Latest news with #QueenslandOaks
News.com.au
an hour ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Queensland Oaks contender Jenni's Meadow marks full-circle moment for owner Tony Ottobre
In his younger days, prominent owner Tony Ottobre was an apprentice jockey for the late Hall of Fame trainer Colin Hayes. Now, in a full-circle moment, Hayes' grandsons Ben, Will and JD are training Ottobre's filly Jenni's Meadow in what looks to be a wide-open race in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. The David Vandyke -trained Philia, chasing a fifth straight victory, has drifted slightly to $4.20 in the betting market after drawing barrier 16 while Jenni's Meadow is $8. Group 1 Australasian Oaks winner Benagil is $5.50 and the Chris Waller -trained Movin Out, with James McDonald on board, is $8 in the $700,000 race for three-year-old fillies. Both Movin Out and Jenni's Meadow came from well back in the field to heap the pressure on frontrunning winner Philia in the Group 2 The Roses (2000m) at Doomben two weeks ago. 'She did make a long sustained run and the way she finished off, you'd think the extra 200m (in the Oaks) will be no problem,' Ben Hayes said. 'We're really happy with her and she's done everything right. 'She's really thrived and her final piece of work earlier in the week was excellent. 'We feel like we're right on track, we're just going to need a little bit of luck from barrier one, which is the opposite of The Roses (barrier 14).' Ottobre started out as an apprentice jockey in the early 1970s for legendary trainer Colin Hayes, who established the famous Lindsay Park Stud in South Australia's Barossa Valley. Hayes built a training and breeding empire that produced an incredible 5333 winners by the time he retired in 1990, including two Melbourne Cup victories with Beldale Ball (1980) and At Talaq in 1986. • 'How do they work that out?': Trainer queries Joliestar 'best horse' tag Ottobre eventually realised his future lay in owning horses rather than riding them and he became a successful businessman. He now keeps his stable of horses at his Cape Schanck farm on the Mornington Peninsula, enjoying enormous success over the past two years with three-time Group 1 champion and reigning horse of the year Pride Of Jenni. 'He's got a little bit of history with Lindsay Park, which is good, so it'll be exciting to get a good winner for Tony,' Ben Hayes said about Ottobre, who names his Jenni horses after his daughter, who tragically died from brain cancer at age 26 in 2015. 'He's passionate and he loves his horses. She (Jenni's Meadow) has been a very good horse for him the whole way through. 'She's a Listed winner, black-type Group 2, Group 3 placed and she'll be around the mark. 'She's definitely more than capable (of winning the Oaks).' All horses in the three Group 1s – the Oaks, Queensland Derby (2400m) and Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) – at Eagle Farm on Saturday have been passed by vets, with the exception of Let's Fly. Vets say the $21 Oaks chance has some muscle soreness and the filly will need to be trotted up again on race morning.
Herald Sun
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Herald Sun
2025 Moreton Cup at Eagle Farm: Front Page early favourite
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. If Front Page is judged on his genetics, then the veteran gelding is likely to be fighting to the finish in Saturday's Group 2 Moreton Cup (1200m) at Eagle Farm. The Matt Dale-trained sprinter is the $3.50 favourite in the race that offers the winner a golden ticket into the upcoming $3m Stradbroke Handicap (1400m). But Front Page is lucky to be even in this world after his late mother Stacey Lee suffered horrific leg injuries in the paddock nine years ago. 'She was in foal and just rolled too close to the fence, got her legs stuck in the fence and sort of shredded both her back legs,' the eight-year-old's part-owner Paul Duryea recalled. • 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! 'It exposed all the tendons and everything. We got her to Shepparton and they said to put her down, we couldn't save her. 'She was in-foal with Front Page. We bought her as a weanling so we had her all our life and raised her and she was super tough. 'We found a lady, Suzanne Royal at Asscher Park near Violet Town, who was a vet nurse and she took her on and did a remarkable job in fixing her. 'She not only came good with barely any scarring but she kept her foal as well. 'Every one of her progeny has won. I strapped her nearly every start of her life and she was a very good racemare. 'She could run times that Front Page can't run. She hurt her knee at Caulfield one day early in her career and she was never really the same, even though she won five races.' The Duryea racing family has fond memories of their smart racemare and producer Stacey Lee. • Queensland Oaks tips, runner-by-runner form analysis Stacey Lee also survived floodwaters at broodmare farm Noorilim Park near Nagambie, Victoria in November, 2022 so her toughness and tenacity are undeniable. 'They put her foal (Corningstone) in a boat and Stacey Lee actually swam a kilometre by the boat to get out of the floods so she's had a few dramas,' Duryea said. 'Not only did she save herself but she saved her foal too. Unfortunately about six months later Stacey Lee got crook and we couldn't save her, she had to be put down. 'What Stacey Lee has done for us is unbelievable.' In an amusing sidenote to what could have been a tragic story, the rescued foal was named after the movie character Veronica Corningstone, portrayed by Christina Applegate in the blockbuster hit comedy Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. Fast-forward to Saturday and Front Page, who has won $3.4m in prizemoney, has a golden opportunity to continue her mum's legacy in the $300,000 Moreton Cup. • 'We were very confident': Payline can again defy odds in Kingsford Smith Cup He is also accepted for the Listed Bob Charley AO Stakes (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday but Duryea said he would instead likely race in Brisbane where Tim Clark will ride. Asked about potentially running in the Stradbroke, Duryea said: 'If he was to win (the Moreton Cup) then we would consider it but it depends on how he pulls up. 'But, touch wood, he hasn't had any dramas or niggles for 12 months or more now. 'But being an automatic entry for the winner, we would consider the Straddie and hopefully we get that option.' Goulburn's Dale took over the training of Front Page from Duryea's dad Geoff in mid-2023. The winner of seven races from 28 starts, Front Page has twice placed in Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m), including a runner-up behind Private Harry on March 22 at Rosehill Gardens. He finished a disappointing 11th in the $5m The Quokka (1200m) in Perth in late April but Dale said the gelding didn't appreciate running 'the Melbourne way'. Originally published as Veteran gelding Front Page is likely to be fighting the finish in Saturday's Group 2 Moreton Cup at Eagle Farm
News.com.au
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
2025 Queensland Oaks: Kerrin McEvoy aiming to become second jockey to win race four times
Champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy is riding for a record-equalling fourth win in the Group 1 $700,000 Queensland Oaks (2200m) on favourite Philia at Eagle Farm on Saturday. McEvoy has won the fillies classic previously on Youngstar (2018), Egg Tart (2017) and Purple (2009) and – if he is successful on Philia – will join Chris Munce as the only jockeys to ride four Queensland Oaks winners. Trained by David Vandyke, Philia has won four races in succession and is attempting to complete The Roses -Oaks double last achieved by Youngstar seven years ago. McEvoy ridden Philia in her last two wins and is convinced the filly will stay a strong 2200m in the Oaks. 'I don't think 2200m will be a problem for her,'' McEvoy said. 'She feels like a stayer so the extra furlong (a200m) should be fine. 'We have drawn out a little bit but she has tactical speed to settle somewhere in the front half and off-set that barrier. 'It was good to hear David have a nice report after her work earlier this week and I'm looking forward to the race.'' . @KPMcEvoy guides Philia to victory in The Roses for @vandykeracing13! — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025 McEvoy has an opportunity to secure the three-year-old classic double when he rides Godolphin's Lavalier in the Group $1 million Queensland Derby (2400m). Lavalier, trained by James Cummings, is rated a $14 chance for the Derby, a race McEvoy hasn't previously won. 'I thought Lavalier was good in the SA Derby (third to Femminile) last start,'' McEvoy said. 'He had to do a bit of work early to get into a spot but then he stayed on well and showed he can run the trip. 'I was able to ride him in a barrier trial at Warwick Farm the other day and he's a nice, big horse to sit on. He's a good ride for the Derby.'' It's a maiden G1 triumph for Femminile who grabs the lead in the final furlong & holds off the fast-finishing favourite to win the South Australian Derby 🙌 @pstokesracing @LNeindorf — (@Racing) May 3, 2025 • Randwick Turf Talk: Saturday's best bet has a Contemporary feel In the past decade, four Queensland Derby winners have come out of the SA Derby including Warmonger, who was second at Morphettville before romping home at Eagle Farm by more than 10 lengths last year. Mr Quickie was third in the SA Derby before winning the Queensland Derby in 2019, Ruthven was second in Adelaide before his Eagle Farm success in 2017 and Magicool followed his fourth in the SA Derby by winning in Queensland a decade ago. McEvoy, who has ridden 73 Australian Group 1 Chris Waller -trained Democracy Manifest, a $34 chance in the Group 1 $1 million Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m).
Courier-Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Courier-Mail
Ciaron Maher plotting another Group 1 Queensland Oaks upset
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Socks Nation 2.0 is about to rock the Group 1 Queensland Oaks. The mystique of Ciaron Maher went to a new level last year when he conjured a training miracle and masterclass to score the Oaks with $101 bolter Socks Nation. Few saw it coming, not even Maher's great mate Tony Gollan who questioned what Socks Nation was even doing in Brisbane when he first saw the travelling filly in his stables. • 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! Fast forward 12 months and Maher might have another Socks Nation, ready to land a knockout blow and shock punters. The team of Maher and jockey Ryan Maloney, who stunned everyone with Socks Nation, will combine with Amplify in the Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Amplify, a $60,000 buy as a weanling and who was sent to country Bathurst to win a race two starts ago, won't go out $101 but after Tuesday's barrier draw was a $34 chance. Maher said there are similarities between Amplify and Socks Nation. He said a remarkable slice of racing history could be repeated. 'Socks Nation seemed to run fourth in everything she raced in before the Oaks, it didn't matter what race we ran her in she still ran well,' Maher told Racenet. • 'It jeopardises the Stradbroke': Benedetta back-up gamble 'Socks Nation to be fair probably shouldn't have been $101, but I wasn't complaining. 'It was a bit of a roll of dice at the trip but she was a consistent, hearty, sort of filly. 'Amplify is not too dissimilar and you can draw some similarities through their toughness and their demeanour. 'I quite like Amplify. 'The Bathurst run was to give her some confidence and she has done well since then.' The Ciaron Maher-trained Queensland Oaks hope Amplify (outside) winning her maiden at Wyong in March. Picture: Bradley Photos Maher said in terms of the shape of the Oaks this year, it wasn't too different to the previous year when Socks Nation surged to unexpected glory. David Vandyke's winning machine Philia and Glen Thompson's Australasian Oaks winner Benagil are the fancied ones in betting but Maher thinks it's an open race. • 'You'll see the best of her Saturday': Vandyke's warning to Oaks rivals 'The Oaks shapes up similar to last year, there were a couple of shorter ones in the betting market and then the rest of the field,' Maher said. 'I think it is a relatively open Oaks, again. 'It's all about timing and I think my filly should present well. 'She ran solidly for second in her last start in The Bracelet and that was an indifferent day, the way the track was on the Gold Coast.' Socks Nation causing a huge boilover in the Queensland Oaks last year. Picture: Trackside Photography Chris Waller's filly Belle Detelle, scratched on race morning of last Saturday's Queensland Derby with a minor foot issue, is set to contest the rescheduled Derby on Saturday rather than the Oaks. Champion trainer Maher feels jockeys may have been premature to withdraw their services from riding on Group 1 Queensland Derby day last Saturday. The races were called off after jockeys complained about visibility, leading to both the Derby and the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup being rescheduled to this Saturday. 'They (jockeys) are certainly very quick to call them off,' Maher said. 'The track was rained on, but it was fine. 'They ran the Kentucky Derby in mud and the jockeys didn't seem to have much of a problem seeing what was going on that day.' Originally published as Ciaron Maher plotting another Group 1 Queensland Oaks upset with Amplify
Daily Telegraph
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Telegraph
Ciaron Maher plotting another Group 1 Queensland Oaks upset
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Socks Nation 2.0 is about to rock the Group 1 Queensland Oaks. The mystique of Ciaron Maher went to a new level last year when he conjured a training miracle and masterclass to score the Oaks with $101 bolter Socks Nation. Few saw it coming, not even Maher's great mate Tony Gollan who questioned what Socks Nation was even doing in Brisbane when he first saw the travelling filly in his stables. • 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! Fast forward 12 months and Maher might have another Socks Nation, ready to land a knockout blow and shock punters. The team of Maher and jockey Ryan Maloney, who stunned everyone with Socks Nation, will combine with Amplify in the Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Amplify, a $60,000 buy as a weanling and who was sent to country Bathurst to win a race two starts ago, won't go out $101 but after Tuesday's barrier draw was a $34 chance. Maher said there are similarities between Amplify and Socks Nation. He said a remarkable slice of racing history could be repeated. 'Socks Nation seemed to run fourth in everything she raced in before the Oaks, it didn't matter what race we ran her in she still ran well,' Maher told Racenet. • 'It jeopardises the Stradbroke': Benedetta back-up gamble 'Socks Nation to be fair probably shouldn't have been $101, but I wasn't complaining. 'It was a bit of a roll of dice at the trip but she was a consistent, hearty, sort of filly. 'Amplify is not too dissimilar and you can draw some similarities through their toughness and their demeanour. 'I quite like Amplify. 'The Bathurst run was to give her some confidence and she has done well since then.' The Ciaron Maher-trained Queensland Oaks hope Amplify (outside) winning her maiden at Wyong in March. Picture: Bradley Photos Maher said in terms of the shape of the Oaks this year, it wasn't too different to the previous year when Socks Nation surged to unexpected glory. David Vandyke's winning machine Philia and Glen Thompson's Australasian Oaks winner Benagil are the fancied ones in betting but Maher thinks it's an open race. • 'You'll see the best of her Saturday': Vandyke's warning to Oaks rivals 'The Oaks shapes up similar to last year, there were a couple of shorter ones in the betting market and then the rest of the field,' Maher said. 'I think it is a relatively open Oaks, again. 'It's all about timing and I think my filly should present well. 'She ran solidly for second in her last start in The Bracelet and that was an indifferent day, the way the track was on the Gold Coast.' Socks Nation causing a huge boilover in the Queensland Oaks last year. Picture: Trackside Photography Chris Waller's filly Belle Detelle, scratched on race morning of last Saturday's Queensland Derby with a minor foot issue, is set to contest the rescheduled Derby on Saturday rather than the Oaks. Champion trainer Maher feels jockeys may have been premature to withdraw their services from riding on Group 1 Queensland Derby day last Saturday. The races were called off after jockeys complained about visibility, leading to both the Derby and the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup being rescheduled to this Saturday. 'They (jockeys) are certainly very quick to call them off,' Maher said. 'The track was rained on, but it was fine. 'They ran the Kentucky Derby in mud and the jockeys didn't seem to have much of a problem seeing what was going on that day.' Originally published as Ciaron Maher plotting another Group 1 Queensland Oaks upset with Amplify
