Latest news with #TravisHarrisonCup
The Australian
a day ago
- Sport
- The Australian
Gilbert Gardiner's speed map and tips for The Valley on Saturday
Speed thrills at The Valley. That we know. So who benefits? Tempo and track conditions play a major role in race day patterns, with the tired surface long overdue its major redevelopment, set to start after the Cox Plate this year. The Valley roar is back on Saturday for a nine-race card, including the Travis Harrison Cup, the sixth-last meeting on the traditionally perfectly imperfect tight speed circuit. A three-month racing hiatus and thankfully kind weather this week has aided Valley track preparations. • 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! New track manager Shaun Patterson has a genuine Soft 5 pegged for Saturday with cool and overcast conditions. 'The school side (before home bend) probably a little bit softer but as we track throughout the day it's coming in line with the rest of the track,' Patterson said. 'The straight is nice and consistent. Once they get around the bend they'll have all the open ground to find the best run. 'Obviously on the day they'll probably start up against the fence and I think they'll want to lead and see where they go from there but I think there's every opportunity throughout the day to peel off the fence and come around.' Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner ran a rule on the meeting to identify horses potentially able to capitalise on Saturday at The Valley. RACE 1 Hovland and Catani Gardens around the mark behind Navy King. Hard to make ground with not a lot of tempo. Gilbert's tip: Hovland ($3.50) win RACE 2 I Am The Empire has every chance to dictate from barrier one. Flamin' Romans, if able to cross from wide draw, a threat. Tip: Flamin' Romans ($13/$3.80) each-way RACE 3 Pressure on from the outset with leaders drawn in and out. Could Thailess stalk and get the drop on them, with fresh legs? Tip: Thailess ($7.50/$2.50) each-way RACE 4 Midwest has speed and fitness to run amok. Wary of classy Mornington Glory and Oak Hill, but bigger targets on horizon for them. Tip: Midwest ($4.80) win RACE 5 Dreamzel and Martial Music to get cushy runs behind Boonie. Harry Got Styles a chance with a clean start. Tip: Harry Got Styles ($7.50) each way RACE 6 Esha and Samudra to set a quick tempo. Esha has the benefit of two trials. Oyster Lane the danger, camped just off the speed. Tip: Oyster Lane ($4.20) win RACE 7 Nellie Leylax wants to roll along at even fractions. Sayedaty Sadaty has the class and speed in legs to get over the top late. Tip: Sayedaty Sadaty ($2.90) win RACE 8 Private Jumbo and Reset The Jazz could run the race to suit. Princeofnottingham loves the track. Tip: Princeofnottingham ($14/$3.90) each-way RACE 9 Red Hot Nicc among a number of speed influences. Apache Song right up there too. Tip: Apache Song ($14/$4) each-way ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ NEED FOR SPEED Race Distance Likely leader (number) Likely tempo 1 2040m Navy King (6) Touch slower than average 2 2500m I Am The Empire (3) Even speed 3 1200m Tango Jewel (7) Fast 4 1000m Midwest (2) Fast 5 1000m Boonie (8) Even speed 6 1000m Samudra (9)/Esha (11) Fast 7 2040m Nellie Leylax (9) Even speed 8 1600m Private Jumbo (10) Slower than average 9 1200m Red Hot Nicc (5) Quicker than average Gilbert Gardiner Sports reporter Gilbert Gardiner is a sports reporter for the Herald Sun and Sunday Herald Sun. @gilbertgardiner Gilbert Gardiner
The Australian
a day ago
- Sport
- The Australian
Ciaron Maher stayer Sayedaty Sadaty takes next step towards Caulfield Cup redemption at The Valley
Sayedaty Sadaty is poised to strengthen Caulfield Cup ambitions on Saturday at The Valley. The in-form stayer is the pick of four runners – half the field – in the Travis Harrison Cup (2040m) for champion trainer Ciaron Maher, including Charterhouse, Relentless Voyager and Smokin' Romans. Sayedaty Sadaty is a $3 favourite from Nellie Leylax ($5), trained by Annabel and Rob Archibald, Charterhouse ($5.50) and Relentless Voyager ($6). Smokin' Romans, the outsider of the small field, is $18. • 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! Sayedaty Sadaty has raced consistently in similar class races through winter, including back-to-back wins at Caulfield and Flemington most recently. The imported stayer has purposely been held to 1800m and 2000m races the past four starts to keep speed in the legs. A third straight run at 2000m should be no issue on Saturday at The Valley. 'We want to protect him as much as we can,' assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said. 'We had the possibility of going up to 2400m-2500m but kept him to this, then a nice break into the Archer. 'We are cautious about going out in trip too soon, just making him slower than we need to, that's something we've been mindful of, as we've been plotting a course towards The Archer.' • Archibald duo can keep Melbourne streak going Sayedaty Sadaty and Relentless Voyager after Saturday will head to the Melbourne Cup-qualifying Group 3 The Archer Stakes (2500m) at Flemington on September 13. Sayedaty Sadaty finished-third last in the Caulfield Cup last year, his first run for Maher, as an entire and after a long European campaign. The decision to geld the talented galloper early in the year has turned his form around and reignited Cups ambitions. 'His race would be a Caulfield Cup again,' Turnbull said. 'He's a much more furnished, conditioned staying horse this time around.' Sayedaty Sadaty is set to roll forward from barrier six but not necessarily lead on Saturday. 'He'd be the pick (of our runners) off exposed form,' Turnbull said. 'He's in great shape … he would assume a forward position, we're not out there to lead or be there by any means but you would be safe to say he's going to be first four (in the run).' Maher fielded six runners in the Travis Harrison Cup last year but managed only a third place. Eventual Caulfield Cup winner Duke De Sessa finished fifth in the Travis Harrison Cup last year. Charterhouse could contest the lead on Saturday from barrier three, along with Smokin' Romans. • Brad Waters' The Valley Saturday tips, race-by-race analysis Relentless Voyager is expected to settle back in the field and finish off. Maher has 12 runners engaged at The Valley including smart colt Oyster Lane in the (1000m) 3YO Open Handicap. Oyster Lane has placed second in two career starts, bloused by progressive Sonofkirk and Shining Smile, a three-time Listed winner. 'He's run a couple of very good races but unfortunately still a maiden,' Turnbull said. 'He's a nice colt and will have his day, hopefully it's this weekend.' 'You're getting beaten a head and a neck, Hayes's horse (Shining Smile) is a three-time stake-winner and the time before that Freedman's (Sonofkirk) is a well-performed animal as well. 'He's not being beaten by nothing … we know we've got a pretty talented colt and hopefully he does win that maiden and you're then setting up to run in (stakes) races.' Gilbert Gardiner Sports reporter Gilbert Gardiner is a sports reporter for the Herald Sun and Sunday Herald Sun. @gilbertgardiner Gilbert Gardiner
The Australian
a day ago
- Sport
- The Australian
Ciaron Maher stayer makes Melbourne Cup statement after blistering Travis Harrison Cup win
Relentless Voyager has emerged as a major player for Melbourne Cup-qualifying The Archer Stakes (2500m) next month at Flemington with an ominous Travis Harrison Cup (2040m) win at The Valley. Relentless Voyager, one of four Ciaron Maher-trained stayers in the field on Saturday, settled last but sailed past the opposition 'halfway up the straight' under 61.5kg. Dual Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Mark Zahra lauded the emphatic performance. • 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! 'When I came off the bit he let rip and it was all over halfway up the straight,' Zahra said. 'You could definitely be closer with a better gate but he can definitely relax, which is half the trouble with a stayer and he's got a turn of foot. 'With 61.5kg then, to come from last at The Valley in the straight and to have them claimed halfway up the straight, pretty promising. 'They thought he'd want further but he was on the ball today … he's going to The Archer (next), he'll be hard to beat there.' Relentless Voyager has a month to get over the run before The Archer on September 13 at Flemington. The six-year-old gelding pulled up lame in the off foreleg. Relentless Voyager returned $8.50 on Saturday. Nellie Leylax, trained by Annabel and Rob Archibald, dictated the race and threatened to pinch the event with eventual third-placed favourite Sayedaty Sadaty beaten, until Relentless Voyager arrived on the scene. Australian Bloodstock-owned Relentless Voyager and Sayedaty Sadaty impressed assistant trainer Jack Turnbull. 'Both horses ran enormous, but he's (Relentless Voyager) starting to show his true colours now he's getting fitter, once we step to 2500m in The Archer hopefully he can improve again,' Turnbull said. The powerhouse Maher stable has used the Travis Harrison Cup in previous years to launch or build on subsequent Cups campaigns. Duke De Sessa placed fifth in the Travis Harrison Cup last year and eventually won the Caulfield Cup. Turnbull said Relentless Voyager would continue to improve. 'His form is very good and he's so lightly raced in Australia,' Turnbull said. 'It's been a very good race day for us, quite a lot of our good stayers kicked off here or ran well here and I'm sure he'll be one of those in time. 'He will head to The Archer and we'll do our best to get him qualified (for the Melbourne Cup).' Relentless Voyager (left) finishes over the top of leader Nellie Leylax. Picture: Photos via Getty Images Sayedaty Sadaty will also head to The Archer next start, with Caulfield Cup ambitions on the horizon. 'His run was huge, the leader (Nellie Leylax) of Annabel and Rob's just slowed up a fraction and he's a vulnerable horse when you do that,' Turnbull said. 'You've got to get the revs up on him and today, staying at 2000m possibly again has probably been the difference. 'Once you see him build and pick up he's solid to the line, he's not stopping, take nothing away from Sayedaty, he was good.' The Valley played perfectly on Saturday - the first meeting back at the track after three-month winter hiatus - with horses able to win from all positions. Gilbert Gardiner Sports reporter Gilbert Gardiner is a sports reporter for the Herald Sun and Sunday Herald Sun. @gilbertgardiner Gilbert Gardiner
News.com.au
a day ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Ciaron Maher stayer Relentless Voyager emerges as Melbourne Cup contender with blistering Travis Harrison Cup win at The Valley
Relentless Voyager has emerged as a major player for Melbourne Cup-qualifying The Archer Stakes (2500m) next month at Flemington with an ominous Travis Harrison Cup (2040m) win at The Valley. Relentless Voyager, one of four Ciaron Maher -trained stayers in the field on Saturday, settled last but sailed past the opposition 'halfway up the straight' under 61.5kg. Dual Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Mark Zahra lauded the emphatic performance. 'When I came off the bit he let rip and it was all over halfway up the straight,' Zahra said. 'You could definitely be closer with a better gate but he can definitely relax, which is half the trouble with a stayer and he's got a turn of foot. 'With 61.5kg then, to come from last at The Valley in the straight and to have them claimed halfway up the straight, pretty promising. 'They thought he'd want further but he was on the ball today … he's going to The Archer (next), he'll be hard to beat there.' Relentless Voyager has a month to get over the run before The Archer on September 13 at Flemington. The six-year-old gelding pulled up lame in the off foreleg. Relentless Voyager returned $8.50 on Saturday. Nellie Leylax, trained by Annabel and Rob Archibald, dictated the race and threatened to pinch the event with eventual third-placed favourite Sayedaty Sadaty beaten, until Relentless Voyager arrived on the scene. RELENTLESS VOYAGER ðŸ'¥ðŸ'¥ The British import swamps them in the Travis Harrison Cup! What an exciting Cups prospect for @cmaherracing and @Austbloodstock ðŸ�† — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) August 9, 2025 Australian Bloodstock-owned Relentless Voyager and Sayedaty Sadaty impressed assistant trainer Jack Turnbull. 'Both horses ran enormous, but he's (Relentless Voyager) starting to show his true colours now he's getting fitter, once we step to 2500m in The Archer hopefully he can improve again,' Turnbull said. The powerhouse Maher stable has used the Travis Harrison Cup in previous years to launch or build on subsequent Cups campaigns. Duke De Sessa placed fifth in the Travis Harrison Cup last year and eventually won the Caulfield Cup. Turnbull said Relentless Voyager would continue to improve. 'His form is very good and he's so lightly raced in Australia,' Turnbull said. 'It's been a very good race day for us, quite a lot of our good stayers kicked off here or ran well here and I'm sure he'll be one of those in time. 'He will head to The Archer and we'll do our best to get him qualified (for the Melbourne Cup).' Sayedaty Sadaty will also head to The Archer next start, with Caulfield Cup ambitions on the horizon. 'His run was huge, the leader (Nellie Leylax) of Annabel and Rob's just slowed up a fraction and he's a vulnerable horse when you do that,' Turnbull said. 'You've got to get the revs up on him and today, staying at 2000m possibly again has probably been the difference. 'Once you see him build and pick up he's solid to the line, he's not stopping, take nothing away from Sayedaty, he was good.' The Valley played perfectly on Saturday - the first meeting back at the track after three-month winter hiatus - with horses able to win from all positions.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Gilbert Gardiner's speed map and tips for The Valley on Saturday
Speed thrills at The Valley. That we know. So who benefits? Tempo and track conditions play a major role in race day patterns, with the tired surface long overdue its major redevelopment, set to start after the Cox Plate this year. The Valley roar is back on Saturday for a nine-race card, including the Travis Harrison Cup, the sixth-last meeting on the traditionally perfectly imperfect tight speed circuit. A three-month racing hiatus and thankfully kind weather this week has aided Valley track preparations. • 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! New track manager Shaun Patterson has a genuine Soft 5 pegged for Saturday with cool and overcast conditions. 'The school side (before home bend) probably a little bit softer but as we track throughout the day it's coming in line with the rest of the track,' Patterson said. 'The straight is nice and consistent. Once they get around the bend they'll have all the open ground to find the best run. 'Obviously on the day they'll probably start up against the fence and I think they'll want to lead and see where they go from there but I think there's every opportunity throughout the day to peel off the fence and come around.' Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner ran a rule on the meeting to identify horses potentially able to capitalise on Saturday at The Valley. RACE 3 Pressure on from the outset with leaders drawn in and out. Could Thailess stalk and get the drop on them, with fresh legs? Tip: Thailess ($7.50/$2.50) each-way RACE 4 Midwest has speed and fitness to run amok. Wary of classy Mornington Glory and Oak Hill, but bigger targets on horizon for them. Tip: Midwest ($4.80) win RACE 5 RACE 6 Esha and Samudra to set a quick tempo. Esha has the benefit of two trials. Oyster Lane the danger, camped just off the speed. Tip: Oyster Lane ($4.20) win RACE 7 RACE 9 Red Hot Nicc among a number of speed influences. Apache Song right up there too. Tip: Apache Song ($14/$4) each-way â– â– â– â– â– NEED FOR SPEED Race Distance Likely leader (number) Likely tempo 1 2040m Navy King (6) Touch slower than average 2 2500m I Am The Empire (3) Even speed 3 1200m Tango Jewel (7) Fast 4 1000m Midwest (2) Fast 5 1000m Boonie (8) Even speed 6 1000m Samudra (9)/ Esha (11) Fast 7 2040m Nellie Leylax (9) Even speed 8 1600m Private Jumbo (10) Slower than average
