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Courier-Mail
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
End of an era for Godolphin in Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. A few tears might be shed when an era ends after Saturday's Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield. The race will feature the last runners prepared from Godolphin's Crown Lodge operation at Flemington and trainer James Cummings' last Stakes runners for the operation. • 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! The Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum-owned Godolphin operation opted to cease employing a private trainer when James Cummings decided to quit the role to take up a Hong Kong training contract. Godolphin will disperse its team into stables including the Ciaron Maher, Ben, Will and JD Hayes and Chris Waller camps, along with the Anthony and Sam Freedman stable, which has prepared horses for Godolphin for some years. Godolphin's Flemington operation has saddled the winners of 101 stakes races, including 19 at Group 1 level. Cox Plate winner Anamoe, dual Australian Cup winner Cascadian and the 2025 All-Star Mile winner Tom Kitten are among the top level winners to spend their time in Melbourne at the 'blue army's' Flemington base. Anamoe provided James Cummings with three of his 19 Group 1 wins for Godolphin's Melbourne stable. Picture: Getty Images. Godolphin's Melbourne representative Nacim Dilmi said the stable will have three runners in its bid for a third Bletchingly Stakes after winning the feature sprint with Viridine in 2020 and Ingratiating in 2023. 'It's going to be a sad day for us as they will be our last runners,' Dilmi said. 'We'll run Inhibitions, Kin and Kallos and we're hoping they can end things with a great result.' Both Inhibitions and Kallos will have their second-up runs in the Bletchingly Stakes while Kin campaigned in Queensland before finishing fifth in the Sir John Monash Stakes at her last outing. 'Inhibitions ran well first-up and she has done well since but, without seeing the weather forecast, she'd like some juice in the track,' Dilmi said. 'Kin likes racing at Caulfield and did a good job in the Monash, she won't be far away. 'I thought Kallos ran all right first-up but he'll be a lot better for the first-up run and can run a better race.' Dilmi said the Flemington team's numbers had dwindled to 10 in recent weeks as horses were transferred to other stables. However, he said the staff had been busy preparing Crown Lodge for its next tenant. 'We're cleaning up the stables and packing up all the gear, keeping the staff busy,' Dilmi said. 'We started quite a while ago, every time the horses departed, so there's not too much to do at the end. 'Chris Waller is taking over Carbine Lodge so we want to give him the stable in the best condition.' Dilmi said Cummings would head to Melbourne on Thursday for a celebratory drink with staff before the final acts of his Victorian stable on Saturday. 'It will be a good send-off. There's a lot to celebrate,' Dilmi said. 'It will be quite emotional next Saturday, for sure. 'The horses will come back to Flemington after the race and we'll look at them and see how they pull up but on Monday or Tuesday, they'll be going.' Originally published as Godolphin trainer James Cummings to have last Melbourne runners in Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield
Herald Sun
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Craig Williams relishing ‘hunter' role in Melbourne jockeys' premiership battle with Blake Shinn
Champion jockey Craig Williams clawed back to within five winners of Melbourne premiership leader Blake Shinn with a Flemington treble. Williams bookended the card on Saturday with the first winner – Duchess Zou – then piloted home the last two – Sayedaty Sadaty and Losesomewinmore. Shinn moved to 71 on Saturday with one winner at Flemington – La Fracas. • 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! There are 25 metropolitan races left in the season. 'Blake is an amazing rider, a great friend of mine too,' Williams said. 'Even when we talked today going out for the last race I said 'mate, you're killing me'. 'He's like the Road Runner, I get close to him and beep, beep and he's off again.' Williams is determined to try and win his 10th Melbourne jockeys' premiership. 'I love hunting,' Williams said. 'I need to hunt, Blake is unbelievable.' • 'Exciting future': Hayes smiling after colt makes winning return Sayedaty Sadaty sealed back-to-back wins to reignite spring ambitions. A combination of gelding, more time to acclimatise and placement to advantage has helped the former international, trained by Ciaron Maher, start to repay connections on the racetrack. Assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said Sayedaty Sadaty could race again at 2000m next month before attention turned to bigger prizes. 'I'd say we're one more at (2000m) if the boss wants to go (2400m), we know he can stay,' Turnbull said. 'It's now probably picking the perfect path into spring trying to get him qualified (for Cups), if he's good enough, we can work backwards.' Charterhouse, also trained by Maher, placed third in the 2000m Open Handicap while stablemates Kettle Hill (ninth), Wyclif (13th) and Relentless Voyager (15th) raced 'well from where they were'. • Rose eases Prebble's worries in Rising Stars final Duchess Zou capped a brilliant first racing campaign with her third success in five starts. The Maher-trained filly overhauled Lario in the 1400m 3YO Open Handicap and held a comfortable margin on late-finisher Legacy Bay. Maher said Duchess Zou, who placed third in the Listed Creswick Stakes (1200m) the start before, would benefit from a short break. 'She'll have to get through the grades a little bit (next season), she's obviously on the right path,' Maher said. 'It's a winter race she was expected to win and done it quite well … in a couple months' time, she'll lift again.' • Derby path looms for Busuttin-Young stayer Co-trainer Michael Kent Jr hailed Shinn's initiative as the catalyst for La Fracas completing a hat-trick of wins in the Benchmark 84 sprint (1200m). La Fracas had easily won on heavy tracks at his previous two starts but found himself on firmer going and jumping from the awkward barrier one in the Flemington straight contest. However, Shinn's manoeuvring got La Fracas ($2.40 fav) into the right part of the track from where he finished hard to grab De Bergerac ($5) on the line. 'Midrace, he made a daring move to attach himself to the back of (stablemate) Moby Dick, who he assumed would take him forward into the race,' Kent Jr, who trains La Fracas in partnership with Mick Price, said. 'That was the winning move.' – with Brad Waters Originally published as Craig Williams relishing 'hunter' role in Melbourne jockeys' premiership battle with Blake Shinn
Courier-Mail
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
Craig Williams relishing ‘hunter' role in Melbourne jockeys' premiership battle with Blake Shinn
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Champion jockey Craig Williams clawed back to within five winners of Melbourne premiership leader Blake Shinn with a Flemington treble. Williams bookended the card on Saturday with the first winner – Duchess Zou – then piloted home the last two – Sayedaty Sadaty and Losesomewinmore. Shinn moved to 71 on Saturday with one winner at Flemington – La Fracas. • 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! There are 25 metropolitan races left in the season. 'Blake is an amazing rider, a great friend of mine too,' Williams said. 'Even when we talked today going out for the last race I said 'mate, you're killing me'. 'He's like the Road Runner, I get close to him and beep, beep and he's off again.' Williams is determined to try and win his 10th Melbourne jockeys' premiership. 'I love hunting,' Williams said. 'I need to hunt, Blake is unbelievable.' • 'Exciting future': Hayes smiling after colt makes winning return Sayedaty Sadaty sealed back-to-back wins to reignite spring ambitions. A combination of gelding, more time to acclimatise and placement to advantage has helped the former international, trained by Ciaron Maher, start to repay connections on the racetrack. Assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said Sayedaty Sadaty could race again at 2000m next month before attention turned to bigger prizes. 'I'd say we're one more at (2000m) if the boss wants to go (2400m), we know he can stay,' Turnbull said. 'It's now probably picking the perfect path into spring trying to get him qualified (for Cups), if he's good enough, we can work backwards.' Charterhouse, also trained by Maher, placed third in the 2000m Open Handicap while stablemates Kettle Hill (ninth), Wyclif (13th) and Relentless Voyager (15th) raced 'well from where they were'. • Rose eases Prebble's worries in Rising Stars final Duchess Zou capped a brilliant first racing campaign with her third success in five starts. The Maher-trained filly overhauled Lario in the 1400m 3YO Open Handicap and held a comfortable margin on late-finisher Legacy Bay. Maher said Duchess Zou, who placed third in the Listed Creswick Stakes (1200m) the start before, would benefit from a short break. 'She'll have to get through the grades a little bit (next season), she's obviously on the right path,' Maher said. 'It's a winter race she was expected to win and done it quite well … in a couple months' time, she'll lift again.' • Derby path looms for Busuttin-Young stayer Co-trainer Michael Kent Jr hailed Shinn's initiative as the catalyst for La Fracas completing a hat-trick of wins in the Benchmark 84 sprint (1200m). La Fracas had easily won on heavy tracks at his previous two starts but found himself on firmer going and jumping from the awkward barrier one in the Flemington straight contest. However, Shinn's manoeuvring got La Fracas ($2.40 fav) into the right part of the track from where he finished hard to grab De Bergerac ($5) on the line. 'Midrace, he made a daring move to attach himself to the back of (stablemate) Moby Dick, who he assumed would take him forward into the race,' Kent Jr, who trains La Fracas in partnership with Mick Price, said. 'That was the winning move.' – with Brad Waters Originally published as Craig Williams relishing 'hunter' role in Melbourne jockeys' premiership battle with Blake Shinn
Courier-Mail
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Courier-Mail
Leap To Fame races to Inter Dominion glory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. CHAMPION rival driver Luke McCarthy hailed Leap To Fame the greatest pacer he had seen after the Queensland champion romped his way to a second record-breaking Inter Dominion pacing final win at Albion Park on Saturday night. In front of a packed and one-eyed local crowd, Leap To Fame romped away for his 22nd successive win at his home track and his 56th win from just 69 lifetime starts. The $540,000 first prize also made him the all-time richest pacer in this part of the world with $4,630,884 – surpassing another great Queenslander, Blacks A Fake's $4,575,438 stakes tally. McCarthy, who finished fourth on defending Inter Dominion champion Don Hugo, said: 'He's amazing. He's not just the greatest stayer we've seen, he's the best horse full stop.' • 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! Leap To Fame has now contested seven Inter Dominion races, five heats and two finals, and won them all. He started the shortest priced favourite ($1.22) since the Inter Dominion began in 1936 and, after being crossed at the start, worked around to take the lead and was never in danger. 'This time it's more of a relief, the expectation was just so huge,' trainer-driver Grant Dixon said. 'We had a little scare during the week. He bucked and knocked his leg, which he's never done, but thankfully it wasn't anything serious.' Leap To Fame became just the eighth pacer to win multiple Inter Dominion finals and owners Kevin and Kay Seymour hinted strongly at chasing a third crown, which only three other pacers have done (Blacks A Fake, Im Themightyquinn and Our Sir Vancelot). 'The big studs have been coming hard at us to retire him, but we'll hold off for at least another year,' Kevin Seymour said. 'We've been in the game over 50 years and this is the horse we've dreamt of getting … Kay won't let me retire him, at least not for a while yet. 'It's important everyone understands the huge role Grant and Trista Dixon have played in making this horse.' In typical Seymour fashion, he said the winning trophy would go to Albion Park track photographer, Dan Costello, who is facing a huge battle with cancer. 'Dan's one of nature's gentlemen and is going through a really hard time. I'd love him to have the trophy and Kay and I will donate $100,000 of the prize money towards Dan's medical bills,' he said. Leap To Fame will have a break before aiming at another first, victory in NZ's most iconic race of any code, the NZ Cup at Addington in Christchurch in November. Earlier, star Victorian trotter Arcee Phoenix smashed through the $1 million prize money barrier with an emotion-charged $500,000 Inter Dominion trotting final win. Arcee Phoenix wins the Inter Dominion Trotting Grand Final Picture: Dan Costello Trainer-driver Chris Svanosio praised his late father-in-law, Dr Alistair McLean, for his guidance with Arcee Phoenix as a talented but raw youngster. 'Without him, this horse may well not have raced at all and now he's here as a six-year-old winning the Inter Dominion,' Svanosio said. 'There's lots of feelings at the moments, emotional, excitement and just relief after such a big build-up … we did it.' Arcee Phoenix became just the fifth Aussie-trained trotter to bank over a million with first prize taking him to $1,016,280. · Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp. PHOTOS: Dan Costello Originally published as Superstar pacer Leap To Fame streaks to effortless Inter Dominion victory
Herald Sun
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Herald Sun
Leap To Fame races to Inter Dominion glory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. CHAMPION rival driver Luke McCarthy hailed Leap To Fame the greatest pacer he had seen after the Queensland champion romped his way to a second record-breaking Inter Dominion pacing final win at Albion Park on Saturday night. In front of a packed and one-eyed local crowd, Leap To Fame romped away for his 22nd successive win at his home track and his 56th win from just 69 lifetime starts. The $540,000 first prize also made him the all-time richest pacer in this part of the world with $4,630,884 – surpassing another great Queenslander, Blacks A Fake's $4,575,438 stakes tally. McCarthy, who finished fourth on defending Inter Dominion champion Don Hugo, said: 'He's amazing. He's not just the greatest stayer we've seen, he's the best horse full stop.' • 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! Leap To Fame has now contested seven Inter Dominion races, five heats and two finals, and won them all. He started the shortest priced favourite ($1.22) since the Inter Dominion began in 1936 and, after being crossed at the start, worked around to take the lead and was never in danger. 'This time it's more of a relief, the expectation was just so huge,' trainer-driver Grant Dixon said. 'We had a little scare during the week. He bucked and knocked his leg, which he's never done, but thankfully it wasn't anything serious.' Leap To Fame became just the eighth pacer to win multiple Inter Dominion finals and owners Kevin and Kay Seymour hinted strongly at chasing a third crown, which only three other pacers have done (Blacks A Fake, Im Themightyquinn and Our Sir Vancelot). 'The big studs have been coming hard at us to retire him, but we'll hold off for at least another year,' Kevin Seymour said. 'We've been in the game over 50 years and this is the horse we've dreamt of getting … Kay won't let me retire him, at least not for a while yet. 'It's important everyone understands the huge role Grant and Trista Dixon have played in making this horse.' In typical Seymour fashion, he said the winning trophy would go to Albion Park track photographer, Dan Costello, who is facing a huge battle with cancer. 'Dan's one of nature's gentlemen and is going through a really hard time. I'd love him to have the trophy and Kay and I will donate $100,000 of the prize money towards Dan's medical bills,' he said. Leap To Fame will have a break before aiming at another first, victory in NZ's most iconic race of any code, the NZ Cup at Addington in Christchurch in November. Earlier, star Victorian trotter Arcee Phoenix smashed through the $1 million prize money barrier with an emotion-charged $500,000 Inter Dominion trotting final win. Arcee Phoenix wins the Inter Dominion Trotting Grand Final Picture: Dan Costello Trainer-driver Chris Svanosio praised his late father-in-law, Dr Alistair McLean, for his guidance with Arcee Phoenix as a talented but raw youngster. 'Without him, this horse may well not have raced at all and now he's here as a six-year-old winning the Inter Dominion,' Svanosio said. 'There's lots of feelings at the moments, emotional, excitement and just relief after such a big build-up … we did it.' Arcee Phoenix became just the fifth Aussie-trained trotter to bank over a million with first prize taking him to $1,016,280. · Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp. PHOTOS: Dan Costello Originally published as Superstar pacer Leap To Fame streaks to effortless Inter Dominion victory
