Latest news with #TheInflictor
The Australian
3 days ago
- Business
- The Australian
Chris Waller gives hobby trainer reason to believe he can complete Stradbroke fairytale
As he counts down the days to a fairytale crack at the 2025 Stradbroke Handicap, larrikin Brisbane hobby trainer Craig Cousins has the words of Chris Waller ringing in his ears. It will be a David versus Goliath battle in the Stradbroke as 60-year-old Cousins, who only has three horses in work, takes on some of racing's biggest names. Cousins knows he has a good horse and a good Stradbroke chance with home-bred hero The Inflictor, who is a $15 chance in Queensland's most prestigious race on Saturday week. • 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 Inflictor qualified for the Stradbroke by scoring a golden ticket when winning The Gateway at Eagle Farm and he rubber-stamped his claims by scoring at Doomben last month with Nash Rawiller in the saddle. Enter Waller, who has infused Cousins with extra confidence and belief heading into the $3m Stradbroke. • Benagil still Oaks benchmark 'if she brings her A-game' 'I had never met Chris Waller before, I had just seen him from a distance and that was about it,' Cousins said. 'He's obviously a master at what he does. 'I was walking around after the race the other day and I heard someone yelling, 'Craig, Craig'. 'I recognised the voice and it was Chris Waller. He shook my hand and congratulated me. 'Chris said, 'this is what racing is about, this is a great story'. He said he wished me all the best for the Stradbroke. 'I told Chris he would probably have a good Stradbroke horse himself. 'He said, 'don't worry about mine Craig, yours is a genuine chance'.' Four-year-old The Inflictor has won $499,000 in prizemoney and will add another $1.8m to that haul if he scores the Group 1 Stradbroke at Eagle Farm. It would be one of the greatest stories in Stradbroke history. • 'You'll see the best of her Saturday': Vandyke's warning to Oaks rivals Cousins juggles his day job as a truck driver with his work training horses but will put the handbrakes on the truck driving job next week so he can enjoy Stradbroke week. He has even bought himself a new suit for Stradbroke week and several new ties. He plans to lap up the week and go to Breakfast With The Stars at Eagle Farm on Tuesday as well as the barrier draw function at The Star on Tuesday night. 'Life wouldn't change too much if I won the Stradbroke, but it would be a bloody good feeling,' Cousins said. 'My horse's win the other day was really impressive, I didn't realise how impressive it was until I watched a replay later. 'I can only have three horses at the one time, if I have any more it's too hard doing it one-out. 'I do get an occasional hand off different friends, but most of the time it's just me. 'This horse will have a red-hot go in the Stradbroke.'
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Chris Waller gives hobby trainer Craig Cousins reason to believe he can complete Stradbroke Handicap fairytale
As he counts down the days to a fairytale crack at the 2025 Stradbroke Handicap, larrikin Brisbane hobby trainer Craig Cousins has the words of Chris Waller ringing in his ears. It will be a David versus Goliath battle in the Stradbroke as 60-year-old Cousins, who only has three horses in work, takes on some of racing's biggest names. Cousins knows he has a good horse and a good Stradbroke chance with home-bred hero The Inflictor, who is a $15 chance in Queensland's most prestigious race on Saturday week. The Inflictor qualified for the Stradbroke by scoring a golden ticket when winning The Gateway at Eagle Farm and he rubber-stamped his claims by scoring at Doomben last month with Nash Rawiller in the saddle. Enter Waller, who has infused Cousins with extra confidence and belief heading into the $3m Stradbroke. 'I had never met Chris Waller before, I had just seen him from a distance and that was about it,' Cousins said. 'He's obviously a master at what he does. 'I was walking around after the race the other day and I heard someone yelling, 'Craig, Craig'. 'I recognised the voice and it was Chris Waller. 'He shook my hand and congratulated me. 'Chris said, 'this is what racing is about, this is a great story'. 'He said he wished me all the best for the Stradbroke. 'I told Chris he would probably have a good Stradbroke horse himself. 'He said, 'don't worry about mine Craig, yours is a genuine chance'.' The Inflictor dominates Race 2 at Doomben! ðŸ'° @nashhot — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025 Four-year-old The Inflictor has won $499,000 in prizemoney and will add another $1.8m to that haul if he scores the Group 1 Stradbroke at Eagle Farm. It would be one of the greatest stories in Stradbroke history. Cousins juggles his day job as a truck driver with his work training horses but will put the handbrakes on the truck driving job next week so he can enjoy Stradbroke week. He has even bought himself a new suit for Stradbroke week and several new ties. He plans to lap up the week and go to Breakfast With The Stars at Eagle Farm on Tuesday as well as the barrier draw function at The Star on Tuesday night. 'Life wouldn't change too much if I won the Stradbroke, but it would be a bloody good feeling,' Cousins said. 'My horse's win the other day was really impressive, I didn't realise how impressive it was until I watched a replay later. 'I can only have three horses at the one time, if I have any more it's too hard doing it one-out. 'I do get an occasional hand off different friends, but most of the time it's just me. 'This horse will have a red-hot go in the Stradbroke.'
News.com.au
24-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Craig Cousins-trained 2025 Stradbroke Handicap hope The Inflictor on song at Doomben
The Inflictor rounded out his Stradbroke build-up with a commanding victory to the delight of punters in a Benchmark 85 Handicap at Doomben on Saturday. The Craig Cousins -trained galloper never gave his rivals a look in over the 1350m trip, racing on the speed before strolling clear in the straight with jockey Nash Rawiller throwing the reins at the four-year-old gelding. The Inflictor ($3.10 fav) defeated Sir Artie ($16) by 1-1/2 lengths with $101 outsider Without Revenge a short-half-head away in third. 'Put him in the box-seat (in the Stradbroke Handicap), get the run at the top of the straight and he'll be in the finish,' Rawiller said. 'I was impressed with his turn of foot.' The Inflictor secured ballot exemption in Queensland premier race with a win in the $300,000 The Gateway back in December and his trainer confirmed one of Queensland's leading ladies Cejay Graham would ride The Inflictor at 51kg in the Stradbroke. Cousins, who will take the week off from his day job as a truck driver on Stradbroke week, declared The Inflictor would not race again until his June 14 assignment, with the son of Under The Louve to spend plenty of time on a water walker between now and then. 'Onwards and upwards,' he said. 'I never thought it would happen to me so I'm just going to enjoy it. 'He's a character, he's a real dude this horse. 'He's a charm to have and makes my job easy.' The Inflictor dominates Race 2 at Doomben! ðŸ'° @nashhot — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025 The Inflictor firmed in Stradbroke betting from $34 to $26 following Saturday's victory. Meanwhile, Saturday's two Listed class races were won by Manhood and Belegato. The Chief De Beers (1110m) was turned upside down at the start when the expected leader Economics missed the start hopelessly. Rachel King aboard Manhood seized the opportunity, sending her mount to lead and dictating terms to suit themselves. The Annabel and Rob Archibald -trained galloper led throughout to win easily from King Kapa with Cannonball rounding out the placings. A perfect @RachelK11 ride sees Manhood take out Race 4 at Doomben for @ANeashamRacing! — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025 'He's just like riding a big armchair,' King said. 'He just kept building and with 53 (kilos) on his back, he just kept finding.' In the Darby McCarthy OAM QTIS 3YO (1110m), the run of the race was key to Belegato's success. The Liam Birchley -trained gelding trailed the speed before being presented at the top of the straight and from there he wasn't being beaten. Belegato, under Jag Guthmann-Chester, defeated the hard closing Mayfair with in third.
