Latest news with #WarMachine
Daily Mail
18 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Putin knows a nuclear revenge attack will force Ukraine's surrender. These are the four ways he'd strike... and we're powerless to stop this holocaust: COL RICHARD KEMP's chilling warning
Russia is wounded, far more badly than the Kremlin ever believed possible. Ukraine's extraordinary special forces mission deep inside enemy territory has done vast damage to Putin 's war machine. There will be retaliation. The Russian president, afraid more than anything of appearing weak, cannot be seen to let such a devastating attack go unanswered.
News.com.au
a day ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Trainer Ben Hayes chasing Stradbroke Handicap win before the birth of his first child
Family patriarch Colin Hayes adopted the motto 'the future belongs to those who plan for it' and Lindsay Park's current crop is upholding the tradition. Ben Hayes is the latest of Colin's grandsons to start a family on his own as he confirmed his wife, racing media personality Grace Ramage, is expecting the couple's first child later this year. Hayes's twin brothers and training partners Will and JD became fathers to sons last year but he said he and Ramage were expecting a daughter. 'We've got a little girl on the way. It's so exciting,' Hayes said. 'She's the first girl.' Hayes said time would tell whether the Hayes dynasty would stretch to a fourth generation. 'It really depends on the next generation,' Hayes said. 'If they want to do it, we'll certainly support them.' • 'It jeopardises the Stradbroke': Benedetta back-up gamble While the Hayes family will have cause for celebration in a few months' time, the training trio could take Lindsay Park into uncharted territory in the Group 1 $3 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) on June 14. Neither Colin nor their father David has prevailed in Queensland's most famous race but recent stable recruit War Machine raced to Stradbroke favouritism with his dominant win the Group 3 BRC Sprint at Doomben. Bookmakers promoted War Machine to the $4 favourite in Stradbroke betting with that quote set to tighten should Chris Waller withdraw Newmarket Handicap winner Joliestar from the $3m event. Hayes said War Machine had progressed well since his Doomben win but the camp had to finalise one important detail for the four-year-old's Stradbroke Handicap bid. 'We've got to find a jockey and that will probably be after this week,' Hayes said. 'He gets into the Straddie really well with only 53 (kg). 'I think he's a deserved favourite and his form is great. 'Hopefully he can have a bit of luck with the barrier.' A race-to-race double for @blake_shinn as War Machine wins the last at Doomben in impressive fashion! @lindsayparkrace — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025 • Group 1-winning jockey facing six weeks on the sidelines War Machine will be out to give prominent Melbourne owner Rupert Legh his third Stradbroke Handicap win. The late Mike Moroney prepared Mr Baritone (2008) and Tofane (2021) to win the event carrying Legh's navy and yellow silks. Tofane went on to win another two Group 1 events. Hayes said War Machine could also develop into a consistent Group 1 performer in the spring. 'We don't want to think too far ahead and we'll just focus on the Straddie but he would be an excellent Toorak horse and I think they moved the Rupert Clarke back to where it was as well,' Hayes said. 'There's heaps of that type of race for him so there's plenty of options. 'He's hard to get a guide on at home because he's a lazy worker, just like Mr B but he just turns up race day. 'We love horses that do it and that's what he's done for us so far.'
The Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Ukraine's drone attack on Russian warplanes was a serious blow to the Kremlin's strategic arsenal
A surprise Ukrainian drone attack that targeted several Russian air bases hosting nuclear-capable strategic bombers was unprecedented in its scope and sophistication for the first time reached as far as Siberia in a heavy blow to the Russian military. Ukraine said over 40 bombers, or about a third of Russia's strategic bomber fleet, were damaged or destroyed Sunday, although Moscow said only several planes were struck. The conflicting claims couldn't be independently verified and video of the assault posted on social media showed only a couple of bombers hit. But the bold attack demonstrated Ukraine's capability to hit high-value targets anywhere in Russia, dealing a humiliating blow to the Kremlin and inflicting significant losses to Moscow's war machine. While some Russian military bloggers compared it to another infamous Sunday surprise attack — that of Japan's strike on the U.S. base at Pearl Harbor in 1941 — others rejected the analogy, arguing the actual damage was far less significant than Ukraine claimed A look at what warplanes were reported hit: Russia's bomber assets For decades, long-range bombers have been part of the Soviet and Russian nuclear triad that also includes land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles and atomic-powered submarines carrying ICBMs. The strategic bombers have flown regular patrols around the globe showcasing Moscow's nuclear might. During the 3-year-old war i n Ukraine, Russia has used the heavy planes to launch waves of cruise missile strikes across the country. The Tupolev Tu-95, which was code named Bear by NATO, is a four-engine turboprop plane designed in the 1950s to rival the U.S. B-52 bomber. The aircraft has an intercontinental range and carries eight long-range cruise missiles that can be equipped with conventional or nuclear warheads. Before Sunday, Russia was estimated to have a fleet of about 60 such aircraft. The Tupolev Tu-22M is a twin-engine supersonic bomber designed in the 1970s that was code named Backfire by NATO. It has a shorter range compared with the Tu-95, but during U.S.-Soviet arms control talks in the 1970s, Washington insisted on counting them as part of the Soviet strategic nuclear arsenal because of their capability to reach the U.S. if refueled in flight. The latest version of the plane, the Tu-22M3, carries Kh-22 cruise missiles that fly at more than three times the speed of sound. It dates to the 1970s, when it was designed by the Soviet Union to strike U.S. aircraft carriers. It packs a big punch, thanks to its supersonic speed and ability to carry 630 kilograms (nearly 1,400 pounds) of explosives, but its outdated guidance system could make it highly inaccurate against ground targets, raising the possibility of collateral damage. Some Tu-22Ms were lost in previous Ukrainian attacks, and Russia was estimated to have between 50 and 60 Tu-22M3s in service before Sunday's drone strike. The production of the Tu-95 and the Tu-22M ended after the 1991 collapse of the USSR, meaning that any of them lost Sunday can't be replaced. Russia also has another type of strategic nuclear capable bomber, the supersonic Tu-160. Fewer than 20 of them are in service, and Russia has just begun production of its modernized version equipped with new engines and avionics. Russia lost a significant part of its heavy bomber fleet in the attack 'with no immediate ability to replace it,' said Douglas Barrie of the International Institute of Strategic Studies, noting that Moscow's announced plan to develop the next generation strategic bomber is still in its early phase. 'Ironically this might give impetus to that program, because if if you want to keep your bomber fleet up to size, then you're going to have to do something at some point,' he said. The A-50, which Ukrainian officials also said was hit in the strikes, is an early warning and control aircraft similar to the U.S. AWACS planes used to coordinate aerial attacks. Only few such planes are in service with the Russian military, and any loss badly dents Russia's military capability. Relocating bombers and impromptu protection Repeated Ukrainian strikes on the Engels air base, the main base for Russian nuclear capable strategic bombers near the Volga River city of Saratov, prompted Moscow to relocate the bombers to other bases farther from the conflict. One of them was Olenya on the Arctic Kola Peninsula, from where Tu-95s have flown multiple missions to launch cruise missiles at Ukraine. Several bombers at Olenya apparently were hit by the Ukrainian drones Sunday, according to analysts studying satellite images before and after the strike. Other drones targeted the Belaya air base in the Irkutsk region in eastern Siberia, destroying a few Tu-22M bombers, according to analysts. Ukraine said 41 aircraft — Tu-95s, Tu-22Ms and A-50s — were damaged or destroyed Sunday. in the attack that it said was in the works for 18 months in which swarms of drones popped out of containers carried on trucks that were parked near four air bases. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was briefed on the attack, which represented a level of sophistication that Washington had not seen before, a senior defense official said on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. The Russian Defense Ministry said the attack set several warplanes ablaze at air bases in the Irkutsk region in eastern Siberia and the Murmansk region in the north, but the fires were extinguished. It said Ukraine also tried to strike two air bases in western Russia, as well as another one in the Amur region of Russia's Far East, but those attacks were repelled. The drone strikes produced an outcry from Russian military bloggers, who criticized the Defense Ministry for failing to learn from previous strikes and protect the bombers. Building shelters or hangars for such large planes is a daunting task, and the military has tried some impromptu solutions that were criticized as window dressing. Satellite images have shown Tu-95s at various air bases covered by layers of old tires – a measure of dubious efficiency that has drawn mockery on social media. —- Associated Press Pentagon correspondent Tara Copp and Emma Burrows in London contributed.
Herald Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Horse racing tips: Caulfield betting strategy and quaddie analysis
News Corp racing reporter Gilbert Gardiner gives his $200 betting strategy and quaddie analysis for the Caulfield meeting on Saturday. • 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! ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ FOUR-PLAY: $200 BETTING STRATEGY RACE 2: BENCHMARK 78 FILLIES AND MARES (1200m) $25 each-way EXCESS (2) at $7.50/$2.60 Deep in campaign but raced consistently with runs nicely spaced. Won a similar race last start at The Valley, travelled on speed and kicked to hold a margin on the runner-up. Drawn to low here and should get a similar map, albeit tougher to lead all the way here. Placed in two of three starts at Caulfield, only blemish came three runs back when crossed from wide draw to travel on speed and faded late. Fitness edge on key rivals. RACE 3: 3YO OPEN HANDICAP (1200m) $50 win BIG SWINGER (1) at $2.50 Smart three-year-old gelding with still untapped potential. Drawn to be prominent in barrier two and should be extremely hard to hold out. Completely luckless last start in the Group 2 Arrowfield Sprint and yet only beaten 1¼ lengths at Randwick. Six weeks between runs a slight concern but Big Swinger looks well placed in this company. Include JUST FOR SHOW (3) in any exotics. A model of consistency and should once again be around the mark. RACE 7: BENCHMARK 84 HANDICAP (2000m) $50 win BOARDRIDER (13) at $4.40 Well up in grade but weighted to be very competitive with only 51kg on his back. Drawn low and has the benefit of rising star apprentice jockey Logan Bates in the saddle. Boardrider should be ready to fire now third-up after two solid performances at Bendigo and Cranbourne respectively. Opened $6 in the market but straight into $4.40 rock solid since. First time at Caulfield and 2000m but pedigree suggests the distance should be no issue. RACE 8: LISTED BEL ESPRIT STAKES (1100m) $50 win NIANCE (7) at $2.40 Graduated to stakes grade last campaign with back-to-back Listed and Group 3 successes to build a record of six wins and a second from only 10 starts. Upside galore still and in most astute hands of trainer Grahame Begg. Drawn out but has speed to land in a good spot and should be too classy first-up despite a number rivals being race fit. RECOMMENDATION (1), also fresh, a track and trip specialist more than capable here. QUADZILLA LEG 1 – RACE 6 JIMMY THE BEAR (3) motored late first-up at Caulfield to run second behind the in-form War Machine. A repeat performance has the consistent performer, an eight-time winner from 34 starts, right in the frame here. Ticks every box. VERDAD (7) has won two of his past three and should again be up in the firing line somewhere. Singapore expat LIM'S SALTORO (4) should benefit from a solid fifth placing in his Australian debut behind War Machine last start. Include MILFORD (6) to cause a boil over. 1ST LEG: 3, 4, 6, 7 LEG 2 – RACE 7 BOARDRIDER (13) has been set a task, well up in grade and distance, but with no weight on his back should more than competitive. The Clinton McDonald-trained Preferment gelding has two solid runs under the belt and pedigree to handle the 2000m test. WONDER KID (4) won a similar race last start and must be respected again. MIRZANN (12) should be better for the run first-up and suited at 2000m. Include DUBLIN JOURNAL (6). 2ND LEG: 4, 6, 12, 13 LEG 3 – RACE 8 NIANCE (7) has won six of 10 starts to date, including Listed and Group 3 fillies and mares-restricted sprints last campaign. Up against the boys here but more than capable and should be able to improve her win record again. RECOMMENDATION (1) is a definite threat, with strong stats across the board – track, distance, class, conditions and first-up. AVIATRESS (4) raced well last start in similar company at Flemington and has won at Caulfield before. 3RD LEG: 1, 4, 7 LEG 4 – RACE 9 HEARCOMESTHESTAR (13) drawn poorly raced in great heart the past two starts at Caulfield and Flemington. Will need luck but more than capable. DIRTY GRIN (16) has won three of his past four starts and should somewhere in the finish again. PRANCING SPIRIT (5) has the right form, held on to beat the progressive Winnasedge last start, to go back-to-back at Caulfield. 4TH LEG: 5, 13, 16 COST $100 FOR 69% SKINNY QUADDIE Start with JIMMY THE BEAR (3), LIM'S SALTORO (4) and MILFORD (6). In the second leg take WONDER KID (4) and BOARDRIDER (13). Then in the third leg take RECOMMENDATION (1) and NIANCE (7). Come home with PRANCING SPIRIT (5), HEARCOMESTHESTAR (13) and DIRTY GRIN (16). 1ST LEG: 3, 4, 6 2ND LEG: 4, 13 3RD LEG: 1, 7 4TH LEG: 5, 13, 16 COST $100 FOR 277% Originally published as Quadzilla, Four-Play: $200 betting strategy for Caulfield May 31, 2025
News.com.au
24-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
2025 BRC Sprint: War Machine books Stradbroke Handicap berth with dominant win
The Lindsay Park dynasty has a golden chance to win its first Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap after War Machine proved he was a machine by blowing away his opposition in the Group 3 BRC Sprint. With the race offering a golden ticket into next month's Stradbroke, War Machine was sent out the well-backed $2.40 favourite and did the business under Blake Shinn. It was the icing on the Doomben cake for Shinn who not long earlier had won a record-breaking fourth Group 1 Doomben Cup, riding Queensland freak Antino to glory. War Machine's BRC Sprint triumph prompted bookmakers to elevate the four-year-old – who had been trained by the late Mike Moroney prior to his death – to outright $5 Stradbroke favourite. Lindsay Park founder Colin Hayes never won the Stradbroke Handicap, nor did his son David but grandsons Ben, Will and JD Hayes will now chase Queensland's biggest race. 'That was an unbelievable effort by the horse,' JD Hayes said. 'We've only had him a short time. 'He came in incredible condition from Ballymore and we've been very lucky to inherit him. 'It looked like we'd get a beautiful run from the barrier and he's let down well. 'He had his ears pricked on the line and we're really looking forward to the Stradbroke.' A race-to-race double for @blake_shinn as War Machine wins the last at Doomben in impressive fashion! @lindsayparkrace — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025 • Man of the moment Shinn paid tribute to the late Moroney. 'I had a little bit to do with this horse when Mike Moroney trained him and he did a great job nurturing him in his early days,' Shinn said. 'The Hayes boys are the beneficiary of that. 'If he runs in the Straddy, I think he'll be hard to beat.' While War Machine was dominant, Far Too Easy also stood up to be counted in finishing runner-up and Murwillumbah trainer David McColm indicated a Stradbroke mission was on the cards. Far Too Easy is the fairytale horse who has survived deadly floods and bacterial infections and surged to glory in last year's $2m The Kosciuszko at Randwick. He has since produced a couple of lacklustre runs but his BRC Sprint effort was much better and his rating will almost certainly get him a Stradbroke berth. 'The winner was too good today but I thought my horse's effort was great,' McColm said. 'He did what we know he can do. 'Assuming he goes to the Stradbroke, the weight difference in that race will be a big difference for him. 'He needed to do something today to go towards the Stradbroke. 'We had been disappointed with his last two runs but we have had a lot of wet weather in New South Wales and it's been a hard slog these last six months 'I think we have got him back.'
