Latest news with #ToorakHandicap
7NEWS
2 days ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
El Soleado facing rare task in comeback from throat surgery
It is rare these days to find a horse being asked to carry 64.5kg in a race at Flemington. But that is what the Robbie Laing-trained El Soleado has in the VRC Country Race Sprint (1200m) on Saturday, although that weight is being offset by the 3kg claim of Sheridan Clarke. Laing is old-school and remembers growing up when horses like Alcatraz and Samson were carrying huge weights in races at his favourite tracks like Sandown and Caulfield. El Soleado is returning to racing having undergone tieback surgery on a throat condition but has pleased Laing in his three jump-outs, his most recent when successful at Cranbourne on May 26. 'He's got a run somewhere,' Laing said. 'It's a beautiful track and Sheridan Clarke is going to claim 3 kilos off him, so he comes in with 61-½ kilos and it's not like the bottom weights have 48 kilos like they used to years ago when there were massive differences from the top to the bottom weight.' A search through the Racing And Sports database, the most recent horse to have been asked to carry more than 64.5kg in a flat race at Flemington was Paris Lane in a Welter in February 1996, when he was allotted 68.5kg and was ridden by a then 2.5kg claiming apprentice Craig Williams. El Soleado hasn't raced since finishing ninth at Sandown last September after which it was discovered the gelding had a throat ailment. The rising six-year-old had a consistent summer – autumn campaign in 2024 and Laing was looking forward to last year's spring with El Soleado. 'His throat went all of a sudden,' Laing said. 'He had two runs on soft ground in Listed grade, and we were happy with him and then we took him to Sandown and backed him. 'Patrick Moloney rode him and said he didn't run on and made a hell of a noise. 'They scoped him, he was perfect, so we galloped him, he made a noise, then next time we galloped we put a dynamic scope on him. 'Halfway through the gallop, he couldn't breathe, so that's when we decided to send him off for surgery and give him a good break.' Having thought El Soleado would stretch out to 2400m, now Laing is thinking 1600m to 2000m might be more the gelding's trip. 'His galloping ability, his trials have been super, his action is good, he looks super,' Laing said. 'He might be a Toorak Handicap horse, or there may be a nice 1800-metre race or one over 2000 metres over the Carnival that may be his goal. 'But we'll keep him rolling along slowly after he runs on Saturday.'
7NEWS
24-05-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Antino blitzes the field in Doomben Cup stunner
Antino has confirmed his status as one of the best horses in Australia with a breathtaking win in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m). Now a dual Group 1 winner, $3 favourite Antino was as impressive as his 6-½ length victory in last year's Toorak Handicap, Blake Shinn once again circling the field to score by four lengths over $8.50 chance Fawkner Park, with Kovalica ($7) just edging Militarize ($19) for third. Relishing the typically punishing tempo set by Pride Of Jenni, who was a noted betting drifter and a spent force early in the straight after being dug up to lead, Antino backed up his 3-½ length win in the Hollidale Stakes to confirm his position as one of the top horses in Australia. This was Tony Gollan's eighth career Group One win and third in his home state of Queensland, and 'special' was the word he felt best described the win. 'He's been the best horse I've trained for some time,' Gollan said. 'Took until last year to win the Toorak, win the Group One and from then, I think we've all just got better as a team, haven't we? We've done things better and he's gone to another level. 'What we've seen today is pretty special. It's a pretty good Doomben Cup field. He's won impressively and we can set our sights now on Melbourne in the spring. 'He's a very good horse, a world class jockey, and I've got a world class team to help me get him ready.' Now clearly proven over 2000m, targets don't come much bigger than the race Gollan has set his sights on, suggesting the Cox Plate would be his Spring goal. 'We'll put him away now for the Cox Plate. I think his style of racing, suits a race like that, that amphitheatre there, where they can build and build and build,' Gollan said. 'I just said to Blake today, I couldn't get him any better than what he is today and when it's time to go, he'll give it to you today. He's really spot on. 'At the Gold Coast he was a little bit soft. Today, he's rock fit and that's pretty impressive. That's as good a win as I've been involved in. It means a lot to the whole team.'
West Australian
24-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Antino destroys classy Doomben Cup field in race-record time
Antino continued his imperious vein of form in the Group 1 $1 million XXXX Doomben Cup (2000m), annihilating his rivals in a four-length romp. The last into stride, Antino ($3f TABtouch) settled third from the back as invariable pace-maker Pride Of Jenni ($5) adopted her customary role. Beyond halfway, Pride Of Jenni had opened up by three lengths on Linderman ($10), who in turn held a similar margin over the chasing pack. Past the 800m, Blake Shinn hooked Antino to the outside to begin his trademark long run and the six-year-old rapidly began to loop the field, making up ground hand over fist. Despite being four wide, Shinn had a vice-like grip of Antino as he moved past Pride Of Jenni at the 400m like she was stood still. With Shinn getting stuck-in up the straight, the son of Redwood effortlessly increased his margin with Fawkner Park and Kovalica toiling away to fill the remote placegetter positions. Gollan, a Toowoomba boy, has won multiple Group 1s and 11 straight Brisbane training premierships but said this horse was a different breed. 'This is a new beast in my career,' he said. 'This has been the best horse I have trained . After winning the Toorak Handicap last year, we have all just gotten better as a team. 'Antino has gone to another level, what we have seen today is pretty special. 'It was a pretty good Doomben Cup field and now we will set our sights on the Cox Plate in the spring. 'His style of racing will suit a Cox Plate where you can build and build into it. 'Sometimes he doesn't break out of the barriers well, but Blake just lets him get into his stride and he knows when it is time to go. 'I just said to Blake today I couldn't get him any better and he will do the job for you. 'That's as good a win as I've been involved in.' Pride Of Jenni's trainer and record-breaking master Ciaron Maher summed up the performance in a simple quote: 'That was serious, wasn't it?' A Brisbane Racing Club promotion meant that free beer was enjoyed by patrons at the meeting thanks to Antino's win.
News.com.au
20-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Tony Gollan insists Doomben Cup not a two-horse race between Antino and Pride Of Jenni
There will be beers flowing freely if either Antino or Pride Of Jenni wins the Group 1 Doomben Cup, but champion Queensland trainer Tony Gollan warns 'it's certainly not a two-horse race.' The Brisbane Racing Club's promotion of a free amber ale for any adult on track if either of the two favourites scores the Doomben Cup is a great promotional tool, but Antino's trainer Gollan said it would be no surprise if there was a party pooper. While Blake Shinn 's daring ride on Antino to win the Hollindale Stakes was exceptional, Gollan said the nature of the Gold Coast track that day meant there were plenty of valid excuses among the beaten brigade. Doomben Cup contenders such as Eliyass and Buckaroo were beaten out of sight on the Heavy 9 track that day and other Doomben Cup hopefuls such as last year's winner Bois D'Argent and Fawkner Park also didn't love the sodden track. Pride Of Jenni and Antino may be the top pegs in Doomben Cup betting, but Gollan said there are many chances in one of the better Doomben Cups he can remember in his time training in Brisbane. 'There is some media around the promotion with the free beers and that's all great for the carnival,' Gollan said. 'But this is certainly not a two-horse race. 'We are well aware there are many chances and it's probably as strong a Doomben Cup as we have seen for some time. 'It is a hell of a deep Doomben Cup. 'I don't think I have seen a Doomben Cup for some time with so many chances in it and it will be such a good betting race. 'I think a lot of people will discard the Hollindale form, to a degree, due to the way the track was that day with the kickback. 'You can make excuses for beaten horses there for sure.' Antino had a spin around Doomben at 6am on Tuesday with his regular track work rider, former jockey Baylee Nothdurft, in the saddle. It wasn't an overtaxing gallop with Gollan mindful it was a big effort to win the Hollindale and now he just needs to tick him over before Saturday. Pride Of Jenni was due to arrive on a flight to Queensland on Tuesday night and Gollan is glad the Ciaron Maher -trained freakish talent is in the race. Given the different track conditions – with little rain forecast in Brisbane this week – and Pride Of Jenni's frontrunning style, Gollan said it will be a very different race to the Hollindale. 'How much you want to take out of that Gold Coast meeting will be up to each person individually,' Gollan said. 'I think it's going to be a hell of a race, we know what Pride Of Jenni's style of racing is. 'There are plenty coming out of the Hollindale that you can make excuses for. 'There were contributing factors down there as to why some horses didn't run to their best, with the surface that day and the kickback.' Gollan said Antino, last year's Group 1 Toorak Handicap champion, is the best horse he has trained. Asked specifically why he holds Antino in such high esteem, Gollan said it was because 'of his ability to sustain a gallop for longer than any horse I've ever trained'. Pride Of Jenni drew barrier one for her Doomben Cup assignment while Antino drew barrier 11 of 13. Drawing out wide isn't too much of a worry for Antino, given he is sometimes slow away and a wider draw can be preferable to an inside draw. He started from barrier 10 of 13 when Shinn took off from back in the field to win the Hollindale. The Doomben Cup has produced double-figure winners the last three years with Bois D'Argent ($26) getting the chocolates last year and the previous two years Huetor saluted at $10 and $26.
NZ Herald
17-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Brazilian jockey Bruno Queiroz making his mark in Central Districts
Knights Realm, Bradman and Khanshe were strung across the track as Francee joined in to thrust her head in front in the final bound and collect her maiden black-type success. Co-trainer Mark Walker was delighted to see the mare pick up the thick end of the stake, along with the black-type and other benefits that go with the victory. 'She tries really hard and it is just great for Haunui Farm, the Chitty family and everyone involved with her,' Walker said. 'I actually watched the race here in Melbourne and not long after I got a call from Caroline Chitty, who was just so thrilled with what the mare had achieved. 'It really hits home why you participate in this industry when you get recognition like that and the win couldn't have happened for a nicer group of people.' Walker was also pleased about the effort from Queiroz, a talent he had seen first-hand when training in Singapore. 'It was a tremendous ride from Bruno as he had her in the right place and was strong on her in the closing stages,' he said. 'We are lucky to have these experienced international riders coming to New Zealand and you can see just what they bring to the saddle in everything they do. 'We will sit down and talk with Mark [Chitty] about where we go now but I think this might have been an excellent grand final for her. She could well be off to the paddock before the Chitty family have a think about whether she comes back for another campaign or goes to the broodmare barn.' Francee carries the silks of co-breeder and owner Haunui Farm and is a daughter of 10-win mare Calveen. A serious talent on the track, among Calveen's victories were the Group 1 Easter Handicap (1600m), Group 2 Japan Trophy (1600m), Group 2 Travis Stakes (2000m) and Group 2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (1400m). She also placed in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield. Francee has now won four of her 22 starts and more than $215,000 in prizemoney.
