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News.com.au
a day ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Kimochi set for back-to-back Queensland Group 1 challenges in Kingsford Smith Cup and Stradbroke Handicap
Gary Portelli is striving for his first Queensland Group 1 and is set to give strong mare Kimochi two chances in quick succession to pull off the heist. The Stradbroke Handicap has been the main goal for the Yulong-owned Group 1 winner right from the start of her preparation which included a trio of runs in the Sydney autumn carnival. Best laid plans have been tweaked with the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup rescheduled to Saturday after being one of the races washed out last Saturday when jockeys complained of poor visibility. But Warwick Farm trainer Portelli said Kimochi will still race in the Kingsford Smith on Saturday as a pipe-opener to the Stradbroke seven days later. He admits the seven-day back-up is a step into the unknown for Kimochi, but feels it could even suit her. 'She will run on Saturday, it's a Group 1 race, and I couldn't go to the 1400(m) of the Stradbroke with her straight away given she has had a big gap between runs,' Portelli said. 'A high pressure handicap like the Stradbroke, they have got to be fit. 'We have never had to back-up before, the program has never had us having to back-up. 'But she is a very tough mare, whenever she races she is normally primed the week afterwards. 'You actually think to yourself that she looks better the week after, than what she did leading into the race. 'She does cope with pressure, she's a big strong mare and she has been in work for ages. 'It's not like she's coming out of a spell and she's going to be too fresh or underdone. 'She has got a good fitness core.' Craig Williams rode Kimochi to Group 1 glory in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield last spring and the pair will reunite at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Kimochi is rated an $11 chance in the Kingsford Smith and is the same price for her main mission of the Stradbroke seven days later. Nine-time Group 1 winner Portelli has had some terrific horses campaign in Queensland, including Rebel Dane who finished seventh in the 2014 Stradbroke which was won by Queensland bolter River Lad. But he hopes Kimochi can give him his first Sunshine State Group 1. 'The plan is she will take her place in the Stradbroke, unless we race below expectations this Saturday,' Portelli said. 'From the time she came into work this preparation, the Stradbroke was in my mind the goal. 'We have drawn a fantastic barrier (three) in the Kingsford Smith, so she is going to get a soft run. 'That's important because going into the Stradbroke, she is not going to have a gut-buster and be trapped wide or doing work. 'She will get a nice run and accelerate in the straight, if she runs top three then I would be over the moon from a Straddy point of view.' Lindsay Park co-trainer Ben Hayes has indicated Rise At Dawn – the winner of eight from 15 starts – will take his place in the Kingsford Smith before being unleashed on the back-up in the Stradbroke. The Lindsay Park dynasty may have its best chance to crack its Stradbroke duck, with raging favourite War Machine ($3) set to be joined by Rise At Dawn ($11) in Queensland's most prestigious race.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Bargain-basement buy Penpel defeats $3 million filly Ernaux at Warwick Farm
Penpel, a bargain-basement buy of just $20,000 as a yearling, defeated the filly with a $3 million price tag, Ernaux. Racing is a great leveller as evidenced by the result of the Warwick Farm opener, the TAB Maiden (1100m), on Wednesday. The Marc Conners -trained Penpel is only modestly-bred but she is big on ability and raced home to beat her high profile rival by three lengths. • 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! 'She's a really nice filly, we have always had a lot of time for her,'' Conners said. 'For a two-year-old filly, she has a massive stride on her. 'I thought she put the writing on the wall last start when she went super (second on debut to subsequent winner Agarwood). 'Today, she was really switched on and did everything right. She got the job done and we will send her to the paddock now and bring her back for spring.'' It's Penpel with a statement win at Warwick Farm in the opener! ðŸ'¥ @ConnersMarc | @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 4, 2025 Penpel ($3.20), ridden by the in-form Adam Hyeronimus, streaked clear in the straight to win by a big margin from the fast finishing Ernaux ($12) with Jarrito ($5.50) just over a length away third. Hyeronimus was also impressed by the dominance of Penpel's win. 'She raced well first time out and I was confident she would win today,'' Hyeronimus said. 'I was very keen to let the stable know I wanted to ride her wherever she went.'' But for connections of Ernaux, there was plenty of merit in her effort. She drifted back to near last on the rail and was in an awkward spot on the home turn. Ernaux's jockey James McDonald had to change course a couple of times in the straight before going back to the inside where the filly accelerated through to finish a promising second.
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Kembla Grange, Moree Tuesday previews: Ron Leemon's southbound buddies to strike up a double-act
Golden Rose-winning trainer Ron Leemon makes the familiar trip from Warwick Farm to Kembla Grange today with two of his string – born just a week apart and both showing a positive return on investment for connections. The five-year-old duo of Dapper Dancer and Euromaster were selected and purchased by Leemon at Inglis-run auctions in 2021. Euromaster was knocked down to Manawanui's trainer for $20,000 while Dapper Dancer was slightly less, coming in at $18,000. Dapper Dancer's somewhat meagre purchase price was in no way befitting of the occasion of his sale at Riverside, just next door to Leemon's Manning Street digs. The then-colt had the honour and singular distinction of being the last yearling sired by Testa Rossa to be offered at auction. He was in fact one of only three foals from Testa Rossa's 18th and final crop which altogether totalled 1248 foals. On top of that, Dapper Dancer was the last of his dam Joffa Rose's ten foals, all of them designed and bred by Testa Rossa's owner - John Cappellin. While Testa Rossa was able to win 13 of his 28 starts including six Group 1 s, Dapper Dancer's CV is much less glamorous. The chestnut has so far only managed one win and two minors from his 16 starts. That said, he sent out some very positive and obvious signs that a second win was close at hand when a close and closing fourth at Kembla on May 17 over 1200m. His mission on Tuesday is the Dapto Leagues Club Benchmark 64 Handicap (1300m). 'I was very, very happy with his last run,' Leemon said. 'He didn't have much luck. We couldn't get out to the better going which we were hoping for but that's the way it happens. 'He finished off nicely and we've got to go up in trip. 'He's been placed over 1400m and obviously he is fitter now for the first couple of runs. 'He hadn't raced for a while so I had to get him fit. 'The wet won't worry him. I think the ground suits the Testa Rossas.' ðŸ'� Apprentice Leeshelle Small rides her first winner as Dapper Dancer wins at @hawkesburyrc! @RonLeemonRacing @leesmelly11 — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 14, 2024 Leemon's second and last runner at Kembla on Tuesday is Euromaster who was foaled on September 11 in 2019, just seven days prior to Dapper Dancer's birth at Vinery Stud (once home to Testa Rossa) A son of Eurozone, Euromaster has finished first or second at six of his 13 starts. And while only one of those was a win, Leemon can't find fault with the bay whose earnings will edge closer to $100,000 if successful in today's Midway Class 1 Handicap (1500m). 'He has only ever put one bad run in for me and that was this time back but there were plenty of excuses that day because he was coming back from a good spell,'' Leemon explained. 'He needed that run badly but apart from that, he's been very consistent and he can handle the wet too.' Euromaster boasts a pedigree that is hard to match given it includes two Derby winners, Universal Prince (AJC) and Blevic (VRC), Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Think It Over and arguably one of the all time greats – Lammtarra. Both of Leemon's duo will be ridden by apprentice Olivia Chambers whose own tally of winners is an impressive 108. 'She's only had two rides for me,'' Leemon says. 'She is a very pleasant young lady. If she gets a few more opportunities, I think she can probably ride winners in town if she gets on the right horses.' â– â– â– â– â– Casey chases the cash with Ode So Much He bred him, owns him and trains him but Scone horseman Simon Casey is keeping his expectations in check ahead of today's long awaited racetrack debut of Ode So Much at Moree. The son of Churchill is giving away race experience to all seven of his rivals in the Racing Mates Country Boosted Maiden Handicap (1200m) but showed enough natural ability in his two trials to garner support among punters. As for Casey, he is cautiously optimistic that the blue-blooded bay can post an early win and pocket the $15,000 first prize at the same time. 'I am definitely happy with his trials but you never know what's in them,'' Casey said 'The horse he ran behind (in his Gunnedah trial) ran on Sunday and didn't fire. I'm more hopeful than confident. 'How many times have you seen a horse win two or three trials and go out at $1.80 and get rolled? 'I am taking him there because I think, in the current climate of competitive racing, it is probably the right place for him and if he comes out and blows them away, then we can always come back to the better quality.' Ode So Much is making his debut at Moree but given his pedigree, it could just as easily have been Newmarket, Chantilly or Santa Anita. That's all down to dam-sires like Dylan Thomas, More Than Ready, Slew O'Gold and the immortal Northern Dancer. Casey's other runner at Moree is perhaps ever better bred, namely Nevermista, who was the tenth foal of bonny mare Vormista. Despite his family ties, Nevermista was knocked down for a mere $10,000 when offered up at the 2021 Inglis Weanling Sale in 2021. 'He's been a work in progress,' Casey said. 'He's got the worst conformation in the world. 'He hits himself if he gets a bump, that's how much clearance he has in his action, but he has ability as was shown when he won at Tamworth. 'He is unfortunately one of those horses where everything has to go his way but on Tuesday he has got the right draw. 'He should get a good run in transit just behind the speed and if he can do that, I would have thought he shouldn't be far away in that field.'
Courier-Mail
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
Gosford, Inverell previews: Adam Duggan hoping for a Divine result in the wet
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Trainer Adam Duggan had a nice opinion of Divine Bene in his early trackwork and trials but a couple of unflattering runs to start his career put that into question. It wasn't until Divine Bene got onto a wet track that he started to perform to a higher level and placed in three consecutive runs as he built into his first campaign. 'He is a horse I had a bit of time for early days but didn't show a lot in his first couple of runs,' said Duggan. 'Once we got him going with a couple of runs under his belt, we worked out he didn't have much of a turn of foot but he could sustain the same speed throughout. 'We also found he had a real liking for wet track. I don't think I've had a horse who has had so many runs on a wet track.' Divine Bene has raced on wet ground in eight of the 10 career starts with seven of them on heavy where he has a win and four minor placings. He returned this campaign with a nice win first-up over 1550m on the Beaumont before a third to Lutetia at Newcastle both on Heavy 8 tracks before a second to Sirius Flyer in a Soft 5 at Quirindi last start. 'It probably wasn't wet enough for him at Quirindi the other day,' he said. The four-year-old gets his preferred conditions when steps out in the Class 1 Handicap (1200m). 'I'm happy to have Ash Morgan back on. He rode him really well to win first-up,' Duggan said. 'He's also in at Inverell. I'll discuss it with his owners but Gosford is my preferred option.' Duggan also has Purple Haze entered for the Super Maiden Handicap (1200m) on his home track. The gelding battled away for third to Yes Siree on a Heavy 10 at Wyong on debut on May 1. 'He has been a real work in progress,' said Duggan. 'He was aided by a fair few scratchings in a fairly soft race on debut if I'm being honest but in saying that, I would be surprised if he doesn't improve. 'I think the 1200m will suit him better and eventually a bit further than that.' Warwick Farm trainer Clarry Conners has been pleased with the way Okami Star has raced this campaign and gives him a change of securing another win in the Class 1 Handicap (1600m). The gelding resumed with a second to Pelosa at Hawkesbury followed by a fifth at Kembla before breaking through with a narrow win from Murphilly at Wyong. Last start, he boxed on a long neck fourth to Ocean One at Hawkesbury. 'He has come back a nice horse this time in,' said Conners. 'At Hawkesbury last start, he went around and got to the front then just eased up on him. 'He's a big striding horse and it would have been better if he kept going on him. 'I'm happy with the horse though.' Conners also feels Proclivity can bounce back from a luckless run last start when he contests the 2&3YO Maiden Handicap (1600m). After a debut second to Caltsar at Newcastle, the gelding finished sixth to Monte Veebee at Kembla. 'It was a good run at Newcastle on debut then at Kembla everything went wrong. He got knocked down and pushed back,' he said. 'Aaron Bullock rode him in his first start and was impressed with the horse. 'I'm very happy to be able to get him again this week. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ A slow start and untimely bump put paid to the chances of Angels Cloud last start but trainer Marc Quinn couldn't be happier with his mare and expects her to break through for a well-earned win when she heads to Inverell. Angels Cloud started a $1.90 favourite at Glen Innes earlier this month following three handy placings since joining Quinn's stable. Unfortunately, she was put out of business in the first couple of strides when she settled further back than expected on her way to finishing second behind Immortal Lass. 'I really thought she would have won at Glen Innes the other day but she took a backwards step when the gates opened and Cody's (Morgan) horse got a march on us and that was the end of the race for her,' said Quinn. 'She has had a good couple of weeks since then. 'Obviously last week was a bit of a washout for us. We missed trackwork for a couple of days but they are not going to lose much fitness going on the walker for a couple of days. 'Despite the weather, the horses coped with it really well and she had a lovely gallop on Saturday.' Angels Cloud has drawn ideally on barrier 4 in the Country Boosted Maiden Plate (1100m) with Matthew McGuren to again partner her. 'She has drawn well and Matthew decided to stick with her which is good,' he said. 'All she needs to do is step away and I think she will be hard to beat. Quinn is weighing up his options for Perhaps Perhaps in the Class 1 and Maiden Plate (1800m) but expects her to run a much improved race if she does start. The four-year-old debuted for Quinn with a handy fifth to Justifiably at Port Macquarie on April 19 before backing up on a heavy track there eight days later when down the order behind Imarealamerican over 1500m. She then finished a somewhat unlucky fifth to Visualise over 1400m at Glen Innes. 'Her first run for us was really good and we thought we would try and rider her handier second-up but I don't think she appreciated that and the quick back-up,' he said. 'We didn't want to come back in distance but there wasn't a lot of options for her after so we took her to Glen Innes. 'I thought the run was passable and the step up to 1800m suits her quite well.'
The Age
28-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Sweet smell of success for soft surface specialist Honey Perfume
He might be based in Sydney, but the provincial circuit is proving a home away from home for Warwick Farm trainer Matthew Smith. And he's looking to add to provincial pickings at Thursday's Gosford meeting when promising filly Honey Perfume lines up in the final race on a surface slowly drying out after a week of relentless rain. Still rated a Heavy 10 through Wednesday, clearing and sunny skies in the lead-up should see the track improve to at least a Heavy 8. And on a day when half the card could be dominated by short-priced favourites across small fields, Honey Perfume boasts the scent of success, and a second win from her last three starts in a moderate Class 1 Handicap over 1200m to close the meeting. A consistent three-year-old daughter of Toronado, Honey Perfume opened odds-on ahead of her first outing on a likely heavy-rated surface. But she has been a model of consistency in soft ground over the last month, and looks to have this field at her mercy. Two starts ago she powered home for a dominant maiden win at Goulburn before missing by a nose behind the promising Shropshire Lad after doing plenty of early work from a wide draw in a deeper Class 1 on Scone Cup day. That run augurs well for this race where she's drawn a middle gate, again with Keegan Latham in the saddle. In fact, only two other runners were quoted in single figures across early markets, and it's a similar story in a few other races earlier on the program.
