Latest news with #New South Wales
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Shayne O'Cass tips, race-by-race analysis for 2025 Lord Mayor's Cup day at Rosehill Gardens
Form expert Shayne O'Cass analyses Saturday's 10-race card at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, presenting his race-by-race tips and analysis. • 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 P ro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! â– â– â– â– â– SARAPO (3) is a Frankel out of a Le Havre (won the French Derby) mare; thus blessed with a double cross of Sadler's Wells. Can't you just see this colt in a Guineas or Derby and whatever else in years to come? Massive debut run on a track and distance that worked against him. Stablemate HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT (1) – who was scratched from the Sires – beat him that day. Might do again given the better draw. Set up for a really absorbing clash to start the day. BET: SARAPO (3) to win, exacta 3 to beat 1. â– â– â– â– â– ROSES IMMINENTE (12) was my bet in the Scone stand-alone Highway and while it says 10th of 16; she drew 14, was last on the corner and in a bit of traffic too. Drawn well this time and is one for one on a Heavy 9. ZOOMORPHIC (11) is a Zoustar son of Group 1 winner, Spright. Won at Mudgee by five lengths before another pretty emphatic win at Dubbo. Ready and able for a Highway debut. WARRIOR FOR PEACE (10) came from 13th of 15 to win in the last stride at Scone on Cup Day. Big win. â– â– â– â– â– EVERYONE'S A STAR (6) 's best runs are at 1100m. Wouldn't say she is an out and out muddie but she'll handle Soft if we get there on the day. This will be her sixth Midway in a row and bar that Heavy 8 one here on April 1, they've all been good. LADY EXTREME (7) has only missed a medal once in her nine starts (tick). Her two Midway runs were both seconds in better ones than this. KHUMBILAT (5) trialled well behind Ribusto and Semillion here recently. BET: EVERYONE'S A STAR (6) each-way (unless Heavy) otherwise LADY EXTREME (7) to win. â– â– â– â– â– KUNDABUNG (9) was a $450,000 MM Yearling. He's by the super sire Super Seth out of an O'Reilly mare; the same as Australian Guineas winner, Feroce and the Black Opal placegetter, Sanctified. Got quality miler written all over him. HOPPER (8) resumed with a confidence boosting win at the Farm on May 7 beating Gunroom who won at Canterbury on Wednesday. Onwards and upwards for this superbly-bred Snitzel son. The draw? Hmmm. We'll find out whether that helped or hindered on the day. BET: KUNDABUNG (9) to win. â– â– â– â– â– SUMMER FLAME (5) was $61 for no good reason when won the Denise's Joy at Scone, running 1.02.66s as it happens. This is 1100m again, only this time, she is racing at home. Not sure what the wide draw means to her, it might actually help her. We will know by now anyway. Ditto that last bit for LULUMON (1) who has drawn even wider still. This Jason Coyle-trained daughter of Vancouver is one of the best muddies on the card; don't forget she beat a decent field of Benchmark 78 Fillies and Mares here on a 10 back on December 7 last year. BET: SUMMER FLAME (5) each-way. â– â– â– â– â– KAZALARK (11) is grandson of Sarwatch who was herself a multiple stakes-winning daughter of Riverina Charm. This Chris Waller-trained son of Vadamos' lone win so far, and in only five starts, was on a Heavy 8 at Hawkesbury so he's got that boxed well and truly ticked. Take note; that was second-up as he is here. GUZUMPED (10) is first-up after contested The Wave and the 2200m MM Trophy in January. Wouldn't read much, if anything, into his 'bad' trials; he goes better on race day. BET: KAZALARK (11), GUZUMPED (10) each-way. â– â– â– â– â– UNSTOPABULL (9) finishes in the placings at a tick above 50 per cent which makes him an appealing betting proposition for each-way punters, more so given he was $8/$2.70 on Thursday morning. The Chris Waller-trained galloper ran a huge race first-up at Scone behind Zealously and Dollar Magic. His father was a mudder, his mother was a mudder and so is he. BET: UNSTOPABULL (9) to win. â– â– â– â– â– FIRST LIGHT (6) shares an honour roll with the likes of Carbine, Phar Lap, Wakeful, Flight, Gunsynd and others as a Colin Stephen winner. He actually ran rather well in a Metropolitan too which suggests he is more a 2400m horse he's only third-up into the prep and on a positive trajectory despite what the form guide suggests. Fascinated by MORMONA (12). How is it a 100/1 shot? If we get into the Soft range, this is doable for this Bagot placegetter who trialled really well behind Ingham winner Robusto the other day. BET: FIRST LIGHT (6) each-way, MORMONA (12) to place. â– â– â– â– â– KIND WORDS (7) (in the Lucia Valentina colours) was beaten three lengths in the Prov/Midway Final. She paid a big price for her 15 of 15 draw there at Randwick a fortnight later. As for last start, she drew wide again and came from a mile back again to finish inches off the winner, in third. Deserves a win; can see why she is favourite here. SEAFALL (4) was going to win a long, long way out last start. Drew well you see, but that is so far from the case this time. BET: KIND WORDS (7) to win. â– â– â– â– â– Got the emergency on top here, SUMMER FLAME (22), but expecting her to run in an earlier race. I have to admit to be a big Totoka man since she won a Two-Year-Old Maiden at Canterbury one summer night in February last year. Sad fact is, she is going to lose more races than she wins just because of her slow early/fast late pattern but when the stars align, she could win a decent stakes race. MISS JENNIFER (14) has raced without luck lately. Is barrier 23 (minus all the scratchings) actually a slice of good luck? Could be.
The Australian
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Dylan Gibbons gem lands top prize with Hollywood Hero at Randwick
Dylan Gibbons, riding with renewed confidence, produced a masterful rails-hugging ride on Hollywood Hero at Royal Randwick on Saturday. For a few strides around the turn, Gibbons looked to get out wider but decided to abruptly switch back to the inside and that proved decisive as Hollywood Hero railed through to win the Charity Challenge Handicap (1600m). Gibbons is two months into his comeback from injury after he spent five months convalescing from a shoulder injury. • 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! 'I came back at a tricky time during the (autumn) carnival but everything happens for a reason,' Gibbons said. 'This is the best I have ever felt on a horse, physically and emotionally, and I'm really enjoying my riding. 'I had a long apprenticeship but I've come out as a senior now and I'm in a very good head space. 'Physically, I've never been better and I feel very confident with my riding.' Gibbons demonstrated that confidence when he drove Hollywood Hero ($5.50) through along the inside to run down Cool Jakey ($3.40 favourite) and win by one-and-a-quarter lengths. Nellie Laylax ($21), the Irish import, was excellent at his Australian debut for Annabel and Rob Archibald to finish a length away third just in front of Green Fly. 'I was wanting speed but not quite that much speed, they went hard up front,' Gibbons said. 'I was worried he might find it tough to pick his feet up in the heavy going but he was always travelling really well. We got the run through and he was too good. 'He has loads of ability but I don't think we have seen the best of him yet.' Hollywood Hero is trained by Bjorn Baker who continued his breakout season preparing his 78th city winner for the season to be second in the Sydney premiership behind Chris Waller on 122 wins. • Pride sprinter makes most of gilt-edged opportunity Baker revealed he give Gibbons a very simple set of riding instructions pre-race. 'Hollywood Hero is a strange horse as he just has to be completely switched off early in his races,' Baker said, 'I emphasised that to Dylan and he was on the same page. It was a great ride.' Hollywood Hero scored the fifth win of his 29-start career, taking his career earnings to more than $450,000 prizemoney, going a long way to recouping the $600,000 part-owner owner Ozzie Kheir and the other syndicate members spent purchasing the gelding as a yearling. Baker is always promoting his business and wasn't about to let an opportunity pass. 'Hollywood Hero was an expensive buy for Ozzie and the team, the horse is paying his way and I'm grateful to train for them,' Baker said. 'But I'm hopeful to get more of their horses – Ozzie have you had a look at my (training) statistics!' Baker admitted he was unsure of immediate plans for Hollywood Hero but long-term he has the Little Dance in mind at Royal Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day. 'We have got something to look forward to with the Little Dance in spring,' Baker said. 'It's a big race in its own right.' Hollywood Hero gave Gibbons only his 10th winner of his injury-ravaged season – a far cry from the century of winners he rode in 2021-22 and again in 2022-23 – but it was a milestone 400th career winner for the talented young jockey. • Punters in a 'Daze' as import causes a boilover Baker and Gibbons then combined for a brace of winners in the closer with Miss Kim Kar in the Wilson Asset Management Handicap (1400m). But Gibbons' ride on Miss Kim Kar was a polar opposite of his winning effort on Hollywood Hero as this time he brought the three-year-old filly down the extreme outside in the straight. Gibbons has had more success with the Baker stable than any other trainer but Kris Lees and the trainer took particular satisfaction watching the young jockey guide Hollywood Hero and Miss Kim Kar home. 'Dylan's a great person and I've had a lot of luck with him,' Baker said. 'He rode my top sprinter Ozzmosis to his second win on this track. 'He's coming back off that shoulder injury but his career is starting to get some momentum going again.' Gibbons, who has ridden two Group 1 winners on Explosive Jack in the 2023 Sydney Cup and Kalapour in the 2024 Tancred Stakes, revealed he rides trackwork regularly for Baker at Warwick Farm. 'I think it is Mr Baker's favourite day of the week because he smashes me every Wednesday morning,' Gibbons said. 'But if you go and do the hard work, he rewards you accordingly. He's great to ride for.'
News.com.au
24-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Co-trainer Michael Hawkes predicts a bright future for Spione after his stylish victory at Randwick
Trainer Michael Hawkes predicted a bright future for promising Spione after a fast-finishing win at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Spione, ridden by Tyler Schiller, went very wide on the turn and made his run near the outside rail before reeling in his rivals to win the Magnolia Lane Financial Services Handicap (1400m). 'We have a lot of time for this horse,' Hawkes said. 'He was very unlucky here last start and he drew an awkward barrier today. 'I told Tyler that unfortunately he would have to go back on him but we think the horse is good enough. 'We just had to hope he got some clear air then let him rip and he's done that. It was a very good win.' Spione, well backed into $3.90 favouritism, ran down Thunderlips ($4) to win by a widening one-and-a-quarter lengths with Boltsaver ($8) a half length away third. Schiller said it wasn't his intention to get as wide as he did on Spione in the straight. 'I didn't really want to get to the outside but when I was half-way there at the 400m I thought I might as well go the whole way,' Schiller said. @G1TySchil | @HawkesRacing â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025 • Punters in a 'Daze' as import causes a boilover 'Spione finished very strongly and put them away nicely in the finish. He's always been a consistent type and I know Michael really likes him.' Hawkes, who trains in partnership with his brother Wayne and their father, Hall of Famer John, said four-year-old Spione's best is still to come after the sprinter scored his third win at just his fifth start. 'We bred Spione and my Mum (Jenny) and wife (Clare) own him,' Hawkes said. 'The horse is by Showtime who we used to train and I have no doubt in time he will make a very nice horse.'
News.com.au
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
A fit a confident Dylan Gibbons produced a rail-hugging ride to salute on Hollywood Hero at Randwick
Dylan Gibbons, riding with renewed confidence, produced a masterful rails-hugging ride on Hollywood Hero at Royal Randwick on Saturday. For a few strides around the turn, Gibbons looked to get out wider but decided to abruptly switch back to the inside and that proved decisive as Hollywood Hero railed through to win the Charity Challenge Handicap (1600m). Gibbons is two months into his comeback from injury after he spent five months convalescing from a shoulder injury. 'I came back at a tricky time during the (autumn) carnival but everything happens for a reason,' Gibbons said. 'This is the best I have ever felt on a horse, physically and emotionally, and I'm really enjoying my riding. 'I had a long apprenticeship but I've come out as a senior now and I'm in a very good head space. 'Physically, I've never been better and I feel very confident with my riding.' Gibbons demonstrated that confidence when he drove Hollywood Hero ($5.50) through along the inside to run down Cool Jakey ($3.40 favourite) and win by one-and-a-quarter lengths. Nellie Laylax ($21), the Irish import, was excellent at his Australian debut for Annabel and Rob Archibald to finish a length away third just in front of Green Fly. 'I was wanting speed but not quite that much speed, they went hard up front,' Gibbons said. 'I was worried he might find it tough to pick his feet up in the heavy going but he was always travelling really well. We got the run through and he was too good. 'He has loads of ability but I don't think we have seen the best of him yet.' Hollywood Hero is trained by Bjorn Baker who continued his breakout season preparing his 78th city winner for the season to be second in the Sydney premiership behind Chris Waller on 122 wins. Hollywood Hero takes the inside alley and wins well at Randwick! ðŸ'� @BBakerRacing | @djgibbons22 â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025 • Baker revealed he give Gibbons a very simple set of riding instructions pre-race. 'Hollywood Hero is a strange horse as he just has to be completely switched off early in his races,' Baker said, 'I emphasised that to Dylan and he was on the same page. It was a great ride.' Hollywood Hero scored the fifth win of his 29-start career, taking his career earnings to more than $450,000 prizemoney, going a long way to recouping the $600,000 part-owner owner Ozzie Kheir and the other syndicate members spent purchasing the gelding as a yearling. Baker is always promoting his business and wasn't about to let an opportunity pass. 'Hollywood Hero was an expensive buy for Ozzie and the team, the horse is paying his way and I'm grateful to train for them,' Baker said. 'But I'm hopeful to get more of their horses – Ozzie have you had a look at my (training) statistics!' Baker admitted he was unsure of immediate plans for Hollywood Hero but long-term he has the Little Dance in mind at Royal Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day. 'We have got something to look forward to with the Little Dance in spring,' Baker said. 'It's a big race in its own right.' Hollywood Hero gave Gibbons only his 10th winner of his injury-ravaged season – a far cry from the century of winners he rode in 2021-22 and again in 2022-23 – but it was a milestone 400th career winner for the talented young jockey. Miss Kim Kar storms home on the outside and wins the last at Randwick! ðŸ'¥ @djgibbons22 & @BBakerRacing get their double to close out the day! ✌ï¸� â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025 • Baker and Gibbons then combined for a brace of winners in the closer with Miss Kim Kar in the Wilson Asset Management Handicap (1400m). But Gibbons' ride on Miss Kim Kar was a polar opposite of his winning effort on Hollywood Hero as this time he brought the three-year-old filly down the extreme outside in the straight. Gibbons has had more success with the Baker stable than any other trainer but Kris Lees and the trainer took particular satisfaction watching the young jockey guide Hollywood Hero and Miss Kim Kar home. 'Dylan's a great person and I've had a lot of luck with him,' Baker said. 'He rode my top sprinter Ozzmosis to his second win on this track. 'He's coming back off that shoulder injury but his career is starting to get some momentum going again.' Gibbons, who has ridden two Group 1 winners on Explosive Jack in the 2023 Sydney Cup and Kalapour in the 2024 Tancred Stakes, revealed he rides trackwork regularly for Baker at Warwick Farm. 'I think it is Mr Baker's favourite day of the week because he smashes me every Wednesday morning,' Gibbons said. 'But if you go and do the hard work, he rewards you accordingly. He's great to ride for.'
News.com.au
23-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Newcastle best bets, inside mail for Monday, May 26, 2025
Racenet and The Daily Telegraph form analyst Adam Sherry provides his best bets and race-by-race analysis for Newcastle on Monday. The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. NEWCASTLE BEST BET Race 6 No. 6: LUNAITE Scored a big win here last start and hard to beat again. NEXT BEST Not a lot of luck when held up when resuming. Has trialled very well on the heavy. VALUE BET Race 8 No. 1: DREAMDEEL Rewarded for his consistent form with a win at Gosford last start. Good chance again. QUADDIE Race 5: 4, 6 Race 6: 6, 7, 8 Race 7: 1, 6, 7 Race 8: 1, 8, 9, 10 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Aaron Bullock is going to be popular in the TAB Jockey Challenge. INSIDE MAIL – NEWCASTLE PRATT (1) resumes from a spell for a new stable. Led all-the-way in his Beaumont trial on heavy ground on Apr 16 then under a hold when just caught late by Trounce in his May 7 heat. PERASTA (8) has been up for a while but worth thought on his third to Divine Bene on a Heavy 8 on the Beaumont two starts back. Drawn well. I'M OPINIONATED (7) placed on a Soft 7 at Dubbo last campaign. Just behind the placegetters in both runs back from a spell and at her peak now. TYRONE'S POWER (3) eyeballed the leader and went to the front on straightening before finishing third to Regulated Affair at Warwick Farm second-up. DIVO (1) is a grandson of the Hall of Famer, Makybe Diva by Capitalist on debut. Led and cruised to a near two length win in his Apr 9 Scone trial. Sat outside the leader before going to the front near the 400m to win his Apr 24 Wyong trial on a heavy track. THE ROOKIE (10) will be improved by her first-up fourth to Yes Siree on the Heavy 10 at Wyong. Bet: Tyrone's Power to win HAWKER HALL (5) travelled strongly in front when third behind Leantothemoon on debut as favourite at Hawkesbury on Oct 24. Resumed with a big all-the-way win on a Heavy 8 over this track and distance on Apr 23. Has since won a Beaumont trial impressively. ONE KIND (14) closing in on a win after three handy placings. Was trapped out very wide when a neck third to Dis Is Heaven at Tuncurry and caught deep again when a neck third to Are Ee Que at Wyong last start. Races well this track and distance. TRAPALANDA (2) battled away when fifth to Collect Your Cash at his Australian debut on the Kensington. Stepped up top Saturday grade when fifth to Asgoodassobergets at Gosford on Cup Day. At his peak now and won third-up in Ireland. TOMMY THUG (7) was a handy neck second to the in-form Shangri La Impact over 2000m at Hawkesbury last start. Place twice on the heavy including a third here three starts back. BEARINGS (8) scored her maiden win first-up at Goulburn before a fourth to Rotagilla on the Kensington. LUNE D'EXCELLENCE (6) was excellent coming from well back to finish a half-length second under a good hold to Pratt in his Apr 16 trial. Went back from a wide gate and was held up early in the straight when a two-and-a-half length fourth to Impressionism over 1300m here first-up. INVISIBLE MAGIC (4) ran much better than his $71 starting price when a length-and-a-quarter third to Hopper on debut at Warwick Farm. Will take improvement from the run. Anamoe's half-sister BLUE WILLOW (3) has been okay on both runs. LUNAITE (6) was given a long spell after her debut seventh on the Kensington in March last year. Resumed with a two length second to Night Sky at Wyong on Apr 17 then scored a near four-and-a-half length win from Blue Willow on a Heavy 10 here last start. NAUGHTY NURSE (8) was narrowly beaten by Love Child first-up before winning at the Gold Coast. Worked to leaded from a wide gate and raced keenly when eighth at the Sunshine Coast last start. REDUCIO (7) can bounce back from a disappointing run last start. FRENCH MARINE (6) didn't have any luck first-up when he was held up in the straight and unable to be tested when a two-and-a-half length eighth to Executive Decision over 1100m at Wyong. Has two win and three seconds from seven starts second-up and is a winner at this track and trip. Likes it wet. MURAL CROWN (1) was okay when fifth to Cassiel first-up at Canterbury then raced flat when second last behind She Conquers at Kembla. Can bounce back. POCKET EIGHTS (7) is two from two on the heavy. DREAMDEEL (1) was just beaten by Peace Centre at Kembla and less than a length away when fourth to Alabama Fox at Hawkesbury before racing keenly in front and fading behind Fiftyficechevy here on Apr 12. Bounced back with a nose win at Gosford from Ocean Diva who has won since. BELLA KATHLEEN (9) scored a good win at her NSW debut in a Class 1 here before a second to Gentileschi in the Godolphin Tiara at Muswellbrook. Placed all four runs on the heavy. ELIVINA (8) is racing well and has claims.
