Zebra Finch eyes J J Atkins glory after Rosehill triumph
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Progressive Godolphin colt Zebra Finch will be given the opportunity to emulate his big-hitting stablemate Broadsiding, earning himself a crack at the J J Atkins Stakes after lowering the boom on a couple of his more fancied rivals at Rosehill on Saturday.
Yesterday's seven-horse affair held more interest than most of the other nine races on the Lord Mayor's Cup undercard given it overflowed with J J Atkins aspirants including the Chris Waller duo Hidden Achievement and pricey Frankel colt, Sarapo.
The Waller pair were expected to fight out on the finish as they had when they met at Gosford on Cup Day but were unable to make the same impact this time despite racing at home.
• 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!
Both horses were marked at $15 to win the J J Atkins prior to their respective efforts yesterday.
Hidden Achievement blew out to $26 while Sarapo was wound out to $51.
Zebra Finch, meanwhile, had his price halved from $51 into $26 for the June 14 feature and carrying the imprimatur of one of the sport's champions.
'If he pulls up well, I'd send him up there, because he is going to get a mile,'' winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy said after the Schweppes Handicap (1300m).
'You obviously need a horse that runs a mile and you need a horse on the improve and that's possibly what he is going to be.
' It wasn't a big winning margin but I am sure with a better quality horse to aim at, he is going to be better again.
'He is the sort of colt that only does enough (but) I am sure if he got challenged there was an extra kick in the lock.
'So if James (Cummings) and the team decide to go to Brisbane for that mile race, I wouldn't be against it.'
At least one of the Waller-trained runners from the race looks likely to still make his way up to Brisbane for the last Group 1 two-year-old feature of the season with a decision pending on the other.
Yu Long Investments colt Hidden Achievement clocked in third behind Zebra Finch with future Guineas/Derby colt Sarapo three lengths behind in sixth.
'The race lacked tempo, it was a sit and sprint,'' assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth began.
'When Adam (Hyernonimus) won on Hidden Achievement last start, he was mindful that he probably rode him too close that day and took him out of his comfort zone. But he drew so well in a small field today that we basically had to do the same again.
'Adam's adamant that when you can put the bit in his mouth a little bit better, he'll have a better turn of foot.
'Adam is strongly pushing for Chris (to go to Brisbane with him). He said 'I don't care if I ride him or not but you should be running the horse in the JJ', that's his opinion.'
As for pricey $750,000 Magic Millions Yearling purchase Sarapo, Team Waller will let the dust settle on the colt's second career start before they decide on his next move.
'He was obviously a long way back off a soft tempo,'' Duckworth explained.
'He is going to be a miler at three you'd imagine, it's just whether you try and break through for that maiden win at two.
'Obviously he is by Frankel so if he ends up in the breeding barn, they're going to be worried about him if he doesn't win at two so it might be an important start for him or do we just look after him and just trust that he'll measure up at three.''
As for Zebra Finch, his own stud career will naturally hinge on the outcome of the J J Atkins but Darley would dearly love to add another Group 1 winning son of Exceed And Excel to their roster.
Not only is Zebra Finch by one of the truly global stallions of the modern era, his dam was a handy performer herself and by Lonhro who holds the rare honour of being crowned both Australian Horse of the Year and Champion General Sire.
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Tough as teak gelding Mickey's Medal helped edge the former rodeo rider Braith Nock one step closer to a medal collection of his own as the race for Sydney's Champion Apprentice enters the home straight.
Nock and former Riverina whiz Molly Bourke are locked in an arm wrestle to decide who will join an Honour Roll that includes the likes of Jack Thompson, George Moore, Ron Quinton, Malcolm Johnston, Wayne Harris and Darren Beadman.
Nock's win on the Annabell and Rob Archibald-trained Mickey's Medal extended his lead over Bourke by five metropolitan wins with August 1 now exactly two months away.
Sitting three-wide with no cover may not have been the text-book ride from Nock on Mickey's Medal but it proved to be the winning formula on a day where it paid to be away from the inside fence.
'Everyone just seemed to take their time to get their spots and all of a sudden there were people inside me,' Nock explained.
'(But) it was a slow tempo and he was able to travel really good.
'Actually, he was really relaxed coming to the 600m and I had to wake him up and then I was able to idle-up and I still think he might have had a little bit of a think about it things once we got there, but he got left alone for a long time so it was a really good effort.
'He seems to be just relishing his racing and he tries his best every time.'
Yesterday's Precise Air Handicap (1500m) was the gelding's sixth run of the current campaign.
His $82,500 collect was a tangible reward to effort on his part, drawing some high praise from the stable.
'It was brilliant to see him win,' stable representative Megan O'Leary said.
'I was almost waiting for (runner-up) Hopper to come down the outside of us but he really deserved that win, he's been running so well this prep.'
Mickey's Medal was sold twice before he ever saw a racetrack.
The great-grandson of broodmare gem Shantha's Choice was secured for $70,000 as a weanling before being reoffered at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale where he fetched $225,000.
Originally published as Godolphin's promising colt Zebra Finch pushes for Group 1 J J Atkins start after his impressive victory at Rosehill
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Courier-Mail
22 minutes ago
- Courier-Mail
‘One for the ages': UFC rocked as icon retires on the spot
Don't miss out on the headlines from UFC. Followed categories will be added to My News. Jon Jones, regarded as the greatest mixed martial arts champion of all time, has retired, UFC CEO Dana White announced on Sunday morning Australian time. White said that 37-year-old Jones informed the UFC of his decision to retire the day prior. A heavyweight title unification bout between Jones and interim champion Tom Aspinall had been touted, but Jones' decision elevates Aspinall to undisputed champion. UFC 317 Topuria vs. Oliveira | SUN 29 JUN 12PM AEST | One of the biggest fight cards of the year has arrived. Spain's Ilia Topuria looks to capture the vacant lightweight title against former champion, Charles Oliveira | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. 'Jon Jones called us last night and retired,' White said at a press conference in Azerbaijan. 'Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC.' White went on to say that the UFC will work with Aspinall on finding him his first title defence, but Jones is yet to comment publicly on the announcement. The American (28-1) moved up from the light heavyweight division to become the heavyweight champion in 2023. Jon Jones took the heavyweight belt. Photo by Sarah Stier / Getty Images via AFP. He defended his belt once during his time on top, against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November last year, and had repeatedly played down talk about an impending fight against Aspinall. The potential matchup would have been one of the biggest in UFC history, but Jones continually suggested it would not change his legacy. Fans accused him of ducking the 32-year-old Englishman, and there was so much outrage that an online petition to strip Jones of the title collated more than 200,000 signatures. X SUBSCRIBER ONLY 'I obviously feel bad for Tom that he lost all that time and money, but we'll make it up to him,' White said. 'Tom Aspinall is a good guy. He's been incredible through this whole process that we've gone through. 'He's been willing to do anything — fight him anywhere and anytime and do this, and now he's like, 'I'll fight anybody. You tell me who, and I'll fight him'. 'So Aspinall has been great. He's going to be a great heavyweight champion for us, and I'm excited to work with him.' White's words came as Khalil Rountree Jr. dominated former champion Jamahal Hill in a five-round decision in their light heavyweight bout in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Baku, Azerbaijan. Jones became the youngest ever UFC champion at just 21 years of age, and he went undefeated in championship fights with a 16-0 record despite taking on more of them than anyone else. He is one of only fighters to boast titles in multiple weight classes, and his 22 wins are the equal fifth most in UFC history. Jones also attracted plenty of attention outside of the Octagon. He was arrested and charged for a hit-and-run in 2015 after he fled the scene of a vehicle accident which injured a 25-year-old pregnant woman. The following year, Jones was banned from competition for one year as a result a positive drug test, but he has long maintained that the positive result was due to contaminated legal supplements. Originally published as 'One for the ages': UFC rocked as icon retires on the spot
Herald Sun
an hour ago
- Herald Sun
‘One for the ages': UFC rocked as icon retires on the spot
Don't miss out on the headlines from UFC. Followed categories will be added to My News. Jon Jones, regarded as the greatest mixed martial arts champion of all time, has retired, UFC CEO Dana White announced on Sunday morning Australian time. White said that 37-year-old Jones informed the UFC of his decision to retire the day prior. A heavyweight title unification bout between Jones and interim champion Tom Aspinall had been touted, but Jones' decision elevates Aspinall to undisputed champion. UFC 317 Topuria vs. Oliveira | SUN 29 JUN 12PM AEST | One of the biggest fight cards of the year has arrived. Spain's Ilia Topuria looks to capture the vacant lightweight title against former champion, Charles Oliveira | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. 'Jon Jones called us last night and retired,' White said at a press conference in Azerbaijan. 'Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC.' White went on to say that the UFC will work with Aspinall on finding him his first title defence, but Jones is yet to comment publicly on the announcement. The American (28-1) moved up from the light heavyweight division to become the heavyweight champion in 2023. Jon Jones took the heavyweight belt. Photo by Sarah Stier / Getty Images via AFP. He defended his belt once during his time on top, against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November last year, and had repeatedly played down talk about an impending fight against Aspinall. The potential matchup would have been one of the biggest in UFC history, but Jones continually suggested it would not change his legacy. Fans accused him of ducking the 32-year-old Englishman, and there was so much outrage that an online petition to strip Jones of the title collated more than 200,000 signatures. 'I obviously feel bad for Tom that he lost all that time and money, but we'll make it up to him,' White said. 'Tom Aspinall is a good guy. He's been incredible through this whole process that we've gone through. 'He's been willing to do anything — fight him anywhere and anytime and do this, and now he's like, 'I'll fight anybody. You tell me who, and I'll fight him'. 'So Aspinall has been great. He's going to be a great heavyweight champion for us, and I'm excited to work with him.' White's words came as Khalil Rountree Jr. dominated former champion Jamahal Hill in a five-round decision in their light heavyweight bout in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Baku, Azerbaijan. Jones became the youngest ever UFC champion at just 21 years of age, and he went undefeated in championship fights with a 16-0 record despite taking on more of them than anyone else. He is one of only fighters to boast titles in multiple weight classes, and his 22 wins are the equal fifth most in UFC history. Jones also attracted plenty of attention outside of the Octagon. He was arrested and charged for a hit-and-run in 2015 after he fled the scene of a vehicle accident which injured a 25-year-old pregnant woman. The following year, Jones was banned from competition for one year as a result a positive drug test, but he has long maintained that the positive result was due to contaminated legal supplements. Originally published as 'One for the ages': UFC rocked as icon retires on the spot
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
‘I just have to work harder': Suspension no hindrance as champion jockey Craig Williams zeros in on premiership race
Champion jockey Craig Williams has zeroed in on the pursuit of a 10th Melbourne premiership. Williams started a 14-day careless riding suspension on Sunday but has 58 races across seven city meetings next month to wipe an eight-win deficit on sidelined premiership leader Blake Shinn (foot). 'I want to win a championship so I'm working hard, I'll be at all the tracks,' Williams said. 'I was very saddened by that (suspension) but that's the rules of racing … I just have to work harder.' If successful in the premiership race, Williams could join Damien Oliver on 10 premierships. Roy Higgins and Bill Duncan share the record with 11 Melbourne titles. Shinn, stranded on 67 city winners, was poised to win his second premiership in three seasons and third overall before an untimely foot injury last month. Williams moved to 59 winners last Saturday with a double at Flemington. She's An Artist shares a resemblance to a certain sprinter & she might share some of that ability... ðŸ'©â€�🎨 The bald-faced filly trounces her opposition under hands & heals. @CWilliamsJockey @cmaherracing — (@Racing) June 21, 2025 • 'It's been a great season, won five Group 1 s, The Everest, I've won a Hong Kong Derby,' Williams said. 'It's been an amazing season and when we're in the position that we are, and we're only in this position because of Blake Shinn's unfortunate injury … he's very dominant. 'This is really special to us (premierships) but again it's a goal, nothing better than … having goals and challenges, you turn up, you know what you want to do. 'It doesn't matter what the weather is, what the horses are, we try and get the best out of them to hopefully be lucky enough to win 10 championships.' ðŸ�‡ðŸ‡¦ðŸ‡°ðŸ‡°ðŸ‡¦ Hello everyone, Larysa and I would like to share our latest Ukraine update in 2024. Once again, we want to thank everyone for their ongoing support. If you would like to contribute, go to my website Full video - — Craig Williams (@CWilliamsJockey) October 24, 2024 Williams has pushed back a planned humanitarian aid mission to Ukraine to pursue the premiership. 'It's important, the work we do here, 10 per cent goes to Ukraine,' Williams said. 'My wife is helping me try and win the championship and once we get the next eight (winners) we'll go to Ukraine and deliver the humanitarian aid.' Williams rode Taken and the most impressive She's An Artist to victory last Saturday at Flemington. She's An Artist, trained by Ciaron Maher, 'broke them' in slick time – fastest sectionals on the card in the last race – at only her second start and first time down the Flemington straight. 🎨 She’s An Artist paints the perfect finish in the last! @CWilliamsJockey @cmaherracing — Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) June 21, 2025 'She felt like everything we hoped she was going to be,' Williams said. 'The exciting part is she's only going to get better … all going well, like we always need, she's a really untapped, high potential filly.' She's An Artist is set for the Listed Creswick Sprint Series Final (1200m) on July 5 at Flemington. Williams is eligible to return to the saddle on July 6, with a midweek meeting at Sandown on July 9 his next opportunity to build on his metropolitan winners' tally.
