Latest news with #barrierTrial
The Australian
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Australian
Via Sistina headlines star-studded Randwick trials as Horse of the Year finalists revealed
Via Sistina, the unbackable favourite to win Horse of the Year honours, headlines a galaxy of equine stars set to barrier trial at Royal Randwick on Thursday. Sydney's big wet forced the scheduled Tuesday trials session to be delayed 48 hours with trainer Chris Waller's champion mare Via Sistina and her outstanding stablemate Fangirl clashing in the opening heat over 1000m against the likes of Another Wil, Light Infantry Man and Vauban. • 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! Waller is not concerned about the delay to the barrier trial session as it is more important the carnival horses compete on improving track conditions. 'We are well ahead of schedule,'' Waller explained. 'Most of our horses have had their first trial and they are not racing until August 23 so we have some time up our sleeves. 'We will sit tight and whenever the weather improves we will be ready to go.'' Waller said Via Sistina and Fangirl are experienced mares and 'just find their groove' when they return to training with both on target for a comeback in the Group 1 $1m Winx Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on August 23. The Hall of Fame trainer is also using Thursday's trials to give his trio of top class four-year-old mares Lady Shenandoah, Aeliana and Autumn Glow a chance to stretch their legs. • Mitch Cohen's Blackbook: Five to follow from Rosehill Gardens Via Sistina, Fangirl, Lady Shenandoah, Aeliana and Autumn Glow figure prominently among the finalists in various categories for the Australian Racehorse of the Year awards as revealed by Racing Queensland and Racing Australia on Monday. The Horse of the Year awards ceremony, which will be held at The Star Brisbane on August 31, acknowledges results on domestic racecourses as well international performances by locally-trained horses during the 2024-25 season. 'Racing Queensland is honoured to host this year's Australian Racehorse of the Year ceremony, celebrating the stars of our sport and their outstanding achievements over the last season,'' RQ acting chief executive Lachlan Murray said. 'Similarly, it's fitting that the gala luncheon will see both Black Caviar and Winx elevated to Legend status in the Hall of Fame, both of whom have strong ties to Queensland.'' James McDonald and Chris Waller claimed the most Group 1 victories by a jockey and trainer respectively last season. Picture: Getty Images Via Sistina equalled all-time great Winx's record of seven Group 1 wins in a season including the rare Cox Plate-Queen Elizabeth Stakes double and she is a lock for Horse of the Year and Champion Middle Distance awards. But the other Horse of the Year distance and age group categories are anything but clear-cut. For the Champion 2yo award, there is little separating Golden Slipper winner Marhoona, Group 1 winners Nepotism (Champagne Stakes), Vinrock (ATC Sires Produce Stakes), and Cool Archie (JJ Atkins), and Godolphin's top filly Tempted. Godolphin also has Broadsiding (Golden Rose, Rosehill Guineas) among the main chances for the Champion 3yo Colt and Gelding award which also includes unbeaten Private Harry (The Galaxy), Linebacker (Randwick Guineas), Switzerland (Coolmore Stud Stakes) and Goldrush Guru (VRC Derby). • English Premier League stars shooting for Golden Eagle bid One of the most contentious awards will be for Champion 3yo Filly which has Aeliana (ATC Australian Derby), unbeaten Autumn Glow, multiple Group 1 placegetter Lady Of Camelot, Lady Shenandoah (Flight Stakes, Surround Stakes, Coolmore Classic) and Treasurethe Moment (VRC Oaks, ATC Australian Oaks, Vinery Stud Stakes) as finalists. Similarly, Champion Sprinter is up for grabs with five elite Group 1 winners confirmed as finalists – Bella Nipotina (The Everest), Briasa (TJ Smith Stakes), Jimmysstar (Oakleigh Plate, All Aged Stakes), Joliestar (Newmarket Handicap, Kingsford Smith Cup), and Sunshine In Paris (Champions Sprint, Doomben 10,000). The Champion Stayer title isn't cut and dried either with Melbourne Cup winner Knight's Choice, Duke De Sessa (Caulfield Cup), Arapaho (Sydney Cup), English raider Dubai Honour (Tancred Stakes) and Godolphin's consistent mare Zardozi competing for the honour. Waller will be awarded the Champion Group 1 trainer for an extraordinary 13th successive season after he prepared an all-time record 19 big-race winners last season while jockey James McDonald has won his fifth consecutive title with 15 Australian major race wins. 2024/2025 AUSTRALIAN RACEHORSE OF THE YEAR AWARDS THE FINALISTS Champion 2yo: Cool Archie, Marhoona, Vinrock, Nepotism, Tempted Champion 3yo Filly: Aeliana, Autumn Glow, Lady Of Camelot, Lady Shenandoah, Treasurethe Moment Champion 3yo Colt/Gelding: Broadsiding, Switzerland, Linebacker, Private Harry, Goldrush Guru Champion Sprinter: Bella Nipotina, Briasa, Jimmysstar, Joliestar, Sunshine In Paris Champion Middle Distance: Antino, Ceolwulf, Fangirl, Mr Brightside, Via Sistina Champion Stayer: Arapaho, Dubai Honour, Duke De Sessa, Knight's Choice, Zardozi Champion Jumper: Affluential, Duke of Bedford, Loft, Stern Idol, The Cunning Fox Group 1 Trainer Award: Chris Waller Group 1 Jockey Award: James McDonald Champion Sire: Zoustar
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Via Sistina headlines star-studded Randwick trials as Horse of the Year finalists revealed
Via Sistina, the unbackable favourite to win Horse of the Year honours, headlines a galaxy of equine stars set to barrier trial at Royal Randwick on Thursday. Sydney's big wet forced the scheduled Tuesday trials session to be delayed 48 hours with trainer Chris Waller 's champion mare Via Sistina and her outstanding stablemate Fangirl clashing in the opening heat over 1000m against the likes of Another Wil, Light Infantry Man and Vauban. Waller is not concerned about the delay to the barrier trial session as it is more important the carnival horses compete on improving tack conditions. 'We are well ahead of schedule,'' Waller explained. 'Most of our horses have had their first trial and they are not racing until August 23 so we have some time up our sleeves. 'We will sit tight and whenever the weather improves we will be ready to go.'' Waller said Via Sistina and Fangirl are experienced mares and 'just find their groove' when they return to training with both on target for a comeback in the Group 1 $1m Winx Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on August 23. The Hall of Fame trainer is also using Thursday's trials to give his trio of top class four-year-old mares Lady Shenandoah, Aeliana and Autumn Glow a chance to stretch their legs. Via Sistina, Fangirl, Lady Shenandoah, Aeliana and Autumn Glow figure prominently among the finalists in various categories for the Australian Racehorse of the Year awards as revealed by Racing Queensland and Racing Australia on Monday. The Horse of the Year awards ceremony, which will be held at The Star Brisbane on August 31, acknowledges results on domestic racecourses as well international performances by locally-trained horses during the 2024-25 season. 'Racing Queensland is honoured to host this year's Australian Racehorse of the Year ceremony, celebrating the stars of our sport and their outstanding achievements over the last season,'' RQ acting chief executive Lachlan Murray said. 'Similarly, it's fitting that the gala luncheon will see both Black Caviar and Winx elevated to Legend status in the Hall of Fame, both of whom have strong ties to Queensland.'' Via Sistina equalled all-time great Winx's record of seven Group 1 wins in a season including the rare Cox Plate-Queen Elizabeth Stakes double and she is a lock for Horse of the Year and Champion Middle Distance awards. But the other Horse of the Year distance and age group categories are anything but clear-cut. For the Champion 2yo award, there is little separating Golden Slipper winner Marhoona, Group 1 winners Nepotism (Champagne Stakes), Vinrock (ATC Sires Produce Stakes), and Cool Archie (JJ Atkins), and Godolphin's top filly Tempted. Godolphin also has Broadsiding (Golden Rose, Rosehill Guineas) among the main chances for the Champion 3yo Colt and Gelding award which also includes unbeaten Private Harry (The Galaxy), Linebacker (Randwick Guineas), Switzerland (Coolmore Stud Stakes) and Goldrush Guru (VRC Derby). One of the most contentious awards will be for Champion 3yo Filly which has Aeliana (ATC Australian Derby), unbeaten Autumn Glow, multiple Group 1 placegetter Lady Of Camelot, Lady Shenandoah (Flight Stakes, Surround Stakes, Coolmore Classic) and Treasurethe Moment (VRC Oaks, ATC Australian Oaks, Vinery Stud Stakes) as finalists. Similarly, Champion Sprinter is up for grabs with five elite Group 1 winners confirmed as finalists – Bella Nipotina (The Everest), Briasa (TJ Smith Stakes), Jimmysstar (Oakleigh Plate, All Aged Stakes), Joliestar (Newmarket Handicap, Kingsford Smith Cup), and Sunshine In Paris (Champions Sprint, Doomben 10,000). The Champion Stayer title isn't cut and dried either with Melbourne Cup winner Knight's Choice, Duke De Sessa (Caulfield Cup), Arapaho (Sydney Cup), English raider Dubai Honour (Tancred Stakes) and Godolphin's consistent mare Zardozi competing for the honour. Waller will be awarded the Champion Group 1 trainer for an extraordinary 13th successive season after he prepared an all-time record 19 big-race winners last season while jockey James McDonald has won his fifth consecutive title with 15 Australian major race wins. 2024/2025 AUSTRALIAN RACEHORSE OF THE YEAR AWARDS THE FINALISTS Champion 2yo: Cool Archie, Marhoona, Vinrock, Nepotism, Tempted Champion 3yo Filly: Aeliana, Autumn Glow, Lady Of Camelot, Lady Shenandoah, Treasurethe Moment
News.com.au
19-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Coffs Harbour previews: Trainer Donna Grisedale focuses on mental mastery with Piedi Veloci for racing success
His name translates as 'fast feet' but right now it's Piedi Veloci's brain that trainer Donna Grisedale is working hardest on. A three-year-old son of Widden Stud's flying machine, Supido, Grisedale 's gelding left an immediate and lasting impression when winning a barrier trial at home at Coffs Harbour in the middle of September last year. Piedi Veloci has raced three times since, and while unplaced at each of them, there was merit in all, albeit hidden from those outside his orbit. 'He's getting there,' Grisedale said. 'He is a massive work in progress this horse. Mentally not there yet, or physically, but plenty of ability. Success at @InverellRaces1 to Four Degrees who breaks his madien at start number 3! ðŸ'� â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 23, 2025 The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here! 'He's just got to put it all together still. He did a few things wrong there at Grafton but ran home nicely. 'Once he gets balanced and in a straight line, he just goes, but you can't be slow away and give them that much start like he did.' Piedi Veloci's assignment this week is the Northern Beaches Blues AFL Country Boosted Maiden Handicap over 1205m. 'Ideally, the 1400m would have been better suited to him, however, here at Coffs Harbour on the Heavy 9 or Heavy 10, I thought the 1200m would pull him up and test him out a bit so I'll stick to the 1200m,' Grisedale explained. Grisedale, meanwhile, is taking both a quantity and quality approach to the feature race, the Woolgoogla Diggers Cup Benchmark 82 Handicap (1305m) where he saddles-up lively trio Bow, Ostracised and Mallee Boy Express. 'Bow doesn't really appreciate the Heavy going, Soft is fine, Heavy is not really ideal for him but he's not a very good traveller so for me to just take him over the road here is an opportunity too good to knock back,' Grisedale said. This will be the second time in the space of eight days that sees stablemates Ostracised and Stage Hit descendant Mallee Boy Express square off on race day. Last Thursday at Ballina, Mallee Boy Express edged out his more fancied stable companion to win an uncommonly strong Benchmark 58 Handicap. 🚂 A tight finish at Ballina sees Mallee Boy Express get home! â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 12, 2025 'Mallee Boy Express is a hard one to get a gauge on,' Grisesdale said. 'His form is up and down a lot but he just relished that Heavy track. I don't normally back any of my horses up that quickly but how could I knock it back. 'They're going to get the Heavy track again. 'And especially Ostracised, he's coming right down from 62kg down to 55kg, so that will bring him right into contention. 'It is definitely a stronger grade race, that's why we've got the 55 kilos, but hometrack, Heavy track, there are a few ticks.' Ostracised has covered more ground and had more change of address than most horses. Born at Rothwell Park in Scone, Ostracised was originally housed at Team Hawkes' Victorian lodgings. After that he went to Kody Nestor at Dubbo, Cody Morgan at Tamworth, Bjorn Baker in Sydney and now north to Grisedale's headquarters at Coffs Harbour. 'When I saw Cody Morgan at Inverell, he said this horse was a Kosciuszko horse and a Championships horse on a Heavy track,' the trainer revealed. Grisedale has 'multiple runners' in the last of the eight races on her hometown card with Speedy Target and Another Balconyboy engaged. Both are owned by former trainers with Another Balconyboy racing in Jim Jarvis' hot pink colours while Speedy Target sports the colours made internationally famous by Joe Janiak's four-legged fairytale, Takeover Target. â– â– â– â– â– Blame me, not the horse. So said trainer Todd Payne in the wake of Desert Cougar 's disappointing performance at Grafton 11 days ago. The Coffs Harbour bound chestnut's fading ninth (of 12) came 20 days after she shed her maiden status in the most emphatic fashion at Tamworth with Luke Rolls in the saddle each time. 'Definitely excuses,' Payne said. 'It was trainer error. Luke came out of the jockeys room and said we might snag her back to last and get a run up the fence and I said no, no, jump her out and push her forward and try and see if you can get the one-one. 'Silly me, in hindsight it was the wrong thing to do. It was all on me. Anyway, I'll cop that on the chin. 'She's drawn a bit wide there again but Luke will know exactly what to do and I won't give him instructions like I did last week, because they just did not work. 'It is the right sort of race for her.' Desert Cougar is the third foal of her six-time winning dam, Kalahari Princess. A granddaughter of Lion Hunter, Kalahari Princess's second foal is Payne's stable captain, Lisztomania whose second-place in this year's Country Championships Final all but guarantees him a spot in the Kosciuszko at Randwick this October. Payne, meanwhile, will make the 600km round trip from Inverell to Coffs Harbour with the former Newcastle housed gelding, Soobooco, as a partner for Desert Cougar. First sold for $100,000 at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale in 2021, the grandson of Snitzel next appeared at the Inglis April Online Sale in 2024 when knocked down for $9,000. The son of the now Indonesian-based stallion Sooboog, Soobooco's Payne stable debut was underwhelming to say the least, clocking in last at Tamworth on May 20. Soobooco improved dramatically when he resurfaced at Grafton 18 days later when runner-up in a Class 3 over 1120m. 'He's just an older type of horse with a few little issues,' Payne explained. 'I think he likes the wet. 'I thought he went a lot better the other day at Grafton. He just didn't show that zip that I thought he would so we have gone back to a 1000m which is his preferred distance and Luke suggested to put shades on too so we put a set of visors on him this week. 'I'm happy with him going into this, that's for sure.'
