Latest news with #Winterbottom
New Paper
21-04-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
Overpass eyeing third Quokka
PERTH One of racing's phenomena can add another chapter on April 26 as Overpass sets sights on a third win in as many editions of Western Australia's richest race, The Quokka. Four starts at Ascot have delivered two wins in the A$5 million (S$4.17 million) slot race feature over 1,200m and a pair of victories in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1,200m) for a perfectly rich record at the track. Sydney trainer Bjorn Baker has taken a slightly different approach this time, veering from starting in The Quokka first-up like he has over the past two years. This time round, the Vancouver six-year-old went in second-up after being collared on the line by Briasa in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1,200m) at Randwick on April 5. "I'm looking forward to getting back over there," said Baker, who made his way to Perth on April 21. "It has become my second home at the back end of autumn and summer. "Overpass travelled over really well and we've followed a similar routine over the last couple of years. "I don't think he overdid it in the TJ and he looks to have come through it pretty well. "If anything, he looks better and staying at Simon Miller's stable, everything is replicated to a degree." Perth has agreed with the gelding over the past couple of years. The New Zealand-born Baker, who has called Sydney home since 2011, identifies the dimensions of the Ascot circuit as something that has really suited the horse. "The great thing about him is that he has a high cruising speed, so he is able to jump and travel, and absorb pressure which he has done very well," said Baker, who is of Kiwi-Swede origin and is about to be naturalised Australian. "Even though he'd won two Quokkas and Winterbottoms, I thought his last Winterbottom win was amazing. "He had to absorb pressure the whole way and I thought we were in a lot of trouble at the 600 (metre mark). I thought, arguably, that was his best ever win." The 10-time winner and stakes earner in excess of A$10 million has been a solid main fancy throughout betting for The Quokka, a race named after a marsupial indigenous to Western Australia. "He definitely likes it over there and he has been a touch underrated even by myself and the team," said Baker. "I think if anything, often he looks really, really well come Winterbottom time, but last year I probably wasn't as happy as I have been. This time he looks better." Overpass is at 13-10 in all-in markets with the two other Sydney raiders, the Matthew Smith-trained Headwall and Matthew Dale-trained Front Page at 5-1 and 7-1 respectively. "You're always wary of who is in the field. Headwall is there and Front Page is a good horse who is up on speed, and then the locals, so we're not taking it for granted," he added. "But I think he is going well and he has been a dream horse." There will indeed be no shortage of local hopefuls who will try and stop Overpass from whisking the trophy away again. Leading the charge are 2024 Group 3 Gold Rush (1,400m) winner Western Empire, The Boss Lady and Jokers Grin, respective winner and runner-up of the Group 3 Roma Cup (1,100m) on April 12. There is also West Star, better remembered by Singapore racing fans as the smart winner of the Singapore Pools Trophy 2025 Handicap (1,200m) on April 5. SKY RACING WORLD
Leaders
17-03-2025
- General
- Leaders
Royal Saudi Air Force Participates in Red Flag 25-2 Exercise in US
The Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) is taking part in the Red Flag-Nellis 25-2, taking place in the Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, US, according to the Saudi Ministry of Defense. The Red Flag 25-2 Exercise aims to enhance the level of combat readiness and efficiency, in addition to coordinating efforts to achieve operational compatibility for joint operations. The Royal Saudi Air Force participates in Red Flag 25-2 Exercise with a Typhoon aircraft system, including its entire air, technical, and support personnel. The RSAF will execute defensive and offensive counter air operations, close air support, and combat search and rescue operations. Running from March 10-21, 2025, the Red Flag 25-2 Exercise sees the participation of 1,500 participants from 15 units representing the US Air Force and Marine Corps, as well as the Royal Saudi Air Force, the UAE Air Force and the Turkish Air Force. The Red Flag 25-2 Exercise provides participants with a significant opportunity to plan and execute air operations in realistic, contested environment by engaging participants in complex mission scenarios against formidable aggressor forces. This enables participants to enhance their skills and tactics for real-world application. وستُنفذ #القوات_الجوية ونظيراتها من الدول الشقيقة والصديقة المشاركة في التمرين عمليات جوية مضادة دفاعية وهجومية، وعمليات الإسناد الجوي القريب، بالإضافة إلى عمليات البحث والإنقاذ القتالي.#فيديو_الدفاع — وزارة الدفاع (@modgovksa) March 16, 2025 In the light of this, the 414th Combat Training Squadron commander, Col. Eric Winterbottom, said: 'By conducting realistic training scenarios in a controlled environment, Red Flag enables aircrews to hone their skills, which is crucial given that studies have shown the first ten combat missions pose the highest risks.' Winterbottom stressed the importance of the exercises in strengthening cooperation and partnerships between partner air forces. 'Red Flag-Nellis 25-2 exemplifies how international collaboration transforms our air combat capabilities, as diverse units come together to enhance operational readiness and foster long-term relationships,' he said. Short link :
