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Sydney Morning Herald
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Race-by-race preview and tips for Gosford on Saturday
Race 1 — 11.15AM GOSFORD IT MIDWAY BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP (1200 METRES) 7. Duck Egg Blue is back in trip, but to offset that she is four weeks between runs and back from listed company in The Championships. The lightly raced filly was racing out of her grade in the South Pacific Classic, yet overachieved, finishing a close-up fifth. She was held up in the straight, too. Confident all she has to do is get the start right to win this. She jumped half a length in front two starts ago, which should give her the inside draw. Third from the fence is perfect. A pair further back and things get problematic. 5. Don't Doubt Merlin looks the likely leader. The gamble is how vulnerable he'll be late first up over 1200m. Hasn't won beyond 1100m. Has only raced over 1200m once, and he knocked up to be well beaten, albeit the heavy track took the brunt of the blame. Has trialled well on two occasions. 3. Monte Kate looks well paired with Adam Hyeronimus again. Was posted wide throughout last start and that perhaps told at the finish. How to play it: Duck Egg Blue to win. Race 2 – 11.50AM ORTUS FINANCIAL 2YO HANDICAP (1200 METRES) 1. Sequsita found herself posted three wide outside the leaders in the Percy Sykes Stakes before sticking on well to run fourth. That was behind Tempted, which proved to be one of the standout two-year-olds of the season. She tackles this four weeks between runs and has been tasked with carrying 58kg under the handicap conditions, but she has the best CV. How the first 400m plays out will be critical to her chances. She perhaps has the most natural speed of any runner here, but there will be pressure kicking up underneath her in the early stages. If he can cross without doing too much work, they will be doing well to chase her down. 6. Hidden Achievement will need to get the start right, too. Had he shown any early speed in his trials or on debut he would be on top here. Some chance he ends up buried away worse than midfield in the run. Like the way he closed off at Canterbury on debut, giving away race experience. How to play it: Sequsita to win Race 3 – 12.25PM TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1200 METRES) 4. Joiselle jumps 1000m to 1200m but has raced well in the past off the same preparation. The last time the four-year-old tackled this trip was in Highway company at Randwick in January. She led, kicked like the winner only to be run down late by Clear Thinking and Highway Strip. One of the deepest Highways we've seen in some time. Two weeks ago, she ran in Highway company over 1000m and kept closing when third behind Massira. There is a lot of 1000m and 1100m form in this race. Joiselle runs a strong 1200m at this level. There is evidence of that already. Looks a clever claim taking 2kg off with Anna Roper. 1. Jolly Good Fellow made it two wins from three starts for Dean Mirfin when too classy at Bathurst last start. Draws wide but has gate speed and a recent 1400m win under his belt. Was only three lengths off Engine Room first up in town. 8. Ritzsun has been solid recently without winning. Didn't look to have any excuses at Mudgee last start having settled outside the leader. How to play it: Joiselle to win. Race 4 – 1PM POLVIN FENCING SYSTEMS 3&4YO BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP (1600 METRES) 1. Yankee One used barrier one to stalk the speed at Randwick last start before running out a dominant winner. Drawing the same gate here should give her a similar run in transit, and let her settle in front of her main dangers. The four-year-old finds herself in career-best form having won three from four for Bjorn Baker. At her past two starts she's improved again, which coincided with getting out to 1400m for the first time and the blinkers going back on. A tearaway leader a fortnight ago made it a testing 1400m. The official last 600m split was 37.47s. That'll toughen her up for her first try at the mile. No argument that 4. Engine Room is likely to end up the best horse in the field. He might already be. However, the draw and his racing pattern make things a touch problematic around a tight Gosford track. He'll need a clever ride from Alysha Collett, who takes over from Zac Lloyd. 5. Last Command appears to have lost his early speed, but has been great in two runs back. How to play it: Yankee One to win.
The Age
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Race-by-race preview and tips for Gosford on Saturday
Race 1 — 11.15AM GOSFORD IT MIDWAY BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP (1200 METRES) 7. Duck Egg Blue is back in trip, but to offset that she is four weeks between runs and back from listed company in The Championships. The lightly raced filly was racing out of her grade in the South Pacific Classic, yet overachieved, finishing a close-up fifth. She was held up in the straight, too. Confident all she has to do is get the start right to win this. She jumped half a length in front two starts ago, which should give her the inside draw. Third from the fence is perfect. A pair further back and things get problematic. 5. Don't Doubt Merlin looks the likely leader. The gamble is how vulnerable he'll be late first up over 1200m. Hasn't won beyond 1100m. Has only raced over 1200m once, and he knocked up to be well beaten, albeit the heavy track took the brunt of the blame. Has trialled well on two occasions. 3. Monte Kate looks well paired with Adam Hyeronimus again. Was posted wide throughout last start and that perhaps told at the finish. How to play it: Duck Egg Blue to win. Race 2 – 11.50AM ORTUS FINANCIAL 2YO HANDICAP (1200 METRES) 1. Sequsita found herself posted three wide outside the leaders in the Percy Sykes Stakes before sticking on well to run fourth. That was behind Tempted, which proved to be one of the standout two-year-olds of the season. She tackles this four weeks between runs and has been tasked with carrying 58kg under the handicap conditions, but she has the best CV. How the first 400m plays out will be critical to her chances. She perhaps has the most natural speed of any runner here, but there will be pressure kicking up underneath her in the early stages. If he can cross without doing too much work, they will be doing well to chase her down. 6. Hidden Achievement will need to get the start right, too. Had he shown any early speed in his trials or on debut he would be on top here. Some chance he ends up buried away worse than midfield in the run. Like the way he closed off at Canterbury on debut, giving away race experience. How to play it: Sequsita to win Race 3 – 12.25PM TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1200 METRES) 4. Joiselle jumps 1000m to 1200m but has raced well in the past off the same preparation. The last time the four-year-old tackled this trip was in Highway company at Randwick in January. She led, kicked like the winner only to be run down late by Clear Thinking and Highway Strip. One of the deepest Highways we've seen in some time. Two weeks ago, she ran in Highway company over 1000m and kept closing when third behind Massira. There is a lot of 1000m and 1100m form in this race. Joiselle runs a strong 1200m at this level. There is evidence of that already. Looks a clever claim taking 2kg off with Anna Roper. 1. Jolly Good Fellow made it two wins from three starts for Dean Mirfin when too classy at Bathurst last start. Draws wide but has gate speed and a recent 1400m win under his belt. Was only three lengths off Engine Room first up in town. 8. Ritzsun has been solid recently without winning. Didn't look to have any excuses at Mudgee last start having settled outside the leader. How to play it: Joiselle to win. Race 4 – 1PM POLVIN FENCING SYSTEMS 3&4YO BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP (1600 METRES) 1. Yankee One used barrier one to stalk the speed at Randwick last start before running out a dominant winner. Drawing the same gate here should give her a similar run in transit, and let her settle in front of her main dangers. The four-year-old finds herself in career-best form having won three from four for Bjorn Baker. At her past two starts she's improved again, which coincided with getting out to 1400m for the first time and the blinkers going back on. A tearaway leader a fortnight ago made it a testing 1400m. The official last 600m split was 37.47s. That'll toughen her up for her first try at the mile. No argument that 4. Engine Room is likely to end up the best horse in the field. He might already be. However, the draw and his racing pattern make things a touch problematic around a tight Gosford track. He'll need a clever ride from Alysha Collett, who takes over from Zac Lloyd. 5. Last Command appears to have lost his early speed, but has been great in two runs back. How to play it: Yankee One to win.
Telegraph
03-04-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Wimbledon reveals plans for Henman Hill makeover
Wimbledon has announced plans to upgrade and expand the grassy expanse located next to Court One, commonly known as 'Henman Hill' or 'Murray Mound', to celebrate its 150th anniversary. The iconic grass slope is annually packed with fans, particularly for the big matches when those without tickets to the stadium courts gather to watch the action on a big screen. To coincide with the All England Championships' 150th celebrations in 2027, Wimbledon has proposed to expand the hill's capacity by around 20 per cent, including new facilities for wheelchairs, as well as more seating and more eco-diversity. On Thursday, the All England Club announced the existing paths would be removed after next year's championships and replaced with permeable pathways as well as more provisions for shade and a new pergola, in addition to more flowers. Deborah Jevans CBE, chair of the All England Club, commented: 'The redevelopment of our world-famous Hill, in time for The Championships 2027, will allow even more tennis fans to enjoy its unique atmosphere and vantage point. I am particularly pleased that these plans will increase the accessibility of The Hill for our guests using wheelchairs or who have additional accessibility requirements. 'It is an exciting opportunity as we look towards 2027 and the 150th anniversary of the first Championships.' Ruth Hopkins, general manager and head of access at disabled fans group Level Playing Field, welcomed the proposed changes in a statement: 'I am delighted that Level Playing Field has played an important role in working with the All England Club to enhance their world-famous Hill to be an inclusive and accessible space for everyone attending Wimbledon. These plans will deliver significant improvements for all guests but particularly for those with accessibility requirements.' The revamp is yet to be confirmed and a consultation event in April will invite local residents to offer their feedback before planning permission is sought from the local borough, Merton. Wimbledon is currently facing a High Court confrontation with local residents after being granted planning permission for an expansion of the site by the Deputy Mayor of London. A judicial review is scheduled for July 8 and 9 over the controversial plans to build an 8,000-seater stadium and new tennis courts on the site of the old Wimbledon Park golf course. Those plans have been contested by the Save Wimbledon Park campaign and local MPs since it was first proposed in 2021.
