Latest news with #TheLocomotive
Herald Sun
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
The Locomotive's Swedish sojourn to continue
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Star Australian trotter The Locomotive will continue his Swedish campaign despite the disappointment of missing a spot in the Elitlopp final last night. Trainer-driver Brad Hewitt was deflated with the result but pleased with The Locomotive's effort when sixth in the second Elitlopp heat from which only the first four progressed to the final two hours later. Hewitt snagged the five-year-old back from his wide draw (gate seven) and settled last of the eight runners while his key rivals dictated terms up front and filled the top three placings (Don Fanucci Jet beat Borups Victory with Hohneck third). The Locomotive finished strongly late without ever threatening. • 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! 'It was always going to be a big challenge and then the wide draw made it so much harder, almost impossible to be honest,' Hewitt said. 'To have any chance, we needed the leaders to really run along, but our heat was much slower than the first heat, so we had no chance of making the ground we needed to qualify from so far. 'It's disappointing on that level, but I was proud of the way he finished the race off against some of the best trotters in the world. 'He came through the run well. He pulled-up great and his heart rate showed he's very fit. 'It's given us the confidence we need to push on and leave him here for another few races.' Hewitt will return home to his big team of horses in Goulburn, leaving The Locomotive with trainer Susanne Frang, partner of champion driver Magnus Djuse. The Locomotive, driven by trainer Brad Hewitt, before his Eltlopp heat. Picture: Jess Watkins The Locomotive's next start is likely to be the Group 1 Norbottens Stora Pris in Boden on June 14. It's a race former Aussie champion Just Believe ran one of the biggest performances of his career in when second to local star Francesco Zet in two years ago. 'Given the Inter Dominion is in July and he'll miss it, there isn't much for him back home until early next year,' Hewitt said. 'As long as he's going to be competitive, it makes sense to leave him there for another few races to try and pick up a placing in a feature, which would only enhance his value as a stallion for later on.' Hewitt said the whole Elitlopp experience was beyond belief. 'Nothing prepares you for it. You watch at home, but to be here and feel the energy and passion for it all … it's nuts,' he said. 'We didn't get the result we hoped for, but we've all had the experience of a lifetime and the support and respect for our horse over here has been incredible.' • Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp. Originally published as The Locomotive's Swedish sojourn to continue, despite Elitlopp disappointment
News.com.au
26-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
The Locomotive's Swedish sojourn to continue, despite Elitlopp disappointment
Star Australian trotter The Locomotive will continue his Swedish campaign despite the disappointment of missing a spot in the Elitlopp final last night. Trainer-driver Brad Hewitt was deflated with the result but pleased with The Locomotive's effort when sixth in the second Elitlopp heat from which only the first four progressed to the final two hours later. Hewitt snagged the five-year-old back from his wide draw (gate seven) and settled last of the eight runners while his key rivals dictated terms up front and filled the top three placings (Don Fanucci Jet beat Borups Victory with Hohneck third). The Locomotive finished strongly late without ever threatening. 'It was always going to be a big challenge and then the wide draw made it so much harder, almost impossible to be honest,' Hewitt said. 'To have any chance, we needed the leaders to really run along, but our heat was much slower than the first heat, so we had no chance of making the ground we needed to qualify from so far. 'It's disappointing on that level, but I was proud of the way he finished the race off against some of the best trotters in the world. 'He came through the run well. He pulled-up great and his heart rate showed he's very fit. 'It's given us the confidence we need to push on and leave him here for another few races.' Hewitt will return home to his big team of horses in Goulburn, leaving The Locomotive with trainer Susanne Frang, partner of champion driver Magnus Djuse. The Locomotive's next start is likely to be the Group 1 Norbottens Stora Pris in Boden on June 14. It's a race former Aussie champion Just Believe ran one of the biggest performances of his career in when second to local star Francesco Zet in two years ago. 'Given the Inter Dominion is in July and he'll miss it, there isn't much for him back home until early next year,' Hewitt said. 'As long as he's going to be competitive, it makes sense to leave him there for another few races to try and pick up a placing in a feature, which would only enhance his value as a stallion for later on.' Hewitt said the whole Elitlopp experience was beyond belief. 'Nothing prepares you for it. You watch at home, but to be here and feel the energy and passion for it all … it's nuts,' he said. 'We didn't get the result we hoped for, but we've all had the experience of a lifetime and the support and respect for our horse over here has been incredible.'
Herald Sun
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Wide gate threatens to derail The Locomotive in Elitlopp heat in Sweden
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Sydney Inter Dominion champion The Locomotive is ready for one of the biggest challenges in harness racing. The Goulburn-based star will have to overcome a horror barrier draw and some of the best trotters in the world to create history in Sweden on Sunday. The Locomotive will start second from the outside (gate seven) in the second of two heats of the world's best trotting race, the iconic Elitlopp at the Solvalla track in Stockholm. His trainer-driver Brad Hewitt is clear on the enormity of the challenge. • 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! 'We knew it was always going to be hard, but now he's drawn so wide, it's going to take something incredible from him to qualify for the final,' he said. The Locomotive is the fifth Australian and ninth Australasian trotter to contest the Elitlopp. No Aussie has made the final and the only Kiwi to do so was former champion mare Pride Of Petite when fourth in a heat and sixth in the 1997 final. Most recently, champion Aussie Just Believe loomed as a top four chance on the final bend before striking trouble, galloping and losing all chance in 2023. He later stamped his class with two Group 1 placings in Sweden. The Locomotive will need a top four finish in his heat to qualify for the final run three hours later. He is a $71 shot in the heat. It's the stronger of the two heats as well with boom trotter Borups Victory $2.80 equal favourite ahead of two former Elitlopp winners, Don Fanucci Zet ($2.80) and Hohneck ($4.50). The statistics underline how cruel the draw is for The Locomotive, who has won 23 of 25 starts when he has led and just one of 17 when he hasn't been in front. • 'What else am I going to do?' My Last Hooray no last hurrah for Cleary 'I'm going to be back last, I can't possibly push forward from right out there,' Hewitt said. 'What I will say is, he works well off a sit at home and I haven't had the chance to drive him that way yet. When he hasn't led for me, he's been outside the leader and he won't be there this time. 'I'm hoping he can show all that trademark speed of his at the finish, if we switch him off early and try to weave through them.' Hewitt draws hope from how well The Locomotive has settled in and worked over the past week. 'I don't think I could have him better. It's all come together in time and he's primed. He had that terrific work at Solvalla last week and then I couldn't have been happier with his last serious hit out on Monday,' he said. 'I've got a lot of faith in the horse, but he's never faced a field like this and he's going to need everything to go right. 'At least there's no pressure now. If we could somehow be the first (Aussie) to make the final, it would be amazing.' The Locomotive's heat will be shown on Sky Racing at 11.55pm Sunday. - Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp. Originally published as Star Australian trotter The Locomotive has a horror barrier in the toughest heat to qualify for the prestigious Elitlopp in Stockholm
News.com.au
22-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Star Australian trotter The Locomotive has a horror barrier in the toughest heat to qualify for the prestigious Elitlopp in Stockholm
Sydney Inter Dominion champion The Locomotive is ready for one of the biggest challenges in harness racing. The Goulburn-based star will have to overcome a horror barrier draw and some of the best trotters in the world to create history in Sweden on Sunday. The Locomotive will start second from the outside (gate seven) in the second of two heats of the world's best trotting race, the iconic Elitlopp at the Solvalla track in Stockholm. His trainer-driver Brad Hewitt is clear on the enormity of the challenge. • 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! 'We knew it was always going to be hard, but now he's drawn so wide, it's going to take something incredible from him to qualify for the final,' he said. The Locomotive is the fifth Australian and ninth Australasian trotter to contest the Elitlopp. No Aussie has made the final and the only Kiwi to do so was former champion mare Pride Of Petite when fourth in a heat and sixth in the 1997 final. Most recently, champion Aussie Just Believe loomed as a top four chance on the final bend before striking trouble, galloping and losing all chance in 2023. He later stamped his class with two Group 1 placings in Sweden. The Locomotive will need a top four finish in his heat to qualify for the final run three hours later. He is a $71 shot in the heat. It's the stronger of the two heats as well with boom trotter Borups Victory $2.80 equal favourite ahead of two former Elitlopp winners, Don Fanucci Zet ($2.80) and Hohneck ($4.50). The statistics underline how cruel the draw is for The Locomotive, who has won 23 of 25 starts when he has led and just one of 17 when he hasn't been in front. Loving the videos 🎥 â€' Glenn Holland (@Glenn_B_Holland) May 8, 2025 • 'What else am I going to do?' My Last Hooray no last hurrah for Cleary 'I'm going to be back last, I can't possibly push forward from right out there,' Hewitt said. 'What I will say is, he works well off a sit at home and I haven't had the chance to drive him that way yet. When he hasn't led for me, he's been outside the leader and he won't be there this time. 'I'm hoping he can show all that trademark speed of his at the finish, if we switch him off early and try to weave through them.' Hewitt draws hope from how well The Locomotive has settled in and worked over the past week. 'I don't think I could have him better. It's all come together in time and he's primed. He had that terrific work at Solvalla last week and then I couldn't have been happier with his last serious hit out on Monday,' he said. 'I've got a lot of faith in the horse, but he's never faced a field like this and he's going to need everything to go right. 'At least there's no pressure now. If we could somehow be the first (Aussie) to make the final, it would be amazing.' The Locomotive's heat will be shown on Sky Racing at 11.55pm Sunday.
BBC News
02-03-2025
- BBC News
Missing Wisbech man's family hope want justice 18 years on
The family of a man who has been missing for 18 years said they hoped the birth of his grandson would lead to new McSpadden, from Wisbech on the Norfolk-Cambridgeshire border, was 24 when he was last seen on 2 March son Charlie is due to become a family and detectives suspect he was murdered and his daughter Kayce Burton urged anyone with information to contact police. The 22-year-old said she only had one vivid memory of her dad, bathing and splashing her with water."I just feel like it's time someone came forward and actually told the truth and gave us answers," she said."It's a life-changing thing for anybody, but growing up, I really do want more answers now." Terry had been working as a window fitter and his family said he doted on his two children who were aged four and 18 months at the night before he disappeared he had been drinking with friends in The Locomotive pub in Wisbech. He was seen on CCTV withdrawing money from a cash machine at Tesco at 01:00 GMT, and buying goods in the never turned up at work that Friday 2013, a crown court judge threw out a murder prosecution on grounds of insufficient evidence. Three years later, Norfolk Coroner's Court ruled Terry likely died the day he then, Norfolk Police has had no new leads to investigate. His mother Helen Thrower, 64, said: "This anniversary, Christmas, kids birthdays; it's all a nightmare."You're stuck in limbo all the time because you don't know where he is, what happened to him, why it happened and it's just horrendous."In the next few days, Mr McSpadden's son Charlie and his partner Amelia are expecting their first child, a son they are already calling Albie."It's going to be a happy time, but it's going to be a sad time because we will all be thinking Terry should be here," said Mrs Thrower. "He's always there in the back of your head," Mrs Thrower continued."I quite often talk to him while I'm walking around the house doing housework and stuff and sometimes have a giggle to myself when I think about some of the things he used to get up to, because he was a bit of a joker."Andy Guy, an unsolved case review manager at Norfolk Police, said the force could conduct forensics tests if Mr McSpadden's body was found."That would be the best outcome for us; if we could establish that we would have a start point for the investigation," he explained. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
