Latest news with #spring carnival
The Australian
01-08-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Rising star Convergent set to join stablemate Glorious Moments in spring carnival team
Trainers Jim and Greg Lee believe Convergent can join highly promising stablemate Glorious Moments on a path to the spring carnival when he returns from a let-up at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Glorious Moments produced an eye-catching performance to salute last weekend at Royal Randwick with the Lee brothers set to put stakes races in their crosshairs this spring. They are hopeful of getting Convergent to a Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) via races like the Group 3 Wyong Cup (2100m) on September 5 and Group 3 Newcastle Cup (2300m) on September 19. • 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! It's a mark of the high opinion the Lees hold for Convergent, which has so far only been restricted to two starts for a win and a second. 'I think he will run 2000m plus and even two miles although that's yet to be seen but the way he comes out with his head on his chest, that's just a sign they will stay all day,' Greg Lee said. 'What makes him a good horse, I know he will run 2400m, but he can sprint.' The Lees have spaced Convergent's run during his debut preparation with the son of Impending winning on debut at Randwick Kensington on April 25 and then running second in a Midway race at Rosehill on June 7. He spent a couple of weeks in the paddock after his last start before trialling twice in preparation for Saturday's Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m). • Duff and Shayno's Rosehill Saturday tips, analysis: $16 value bet Convergent will be faced with the challenge of returning on heavy ground but Lee expects he will be up to the task. 'I think he will handle the going,' he said. 'Truthfully I think he is a swimmer but it yet to be seen although he has shown us signs of it. 'He has been out in the paddock for a weeks and come back with a couple of trials to give him a break because they can't continue. 'Adam (Hyeronimus) rode him in the trial and said he's improved since the last time he rode him, which is a good start.' Convergent is a $7 chance in a race headlined by Denman Star ($3.10 favourite). It will be another two weeks before punters see the impressive Glorious Moments back at the races with the stable set to pick out a stakes race in the not too distant future for the gelding. 'When he gets over further he will get better but he's only had the four starts,' Lee said. 'We haven't locked in a race for him but we will have a look after he runs next on August 16 and then we will go from there whether we will stay here with him or go down there.' FIRST LANDING HITS HIGHWAY AGAIN Ex-Sydney galloper First Landing has been a revelation since moving to Port Macquarie with trainer John Sprague now hoping he can deliver his first Highway winner at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. First Landing was trained at Rosehill previously with Michael, John and Wayne Hawkes but moved to Sprague in the winter and made an immediate impact. The son of Deep Field won each of his first two starts for the new trainer before coming to town and finishing runner-up at his next two, including last time in Highway grade. 'It takes a lot of time to go across them but you got to be lucky now and again,' Sprague said. 'We have only had the four starts with him for two firsts and two seconds.' • Rosehill Inside Mail: Widdup trio ready to launch 'We were going to go to the Benchmark 72 with him with a bit of weight off him but as a few of the experts told me, that's why the Highways are there and you've got to take them there while you can. 'The Highway form is hard form and I've got to break the duck. Off what he did the other day I started to get a bit excited.' First Landing went close to breaking his Highway duck last start after hitting the front before being gunned down late by Shropshire Lad. 'Two starts before when he led he got out in front and switched off and when the jockey put a couple on his backside, he took off again so he's still learning,' Sprague said. 'I don't think the penny has dropped yet.' Bookies rate First Landing as a $7 chance with jockey Zac Lloyd set to pilot the gelding. The lightly-raced galloper should have no trouble getting through the heavy conditions while his wide draw might not be as bad as it seems. • Freedmans targets fast start at Rosehill 'Last time we decided we wouldn't run him if he drew wide again but with the wet weather we thought they might come out to us,' Sprague said. 'There is nowhere up around our area where there is going to be races because it's so wet at present.' VIA SISTINA HEADLINES RANDWICK TRIALS Superstar mare Via Sistina will move a step closer to her racing return as the headline act among a galaxy of stars at Royal Randwick trials on Tuesday. Trainer Chris Waller will give the bulk of his top spring contenders on the morning with Fangirl, Aeliana, Lady Shenandoah, Autumn Glow and Wodeton also poised for a tune-up. Via Sistina and Fangirl are in the opening heat over 1000m with Ciaron Maher's Another Wil and the Tulloch Lodge stayer Vauban. Aeliana and Lady Shenandoah feature in the second 1000m Group trial which will also see Godolphin duo Pericles (Bjorn Baker) and Zardozi (Maher) lining up under the banner of new stables. The most recent edition to this year's The Everest, Jimmysstar, will take his first public steps towards the $20m feature in a 900m heat that also feature unbeaten boom filly Autumn Glow Doncaster Mile winner Stefi Magnetica and Randwick Guineas victor Linebacker are just a few of the other big names preparing to put the polish on their spring preparations. The first stakes race of the new season looms later that week with the Group 2 $200,000 Missile Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick. Horse Racing Trainer Jason Deamer admits Just In Time faces a significant test on heavy ground as she aims to bring up a winning hat-trick at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Horse Racing Trainer Adam Campton says apprentice Jace McMurray would have learned plenty riding in Sydney but a return to the provincial circuit could benefit the teenager.
The Australian
01-08-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Trainer Adam Campton believes provincial stint will help apprentice jockey Jace McMurray
Gold Coast trainer Adam Campton believes a stint on the provincial circuit this spring will do apprentice Jace McMurray the world of good, revealing he didn't think the teenager was ready for Sydney's cutthroat racing when he left his stable for the Harbour City in April. Campton has the utmost faith in McMurray's 'raw ability' but feels the 19-year-old had joined Michael Freedman's stable at Randwick a little prematurely. • 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! 'I didn't want him going to Sydney, I personally didn't believe he was ready,' Campton revealed on Friday. 'But it's a great learning curve for him. We've got the (spring) carnival around the corner and it's the best thing in the world for him to pop up here (southeast Queensland) and go back to the provincials in NSW where you've got riders like Grant Buckley, Keagan Latham and Jeff Penza. 'They're seasoned riders who he can learn plenty from. If he goes back to the provincials it won't be the worst thing in the world for him. 'Sydney would've taught him a fair bit but hopefully he can learn more coming up here.' McMurray was scoring winners at an impressive strike rate of 15 per cent as an apprentice under Campton before he started a new chapter in his fledgling career at Randwick. But he has only landed one winner, a Benchmark 64 at Gosford on July 10, in his past 50 rides and will be hoping to find some success on Saturday at Eagle Farm, where he has been booked for six rides. Gold Coast trainer Adam Campton with apprentice jockey Jace McMurray. Picture: Racing Queensland According to the bookies, McMurray's best chances are All's Fair and Dont Call Me Honey (both $11) in races one and three in Brisbane. • Noel Callow embroiled in racist video probe 'He's got a lot of raw talent and hopefully the trip to Sydney can help him grow as a rider,' Campton said. 'He learnt plenty up here where he was surrounded by good riders every morning but Sydney's a different kettle of fish. 'I know he hasn't been going as good down there but with a 3kg claim, the winners will come.' McMurray still pinches himself when he looks around the Sydney jockeys' room and sees stars such as James McDonald, Kerrin McEvoy, Tommy Berry and Nash Rawiller. But on the racetrack, McMurray can't afford to be starstruck because these are jockeys he needs to beat regularly if he ever wants to be mentioned as being in that elite bracket. 'When you see them walking around the jockeys' room, you see how far you've come,' said McMurray, who has leaned heavily on Berry for advice on race technique and tactics. 'But when you're out there racing, you just focus on the race and the horse. 'They're very respectful, especially in the jockeys' room, but they've got a job to do and they won't give you any room out there (on the racetrack).' • Orman praises Jones after 'deserving' title success McMurray said the main difference between riding in Brisbane and Sydney was that jockeys in the Harbour City not only knew how to win, they had all the tricks in the bag to stop their main rivals from saluting. 'You only have to look around the room to see how many Group 1 wins they've had between them,' said the Gosford-born, Cairns-raised McMurray. 'They know who the real danger is so not only will they try to win on their horse, they'll try to get you beat at the same time. 'I've found a lot more here, you're always getting pocketed.'
News.com.au
01-08-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Gold Coast trainer Adam Campton believes provincial stint will help apprentice jockey Jace McMurray
Gold Coast trainer Adam Campton believes a stint on the provincial circuit this spring will do apprentice Jace McMurray the world of good, revealing he didn't think the teenager was ready for Sydney's cutthroat racing when he left his stable for the Harbour City in April. Campton has the utmost faith in McMurray's 'raw ability' but feels the 19-year-old had joined Michael Freedman's stable at Randwick a little prematurely. 'I didn't want him going to Sydney, I personally didn't believe he was ready,' Campton revealed on Friday. 'But it's a great learning curve for him. We've got the (spring) carnival around the corner and it's the best thing in the world for him to pop up here (southeast Queensland) and go back to the provincials in NSW where you've got riders like Grant Buckley, Keagan Latham and Jeff Penza. 'They're seasoned riders who he can learn plenty from. If he goes back to the provincials it won't be the worst thing in the world for him. 'Sydney would've taught him a fair bit but hopefully he can learn more coming up here.' McMurray was scoring winners at an impressive strike rate of 15 per cent as an apprentice under Campton before he started a new chapter in his fledgling career at Randwick. But he has only landed one winner, a Benchmark 64 at Gosford on July 10, in his past 50 rides and will be hoping to find some success on Saturday at Eagle Farm, where he has been booked for six rides. According to the bookies, McMurray's best chances are All's Fair and Dont Call Me Honey (both $11) in races one and three in Brisbane. • Noel Callow embroiled in racist video probe 'He's got a lot of raw talent and hopefully the trip to Sydney can help him grow as a rider,' Campton said. 'He learnt plenty up here where he was surrounded by good riders every morning but Sydney's a different kettle of fish. 'I know he hasn't been going as good down there but with a 3kg claim, the winners will come.' McMurray still pinches himself when he looks around the Sydney jockeys' room and sees stars such as James McDonald, Kerrin McEvoy, Tommy Berry and Nash Rawiller. Congratulations to Jace McMurray, who rode his first Canterbury winner in Race 3 - and has backed it up with another winner in Race 4! 🤩 Just Feelin' Lucky does the job for @MFreedmanRacing! @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 28, 2025 But on the racetrack, McMurray can't afford to be starstruck because these are jockeys he needs to beat regularly if he ever wants to be mentioned as being in that elite bracket. 'When you see them walking around the jockeys' room, you see how far you've come,' said McMurray, who has leaned heavily on Berry for advice on race technique and tactics. 'But when you're out there racing, you just focus on the race and the horse. 'They're very respectful, especially in the jockeys' room, but they've got a job to do and they won't give you any room out there (on the racetrack).' McMurray said the main difference between riding in Brisbane and Sydney was that jockeys in the Harbour City not only knew how to win, they had all the tricks in the bag to stop their main rivals from saluting. 'You only have to look around the room to see how many Group 1 wins they've had between them,' said the Gosford-born, Cairns-raised McMurray. 'They know who the real danger is so not only will they try to win on their horse, they'll try to get you beat at the same time. 'I've found a lot more here, you're always getting pocketed.'
News.com.au
01-08-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Rising star Convergent set to join stablemate Glorious Moments in spring carnival team
Trainers Jim and Greg Lee believe Convergent can join highly promising stablemate Glorious Moments on a path to the spring carnival when he returns from a let-up at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Glorious Moments produced an eye-catching performance to salute last weekend at Royal Randwick with the Lee brothers set to put stakes races in their crosshairs this spring. They are hopeful of getting Convergent to a Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) via races like the Group 3 Wyong Cup (2100m) on September 5 and Group 3 Newcastle Cup (2300m) on September 19. It's a mark of the high opinion the Lees hold for Convergent, which has so far only been restricted to two starts for a win and a second. 'I think he will run 2000m plus and even two miles although that's yet to be seen but the way he comes out with his head on his chest, that's just a sign they will stay all day,' Greg Lee said. 'What makes him a good horse, I know he will run 2400m, but he can sprint.' The Lees have spaced Convergent's run during his debut preparation with the son of Impending winning on debut at Randwick Kensington on April 25 and then running second in a Midway race at Rosehill on June 7. He spent a couple of weeks in the paddock after his last start before trialling twice in preparation for Saturday's Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m). Convergent will be faced with the challenge of returning on heavy ground but Lee expects he will be up to the task. 'I think he will handle the going,' he said. 'Truthfully I think he is a swimmer but it yet to be seen although he has shown us signs of it. 'He has been out in the paddock for a weeks and come back with a couple of trials to give him a break because they can't continue. 'Adam (Hyeronimus) rode him in the trial and said he's improved since the last time he rode him, which is a good start.' Convergent is a $7 chance in a race headlined by Denman Star ($3.10 favourite). It will be another two weeks before punters see the impressive Glorious Moments back at the races with the stable set to pick out a stakes race in the not too distant future for the gelding. 'When he gets over further he will get better but he's only had the four starts,' Lee said. 'We haven't locked in a race for him but we will have a look after he runs next on August 16 and then we will go from there whether we will stay here with him or go down there.' FIRST LANDING HITS HIGHWAY AGAIN Ex-Sydney galloper First Landing has been a revelation since moving to Port Macquarie with trainer John Sprague now hoping he can deliver his first Highway winner at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. First Landing was trained at Rosehill previously with Michael, John and Wayne Hawkes but moved to Sprague in the winter and made an immediate impact. The son of Deep Field won each of his first two starts for the new trainer before coming to town and finishing runner-up at his next two, including last time in Highway grade. 'It takes a lot of time to go across them but you got to be lucky now and again,' Sprague said. 'We have only had the four starts with him for two firsts and two seconds.' 'We were going to go to the Benchmark 72 with him with a bit of weight off him but as a few of the experts told me, that's why the Highways are there and you've got to take them there while you can. 'The Highway form is hard form and I've got to break the duck. Off what he did the other day I started to get a bit excited.' First Landing went close to breaking his Highway duck last start after hitting the front before being gunned down late by Shropshire Lad. 'Two starts before when he led he got out in front and switched off and when the jockey put a couple on his backside, he took off again so he's still learning,' Sprague said. 'I don't think the penny has dropped yet.' Bookies rate First Landing as a $7 chance with jockey Zac Lloyd set to pilot the gelding. The lightly-raced galloper should have no trouble getting through the heavy conditions while his wide draw might not be as bad as it seems. • Freedmans targets fast start at Rosehill 'Last time we decided we wouldn't run him if he drew wide again but with the wet weather we thought they might come out to us,' Sprague said. 'There is nowhere up around our area where there is going to be races because it's so wet at present.' VIA SISTINA HEADLINES RANDWICK TRIALS Superstar mare Via Sistina will move a step closer to her racing return as the headline act among a galaxy of stars at Royal Randwick trials on Tuesday. Trainer Chris Waller will give the bulk of his top spring contenders on the morning with Fangirl, Aeliana, Lady Shenandoah, Autumn Glow and Wodeton also poised for a tune-up. Via Sistina and Fangirl are in the opening heat over 1000m with Ciaron Maher's Another Wil and the Tulloch Lodge stayer Vauban. Aeliana and Lady Shenandoah feature in the second 1000m Group trial which will also see Godolphin duo Pericles (Bjorn Baker) and Zardozi (Maher) lining up under the banner of new stables. The most recent edition to this year's The Everest, Jimmysstar, will take his first public steps towards the $20m feature in a 900m heat that also feature unbeaten boom filly Autumn Glow Doncaster Mile winner Stefi Magnetica and Randwick Guineas victor Linebacker are just a few of the other big names preparing to put the polish on their spring preparations. The first stakes race of the new season looms later that week with the Group 2 $200,000 Missile Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick.
News.com.au
16-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Peter Snowden believes impressive Randwick winner Grand Prairie can measure up in the spring
Master trainer Peter Snowden added another promising youngster to his growing spring arsenal when blue-blood colt Grand Prairie returned with a bang at Randwick Kensington on Wednesday. Less than a month after brilliant stablemate Raging Force stamped his authority at the same track, Grand Prairie highlighted his spring credentials with a determined first-up success. Grand Prairie ($6) battled hard late to hold off the Chris Waller-trained Pictor ($31) in the TAB Maiden Plate (1100m). Both horses race in the colours of heavyweights Yulong, which bred Grand Prairie from its ever-growing broodmare band. Grand Prairie is by Written Tycoon out of Group 1 winner Viddora, the latter of which was a was sold to Yulong as a breeding prospect for $2.55m in 2020. 'He is a nice horse, we've always liked him,' Snowden said. 'He is still learning, having a look around at other horses and when he got to the front he stargazed a little bit. 'That's good because he is still wining and doing that because you know with more race experience, the better he will get.' Grand Prairie just does enough to hold off Pictor and wins at Randwick-Kensington for @SnowdenRacing1! 🙌 — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 16, 2025 • Snowden is still working out whether Grand Prairie is an out-and-out sprinter or whether he will be suited stepping out to 1400m to a mile. With the spring carnival right just around the corner, the Randwick trainer will have plenty of options to choose from in the coming months. 'He is in the right time of year and is ready to launch,' Snowden said. 'There is lot of good racing coming up. It is up to him whether he keeps stepping up but he has a great pedigree out of a very good mare. 'It's pleasing to have the Yulong horses going well. 'It's not a bad race either, there is a bit of depth in that so the fact is he has won and won like that, and he's still learning.' It's an easy watch at the Kenso track with Custom firing home to take out the third! 🚀 @JamesCummings88 | @ZacLloydx — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 16, 2025 There will be no shortage of trainers putting their hand up to take over the training duties of exciting Godolphin filly Custom. The daughter of Street Boss made a sensational return from a break when she bolted home from back in the field to score by 1¼ lengths in the Drinkwise Maiden Plate (1100m). Custom is currently trained by James Cummings but Godolphin will move to a public training model on August 1, meaning the filly will find a new home. That new stable is still to be confirmed.
