Latest news with #Racing
France 24
8 hours ago
- Sport
- France 24
McCall hints at Farrell return to Saracens
Farrell has experienced a disappointing debut season with French club Racing 92, sparking reports he wants to move back to the English Premiership by ending his contract a year early. Saracens are permitted to bring in a reinforcement to fill the gap created in the squad by Alex Lozowski's Achilles injury, which will sideline him until Christmas. That raises the prospect of Farrell rejoining his only English club, although McCall admitted there are several hurdles to be navigated before a deal could be completed. The 33-year-old, plagued by a groin injury this season, has to be paid the same as Lozowski and Saracens must reach agreement with Racing 92 over a transfer fee. "We think we're a bit vulnerable at 10," said McCall, whose side failed to qualify for the Premiership play-offs despite a 36-26 victory over Bath on Saturday. "The way the process works is you compile a list of people you think might be suitable. "Owen wasn't on the list because he's under contract with Racing, but there are some noises that Racing might be prepared to look at that and he might be prepared to look at that as well. "A couple of things have to happen. One, Racing have to let him go and they've got to let him go for a price which a club is willing to pay. And secondly he's got to accept a salary which is less than he's on. "If Owen comes on to the list, he looks like a pretty good option on the list because of the value for money that he would bring." Farrell spent 16 years at Saracens before heading to France in 2024. McCall believes England's record points scorer, who has played 112 times for his country, would provide a vital service by helping develop Saracens' young fly-halves Fergus Burke and Louie Johnson. "It's not just about having talent, it's about being able to think properly on the field. Owen's obviously one of the best at that," McCall said. "Owen and Louis Johnson in particular have a very strong relationship already. They talk every month at least.
Washington Post
14 hours ago
- Automotive
- Washington Post
Are we nearing the end of Barcelona's run as an F1 city? Madrid addition puts race in doubt
MONTMELO, Spain — Barcelona may be quickly approaching its end as a Formula 1 city after more than three decades of racing in northeastern Spain. The grand prix is under contract through next year, but the addition of a race in Madrid also in 2026 has put a bullseye on the event that has been held near Barcelona since 1991.
Mercury
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Mercury
Michael Hawkes declares Gallo Nero ‘horse to beat' in BRC Sires' Produce Stakes
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. A bullish Michael Hawkes has declared 'we're not wary of anybody' in Saturday's BRC Sires' Produce Stakes, believing the wide spaces of Eagle Farm will suit his colt Gallo Nero. Leading jockey Tommy Berry will step up to steer Gallo Nero after regular rider Tyler Schiller suffered a fractured back on Wednesday when filly Rockabye Roxy bucked the hoop in a frightening incident at Canterbury Park. Schiller will miss at least six weeks, ruling him out of the Queensland winter carnival, including the plum ride on $4.20 favourite Gallo Nero in the $1m BRC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m). • 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 Michael Freedman-trained gelding Aerodrome is $6.50, with local star Grafterburners next on the line at $7. 'It's very disappointing for Tyler,' Michael Hawkes, who trains in partnership with his father John and brother Wayne, said on Friday. 'Tommy Berry's a great back-up but Tyler's done all the work on the horse. His time will come.' Hawkes believed Gallo Nero deserved to win his last-start – the Spirit Of Boom Classic at Doomben (1200m) two weeks ago when he finished runner-up behind Cool Archie after being forced to run wide without cover for most of the trip on a Heavy 8 track. • No Frankie, no worries for Giga Kick in Group 1 attack 'He should've won first-up, everyone saw it,' he said. 'In this day and age unfortunately barriers win races and he was no closer than four-deep probably the whole way. 'He deserved to win. Take nothing away from the other horse (Cool Archie) but he got the breaks and went through them while we had to go around them. 'He had a hard run – first-up on a bog track is not ideal – but his first time at 1400m should suit. 'Hopefully he gets a lovely run because I think Eagle Farm will definitely suit him. It's a big, roomy track that he'll appreciate. 'We're not wary of anybody, he's the horse to beat. 'As long as he gets a good run in transit, everything goes his way and he has a bit of luck then he's going to figure in the finish.' Tyler Schiller riding colt Gallo Nero to victory at Royal Randwick last December. Picture: Getty Images Both Aerodrome and Gallo Nero are $8 chances for the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) for 2YOs on June 14 at Eagle Farm. Freedman said he would prefer a dry track on Saturday for the undefeated Aerodrome, despite him winning the Clarendon Stakes (1400m) last start on heavy ground at Hawkesbury. But with persistent rain on Friday and up to 40mm forecast for Brisbane on Saturday, the Golden Slipper-winning trainer won't get his wish. • One-time Derby fancy can bounce back from second-up syndrome 'I was hoping we'd get a firmer track because he's got such a good action,' Freedman said. 'Whilst he won on a Heavy 8 track at Hawkesbury, I don't think he was as good on that surface as he was the start before on a drier track. 'But look, he's travelled up well and he's very bright and happy. I was happy with his work here (in Sydney) on Tuesday. 'It just remains to be seen how the track plays.' Originally published as Michael Hawkes declares Gallo Nero 'horse to beat' in BRC Sires' Produce Stakes
Herald Sun
15 hours ago
- Business
- Herald Sun
Big Swinger bails out favourite backers with stunning burst in Caulfield win
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Favourite backers were poised to write off their money with 200m to run in the Catanach's Jewellers Handicap (1200m). The Charlotte Littlefield-trained Big Swinger carried the hopes of thousands of punters in win bets and multis but they had a tough watch throughout the $150,000 race. • 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! A combination of Big Swinger's racing manners and goings on ahead of him left jockey Ben Allen to negotiate a difficult trip from the start. Big Swinger got up on to the heels of other runners at least twice midrace as the strong galloper looked for racing room. Big Swinger was still held up behind a wall of horses halfway down the straight, leaving Allen searching for options. However, Allen managed to ease Big Swinger off heels from where the smart prospect charged to a narrow win over the $21 chance Flyer. Big Swinger's finishing burst was a relief to the gelding's band or owners on course as well as those that took the short odds about the three-year-old son of Trapeze Artist. 'About 100(m) to go, we were going to run an unlucky fifth,' Littlefield's husband Julian Hay said. 'It takes a good horse to do that.' Hay said Big Swinger's finishing burst was no surprise, adding the gelding clocked some 'scary' trackwork times at Littlefield's Pakenham base. Big Swinger's win left the Creswick Series of three-year-old sprints as ideal winter targets for the winner of four of six starts. However, Hay said Big Swinger was still 'soft-boned', meaning Littlefield was more likely to give the emerging prospect more time to develop. 'He's the best horse we've ever trained, we think, he's got that much ability,' Hay said. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ PREBBLE REPAYS PAYNES Apprentice jockey Tom Prebble sealed a Saturday double at Caulfield with victory on Jimmy The Bear for his uncle and aunty Patrick and Michelle Payne. Prebble, who by his own admission did not give Jimmy The Bear the best steer first-up when second to the in-form War Machine, more than made amends on Saturday. Jimmy The Bear finished over the top of tenacious leader Regal Zeus, courtesy of a perfectly-timed and economical Prebble steer. Prebble faced the potential of being posted wide again on Jimmy The Bear but the rising star found cover at a crucial stage in the 1600m Benchmark 100 JRA Handicap to set up the win. 'The race probably didn't unfold exactly how I planned, I didn't want to repeat the same thing that happened last start, being caught three deep on a fast tempo,' Prebble said. 'I was able to get in and he was good … 1400m up to 1600m, second up, his record is pretty impeccable, so I knew he would be strong. 'He's a complete and utter fighter, he wants to race and I'm very fortunate Patrick has given me the opportunity now to ride him twice after probably not giving him the best of steers first ride.' Prebble piloted the impressive winner Splash Back earlier on the card for Grahame Begg. WHITE LINE FEVER LANDS JOURNAL ANOTHER WIN A touch of 'white line fever' brought imported galloper Dublin Journal victory in the Ian Miller Handicap (2000m). Dublin Journal has been a good money spinner for connections, especially after trainers Ben, JD and Will Hayes worked out the gelding loves the cut and thrust of racing among other horses. Luke Currie rode the seven-year-old in that fashion at Caulfield, opting against going out wide when held up on the home turn, instead driving Dublin Journal ($9) along the inside to beat I Am The Empire ($26). 'He requires a lot of luck and Luke executed it perfectly,' JD Hayes said. 'He's a funny horse. As soon as he gets outside them, he gives up but he loves the crash and bash and pokes through late.' Earlier, Currie combined with the Hayes brothers in Madiyya's third straight win in the Rod Griffiths Handicap. Madiyya sustained a long run from the rear of the field before the $1.75 favourite defied the late challenge of the $10 chance I ONLY WISH. PRESS THE BUTTON Trial By Press answered the call to run down Extreme Virtue in the Selangor Turf Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield. The Greg Eurell-trained five-year-old daughter of Danerich preserved a perfect second-up record – now three from three – with the win under apprentice jockey Ryan Houston. Extreme Virtue looked set to pinch the race around the bend, the Lindsay Park-trained mare skipped clear under apprentice jockey Dakotah Keane, but Trial By Press would not be denied. 'I thought coming into the turn the leader started to skip away a little bit and thought gee we might struggle to run this down and to her credit she dug deep,' Eurell said. 'Typical of the mare, as I said to Ryan, she's very push button, the more you ask the more she gives and that's exactly what she did today.' Originally published as Big Swinger bails out favourite backers with stunning burst in Caulfield win
Courier-Mail
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
Zebra Finch eyes Group 1 JJ Atkins glory after Rosehill triumph
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Progressive Godolphin colt Zebra Finch will be given the opportunity to emulate his big-hitting stablemate Broadsiding, earning himself a crack at the JJ Atkins Stakes after lowering the boom on a couple of his more fancied rivals at Rosehill on Saturday. Yesterday's seven-horse affair held more interest than most of the other nine races on the Lord Mayor's Cup undercard given it overflowed with JJ Atkins aspirants including the Chris Waller duo Hidden Achievement and pricey Frankel colt, Sarapo. The Waller pair were expected to fight out on the finish as they had when they met at Gosford on Cup Day but were unable to make the same impact this time despite racing at home. • 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! Both horses were marked at $15 to win the JJ Atkins prior to their respective efforts yesterday. Hidden Achievement blew out to $26 while Sarapo was wound out to $51. Zebra Finch, meanwhile, had his price halved from $51 into $26 for the June 14 feature and carrying the imprimatur of one of the sport's champions. 'If he pulls up well, I'd send him up there, because he is going to get a mile,'' winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy said after the Schweppes Handicap (1300m). 'You obviously need a horse that runs a mile and you need a horse on the improve and that's possibly what he is going to be. ' It wasn't a big winning margin but I am sure with a better quality horse to aim at, he is going to be better again. 'He is the sort of colt that only does enough (but) I am sure if he got challenged there was an extra kick in the lock. 'So if James (Cummings) and the team decide to go to Brisbane for that mile race, I wouldn't be against it.' At least one of the Waller-trained runners from the race looks likely to still make his way up to Brisbane for the last Group 1 two-year-old feature of the season with a decision pending on the other. Yu Long Investments colt Hidden Achievement clocked in third behind Zebra Finch with future Guineas/Derby colt Sarapo three lengths behind in sixth. 'The race lacked tempo, it was a sit and sprint,'' assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth began. 'When Adam (Hyernonimus) won on Hidden Achievement last start, he was mindful that he probably rode him too close that day and took him out of his comfort zone. But he drew so well in a small field today that we basically had to do the same again. 'Adam's adamant that when you can put the bit in his mouth a little bit better, he'll have a better turn of foot. 'Adam is strongly pushing for Chris (to go to Brisbane with him). He said 'I don't care if I ride him or not but you should be running the horse in the JJ', that's his opinion.' As for pricey $750,000 Magic Millions Yearling purchase Sarapo, Team Waller will let the dust settle on the colt's second career start before they decide on his next move. 'He was obviously a long way back off a soft tempo,'' Duckworth explained. 'He is going to be a miler at three you'd imagine, it's just whether you try and break through for that maiden win at two. 'Obviously he is by Frankel so if he ends up in the breeding barn, they're going to be worried about him if he doesn't win at two so it might be an important start for him or do we just look after him and just trust that he'll measure up at three.'' As for Zebra Finch, his own stud career will naturally hinge on the outcome of the JJ Atkins but Darley would dearly love to add another Group 1 winning son of Exceed And Excel to their roster. Not only is Zebra Finch by one of the truly global stallions of the modern era, his dam was a handy performer herself and by Lonhro who holds the rare honour of being crowned both Australian Horse of the Year and Champion General Sire. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Tough as teak gelding Mickey's Medal helped edge the former rodeo rider Braith Nock one step closer to a medal collection of his own as the race for Sydney's Champion Apprentice enters the home straight. Nock and former Riverina whiz Molly Bourke are locked in an arm wrestle to decide who will join an Honour Roll that includes the likes of Jack Thompson, George Moore, Ron Quinton, Malcolm Johnston, Wayne Harris and Darren Beadman. Nock's win on the Annabell and Rob Archibald-trained Mickey's Medal extended his lead over Bourke by five metropolitan wins with August 1 now exactly two months away. Sitting three-wide with no cover may not have been the text-book ride from Nock on Mickey's Medal but it proved to be the winning formula on a day where it paid to be away from the inside fence. 'Everyone just seemed to take their time to get their spots and all of a sudden there were people inside me,' Nock explained. '(But) it was a slow tempo and he was able to travel really good. 'Actually, he was really relaxed coming to the 600m and I had to wake him up and then I was able to idle-up and I still think he might have had a little bit of a think about it things once we got there, but he got left alone for a long time so it was a really good effort. 'He seems to be just relishing his racing and he tries his best every time.' Yesterday's Precise Air Handicap (1500m) was the gelding's sixth run of the current campaign. His $82,500 collect was a tangible reward to effort on his part, drawing some high praise from the stable. 'It was brilliant to see him win,' stable representative Megan O'Leary said. 'I was almost waiting for (runner-up) Hopper to come down the outside of us but he really deserved that win, he's been running so well this prep.' Mickey's Medal was sold twice before he ever saw a racetrack. The great-grandson of broodmare gem Shantha's Choice was secured for $70,000 as a weanling before being reoffered at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale where he fetched $225,000. Originally published as Godolphin colt Zebra Finch pushes for Group 1 JJ Atkins start after his impressive victory at Rosehill
