Latest news with #TommyBerry
News.com.au
3 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Michael Hawkes declares Gallo Nero ‘horse to beat' in BRC Sires' Produce Stakes
A bullish Michael Hawkes has declared 'we're not wary of anybody' in Saturday's BRC Sires' Produce Stakes, believing the wide spaces of Eagle Farm will suit his colt Gallo Nero. Leading jockey Tommy Berry will step up to steer Gallo Nero after regular rider Tyler Schiller suffered a fractured back on Wednesday when filly Rockabye Roxy bucked the hoop in a frightening incident at Canterbury Park. Schiller will miss at least six weeks, ruling him out of the Queensland winter carnival, including the plum ride on $4.20 favourite Gallo Nero in the $1m BRC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m). The Michael Freedman -trained gelding Aerodrome is $6.50, with local star Grafterburners next on the line at $7. 'It's very disappointing for Tyler,' Michael Hawkes, who trains in partnership with his father John and brother Wayne, said on Friday. 'Tommy Berry's a great back-up but Tyler's done all the work on the horse. His time will come.' Hawkes believed Gallo Nero deserved to win his last-start – the Spirit Of Boom Classic at Doomben (1200m) two weeks ago when he finished runner-up behind Cool Archie after being forced to run wide without cover for most of the trip on a Heavy 8 track. • No Frankie, no worries for Giga Kick in Group 1 attack 'He should've won first-up, everyone saw it,' he said. 'In this day and age unfortunately barriers win races and he was no closer than four-deep probably the whole way. 'He deserved to win. Take nothing away from the other horse (Cool Archie) but he got the breaks and went through them while we had to go around them. 'He had a hard run – first-up on a bog track is not ideal – but his first time at 1400m should suit. 'Hopefully he gets a lovely run because I think Eagle Farm will definitely suit him. It's a big, roomy track that he'll appreciate. 'We're not wary of anybody, he's the horse to beat. 'As long as he gets a good run in transit, everything goes his way and he has a bit of luck then he's going to figure in the finish.' Both Aerodrome and Gallo Nero are $8 chances for the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) for 2YOs on June 14 at Eagle Farm. Freedman said he would prefer a dry track on Saturday for the undefeated Aerodrome, despite him winning the Clarendon Stakes (1400m) last start on heavy ground at Hawkesbury. But with persistent rain on Friday and up to 40mm forecast for Brisbane on Saturday, the Golden Slipper-winning trainer won't get his wish. 'I was hoping we'd get a firmer track because he's got such a good action,' Freedman said. 'Whilst he won on a Heavy 8 track at Hawkesbury, I don't think he was as good on that surface as he was the start before on a drier track. 'But look, he's travelled up well and he's very bright and happy. I was happy with his work here (in Sydney) on Tuesday. 'It just remains to be seen how the track plays.'
News.com.au
7 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Adam Sherry's tips, inside mail for Canterbury on Wednesday, May 28, 2025
â– â– â– â– â– CANTERBURY TIPS BEST BET Race 5 No.7: HELL TO PAY Runner-up in both runs this campaign. Hard to beat. NEXT BEST Has placed in four from five this time in. Drawn well and can break through. VALUE BET Race 4 No.8: ERAANTYVA Has been working home well and will appreciate a step up in trip. BEST EXOTIC Quinella Race 5: 7, 8 QUADDIE Race 4: 1, 2, 8 Race 5: 7, 8 Race 6: 1, 2, 8, 10 Race 7: 9, 10, 12 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW TOMMY BERRY has some nice rides and looks a chance in the TAB Jockey Challenge. â– â– â– â– â– CANTERBURY INSIDE MAIL SWORDPLAY (11) is a sister to the five-time stakes winner Recommendation who won a Bletchingly Stakes on a Heavy 8. This filly led all the way for a big win on a Heavy 8 in her Apr 29 Warwick Farm trial and was ab even bigger winner her May 9 Rosehill heat. PENPEL (2) had shown nice ability in her trials and debuted with a second behind the impressive Agarwood at Warwick Farm on May 7. Will take improvement from the experience. MISS LOLA (7) is a granddaughter of Group 2 winner, Vormista. Nice effort to win her May 22 Warwick Farm trial. BET: SWORDPLAY to win. RACE 2: 2&3YO MAIDEN (1250m) INDIGO STAR (5) ran some handy races in his first campaign including a three-quarter-length second to Llewellyn on a heavy track at Kembla. Has been gelded and closed nicely in both trials this time in. GUNROOM (1) is knocking on the door having placed in four of his six starts. Led when runner-up to Maori Chief on the Kensington two starts back before being caught late by Hopper at Warwick Farm on May 7 after eyeballing the leader. PROVISEUR (4) came from back in the field for fourth when resuming in that same Warwick Farm race. Inconvenienced near the 200m when sixth to Inside Man here on debut. BET: INDIGO STAR each-way. QUEEN'S RHAPSODY (5) resumed for a new stable with a smart win from Missie Lee in a Provincial 3YO Maiden at Hawkesbury on a Soft 7 May 15. Placed second in both runs here behind Flying For Fun and Gerringong last November. Wide gate the query. STRAAND BEAUTY (1) led and got to the middle of the track looking for better ground before being caught late by Dashing Rupert when resuming on a heavy track at Kembla. Placed second to Outback Miss at her last run here in February. TITANIUM MISS (4) dropped in class when second to Bend The Knee at Wyong before a close second to Equilibrist at Kembla. BET: QUEEN'S RHAPSODY to win. ERAANTYVA (8) settled well back before closing strongly to be beaten just over a half-length when third to Piperita over 1400m on the Kensington on Apr 25. Again settled back when fifth to Drift Net over 1300m at Warwick Farm. Up to 1550m here, drawn to settle closer. Can give this a shake. CANARA (2) was held up from the 400m to the 300m when a two length third to Maori Chief when resuming over 1300m on a heavy track on the Kensington on May 14. Will appreciate the step up in trip. JUST FEELIN' LUCKY (1) scored a handy first-up win at Newcastle before a second to Drift Net at Warwick Farm. BET: ERAANTYVA each-way. HELL TO PAY (7) kicked off his preparation with a second behind the promising Engine Room over 1250m on the Kensington before a neck second to Maori Chief over 1300m on a Heavy 8 on the same course. Looks ideally suited stepping up to 1550m. PINK SHALAA (8) ended his last campaign with a well-deserved win from Up To Mischief over this track and distance after placing inn his previous five starts. Resumed this time at Warwick Farm on May 7 without a trial when a length-and-a-half sixth to Secure. INVADE AND CONQUER (9) was caught on the line when a nose second to Hyperbolic at Kembla last start. BET: HELL TO PAY to win. ONE DESTINY (1) led all the way to beat Wave Breaker at Warwick Farm on Apr 16 before a handy third to Able Willie at the Hawkesbury stand-alone meeting on May 3. May not have handled the quick back-up when last behind Lulumon at Gosford on Cup day a week later. MOGWAI (2) made his debut for a new stable at Kembla on Dec 28 where he led all the way to beat Tartana. Stepped up to city grade second-up when a close third to Zondee at Rosehill over 1500m. PESCHIERA (10) returns to Sydney off a nice all-the-way win at Sandown-Lakeside. KENMARE BAY (10) is knocking on the door. Was caught wide early and worked forward to get outside the leader when sixth at Gosford. Was checked early and then raced keenly when third to Ella Hazel on the Kensington last start. Gets a nice run from the good gate. MILLIE DE LUNE (12) scored a big win from Pieronimo in a Newcastle Super Maiden on May 3 before a fourth to Warrior For Peace at Scone on Cup Day. DYNAMIC ONE (9) was runner-up to Taumata at Wagga before coming to town when second to Ella Hazel on the Kensington.
News.com.au
20-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
2025 BRC Sprint: Robert Heathcote poised to spring upset with luckless $2.3m earner Abounding
After almost conjuring a Group 1 big-odds blowout for the ages last Saturday, Rob Heathcote has confidence he can spring a mighty upset in the Group 3 BRC Sprint. Fresh off only narrowly being denied with evergreen warrior at $41 in the Doomben 10,000, the Eagle Farm trainer has $2.3m earner Abounding in Saturday's race at Doomben which offers the winner a golden ticket into the Stradbroke Handicap. Abounding resumed in the Group 2 Victory Stakes earlier this month but the filly was out in the cheap seats from a wide barrier and finished 10th, beaten four lengths. It continued a run of shocking gates for Abounding, the Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas winner of last year. In her past five starts, Abounding has drawn barriers 12, 13, 15, 10 and 16. Martin Harley has ridden Abounding in her past 13 starts including the 2024 Magic Millions triumph, but Sydney jockey Tommy Berry takes the mount in the 1350m race on Saturday. Abounding over the top in the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas! @mmsnippets @GCTurfClub @FirstLight_FLR — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 13, 2024 'I am delighted with this filly, she had zero luck first-up,' Heathcote said. 'She was caught wide but I can probably say that for nearly all of her recent runs. 'She has had no luck dating right back to the (2024) Magic Millions, but she is definitely Group class. 'Whether she is Group 1 or not, we will find out down the track. 'She will head towards the (Group 1) Tatt's Tiara and we have nominated her for the Stradbroke. 'Her rating already has her close to getting into the Stradbroke and this race on Saturday will tell us more. 'My track work rider gave her a whiz around Doomben this morning and she went super. 'Hopefully the track will continue to dry out for her. 'I think she is in the same sort of form that won her the Magic Millions last year.' • 'They'll have to carry me back': Cejay dreams of Doomben Cup upset Four-year-old mare Abounding is a $26 chance in the BRC Sprint but the Heathcote camp feels she is a far better chance than her price suggests, especially if she finally gets a favourable barrier draw. Rothfire is also a $26 chance for his next assignment – Saturday week's Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm. After almost knocking off favourite Sunshine In Paris in the Doomben 10,000, the ageless sprinter has continued to thrive. 'Rothy is fantastic,' Heathcote said. 'I had him under saddle this morning for the first time this morning since Saturday. 'I could not be happier with him and he will go into the Kingsford Smith Cup a better chance than his $26 price reflects.' Sir Delius impresses in his Australian debut, surging to victory at Doomben! @GaiWaterhouse1 @clarkyhk — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 17, 2025 The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott -trained import, who won his first race Down Under, will be set for a spring Cups campaign including in the Melbourne Cup where he is now a $15 chance.
News.com.au
17-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Trainer Chris Waller produced a masterstroke with a gear change and a drop in distance as Imperialist win the Rough Habit
Most punters were probably hoping that a Chris Waller -trained horse won the $250,000 Group 3 Rough Habit Plate at Doomben on Saturday but they wouldn't have expected it to be Imperialist. Sydney's premier trainer Waller had four horses in the 2000m race, headlined by three-year-old filly Belle Detelle, who started the contest as the $3 favourite but got too far back at the start and was never in contention as $71 shot Imperialist pulled off a massive upset. With Tommy Berry riding, the three-year-old gelding finished ahead of fellow roughie, Queenslander Deep Focus ($81), and the John O'Shea and Tom Charlton -trained King Of Thunder ($7.50) on the Heavy 8 track. Imperialist, by Churchill, races in the colours of Brisbane larrikin owner Noel Greenhalgh, who won the 2022 Melbourne Cup as a part-owner of Gold Trip. The gelding was coming off a disappointing ninth in the Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) this month at Eagle Farm so punters can be excused for steering well clear of him. 'We didn't know what to do with him after his last start, we tried blinkers and it didn't work,' Waller said. 'So we took them off and suggested to Tommy that we ride him a bit closer to the speed today. 'He had a nice soft time up front and it sparked some interest. He brought some good form to Sydney from Melbourne, but then didn't quite stay the 2400 metres. 'We'll try to make him stay now. I'll have a chat to Tommy (Berry) to see what he says, but I do have some concerns over the 2400 metres. 'The Churchills tend to be slightly speedier horses, so we'll have a think over the next few days about whether or not we go there (to the Queensland Derby).' Imperialist adds some value to the Doomben quaddie, taking out the last at Doomben at a big price! ðŸ'° @TommyBerry21 @cwallerracing â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 17, 2025 Imperialist has firmed to $15 for the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on May 31. Berry said he was happy to finish Doomben 10,000 day on a high note after riding his first winner in this year's Queensland Winter Carnival. 'Full credit to the team at home, this horse has always had ability but it hasn't been easy to get the best out of him,' Berry said. 'Chris took the blinkers back off and we just changed things up a little bit in the hope that we'd get a result. 'He's the best trainer of stayers around, so if he thinks he can get the horse to stay, then he can get the horse to stay. 'I've had a bit of luck in these colours in the past but it's been a while, so it was nice to salute in them again today.' Trainer Paul Shailer was delighted with the outstanding run of Deep Focus, who started big odds but charged home and is now a $15 chance for the Queensland Derby.
News.com.au
15-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Scone, Albury best bets, inside mail for Friday, May 16, 2025
Racenet and The Daily Telegraph form analyst Shayne O'Cass provides his best bets and analysis Scone and best bets for Albury on Friday. The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here! SCONE BEST BET Race 5 No. 1: BRAVE CALL Makes his Australian debut armed with some sound English form. NEXT BEST Race 6 No. 5: REFLECTING FAME Resumes off an impressive trials; did some big things last prep. VALUE Race 8 No. 13: LIKE LUKEY Another first-up, she's perfectly suited to 1400m on the big track fresh. QUADDIE Race 5: 1, 2 Race 6: 5 Race 7: 1, 9, 14, 15, 19 Race 8: 1, 6, 12, 13 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Tommy Berry will pilot Ducasse in the Scone Cup. Tommy Berry could be in for a good day at Scone on friday. Picture: Getty Images ALBURY BEST BET Race 3 No. 3: HEAVENLY KISS Yet to run a bad race; she's getting close to her first win. NEXT BEST Race 7 No. 10: SANTASIA One win, 10 placings, seven of them seconds from 16 starts. Deserves this. VALUE Race 1 No. 4: LUNAR MOJO Placed three of five, including in a Super maiden at Wagga last start. INSIDE MAIL - SCONE RACE 1: Scone RSL Mdn Hcp 1000m I AM BRAVE (6) is from a mare who was stakes-placed, her grandam was a dual Group 1 winner in South Africa, the third dam is the great Kiwi filly Kate's Myth and this filly is herself by I Am Invincible. Got the pedigree, the draw (1) and the trial form. Winning Belle's grandson FAVOUR THE BOLD (2) is a local and boy just any local. Point being, Rodney Northam has had a footprint at the Scone Cup meeting dating back forever. Nice trials too. Bet: I Am Brave to win, exacta 6 to beat 2 RACE 2: Pryde's Country Boosted Mdn Plate 1300m AFRICAN DIAMOND (10) has trialled well prior to her five length third at Port Macquarie on the Heavy 8. She did well to make up any ground at all from where she was really. Hoping and expecting natural improvement today. BULLANT (14) is a two-year-old taking on older horses but she is a local from a very astute stable and has placed in the Wellington Boot and Romantic Dream at her only two runs. Stablemate ZELESTIAL (17) is a huge watch. Bet: African Diamond each-way, Zelestial to place RACE 3: Inglis 2YO Challenge 1100m CASHBROOK (2) is trained by Todd Smart who won this race last year. Not bad from a bloke who trains miles away in Canberra. Cashbrook was off the map on debut at Wagga and was pretty underwhelming it must be said but he has trialled well since. COSMONAUT (3) is a son of a fast and precocious two-year-old namely Cosmic Force and the last trial suggests he is ready to go. STEFFI ELECTRICA (10) brings with her a Doomben placing. Bet: Cashbrook to win RACE 4: Gulliver's Hcp (C1) 1100m COCO DREAMING (5) is with Angela Davies who boasts a phenomenal 24 per cent winning strike-rate, 52 per cent when placings are added. She is 25 per cent win and 53 per cent place with Andrew Gibbons who will ride Coco Dreaming as usual. His son Dylan rode him when he was incredibly unlucky (blame barrier 1) on Scone Cup Day last year. As mentioned earlier, one really has to mark up the Rodney Northam-trained horses at this carnival with SHROPSHIRE LAD (3) the one here. Bet: Coco Dreaming to win, box trifecta 1, 3, 5, 9 RACE 5: Kia Ora Hcp (C1) 1600m BRAVE CALL (1) is a lightly-raced import with a 2000m win and a Newmarket placing from his five starts in England. This is the perfect race for the Kris Lees-trained galloper bearing in mind he is a 68 rater in a Class 1. Trials were good, Tommy Berry on and 1600m. That said, there is an untapped, hugely impressive debut winner for Brave Call to beat namely CALTSAR (2) who was scratched from Hawkesbury on Thursday. PELOSA (3) and ANTILOCAPRA (11) are in the mix. Bet: Brave Call to win, exacta 1 to beat 2 RACE 6: Newgate Hcp (C2) 1300m REFLECTING FAME (5) was a $250,000 Inglis Classic Yearling in 2022 who was bought online by Cody Morgan in April 2024 for $16,000. The son of So You Think has raced four times for Morgan, finishing with two close placings followed by two easy wins. Resumes off two trials, won the last one. TASORAAY (4) has a pretty similar record; five starts for a win and three placings but he was also once a close fourth in town behind Raikkonen. Trialling well. Bet: Reflecting Fame to win, quinella 4, 5, box trifecta 4, 5, 10, 17, DD 1st leg (5), 2nd Leg (13) RACE 7: Darley Scone Cup 1600m ROYAL SUPREMACY (19) is a Ciaron Maher, Moss Vale resident who makes his Australian debut in the Cup. His record overseas is very impressive. He was runner-up in the Italian Derby, third in the Group 2 King Edward at Ascot and second in the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket. Brilliant trial at Warwick Farm on April 29. PORT LOCKROY (1) is a Group 1 winner at this trip. Barrier 1 and Aaron Bullock are both ticks. KNOW THYSELF (15) is the local and is flying. BOLD MAC (14) has a big win left in him. Bet: Royal Supremacy each-way RACE 8: Vinery Country Cup (Bm84) 1400m LIKE LUKEY (13) has raced 10 times for three wins, one second and four thirds. The daughter of Denman has been to Scone twice, one third and one four length win in a mile Maiden. She will get out to 2000m again this preparation but the Denman's are a good fresh breed and this being 1400m, it's well within her range. POWER BEAU (12) is a rather underrated horse. So much so that he could even win the right midweek race on the right day. THE DRAMATIST (1) has a huge task ahead of him on paper but he's at his most accurate at this track and trip. Bet: Like Lukey each-way, Power Beau to place SCONE BEST BET Race 5 No. 1: Brave Call Makes his Australian debut armed with some sound English form. NEXT BEST Race 6 No. 5: Reflecting Fame Resumes off an impressive trials; did some big things last prep. VALUE Race 8 No. 13: Like Lukey Another first-up, she's perfectly suited to 1400m on the big track fresh. QUADDIE Race 5: 1,2 Race 6: 5 Race 7: 1,9,14,15,19 Race 8: 1,6,12,13 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Tommy Berry will pilot Ducasse in the Scone Cup. ALBURY BEST BET Race 3 No. 3: Heavenly Kiss Yet to run a bad race; she's getting close to her first win. NEXT BEST Race 7 No. 10: Santasia One win, 10 placings, seven of them seconds from 16 starts. Deserves this. VALUE Race 1 No. 4: Lunar Mojo Placed three of five, including in a Super maiden at Wagga last start.
