Latest news with #YellowSam
Courier-Mail
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
Yellow Sam charges home to win at Caulfield and earn crack at Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Yellow Sam has earned a shot at the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) next month at Caulfield with a strong win on Saturday. The Lindsey Smith-trained mare finished powerfully under jockey Fred Kersley to overhaul Lim's Saltoro, well-backed favourite The Open and Rheinberg. • 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 thought this craziness she'd go to the Bletchingly with no weight,' Smith said. 'We'll throw a few darts and then if she competed well she'd go to the (PB Lawrence).' Yellow Sam rounded the bend with work to do and duly saluted second-up. Yellow Sam won the Golden Topaz at Swan Hill the start prior, first-up from a long break after a health setback last year – a benign tumour in her hind gut. 'It's easier to train fast horses, I've got a few slower ones,' Smith said. 'Courageous horse, has been from the day dot … great will to win, as I've said many times, will maybe outdoes ability sometimes.' Kersley praised Yellow Sam. 'She has got better, she's probably the ultimate racehorse,' Kersley said. 'She's a professional, probably one of the gutsiest horses I've had the pleasure to do anything with. 'Time and time again she's come back, a filly, a mare, and she's held the form.' Earlier on the card, former international Sayedaty Sadaty, trained by Ciaron Maher, opened his Australian account with victory in the 2000m Quality Handicap at Caulfield on Saturday. Sayedaty Sadaty travelled outside leader Amberite and kicked clear in the straight to win third-up after consecutive 1800m placings at Sandown. Unfortunately, the race was marred by separate incidents in the straight. Rolls, trained by Maddie Raymond and Patrick Bell, failed to finish due to a severe leg fracture. Racing Victoria confirmed the gelding was humanely euthanized by on-course veterinarians. Jockey Harry Grace was taken to hospital with a sore hand and some general pain. Dakotah Keane was also dislodged from her mount, King Frankel, in the straight. Thankfully, Keane and King Frankel avoided injury. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Zahra sets sail for big spring Flemington trainer Simon Zahra has spring ambitions exciting Xarpo after the 'beast' responded to challengers at Caulfield on Saturday. Xarpo, expertly handled by apprentice jockey Ryan Houston, found the front early in the straight as favourite Mercurial Lady mounted a case. Xarpo lifted again to hold a margin, while Illyivy bloused Mercurial Lady for second and third. 'They were entitled to beat her,' Zahra said. 'She was a bit underdone, first-up 1200m, most of them had a run under their belt, so it's exciting.' Zahra said Xarpo would get to a mile in the spring. 'She's won over 1400m but I reckon she's a miler, last preparation she just missed the starts, did everything wrong, we got away with that win at Flemington,' Zahra said. 'To see her now compared to what she was six months ago just a different horse.' Xarpo, a rising four-year-old daughter of The Autumn Sun, has won three of six starts to date. 'We gave her a nice prep last time, she wasn't quite furnished and by the end she was starting to switch on,' Zahra said. 'She returned to the stable an absolute beast (after her spell) … we were pretty confident she would come here today and run pretty well. 'There's a bit of spring fortune we want to target … a complete different horse (now), like a big strong mare and she's starting to do everything right.' Zahra deferred spring plans until after Xarpo's next run, potentially at Caulfield in a fortnight or Flemington in three weeks. 'If she can perform well there we'll freshen her up,' Zahra said. Originally published as Yellow Sam charges home to win at Caulfield and earn crack at Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes
The Australian
17 hours ago
- Sport
- The Australian
Yellow Sam charges home to win at Caulfield and earn crack at Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes
Yellow Sam has earned a shot at the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) next month at Caulfield with a strong win on Saturday. The Lindsey Smith-trained mare finished powerfully under jockey Fred Kersley to overhaul Lim's Saltoro, well-backed favourite The Open and Rheinberg. • 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 thought this craziness she'd go to the Bletchingly with no weight,' Smith said. 'We'll throw a few darts and then if she competed well she'd go to the (PB Lawrence).' Yellow Sam rounded the bend with work to do and duly saluted second-up. Yellow Sam won the Golden Topaz at Swan Hill the start prior, first-up from a long break after a health setback last year – a benign tumour in her hind gut. 'It's easier to train fast horses, I've got a few slower ones,' Smith said. 'Courageous horse, has been from the day dot … great will to win, as I've said many times, will maybe outdoes ability sometimes.' Kersley praised Yellow Sam. 'She has got better, she's probably the ultimate racehorse,' Kersley said. 'She's a professional, probably one of the gutsiest horses I've had the pleasure to do anything with. 'Time and time again she's come back, a filly, a mare, and she's held the form.' Earlier on the card, former international Sayedaty Sadaty, trained by Ciaron Maher, opened his Australian account with victory in the 2000m Quality Handicap at Caulfield on Saturday. Sayedaty Sadaty travelled outside leader Amberite and kicked clear in the straight to win third-up after consecutive 1800m placings at Sandown. Unfortunately, the race was marred by separate incidents in the straight. Rolls, trained by Maddie Raymond and Patrick Bell, failed to finish due to a severe leg fracture. Racing Victoria confirmed the gelding was humanely euthanized by on-course veterinarians. Jockey Harry Grace was taken to hospital with a sore hand and some general pain. Dakotah Keane was also dislodged from her mount, King Frankel, in the straight. Thankfully, Keane and King Frankel avoided injury. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Zahra sets sail for big spring Flemington trainer Simon Zahra has spring ambitions exciting Xarpo after the 'beast' responded to challengers at Caulfield on Saturday. Xarpo, expertly handled by apprentice jockey Ryan Houston, found the front early in the straight as favourite Mercurial Lady mounted a case. Xarpo lifted again to hold a margin, while Illyivy bloused Mercurial Lady for second and third. 'They were entitled to beat her,' Zahra said. 'She was a bit underdone, first-up 1200m, most of them had a run under their belt, so it's exciting.' Zahra said Xarpo would get to a mile in the spring. 'She's won over 1400m but I reckon she's a miler, last preparation she just missed the starts, did everything wrong, we got away with that win at Flemington,' Zahra said. 'To see her now compared to what she was six months ago just a different horse.' Xarpo, a rising four-year-old daughter of The Autumn Sun, has won three of six starts to date. 'We gave her a nice prep last time, she wasn't quite furnished and by the end she was starting to switch on,' Zahra said. 'She returned to the stable an absolute beast (after her spell) … we were pretty confident she would come here today and run pretty well. 'There's a bit of spring fortune we want to target … a complete different horse (now), like a big strong mare and she's starting to do everything right.' Zahra deferred spring plans until after Xarpo's next run, potentially at Caulfield in a fortnight or Flemington in three weeks. 'If she can perform well there we'll freshen her up,' Zahra said. Gilbert Gardiner Sports reporter Gilbert Gardiner is a sports reporter for the Herald Sun and Sunday Herald Sun. @gilbertgardiner Gilbert Gardiner
News.com.au
19 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Yellow Sam charges home to win at Caulfield and earn crack at Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes
Yellow Sam has earned a shot at the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) next month at Caulfield with a strong win on Saturday. The Lindsey Smith -trained mare finished powerfully under jockey Fred Kersley to overhaul Lim's Saltoro, well-backed favourite The Open and Rheinberg. 'We thought this craziness she'd go to the Bletchingly with no weight,' Smith said. 'We'll throw a few darts and then if she competed well she'd go to the (PB Lawrence).' Yellow Sam rounded the bend with work to do and duly saluted second-up. Yellow Sam won the Golden Topaz at Swan Hill the start prior, first-up from a long break after a health setback last year – a benign tumour in her hind gut. 'It's easier to train fast horses, I've got a few slower ones,' Smith said. 'Courageous horse, has been from the day dot … great will to win, as I've said many times, will maybe outdoes ability sometimes.' Kersley praised Yellow Sam. 'She has got better, she's probably the ultimate racehorse,' Kersley said. 'She's a professional, probably one of the gutsiest horses I've had the pleasure to do anything with. 'Time and time again she's come back, a filly, a mare, and she's held the form.' YELLOW SAM ON THE LINE 😲 It took every inch of the straight but Yellow Sam got there! What a way to finish the day at Caulfield! @FKersley â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) June 28, 2025 Earlier on the card, former international Sayedaty Sadaty, trained by Ciaron Maher, opened his Australian account with victory in the 2000m Quality Handicap at Caulfield on Saturday. Sayedaty Sadaty travelled outside leader Amberite and kicked clear in the straight to win third-up after consecutive 1800m placings at Sandown. Unfortunately, the race was marred by separate incidents in the straight. Rolls, trained by Maddie Raymond and Patrick Bell, failed to finish due to a severe leg fracture. Racing Victoria confirmed the gelding was humanely euthanized by on-course veterinarians. Jockey Harry Grace was taken to hospital with a sore hand and some general pain. Dakotah Keane was also dislodged from her mount, King Frankel, in the straight. Thankfully, Keane and King Frankel avoided injury. â– â– â– â– â– Zahra sets sail for big spring Flemington trainer Simon Zahra has spring ambitions exciting Xarpo after the 'beast' responded to challengers at Caulfield on Saturday. Xarpo, expertly handled by apprentice jockey Ryan Houston, found the front early in the straight as favourite Mercurial Lady mounted a case. Xarpo lifted again to hold a margin, while Illyivy bloused Mercurial Lady for second and third. 'They were entitled to beat her,' Zahra said. 'She was a bit underdone, first-up 1200m, most of them had a run under their belt, so it's exciting.' Xarpo sticks the neck out and wins! Ryan Houston on the board for Simon Zahra ðŸ'°ðŸ'° @szahraracing â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) June 28, 2025 Zahra said Xarpo would get to a mile in the spring. 'She's won over 1400m but I reckon she's a miler, last preparation she just missed the starts, did everything wrong, we got away with that win at Flemington,' Zahra said. 'To see her now compared to what she was six months ago just a different horse.' Xarpo, a rising four-year-old daughter of The Autumn Sun, has won three of six starts to date. 'We gave her a nice prep last time, she wasn't quite furnished and by the end she was starting to switch on,' Zahra said. 'She returned to the stable an absolute beast (after her spell) … we were pretty confident she would come here today and run pretty well. 'There's a bit of spring fortune we want to target … a complete different horse (now), like a big strong mare and she's starting to do everything right.' Zahra deferred spring plans until after Xarpo's next run, potentially at Caulfield in a fortnight or Flemington in three weeks. 'If she can perform well there we'll freshen her up,' Zahra said.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Yellow Sam aiming to win at Caulfield 50 years exactly after her Irish namesake pulled off famous betting plunge
A successful betting plunge at Caulfield would be a fitting tribute to her famous Irish namesake but comeback mare Yellow Sam has equally been a brilliant money spinner. Yellow Sam has banked $423,840 prizemoney – 42 times his purchase price – with seven wins and six places from 16 starts for owners including trainer Lindsey Smith and long-time stable supporter Chris Wells. Yellow Sam is $7 in the 1440m Open Handicap on Saturday at Caulfield from The Open ($3.90), Regal Vow ($6.50) and Run Harry Run ($7). Yellow Sam was named after an Irish galloper set to win a hurdle race at Bellewstown, north of Dublin, 50 years ago exactly – coincidently. A late Irish trainer and professional punter-turned-philanthropist, Bernard 'Barney' Curley, owned the old Yellow Sam and sealed a massive windfall with a meticulous plan. Curley asked his trainer to target unsuitable races for Yellow Sam to fly under bookie and handicapper guards before the sting on June 26, 1975. Curley identified Bellewstown specifically, as only two telephone lines serviced the small racecourse. The private line, used by a company which supplied racing data to betting shops, malfunctioned coincidently the day Yellow Sam saluted at 20-1. Curley had friends and paid runners in bookmaker shops across Ireland with cash and instructions to bet on a horse, not known to them at the time, once given the go-ahead. Curley contacted six or seven trusted associates 10 minutes before the jump and instructed them to each call 10-20 other runners. Curley had a friend occupy the telephone box on-course, which prevented external bookies from being able to contact counterparts trackside to lay off Yellow Sam liabilities. Yellow Sam won the hurdle by more than two lengths and Curley reportedly profited £300,000 — the equivalent of about $A3m today. Smith and Wells learned of the Yellow Sam betting plunge through former assistant trainer Shane Jackson. The trio identified Australian Yellow Sam at the 2021 Inglis Gold Yearling Sale in Melbourne and picked her up for only $10,000. Wells offered a share to Jackson, who transferred the percentage to his father-in-law, Jim Gault, as a timely birthday present. Gault grew up in the same part of Ireland as the great Curley. 'Jim always wanted to have a horse called Yellow Sam, obviously being Irish and he loved racing and he knew the story,' Wells said. 'It was a little bit strange, ours being a filly, but we went with it anyway. 'He watches it (race from Ireland), gets a big thrill, he loves racing.' • Price has Will to succeed as a senior rider Yellow Sam resumed with a comeback Swan Hill triumph last start in the Golden Topaz after being sidelined last year, following the discovery of benign tumour, 'a big balloon of blood', in her hind gut. Smith said the mare has trained on well since Swan Hill. The Geelong-based Smith also has It's A Yes, a $6.50 chance, in the 1440m 3YO Open Handicap. It's A Yes resumed with a solid fifth at Flemington and then finished fourth at Geelong second-up. 'He was disappointing the other day, but he seemed to not want to go after 50m,' Smith said. 'I'm banking on the (soft) track didn't suit him … he didn't look interested the other day. 'He's a better horse than that … I expected more of him and I didn't get it. 'He was always going to butter up into this race but I didn't know if he was going to be the 1000m or the 1400m. 'He looked like he had no speed the other day, so I opted to go the 1400m.'
