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News.com.au
6 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Apprentice jockey Jace McMurray grabbing the attention of trainers in NSW
Trainer Michael Freedman concedes it was only a matter of time before the secret started to get out. Freedman's new stable apprentice, Jace McMurray, is quickly establishing himself as one of the most talented young riders in Sydney racing and goes to Rosehill after a confidence-boost midweek double at Canterbury. 'Jace is a good, young rider, he's working hard, he wants to learn and is doing all the right things,'' Freedman said. 'I think he is starting to catch the attention of quite a few people now as he is a very good 3kg claiming option. 'Actually, my brother Lee (Hall of Fame trainer) rang me about a year ago and said I should keep an eye on this kid as he has a good future.'' Sky Thoroughbred Central presenter and former champion jockey Corey Brown has also been an admirer of McMurray's talents for some months and was instrumental in convincing the Queensland-based apprentice to move to Sydney and join the Freedman stable last month. McMurray is finding his feet in the cauldron of Sydney racing and his brace of midweek wins were for Freedman on Just Feelin Lucky and Inside Man. Therefore, it is no surprise Freedman has entrusted the emerging apprentice with his three stable rides at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. They include the underrated Spanish Fox who is aiming for his sixth win of the season and his fourth in the metropolitan area in the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1200m). Spanish Fox struck a rich vein of form late last year winning five races in succession and his two comeback efforts this campaign indicate he is close to regaining top form. Freedman said Spanish Fox will strip fitter for Rosehill after his recent runs including a last-start third to Zealously over 1100m at the Scone stand-alone meeting two weeks ago. 'I was really happy with Spanish Fox at Scone,'' Freedman said. 'He had a bit of ring rust first-up as he had been off the scene a while but he came on nicely between his first and second runs. 'I think he has trained on again since then and this does look a nice race for him on Saturday.'' McMurray, who has a busy afternoon at Rosehill with eight rides, also partners the Freedman-trained Codetta who resumes in the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1100m). Codetta was bred and is owned by Debbie Kepitis of Winx fame. The filly is a half-sister to the ill-fated three-time Group 1 winner Riff Rocket. Although Riff Rocket won the ATC Australian Derby and Victoria Derby double, Codetta is showing more brilliance and is very effective over sprint distances with two wins and two second placings from five starts this season. She is resuming off a four month spell and has had one barrier trial hitout when third at Randwick earlier this month. 'I have only given her the one barrier trial but she did have a jump out on the Polytrack over 800m last week,'' Freedman said. 'She's good to go. She's a nice, genuine filly and if the track is on the soft side, it won't worry her.'' Freedman and McMurray also combine with the tough Edited By in the Ranvet Handicap (1500m). This is where the apprentice's 3kg claim is crucial as he reduces Edited By's impost from 61kg to 58kg. 'Edited By has become an awkward horse to place because he has crept up in the ratings,'' Freedman said. 'I don't think he is quite up to (benchmark) 88 races so has had to carry big weights in these 78 races. 'But I thought we would go back to where he has won over 1500m at Rosehill before and see how he goes. Certainly, Jace's claim helps, too.'' Freedman, who prepared brilliant filly Marhoona to win the Golden Slipper earlier this autumn is chasing more big-race two-year-old success with unbeaten Aerodrome in the Group 2 $1m BRC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm. Aerodrome defeated subsequent winner Hidden Motive on debut at Warwick Farm then wore down Hereward to win at Hawkesbury on a heavy track last start but Freedman is hoping Eagle Farm has a drier surface for the Sires. 'I think probably in the Clarendon Stakes at Hawkesbury while Aerodrome got the job done I don't think he was at home on heavy 8 as he has such a big, long stride on him,'' Freedman said. 'If he can get back onto a slightly firmer deck that would be more to his liking as well.''
News.com.au
29-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Leading trainer criticises rejection of Rosehill sale; calls for collaborative efforts to address long-term challenges
The rejection by Australian Turf Club members of the $5 billion Rosehill sale proposal is a 'missed opportunity' to financially future-proof Sydney and NSW racing for decades. This was the reaction of one leading trainer who contacted Racing Confidential under a cloak of anonymity after Tuesday's members vote dealt a fatal blow for plans to sell Rosehill, transform Warwick Farm and build a new racing and training centre at Penrith. 'What is the alternative funding model for the industry given wagering is in decline and the members have turned their back on $5 billion? What is Plan B?'' the trainer said. • 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 trainer maintains he is 'one of many' reluctant to talk on the record or risk losing stable clients because the Rosehill sale proposal has split Sydney racing, fractured friendships, and led to deep distrust on both sides of the argument. 'There has been a lot of misinformation through this whole debate,'' he said. The trainer became increasingly agitated the longer the conversation went and it was plainly obvious he had real concerns about his future and for many industry participants. It has been regrettable that the Rosehill sale issue seemed to drift away from being a robust debate on the merits of the proposal into attacks on key industry figures. Surely the time has come to put differences aside and start working collaboratively for the betterment of the sport. The Rosehill sale proposal has highlighted some of the long-term structural issues the racing industry must confront, notably improving club revenues, addressing wagering decline, and keeping the sport relevant for younger generations. â– â– â– â– â– Star Sydney jockey Tyler Schiller was in good spirits on Thursday despite a serious back injury that will rule him out for six weeks. 'I'm going well considering, it could've been much worse,'' Schiller said. The jockey suffered a stable fracture of his T-8 vertebrae (mid-spine) after he was dislodged going onto the track before the Canterbury opener on Wednesday. Schiller, who has ridden 49 winners to be fifth on the Sydney jockey premiership, has had another hugely successful season highlighted by his Group 1 wins on the Team Hawkes-trained Briasa (TJ Smith Stakes) and Nepotism (Champagne Stakes).
News.com.au
26-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Defining moment for racing in Sydney and NSW as Rosehill sale vote revealed by Australian Turf Club
To sell or not to sell, that is the question. The Australian Turf Club's proposal to sell Rosehill Gardens racecourse for a reported $5 billion to make way for 25,000 new homes will be determined by the club's 11,000-plus members on Tuesday. This is a defining moment for Sydney and NSW racing. It is up to the members to decide the fate of Rosehill, the home of the Golden Slipper. Rosehill is a historic venue and all the greats of Australian racing like Phar Lap, Tulloch, Bernborough, Todman, Vain, Luskin Star, Manikato, Kingston Town, Octagonal, Lonhro, Makybe Diva and Winx won major races there. But only 12,111 attended the Golden Slipper earlier this year and less than 100,000 people came to Rosehill meetings during the 2023-24 season. This is a disturbing decline in race day crowds given 191,671 came through the turnstiles in 2012-13. So, if this issue is not burdensome enough already for members, they also have to work out what is fact or fiction from what has been a very robust and often heated debate from proponents of the Yes and No votes. There have been so many claims and counterclaims from both sides of the argument that it has become increasingly difficult to work out what is right or wrong. ATC chairman Peter McGauran has said if members vote to sell Rosehill it will secure the future of Sydney racing. 'We believe it is the biggest and most important decision in the history of the club,'' McGauran said. 'It will make us the most financially secure race club in the world.'' • ATC tees off on Penrith golf course plan for new track in Sydney's west But Hall of Fame trainer Gai Waterhouse has led the charge against the sale, urging members to vote 'No'. 'Members still have no definitive proposal of any sort to justify a sale,'' Waterhouse wrote on social media earlier this month. 'Warwick Farm is unsuitable, there is no supporting evidence to say a track can be built, and if 'yes' wins then voting members lose all control of Rosehill. We may as well throw our betting tickets away.'' The Daily Telegraph, however, recently revealed Waterhouse has not attended a Rosehill meeting in five years and is more often seen at Melbourne race tracks. ATC expects at least half of the club's membership base of nearly 11,500 to vote on the issue. The 'no' vote is favourite with the Save Rosehill group having the support of many leading industry participants. But if members vote in favour of selling Rosehill, the land will be used to build 25,000 new homes while ATC has unveiled plans to redevelop Warwick Farm and build a new training facility near Penrith which has the potential to also to be a Group 1 racetrack. ATC Chairman Peter McGauran joined 2GB Sydney's Ben Fordham this morning to discuss the potential sale of Rosehill Gardens for $5 billion. @BenFordham | @2GB873 Find out more: — Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) March 12, 2025 The $5 billion sale price is a one-off and is dependent on a decision being made in time for the NSW Government to build a new Metro station to service the homes that would be built on the racecourse land. In an endeavour to provide some clarity for those members still trying to decide how they will vote on Tuesday, this is a snapshot of the most pressing issues concerning the Rosehill sale proposal. 1: What does selling Rosehill mean for Sydney racing? If Rosehill is sold, ATC has stipulated racing will continue at the track until at least 2031. During this period, $800 million will be spent on transforming Warwick Farm, $520 million on upgrading stabling facilities and other infrastructure at Royal Randwick, and another $520 million allocated to building the training centre at Penrith. In total, $1.9 million will be spent on various infrastructure projects with the remaining $3 billion invested into a Future Fund. 2: Is the $5 billion guaranteed if Rosehill is sold? The resolution to sell Rosehill ensures that the deal will only proceed if the State Government agrees to pay ATC a net of $5 billion. Payment will be secured through a legally binding contract with the NSW Government, which will provide a mechanism to safeguard payment. 3: Who will have control of the funds? The ATC owns Rosehill Gardens and has stipulated it will retain complete legal and financial control over every dollar if the sale goes ahead. Racing NSW has provided written confirmation to the ATC that it will not seek to recover any of the net $5 billion in sale proceeds. 4: Is Warwick Farm a suitable and viable alternative to Rosehill? Under the ATC masterplan, Warwick Farm will undergo an $800 million transformation, including flood proofing, and a completely new racetrack and grandstand. At 87 hectares, it is vastly larger than Rosehill Gardens (60 hectares). 5: Is there a transition plan for trainers if Rosehill is sold? This is one of the most difficult aspects of the sale proposal as any potential sale of Rosehill and rebuild of Warwick Farm will directly impact trainers and their stable staff. ATC has vowed to work individually with all trainers on transition plans with the consultation period to last at least 12 months. No trainers at either Warwick Farm or Rosehill Gardens will be relocated for at least two years and the new Racing Advisory Board is there to provide advice and input on transition plans. 6: ATC's loyalty program for members The ATC is planning to introduce a loyalty program for members funded by proceeds from the proposed sale. Critics have described as a 'gimmick or bribe' while the club is hoping to use the program to increase club membership and what have been poor race-day attendances. The Loyalty program will provide free annual membership fees for five years, free annual membership for life for those members who already have been at the club for 20 or more years, and $1000 per annum food and beverage credits for five years.
News.com.au
25-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Ray Thomas reviews a big Saturday of racing at Royal Randwick
The Australian Turf Club board must deal with two significant issues this week – which trainer is allocated Leilani Lodge at Royal Randwick and the outcome of the members vote on the Rosehill sale proposal. The board is understood to be meeting Monday and one of the agenda items is to discuss who gets the keys to the vacant Randwick stables. At least three trainers have made application for Leilani Lodge including Godolphin's James Cummings. The Cummings family has trained out of the famous stable complex since James's grandfather, the legendary Bart Cummings moved in there more than 50 years ago. James Cummings is understandably sweating on the ATC's call after announcing plans last month to become a public trainer when Godolphin Australia decided to move away from its private training model. Cummings has enjoyed phenomenal success with Godolphin over the last eight years, preparing 50 Group 1 winners for the 'Blue Army' with the likes of Anamoe, Broadsiding, Cascadian, Hartnell, Alizee and Bivouac. He will continue training some of Godolphin's horses next season including Group 1 winners Tom Kitten and Zardozi, and gifted rising three-year-old filly Tempted. But if the ATC decides not to give Cummings Leilani Lodge then the club must find another set of stables for at least 50 horses to keep the young trainer in Sydney racing. Cummings is one of the nation's elite trainers, he's media savvy and popular with punters, and Sydney racing is more competitive if he has a permanent stable presence here. Then on Tuesday, it is the ATC board's time to sweat as it awaits the result of a crucial members vote on the $5 billion Rosehill sale proposal. This issue has split the board and the racing industry, and was the talk of the track at Royal Randwick last Saturday. The pros and cons of selling Rosehill, home of the Golden Slipper, has for months prompted robust debate. If members vote in favour of selling Rosehill, the land will be used to build 25,000 new homes while ATC has unveiled plans to redevelop Warwick Farm and build a new training facility near Penrith. But the 'no' vote is still favourite with many leading industry figures against selling Rosehill, the ATC's core asset. ATC expects at least half of the club's membership base of nearly 11,500 to vote on the issue. â– â– â– â– â– Meanwhile, outstanding seven-year-old Private Eye will finally get to barrier trial at Warwick Farm on Monday ahead of his return in the Group 1 $1 million Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm next Saturday. Private Eye, winner of $11.9 million prizemoney, was due to trial last week but wet weather forced the scheduled Canterbury trial session to be cancelled twice. Trainer Joe Pride has already given Private Eye two barrier trials and said the sprinter will only be out to 'stretch his legs' in the 800m Warwick Farm heat to prepare for Saturday's big race. Private Eye is currently at $13 in early TAB Fixed Odds betting for the Kingsford Smith Cup behind Joliestar at $3.50 and Giga Kick at $4. Sunshine In Paris, winner of the Doomben 10,000, is at $6 for the Eagle Farm sprint but the brilliant mare has already been sent to the spelling paddock and will be aimed at the $20 million The Everest in spring. â– â– â– â– â– FIVE TO FOLLOW Grand Larceny (race 6) was aiming for his fourth consecutive win and although his streak ended, his fast finishing second was a full of merit. The Team Hawkes-trained sprinter was racing in restricted room early in the straight but once he worked into the clear, he produced the fastest closing sectionals of the meeting to lose narrowly. Agarwood (race 1) is only a small filly but she is big on ability. She made it two starts for two wins and like she did on debut at Warwick Farm, the best part of her race was her finishing speed. Agarwood, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, is a natural talent and will only improve with physical maturity. Let's Fly (race 4) had to do a bit of work early to eventually settle outside the leader but then coming to the turn, it was apparent she was still full of running. Let's Fly exploded clear of her rivals to win by nearly six lengths, relishing the heavy track conditions. She deserves her chance in the Queensland Oaks. Flying Embers (race 2) was never closer than three-wide and raced without cover throughout the race but still forged clear to win decisively. There was no fluke about the win and she improved her record to four wins from eight starts. Under-rated filly who can be placed to advantage again. Miss Kim Kar (race 10) went very wide on the home turn and probably found betting going near the outside rail but she accelerated brilliantly to zoom past Flying Thinker near the line with that duo gapping their rivals CRUNCH TIME - Grand Larceny (race 6) charged home from back in the field to finish a close second to Storm The Ramparts. With the extremely heavy track conditions, this was not a day conducive to fast times but Grand Larceny's final 600m of 35.63s and closing 200m of 12.64s were the best sectionals of the meeting. - Agarwood (race 1) led early and controlled the tempo before sprinting her final 600m in 37.24s to win easily. Her sectional was the fastest all meeting by a race winner with the exception of the 1000m race won by Storm The Ramparts. Agarwood's 200m split from the 400m of 11.94s was also one of the fastest of the day. Agarwood leads all the way and dominates in the first at Randwick! ðŸ'¥ @GaiWaterhouse1 — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025 - Let's Fly (race 4) settled outside the leader then ripped her home final 600m in 37.36s, an impressive burst of closing speed at the end of an 1800m race in very testing conditions. - Miss Kim Kar (race 10) made her run wide out on the track but her effort to run her final 600m in 37.55s to win the final race of the afternoon was very good. - Hollywood Hero (race 8) took the short way home along the inside rail but his final 600m of 13.90s was the slowest by any winner at the meeting and emphasised how heavy the track was on the inside late in the day. WHAT THEY SAID - 'I came back at a tricky time during the (autumn) carnival but everything happens for a reason. This is the best I have ever felt on a horse, physically and emotionally, and I'm really enjoying my riding,'' said jockey Dylan Gibbons after his wins on Hollywood Hero and Miss Kim Kar. - 'Hollywood Hero is a strange horse as he just has to be completely switched off early in his races. I emphasised that to Dylan and he was on the same page. It was a great ride,'' said trainer Bjorn Baker. Hollywood Hero takes the inside alley and wins well at Randwick! ðŸ'� @BBakerRacing | @djgibbons22 — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025 - 'It was a very easy watch. Adam (Hyeronimus, jockey) controlled it in front, the track raced beautifully and she's a terrific filly. This was only her second run, we know she handles wet tracks so she ticked that box, and was drawing away on the line,'' said Tulloch Lodge stable representative Neil Paine after Agarwood's easy win. - 'This horse is a very good wet-tracker, that was the big ace up his sleeve today,'' said Joe Pride, trainer of Storm The Ramparts. - 'I have no doubt in time he will make a very nice horse,'' said Michael Hawkes, trainer of Spione. STEWARDS SAY â– Providence (race 1) was ridden by replacement jockey Tyler Schiller after Rory Hutchings was overweight. Subsequently, Hutchings pleaded guilty to a charge that he intentionally presented to scales to weigh out without his safety vest in an endeavour to make the allotted weight. Hutchings was also found for making an inappropriate comment to the Clerk of Scales. Hutchings was found guilty of both charges and issues with two suspensions, to be served concurrently, starting June 1 and ending June 29. â– Flying Embers (race 2) began awkwardly then near the 1300m was steadied after improving onto the heels of First Mission. She raced wide and without cover throughout the event but still scored a tough, deserving win. â– A Pound Of Salt (race 3) was held up for clear running in the early part of the home straight, then passing the 200m was momentarily held up when being shifted to the outside to find clear running where he finished fast to win. A Pound Of Salt ducks and weaves through the pack to win at Randwick! 🙌 @ZacLloydx | @Howlettracing_ — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025 â– Sisu Spirit (race 4) came under heavy pressure from the 700m and did not respond to his riding, losing ground rounding the home turn. Jockey Adam Hyeronimus eased Sisu Spirit down over the final 300m and felt that the effects of a tough run at Wyong on a heavy tack may contributed to the gelding's disappointing performance. â– Wuddzz (race 5) was slow to begin and from a wide barrier then was shifted behind runners in the early stages. Held up rounding the home turn before running on strongly to finish second. â– Collect Your Cash (race 7) did not respond to her riding in the testing going and when out of contention was eased down over the final 400m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed Collect Your Cash to be lame (2/5) in the near-hind leg. RANDWICK SNAPSHOT WITH RON DUFFICY RUN OF THE DAY Obviously with the very testing conditions its hard to identify what was the run of the day but you have to like the look of the two-year-old filly Agarwood who has now done the job twice on wet and dry. She's still untapped. FORGET THEY RAN This track was so wet even proven wet trackers failed. Treat this form with care as its rare we race on a track as heavy as this. HORSE TO FOLLOW I like the look of Grand Larceny who was beaten but far from disgraced considering circumstances. He is still early in his preparation and I'm convinced he has much more to offer moving forward. RIDE OF THE DAY It was great to see Dylan Gibbons go home with a winning double. He has been off with injury of late and this is what he needed to get back on track with more opportunities. NSW RACING – THE WEEK AHEAD What's on in NSW racing this week: Monday: Newcastle, Bathurst Tuesday: Hawkesbury, Albury Wednesday: Canterbury Thursday: Gosford, Armidale Friday: Casino, Goulburn
