Latest news with #CiaronMaher
News.com.au
11 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Trainer Peter Snowden banking on gear change bringing out best from Xidaki in Eye Liner Stakes
Sydney trainer Peter Snowden hopes another gear change will do the trick for his underperforming gelding Xidaki in the $200,000 Listed Eye Liner Stakes at Ipswich on Saturday. The Ciaron Maher -trained Warnie ($2.40) is definitely the horse to beat in the 1350m race but Xidaki poses a genuine threat if he can rediscover the form that led to his last victory, in the $300,000 Group 3 Winx Guineas (1600m) at Caloundra last July. Snowden decided to put a cross-over nose band on the gelding this campaign because the four-year-old was 'over-racing badly' but the results have been lacklustre. Xidaki finished seventh in the Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m) at Randwick in April, ninth in the Listed Takeover Target Stakes (1200m) at Gosford on May 10 and seventh in the Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben two weeks later. He is rated as a $7.50 chance in the Eye Liner Stakes behind Warnie and the Tony Gollan -trained Devastate ($7). 'I've had a cross-over noseband on him this time in because he was struggling last time in and I felt it cost him a couple of races,'' Snowden said. 'But it seems he has been resenting it this preparation because he's been getting too far back in his races. 'So I've taken the noseband off for Saturday and hope he can settle closer in the run. 'Ipswich is a track where you have to stay positive and he has drawn five. I don't want him to get too far back from there. 'I'm confident he has the tactical speed to be in the first five or six in the run. 'He's going great at home and I can't believe he won't be running well on what he has been showing me in his trackwork.' Lindsay Park star War Machine emphatically won the BRC Sprint before impressively taking out the $3m Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) three weeks later at Eagle Farm. Xidaki crossed the winning post almost five lengths behind War Machine in the BRC Sprint but on the bright side, Snowden was pleased with how his galloper hit the line. 'He got too far back last start and had a lot of work to do but he was one of those finishing hardest late,'' Snowden said. 'The horse that won it (War Machine) went on to win the Stradbroke Handicap. 'If he can hold his spot on Saturday it will go a long way to helping his chances at Ipswich.'' It will also comfort Snowden knowing that Xidaki was a narrow runner-up to Ostraka in the $1m Group 3 Silver Eagle (1300m) at Randwick last October but finished ahead of the Ben, Will and JD Hayes -trained War Machine. It's fair to say that Snowden is due for some luck in this Queensland winter carnival. His mare Tashi has twice just missed the chocolates - in the Listed Helen Coughlan Stakes (1200m) and Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1300m) - while the appropriately named gelding Need Some Luck finished half a length behind winner Compelling Truth in the Listed Hinkler Handicap (1200m) last Saturday at Eagle Farm.
News.com.au
13 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Harry Coffey confident Shockletz has class to handle ‘tricky' weight rise at Flemington
Group 1 jockey Harry Coffey says progressive Shockletz has the class to counter a 'tricky' weight on Saturday at Flemington. The Ciaron Maher -trained filly produced a barnstorming finish last start under Coffey at Flemington to grab plucky runner-up Prochester on the post, with 4½ lengths back to third-placed Nearco Frod. The trio meet again, with Prochester (2kg) and Nearco Frod (3kg) beneficiaries of significant weight swings on Shockletz, up 4kg on last start. 'That will be tricky, but she's classy,' Coffey said. 'She is only little but she has got a great turn of foot. 'She's got enough class, she should be able to handle weight rises.' Shochletz is a $3 favourite to win the 3YO Quality Handicap (2000m) from Nearco Frod ($6.50), Vellasmachine ($6.50), American Wolf ($11) and Prochester ($11). Shockletz sustained a strong gallop last start on her own, most impressively, to reel in Prochester. 'I thought I was always going to win but the second horse to its credit might've stuck on a bit better than everyone thought,' Coffey said. 'It was a super win and we cleared right out from the rest.' Developing stayer Shockletz, a three-time winner from six starts, resumed with victory at Bendigo then found 1600m a fraction short second-up, fourth at Sandown behind the in-form Taken. The 2000m trip last start proved ideal. 'I thought she'd win second-up because she went so well first-up, maybe she wanted 2000m third-up and that showed how well she won the other day,' Coffey said. 'She is green, so each run she's improving … learning on the job a little bit.' Coffey has seven rides at Flemington on Saturday including Midwest (race 3), Through Irish Eyes (R6) and Fieldelo (R9), a seven-length Bendigo winner last start. 'It's obviously a big step in grade but she's an exciting filly,' Coffey said.
News.com.au
15 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Four-Play, Quadzilla: Gilbert Gardiner's best bets for Saturday
Victorian form analyst Gilbert Gardiner presents his best bets and quaddie selections for Flemington on Saturday. Victorian form analyst Gilbert Gardiner presents his best bets and quaddie selections for Flemington on Saturday. • â– â– â– â– â– $50 win SHOCKLETZ (3) at $3 Powered home to win a similar race last start at Flemington with a big gap to third and the remainder of the field. First three past the post, including game runner-up PROCHESTER (7) and NEARCO FROD (2) square off again on Saturday. Prochester almost pinched the race last start, unlikely to be afforded such a leg rope again. Shockletz has a significant weight rise – 4kg more than last start – to contend with but not beyond the three-year-old sister of Horrifying. The Ciaron Maher-trained Shocking filly looks the one to beat again. "Shockletz SURGING on the outside & got up!" 🗣ï¸� Shockletz thunders down the middle of the track to claim Prochester in the final bound! âš¡ï¸� @HTCoffey @cmaherracing — (@Racing) June 7, 2025 $25 each way GREAT MAXIMUS (8) at $7/$2.50 South Australian raider dropped into Flemington around this time last year and challenged for the win, placed third beaten less than a length. Back again and in better form than last year, coming off consecutive wins in SA. The Magnus gelding, a six-time winner from 13 starts, has the tactical speed to cross from barrier eight and settle within striking distance. Favourite CAFE MILLENIUM (2) an eye-catcher from the back last start at Caulfield but the former Sydney galloper has one win – on debut – from 18 starts. Happy to risk in quite an even race. Great Maximus charges home for a stirring late finish to snag his second win in a row right on the line ðŸ'° @RJollyRacing — (@Racing) June 7, 2025 $25 each-way SAMUEL LANGHORNE (12) at $8/$2.70 Not quite a good thing licked last start but certainly not afforded the opportunity to contend after being held up behind a wall of horses. Switched off heels eventually and made a run inside the last 200m to get within two lengths of winner MUKTAMIL (10), a $9 chance on Saturday. Third-up and ready to win with even luck. Wary of progressive DIWALI (7), gone from Benchmark 58 to Listed Sandown Cup winner the past four starts. Samuel Langhorne keeps the favourite backers happy in the first at Mornington ðŸ¤� @MCKentRacing — (@Racing) April 9, 2023 $25 each way HOLYMANZ (5) at $8.50/$2.80 Building to another win? Strong first-up effort at Flemington four starts back then caught too far back in two subsequent appearances in stronger grade. Dropped back to Open company last start, runner-up in the Swan Hill Cup behind the in-form DASHING ($23). Favourite JIMMY THE BEAR (3) should be fighting out the finish again. Jimmy The Bear placed second behind subsequent Stradbroke Handicap winner War Machine first-up and then won at Caulfield. Settled too far back from a wide barrier last start at Flemington but worked home to run second, albeit in vain, behind the runaway winner Oh Too Good. Holymanz remains the sole winner of the Coastal Classic, victorious in the races' first two runnings ðŸ'« @cmaherracing @OsborneSaffie — (@Racing) January 4, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– QUADZILLA LEG 1, RACE 6 SAMUEL LANGHORNE (12) held up at a crucial stage last start and finished off well to run fourth. Should be ready to show something third-up on Saturday with even luck. DIWALI (7) won the Listed Sandown Cup (2800m) with authority last start. Back in distance and bridging run towards the Flemington Cup next month. Include but query. THROUGH IRISH EYES (13) and BOLD SOUL (5) next best. 1ST LEG 5, 7, 12, 13 LEG 2, RACE 7 SPLASH BACK (6) won impressively last start at Caulfield – blew them away from back in the field – and would not need to improve much to repeat the dose. The talented mare has won five of 11 starts and placed twice. Should build on the winning record on Saturday. AVEBURY (5) has been game in defeat the past two starts with big weights. Up in grade but down in weight and respect the booking of champion jockey Craig Williams. MOLLYNICKERS (3) has the right form to figure in the finish again. 2ND LEG 3, 5, 6 LEG 3, RACE 8 JIMMY THE BEAR (3) is a worthy favourite and looks hardest to beat. Drawn a gate on Saturday so should get a lovely run in transit. HOLYMANZ (5) has four runs under the belt, last start runner-up in the Swan Hill Cup, and ready to peak. Include ST LAWRENCE (8). 3RD LEG 3, 5, 8, 11 FIELDELO (9) rocketed to a seven-length Benchmark 58 Fillies and Mares win at Bendigo first-up and despite a sharp rise in grade on Saturday must be respected. SALSA FELLOW (2) has won two on the trot and overcame adversity last start, held up at a crucial stage, to get the result. BOLD BASTILLE (1) could take catching and has won and placed down the straight previously. SUN SETTING (14) not without a chance at odds. FOURTH LEG 1, 2, 9, 14 FLEMINGTON QUADDIE Race 6: 5, 7, 12, 13 Race 7: 3, 5, 6 Race 8: 3, 5, 8, 11 Race 9: 1, 2, 9, 14 COST $100 FOR 52 per cent
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Warnie chasing consolation prize in Eye Liner Stakes after missing out on Stradbroke Handicap
Australia's cricketers couldn't get it done in the recent World Test Championship final, but keen cricket fan Nathan Bennett is hoping his horse Warnie can pay tribute to legendary former spin king Shane Warne. Syndicator Bennett, currently on holiday with his family travelling around WA in a motorhome, is convinced Warnie would have given the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap a mighty shake if he had scraped into the field. The four-year-old gelding was stranded as a Stradbroke emergency, ending up two outside the starting field, and will instead race for the consolation prize of the Listed Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) at Ipswich on Saturday. Ciaron Maher-trained Warnie is the $2.50 favourite and looks the one to beat. He flew home in the Group 2 Moreton Cup, finishing third behind Front Page, when a win would have given him a golden ticket into the Stradbroke. He has drawn favourably in barrier three at Ipswich and Sydney jockey Regan Bayliss will ride. 'He was surging home in the Moreton Cup and another 20m, he would have won and won his way into the Straddy,' Bennett said. 'This horse is flying and we were hopeful he would get in the Stradbroke, as with a light weight we were pretty confident he could have gone close. 'He has sometimes been cruelled by barriers this horse. 'But this time we have drawn well and out to the 1350(m) will really suit. 'He can race a bit closer to the speed than he has been and so with the barrier draw we can always find a spot, rather than be chasing them from right back in the field. 'I don't think Ipswich is the place you want to be trying to come from too far back.' Bennett purchased the galloper from a sale in Ireland and he had his first start in a two-year-old race at Royal Ascot in 2023 when James McDonald rode him. The horse got his name because when it came time to name him, there was an Ashes cricket series on and Bennett always loved watching the late, great Warne take wickets. • 'We had to come up with a name really quickly and I just thought, the Ashes are on and that's where Warnie used to do his best stuff,' Bennett said. 'We thought we would name him in honour of the great man. 'I have always loved cricket and now I love watching this horse named after Warnie go around. 'I was a bit surprised the name Warnie hadn't already been taken, it was a lot easier than what I thought.' The Warnie camp believes the gelding has a promising future and would love to deploy him in a Group 1 race in the Melbourne spring carnival. 'We want to try to get him to the (Group 1) Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield in September,' Bennett said. 'But we really need to win another race to get his rating up a touch more before we can really try to lock something like that in. 'We are chasing our tail a bit with him, we want to get the rating up now, and then we can back off him a bit and set him for a race like that.' Bennett also races Phillip Stokes -trained three-year-old gelding Stay Focused who is the $3.10 favourite in the TL Cooney (1350m) at Ipswich, despite drawing barrier 17. 'He can't draw a barrier that horse, but he will be hard to beat if he can get even luck,' Bennett said. 'It looks a very winnable race for him, it's just the barrier that is going to hurt him.'
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Trainer Ciaron Maher given keys to Leilani Lodge at Royal Randwick
Ciaron Maher, the nation's premier trainer, has been given the keys of famous Leilani Lodge at Royal Randwick. The Australian Turf Club board had a phone hook-up early on Thursday morning as some directors were overseas and determined Maher's application for the High Street stable complex had been successful. It is understood the board decided on Maher over the Gai Waterhouse-Adrian Bott training partnership. Maher is the nation's reigning premier trainer and with 279 wins on all tracks so far in the 2024-25 season, he is on track to retain the title. • 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! He will also win another Melbourne trainers premiership as his 98 wins so far this season has him well clear of Team Hayes on 64 wins. Maher has also trained the winners of 10 Group 1 races including The Everest (Bella Nipotina) and Caulfield Cup (Duke De Sessa) this season to be second only to Chris Waller (19 wins) for most Group 1 wins. With stable earnings of $57.2 million already this season, Maher has set a new national prizemoney record – with still more than a month of the season remaining. Maher's growing presence in Sydney racing has some suggesting he could one day challenge Waller's premiership dominance. We caught up with @cmaherracing at the incredible Bong Bong farm as he talks through Gringotts chances in The Star Doncaster Mile this Saturday ðŸ�†ðŸ�Ž — Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) April 3, 2025 • Leilani Lodge has been with the Cummings family for five decades until Anthony Cumming s was forced to vacate the stables when his trainer's licence was revoked by Racing NSW in early March after his business went into liquidation. Anthony's father, the legendary Bart Cummings, first moved into Leilani Lodge at Randwick in the early 1980s and won a Sydney trainers' premiership from those stables in 1989-90. An original Hall of Fame inductee, Bart Cummings prepared some of his greatest champions out of Leilani Lodge including Saintly, So You Think, Beau Zam, Shaftesbury Avenue, Sky Chase, Campaign King, Dane Ripper and many others.
