this weekend will be good for him.' Four-year-old gelding Casanova has been a model of consistency in his two campaigns for Lever with a win and two placings in the first and he has a win and two placings so far this time in. He is looking to improve on that when he lines up in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m) with Lever husband, Chad, to ride. The gelding scored a tough win on his home track in March before a rare blip when well back behind Monkhena there a month later. A drop in grade saw him return his usually form with a third behind Exceedingly Hot at Queanbeyan on May 11. 'He is very honest, he puts himself up on speed or thereabouts and just tries really hard,' Lever said. 'His run at Hawkesbury was out of character but he pulled up okay. 'He bounced back with a better effort last start although it was at Queanbeyan in weaker grade. 'Back to provincial grade, on a nice track and down in weight, I think he will run well again. 'His form on wet tracks in good so I'm going to Kembla confident he will handle the conditions.'
