Brad Waters' best bets and value play for Sale races on Thursday
Form expert Brad Waters analyses Thursday's Sale meeting, presenting his best bets, value selection and jockey to follow.
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Daily Telegraph
6 hours ago
- Daily Telegraph
Kembla preview: Wild Thoughts set to shine despite draw
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Local trainer Kerry Parker is optimistic of a good days racing, not just about the chances of his home track quartet but also his lone city runner. Parker has a good opinion of lightly-raced three-year-old Wild Thoughts who made his debut at Kembla back in January when third behind Modella. Put away, the Proven Thoroughbreds-owned son of So You Think has returned in very good order with an all-the-way trial win on his home track last month. 'That was a terrific preparation for him last time in,' said Parker. 'He trialled nicely at Warwick Farm and then ran well on debut before going for a spell. 'It was good education for him and this is now the start of his first real preparation.' Parker's confidence was dented a little when Wild Thoughts drew barrier 11 in the Midway Maiden Handicap (1200m). 'Unfortunately, he has drawn a bad gate so he is going to need some luck. 'We will just have to ride him conservatively early with cover. 'If the race is run at a suitable tempo, I expect him to finishing strongly and make his presence felt.' Parker was tickled pink with the first-up run of Tom Cruising when runner-up behind Miss Stalwart at the Sapphire Coast over an unsuitable distance. He feels the son of American Pharoah is in with a great chance when he steps up to his ideal distance in the Benchmark 68 Handicap (1600m) where he has drawn barrier 3. 'It was the first time I have ever run him over 1200 metres and it was a sensational run,' he said. 'I only took him there because it looked a nice race to start him off in on soft ground on a big track. 'He zipped up the inside really well in the straight. 'He has come back this time in a good frame of mind and is feeling well so I have no problem stepping him out to a mile which is more to his liking. 'I expect him to run really well again.' Why Why Why ran well on debut when third to Jared at Goulburn and followed up with a two-and-a-quarter length sixth to Shalaa Jet at Wyong. With a big drop in weight thanks to the 4kg claim of stable apprentice Ryan Bradley, the three-year-old gelding should be very competitive in the Maiden Plate (1600m). 'He is still learning his trade. He's only a little fella so getting the four kilo apprentice on will definitely help him,' Parker said. 'I was really pleased with his first run at Goulburn. 'We probably tried to ride him a bit cute and make use of the inside barrier at Wyong last start. 'They ran along the first half of the race pretty slick and he was under pressure a fair way out. I think they ran something like nine lengths faster than the other mile race for the first half (mile). 'He kept grinding away and wasn't beat that fare so he still went alright.' Bradley will also partner the stayer Cosmos Factory who resumes in the Class 1 Handicap (1400m). 'Naturally he will be better as he gets out over more ground but it looks a nice enough race for him,' said Parker. 'With that weight off his back, he could run a place in a race like this with no surprise.' Parker's day starts off at Randwick with consistent mare Callistemon in the Midway Handicap (1600m). 'Callistemon and Let's Go Again have been running on alternate weeks and placed in the last four (Midways) between them. 'It would be nice if the luck turns our way and we can knock one off.'
News.com.au
8 hours ago
- News.com.au
Penny Wong stresses AUKUS ‘benefits' in call with Marco Rubio
The country's chief diplomat has stressed the 'benefits' of AUKUS in a call with US State Secretary Marco Rubio amid concerns Washington could be looking to pull out of the defence pact. The US Department of Defence earlier this month announced it was reviewing AUKUS to ensure it aligned with Donald Trump's 'American first' agenda. The Albanese government has brushed off concerns the 30-day audit signalled waning US support for the deal with Australia and the UK, with Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles repeatedly calling it a 'natural' move. But with AUKUS the centrepiece of Australia's defence strategy over the first half of this century and Anthony Albanese yet to secure a face-to-face with the US President, it has offered little reassurance. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Friday she and her US counterpart discussed 'the importance of our partnership to stability, peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific'. 'I have outlined … the benefits to all countries, all three countries of the AUKUS agreement – an agreement which I think is so important for strategic balance in the region,' Senator Wong told reporters in Adelaide. 'That means protecting peace, preventing conflict, and assuring prosperity and security for all countries. 'I've also outlined, just as the Prime Minister has, the near-term benefits to the United States, including additional maintenance days and more days in the water for more submarines.' She refused to give a read on whether Mr Rubio backed the deal, only saying that 'he's on record as understanding the importance of AUKUS'. 'But obviously we'll work through the review with the United States,' Senator Wong said. 'It's unsurprising that they would engage in a review just as the United Kingdom did.' Canberra has already spent billions laying the groundwork to acquire and build nuclear-powered submarines and train personnel to crew them under AUKUS. Washington has committed to supply up to five Virginia-class submarines starting in 2032. But sluggish submarine production has put the US on track to face a shortage early next decade. Mr Trump can renege on AUKUS commitments if they endanger US national security. To help bolster production, Australia has agreed to inject $4.6bn into the US defence industrial base.
News.com.au
9 hours ago
- News.com.au
Success is baked for rising star apprentice jockey Jaylah Kennedy
Rising star Jaylah Kennedy is second in pursuit of the Melbourne apprentice jockey title but certainly atop the popularity stakes for sharing home-baked sweet treats on race day. A decadent batch of 'brookies', combined brownie and chocolate chip cookie slice, cut into jockey portion-sized squares, attracted rave reviews last Wednesday at Sandown. Kennedy is lucky to be genetically-blessed to indulge her passion for cooking and baking, an unlikely pastime for most jockeys given the importance of weight management. 'It's a little thing I enjoy doing on the side, when I'm not riding light,' Kennedy said. 'It's cold in winter, so nice to bring something in that can warm peoples' tummies. 'I love cooking, I love baking, I just bought a house and it's got a nice kitchen so I'm making use of it. 'I'm lucky I'm four foot nine … any taller and if I cooked and bake like I do, I probably wouldn't be a jockey.' Jockeys, trainers, race-day officials and stewards polished the brookies last Wednesday. 'I told the stewards they can't suspend me if they're going to eat my baking,' Kennedy laughed. 'I made them bite-sized jockey pieces so everyone could enjoy.' Kennedy has six rides at Flemington on Saturday, including the electric Bold Bastille in the last. 'She's naturally very speedy, I made my way to Werribee the other day to trial her, hoping to keep her race day first-up, and she did everything right,' Kennedy said. 'She pulled up like a horse ready to go to the races now … first up she could be maybe that little bit vulnerable late but … she'll be there to take a bit of running down.' Kennedy has ridden 20 city winners to date this season, one less than clubhouse leader Tom Prebble, a friend and fellow fourth-year apprentice. Prebble has the stronger hand on Saturday with six rides, including favourites Splash Back and Jimmy The Bear. 'I've been going to the races thinking anything can happen lately,' Kennedy said. 'An open book and try not to overthink this. Hopefully it's a good weekend. 'It comes down to the support you've got around you, I've been getting a lot of good opportunities with a lot of big stables … it's always good to be able to repay them. 'This is my first full season riding in town and I'm happy with how things are going, hopefully we can tick off the metro premiership, it's a really big goal of mine this season. 'It's pretty competitive between me and Tom Prebble, he's one of my best mates but at the same I'd be happy to be in first place and him second.' Apprentice jockeys rode five of the nine winners last Saturday at Sandown. â– â– â– â– â– Flemington victory next as Rose blooms A dream Flemington winner would cap a memorable week for apprentice jockey Rose Hammond. Hammond the past seven days has doubled her tally of city winners, now up to four, with success at Sandown Hillside last Saturday and Wednesday respectively. The Melbourne-based Echuca export has two rides at Headquarters on Saturday including the Matt Laurie -trained Yulong-owned filly Sun Setting, a $21 outsider in a competitive 1100m race. Sun Setting has won comfortably the past two starts at Moe and Mornington. 'I'm really excited for her,' Hammond said. 'A huge thank you to (Laurie), he's been a great supporter of mine and backs me. 'Hopefully I get the job done for him … in the Yulong colours, so really keen for that.' Hammond is determined to make up for lost time, as early injury setbacks hampered her progress and riding development. The 22-year-old suffered a broken leg in track work, before she even started her apprenticeship, and then missed time with a fractured collarbone and multiple concussions. 'I've always wanted to be a jockey so that determination is in me, I couldn't think of doing anything else, I love my job,' Hammond said. 'Hopefully the next two years (of apprenticeship) are smooth sailing, got the injuries out of the way. 'I know I've got a lot of improvement to come so hopefully I can keep working on my craft and get momentum.'
