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News.com.au
20 hours ago
- General
- News.com.au
Warwick Farm preview: Bjorn Baker is optimistic in Starmae's chances with weight advantage and an ideal barrier
Trainer Bjorn Baker is hoping a drop in grade and weight can help Starmae get back to winning form when she steps out on her home track. The four-year-old has been good in his three starts this preparation including her last two runs in Saturday metropolitan company when fifth to Memoria at Randwick and seventh to Oh Diamond Lil at the Scone stand-alone meeting on May 17 Starmae carried 56kg and 57kg respectively in those two races and drops down to 54.5kg after the claim of apprentice Olivia Chambers in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1300m). 'This is a good race for her. It's a drop back in grade after running in Saturday grade in her last two where she acquitted herself well,' said Baker. 'She gets a good drop in weight with Olivia's claim and she is one from one on this mare having won at Wyong last year. It was an easy watch for the supporters of Starmae as she shakes her maiden tag! @ZacLloydx @BBakerRacing @MyRacehorseAU â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 8, 2024 'Starmae galloped outstanding on Saturday. She was really sharp. 'She may have just taken a couple of runs to get to her peak but this is a good scenario over 1300m again, back in grade, lovely gate (barrier 4) and no weight. 'This is her race to run well.' Baker also saddles up consistent gelding Bat Out Of Hell in the same race where he has drawn barrier 11 but feels he will be better suited once he steps up over a little further. 'He probably needs 1400m and 1500m but he has to start somewhere,' he said. 'He is a horse who always tries his hardest and he has trialled better this time in better than he has in previous preparations. 'We're confident he is going to have a good preparation. Whether it's this week or whether he just gets run under his belt and he'll be ready to go.' Baker was looking forward to seeing Swordplay make her debut at Canterbury last week but she was a late scratching after getting her leg up in the barriers. The daughter of Shalaa has shown plenty of ability and speed to lead all-the-way for big wins in her two barrier trials under Rachel King. 'This is obviously 'Take Two' after she was scratched at the barriers last Wednesday which was unfortunate,' he said. 'She's a lovely, promising filly and she couldn't be any more professional than she has been in her trials.' “VANESSI streaking clear…wins brilliantlyâ€� 🎙ï¸� The 3 year old daughter of Too Darn Hot dropped back to 1100m second up and breaks her maiden with a perfect @nashhot ride! @cwallerracing @RBloodstock @mmsnippets â€' Star Thoroughbreds (@StarTbreds) December 13, 2024 Swordplay has drawn barrier 6 in the TAB Handicap (1100m) with King aboard. 'She has good speed and should roll forward to settle in the first few. Hopefully she brings her trials form to race day,' Baker said. Baker also has Jarrito set to debut in the same race. The daughter of I Am Invincible and Group 1 winner Spright has placed in both trials but will improve with race experience according to Baker. 'She is lovely filly who is still a little bit raw but has done enough in her trials to say she is ready to go to the races,' he said. 'She is definitely going to be better for the run but she is an exciting filly. 'She has drawn an ideal gate and she will hopefully get a smother just behind the speed. She has got a really nice turn of foot.' Baker was pleased with Regimental Colours in her first campaign where she placed in two of her three runs at Canterbury and is looking forward to her return in the Hitotsu At Arrowfield Plate (1100m). 'She has improved a lot both mentally and physically from what she did that preparation,' he said. 'Her trials have been good and while she is open to improvement, she is there to run well.' â– â– â– â– â– Well-bred filly Manaajem kicked off her career with a win and trainer Peter Snowden is quietly confident she can start her second campaign the same way. A three-quarter sister to recent Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes winner Charm Stone and a full sister to Snowden's dual Listed winner Najmaty, Manaajem showed nice ability winning her two trials before debuting with a big win at Wyong on December 31. After pulling up lame when fifth to Alliri on the Kensington 15 days later and was spelled. 'She was just immature and jarred up in her knees,' said Snowden. 'That's why we gave her a good spell and she seems a lot stronger this time in. We have had no issues with her at all.' The daughter of Tassort has trialled stylishly ahead of her return in the Traffic Warden @ Darley Handicap (1100m) when she has drawn barrier 3 with Tommy Berry aboard. Another smart one for TASSORTðŸ�°ðŸ'¥ The @EmiratesPark bred & raced MANAAJEM is individual winner no.21 for her sire, scoring first time asking after 2 previous trial wins🚀 Royally bred with the talent to matchðŸ'° Congratulations to the @SnowdenRacing1 team & all winning… â€' Newgate (@NewgateFarm) December 31, 2024 'Both her trials have been quite good. We have always thought quite a bit of her and we are pleased with the way she has come back,' Snowden said. 'She has a good draw and Tommy has ridden her in nearly all her work and in her trials. 'We are quietly confident she can run well.' Snowden was hoping to get a maiden win on the board for Catonahotinroof at Canberra last start but things didn't go to plan when she missed the start by seven or eight lengths before finishing less than three lengths behind Celestial Breeze in fifth place. 'She just hopped up in the air as the gates opened and lost all chance,' Snowden said. 'She still ran a slashing race to finish as close as she did.' The three-year-old was sent back to the trials where she came from last to beat Wonderstorm at Warwick Farm on May 26 and will make her presence felt in the Asahi Super Dry Plate (1300m). 'She trialled really well the other day. She handles the soft track without any problems,' said Snowden. 'That might play into her hands a little bit this week. 'She has been up a while but is still in good shape and certainly capable of running well.' Snowden is happy with the way Earth Dance Vinnie Three-Time Champion Sire Handicap.
News.com.au
7 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Gosford preview: Local trainer Adam Duggan is banking on Divine Bene's love of wet tracks to land another win
Trainer Adam Duggan had a nice opinion of Divine Bene in his early trackwork and trials but a couple of unflattering runs to start his career put that into question. It wasn't until Divine Bene got onto a wet track that he started to perform to a higher level and placed in three consecutive runs as he built into his first campaign. 'He is a horse I had a bit of time for early days but didn't show a lot in his first couple of runs,' said Duggan. 'Once we got him going with a couple of runs under his belt, we worked out he didn't have much of a turn of foot but he could sustain the same speed throughout. 'We also found he had a real liking for wet track. I don't think I've had a horse who has had so many runs on a wet track.' Divine Bene returns strong, winning first up for @adugganracing with @AshMorgan6 in the saddle! ðŸ'� â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 24, 2025 Divine Bene has raced on wet ground in eight of the 10 career starts with seven of them on heavy where he has a win and four minor placings. He returned this campaign with a nice win first-up over 1550m on the Beaumont before a third to Lutetia at Newcastle both on Heavy 8 tracks before a second to Sirius Flyer in a Soft 5 at Quirindi last start. 'It probably wasn't wet enough for him at Quirindi the other day,' he said. The four-year-old gets his preferred conditions when steps out in the Class 1 Handicap (1200m). 'I'm happy to have Ash Morgan back on. He rode him really well to win first-up,' Duggan said. 'He's also in at Inverell. I'll discuss it with his owners but Gosford is my preferred option.' Duggan also has Purple Haze entered for the Super Maiden Handicap (1200m) on his home track. The gelding battled away for third to Yes Siree on a Heavy 10 at Wyong on debut on May 1. 'He has been a real work in progress,' said Duggan. 'He was aided by a fair few scratchings in a fairly soft race on debut if I'm being honest but in saying that, I would be surprised if he doesn't improve. 'I think the 1200m will suit him better and eventually a bit further than that.' Okami Star takes out the opener at Wyong and breaks his maiden! ðŸ'¥ @HeavelonVan â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 1, 2025 Warwick Farm trainer Clarry Conners has been pleased with the way Okami Star has raced this campaign and gives him a change of securing another win in the Class 1 Handicap (1600m). The gelding resumed with a second to Pelosa at Hawkesbury followed by a fifth at Kembla before breaking through with a narrow win from Murphilly at Wyong. Last start, he boxed on a long neck fourth to Ocean One at Hawkesbury. 'He has come back a nice horse this time in,' said Conners. 'At Hawkesbury last start, he went around and got to the front then just eased up on him. 'He's a big striding horse and it would have been better if he kept going on him. 'I'm happy with the horse though.' Conners also feels Proclivity can bounce back from a luckless run last start when he contests the 2&3YO Maiden Handicap (1600m). After a debut second to Caltsar at Newcastle, the gelding finished sixth to Monte Veebee at Kembla. 'It was a good run at Newcastle on debut then at Kembla everything went wrong. He got knocked down and pushed back,' he said. 'Aaron Bullock rode him in his first start and was impressed with the horse. 'I'm very happy to be able to get him again this week. â– â– â– â– â– A slow start and untimely bump put paid to the chances of Angels Cloud last start but trainer Marc Quinn couldn't be happier with his mare and expects her to break through for a well-earned win when she heads to Inverell. Angels Cloud started a $1.90 favourite at Glen Innes earlier this month following three handy placings since joining Quinn 's stable. Unfortunately, she was put out of business in the first couple of strides when she settled further back than expected on her way to finishing second behind Immortal Lass. 'I really thought she would have won at Glen Innes the other day but she took a backwards step when the gates opened and Cody's (Morgan) horse got a march on us and that was the end of the race for her,' said Quinn. What A Rush leads all the way to win the Port Mac opener! ðŸ'¥ â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 27, 2025 'She has had a good couple of weeks since then. 'Obviously last week was a bit of a washout for us. We missed trackwork for a couple of days but they are not going to lose much fitness going on the walker for a couple of days. 'Despite the weather, the horses coped with it really well and she had a lovely gallop on Saturday.' Angels Cloud has drawn ideally on barrier 4 in the Country Boosted Maiden Plate (1100m) with Matthew McGuren to again partner her. 'She has drawn well and Matthew decided to stick with her which is good,' he said. 'All she needs to do is step away and I think she will be hard to beat. Quinn is weighing up his options for Perhaps Perhaps in the Class 1 and Maiden Plate (1800m) but expects her to run a much improved race if she does start. The four-year-old debuted for Quinn with a handy fifth to Justifiably at Port Macquarie on April 19 before backing up on a heavy track there eight days later when down the order behind Imarealamerican over 1500m. She then finished a somewhat unlucky fifth to Visualise over 1400m at Glen Innes. 'Her first run for us was really good and we thought we would try and rider her handier second-up but I don't think she appreciated that and the quick back-up,' he said. 'We didn't want to come back in distance but there wasn't a lot of options for her after so we took her to Glen Innes. 'I thought the run was passable and the step up to 1800m suits her quite well.'
News.com.au
24-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Flying Embers burns bright in Randwick Midway to give apprentice William Stanley his first city success
Former Central West apprentice William Stanley, whose tally of winners recently went beyond 100, posted his first city victory at Royal Randwick on Saturday thanks to a gritty and determined local, Flying Embers. Stanley was the obvious choice for Flying Ember 's trainer John Thompson, not only but mostly owing to the hoop's near faultless record on the mare which prior to Saturday's Midway Handicap was two wins and a nose second from three shared assignments. Their previous two wins were by bigger margins each time but none showcased the mare's desire more than this one given she was forced to race three-wide with no cover from her wide draw. Despite her less favourable run in transit, Flying Embers ($3.40 fav) took control of the race inside the final 200m, fending off a typically brave Danish Prince ($12) with Kembla mare Callistemon ($8) finishing best of the rest. 'Big thanks to John and the team, they've given me a lot of support throughout my moving to Newcastle. I couldn't be happier,' Stanley said. 'I planned on being one-out, one-back, even three pairs one-off, but it was just the way it unfolded. 'She travelled well through the wet and the favourite led, and I didn't want it to give it too much of a lead and she bounced along nicely.' ðŸ'¥ Flying Embers does enough in a tough win at Randwick! @JTRacingRwik â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025 • 'Very easy watch': Agarwood dominates juvenile opener Flying Embers was born and raised at Arrowfield Stud who offered the mare (as agent) at the Magic Millions sale in 2023 where she was secured by Prime Thoroughbreds for $100,000. The daughter of Shalaa is already showing a tidy profit as a racehorse but should make plenty of appeal to breeders later on given her dam is a half-sister to Ortensia. Other notable family members include the sibling trio of Bint Marscay, Filante and Kenny's Best Pal. 'She's a really nice filly,' Thompson said. 'I actually think she doesn't like the wet but she just tries so hard and pushes her way through it. 'I think on top of the ground, she'll show a better turn of foot.' â– â– â– â– â– A Pound Of Salt again demonstrated size doesn't matter when he burst through the pack to score a spectacular win at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Most of his TAB Highway rivals towered over the diminutive A Pound Of Salt but his win in the 1200m spring showed he's 'big' on ability. Trainer Todd Howlett admitted when A Pound Of Salt first came to his stables he never expected the horse to be good enough to win a Highway. 'When I got him, I didn't expect he would win a Highway because he was such a little 'fella',' Howlett said. 'But for an unassuming little horse, what he does is try his hardest every time and that is a great habit for him to have. A Pound Of Salt takes out the Highway at Randwick @Howlettracing_ @ZacLloydx â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) May 24, 2025 • World famous Dapto dogs to be shut down 'He's also got a very good turn of foot which he showed today.' A Pound Of Salt ($6.50) looked to be in a tough spot back inside horses coming around the turn but Zac Lloyd was able to navigate a path through the field and he swept clear late to score by a widening one-and-a-quarter lengths. Super Norwest ($5 favourite) ran on for second, just in front of Plenitude ($6.50). Howlett said A Pound Of Salt might emerge as a 'country cups horse' before praising's Lloyd's winning ride. Lloyd, who rode his first city winner for the month on A Pound Of Salt, said it wasn't his plan to get that far back on settling down. 'I was happy to stay on him today because I didn't give the horse a great ride last start, I gave him too much to do,' Lloyd said. 'So today I went 'underneath' to help the horse but I didn't want to get that far back but he was run off his feet early. 'I was a bit concerned because it is hard to make up ground on these tracks but he did a great job.'
News.com.au
18-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Ray Thomas' Blackbook: Five to follow from Scone on Saturday
Ray Thomas reviews Saturday's stand-alone meeting at Scone, revealing the horses punters can follow with confidence at their next starts. • â– â– â– â– â– FIVE TO FOLLOW OH DIAMOND LIL (0.9-length 1st of 12, Race 4) had been trialling up a storm prior to her return at Scone. She had never won first-up previously and was vulnerable at 1300m but she settled nicely in behind the leaders until the top of the straight where she seized control of the race and drew clear for a comfortable win. Oh Diamond Lil is an emerging mare and will only improve the deeper she goes into her preparation. ðŸ'Ž Oh Diamond Lil gets the perfect run and wins at Scone! @KPMcEvoy | @DavidPfieffer — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 17, 2025 SPANISH FOX (2-length 3rd of 15, Race 6) won five races in succession when last in work and his second-up effort at Scone when third to ZEALOUSLY in very fast time was encouraging. He is ready to win in the right grade next start. Zealously with a big win after leading all the way at Scone! ðŸ'¨ @NockBraith | @SnowdenRacing1 — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 17, 2025 AKAYSHA (1.4-length 3rd of 16, Race 3) drew wide and was ridden conservatively early, drifting back to near last in the Woodland Stakes. On the home turn, she was in front of only one horse and simply had too much to do but still ran on strongly to finish third. Talented filly and is a stakes-winner in waiting. â� Stardom holds on to win at Scone with Adam Hyeronimus doing the steering! @GaiWaterhouse1 — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 17, 2025 GENTILESCHI (0.1-length 2nd of 15, Race 5) was having only her second run back and was out to 1700m but her effort to finish the closest of seconds was eye-catching. She charged home wide out to just miss at Scone and will be at her peak next start. Cormac T wins by a whisker in a very tight finish at Scone! ðŸ'� @ANeashamRacing | @tomo_sherry — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 17, 2025 Godolphin fillies THAMES (0.6-length 3rd of 15, Race 7) and PHOTOGRAPH (1.8-length 9th of 15, Race 7) had no luck in the Denise's Joy Stakes. Thames struck trouble on the turn before charging home to lose by only a half length. Photograph never got clear galloping room in the straight and wasn't tested before finishing ninth, beaten less than two lengths. Summer Flame wins the Denise's Joy Stakes at Scone in a boilover! ðŸ'° @cwallerracing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 17, 2025 WHINCHAT (0.2-length 2nd of 15, Race 10) was having his first start in over a year and set track record-breaking pace in front only to be collared in the final few bounds by the race-fit and in-form THE INSTRUCTOR in the Luskin Star Stakes. Whinchat can only be improved by his game comeback run. WHAT A FINISH! 😮 The Instructor wins on the line to beat Whinchat in the Luskin Star Stakes! 🙌 @GaiWaterhouse1 — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 17, 2025 • â– â– â– â– â– CRUNCH TIME ZEALOUSLY (Race 6) gave a brilliant display of sustained speed to score a commanding win. He was hand-timed to run the Scone 1100m in 1m 02.13s – no horse has ever gone faster over the course and distance. CABALLUS (Race 8) showed impressive acceleration to reel in tough frontrunner The Novelist to win the Ortensia Stakes. Caballus was timed to run his final 300m in a tick over 33s. Caballus is too good in the Ortensia Stakes at Scone! ðŸ'¥ @AshMorgan6 | @BBakerRacing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 17, 2025 MELODY AGAIN (Race 9) broke the race record to win the Dark Jewel Classic, recording 1m 21.23s for the Scone 1400m. Her winning time was only a tick outside the track record of 1m 21.12s that was set by Cavalier Charles three years ago. . @CoreyGoodSkillz pick of the yard gets up! Melody Again storms home on the inside and wins the Dark Jewel Classic! ðŸ'Ž — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 17, 2025 STARDOM (Race 3) set a new race record for the Woodland Stakes when she ran the 1100m in 1m 03.07s, breaking the previous standard set by dual Group 1 winner In Secret of 1m 03.75s. THE INSTRUCTOR (Race 10) set another race record when he won the Luskin Star Stakes, stopping the clock at 1m 14.41s for the Scone 1300m. He broke the previous mark by 0.08s. â– â– â– â– â– WHAT THEY SAID 'That is like our Melbourne Cup. I thought if Melody Again had any chance of winning a race like this it would be at home and when she was at the top of her game.' — Trainer Scott Singleton. "That's like our Melbourne Cup" An emotional Scott Singleton speaks on the massive win from Melody Again! â�¤ï¸� @singletonracing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 17, 2025 'I always love riding for Scott, I respect him as a trainer and more so as a friend. He's been very good to me. I haven't been riding a lot but he is always giving me opportunities so it's a special moment to win this race on Melody Again.' — Jockey Christian Reith. 'I rode Caballus work during the week and when you get the chance to sit on him, you understand why they have such a high opinion of the horse.' — Jockey Ashley Morgan. 'In this class of race we expected Summer Flame to get back and I was just going to hold her together. But she jumped so well and got into a lovely rhythm. The further we went the better she travelled. Coming to the turn she was on the bit looking for somewhere to go. We got the run through on straightening and away she went.' — Jockey Jeff Penza. 'If you look at Oh Diamond Lil, physically she still has to develop which makes it so exciting as there is more improvement in her.' — Trainer David Pfeiffer. 'Generally, Gai and Adrian's horses progress out over further once they start racing so they deserve a lot of credit for bringing Stardom back to 1100m.'' — Jockey Adam Hyeronimus. A â�ï¸� is born âš°ï¸� â�¤ï¸� STARDOM ran up to her name and took out the Listed Woodlands Stakes in decisive fashion ðŸ'�ðŸ�¼ ðŸ�† This @torryburnstud bred and owned daughter of @widdenstud Zoustar is going from strength to strength and has a very bright future ✨ 🥂 — Gai Waterhouse AO (@GaiWaterhouse1) May 17, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– STEWARDS SAY CABALLUS (Race 8) was found to have bled from both nostrils after winning the Ortensia Stakes and has incurred a three-month ban from racing. RENOSU, who ran eighth behind Caballus, was also found to have bled and is out of racing for three months. THAMES (Race 7) improved into a tight run between WAVE BREAKER and SHOHISHA on the turn then was buffeted between those runners. Due to contact on its hindquarter Shohisha was then turned out into the running of Thames, resulting in Thames becoming badly unbalanced before that filly ran on strongly for third. PHOTOGRAPH (Race 7) ran only ninth but was very unlucky. After passing the 200m she was checked when disappointed for a run between LADY OLENNA and GERRINGONG. Photograph then had difficulty obtaining clear running, before being held up over the final 50m and went to the line without being fully tested. GENTILESCHI (Race 5) finishing powerfully wide out to just miss behind Cormac T. Prior to the declaration of correct weight, the connections of Gentileschi requested to view the official photo finish for first placing. Once Stewards were satisfied there was a margin between Cormac T and Gentileschi, correct weight was declared. JUMEIRAH BEACH (Race 1) was slow to begin and was then shuffled back near the rear of the field when awkwardly placed on heels. Jumeirah Beach was not suited when the race developed into a sprint home from the 600m. â– â– â– â– â– RON DUFFICY'S SCONE SNAPSHOT RUN OF THE DAY: Caballus had been nurtured back to health and was terrific winning with dominance first-up looking like a possible Stradbroke type. Unfortunately his campaign come to an abrupt halt with him being found to have bled from both nostrils so they have to start from scratch again. FORGET THEY RAN: Thames didn't have the best of luck in the Denise's Joy Stakes never really getting balanced and should have made it interesting. HORSE TO FOLLOW: Oh Diamand Lil and been carefully handled by trainer David Pfieffer working through the grades. She is a mare that is ready to take the next step into black type grade. RIDE OF THE DAY: Jace McMurray is a new name to Sydney racing after having a good grounding with nice success on the Gold Coast. He looked very polished with his winning ride on Fiorsum Fred and should get more opportunities fall his way. Fiorsum Fred finds the gap and powers home at Scone! ðŸ'¥ @singletonracing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 17, 2025 â– â– â– â– â–
Herald Sun
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Scone preview: Time for Lees' gelding to stand up and be counted
Trainer Kris Lees has already won a Big Dance and can take a step towards winning the 2025 edition with Tavi Time and Loch Eagle in the Scone Cup. Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Inaugural Big Dance winning trainer Kris Lees is hoping to fast track one, potentially, two of modern-day string into the 2025 edition via the Listed Scone Cup (1600m) in the nation's thoroughbred capital. The 2021 Scone Cup was Rustic Steel's ticket to the first Tuesday in November, the Ron and Judy Wanless galloper cashing in and earning the honour of distinction of inaugural Big Dance winner. Lees' Scone Cup duo, Tavi Time and Loch Eagle, are at different stages of their respective campaigns ahead of the feature, one of them race-fit, the other kept fresh for the occasion. Tavi Time, the New Zealand-bred son of Tavistock is third-up off a recent 'fading' fifth in the Hawkesbury Cup on a testing Heavy 8 surface. â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 26, 2024 'I was happy enough with the horse,' Lees said. 'We probably rode him out of his comfort zone for two reasons; how the track was playing and the alley (nine of 10) so we decided to push forward, sit outside the leader and taking on that hard-fit horse (Punch Lane). 'And to be fair to my horse, I think he likes it probably one or two grades firmer than what it presented so the run was okay under the circumstances. 'You would think, third run, he is ready to run to his best with two conditioning runs under his belt. 'It's a strong race but one I think he can figure in.' Loch Eagle, meanwhile, aims to maintain his compelling fresh record in what will be his first visit to Scone but his 11th run over the mile. In fact, his record at the 1600m stands up against any, or all, of his rivals. 'He's an Ingham winner and he has run in Doncasters and so forth,' Lees said. 'He is starting off straight at his trip but he's trialled up nicely. He always reacts well fresh over shorter course. 'The only other option was to run in the Luskin Star and I just thought 1300m would find him out, he'd be off the bit chasing throughout. 'So at a mile, he gets a chance to travel deep into the race.' Lees is down to saddle-up as many as 14 of his Newcastle residents across the two day carnival. Few of them hold more intrigue and interest than the Irish-born, English-raced gelding Brave Call. Brave Call boasts broodmare sires the ilk of Camelot, Sadler's Wells, Ile de Bourbon and Vaguely Noble that together account for his 2011m Maiden win at Windsor in England. That said, his Newmarket mile placing stands him in good stead when Tommy Berry steers him around in the Kia Ora Class 1 Handicap (1600m). 'He's a nice horse,' Lees said. 'He'll be better for the run. 'He'll be strong late if he can come through them and have a bit of luck.' Lees can end day one of the Scone carnival on a high when the progressive Denman mare strives to build on her tidy resume of three wins and four placings from just 10 runs so far. 'I think she is genuinely city class over the winter,' Lees said. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Canberra trainer Todd Smart is as confident about Cashbook's prospects in the rich Inglis 2YO Challenge as he was ahead of his 2023 race winner, Love Shuck. That's despite Cashbook's Wagga debut last month where he was backed in from $3.20 to $2.35 yet only managed to beat two others to the line but with substantial excuses. 'He did have a pretty hard run, he was three and four-wide the trip, and he got cardiac arrhythmia out of that as well,' Smart revealed. 'So we decided just to give him an easy week and a couple of gallops into a trial. 'His trial was really good. He never left the bridle and he pulled up well and hasn't missed a beat since. 'I am probably more confident in the horse going into this run than I was at Wagga.' Cashbook is racing for the lion's share of a $200,000 purse in the Inglis 2YO Challenge which is restricted to those bought at the firm's annual HTBA Yearling Sale in 2024. Smart found Cashbook there among Widden Stud's draft, paying $28,000 to take him home to Canberra with a view to returning to the nation's horse capital. 'As soon as you buy a horse at that sale, we buy it thinking that this is the race,' he said. 'We get up (to the sale) most years and we bought Love Shuck and it won a few years ago and I think this horse is a really good chance. 'From the gate, he will just need to go back and find cover and they can finish off at Scone.' Cashbook could be one of the bargains of a lifetime for Smart but even a win in the Inglis 2YO Challenge won't see him overtake Love Shuck in that department. Already a winner of $278,150, Love Shuck was knocked down at the 2022 HTBA Yearling Sale for just $6,000. Smart, meanwhile, will be a participant on day two on the Scone Cup carnival as well when the barnstorming Gerry Harvey-bred descendant of Skating, Straight Fire, contests the TAB Highway on Saturday. Horse Racing Kris Lees looks set for a memorable Scone carnival with numerous chances across the two days including import Brave Call on Friday. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL Horse Racing A pair of events has presented Craig Williams with an opportunity to win the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 for the third year in a row.
