Latest news with #OakleighPlate
News.com.au
20-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Two-year-old blue bloods to clash on debut at Sandown on Wednesday
Wednesday's Thoroughbred Club of Australia Handicap at Sandown could be a showdown between a pair of blue blood two-year-olds. I'mateez, a half-brother to the former superstar sprinter Imperatriz will be up against Samudra, a daughter of Oakleigh Plate winners Snitzel and Pippie. Bookmakers have the Mark Walker -trained Samudra as an odds-on favourite after three jumpout wins while I'mateez is a $17 chance after improving to win his latest jumpout at Cranbourne on May 12. Walker's Melbourne representative Ben Gleeson said the stable had been careful with Samudra, who was a $775,000 yearling purchase. 'She's not an out-and-out two-year-old by any means,' Gleeson said. 'When people see her in the parade ring, they'll see she's a big, strong, scopey type of filly that is certainly going to grow. 'She's taken time to mature body-wise and every time she's had a jumpout, we've just given her that bit of extra time. 'We haven't wanted to push her until she showed us she's ready. But we've been really pleased with her jumpouts.' I'mateez, a son of Golden Slipper winner Capitalist, cost $200,000 as a yearling on the Gold Coast last year. The colt's trainer Alex Rae said the youngster had plenty of speed but needed to answer questions in the last 100m of the $50,000 contest. 'He certainly heads to the races with a good understanding of what his job is, but what happens when the real pressure goes on late in the race, I'm not sure how he's going to respond,' Rae said. 'He'll jump, he'll run and he's pretty one-dimensional so we're not going to do anything out of the ordinary with him. 'He'll probably lead them up and hopefully he'll be strong late, that's the big question. 'It's going to be a tricky race but I suppose, when you've got a horse with the pedigree that he has, I suppose there's some lofty ambitions internally.'
Herald Sun
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Matthew Smith focused on Everest slot with improving sprinter Headwall
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Trainer Matthew Smith is prepared to bypass the feature Brisbane sprints to give Headwall every chance to qualify for the $20m The TAB Everest later this year. Headwall has emerged as a genuine Everest contender despite a winless, albeit luckless, autumn campaign. He has taken on the best sprinters in training in four successive starts and could easily have won at least two Group 1 races. • 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! Headwall was hopelessly held up in the straight before finishing fourth to Jimmysstar in the Oakleigh Plate then he ran a close second to Joliestar in the Newmarket Handicap. Smith's underrated sprinter again had an interrupted run before his third to Briasa in the TJ Smith Stakes then he was beaten narrowly by Jokers Grin in The Quokka last Saturday. Headwall is on the way back from Perth via a stopover in Melbourne on Thursday but Smith said he wants to check on the five-year-old's condition when he is back at the trainer's Warwick Farm stables before confirming plans for the gelding. 'I reckon Headwall will have a break now,'' Smith said. 'He's done a bit of travelling with a couple of trips away and there is Brisbane to consider. 'But I think when all said and done he should go for a break and then we can target The Everest in the spring.'' Improving sprinter Headwall had a luckless autumn campaign. Picture:Despite Headwall's consistent big-race form this autumn, Smith hasn't fielded any approaches from slot-holders and TAB has the sprinter at $34 in early Everest betting behind Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising at $2. Some of Headwall's adversaries this autumn, Briasa ($8), Jimmysstar ($11) and Joliestar ($11) are among the early favourites for The Everest. • Smith's 'unbelievable' win on game-changing day for NSW racing 'We haven't had any contact from slot-holders yet but the plan is to get him to The Everest,'' Smith said. 'So, by giving Headwall a break now, we can have him ready to go early in the spring. 'If he can win one of those early lead-up races to The Everest like the Concorde Stakes then surely he would get a start.'' Unbeaten Private Harry ($6) remains the only confirmed starter for The Everest after racing and breeding giant Yulong – which owns a slot in the world's richest turf race – secured a half-share in the sprinter after his win in the Group 1 The Galaxy during the Sydney autumn carnival. Originally published as Matthew Smith focused on Everest slot with improving sprinter Headwall
News.com.au
01-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Matthew Smith focused on Everest slot with improving sprinter Headwall
Trainer Matthew Smith is prepared to bypass the feature Brisbane sprints to give Headwall every chance to qualify for the $20m The TAB Everest later this year. Headwall has emerged as a genuine Everest contender despite a winless, albeit luckless, autumn campaign. He has taken on the best sprinters in training in four successive starts and could easily have won at least two Group 1 races. Headwall was hopelessly held up in the straight before finishing fourth to Jimmysstar in the Oakleigh Plate then he ran a close second to Joliestar in the Newmarket Handicap. Smith's underrated sprinter again had an interrupted run before his third to Briasa in the TJ Smith Stakes then he was beaten narrowly by Jokers Grin in The Quokka last Saturday. Headwall is on the way back from Perth via a stopover in Melbourne on Thursday but Smith said he wants to check on the five-year-old's condition when he is back at the trainer's Warwick Farm stables before confirming plans for the gelding. 'I reckon Headwall will have a break now,'' Smith said. 'He's done a bit of travelling with a couple of trips away and there is Brisbane to consider. 'But I think when all said and done he should go for a break and then we can target The Everest in the spring.'' Despite Headwall's consistent big-race form this autumn, Smith hasn't fielded any approaches from slot-holders and TAB has the sprinter at $34 in early Everest betting behind Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising at $2. Some of Headwall's adversaries this autumn, Briasa ($8), Jimmysstar ($11) and Joliestar ($11) are among the early favourites for The Everest. 'We haven't had any contact from slot-holders yet but the plan is to get him to The Everest,'' Smith said. 'So, by giving Headwall a break now, we can have him ready to go early in the spring. 'If he can win one of those early lead-up races to The Everest like the Concorde Stakes then surely he would get a start.'' Unbeaten Private Harry ($6) remains the only confirmed starter for The Everest after racing and breeding giant Yulong – which owns a slot in the world's richest turf race – secured a half-share in the sprinter after his win in the Group 1 The Galaxy during the Sydney autumn carnival.
Daily Telegraph
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
‘Gone to another level': Quokka first before Everest shot
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Trainer Matt Smith is adamant Headwall deserves a crack at this year's $20m The Everest as his star sprinter prepares to chase a win in Australia's second richest slot race at Ascot this Saturday. Headwall can complete his meteoric rise up the Australian sprint ranks with victory in Perth's richest race, the $5m The Quokka (1200m). • 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! Despite not winning, the son of Dream Ahead has still been a revelation this campaign with a string of excellent performances at Group 1 level. Smith's emerging talent followed up a first-up fourth in the Oakleigh Plate by finishing runner-up in the Newmarket Handicap and a fast-finishing third in the TJ Smith Stakes. 'He has gone to another level this preparation,' Smith said. 'You never know if horses are going to take that next step but he has. 'He has got the turn of foot to win a Group 1 and is clearly tracking in that direction based on his three runs this preparation. 'They've been outstanding so I am just delighted. He wouldn't have done this before because he wouldn't relax but now he is starting to relax in his runs and gives himself every chance to win one of these races.' Headwall ($6) is one of three NSW raiders in Perth for the Quokka with two-time winner Overpass ($2 favourite) and country weapon Front Page ($9) also lining up. Both Overpass and Front Page have drawn double-digit gates while Headwall jumps from barrier eight with Zac Lloyd aboard. • 'Sick of running second to him': Miller's cheeky 'plan' to beat Overpass 'The draw is fine for us, we can't be unhappy with the draw,' Smith said. 'The horse seems to be happy, I can't fault him really. 'He has been here a little over a week now but he settled in fine and seems fine. 'He has had a few runs so we just need to tick him over and keep him happy.' Smith said Headwall will go for a break straight after his trip to Perth to prepare for a spring assault he hopes will end up in The Everest. 'We will go through those Everest lead-up races,' Smith said. 'You can line all the form up now since we've had the three big sprints and you can see they are four or five of them within a length of each other. 'I think he well and truly deserves a crack at The Everest.' • Via Sistina only certainty as award honours up for grabs Only one horse has been locked in for this year's The Everest with The Galaxy winner Private Harry locked in to run in new owner Yulong's slot. Meanwhile, Smith confirmed he will target the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (3200m) with comeback stayer Aethelflaed. Aethelflaed, a runner up in the Group 1 VRC Oaks, made her comeback from a long lay-off with victory in a 2000m event at Canberra last Friday. Originally published as Trainer Matt Smith already eyeing The Everest for star sprinter Headwall as he prepares for The Quokka
News.com.au
22-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Trainer Matt Smith already eyeing The Everest for star sprinter Headwall as he prepares for The Quokka
Trainer Matt Smith is adamant Headwall deserves a crack at this year's $20m The Everest as his star sprinter prepares to chase a win in Australia's second richest slot race at Ascot this Saturday. Headwall can complete his meteoric rise up the Australian sprint ranks with victory in Perth's richest race, the $5m The Quokka (1200m). Despite not winning, the son of Dream Ahead has still been a revelation this campaign with a string of excellent performances at Group 1 level. Smith's emerging talent followed up a first-up fourth in the Oakleigh Plate by finishing runner-up in the Newmarket Handicap and a fast-finishing third in the TJ Smith Stakes. 'He has gone to another level this preparation,' Smith said. 'You never know if horses are going to take that next step but he has. 'He has got the turn of foot to win a Group 1 and is clearly tracking in that direction based on his three runs this preparation. 'They've been outstanding so I am just delighted. He wouldn't have done this before because he wouldn't relax but now he is starting to relax in his runs and gives himself every chance to win one of these races.' Briasa is brilliant in the G1 T J Smith Stakes! He makes it 7 wins from just 9 starts as he races away for @HawkesRacing and @G1TySchil! ðŸ'¨ @aus_turf_club | @WorldPool — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 5, 2025 Headwall ($6) is one of three NSW raiders in Perth for the Quokka with two-time winner Overpass ($2 favourite) and country weapon Front Page ($9) also lining up. Both Overpass and Front Page have drawn double-digit gates while Headwall jumps from barrier eight with Zac Lloyd aboard. • 'The draw is fine for us, we can't be unhappy with the draw,' Smith said. 'The horse seems to be happy, I can't fault him really. 'He has been here a little over a week now but he settled in fine and seems fine. 'He has had a few runs so we just need to tick him over and keep him happy.' Smith said Headwall will go for a break straight after his trip to Perth to prepare for a spring assault he hopes will end up in The Everest. 'We will go through those Everest lead-up races,' Smith said. 'You can line all the form up now since we've had the three big sprints and you can see they are four or five of them within a length of each other. 'I think he well and truly deserves a crack at The Everest.' Only one horse has been locked in for this year's The Everest with The Galaxy winner Private Harry locked in to run in new owner Yulong's slot. Aethelflaed. Aethelflaed, a runner up in the Group 1 VRC Oaks, made her comeback from a long lay-off with victory in a 2000m event at Canberra last Friday.
