Latest news with #RaceQLD
News.com.au
24-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
2025 JJ Atkins on horizon for Sunrays as betting plunge pays off in Bill Carter Stakes at Doomben
Sunrays does not hold a Group 1 JJ Atkins nomination but connections will consider paying a late entry fee after the filly was the subject of a betting plunge to score in arrogant fashion at Doomben. Kelly Schweida 's two-year-old filly was backed from $2.45 to $1.80 in the Listed Bill Carter Stakes (1350m) and backers rarely raised a sweat as Tommy Berry smoked his pipe on the filly who blew away her rivals in the straight. It made it four wins from five starts for the filly who is owned by Queenslander Peter Moran. The filly races in the same colours as Staging, who finished second in the 1998 Doomben 10,000 won by Chief De Beers. Staging was the mother of gallopers such as Duporth, Excites and Tickets and further down the family tree Sunrays is now staking her claim as a highly promising two-year-old. Not only was it a valuable Stakes victory for Sunrays at Doomben, but it also got Schweida and Moran thinking about potentially paying a late fee to race in the JJ Atkins next month. There seems little chance Sunrays will back up in next Saturday's Group 2 BRC Sires' Produce Stakes, but she would surely be a strong contender for the JJ Atkins if connections decided to go that way. SUNRAYS shines brightest in the Bill Carter Stakes, storming home to cap a training double for @schweidaracing! 🌟ðŸ�† #QLDisRacing — RaceQ (@RaceQLD) May 24, 2025 'I'll talk to the owner about whether we pay a late fee for the JJ Atkins,' Schweida said. 'She was arrogant, really, at the finish today. 'She got back a bit further than we thought she might, but she looked like she was smoking and you know that she was going to be strong late. 'Tommy Berry looked like he had them covered on the corner.' Whatever Schweida decides to do with Sunrays, Berry predicted she has a big future. 'She still had a bit of a star gaze when she got to the front so she's got more improvement to come,' Berry said. 'She is a bombproof sort of filly and she is very adaptable and put them to the sword quite quickly.' There were few excuses among the beaten brigade although Chris Waller 's filly Chatterley ran well to finish runner-up at just her second race start.
South China Morning Post
18-02-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Orman pumped to start short-term contract at the Valley
Multiple Brisbane premiership-winning rider set to fulfil a dream when he starts Hong Kong stint on Wednesday night by Jay Rooney on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 10:47 AM Australian jockey James Orman starts his Hong Kong stint on Wednesday night. Photo: HKJC A trip to Hong Kong seven years ago sparked James Orman's ambition to ride in the city and the Australian jockey will fulfil that dream when he starts a short-term contract at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Orman was 21 when he and his now wife, Heidi, visited Hong Kong, with a trip to the races at Sha Tin and the Valley capturing his imagination. 'We just had a holiday there to see my brother-in-law and thought it was an amazing place,' Orman said. 'The racing was amazing. The crowds were much bigger than back home.' — RaceQ (@RaceQLD) September 22, 2024 A prolific winner in Queensland, including three consecutive Brisbane metropolitan premierships, Orman was given a golden opportunity when he was called on by the Jockey Club to help fill the void left by injured riders Zac Purton, Vincent Ho Chak-yiu and Angus Chung Yik-lai. The 27-year-old has been licenced until April 2 along with Briton Richard Kingscote, who also makes his Hong Kong debut at the Valley on Wednesday night. 'This is the next step for me and it's something I've always wanted to tick off,' Orman said. 'I'm looking forward to it. I can't wait.' Sensational effort guys !! James Orman & Mike Costa take a bow They combined to win 5 of the 7 races at Jebel Ali last night in the UAE 🇦🇪 @JimmyOrman 6 rides-5 winners ✅ And he's not done with just yet Rides at a Meydan meet this wk before coming home@mcosta_racing — STEVE HEWLETT 🏇🎣 🛥👩🦳📻🏃♂️ (@stevejoseph69) November 4, 2023 Despite falling short of Group One glory in his 12 years in the saddle, Orman has racked up more than 1,300 winners and been a constant force in the Australian premiership in recent seasons. He has also tasted success overseas, including a stunning five-timer at Jebel Ali in 2023 in one of his two Dubai stints. Orman joins a strong Hong Kong riding roster that includes a familiar face in Ben Thompson, who made the move from Queensland 12 months ago. 'I've been speaking to Ben and just trying to get in contact with the trainers and build some relationships,' said Orman, whose minimum riding weight is 122 pounds. 'Hopefully I can get some good rides and I just want to do as best as I can and have a good crack. I haven't really got any particular goals there – more so just get over there and do my best.' Orman will make a low-key start to his Hong Kong venture with just one ride at the Valley – Magic Beans in the first section of the Class Four Kwai Chung Handicap (1,200m). Trained by last season's premiership winner Francis Lui Kin-wai, Magic Beans heads to the city circuit after a well-beaten 11th behind Magnifique at Sha Tin on his race debut. Kingscote also has just one Valley ride – Brave Joy also for Lui in the Class Four Tsuen Wan Handicap (1,000m). The 38-year-old has won multiple Group Ones in Britain and Ireland and boasts international experience in Japan, Dubai, Australia, France, Bahrain and Turkey. His minimum riding weight is 121 pounds.
