Latest news with #TeamHawkes
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
The Last Say: Tips, inside mail for Eagle Farm, Rosehill, Caulfield and more on Saturday, May 31, 2025
Trainer Chris Waller can set an all-time record for most Group 1 wins in a season at Eagle Farm today. The Hall of Fame trainer has already prepared 18 big-race winners this season – including seven majors with champion mare Via Sistina – to equal the record he set in 2018-19 when the mighty Winx was having her final season of racing. Waller gets an opportunity to set a new national record with $3 favourite Joliestar or stablemate Democracy Manifest ($51) in the Group 1 $1 million Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m). But if Waller misses out in the feature sprint, he could have as many as four starters in the Group 1 $1 million Queensland Derby (2400m) with Belle Detelle ($6), Imperialist ($19) and Existential Bob ($41), plus emergency Liberty Park ($101). The Derby favourite at $5.50 is the Emma-Lee and David Browne -trained Statuario who comes off a last start second in the South Australian Derby behind Femminile. The other feature race at Eagle Farm is the Group 2 $1 million BRC Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) with the Team Hawkes -trained colt Gallo Nero at $4.20. At Rosehill Gardens, the feature race is the Listed $200,000 Lord Mayor's Cup (2000m) with trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald saddling up five starters and all are imports – Don Diego De Vega ($7.50), Shahzad ($11), Double Cherry ($19), Sir Chartwell ($26) and Mormona ($51). The Ciaron Maher -trained Glory Daze has firmed into Cup favouritism at $4.60 and is on the back-up after last week's tough win at Royal Randwick. At Caulfield, all eyes will be on the Listed $175,000 Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m), for which the Grahame Begg -trained Niance is a $2.50 favourite as she returns to the track for the first time in almost seven months. â– â– â– â– â– ROSEHILL GARDENS Weather: Cool, mostly sunny day and a forecast top temperature of 19c. Track: Heavy (9). Rail: True. EAGLE FARM Weather: Mild, cloudy day with a high chance of showers and a forecast top temperature of 21c. Track: Soft (6). Rail: True. CAULFIELD Weather: Cool, partly cloudy day with a forecast top temperature of 16c. Track: Good (4). Rail: 8m out. MORPHETTVILLE Weather: Cool, mostly sunny day and a forecast top temperature of 19c. Track: Soft (6). Rail: 10m out from 1200m to the winning post. 🚨TAB Track Report 🚨 The latest on the Rosehill Gardens track ahead of Lord Mayors Cup Day. @racing_nsw | @tabcomau | @SkyRacingAU | @7horseracing 🎟ï¸�Tickets: â›…ï¸� Weather Tracker: — Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) May 29, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– BE WARY Rosehill's track surface has been rated a heavy 9 for most of the week although no rain has fallen since Monday. With mild, sunny weather forecast, there is some chance of an upgrade but the track should stay in the heavy range. Eagle Farm's track is a soft 6 but much will depend on how much rain does fall during the day. Anything from 7 to 40mls is forecast which will obviously impact the track rating. Stay on weather watch and also study the early Eagle Farm races for any track bias. Caulfield is on a good 4 surface but the rail is out 8m so it may favour those on speed. â– â– â– â– â– ROSEHILL GARDENS TIPS BEST BET: Race 7 No.10 KERGUELEN is a promising Godolphin sprinter resuming after six months. He has not missed a top two finish in five starts, winning twice, including his runaway win on debut at Kembla nearly a year ago when he put 10 lengths on his chasing rivals in heavy going. He also won at Warwick Farm in heavy going that same preparation. Trainer James Cummings has given Kerguelen two very easy trials to prepare for his comeback, the most recent when he was kept under a tight hold before finishing a close sixth to Angel Capital on the Polytrack at Warwick Farm. He handles wet tracks and sprints well fresh. That was impressive! ðŸ'� Kerguelen gets his second win at start three for @godolphin ðŸ'µ Easy as you like for @zaclloydx — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 10, 2024 THE NEXT BEST: Race 6 No.3 FURIOUS has been improved by two runs from a spell including a narrow loss to Pippie Beach on the Kensington track last start. He has won third-up previously, is well placed here on his home track and from the good draw (barrier two). Furious should get the run of the race, he handles heavy tracks and looks very hard to beat. Furious ($15) is too good for Trosettee at Caulfield ðŸ'° @JChilds47 gets a double ✌ï¸� @HawkesRacing — (@Racing) May 11, 2024 VALUE BET: Race 4 No.12 LIKE LUKEY resumed in the Scone Country Cup and came from near last on the turn with a strong run through near the inside to finish second, beaten less than a length by all-the-way upset winner Who Ever Thought. Like Lukey's comeback effort at 1400m was eye-catching, going out to 1500m suits, she's drawn well and should settle closer to the lead, and she won second-up by a big margin when last in work. Like Lukey is very genuine and terrific each way value around $12. Like Lukey makes it three in-a-row for @Leesracing! — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 15, 2024 THE WHISPER: Race 2 No.2 BOYS NIGHT OUT is bursting to win a race. He has had three runs back from a spell and comes to Rosehill off successive second placings at Doomben and Eagle Farm when beaten narrowly both times. Trainer Matthew Dunn has an outstanding record in Highways, particularly those with good Brisbane form like Boys Night Out. Drawn to get all the favours from barrier two. Back him with confidence. â– â– â– â– â– EAGLE FARM TIPS BEST BET: Race 4 No.1 TAVI TIME was aided by an inside draw and a good ride but he was still impressive beating a strong field in the Scone Cup with ease. He's right at his peak after three runs from a spell and going out to 1800m is no issue. James McDonald is an important booking and if the track stays in the soft range, it's perfect for the big bay. Tavi Time's generally holds his form through an extended preparation. Tavi Time WINS the Scone Cup! ðŸ�† @LeesKris — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 16, 2025 NEXT BEST: Race 1 No.7 DEMON DARB is racing in very good form. He scored successive wins at Doomben and Eagle Farm in April, had excuses when unplaced two starts back then ran very well for third to the handy Fukubana in a strong form race at Doomben. Demon Darb handles soft-heavy conditions, he's drawn to get the right run, and will be hard to beat. Demon Darb wins again at Eagle Farm! 🙌 @baileywheeler05 | @BrisRacingClub — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 19, 2025 VALUE BET: Race 8 No.15 EXISTENTIAL BOB is at $41 for the Queensland Derby but he's a good each way gamble. Existential Bob is just starting to learn what racing is all about and has struck form at the right time leading throughout to win at Wyong and Ipswich on heavy tracks. With the likelihood Eagle Farm will be in the soft-heavy range, Existential Bob will enjoy those conditions, makes his own luck racing on speed and he can stay. He gave the others a crisis! Existential Bob is too good for them at @IpswichTurfClub 🥳 @RMaloney_Jockey | @cwallerracing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 21, 2025 THE WHISPER: Race 9 No.7 KIN is a talented Godolphin mare improved by two runs from a spell including her closing second in the Bright Shadow at Doomben two weeks ago. She's peaking now and did win a stakes race at Caulfield third-up last spring. The expected wet track conditions won't bother Kin, James McDonald stays with the mare, and she's certain to be very competitive. â– â– â– â– â– TAB FIXED ODDS BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS ROSEHILL GARDENS Race 1: Zebra Finch $4.80-$4.60 Race 2: Boys Night Out $3.30-$2.80, Warrior For Peace $5-$3.50 Race 3: Harry's Bar $4.20-$4, I Am Brave $6.50-$4.40, Lady Extreme $8.50-$4.60, Vegas Raider $12-$6 Race 4: Hopper $12-$7 Race 5: Ellipsis $11-$4.60, Massira $19-$10 Race 6: Pure Alpha $7.50-$5.50, Little Cointreau $7.50-$6, Scalextrics $18-$9.50 Race 7: Kerguelen $3.30-$3.10, Unstopabull $11-$6, Spanish Fox $26-$10, Smashing Time $26-$11 Race 8: Glory Daze $11-$4.60, Major Beel $8-$6, Private Legacy $8-$6.50, Touristic $11-$7.50, Shahzad $26-$12 Race 9: Misterkipchoge $8-$5 including a $1000 each way at $7/$2.30, Cormac T $8-$6.50, Anderson Bridge $15-$8, Half Yours $11-$8.50 with a bet of $2000 at $9, Good Prize $19-$10 Race 10: Weeping Woman $8-$4.60 â– â– â– â– â– LADBROKES BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS ROSEHILL GARDENS Race 1: Zebra Finch $5.50-$3.70 including a bet of $555 at$4.60 Race 2: Boy's Night Out $3.30-$2.70, My Last Hooray $13-$15-$14 with a $500 bet at $15 Race 3: Lady Extreme $7.50-$4.20, Harry's Bar $4.50-$5 with a bet of $2000 at $4.60 Race 4: Hopper $10-$6.50, Mickey's Medal $12-$8.50 Race 5: Ellipsis $6.50-$3.90 with bets of $1000 at $4.60, $740 at $4.20, Massira $15-$9.50, King's Secret $26-$9.50 Race 6: Little Cointreau $8-$6 with a $2500 bet at $7, Scalextrics $14-$9.50, Forecaster $23-$14 Race 7: Unstopabull $11-$6 with a $500 bet $9.75), Spanish Fox $14-$8.50, Iron Man $17-$11 Race 8: Glory Daze $10-$5, Kadavar $8-$5.50, Touristic $12-7, Shahzad $26-$10 Race 9: Misterkipchoge $7.50-$4.60, Cormac T $8-$6, Anderson Bridge $16-$7 Race 10: Weeping Woman $7-$4 EAGLE FARM Race 1: Felix The Scat $13-$12 with a $1900 bet at $12 Race 2: Terrestar $9.50-$6.50, Aerial Dancer $21-$12 Race 3: Flying Bandit $7.50-$5, Campaldino $10-$6.50, Dillian $11-$9.50 including a bet of $2500 e/w at $9.50/3.20 Race 4: Tavi Time $2.80-$2.70 with a bet of $1176 at $2.70, New Endeavour $5-$3.20 after bets of $500 at $5, $500 at $4.60 Race 5: Grafterburners $10-$7 Race 6: Angel Capital $4-$3.20 after bets of $810 at $3.30, $1200, $911 and $500 at $3.20, Stay Focused $10-$7.50, Media World $14-$8 Race 7: Joliestar $3.30-$2.90-$3 with a bet of $3000 a $3, Giga Kick $5-$7-$5.50 after bets of $1000 a $7, $700 at $6.50, $550 at $6), Bosustow $13-8.50, Zarastro $61-$27 Race 8: Belle Detelle $8.50-$6 with a $500 wager at $6.50, Lavalier $21-$12 Race 9: Navyonthehighway $27-$12 CAULFIELD Race 1: Warrior Smile $4.80-$3.80, Millenium $7-$4 Race 2: Splash Back $5-$3.90 after bets of $875 at $5.50, $500 at $5 five times, $1000 e/w at $4.80/$1.95), Excess $8-$6 Race 3: Big Swinger $2.80-$2.30 with bets of $1000 at $2.85, $1111 at $2.80 twice, $1176 at $2.70 twice, $800, $700 and $600 at $2.70, $1500 a $2.30 Race 4: Extreme Virtue $6-$5 with bets of $2000 e/w at $5.50/$2.15, Silver Cliff $21-$9, Lincolnshire $18-$11 Race 5: Madiyya $2.70-$2.80-$2.10 after bets of $1113, $1111 and $1100 at $2.80 Race 6: Lim's Saltoro $8-$5.50 Race 7: Wonder Kid $5-$4.40 after a $500 bet at $5.15, Bold Soul $6-$5.50 with a $4000 e/w bet at $5.50/$2.15 Race 8: Niance $2.80-$2.50 after bets of $1111 a $2.80 four times, $1000 at $2.80, $1000 at $2.60, $1266 at $2.50), Recommendation $11-$7.50, Aviatress $19-$12 Race 9: Dirty Grin $5-$4.20 with bets of $500 at $4.80, $500 at $4.60, $500 â– â– â– â– â– INTERSTATE MAIL Caulfield Race 3 No.1 BIG SWINGER Caulfield Race 4 No.11 SOUND IT OUT Caulfield Race 5 No.2 MADDIYA Caulfield Race 8 No.7 NIANCE Morphettville Race 3 No.4 BEACH PAD Morphettville Race 4 No.6 WILD WINNER PROVINCIAL MAIL Kembla Grange Race 2 No.4 RIGHTEOUS LEGEND Kembla Grange Race 5 No.1 INOUE
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
‘We've had a good season': Team Hawkes on verge of surpassing stable prizemoney record
Team Hawkes are on the verge of a personal stable milestone at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. The training partnership of Hall of Famer John Hawkes and his sons Michael and Wayne have already prepared 58 winners on all tracks during 2024-25, including three at Group 1 level, for stable earnings of $10,721,795. The stable's trio of Group 1 wins with Briasa (TJ Smith Stakes), Nepotism (Champagne Stakes) and Devil Night (Blue Diamond) is the most majors they have trained in one season since All Too Hard won four elite level races in 2012-13. • But with only two months of the season remaining, Team Hawkes is certain to break its previous best season's prizemoney return of $10,809,625 set in 2021-22 – and it could happen as early as Saturday's home track Rosehill meeting. The Hawkes stable has starters in four races including fancied duo Furious in the Ranvet Handicap (1500m) and Brave One in the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1200m). 'We've had a good season because we only have a small team in work these days with 35 at Rosehill and 25 at Flemington,'' John Hawkes said. 'We keep chipping away and we were lucky to win a few big races which always helps.'' The Rosehill track was rated a Heavy 9 late on Friday with the likelihood of an upgrade on race day. 'The weather seems to have come good for a few days but the track is not going to dry out too much,'' Hawkes said. 'Our horses should handle the track but you don't want it too heavy.'' Furious is the pick of the Hawkes stable runners at Rosehill if TAB betting is any guide as he is challenging for favouritism at $5 behind only Enter The Dragon at $4.80. Hawkes said Furious, part-owned by Rupert Legh of Chautauqua fame, has trained on well after his close second to Pippie Beach at a Kensington meeting earlier this month. 'Furious has 60.5kg and it's never easy when carrying big weights on wet tracks,'' Hawkes said. 'But the horse is well in himself and certainly we feel he will be competitive.'' Brave One, who is also part-owned by Legh, resumed with a close second to Cruel Summer in heavy conditions at Canterbury a month ago. But the Hawkes-trained sprinter gets in with only 54kg for his Rosehill race and is firm in betting at $6 behind Godolphin sprinter Kerguelen at $3.10. 'Brave One has had time to get over his first-up run,'' Hawkes said. 'This is a harder race but we are happy with him.'' Hawkes has also entered Allapercanto ($23) and Liberty State ($26) for the TAB Handicap (1200m) and Catahoula ($17) is in the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1100m). At Eagle Farm, the Hawkes stable can secure another feature two-year-old race with promising Gallo Nero ($4.20 favourite) for the Group 2 $1m BRC Sires Produce Stakes. Meanwhile, Hawkes said the 'grey flash' Briasa and boom two-year-old Nepotism are still out spelling and won't return to the Rosehill stable for another two weeks. Briasa has been selected by slot-holders Max Whitby, Neil Werrett and Col Madden for the $20m The TAB Everest at Royal Randwick on October 18 while Nepotism is likely to be aimed at the Group 1 three-year-old classics, Golden Rose (1400m) and Caulfield Guineas (1600m). 'We haven't locked in their spring programs but with Briasa he will only have one or two runs into The Everest,'' Hawkes said. 'He won't have too many runs each preparation, that way we can keep him racing for longer. 'Nepotism we will take along quietly and hopefully get him to races like the Golden Rose and the Caulfield Guineas.'' â– â– â– â– â– On the subject of significant achievements, Chris Waller and James McDonald can challenge national Group 1 records at Eagle Farm. Waller goes into the meeting having already trained 18 Group 1 winners this season, equalling the all-time record he set in 2018/19. McDonald has ridden 14 Australian Group 1 winners during 2024-25 and has the opportunity to edge closer or even equal 'Miracle' Mal Johnston's longstanding national riding record of 16 major race winners he established in 1979-80. Waller and McDonald team up with brilliant mare Joliestar ($3 favourite) in the Group 1 $1m Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) and Belle Detelle ($5.50) in the Group 1 $1m Queensland Derby (2400m). Waller has multiple runners in both Group 1 races with Democracy Manifest ($41) in the Kingsford Smith Cup, while in the Derby the trainer is also saddling up Imperalist ($19), Existential Bob ($41) and possibly emergency Liberty Park ($101). Meanwhile, Waller will pass the $50 million prizemoney stable for the season on Saturday. The Hall of Fame trainer has already prepared the winners of $49,987,130 to trail only Ciaron Maher with a record $55,737,500 (and counting) on this season's prizemoney rankings. â– â– â– â– â– Bacio Del Mist might be the rank outsider at $81 for the Listed $200,000 Lord Mayor's Cup (2000m) at Rosehill but trainer Cherie Curtis expects the grey mare to run a 'competitive race'. 'She ran well at Scone last start, it was only 1700m and she was just run off her legs,'' Curtis said. 'But we are getting her ready for some of the winter staying races and she is much better for the run.'' Interestingly, the only mare to win the Lord Mayor's Cup in more than two decades was a grey – Polly Grey in 2021. â– â– â– â– â– Dave Morrison will officiate at his first Sydney Saturday meeting as Rosehill track manager. The experienced Morrison was appointed earlier this month to replace Shaun Patterson. Morrison spent 30 years on the track staff at Royal Randwick and the last two at Rosehill so his transition to the top job has been seamless. The official track rating for Rosehill late on Friday was a Heavy 9 after more than 110mm of rain fell on the track over the last seven days but Morrison will be hoping for an upgrade on race day.
News.com.au
16-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Schweida struggling to line up the form in Group 2 Spirit of Boom Classic at Doomben
Brisbane trainer Kelly Schweida is an astute reader of form but even he's battling to read the tea leaves for the Group 2 Spirit of Boom Classic at Doomben on Saturday. Schweida has $9.50 chance Grafterburners in the $300,000 race for two-year-olds over 1200m, with the Team Hawkes-trained Gallo Nero the $4.40 favourite. With the mixture of southern raiders and locals in the 17-horse field, combined with the flighty nature of juveniles, it could be anyone's guess who comes out on top in the Spirit of Boom Classic. Grafterburners has won two of his five races, including an impressive last-start victory two months ago in the $500,000 QTIS Jewel 2YO (1200m) on the Gold Coast. Before that he placed fourth in the $2m Inglis Millennium (1100m) at Randwick behind Rivellino and Within the Law, which went on to finish runner-up to Nepotism in last month's Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) at the same track. 'It's all different form when you go through there,' Schweida said. 'Magic Millions form is different to that, there's Kindergarten (Stakes) form. 'It's all very hard to line up. It's nearly impossible when I do the form and I do a lot of form.' With regular rider Cejay Graham suspended, Schweida has turned to Sydney jockey Jason Collett to steer Grafterburners on Saturday. 'He's got a bit of an awkward gate (11) and who knows what the track is going to be like,' Schweida said of his star colt,' Schweida said. 'I'll be shocked if the track's not a Heavy 9. It's a Soft 7 now (Friday morning) and the forecast is for more rain. 'Some of those two-year-old horses have jumped out of the woodwork. 'It's a pretty handy field. The favourite (Gallo Nero) ran third in the Magic Millions (2YO Classic), you've got Chris Waller's horses (United States and Kilman). It's a pretty hot race.' Grafterburners is nominated for the $1m Group 2 Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) on May 31 and the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) on June 14, two of the richest juvenile races in Australia, at Eagle Farm. 'It's trial and error. You'd think he can get to 1400m and a mile but you don't really know until you get there,' Schweida said. The trainer continues to be astounded by the strength of this year's Queensland winter carnival, pointing to his talented mare Miss Joelene being $4.40 in the Listed Brisbane Handicap (1600m) late last month before her odds skyrocketed for the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) on the Gold Coast. 'Miss Joelene was in a Listed race the other day and she was the $4.40 second favourite,' he said. 'Two weeks later she's $34 in the Hollindale (where she finished fourth on a heavy track). 'You think you've got some pretty good horses until the opposition comes.'
News.com.au
22-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Via Sistina the only certainty in open Horse of the Year awards
The close of Sydney's showpiece autumn carnival usually provides clarity for the various Horse of the Year award categories each season – but not this year! The only certainty is that Via Sistina will claim Horse of the Year after successive autumn carnival Group 1 wins in the Verry Elleegant Stakes, Ranvet Stakes and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, bringing her tally of big-race wins in 2024-25 to a record-equalling seven. The champion mare also wins the middle distance category and is a contender for the miler title although she has opposition from Epsom Handicap-King Charles III Stakes winner Ceolwulf, Mr Brightside (Makybe Diva Stakes, Champions Mile) and Fangirl (Queen of the Turf Stakes). But with 12 Group 1 races left this season – four in Adelaide and eight in Brisbane – the other awards categories are wide open, particularly the three-year-old filly division. Melbourne's wonder filly Treasurethe Moment won eight races in a row during the season including three at Group 1 level in the VRC Oaks, Vinery Stud Stakes and ATC Australian Oaks. But is that enough to secure champion three-year-old filly honours? Lady Shenandoah will have her admirers after an unbeaten season that included her Group 1 treble in the Flight Stakes, Surround Stakes and notably her defeat of the mares in the Coolmore Classic. Aeliana 's absolute dominance of the 'boys' in the ATC Australian Derby puts her into the conversation but unbeaten Autumn Glow 's obvious potential probably isn't enough to earn the fillies title. The two-year-old award is similarly contentious with four different winners of the juvenile Group 1 races this season. Marhoona only had three starts culminating with her Golden Slipper win so she has to be among the main contenders. Unbeaten Vinrock won his three starts and is the first horse since Full On Aces (1981) to win the VRC Sires'-ATC Sires' double, while Team Hawkes won two-year-olds majors with the very impressive Nepotism (Champagne Stakes) and Devil Night (Blue Diamond). Godolphin's Tempted was the unlucky two-year-old in both the Blue Diamond (seventh) and Golden Slipper (third), but won the Reisling Stakes beating Marhoona in a brilliant 1min 8.49sec and claimed the Percy Sykes Stakes despite enduring a wide run. But her luckless losses in the majors will most likely cost her the juvenile title, too. The champion three-year-old colt or gelding is also up for grabs although Godolphin colt Broadsiding has a compelling case as the only male in the age group to win twice at Group 1 level so far this season with success in the Golden Rose and Rosehill Guineas. He was also placed in the Cox Plate. But Private Harry, unbeaten in five starts, burst on to the scene like a comet this season culminating with wins in The Sunlight and then the Group 1 The Galaxy against older sprinters ensuring he will have plenty of support. Linebacker did beat Broadsiding in the Randwick Guineas (Aeliana was fourth) but that was his only win for the season so he probably hasn't done enough to claim the three-year-old colt or gelding award. Jimmysstar became the only dual Group 1-winning sprinter so far this season with his fast-finishing All Aged Stakes triumph last Saturday complementing an Oakleigh Plate win. But The Everest winner Bella Nipotina is arguably still slight favourite to win the sprinter division although this is a hotly contested award with Briasa (TJ Smith Stakes), Joliestar (Newmarket Handicap), Sunshine In Paris (Champions Sprint) and Overpass (Winterbottom Stakes) all contenders. Similarly, the champion stayer category is also very open. The Melbourne Cup winner often has the advantage but Knight's Choice is behind the likes Duke De Sessa (Caulfield Cup) and Arapaho (Sydney Cup). â– â– â– â– â– 2024-25 HORSE OF THE YEAR AWARD CONTENDERS HORSE OF THE YEAR: Via Sistina CHAMPION MIDDLE DISTANCE: Via Sistina
