Latest news with #SapphireCoast
Daily Telegraph
12 hours ago
- Sport
- 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
07-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Sapphire Coast preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, June 8, 2025
Trainer Anthony Mountney is banking on King Charles' love of the Sapphire Coast track to overcome a jump in grade and a tricky inside draw. King Charles has built a strong record on the southern New South Wales track with two wins, two seconds and fourth from five starts. His charged home to win two runs ago before a second to The Unique Star who has since won at Warwick Farm during the week. While those two runs were in Benchmark 58 races over 1007m and 1010m respectively, he steps up to 1212m in the Benchmark 66 Handicap where he drawn barrier 1. 'He really does race well at the track,' said Mountney. 'The wetter the better it would be for him. I would look for a really wet track somewhere else for him but he just enjoys the track there so much. 'There is a bit of speed in this race so that should allow him to get off the fence. 'The draw down low in the gates isn't ideal for him. He's a horse who likes to come out wider down the centre of the track. 'He's a funny horse. He's got form over 1000 metres and two wins over a mile but hasn't got anything in between. 'He is strong late and has won on the soft there before including two starts back although he is a heavy track specialist. 'His confidence is up and I expect him to run well. He just needs to get away from the rail.' While Mountney would love the track to be in the heavy range for King Charles, it's the opposite for stablemate Vis I Do who would appreciate a dry track. The five-year-old failed on the wet at his only run at the Sapphire Coast two starts ago before a solid length second behind Grinzinger Moon on a Good 4 at Albury last time out. 'He failed at his last start here because it was a heavy track and he just doesn't handle wet tracks,' he said. 'I took him to Albury and I thought he ran a fabulous race back on top of the ground. 'He didn't get to follow the right horse into the race while the leader was doing it's own thing. 'With the right run into it, I think he could have stretched the winner.' That was over 1175m but the gelding drops back a little in trip when he lines up in the Class 3 Handicap (1010m) although Mountney isn't too concerned. ðŸŒ' Grinzinger Moon brains them and makes it four straight at Albury! â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 16, 2025 'He is coming back in trip but I don't think that will worry him,' he said. 'I have kept him very fresh and his work has been super.' Mountney also has two three-year-olds making their race debut together in the Super Maiden Handicap (1212m) and expects both to acquit themselves very well. Luminesce rolled forward to take the lead and held on to win her first barrier trial at Kembla on May 12 before sitting back and wide when last without being pushed in her second heat on Wednesday. 'She is a filly with a fair bit of quality and one we have had a fair bit of time for,' Mountney said. 'Naturally she is still learning and can do things wrong. 'If she has her mind on the job, she will be very strong in this race.' Pancake Pete also had his only trial at Kembla on May 12 when held into the straight when fifth. 'He's has been working particularly well at home with Jacob's Time. He breezed up lovely on Friday morning,' he said. 'He will probably be the longest odds of all my horses but he is worth a little each-way bet.' ADAM SHERRY'S TOP SELECTIONS BEST BET Race 5 No. 8: VEGAS DREAM Winner and a close second in his two runs at the track and distance. NEXT BEST Race 3 No. 4: LOAFER Nice second at her NSW debut and can go one better. VALUE BET Race 7 No. 1: OWN THEM Brazilian Derby and Hong Kong 2000m winner. Will appreciate the step up in trip and drop in grade. QUADDIE Race 4: 1, 2, 3, 5 Race 5: 2, 8 Race 6: 3, 4, 11 Race 7: 1, 4, 5 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW RICHARD BENSLEY looks a good chance to land a winning double. INSIDE MAIL – SAPPHIRE COAST RACE 1: BEGA CUP 2 DAY CARNIVAL JAN 31 - FEB 1 2026 COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN PLATE 1413m VIVEK (6) ran a handy third over 1300m at Moruya first-up then was checked a couple of times in the straight losing his momentum when seventh over 1410m here on May 4. Dropped back to 1010m and was wide throughout when seventh here three weeks later. Back to 1413m suits. CONJOIN (1) is backing up from a well beaten 10th at Goulburn last week. Has placed five times including a half-length third on a Soft 7 here. IDEELIC (2) will improve off his first-up fourth over 1280m on the Canberra Acton track on May 23. SESTO (2) raced greenly on debut when fifth to the progressive Sparklenglitter who remain unbeaten in three starts. Raced outside the leader and boxed on for third to Consorting One over this track and distance three weeks ago. MCTOMINAY (1) is on debut. Was second in two Victorian jumpouts before moving to the Luke Pepper stable. Led all-the-way to win his trial here on May 18. MOVER AND SHAKER (6) appreciated a drop back in trip and to country grade when a closing fifth at Canberra last start before a spell. Wasn't pushed when fourth in his recent Kembla trial. LOAFER (4) changed stables mid-preparation and made her NSW debut for the Scott Collings yard with a half-length second behind Choice Witness at Corowa on May 19. Drawn well here and can go one better. CYCLONE RUPERT (2) has been on the heels of the placegetters at his last four starts, the latest a fourth behind A Pound Of Salt in a 1200m TAB Highway at Randwick two weeks ago. Drops back to 1010m here but will figure prominently. MISS SCOOP (7) has a win and two placings from three runs here. Will be thereabouts again from the inside draw. SHE'S IN OVERDRIVE (3) began fairly from the inside gate and settled down a little worse than midfield before working home for second behind Consorting One over 1010m on debut here on may 18. Will be better for the experience and looks like she will appreciate the step up to 1212m. INCHYRA (2) ran in the Super Maiden here over this distance that same day and closed nicely through the pack from last to finish second behind Platinum Ridge. Drawn to settle closer. LUMINESCE (5) was good winning her May 12 trial at Kembla and wasn't pushed in her heat there on Wednesday. VEGAS DREAM (8) led all-the-way to beat Star Bling over this track and distance on a Heavy 9 before returning a month later with a nose second behind Capital Heart. Stepped up in grade when sixth behind Equilibrist. Drawn ideally. CAPITAL HEART (2) resumed from a spell without an official trial with that all-the-way win from Vegas Dream. Raced in TAB Highways last campaign including a two length sixth to Everido and Sunchyme at Kembla on The Gong Day. KING CHARLES (14) loves racing at this track where he has two wins over 1000m, two seconds and a fourth. Yet to place in seven runs at the 1200m but has won over 1600m. MAJOR DESIRE (11) hadn't placed in three first-up runs until kicking off this preparation with a length second behind the in-form Hell Of A Fox over 1212m here three weeks ago. Will appreciate stepping up in distance. Runner-up at his only other run here over this trip. PLATINUM RIDGE (4), the half-brother to stakes winner Opal Ridge, was given a long spell after a debut seventh at Muswellbrook last July. Worked forward to lead and held out Inchyra to score by a length when resuming here three weeks ago. KOTAICHI (3) raced wide when down the track in the Highway at Hawkesbury two run ago before a fourth to Hell Of A Fox at Goulburn last start. OWN THEM (1) found the 1200m too short when resuming in a Bm 74 at Wagga on May 2. The Brazilian Derby winner came to Australia via Hong Kong where he was a winner over 2000m and won at his first start here in a Bm 66 over 1300m at Goulburn. Will appreciate the step up to the mile and drop back in grade. REMADOSI (4) was beaten less than three lengths by Dupli Kate in the MTC Guineas at Wagga before a short half head second to Naval Officer at Parkes. EVOKES (5) closed strongly from near last to win comfortably here two runs back. Made up a lot of ground at Goulburn last start.
Sydney Morning Herald
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Race-by-race tips and previews for Sunday's Parkes meeting
(Selections based on a soft track) Race 1 6. Amoruso is a three-year-old filly having her first start and she comes into this having easily won a trial at Tamworth. She scored by almost four lengths in that hitout and gets her chance to launch her career with a victory. 1. Cerons has two placings from six starts and has had two unplaced efforts in Queensland since finishing second in the Tamworth trial behind Amoruso. He's drawn wide here but has the talent to make an impact. 8. Spring Prospect debuted with a fifth at Mudgee back in December and has had two trials leading into this resuming run, winning the latest of them at Dubbo. 9. I Don't Think So was first-up from a long spell when finishing fourth at Dubbo and shouldn't be taken lightly. How to play it: Amoruso WIN. Race 2 13. Turning Circle started favourite when finishing fourth as favourite at Wyong last time out. She was safely held in that event but will find this easier and looks perfectly suited to break her maiden. 14. Winning Reign ran third placed at Dubbo when last produced and can make an impact again. 3. Outcast Soldier finished second in that same race at Dubbo and also can be thereabouts in this company, while 8. Billabong Rose is racing well and has the advantage of gate one. How to play it: Turning Circle WIN. Race 3 1. Egyptologist resumes here on the back of two trials. He won at Mudgee and Dubbo at his last two starts before a spell and looks primed to run well first-up over the mile. 4. Naval Officer is on the quick back-up after hitting the line well to win at Wellington on Tuesday. 9. Remadosi wasn't beaten far in the Murrumbidgee Guineas at Wagga last time out and is worth plenty of thought, while 2. Midnight Affair ran well at Hawkesbury in Highway company at her latest outing. How to play it: Egyptologist WIN. Race 4 2. Princess Halo was a Sapphire Coast winner three starts ago and has since finished midfield in both runs. She can bounce back to winning form here. 6. Sheridan Street won well on debut at Gundagai as favourite before tackling the Wagga carnival and never being a factor. She can lift on that in this company. 7. Swilken Bridge is handy at best and can give cheek from the good draw, while 11. The Mooch has been placed in two of her latest three starts and can figure again. How to play it: Princess Halo WIN.
The Age
17-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Race-by-race tips and previews for Sunday's Parkes meeting
(Selections based on a soft track) Race 1 6. Amoruso is a three-year-old filly having her first start and she comes into this having easily won a trial at Tamworth. She scored by almost four lengths in that hitout and gets her chance to launch her career with a victory. 1. Cerons has two placings from six starts and has had two unplaced efforts in Queensland since finishing second in the Tamworth trial behind Amoruso. He's drawn wide here but has the talent to make an impact. 8. Spring Prospect debuted with a fifth at Mudgee back in December and has had two trials leading into this resuming run, winning the latest of them at Dubbo. 9. I Don't Think So was first-up from a long spell when finishing fourth at Dubbo and shouldn't be taken lightly. How to play it: Amoruso WIN. Race 2 13. Turning Circle started favourite when finishing fourth as favourite at Wyong last time out. She was safely held in that event but will find this easier and looks perfectly suited to break her maiden. 14. Winning Reign ran third placed at Dubbo when last produced and can make an impact again. 3. Outcast Soldier finished second in that same race at Dubbo and also can be thereabouts in this company, while 8. Billabong Rose is racing well and has the advantage of gate one. How to play it: Turning Circle WIN. Race 3 1. Egyptologist resumes here on the back of two trials. He won at Mudgee and Dubbo at his last two starts before a spell and looks primed to run well first-up over the mile. 4. Naval Officer is on the quick back-up after hitting the line well to win at Wellington on Tuesday. 9. Remadosi wasn't beaten far in the Murrumbidgee Guineas at Wagga last time out and is worth plenty of thought, while 2. Midnight Affair ran well at Hawkesbury in Highway company at her latest outing. How to play it: Egyptologist WIN. Race 4 2. Princess Halo was a Sapphire Coast winner three starts ago and has since finished midfield in both runs. She can bounce back to winning form here. 6. Sheridan Street won well on debut at Gundagai as favourite before tackling the Wagga carnival and never being a factor. She can lift on that in this company. 7. Swilken Bridge is handy at best and can give cheek from the good draw, while 11. The Mooch has been placed in two of her latest three starts and can figure again. How to play it: Princess Halo WIN.
News.com.au
17-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Sapphire Coast preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, May 18, 2025
The Barbara Joseph and Paul and Matt Jones-trained gelding Conjoin is ready and able to reward his loyal band of followers when he seeks to shed his maiden status at start number 12. A son of the lightly-raced Wyong 2YO Magic Millions winner Unite And Conquer, Conjoin has been both costly and consistent ahead of the Cooma Cricket Club Country Boosted Maiden Handicap (1010m). 'He had a bit of a head cold after his last run so we freshened him up, he had a couple of weeks of soft work, and his last gallop with Billy Owen on board was excellent,'' co-trainer Paul Jones said. . @GraemeWhiteSky 's tip Aqualina's Starâ�ï¸�kicks off the card at Albury! @BlaikeMcDougall â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 21, 2024 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! Conjoin is an exceedingly well-bred horse; his third dam is the aptly-named Special who won 10 races in total including the Lightning Stakes and Newmarket Handicap double as well as the Gadsden, Moir Stakes and Bobbie Lewis. The Joseph/Jones entry in race two, Wauchope, also boasts a champion within her family tree. Her third dam, Zephyr Zouba, was the mother of the AJC Derby winner and Japan Cup placegetter, Naturalism. Wauchope managed to turn a last into a first in the space of one run to the next, both here at the Sapphire Coast, and while the win was a shock for most punters, those close to the filly weren't surprised. 'It was a very good win from that wide gate,'' Jones said. 'It was very hard to maintain speed on that track, it was very gluey, as people later in the day found out that it was hard to lead that day which is anti-Sapphire Coast.' Wauchope's connections, including the Logan Livestock boss Richard Logan, had the choice of two races this weekend, electing the shorter Benchmark 58 over (1010m). 'Jake (Barrett) got off her and said she's that so fast, it wouldn't matter if you put her in a 1000m or 1200m, so we accepted in both races but we just went with the better draw,'' Jones said. Wauchope holds on, winning in a tight photo finish for the @JJRacing_ACT stable! â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 4, 2025 As well bred as the abovementioned duo are, another of their stablemates headed to the Sapphire Coast could challenge both in the blue blood stakes. The horse in question is Ceremonious who lines-up in the eminently suitable Monaro Cup (1613m). Ceremonious is a son of the two-year-old Triple Crown winner Pierro while his third dam, Flying Floozie, is one of only a trio of horses to have been crowned New Zealand Broodmare of the Year three times. The others being the immortal Eight Carat and Songline (dam of Sunline). Originally trained by Chris Waller, Ceremonious turned in a brave and determined on-pace third at Wagga on Town Plate Day in a 1400m Class 2. 'It was an excellent run,'' Jones praised. 'We haven't pushed him too hard and to see him be very keen in the bridle and be competitive up on the speed, obviously that augurs well going to the Sapphire Coast.' The step up to the mile is a logical and perfect next step for the horse according to Jones. Apart from being bred on a 4x3 double cross of Zabeel, Ceremonious' two wins have been at 1830m at Eagle Farm and 2000m, winning his 2000m Canberra Maiden by four lengths. SHAYNE O'CASS' TOP SELECTIONS BEST BET Race 2 No. 2: THE UNIQUE STAR Big winner on debut at Albury; runner-up there next time. Trialled well for the return. NEXT BEST Race 5 No. 2: LETHAL LADY Ran far above where she was credited for in that Benchmark 58 at Wagga last time. VALUE BET Race 3 No. 10: SUPERIOR FUN Gives the impression that the mile suits now after a closing second here on May 4. QUADDIE Race 4: 2, 4, 8 Race 5: 2, 5 Race 6: 1, 10, 14 Race 7: 1, 2, 9 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Rebecca Bronett-Prag has a good book of rides. INSIDE MAIL - SAPPHIRE COAST CONJOIN (5) is something of a rarity in as much as his dam is by Rory's Jester who won a Golden Slipper 40 years ago. As for Conjoin, he's been costly and consistent in equal measure with five placings from 11 starts. He's an on-pacer drawn 4 in a 1010m race so no excuses. SESTO (1) was born and raised at Emirates Park; his fourth dam was the mother of the great Shaftesbury Avenue. Sesto led and faded on debut at Orange but it was a take no prisoners war up front. THE UNIQUE STAR (1) was $1.40 on debut at Albury on November 21 last year and won accordingly. He was back there on December 14 and was runner-up and spelled. Won a very deep Heat at Goulburn on May 8. Nice horse. WINNIE FORTUNE (7) did some good things at her first preparation including a third to Beer Baron and a win over Cougars. In good hands. WAUCHOPE (6) was big odds when she won her last start but it was no shock to her trainers. Bet: The Unique Star to win RACE 3: Diggers Bobcat Hire Mdn Plate 1613m SUPERIOR FUN (10) has been with Anthony Mountney for the last three of her six career starts. In that time, she has two seconds and a fifth. This is her first time to a mile but look at that build-up; 1209m, 1300m and 1410m. EVOKES (2) is unplaced in all five starts but they have contained merit to varying degrees. This is a suitable and attainable race for him as well. I AM A ROCKSTAR (4) is fit, ready and in-form for the mile from the favourable draw. CRAFT (4) has won or placed at nine of his 14 starts. He won as recently as two starts and better still, he was a tough on-pace third in the Highway at Hawkesbury on Cup Day. Barrier 2 is just the dream scenario for the horse. GATCHAN (8) has a powerful finish but more often than not, the Sapphire Coast favours those who race closer to the speed and the inside fence. Doesn't totally rule her out though. CEREMONIOUS (3) ran a big race at his first one for the Joseph/Jones barn. Every little step-up in trip suits him. Bet: Craft to win, box trifecta 2, 3, 4, 8 LETHAL LADY (2) has won five times with seven placings from 33 starts on her resume. She has been known to get back, when drawn wide, and that was very much the case when she jumped from 14 of 14 in a Wagga 58 on Cup Day. She passed half the field and did it weaving her way through some heavy traffic. Drawn 3 here. SNOWY (5) is another one who ran on Wagga Cup Day and ran better than what the form guide would attest. As it stands, she did run fifth in the Queen Of The South at Benchmark 66 level. DUBAI CENTRE (1) has a huge weight but rates 64 in a 58. Bet: Lethal Lady to win, exacta 2 to beat 5, quinella 2, 5, DD 1st Leg 2, 2nd Leg 9 LONDON STAR (10) is trained by Theresa Bateup who has led in 83 winners at the Sapphire Coast at a very high strike-rate of 16.7 per cent. This Vinery Stud-bred has contested some strong races in her eight starts; Urafiki won one of them, Welcometobarbados another. Beaten narrowly here last time. Go well again. DE RAZILLY (14) deserves so much credit and praise for her debut second here, keeping in mind that she was a two-year-old taking on older horses and got close to Giza who is pretty handy. Terrible draw though. HELL OF A FOX (9) is a regally-bred filly; her fourth dam is Canny Lass who, of course, was a sister to Canny Lad. was building up to that impressive win at Wagga on Cup Day rolling as long odds-on favourite. Snappy Jim boasts some decent numbers at the track and the distance. Has his share of weight but is both honest and reliable. Reigning Bong Bong Cup winner ARANCIONE (2) has won five from 16, one of them was here at the Sapphire Coast while racing first-up. Big watch and respect for ASTROGAZER (6). Bet: Hell Of A Fox to win SAPPHIRE COAST BEST BET Race 2 No. 2: The Unique One Big winner on debut at Albury; runner-up there next time. trialled well for the return. NEXT BEST Race 5 No. 2: Lethal Lady Ran far above where she was credited for in that Benchmark 58 at Wagga last time. VALUE Race 3 No. 10: Superior Fun Gives the impression that the mile suits now after a closing second here on May 4 QUADDIE Race 4: 2,4,8, Race 5: 2,5 Race 6: 1,10,14 Race 7: 1,2,9
