Newcastle preview: A confident Empress Of Japan is ready to rule
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Jockey Keagan Latham was thrilled to see Empress Of Japan return to form with a booming victory last start and feels she can replicate it when she heads up the motorway to Newcastle.
The Michael Freedman-trained filly had finished just behind the placegetters at Kembla at her first two runs back this campaign before dropping back to country grade at Goulburn and storming home from near last to beat Zipitilist over 1400m.
'We always thought a little bit of her, myself and Michael,' said Latham.
'She won her first start at Gosford and then she ran in the Percy Sykes at Randwick.
'Unfortunately, she was taken out with a bit of interference and I think it knocked her confidence a little bit in the prep thereafter.
'Even though it was only a small margin in the end, she had the best part of eight to ten lengths to make up at the top of the straight.
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!
'She travelled well but when I pushed the button, she really let down with a terrific turn of foot.'
Empress Of Japan can potentially earn herself a shot at a black type race over the winter with a win in the Benchmark 68 Handicap (1500m) where she had barrier 2.
'The key is she likes to be ridden with a bit of cuddle to allow her to come with one strong run,' Latham said.
'While she has a good draw this week, I don't think she will be any closer than midfield and have one last shot at them.
'The long straight at Newcastle allows her to do that.'
Latham and Freedman also combine with lightly-raved gelding Gone To Cape York in the Class 1 Handicap (1250m).
The three-year-old scored on debut at Nowra under Latham before a three length seventh at Wyong last start when ridden by Zac Lloyd.
'It was a good effort to win on debut because he's not really an 1100m horse and he took the length of the straight to get his head in front,' said Latham.
'At Wyong, he didn't have much room in the straight. He was just among horses and could get a real crack.
'From the draw, he should get plenty of room and the length of the straight at Newcastle is going to be his best advantage.'
Latham rode the John Sargent-trained Khant Fail to back-to-back placings at Newcastle and Wyong last preparation and is looking forward to renewing their association in the Maiden Plate (1850m).
The four-year-old daughter of New Zealand and Australian Derbies and Caulfield Cup winner Mongolian Khan has been good in finishing third in both runs this time in over 1500m an 1600m and will appreciate the step up in trip.
'She gave me a nice feel last prep but she was a big baby. She is a tall animal and definitely needed to grow into herself,' he said.
'She's had two this time in over short distances and I thought she has run pretty well.
'She ran well at Newcastle last prep and steps up to a more suitable trip this week.
'John is very good with staying fillies and from barrier 1, we will have her a close as she is comfortable and I think she can run quite a sneaky race.'
Latham also has two rides to local trainer Paul Perry on Passalacqua in the Maiden Plate (1250m) and debutant Seven Wonders in the 2YO Maiden Plate (900m).
'I think Passalacqua has matured a lot more this prep and he can run a sneaky race,' he said.
'I haven't ridden Seven Wonders but you can never under estimate Paul Perry's horses, especially at home.'
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Trainer Kerry Parker was pleased with the way Equilibrist reacted with the blinkers on or the first time at his most recent start and feels he can back it up with another big run.
The four-year-old was only fair in beating two home when resuming at Kembla last month which prompted Parker to make the gear change.
Equilibrist went back from a wide gate to settle near last before coming inside runners on the bend and squeezing through a gap late to finish a length third behind Eclair Awesome over 1600m at Gosford on April 10.
The four-year-old looks suited stepping up in trip in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1850m) with Jason Collett aboard.
'His first-up run was just a pass mark. He seemed to be floating a bit too so I decided to put the blinkers on to help him focus a bit more,' said Parker.
'He raced really well with the blinkers on. He raced between horses and hit the line well showing a bit of determination.
'I was really proud of his run.
'If he can reproduce his Gosford run over the 1850m, you would like to think he will put himself in the finish again.'
A little rain in Newcastle will also be a positive for the son of Trapeze Artist.
The gelding won his maiden on a Heavy 8 at Kembla last October and it was a Soft 6 at Gosford last start.
'I think getting his toe in the ground is beneficial to him,' Parker said.
Joining Equilibrist on the trip from Kembla is four-year-old mare Audenzia who contests the Maiden Plate (1850m).
The daughter of Brazen Beau kicked off her preparation with a nice second behind Montigo Bay over 1500m on her home track on February 25 before a fourth to Queen Strada over the same track and distance 17 days later.
She then three weeks between runs when seventh behind Empuse over 1500m at Hawkesbury on April 5.
'She is looking for the longer trip now,' said Parker.
'Her last start at Hawkesbury, she was just at her top the whole way and couldn't get into that really nice rhythm.
'She is a little bit one-paced and the 1850m looks to be up her alley.
'If she can get herself in a handy position up on speed, she will keep grinding away.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Yulong chases quick return on Grinzinger Belle investment in Group 1 Tattersall's Tiara at Eagle Farm
Yulong could get a quick return on investment with Grinzinger Belle in the Group 1 Tattersall's Tiara on Saturday at Eagle Farm. Chinese billionaire Yuesheng Zhang, owner of breeding and racing giant Yulong, paid $1.45m for the bold frontrunning mare and multiple Group 2 winner last month at the Inglis Chairman's Sale. Grinzinger Belle, trained by Danny O'Brien, is an $11 chance in pre-nominations Tatt's Tiara markets. O'Brien's racing manager Jack Howard said Grinzinger Belle had progressed as planned to target the 1400m Eagle Farm feature with fresh legs – 10 weeks between runs. 'Her fresh record is pretty good and that trip, hopefully we get a result for Yulong,' Howard said. 'She probably deserves a good race. 'We always had a plan to head up there with her, obviously John (Wheeler) sold her and Yulong purchased her and we were lucky enough to get her back to train, which we are grateful for. 'Hopefully we can get a result up there for (Yulong) and continue the relationship going forward.' It's a Sunline Stakes route 🤩 Grinzinger Belle emulates the great Sunline, stringing her opposition out & running them off their feet over the Valley mile ðŸ'¥ @decbates @DOBrienRacing â€' (@Racing) March 22, 2025 • Grinzinger Belle last raced on April 12 in Sydney, finished midfield in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m). The four-year-old travelled up to Queensland after a sharp Flemington jumpout late last month. 'They really went along, one of Gai's (Waterhouse) won the trial by about five or six, Zac Spain rode (the jump out) and hardly moved and she went through her gears, it was a good test,' Howard said. Sydney-based Group 1 jockey Tim Clark has been booked to ride Grinzinger Belle on Saturday. Grinzinger Belle is off & gone with the cash in the Let's Elope Stakes ðŸ'¥ @LaneDamian @DOBrienRacing â€' (@Racing) September 14, 2024 Howard confirmed Brave Design would tackle the Listed Tattersall's Stakes (1400m). The two-year-old Brave Smash colt won the Listed Oxlade Stakes (1200m) last start at Eagle Farm. Brave Design, a well-travelled colt who raced in Melbourne and Adelaide before the Sunshine State raid, placed fourth in the Group 2 BRC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) two starts back. Jockey Jordan Childs will again head to Brisbane to pilot Brave Design. 'It's really good, Jordie went to Adelaide and rode him, he's ridden him twice up there and ridden him well,' Howard said.
Herald Sun
3 hours ago
- Herald Sun
NRL 2025: Sua Fa'alogo and Storm keen for more Victorians to play for club
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News. As the Storm celebrated their thrilling golden point victory over the Rabbitohs on Saturday night, children flooded the Accor Stadium tunnel to get selfies with their favourite players while begging for jerseys, boots and socks. Harry Grant and Ryan Papenhuyzen were in high demand, but the player that the kids really wanted to see was Sua Fa'alogo as he feasted on a bucket of chips and answered questions about Melbourne's pledge to improve pathways programs for Victorians wanting to play in the NRL. Only a few nights earlier, Fa'alogo was at a training session in Broadmeadows to help out some of the record-breaking 6000 Victorians who have registered to play the 2025 season, with the club's Jersey Flegg side now second on the table. It's all part of the club's Road to AAMI Park program that acknowledged the lack of locals who have represented the club, with the Storm now providing a clear pathway for youngsters to one day represent their city in the NRL. Fa'alogo is one of five Victorians to play for the Storm in the NRL, and he's confident that number will rise thanks to the club's efforts on and off the field to produce the next Dean Ieremia or Young Tonumaipea. 'I'm very grateful to have more Victorians coming up playing rugby league,' he said. 'What the Melbourne Storm is doing with their program down there is pretty massive now, and it's great to see so many Victorians coming up to play. Hopefully, we see more playing in the NRL soon. 'We go to schools sometimes and help out the little kids with the pathways. 'It's so good to see the Storm take their time to go out and help those young Victorian kids who are coming up. 'I'm very grateful for the opportunity to play for the Storm and to see so many young Victorians want to play in the NRL.' The Samoan star is still relatively new to the game but has shown off his incredible skills for the Storm despite only starting his rugby league journey less than a decade ago. 'I stopped playing AFL and started playing rugby league when I was 13,' he said. 'One of my mates from school told me to come and play for the Northern Thunder. It was pretty hard to learn at first coming from a union background, but I learnt the rules and it's been good.' Footy fans are glad he made the switch, with Fa'alogo dazzling on debut with two tries against the Broncos in 2023, while he came up with a stunning solo play on Saturday to save the Storm. The young gun was found out defensively a few times but stood tall when it mattered most as he held onto a towering Latrell Mitchell bomb, tore through the defence and set up Tyran Wishart for a crucial try.
Courier-Mail
4 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
‘Cannot let that go': Ugly moment proves Carlton has lost the plot
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Leading Fox Footy analyst David King has exposed Carlton in brutal fashion after an ugly moment during their loss to North Melbourne. The Blues were 'bullied' in eyes of legendary goalkicker Jonathan Brown as North Melbourne came from behind to leave the axe hovering over Carlton coach Michael Voss' head with a 13.6 (84) to 10.13 (73) win at the MCG. Leading by nine points at the first change, Carlton gave up 12 goals to three over the next two quarters as fans began booing Blues players. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. King on Sunday showed a concerning sight for Blues supporters when cameras captured a moment where star ruckman Tom De Koning was 'put into the fence' by Kangaroos ruckman Tristan Xerri without any counter-strikes from angry Blues teammates. Blues star Patrick Cripps and Ollie Hollands were the only players to make an effort on De Koning's behalf. King said the moment tells you everything you need to know about the Blues as their season slipped to a 6-8 record. You can watch the footage in the video player above. Vision shared on Fox Footy. 'Ollie Hollands comes up and gives the most gentle of taps, the captain (Patrick Cripps) walks in and hardly affects Xerri's walking pattern. What is that from Adam Cerra?,' King said. 'Not one other player comes in to remonstrate as their big ruckman gets to his feet.' King showed another piece of vision from behind the goals which showed Xerri walked past Blues players at the interval and wasn't met with any hostile treatment, reports. 'Every team I played in would've come for him and made a stand: 'We're not having that happen to one of our boys. This is one of our brothers. This is the guy we go to battle with. I've got your back, you've got mine',' King added. 'That is not the case at Carlton and that permeates through the group. You cannot let that go unchecked. 'When Michael Voss says, 'We were bullied today', that's what he's talking about. 'A Carlton fan would be saying: 'What's happened to my proud club? Where's the fight?' King said it's a moment Carlton's senior players would want back to make a stand for their teammate. 'Patrick had to be stronger. I don't care if he gave away a free kick, the game was gone anyway. I was really disappointed,' the Roos great said. 'In that moment you're allowed to lose your mind a fraction. 'Jacob Weitering, Sam Docherty, George Hewett. They've got so many senior core players who could've done more to fly the flag.' The heat is well and truly on Brisbane Lions legend Voss. Disappointed Carlton players Tom De Koning and Charlie Curnow walk from the ground after the loss. Photo by. Gerard Healy commented on Fox Footy: 'Vossy needs a miracle right now.' That's when Brown gave the ultimate insult towards an established team facing one of the most inexperienced lists in the AFL. 'They're getting bullied,' he said of the Blues. 'They're getting beaten up, they're getting beaten up by a younger midfield for North Melbourne. The whole team for that matter. 'Michael Voss would be extremely disappointed. When a team physically confronts you, you either stand up or you roll over. 'Carlton have rolled over against a younger team.' When the Blues kicked the ball from side to side in their back half nearing three-quarter-time, the boos continued and Brown said: 'This isn't going to get you back in the game. 'That's why the crowd's booing.' Originally published as 'Cannot let that go': Ugly moment proves Carlton has lost the plot
