Latest news with #WinxStakes
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Thompson aiming to cap off outstanding season with bang at Randwick on Saturday
Local trainer John Thompson is set to launch one of his spring hopefuls at Sydney's last Saturday meeting of the 2024/25 racing season at Royal Randwick. The concluding season has been fruitful for the popular, softly spoken trainer, his 55 winners has been his best haul of winners since 2019/20. 'Looking back I'm happy with how things have gone,' Thompson said. 'The results in the past 12 months have been good. 'I think we are heading into the new season with a solid team of young two and three-year-olds.' One of the stable's best prospects will return from a spell on Saturday in the Keeneland September Yearling Sale 2YO Open Handicap (1100m). Open Secret mixed it with some of the best of her generation during her only racing campaign. After winning on her home track on debut, the juvenile daughter of King's Legacy, finished within two lengths of Rivellino and Within The Law in consecutive starts. 'She's a talented filly and I'm really happy with how she's coming up,' Thompson said. 'I always thought she'd develop into a nice three-year-old and I hasn't seen anything to make me change my mind. 'She's trialled up well and I'm looking forward to seeing how she performs. 'She'll improve out of the run but I'm expecting her to be competitive. 'If she can win on Saturday, we'll chase the three-year-old fillies races, probably starting with the Silver Shadow on Winx Stakes day.' Thompson will then saddle up two runners in the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1600m). The stable's leading chance is last year's Four Pillars winner Kingston Charm which goes in off an unlucky second in a similar race two weeks ago. 'She's a horse that tends to get back a bit and those types of horses always need a bit of luck,' he said. 'She's going well and third up she's pretty close to her peak now. 'It looks a nice race for her.' • New ATC chairman floats fresh plan for Rosehill The stablemate Starphistocated has had three starts for Thompson for a win and two thirds in easier grade, but the trainer said the filly deserves a shot in Saturday company. 'She's honest and done well,' he said. 'I think she's been looking for the mile on a bigger track and that's what she gets on Saturday. 'She's at her peak so she sets up to run as well as she can and as I said she's honest.' According to Thompson, Bundeena is one of his better chances in the ATC Thank You Trainers Benchmark 88 Handicap (1100m). The Spirit Of Boom gelding was an impressive first-up winner at Royal Randwick 14 days ago when running away to score easily in Benchmark 78 grade. 'Everything fell into place for him first-up but he was really good,' he said. 'I'm happy with how he's going this prep and on Saturday he's drawn perfectly again and a bit of moisture in the track won't hurt his chances. 'This race is a bit stronger, but I do think he's got upside so it's going to be interesting to see how he lines up against them. 'I couldn't be happier with how he's going into the race.' Rounding out Thompson's team on Saturday are the lightly raced four-year-olds Opal Fields and Zouripper in the ATC Thank You Owners Benchmark 72 Handicap (1100m). Opal Fields steps up from midweek grade while Zouripper has had a short let-up since his last start in a Midway on June 5. 'Opal Fields is going well enough at home to run well in a race like this so don't underestimate her,' Thompson said. 'Zouripper is a horse that goes really well fresh. His first-up win at Kembla was a bloody good win. 'He had 10 days in the paddock since his last run, so he's been freshened as that's when he's most effective.' Heading into the new season Thompson nominated With Your Blessing and Open Secret as horses to follow out of his stable. 'With Your Blessing is a horse that is on the rise and not far away,' he said. 'He's going well this prep and I'm hoping he can step up. 'I also looking forward to seeing how Open Secret runs on Saturday. 'She's a filly that the best is still ahead of, and I like her a lot.'
New Paper
22-07-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
Gringotts to target Winx Stakes first-up
SYDNEY - Group 1 winner Gringotts has continued to improve with each campaign, and connections expect that to again be the case as the rising six-year-old closes in on his seasonal return. After capturing the Listed Big Dance (1,600m) at Randwick on Nov 5, 2024 and the Group 3 The Gong (1,600m) at Kembla Grange on Nov 23, 2024, Gringotts went on to claim the scalps of Fangirl and Ceolwulf in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1,500m) at Rosehill on March 22. The son of Per Incanto ended his preparation with a midfield finish in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1,600m) at Randwick on April 5, less than two lengths behind the Bjorn Baker-trained Stefi Magnetica. Trainer Ciaron Maher's right-hand man in Sydney, Johann Gerard-Dubord, said the gelding had furnished even more after that last run. "Gringotts looks outstanding," said Gerard-Dubord. "Every prep he looks better, but he has come back stronger again and just looks so healthy." The 10-time winner is set to line up in an open trial at Gosford on July 23, as he prepares to kick off his campaign in the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1,400m) at Randwick on Aug 23. Gerard-Dubord felt Gringotts would probably attract too much weight in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1,600m) at Randwick on Oct 4, but the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1,600m) at Randwick on Oct 18 would be an obvious target in the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival. "He will likely start in the Winx Stakes, and a race like the King Charles would be a nice race for him," he said. "There is the Champions Mile in Melbourne after that." To be held at Flemington on Nov 8, the Group 1 Champions Mile (1,600m) carries a prize purse of A$3 million (S$2.5 million). His stablemate Jimmysstar - also a five-year-old son of Per Incanto and the winner of the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1,400m) at Randwick on April 19 - is on track to trial in early August. His connections are keen to attract a slot in the A$20 million The Everest (1,200m), the richest race in Australia and the richest turf race in the world. "He's got the right credentials. He's done a good job, he has done well at Randwick, so I think he deserves one," Gerard-Dubord said of Jimmysstar. "He is still a bit wintery, but he is a lot stronger. He looks like a real sprinter now." With the progeny of Per Incanto, Gerard-Dubord thought they are typical of the New Zealand breed and continue to get better with age. "They're horses where, if you don't rush them early, you usually get rewarded later," he said. SKY RACING WORLD
News.com.au
22-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Via Sistina, Fangirl and more headline star-studded Randwick trials
The build up to Via Sistina's spring campaign is well and truly underway, with the nine-time Group 1 winner blowing out some cobwebs in a star-studded Randwick trial on Tuesday. It was Via Sistina 's first public appearance since claiming the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) on Day 2 of The Championships and she wasn't out there to break any records. Star stablemate Fangirl was also present in the 850m hit out and both were given quiet trials as Chris Waller aims them towards the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick next month. 'The 23rd of August they will be racing … if everything goes to plan,' Waller said. 'We allow an extra week just in case for a temperature or sore foot and things like that. 'Nine times out of 10 you need it and sometimes you will see them have an exhibition gallop if they haven't had a problem. 'It's just about being careful. You are a month away so you can imagine how much fitness is going to be done in the next month.' 1⃣ The Novelist 2⃣ More Territories 3⃣ Full Count Felicia The @GaiWaterhouse1 & Adrian Bott gelding too speedy in an 850m Kensington trial on Tuesday - behind them were Extractor, Zardozi, Tom Kitten, Fangirl and Via Sistina. @tabcomau — Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) July 21, 2025 The Novelist won the 850m hit out in a time of 51.48 seconds, covering the final 600m in 33.67s. Godolphin's Tom Kitten and Zardozi also featured in the trial – their final time heading to the races under the James Cummings banner. The second heat of the morning also featured a handful of Waller's spring brigade with Autumn Glow, Wodeton, Aeliana and Lazzura returning. The unbeaten Autumn Glow settled up on the pace and finished third in the 850m hit out, won by Palmetto in 51.20s. The last 600m was covered in 33.69s. 1⃣ Palmetto 2⃣ Beiwacht 3⃣ Autumn Glow Basically all the way for @jsargentracing 's Canberra Cup winner in the second 850m Kensington trial on Tuesday - also in this heat Manaal, Pericles, Wodeton, Lazzura and Aeliana. @tabcomau — Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) July 21, 2025 • Autumn Glow is headed towards the Group 1 Epsom Handicap, for which she's rated the $3.50 favourite in futures betting. 'She would resume in one of the sprint handicaps or set weight fillies and mares races to get to the Epsom third-up,' Waller said. Meanwhile, Waller has the Group 1 Golden Rose circled on the calendar for Wodeton, with that run to decide the rest of his spring campaign. 'He (Wodeton) looks like he has come back really well and we will go to the Golden Rose. 'Then it will be Coolmore or (Caulfield) Guineas but I think 1400m will suit him better. 'He will be ready to go before the Run To The Rose. 'We could run two or three weeks before, being up this early 'But because he went out after the Golden Slipper, they actually had a long break so he is up ready to go.' Nepotism at $4.
New Paper
21-07-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
Via Sistina all tuned up as Spring campaign nears
SYDNEY Champion trainer Chris Waller said Via Sistina could follow a similar programme to last spring's, which saw the top mare land four Group 1 victories - the Winx Stakes (1,400m), the Turnbull Stakes (2,000m), the Cox Plate (2,040m) and the Champions Stakes (2,000m). The 2024-25 Australian Horse of the Year will make her first public appearance on the morning of July 22 when she steps out in the opening heat of 17 trials at Randwick. The 850m trial on the Kensington track has brought together a field of eight, which includes Via Sistina's stablemate and Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1,600m) winner Fangirl, as well as two other Group 1 winners - Tom Kitten and Zardozi - trained by James Cummings. Waller is planning on having Via Sistina - the victor of the 2024 Winx Stakes - defend her title first-up in the Winx Stakes at Randwick on Aug 23. He will then look at bringing the Fastnet Rock seven-year-old to Melbourne to run in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1,600m) at Flemington on Sept 13. Second-up at her Spring campaign in 2024, Via Sistina ran fifth to Mr Brightside in the Makybe Diva on Sept 14, but she followed up with a consecutive Group 1-winning spree at her next three starts in Melbourne; taking out the Turnbull Stakes, the Cox Plate and the Champion Stakes. The mare then raced exclusively in Sydney during the autumn, collecting three more Group 1 successes: the Verry Elleegant Stakes (1,600m) on March 1, the Ranvet Stakes (2,000m) on March 22 and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2,000m) at her last run on April 12. Waller said he would discuss the options with Via Sistina's owners, Yulong Investments, as to what plans they have for the nine-time Group 1 winner - who ran in Ireland and UK before kicking off her career in Australia in 2024 - and potentially avoid any clashes with their other horses. "She has come back well. She has come back stronger than she has been," said Waller. "I don't think it makes them run faster, but she has adapted to Australia. She has been here 18 months now and it takes that long for mares to adjust. "From a health perspective, she's great." Waller said the Makybe Diva Stakes may suit a number of his horses, including Via Sistina and Fangirl. "The Makybe Diva might suit Via Sistina, and then maybe the Turnbull, so it (Winx Stakes) could be her only run in Sydney," Waller said. "But I won't rule out that she won't stay here either. "Obviously, I've got to speak to the owners and see what other horses they've got. They might have their other good mare (Treasurethe Moment) going towards the Makybe Diva and they might not want her there, so we'll have to see. "Fangirl, she could even go to the Makybe Diva as well second-up and then come back for the King Charles. "That's probably her first grand final. She is more of a miler, but she has come back well." The Sebring six-year-old mare has also been earmarked for a first-up run in the Winx Stakes that she won in 2023. The Turnbull Stakes will be at Flemington on Oct 4, while the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1,600m) will be run at The Everest meeting at Randwick on Oct 18. Waller would not be asking a lot of Via Sistina and Fangirl on July 22. "They're stablemates, they live next to each other, and they will probably finish out the back next to each other on Tuesday," he said. SKY RACING WORLD
Courier-Mail
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
Robusto too tough in Winter Challenge as Bjorn Baker eyes Group 1 target
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Trainer Bjorn Baker is considering giving Robusto another Group 1 crack in early spring after his tough galloper came out on top in a dogfight with Accredited at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Robusto and Accredited went nose-and-nose for much of the straight as Baker's gelding got the nod in a photo finish to the Listed $200,000 Winter Challenge (1500m). The tough performance had Baker ready to raise the bar higher again with a fit horse in the early spring. • 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! 'We might even go to the (Group 2) Missile Stakes back to 1200m and then look at a race like the (Group 1) Winx Stakes if he was to run well there,' Baker said. 'He is up and going and fit and well.' Baker caused a boilover to win the Winx Stakes in 2019 with Samadoubt, who also wore the white and navy blue colours of Darby Racing. Robusto has already been valuable horse since joining Baker's stable after Darby purchased the gelding online for $160,000. The son of Churchill won the $2m The Ingham in his first preparation for Baker last December and banked another $109,000 for his win in the Winter Challenge. 'He has been a bit of a revelation,' Baker said. 'Another horse Darby Racing have purchased and they just find them at all levels and found another two (online) during the week. 'I am lucky enough to get both of those and I am excited about that but he has been a really good horse and was unlucky last time. 'Of course he won The Ingham and it was good to see him back today with the big weight. • Home-bred cheapie scores knockout win in July Sprint 'We can definitely try to hit the spring with a bit of fitness on our side. 'I am glad he fell in because I tipped him to the world.' Robusto put the writing on the wall second-up when a luckless second in the Listed Winter Stakes after returning to Sydney looking to bounce back from a failed Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap run. But the five-year-old was set a weighty task in his third-up assignment. No horse had carried more than 58kg to victory in the Winter Challenge in its short 15-year history but Robusto was set the task of lugging 60kg on Saturday. He was afforded an energy conserving run after jockey Josh Parr settled on the fence, in behind the leader Accredited. Parr launched off Accredited's back early in the straight and the duo paired off to fight it out with Robusto ($3.10) doing enough to score by a half-head. Chris Waller's Saltcoats ($5.50) was one-and-a-quarter lengths back in third. 'He has had to carry the weight and has earned that weight but we got through there and it turned out to be somewhat of a dogfight,' Parr said. • 'Put my neck on the line': Online buy repays Archibald gamble 'I had in the back of my mind all day, when Tim Clark won The Ingham on him, the fight he showed in the battle. 'I was relying on that but thank God we got him to win.' Robusto's victory gave Baker a personal best ninth Listed winner of the season and 24th stakes triumph in a career best season that has delivered 154 winners. It denied trainer Joe Pride a cleansweep of Sydney's sprinting-middle distance winter stakes races after he won the AO Bob Charley Stakes (In Flight), Civic Stakes (Headley Grange) and Winter Stakes (Estadio Mestalla). However, Accredited, who finished third in the Winter Stakes at his last start, lost no admirers in defeat with Pride more than happy with his performance. 'He was good,' he said. 'It just highlights the difference with this fella on a wet track and a dry track. 'He is at least a two or three lengths better horse. 'There is a 1500m here in a couple of weeks' time so we will have a think about it and see how he pulls up.' Pride's Winter Stakes winner Estadio Mestalla couldn't replicate his last start success after being caught deep in the run and battling on for fifth. Originally published as Trainer Bjorn Baker considering Group 1 target for Robusto after his fighting win in the Winter Challenge at Rosehill
