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The Age
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
Tips and race-by-race guide for Canterbury on Monday
How to play it: Blue Willow to win. Race 4 3. Bengal Boy is an underrated provincial-based five-year-old which impressed when surging home from well back to win a BM 68 at Newcastle third-up. Thrives in the ground for a race that isn't much harder, and any extra trip is a plus being a typical son of Dundeel. 2. Naval Commission was very disappointing second-up over the mile after being well backed. Gets some weight relief, again from an ideal trailing draw, but suggesting he's under the odds stepping up in distance. 1. Monarch's Brae can improve sharply third-up over more ground, especially if the track improves a couple of ratings, after drifting a mile back in two runs so far this campaign. Finds a weaker race here, but a query whether he'll get enough speed on to run over them. Gap to the rest headed by 4. Fay's Angels, an honest country mare who is well into her campaign. How to play it: Bengal Boy to win. Race 5 Not much between several runners here, but 1. First Mission can make it two wins from three starts this prep, coming back 150m in distance. Landed a good betting move when a comfortable winner against similar opposition when resuming. He was then taken to the front in deeper Saturday Midway company and boxed on OK behind a smart winner. Distance and track are the keys, despite being asked to carry 61kg. 2. Gatekeeper is a big watch first up behind two improving trials, and returning to where he won on debut in mid-January after being backed from $6 into $4.40. Keep safe 9. Spaceballs, a talented filly which comes to hand quickly, and draws the inside resuming off a quiet trial. 8. Queen's Rhapsody scored an overdue and dominant first-up win at Hawkesbury as a hot favourite and drops in weight, but has to get in from a wide barrier. How to play it: First Mission to win. Race 6 3. Apex is a smart son of Exceedance who can put two wins together having easily got the maiden out of the way when resuming at Warwick Farm 19 days ago. Always shown ability, right at home on rain-affected ground, and the extra 150m is no concern. 4. Puntin resumes from the inside draw behind two trials. Has natural speed and won three straight up to BM 64 grade last prep before a game unplaced effort when trying to lead over a mile in much tougher company at Randwick. Would likely prefer the track a little drier, but sure to give a big sight. 9. Metaphorically is a big market watch at good odds, resuming as a gelding for the John O'Shea and Tom Charlton camp off two progressive trials. Stablemate 10. Straand Beauty is also right in the mix rolling forward, having missed narrowly in two runs back in weaker grade. How to play it: Apex to win. Race 7 7. The Black Cloud is a smart mare, and terrific value resuming off an easy trial. Has already won twice from four attempts fresh and is unbeaten on soft ground from three starts. Drawn to get a cosy run with cover right behind the speed and just needs a clear crack at them from the 300m. 4. Zealously is a talented customer which fought on strong to claim a BM 78 third-up on the stand-alone Saturday meeting at Scone. Carries a kilo less here, but this is a deeper race and he has a task on this tighter track getting over from near the outside draw. 13. Dollar Magic chased home the former at Scone first-up and wasn't far away from pulling off a big-value move firming from $7.50 into $5.50. Normally holds her form into the next run and from a handy draw is right up to this. Be surprised if the winner comes from anywhere else, but 6. Flying Destiny, down sharply in weight first-up behind two trials, and 11. World Alliance, five weeks between runs via a trial win; are both capable of running into the money at good odds. How to play it: Black Cloud to win. Race 8 3. Who Ever Thought is a tough country-based six-year-old which has earnt a start in a metropolitan race second-up. Dug in hard from the front to claim the Country Cup on Scone Cup day 24 days ago and will carry only 1.5kg over the minimum weight after the jockey's claim in what is a suitably much smaller field. 2. Pink Shalala chased home a smart winner here second-up in heavy ground and has the conditions and the draw to suit again. 6. Sacredarro is a lightly raced and progressive four-year-old stepping up in grade and distance from a dominant country Class 1 win when resuming. 1. Forecaster is over the odds dropping in grade fourth-up. 7. Line Of Fire is the best of the rest deep into the prep with blinkers back on.
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Tips and race-by-race guide for Canterbury on Monday
How to play it: Blue Willow to win. Race 4 3. Bengal Boy is an underrated provincial-based five-year-old which impressed when surging home from well back to win a BM 68 at Newcastle third-up. Thrives in the ground for a race that isn't much harder, and any extra trip is a plus being a typical son of Dundeel. 2. Naval Commission was very disappointing second-up over the mile after being well backed. Gets some weight relief, again from an ideal trailing draw, but suggesting he's under the odds stepping up in distance. 1. Monarch's Brae can improve sharply third-up over more ground, especially if the track improves a couple of ratings, after drifting a mile back in two runs so far this campaign. Finds a weaker race here, but a query whether he'll get enough speed on to run over them. Gap to the rest headed by 4. Fay's Angels, an honest country mare who is well into her campaign. How to play it: Bengal Boy to win. Race 5 Not much between several runners here, but 1. First Mission can make it two wins from three starts this prep, coming back 150m in distance. Landed a good betting move when a comfortable winner against similar opposition when resuming. He was then taken to the front in deeper Saturday Midway company and boxed on OK behind a smart winner. Distance and track are the keys, despite being asked to carry 61kg. 2. Gatekeeper is a big watch first up behind two improving trials, and returning to where he won on debut in mid-January after being backed from $6 into $4.40. Keep safe 9. Spaceballs, a talented filly which comes to hand quickly, and draws the inside resuming off a quiet trial. 8. Queen's Rhapsody scored an overdue and dominant first-up win at Hawkesbury as a hot favourite and drops in weight, but has to get in from a wide barrier. How to play it: First Mission to win. Race 6 3. Apex is a smart son of Exceedance who can put two wins together having easily got the maiden out of the way when resuming at Warwick Farm 19 days ago. Always shown ability, right at home on rain-affected ground, and the extra 150m is no concern. 4. Puntin resumes from the inside draw behind two trials. Has natural speed and won three straight up to BM 64 grade last prep before a game unplaced effort when trying to lead over a mile in much tougher company at Randwick. Would likely prefer the track a little drier, but sure to give a big sight. 9. Metaphorically is a big market watch at good odds, resuming as a gelding for the John O'Shea and Tom Charlton camp off two progressive trials. Stablemate 10. Straand Beauty is also right in the mix rolling forward, having missed narrowly in two runs back in weaker grade. How to play it: Apex to win. Race 7 7. The Black Cloud is a smart mare, and terrific value resuming off an easy trial. Has already won twice from four attempts fresh and is unbeaten on soft ground from three starts. Drawn to get a cosy run with cover right behind the speed and just needs a clear crack at them from the 300m. 4. Zealously is a talented customer which fought on strong to claim a BM 78 third-up on the stand-alone Saturday meeting at Scone. Carries a kilo less here, but this is a deeper race and he has a task on this tighter track getting over from near the outside draw. 13. Dollar Magic chased home the former at Scone first-up and wasn't far away from pulling off a big-value move firming from $7.50 into $5.50. Normally holds her form into the next run and from a handy draw is right up to this. Be surprised if the winner comes from anywhere else, but 6. Flying Destiny, down sharply in weight first-up behind two trials, and 11. World Alliance, five weeks between runs via a trial win; are both capable of running into the money at good odds. How to play it: Black Cloud to win. Race 8 3. Who Ever Thought is a tough country-based six-year-old which has earnt a start in a metropolitan race second-up. Dug in hard from the front to claim the Country Cup on Scone Cup day 24 days ago and will carry only 1.5kg over the minimum weight after the jockey's claim in what is a suitably much smaller field. 2. Pink Shalala chased home a smart winner here second-up in heavy ground and has the conditions and the draw to suit again. 6. Sacredarro is a lightly raced and progressive four-year-old stepping up in grade and distance from a dominant country Class 1 win when resuming. 1. Forecaster is over the odds dropping in grade fourth-up. 7. Line Of Fire is the best of the rest deep into the prep with blinkers back on.
Daily Telegraph
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
Newcastle preview: Home track has Nathan Doyle's gelding set to Attack
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Connections of Rush Attack are putting his last start failure down to not handling the Hawkesbury track and expect to see him return to form back on home turf. Rush Attack settled midfield on the fence bit failed to run on and beat just three home behind Enter The Dragon on April 9. Prior to that run, he won a Benchmark 72 Midway at Rosehill before a nose second in another Midway at Randwick behind Pocketing. 'There are some horses who go to Hawkesbury but just don't handle it,' said David Dyson, racing manager for Nathan Doyle. 'His previous form was very good in town which holds him in very good stead here.' The gelding drops back to a Benchmark 58 and gets in well with 59kg on his back after the claim of Mollie Fitzgerald. 'He is one of the most consistent horses in the stable,' Dyson said 'He has had a little gap between run hence why we trialled him on Monday just to get him ready. 'There's a bit speed in this race and he has drawn to get a beautiful run just behind them. 'One thing this horse does is try and he will put himself in the finish. That's just what he does.' Queen's Rhapsody kicked off her campaign on a bright note with a length win at Hawkesbury on May 15. While she won comfortable in the end, feedback from jockey William Stanley was that she floated once she hit the front. Doyle has put visors on the three-year-old this week to help her focus and she looks extremely hard to beat in the Class 1 Handicap (1250m). 'We have put the visors on this week to help he concentrate a little bit more,' Dyson said. 'She worked in them about 10 days ago and was really good. She was very sharp. They seemed to have taken her to the next level. 'Once again, we have opted to claim again. Mitch Stapleford takes three kilos off which gets her into the race beautifully.' Bohemian Art looked to have the race won at the 200m on debut when she hit but just didn't know how to put them away and Impressionism kicked back to narrowly beat her. Queen's Rhapsody is looking to make it back-to-back wins when she steps out at Newcastle. Pucture: Bradley Photos She then went to Kembla where she was a well beaten fifth to Monte Veebee but was found to have bled from one nostril. Having galloped to stewards satisfaction since then, the stable expects her to bounce back in the Maiden Plate (1400m) for fillies and mares. 'Put a line through that run,' Dyson said. 'She galloped for the stewards here last Friday over 1000m to clear that embargo and she worked very strongly. 'We are very happy with her we think she is back to where she was at her first-up run.' Doyle also has two youngsters making their debut in the 2YO Maiden Handicap (1200m). Divo is a grandson of Makybe Diva by Capitalist who has shown plenty of ability winning his two trials this preparation. Just Response is by Justify and like his stablemate, has won both his trials. 'Divo has got a lot of speed. My one query with him is the long time between his last trial on April 24 and his race debut,' said Dyson. 'It would be great if it could get back to somewhere near a soft because the drier the better for him. 'Just Response isn't as sharp as Divo but he has got the fitness edge on his side. He trialled on the Beaumont on Monday and went very well. 'The wet track was absolutely no issue to him so he is one horse we know will get through it.'
Daily Telegraph
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Telegraph
Hawkesbury Thursday preview: Doyle has Motive for milestone
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle is on the cusp of 300 career winners and can bring up the milestone this week, possibly at Hawkesbury. Doyle currently sits on 297 winners and can make a winning start to the day with Hidden Motive in the opening race, the 2YO Maiden Plate (1100m). The son of Capitalist and Group 1 winner Secret Agenda showed his talent in the early two-year-old trials and a fourth in the Breeders Plate last spring. He returned with a close second to Aerodrome at Warwick Farm on April 16 before a third to Grand Eagle at Randwick 10 days later. 'He ran a super race first-up when he and Aerodrome went head-and-head the whole way,' said David Dyson, racing manager for Nathan Doyle. 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! 'They cleared out and beat the others by a fair way so it was a very good performance in defeat. 'He may have raced a little flat at Randwick last start with only 10 days between runs. 'He now drops back to provincial grade and I think we have found a very suitable race for him to open his winning account. 'He hasn't drawn too badly in barrier eight. He rolls forward and puts himself on speed so he'll certainly give a good account of himself.' Queen's Rhapsody has also shown plenty of ability in her short career with four second placings from as many starts and all in metropolitan company. The daughter of So You Think only joined Doyle's stable earlier this year and is looking to kick off her preparation on a winning note in the 3YO Maiden Handicap (1100m). 'If you look at the horses she has finished behind – Sakima, Flying For Fun, Gerringong and Crepe Myrtle – if they were in a race like this, they are winning and winning quite convincingly,' said Dyson. 'We all know horses are a confidence animal and it would be nice to see her knock one off at the start of the preparation and she if she can improve through it. The three-year-old has been very good in winning both recent trials, the latest by over a length from Renoir at Newcastle on May 7. • Tears of torment turn to joy in Cole's inspiring return to saddle 'She was very sharp in her first trial and Nathan wanted to give her a solid hit out in her second one with this race in mind,' Dyson. 'He wanted her to win the trial and give her that confidence heading into the race. 'We expect her to acquit herself very well.' Caltsar kicked off his career with a smart win from Proclivity in a Midway Maiden on a heavy track at Newcastle on April 23 and can make it two in-a-row should he start in the Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m). 'He's a lovely horse. The penny still hasn't quite dropped and is learning as he goes along but in 12 months, I think he could be something quite good,' Dyson said. 'It took him a long time to get to top gear but once he did, he really put them away in a couple of bounds. 'If he keep improving, he's going to be metropolitan standard. 'He's also in at Scone on Friday in a Class 1 over the mile where he has drawn barrier five. 'Nathan and his connections will weigh up both options.' Doyle also has another new stable addition, Owen County, in the same race. 'It says eleventh out of twelve in the form (but) he got held up and it took his momentum away completely,' Dyson said. 'If he can keep his momentum up this week over the mile, he will run an improved race but when he gets to 2000m is when we will see him perform at his best.' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Trainer John Sargent was pleased to see a much improved performance from Ocean Diva last time out and expects her to figure prominently again at Hawkesbury. The four-year-old contacted the off-side gate on jumping and was always well back when resuming at Goulburn but was back to her true form when a nose second behind Dreamdeel after leading over the mile at Gosford on April 25. 'That was more like it. She just needs a run of two to get fit,' said John Sargent. 'I thought she just about won that day, she just got nabbed on the line and she has improved with that run.' Ocean Diva stays at the 1600m when she contests the Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap. 'She will be on speed in the running. From the inside draw, she will either lead or trail and obviously, she likes the sting out of the track too,' he said. 'I expect a good run from her again. • Flying local Know Thyself sneaks into Scone Cup field Last preparation, the daughter of Ocean Park led all-the-way to win at Goulburn before a fourth to Flying Bandit in a Midway Handicap over 1800m at Randwick and Sargent is looking to get her back to town after this assignment. 'I nearly put her in the Midway at Scone on Saturday but I just thought this would suit her close to home on her way through to a Midway. 'Hopefully she can go from here up to 2000m. I'm very happy with her and she has trained on really well.' Stablemate Perfect Justice could earn himself a trip north for the Queensland Derby should he be victorious in the Class 1 And Maiden Plate (2000m). The son of Justify followed a Canberra maiden win with two seconds before stepping up to the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes at Rosehill where he finished second last on a heavy track behind Pocketing. He appreciate a better surface when third to Junebug at Wyong last start. 'Molly (Bourke) said as soon as he jumped, he was gone in the Tulloch Stakes. He was way out the back and didn't handle it for a yard,' he said. 'As long as the Hawkesbury track stays in the soft range, then he should run another good race. 'He too will race up on speed, Molly knows him and he's well in at the weights. 'If he happens to win, then he would probably go up to Queensland. 'He's a good stayer and this looks a nice race for him.'
The Age
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Race-by-race tips and previews for Thursday's Hawkesbury meeting
Track Soft 6 and rail out 2m from 1100m to 450m & True the remainder Race 1 6. Pimlico, a colt by renowned soft track sire Extreme Choice in the John O'Shea and Tom Charlton stable, can make a big statement on debut. Has had three improving trials coming in, comfortably winning the latest over 1045m, and drawn to get a cosy run in transit. 2. Hidden Motive is primed third-up in his first full prep, having twice placed in metropolitan company this campaign when well in the market. Likely to jump clear favourite, but still under the odds from a tricky draw. How to play it: Pimlico to win Race 2 3. Justice Warrior is a tough and improving son of Justify who can peak third-up staying over the distance. Was no match for the winner resuming in the country before only being run down late in a handy maiden at Gosford three weeks back after being backed from $3.10 into $2.70. Likely to sit outside the speed from a wider draw, and is at peak fitness. 1. Queen's Rhapsody will be hard to hold out resuming from the inside barrier. How to play it: Justice Warrior to win and quinella 1 and 3 Race 3 2. Smother is a lightly raced and talented three-year-old well placed to resume with a bang. Made up good late ground in two runs at Warwick Farm to launch his career late last year before spelling. Given an easy time in a heavy track trial at Newcastle, and draws to get cover off speed. 5. Apollo Ridge is progressive, and will be hard to stop after leading until the final few strides first-up at Wyong. How to play it: Smother to win Race 4 2. Carnegie Hill is a strong improver who finds the right first-up race, significantly with blinkers back on. Was in and around the money in three provincial runs last prep in late spring. Has been fitted with two progressive trials up to 1045m, and important to note he starts the new campaign over the same track and trip as last time when he charged home to miss by a nose. 4. Marais is hard fit and a serious threat from the inside draw, although punters are running out of patience given he's been either well in the market or a very short price when placed in three from four this prep. 6. Righteous Legend draws wider, but thrives on soft tracks. How to play it: Carnegie Hill to win
