Latest news with #JasonCollett
News.com.au
4 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Headley Grange earns a shot at South Grafton Cup with victory in the Listed Civic Stakes at Randwick
Headley Grange, racing's 'Mr Reliable', has surged through his grades this season and is now a stakes winner after he scored at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Trainer Joe Pride 's talented sprinter has forgotten how to run anything but at his very best as he claimed the Listed $200,000 Civic Stakes (1400m). In a nine-race streak that began almost 12 months ago, Headley Grange has not missed a top two finish, winning five times. 'It's crazy,'' Pride said when asked to comment on Headley Grange's remarkable consistency. 'He was good again, it was nice to see him step up that higher grade today. 'It was a tough win and that's never easy to do in a high pressure race with plenty of opposition. 'But he's a quality horse and he has come through the grades really well.'' Headley Grange, confidently baked into $2.45 favouritism, gave Jason Collett the third leg of a winning treble when he comfortably held off Welwal ($26) to win by a half length with Astero ($51) three-quarters of a length away third. The Bjorn Baker -trained Raikkonen ($5) settled outside Headley Grange early but then lost his position when stablemate Iknowastar came across in front of him. Raikkonen then ended up on the rail behind Headley Grange but when the winner eased away from the inside to make his finishing run, Baker's sprinter stayed close to the inside and rallied late to finish an unlucky fourth. But Headley Grange was a deserving winner - and he's not finished yet. Pride revealed plans to set Headley Grange for the South Grafton Cup (1600m) on July 13. The South Grafton Cup is one of a series of races where the winner is eligible to gain a start in the $3 million The Big Dance (1600m) at Royal Randwick on the first Tuesday in November. Headley Grange adds the Listed Civic Stakes to his impressive record, and it's a Randwick treble to Jason Collett! 🙌 @PrideRacing @aus_turf_club â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 21, 2025 • It's A Knockout stuns rivals with dominant victory 'He's come back particularly well this preparation and we will go to the South Grafton Cup next,'' Pride said. 'We will try and qualify him for one of the Dances.'' Headley Grange has now scored successive wins to start his winter campaign after a brilliant first-up effort over 1300m at Royal Randwick two weeks ago. 'I don't think he was quite as sharp today as he was off that hot tempo the other day,'' Pride said. 'Maybe just second up he was a little bit vulnerable today but I would say he will bounce out of this win. 'I don't know if his best trip is 1400m or a mile (1600) yet. We want it to be a mile as there are not as many races around for 1400m races.'' Collett, who completed his treble on Headley Grange after his earlier wins on Callistemon and Lulumon, wasn't legged into the saddle on the Pride sprinter until the Civic Stakes field came out onto the track. Pride, who trained a double in successive races when Accredited won the closer, had made application to Racing NSW stewards to have Headley Grange walked out riderless from the Theatre of the Horse to the course proper. 'At the end of last preparation and again last start, when the jockey mounted Headley Grange he started to suck back and play up a bit in the yard,'' Collett explained. "Nice to see him step up to that higher grade today." Hear from @PrideRacing and Jason Collett on Headley Grange, who won the Civic Stakes today! @aus_turf_club â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 21, 2025 • Brave One's wide run no obstacle in Randwick triumph 'Joe asked the stewards if he could have me legged on last and be last onto the track and that way he is always moving forward and not in that environment. It worked as he was able to stay relaxed.'' The Civic Stakes proved an easy watch for Headley Grange backers as Collett gave the ever-consistent sprinter the smoothest of rides. 'The tempo was solid through the middle section and I had a horse travelling 'lovely' when the opportunity arose pretty early in the straight to pop off,'' Collett said. 'I did although it was a long way from home, especially at that tempo, but he just found another gear. 'When they came to him at the 150 (metres) he went again so that's a really good sign.'' Collett agreed with Pride's assertion that although Headley Grange's win wasn't as dynamic as his first-up effort, the rising five-year-old gelding showed there are better wins in store after he improved his race record to eight wins from 18 starts and nearly $600,000 prizemoney. 'The tempo of that race was different to last start,'' Collett said. 'It was genuinely run but Headley Grange has quickened off it and then he's had to tough it out. 'Both starts he has done it either way. Last start, a turn of foot and today he has had to show he was tough under pressure. They're great attributes to have – he's a really nice horse.''
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Gosford preview: Trainer David Pfieffer is banking on two key factors to land Our Little Star in the winners circle
Trainer David Pfieffer feels an unsuitable tempo played against Our Little Star first-up but a drop in grade and distance along with an ideal draw can play right into her hands. The four-year-old raced keenly in fourth spot before finishing a two-and-three-quarter length third behind The Unique Star in a three and four-year-old Benchmark 64 Handicap over 1100m at Warwick Farm. 'It was a good run first-up. The slow tempo probably just caused her to get up on the bridle a little bit too much midrace,' said Pfieffer. 'She still hit the line well and looks to be in for a good preparation.' Our Little Star drops back to a Midway Class 1 Handicap over 1000m, a distance she has placed in each of her three runs over. ✨ Our Little Star breaks through for her first win for Jason Collett and @DavidPfieffer! @hawkesburyrc â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 12, 2025 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! 'Coming back to 1000m should help her settle better and Gosford usually generates a bit of tempo,' he said. 'It's a decent drop in grade so she should be very competitive.' In the same race, Pfieffer also saddles up Explosive Torpido. The five-year-old mare showed she is building towards another win with a length second to Russian Zarina at Hawkesbury before a length third behind Pratt and Harlex at Wyong. 'I wanted to try and split them but it was the right race for the pair. 'The draw looks like it will be the deciding factor. 'They are in good order, they look good, will present well and hopefully fight out the finish. 'I'm hoping they can run the quinella.' Pfieffer's third and final runner for the day is Miss Firestar who will make her race debut in the Nova Coast Services Pty Ltd Super Maiden Handicap (1200m). The daughter of Press Statement showed good early speed in her Warwick Farm barrier trial on April 29 to be among the leaders early before easing round the bend. Kerrin McEvoy kept her under a hold in the straight in finishing sixth behind Columbia Blue. 'She has improved from last time in work and trialled alright the other week,' Pfieffer said. 'The 1200m will suit her better than the 790m trial. Ultimately, she will want seven furlongs down the track but this a good starting point. ðŸ'¥ Explosive Torpido takes the opener at @newcastleraces_ today! @DavidPfieffer @AlyshaCollett â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 8, 2024 'I think there will be a couple of scratching from this race which will help. ' Josh Parr gets on-board and he should give her nice ride and give us some nice feedback. 'I think she could herself running into the placings.' Pfieffer also has two runners at Randwick on Saturday with Oh Diamond Lil in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m) and Whinchat in the Listed Civic Stakes (1400m). Oh Diamond Lil was impressive winning first-up at Scone at the stand-along meeting on May 17 before fading to ninth behind Thunderlips at Randwick on June 7. 'Jay (Ford) got on her for the first time last start and it didn't look like they suited each other well but also, I may have been too easy on her after Scone,' he said. 'You are worried about the big trip up there and back plus the effort to win. 'Maybe I had he her a fraction too fresh the other week. 'I really think she can bounce back.' Whinchat almost made it a double for Pfieffer when he was beaten a half-head by The Instructor in the Listed Luskin Star at Scone. He then cost himself when he reared in the gates at Randwick two weeks ago when second last behind Headley Grange. 'He was sent back to the trials by the stewards where he performed satisfactorily and is back to the races this weekend. 'He will do his thing. Bounce out of the gates and go forward.' â– â– â– â– â– Scone horseman Rod Northam is looking for promising gelding Speedy Henry to make use of his nice barrier to get back to winning form. The son of Hellbent made a winning start to his career at Dubbo last December before a spell and kicked off this campaign with a Class 1 win at home but has had mixed fortunes sin his three runs since. Speedy Henry was making ground late when sixth in a Highway at Randwick on April 26 before a third to Tasoraay at Scone and a safely held sixth behind Hammering Away at Dubbo last time out. 'He's still leaning and is still very green. He's field shy and timid among horses,' said Northam. 'When horses go around him, he baulks off them and he's been shuffled back in a couple of his races where you would think he'd hold a spot. Speedy Henry runs away with Race 5 at Scone for @rodnortham! â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 14, 2025 'The key to him is getting him away and up near the speed and try to not get crowded.' Northam is looking to jockey Reece Jones to have Speedy Henry in a forward position from barrier 4 in the Class 2 Plate (1200m) where he gets in well with 57.5kg. 'He has drawn nicely so if he can begin well and put himself somewhere handy, not cluttered up on the fence, he should be able to race really well,' he said. Grandini was rewarded for her consistent form when she broke through for her first win at Dubbo on June 6. The daughter of Toronado had finished in the top four in eight of her first 10 starts. 'She has been a great money-spinner for her owners,' Northam said. 'I was quite confident going into that race. I thought her first-up run was good. 'She just needed a good ride which she got from Leeshelle and they got the job done nicely.' The four-year-old is striving to make it back-to-back wins when she contests the Class 1 Handicap (1400m). 'Hopefully she takes a bit of confidence out of that win. 'There looks to be nice pace in this race so she should be able to camp just off the speed and be strong late again.' Northam has been pleased with the progress of Bawnaglen who will appreciate stepping up in distance in the Maiden Plate (1400m). 'If Reece can be positive and have him handy, he should be strong late,' he said.
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Canterbury preview: A nice book of rides has jockey Jason Collett poised to boost his premiership standing
Jockey Jason Collett is more than happy with the way this season has gone so far including a Group 1 win and is looking to close it out with a bang. Collett currently sits third in the metropolitan jockeys premiership and while James McDonald holds a commanding lead with 81 winners, Collett is just three behind Zac Lloyd with 58 wins and is looking to close the gap. 'I'm really happy with the way the season has gone so far,' said Collett. 'Obviously, winning the Doncaster was huge. It's such a big race. 'I want to try and win any Group 1 but to achieve that was such a huge. 'On the whole, I'm third in the premiership, I'm happy with the stake money I've earnt so it's been a good season.' POINT SCORE (2 c Blue Point - Hill of Grange) runs away from his rivals at @kemblaraces for Amanda Turner, giving @DarleyStallions BLUE POINT a 6th SH 2yo winner this season ðŸ'µ The colt was a $150k buy for his trainer from @Middlebrookstud at the @mmsnippets Gold Coast Yearling… â€' ANZ News (@anz_news) May 31, 2025 The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Collett has a nice book of rides at Canterbury starting with the Gary Portelli -trained Kilbrannan in the Myplates Handicap (1250m). He rode the two-year-old in his last trial at Warwick Farm before the colt debuted with a handy third to Point Score at Kembla with his brother-in-law, Andrew Calder, in the saddle. 'I've had a wee bit to do with the family. Obviously, he is a half-brother to Fireburn and Kintyre and he is a similar type. 'He's got a good attitude and shows a bit of ability. 'He trialled quite nicely when I rode him at Warwick Farm leading into his first run. 'Stepping up a bit further this week will help. 'He's a raw type and whatever he does this week, he will improve again. 'There's a hot favourite in this race of Chris Waller's (Central Coast) but I do like this horse going forward.' Collett partnered the Ciaron Maher -trained So Long Farewell in his first two runs this campaign including a second to Kundabung on the Kensington two runs back. They reunite in the Maurice At Arrowfield Plate (1550m). 'His last run for me was really good on the Kenso. I rode him a bit quieter and he started to put it together late and attacked the line well,' he said. 'I see they rode him up close last start and it may not have been to his liking because he wasn't as strong late. A dominant victory to Kundabung who breaks his maiden at start number three at Randwick today!🙌 @cwallerracing | @aus_turf_club â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 14, 2025 'This distance this week is what I think he will need but it may be a case of making sure he does it right in the first half of the race so he runs on.' The Richard and Will Freedman -trained Miss Jones is an acceptor in the TAB Plate (1250m) and also Maiden Handicap at Gosford on Thursday. Collett was aboard first-up when fourth behind Regimental Colours over 1100m at Warwick Farm and feels a step up in distance is ideal. 'She battled away okay first-up,' he said. 'She has an abundance of early speed so I'd like to make use of that and put her up on the speed. The Canterbury track will suit her style 'There are a couple of handy types in the field but I think she is a good hope.' Collett had his first feel of Fioprospero in a Randwick barrier trial last Friday and was happy with the gelding's effort when sixth in the mid-preparation heat ahead of the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1900m). 'It was a tick over trial to get him ready for this,' he said. 'I don't know too much about his form with most of his runs up in Queensland this campaign but I was happy with his trial.' His final ride is Miss Hades in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1550m). 'She has won at this level in earlier campaign so she does have the ability, she just needs to recapture that,' he said. â– â– â– â– â– Trainer Matthew Smith is pleased with preparation of new recruit Fioprospero and is looking to the gelding to build on it when he steps out at Canterbury. The son of Fiorente kicked off his first preparation for Smith with a sixth behind Debello over an unsuitable 1400m at Kembla on March 4 before heading to Queensland and scoring back-to-back wins at Eagle Farm over 1830m and 1805m. The six-year-old was then just behind the placegetters on the Kensington in late April and the Gold Coast on May 10. 'He's been racing in great form this preparation,' said Smith. 'Most of his runs have been up in Queensland and he won a couple of races at Eagle Farm. 'We just gave him a little freshen up after his last run and trial last week. Fioprospero settled last and wide and worked to the line strongly to finish a three length sixth behind Last Command in the 1200m heat under Jason Collett who will ride him in the Ole Kirk @ Vinery Stud Handicap (1900m). Fioprospero makes it two wins in a row at Eagle Farm! 2ï¸�⃣ @baileywheeler05 | @mcsmithracing | @BrisRacingClub â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 5, 2025 'I was really happy with that trial,' he said.' 'He gives me the impression that he will run a mile and a half so we will look to step him up.' Smith has liked what he seen of Golden Straand in trackwork and his trials and the colt pleased his trainer with his debut second to Sapphire Rose over 1100m at Wyong on June 8. The son of the late Snitzel steps out for his second start in the TAB Plate (1250m) for three-year-old maidens with Jay Ford to ride. 'I quite like this horse and I was happy with his debut run,' Smith said. 'He's a colt that we have brought along slowly. 'He's also in at Gosford on Thursday so I will work out which race suits him better at this stage and we try and build his confidence.' Smith final runner is Serene Nic in the Traffic Warden @ Darley Handicap (1550m). The five-year-old should be forgiven for her last start sixth at Hawkesbury on a heavy track and has since trialled very well when third to Jamberoo at Warwick Farm on May 27. 'She was terrific first-up and at her next start, she ran as expected being second-up off a decent break,' he said. 'She just didn't perform at Hawkesbury last start so we gave her a freshen up. 'She was very consistent last preparation and this is the sort of race she can run very well in.'
Daily Telegraph
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
Golden Mile can give James Cummings farewell Group 1 win with Godolphin in Stradbroke Handicap
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. James Cummings believes it will be a fairytale story if Golden Mile can win this week's Stradbroke Handicap in the gelding's remarkable comeback from retirement. And Sydney trainer Cummings is confident that Golden Mile will handle the seven-day back-up following his third placing in last Saturday's Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm, with Jason Collett on board. • 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! Golden Mile was briefly stood for $16,500 at Sheikh Mohammed's Northwood Park Victorian base last season but he was injured after covering 14 mares. He was then retired from stud duty and gelded, returning to the racetrack in the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) at Randwick on March 1 when he finished sixth, 3¼ lengths behind Iowna Merc. Cummings isn't interested in talk about the Stradbroke being one of the weakest fields in many years – he just wants to win Queensland's premier race for the first time since 2019 (Trekking) in his final season with powerhouse stable Godolphin. It was announced late last month that Cummings and Godolphin would split at the end of July after an eight-year partnership, with the Dubai-based stable to adopt a public training model. Golden Mile (second from left) will back-up in the Stradbroke Handicap after just missing in the Kingsford Smith Cup. Picture: Trackside Photography 'I always say try and win it,' Cummings said of the 1400m Stradbroke. 'It'd be a great story for Golden Mile, who has come back from stud duties and he's been warming to a win. 'If he can get that in this prep in the Stradbroke, that'd be some feat to pull off and all the accolades would go to Golden Mile himself. 'I wouldn't seek to diminish the depth of the field at all and I haven't seen the final field either. 'What I would say is that good Group 1 weight-for-age form should be golden form.' • Stanley dreaming of Stradbroke win to make grandad proud And Golden Mile certainly has that form after finishing a fraction behind superstar mare Joliestar and Zarastro in a thrilling Kingsford Smith Cup. 'He was excellent and he's been building up to that,' Cummings said. 'A bit over a month ago he screamed home for third in the (Group 2) Victory Stakes and that had him back in the form he was 12 months ago, just prior to him going to stud. 'It's been a slow burn to get him up to where he is now but to give a sight in a Group 1 against Joliestar and to defeat some very good Group 1 sprinters in his final lead-up run to the Stradbroke, where he drops to 53.5 kilos, is a very good recipe. 'He should be an even better horse out to 1400m, a little bit further under the handicap conditions that we'll see this week.' • Gollan faces more Stradbroke heartbreak by prizemoney rule Collett will again ride Golden Mile in the $3m Stradbroke at Eagle Farm, just seven days after the gelding's massive run on a soft track at the same venue. 'I've never backed him up before,' Cummings revealed about the 2022 Caulfield Guineas winner. 'I've pushed him in the past to go another run and he's rewarded us because he's a very tough horse. 'While I've never done it before, I was drawn to the idea to persevere with that program for the Stradbroke. 'I'd say I'd be confident, without having done it before, that he would be the type of horse who would relish the back-up.' Originally published as Comeback star Golden Mile can give James Cummings farewell Group 1 win with Godolphin in Stradbroke Handicap
News.com.au
09-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Comeback star Golden Mile can give James Cummings farewell Group 1 win with Godolphin in Stradbroke Handicap
James Cummings believes it will be a fairytale story if Golden Mile can win this week's Stradbroke Handicap in the gelding's remarkable comeback from retirement. And Sydney trainer Cummings is confident that Golden Mile will handle the seven-day back-up following his third placing in last Saturday's Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm, with Jason Collett on board. Golden Mile was briefly stood for $16,500 at Sheikh Mohammed's Northwood Park Victorian base last season but he was injured after covering 14 mares. He was then retired from stud duty and gelded, returning to the racetrack in the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) at Randwick on March 1 when he finished sixth, 3¼ lengths behind Iowna Merc. Cummings isn't interested in talk about the Stradbroke being one of the weakest fields in many years – he just wants to win Queensland's premier race for the first time since 2019 (Trekking) in his final season with powerhouse stable Godolphin. It was announced late last month that Cummings and Godolphin would split at the end of July after an eight-year partnership, with the Dubai-based stable to adopt a public training model. 'I always say try and win it,' Cummings said of the 1400m Stradbroke. 'It'd be a great story for Golden Mile, who has come back from stud duties and he's been warming to a win. 'If he can get that in this prep in the Stradbroke, that'd be some feat to pull off and all the accolades would go to Golden Mile himself. 'I wouldn't seek to diminish the depth of the field at all and I haven't seen the final field either. 'What I would say is that good Group 1 weight-for-age form should be golden form.' And Golden Mile certainly has that form after finishing a fraction behind superstar mare Joliestar and Zarastro in a thrilling Kingsford Smith Cup. 'He was excellent and he's been building up to that,' Cummings said. 'A bit over a month ago he screamed home for third in the (Group 2) Victory Stakes and that had him back in the form he was 12 months ago, just prior to him going to stud. An EPIC finish in the G1 Kingsford Smith Cup sees Joliestar nab them right on the line to take her third Group 1! 🤩 @cwallerracing @mcacajamez @BrisRacingClub @RaceQLD — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 'It's been a slow burn to get him up to where he is now but to give a sight in a Group 1 against Joliestar and to defeat some very good Group 1 sprinters in his final lead-up run to the Stradbroke, where he drops to 53.5 kilos, is a very good recipe. 'He should be an even better horse out to 1400m, a little bit further under the handicap conditions that we'll see this week.' Collett will again ride Golden Mile in the $3m Stradbroke at Eagle Farm, just seven days after the gelding's massive run on a soft track at the same venue. 'I've never backed him up before,' Cummings revealed about the 2022 Caulfield Guineas winner. 'I've pushed him in the past to go another run and he's rewarded us because he's a very tough horse. 'While I've never done it before, I was drawn to the idea to persevere with that program for the Stradbroke. 'I'd say I'd be confident, without having done it before, that he would be the type of horse who would relish the back-up.'
