Latest news with #Queanbeyan
News.com.au
22-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘What else am I going to do?' My Last Hooray no last hurrah for veteran trainer Frank Cleary
Frank Cleary, the racehorse trainer who can't retire, often finds himself reminiscing about what might have been during State of Origin time. A talented rugby league fullback in his day, Cleary earned selection in 1970 for Country Seconds against City Seconds at the SCG. This was 10 years before State of Origin was introduced and Country teams were made up of part-timers from bush regions against City sides full of the sport's best players. The City team Cleary was opposed to boasted 13 players who either had already worn the green and gold of Australia or were to soon earn Test selection including greats like John Sattler, Bob Grant, Fred Jones, Phil Hawthorne, John Brass, Bob O'Reilly, Denis Pittard and Paul Sait. But Cleary's country team made a game of it against the City side, losing the representative clash 24-13. 'We tried not to pay too much attention to who we were playing against or you would be overawed,'' Cleary recalled. 'So, we just relied on each other, bush boys having a go, and we held our own. It wasn't a whitewash, put it that way.'' Some years later, Cleary was having a quiet beer with some mates in a Queanbeyan pub when he was 'belted in the ribs'. 'I turned around and it was John Sattler,'' Cleary said. 'I asked him what that was all about and he said 'SCG, 1970 – now we are square'. 'He had a good memory because during that game, I did give Sattler one in a tackle and he waited to get even with me. We had a good laugh about it.'' Cleary enjoyed his footy but knew the time would come when he needed to make a choice – keep playing rugby league or concentrate on training racehorses. He took out a trainer's licence in 1971 but continued playing footy for another three years before hanging up the boots. 'I had that many injuries and (wife) Sue and I were starting our family,'' Cleary said. 'Plus I had a horse in the stable called Wayne's Bid – and I knew how good he was so I thought I had better give up footy and concentrate on training.'' Wayne's Bid was a brilliant sprinter and gave Cleary his first Group 1 winner when he won the 1976 The Galaxy when ridden by 'Miracle' Mal Johnston. Cleary remembers that race like it was yesterday. 'Wayne's Bid was a great horse to me and he was in great form that autumn,'' he said. 'But he was up against Sticks And Stones who was very fast. 'The race turned into a sprint replica of the Bonecrusher-Our Waverley Star Cox Plate (1986). 'They broke clear at the 600m and they went stride for stride to the line. Wayne's Bid was able to edge in front in the last 30-40m.'' Wayne's Bid was all the vindication Cleary needed he had made the right career choice. Cleary has since carved out a very successful training career, mainly from Queanbeyan, preparing topliners like Select Prince, Friend's Venture, and particularly Clan O'Sullivan and Catbird. Clan O'Sullivan was an outstanding two-year-old and won the Magic Millions and Black Opal Stakes before his narrow loss to Burst in the 1992 Golden Slipper. The trainer was stung by that defeat but seven years later he finally won the Golden Slipper with Catbird. A brilliant colt by Danehill, Catbird won five of his 14 starts including the coveted Black Opal-Golden Slipper double. Cleary's classy colt also had a successful career at stud, siring 22 stakeswinners including Green Birdie, winner of the Singapore International Sprint, Cats Fun who won the Western Australian Derby and Perth Cup, and Monton, winner of the Villiers Stakes. It was the Catbird connection that was the clincher for Cleary to delay his retirement from training. The story goes that Cleary was cajoled by his close friend, former Canberra Raiders chairman, John McIntyre, to check out a yearling by Harry Angel at the Inglis Classic Sale two years ago. 'I told John I've had enough of training but he insisted I have a look at this yearling,'' Cleary said. Cleary noticed the yearling's great-grandam just happened to be Fitting, herself the dam of Catbird. 'I'd never heard of Harry Angel at the time but I studied the horse's pedigree and he was closely related to Catbird on his dam's side,'' he said. 'He was a lovely colt to look at and John kept saying I need to get another horse to train. 'I thought bugger it we will try and get him. He only cost us $40,000. 'So, I agreed to train the horse. I said this would be the last one, and that is how we came up with the name, ' My Last Hooray '.'' The name is a misnomer now but more about that later. My Last Hooray, who is owned by some of Cleary's longstanding clients including McIntyre, is now a three-year-old with potential, winning three races (and three placings) from nine starts. He's already recouped his purchase price with interest having earned nearly $80,000 prizemoney. At Royal Randwick on Saturday My Last Hooray is topweight with 61kg for the $120,000 TAB Highway (1200m). Cleary has booked 3kg-claiming apprentice Will Stanley to off-set My Last Hooray's handicap and the likelihood of heavy track surface doesn't concern the trainer. 'The kid (Stanley) is a good young rider and the 3kg he claims will be very handy,'' Cleary said. 'I'm not worried by the heavy track, either. My Last Hooray gets through it so we will take all the help we can get.'' My Last Hooray is at $19 in early TAB Fixed Odds betting behind the promising mare So You Pence at $2.40 favouritism, emerging Scone sprinter Shropshire Lad is at $4.80 with Chemtrail ($7) the only other runner under double figure odds. There is a truism in racing that trainers never retire and Cleary's success with My Last Hooray means he has shelved retirement plans – probably for good. 'I've also got a two-year-old in training now so I guess I'll keep going for a few more years,'' he said. 'But what else am I going to do? I don't play golf or anything and I would go mad if I couldn't go to the stables every morning. It makes me get out of bed and get on with my day. 'I'm 76, my health is good, so why not keep going. My Last Hooray – well, it's the wrong name now.'' Cleary still follows the footy closely and regularly attends Canberra Raiders games. There are some who believe the Raiders could challenge for the NRL premiership this season but Cleary is more circumspect. 'The Raiders are going really 'good' this season, they have all these young blokes coming through and they are a very fast team,'' Cleary said. 'They are great to watch, they might be 12 months away, but Ricky (Stuart, coach) has them playing good footy so you never know.'' Cleary saved the best for last with his thoughts on the Origin clash between NSW and Queensland next Wednesday and My Last Hooray's chances at Royal Randwick on Saturday. 'I would have picked James Tedesco at fullback and maybe found a spot for Ryan Papenhuyzen in the Blues team,'' he said. 'But it does look a very strong side and I think NSW can win the first Origin game. 'At Randwick, we are going to get a wet track and that won't bother My Last Hooray because the day he won at Goulburn the track was bottomless. 'I realise track surfaces are different everywhere but if they handle the wet, they handle the wet. 'My Last Hooray is going terrific, he's in good form and should be hard to beat. He's not a bad horse.''
Mercury
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Mercury
Parkes preview, tips: Nestor gambles on Lockdown in Cup
Jockey Kody Nestor was successful on the Parkes Cup from a wide barrier two years ago and he hopes history can repeat when he partners Lockdown Gamble in this year's edition. In 2023, Nestor partnered the Mack Griffith-trained up and comer Osman to a three length win from barrier 10 – the outside gate. Nestor and Lockdown Gamble have the outside gate in this year's Parkes Cup (1600m) - barrier 14 of 14 – but will jump from barrier 12 under his big weight of 63kg. 'I haven't ridden him in a race before but I have seen plenty of him,' said Nestor. 'Obviously, he has to lump it again and he has drawn wide but he is the proven galloper in the field. 'He's won a Wellington Cup which is a Big Dance Qualifier. The Parkes Cup which is more of a second tier country cup. 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 looks the one to beat on paper, no doubt.' The David Smith-trained gelding heads into the race in terrific form. He resumed this campaign with third to Osman in the Mudgee Cup on February 23 and his next run at Mudgee last Sunday when he won the Benchmark 82 over 1400m with 63kg. 'It was a good, tough win the other day with a big weight,' Nestor said. 'He's got a couple of things against him – his big weight and wide barrier- but he has the class to overcome them. 'His greatest attributes are his last 100m to a furlong along with his toughness and consistency.' Nestor was pleased with the first-up run of Kora Magic at Dubbo two weeks ago and partners the mare again when she contests the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1000m). The Mark Jones-trained mare led from barrier 11 and was only caught in the last 20m to finish third behind Cumnock and Twilight Rock. 'She was just beaten the other day first-up without a barrier trial. I thought she was really game,' he said. 'She had a good blow coming back in so she is going to improve off that run. 'We have drawn wide again but she has the early pace to offset the gate. I expect her to lead easily and with the circumference of Parkes, it will be a lot easier on her than Dubbo. 'Dubbo is a very open track and you are exposed a long way from home whereas at Parkes, you can skip off the corner and it's not the longest run home. 'She will be thereabouts in the finish again.' Nestor and Queanbeyan trainer Nick Olive have enjoyed a couple of winners together in recent months including Just Go Bang in the Gilgandra Cup and combine with two good chances this weekend. Sooboogeliscious has been just behind the placegetters in two runs back from a spell and looks ready to peak in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1300m). 'It's a nice competitive race and he is one of the chances,' Nestor said. 'It was a nice run last start and he looks ready to peak third-up. 'He should get a lovely run without doing any work from the inside gate. We just have to pick and choose our runs at the right time.' Midnight Affair will appreciate a drop in grade when she returns to country racing in the Class 2 Handicap (1600m). 'She has been competitive in Highways and better class races than what she is going around in this weekend,' he said. 'We just need an ounce of luck from the barrier. 'Egyptologist is the one to beat but he first-up over the mile. 'I'm just hoping the fitness edge we have can make the difference.' ADAM SHERRY'S TOP SELECTIONS BEST BET Race 5 No. 10: COUGARS Will take improvement his first-up fifth. Soft track suits. NEXT BEST Race 6 No. 1: LOVE SHUCK Was good late in the Wagga Town Plate. This is easier. VALUE BET Race 8 No. 4: SOOBOOGELISCIOUS Just behind the placegetters in both runs back and ready to peak. QUADDIE Race 5: 4, 9, 10 Race 6: 1, 8, 10 Race 7: 1, 5, 7, 9 Race 8: 1, 4, 13 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Kody Nestor has a nice book of rides and looks a good chance in the TAB Jockey Challenge. Kody Nestor looks set for a good day at Parkes. Picture: Bradley Photos INSIDE MAIL – PARKES RACE 1: Telescope Tyres Group Inglis Xtra Bonus Country Boosted Mdn Hcp 1000m SPRING PROSPECT (8) lost the rider pre-race then raced keenly when fifth on debut at Mudgee in December. Has been very good in both trials this time back. Was kept under a hold to beat Egyptologist in his May 4 Dubbo heat. AMORUSO (6) is a debutant by Santos. Led by a big margin and kept on the bridle to win her Apr 1 Tamworth trial by nearly four lengths. CERONS (1) was just behind the placegetters in two recent Queensland runs. Was second in the Maribyrnong Trial on debut. Bet: Spring Prospect to win RACE 2: Mcpherson's Parts & Service / Aeh Group Super Mdn Showcase Hcp 1400m BILLABONG ROSE (8) resumes without a trial. Was momentarily held up on straightening when second to Bondi Prophet at Muswellbrook first-up last campaign. TURNING CIRCLE (13) was a handy third to Oakfield Saturn first-up then raced wide when down the order at Kembla. She didn't handle the Heavy 10 when fourth as favourite at Wyong last start. SWEET KICK (12) was a two length fourth at Sale on debut on Sept 11. Changed stables and well beaten first-up before an improved run when fourth at Dubbo on May 4. Bet: Billabong Rose to win RACE 3: D'aquino's Grand Hotel / Standen Building Showcase Hcp (C2) 1600m MIDNIGHT AFFAIR (2) drops back in grade after running in TAB Highways at her past two starts, the latest a fourth to Canadian Ruler at Hawkesbury's stand-alone meeting. Had a win and two close seconds at her previous three runs in the country. EGYPTOLOGIST (1) was good last preparation when a first-up second at Dubbo before back-to-back wins at Mudgee and Dubbo. Given a shake up when second to Spring Prospect in his May 4 Dubbo trial. NAVAL OFFICER (4) made ground when fourth to Zoomorphic at Dubbo before winning at Wellington. Bet: Midnight Affair each-way RACE 4: Mca Engineering / Tanswell Transport Showcase (Bm58) 1000m KORA MAGIC (8) led from a wide gate and just run down late when third to Cumnock when resuming at Dubbo. Went in without a trial and will be better for the run. SHERIDAN STREET (6) led all-the-way for a debut win at Gundagai on Apr 6. Began awkwardly and over-raced when always well back at Wagga last start. Can bounce back. THE MOOCH (11) was a close second to All Astern at Queanbeyan last start. Gets a nice run from the draw. Bet: Kora Magic each-way RACE 5: McMahon Building / Zac Kelly Golf Showcase Plate (C2) 1200m COUGARS (10) sat outside the leaders before racing away to a big maiden win at the Sapphire Coast to end last campaign. Copped a decent bumped at the start before working forward to be outside the leader and just faded late when resuming with a fifth to Miss Emma at Wagga on May 2. MICRO MIKKI (4) made his NSW debut with a nose win at Narromine before a good win from Joy Of The World at Wellington both over 1100m. LADY ISHIKAWA (9) resumes for a new stable. Scored back-to-back wins at Newcastle last campaign. Bet: Cougars to win RACE 6: Coachman Hotel Punters Club Satellite Hcp 1200m LOVE SHUCK (1) hasn't had a lot of luck this campaign. Held up on the bend when second to Fangela at Canberra first-up. Again held up until passing the 200 when third to I Am Lethal in the Town Plate Prelude at Wagga and knuckled on jumping when sixth to Compelling Truth in the Wagga Town Plate. KEIKOKU (10) was help up until near the 70m when seventh to So You Pence at Wagga last start. Should have finished much closer. STARROS (8) tackled a Randwick Highway last start. Nice Hawkesbury win and made ground at Canterbury when seventh to Yiska. Bet: Love Shuck to win RACE 7: Parkes Services Club Parkes Cup 1600m LOCKDOWN GAMBLE (1) is backing up from a solid first-up win under 63kg over Stratified at Mudgee last weekend. Has the same big weight again but is the class runner of the field. Did win the Wellington Cup last year. LOOSE LOVE (7) won over 1400m here to start his current campaign. Ran on nicely to finish a nose third behind Dark Vador at Wagga last start. ROUGE MOULIN (9) raced in the Highway at Scone yesterday. SIZZLE MINIZZLE (5) is back from a Queensland campaign. Just behind the placegetters at Eagle Farm his last two. Bet: Lockdown Gamble to win RACE 8: Parkes Courier Service / Parkes Farm Centre Country Boosted (Bm58) 1300m SOOBOOGELISCIOUS (4) sat outside the leader and battled away for fifth at Queanbeyan when resuming before a half-length fourth to Capital Heart at the Sapphire Coast. Ready to peak third-up and gets an ideal run from the inside gate. RAYMOND'S REWARD (1) is shooting for a hat-trick after a handy win at Armidale followed by an al-the-way win at Gunnedah. MISS CAPRICORN (13) was badly crowded on jumping and settled a long way back when seventh to Zoomorphic at Dubbo last start. Nice win there the start before. Bet: Sooboogeliscious each-way
ABC News
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Samuel Johnson
Skip to main content Introduced Australian Story presenter by Leigh Sales. Actor Samuel Johnson has just celebrated a milestone he never dreamed he'd reach. Love Your Sister, the charity he founded with his late sister Connie, recently hit the target of $20 million raised for cancer research. It's one of many remarkable feats Samuel has pulled off in his rollercoaster life. The actor-turned-advocate has broken the world unicycling record, won a Gold Logie playing music legend Molly Meldrum and more recently, survived a near-fatal road accident. Sam shot to fame at the age of 21 in the hit TV series The Secret Life of Us but his 20s and 30s were turbulent years. He lost loved ones to illness and suicide and battled mental illness and addiction. Now he's found new purpose in his work raising money for cancer research. We go on the road with Sam as he travels to halls, clubs and campsites from Queensland to Queanbeyan, raising money and speaking candidly about grief, love and self-acceptance. Airs Monday, May 19, 8:00pm (AEST), on ABCTV and ABC iview.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Regions 'bear the brunt' of abortion access barriers
Laws allowing experienced nurses and midwives to prescribe medicine to induce abortion are set to be passed, with conservative politicians dubbing it a "dangerous and divisive" development. The amended bill from Greens MP Amanda Cohn aims to overcome "abortion deserts" in NSW. It comes after revelations a woman was turned away from having an abortion on the day of her planned procedure at Queanbeyan Hospital in August 2024. Another public hospital in Orange had restricted terminations for non-medical reasons, triggering the intervention of Health Minister Ryan Park to reinstate abortions without restrictions in October 2024. Abortion was decriminalised in NSW in 2019, but is not always accessible, particularly in rural and regional areas, Dr Cohn says. A party colleague told parliament on Tuesday the bill was crucial because only three out of 220 public hospitals in the state openly provide abortion services. "Rural and regional communities disproportionately bear the brunt of this inconsistency, forced to drive for hours to access their right to choose," Greens MP Jenny Leong said. The amended bill could pass as early as Tuesday evening, with the eventual vote likely to divide the major parties, which have allowed members to vote on their conscience. Premier Chris Minns said he would back the legislation after the government managed to water down the original bill in the upper house. Proposed changes to compel conscientious objectors to facilitate the procedures and to lift mandatory reporting for health workers were both scrapped in the final draft. Opposition Leader Mark Speakman has refused to stake out a public position. The proposed reforms would require the state to ensure services were available within a "reasonable distance" among other tweaks to the law. Nurses and midwives with appropriate training would be able to prescribe medical abortions up to nine-weeks gestation. Liberal MP Rachel Merton said the bill was "dangerous and divisive" for the community, while maverick Libertarian MP John Ruddick opposed it for its "government over-reach". It has also become a lightning rod for rallies outside parliament, with Sydney Catholic Archbishop Anthony Fisher and social media influencers claiming it forces medical practitioners to perform abortions and shut down private religious hospitals. Former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott framed the bill as an attack on an individual's right to act on their moral beliefs. "This legislation which is about to be rammed through the state parliament is a fundamental assault on freedom of conscience," he told an anti-abortion rally outside parliament last Wednesday. Meanwhile, upper house MP Chris Rath apologised for invoking Nazis while criticising the bill as "authoritarian". The state was one of the last in Australia to decriminalise abortion, behind only Western Australia which made the change in March 2024. The laws will take effect later in May if the bill is successfully passed.
News.com.au
10-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Queanbeyan preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, May 11, 2025
Canberra trainer Rob Potter is just in awe of bonny mare Almost Persuaded. The seven-year-old continues to race with great zest including victories at two of her last four starts. Almost Persuaded took her record to eight wins from 40 starts when she stormed home under 60.5kg to win by two-and-a-half lengths from More Voltage at Queanbeyan 19 days ago. 'She is unbelievable. She is rising eight but I don't think she has ever gone as good as she is at the moment,' said Potter. 'Even in her trackwork she has got better and that Queanbeyan track, she just loves it.' Among those eight wins are four at Queanbeyan including a perfect three from three over the 1460m – the same distance that she tackles when she lines up in the Benchmark 82 Handicap with 52kg after the claim of Cailtin Sinclair. 'To be honest, she excels on wet tracks and it's a dry track this weekend. That's my only concern,' he said. 'But the way she is going and having barrier one is going to be massive for her because she can put herself in a spot. 'I have put a set of concussion plates on her just as a precaution. 'She drops eight and a half kilos on that win because she is going from a (benchmark) 58 to an 82 but she won in open company in the Tumut Cup four runs back against some pretty nice horses. 'I feel she is really well placed. If it was wet, I would declare her.' In the same race, Potter also saddles up Blow In who was a multiple city winner in Melbourne earlier in his career. 'I've only had him for this preparation,' Potter said. 'He started off in Melbourne and won a couple races at Sandown but lost his form and went to Adelaide for a little while before coming here. 'We pushed him out to a mile and he just go beat at Kembla but I believe that stretches him. 'I bought him back to 1200m at Dubbo last Sunday and he went tremendous.' The son of Fighting Sun settled midfield and worked home well to finish a length-and-a-quarter third behind The Dramatist and Crop Duster. 'I changed his work routine around. I stopped galloping him and started swimming him more and putting him on the treadmill,' he said. 'It really freshened him right up and changed his attitude. 'Kody Nestor rode him last week and said he is ready to win. 'Unfortunately, they are in the same race. 'My question mark with him is the track. He is more of a big track horse because of his racing pattern. 'In saying that, he is fresh and I expect he will be really competitive. 'He is the best credentialed horse in this race by a long way. 'Hopefully they can run one-two.' Potter is looking forward to Midnight Luna making her debut for the stable in the Class 1 Handicap (1460m). The four-year-old screed a nice win before close second both at Queanbeyan for former trainer Len Hodgson late last year. 'A good mare of mine, Mick Miladinovic, owns her. 'She had a few feet issues so her brought her here so she can do a bit of swimming. 'I get the feeling she could be a Highway horse. I just want to build her rating up to get into them. 'If she drew a good gate, I would be very confident but it's a bit tricky from out there. 'She is working very well and I have her ready to go first-up. 'If she doesn't win this weekend, she will be winning shortly.' ADAM SHERRY'S TOP SELECTIONS BEST BET Race 6 No. 2: ALL ASTERN Nice win over this trip last start and can go back-to-back. NEXT BEST Race 2 No. 2: ANA CAROLINA Racing in consistent form and can land a second career win. VALUE BET Race 7 No. 2: MIDNIGHT LUNA Showed good ability in her first campaign including a win this track and distance. QUADDIE Race 4: 4, 10, 11 Race 5: 1, 3, 4, 5 Race 6: 2, 5, 9 Race 7: 1, 2, 4 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Jess Taylor looks a good chance the TAB Jockey Challenge. INSIDE MAIL – QUEANBEYAN IN THE NIC OF TIME (1) battled away when fourth to Group Chat over 1200m at Wagga second-up then dropped back to 1000m when fourth to Callenem Thru at Canberra. Up to 1460m. ZEEDANCE (8) is improving with each run. Made ground along the fence from last when fifth to Malinga Missile at Goulburn two runs back. Settled behind the leader and battled away for third to Chebici over this track and distance last start. CLOSETHEDOORDARCY (4) led early before finishing a nose second to Chebici in that same race. Bet: In The Nic Of Time to win RACE 2: Air Force Plate (C1) 2000m ANA CAROLINA (2) was beaten a nose by Format in a Class 1 over 2110m on the Beaumont and followed with a third to Fernao in record time at Goulburn on Feb 28. Resumed from a let-up for a new stable with a handy maiden win in a Class 1 at Gundagai before a third to Aethelflaed at Canberra. JUAN PABLO (8) ground away when third behind Casablanca Express over 1500m at Hawkesbury before stepping up to 1800m and coming from back in the field when fourth to Amplify at Bathurst. CHEVAL GRIS (7) has claims on her second at Newcastle two starts back. Bet: Ana Carolina to win RACE 3: Mars Road Services Army Hcp (C3) 1600m JULIETTE'S JOY (7) ended last campaign with a handy win from Hardazhell over 2000m here on Boxing Day under 58.5kg. Resumed with a closing second to Crucial Witness over 1200m before a third to Almost Persuaded over 1460m, both here. Step up to 1600m suits. EXCEEDINGLY HOT (1) led when runner-up behind Villasaurus at Albury before a half-length fourth to Dark Vador at Wagga on May 1. Drunken Sailor was a two length winner from Sir Sublime over this track and distance last November. Will take improvement from his first-up sixth to Jolly Good Fellow at Bathurst on Apr 25. MAGIC SPEED (11) is a first starter by Bon Hoffa. Fair away before pushing to share lead and kept under a hold when runner-up to Sooboogeliscious in her first trial here on Apr 12. Stepped a little slow then mustered to settle second before running past King Gutho to win her next trial by three lengths. WEIRD GOODBYES (4) debuted with a third to Noctua at Canberra the failed to handle the heavy track when seventh at the Sapphire Coast second-up. Boxed on for third to Dollythediva on a soft track here last start. LOOKACROSSTHEWATER (10) is better than her last start seventh at the Sapphire Coast. ALMOST PERSUADED (4) is a Queanbeyan track specialist with four of her eight career wins here including a perfect three from three at the distance. She does prefer it wet but these days but did win on a Good 4 here last September. Stablemate BLOW IN (1) is on a quick back-up from his solid third behind The Dramatist and Crop Duster over 1200m at Dubbo last Sunday. Steps up to his pet trip and he is a multiple city winner. CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3) got well back when fourth at Canberra last start. Close second at Albury before that. RACE 6: Queanbeyan Rsl Coral Sea Cup (Bm58) 1000m ALL ASTERN (2) was just behind the placegetters in her first two runs back over 1200m at Cowra and Wagga before dropping back in grade and to 1000m when an all-the-way winner under 61.5kg at Canberra. Stays at the trip, drawn ideally and gets in well with the 3kg claim. ANTHRACIA (5) is chasing the hat-trick following narrow wins over this track and distance. Is another who will appreciate the 2kg claim. MOTORBOAT (6) ran her best first-up race when second to So Magnificent at Bathurst. Was three-wide throughout when last at Nowra on Apr 20. MIDNIGHT LUNA (2) was good in her first campaign which ended with a win from King Taurus before a nose second to Artist both over this track and distance. Drawn wide but has good speed and will give this a shake. TOMMY FLYER (1) led all-the-way for a big win from Zosma over 1200m here on Apr 22. Backing-up from a third behind Spiele at the Sapphire Coast last weekend. Winkers go on. RILEYCAT (4) started a three-wide run from the 800m and was widest on the bend when a three-and-a-quarter length third to Jato at Albury last start. Will make her presence felt from gate 1.
