Latest news with #WinningProposal
Herald Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Ray Thomas' Blackbook: Five to follow from Rosehill on June 14
Ray Thomas thinks an impressive winner could be a force in the fillies' classics in the spring, while Ron Dufficy thinks Saturday's racing unearthed a nice mare to follow in future races. Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Ray Thomas reveals his horses to follow from Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, while Sky Thoroughbred Central's Ron Dufficy names his highlights in his Rosehill snapshot. • 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! ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ FIVE TO FOLLOW CODETTA (race 5) was coming off a luckless first-up second and was confidently backed into $2.70 favouritism but nothing went right for her when third to the smart filly Winning Proposal. Codetta was trapped three-wide without cover for most of the race but still had the temerity to loom up halfway down the straight as a winning threat. She's racing well and her turn is coming. SACRED ROCKS (race 10) made a real statement at her Sydney debut. She had won two of her four starts in Victoria, finishing second in the other two, before trainer Ciaron Maher switched states. Sacred Rocks settled back in the field from a wide barrier, didn't have the smoothest of passages but her finishing acceleration was very impressive. She's talented and can keep winning. QUEEN OF CLUBS (race 1) is a promising filly and she defeated a smart field of two-year-olds in the opener. She's a well-bred daughter of Maurice and will certainly get out over further. She's likely to have a short break now but watch out for her in the fillies classics in spring. TASORAAY (race 4) set a solid tempo in front and this might have left him vulnerable late. He still fought back hard when challenged and his close second to Don't Forget Jack was full of merit. Tasoraay was only second-up from a spell and can win again this winter. ASSAILANT (race 9) has shaped promisingly in his two Australian starts including his third to Freight Train. The former English galloper got to 2000m quickly, led for a long way and stuck to his task under pressure. Assailant can only continue to improve and is ready to win. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ CRUNCH TIME WINNING PROPOSAL (race 5) ran the fastest final 600m sectional of the day when she recorded a 33.35s split to dive through under Overfull and score a deserved win. Winning Proposal also produced a brilliant 200m closing split of 11.12s. SACRED ROCKS (race 10) finished fast to win the closer, running her final 600m in 33.66s with a 11.08s closing sectional. MOTOSCAFO (race 3) might have only won a Midway but his effort should not be underestimated. He charged home his final 600m in 33.57s and ran the fastest 200m closing split of the day in 10.97s. QUEEN OF CLUBS (race 1) powered home her final 600m in 34.43s and a closing 200m split of 11.61s to score her first win in four starts. DON'T FORGET JACK (race 4) attacked the line strongly with a 34.08s final 600m to score well. He was able to run his 200m closing split of 11.53s. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ WHAT THEY SAID 'Can you book me for the horse in this race next year!' — Jockey Adam Hyeronimus after combining with Sir Lucan to win a second successive Winter Cup. 'We're very excited to win the Winter Cup again and the owners are flying over to London tonight. Monique and Adam (Annetts), they're jumping on a plane to go and see Storm Boy run next Saturday. If they were flying economy they will be flying first class now.' — Stable representative Neil Paine. 'It's all good – the pressure, that's what you live for.'' — Star apprentice Braith Nock after winning on favourite Mickey's Medal. 'She does things at home that are (special). She worked with Kilbrannan, who is a handy two-year-old (half-brother to Portelli's Golden Slipper winner Fireburn) and she went so well I said, 'she can't get beaten'.' — Trainer Gary Portelli after Queen Of Clubs' impressive win. — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 14, 2025 'She is very progressive and has a great, big stride on her. At the 200m, I thought she was just going to get there but then at the 100m she really lengthened nicely.' — Andrew Calder, rider of Queen Of Clubs. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ STEWARDS SAY Sydney's form jockeys Dylan Gibbons and Adam Hyeronimus both incurred week-long careless riding suspensions due to start next Sunday. Gibbons was suspended from June 22 to June 29 after he was found guilty by stewards of causing interference on runner-up HALF YOURS (race 9). Hyeronimus was suspended for the same period after his winning ride on SIR LUCAN (race 8). HELL OF A FOX (race 2) drew the outside barrier and was shifted behind runners in the early stages. Near the 900m she was hampered and carried wider by RED RAGS TO BULLS, which shifted out when being steadied off heels. Jockey Brodie Loy said that after enduring a wide run, the filly was one paced to the finish line and raced as though it had come to the end of its preparation. CODETTA (race 5) was hampered and taken wider by KING'S SECRET approaching the 600m. On straightening, she was again inconvenienced by King's Secret, which shifted out. Apprentice Jace McMurray told stewards that Codetta was slow to begin and settled further back than intended. He said when then unable to obtain cover Codetta was obliged to race wide throughout the event. KING'S SECRET (race 5) jumped out of the barriers and was bumped by Slinky, which shifted in. King's Secret finished fifth and a post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding had the thumps. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RON DUFFICY'S RANDWICK SNAPSHOT RUN OF THE DAY SACRED ROCKS did a great job having her first Sydney run. She met a pretty slick field and you have to like the way she charged over the top of them late looking a nice mare for the future. FORGET THEY RAN CODETTA and HALF YOURS were both beaten favourites on the day but I wouldn't mark them down on their performances. They both had awkward draws not having much go their way and can make amends moving forward. HORSE TO FOLLOW Outside of those mentioned above I thought the debut performance of SCOOP THE POOL had merit. He's a two-year-old who has a pedigree to just keep improving especially over further than what he contested here. RIDE OF THE DAY Boom apprentice Braith Nock put on a show with a winning treble. His ride on SUPER NORWEST in the Highway was just picture perfect from a tricky draw. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ NSW RACING – THE WEEK AHEAD Monday: Albury, Tamworth Tuesday: Hawkesbury, Nowra Wednesday: Canterbury Park Thursday: Gosford, Bathurst Friday: Coffs Harbour Saturday: Royal Randwick, Kembla Grange Sunday: Murwillumbah, Wagga Wagga Originally published as Ray Thomas' Blackbook: Five to follow from Rosehill on Saturday Horse Racing The decision on who will take over the prestigious Leilani Lodge at Royal Randwick has been postponed, with the Australian Turf Club's board set to review a report later this week. Horse Racing Trainer Gary Portelli experienced racing's highs and lows within 24 hours, as Queen Of Clubs scored her first win a day Group 1-winning mare Kimochi suffered a career-ending injury.
News.com.au
13-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Syndicator Steve Vardy says his four runners at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday are ‘proof you don't need to pay big money to have a chance in racing'
Sydney racing needs a good news story so welcome to the stage syndicator Steve Vardy's 'Fab Four' of Winning Proposal, Crafty Eagle, Hell Of A Fox and Hellbent For You. In the last few weeks, the racing news cycle has been dominated by the failed Rosehill sale proposal, talk of boardroom coups and industry disunity but these four racehorses are a welcome and positive advertisement for the sport. Winning Proposal, Crafty Eagle, Hell Of A Fox and Hellbent For You were each acquired for a modest price, have already returned a profit with considerable interest for their owners, and are winning chances at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. 'I only set up the syndication business (Vardy Thoroughbreds) five years ago and this is the first time we have had four runners at a Sydney Saturday meeting,'' Vardy said. 'For a syndicator, it is a dream to have your colours going around in Sydney racing and these four horses are proof you don't need to pay big money to have a chance in this game. 'We try to buy horses at value prices and hopefully provide our clients with some fun at the races and a return on their investment.'' The cheapest of the 'Fab Four' is Winning Proposal, a $50,000 purchase from the Inglis Premier Sale who has already amassed $217,900 prizemoney. She's a $13 chance in the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1100m). Then there's Hell Of A Fox, a $60,000 Inglis Classic Sale graduate who has amassed $95,600 in earnings. She's chasing a fourth consecutive win in the TAB Highway (1400m). Vardy purchased Crafty Eagle for $70,000 at an Inglis Ready2Race sale and he's the clubhouse leader of the quartet with prizemoney of $235,625. He's at $19 for the Captivant At Kia Ora Handicap (1300m). Hellbent For You was the most expensive Vardy purchase although she was knocked down for only $75,000 at the Inglis Classic Sale. She has won four races and $167,850 already, and is rated a $15 chance in the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1300m). Be honest... who had given up on Hellbent On You before she snuck through to win with @mcacajamez in the saddle for @JTRacingRwik?! That's a win and a half ðŸ'° @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 14, 2025 Vardy said all four were 'good each-way chances'' at Rosehill. 'Winning Proposal ran really well at Gosford first-up, she ran third and was unlucky not to have won, then she couldn't pick her feet up in the very heavy going at Randwick last start,'' Vardy said. 'Hell Of A Fox took a while to break her maiden but she has been such a success story since we sent her to Luke Pepper to train. 'Crafty Eagle is a quirky horse but John Thompson has taken the winkers off and mixed his training. If he's on his game, he can run a really good race. 'Hellbent For You is another who found the track like glue at Randwick last start but she never stopped trying. She's such a genuine mare and we expect her to run a competitive race.'' Hell Of A Fox with a hell of a finish! ðŸ'¥ The Luke Pepper trained filly makes it back-to-back wins! ✌ï¸� — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 18, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– Bookies cold on Smith galloper's chances Icebreaker is undefeated in three starts this season, he's drawn the rails barrier, is trialling well – but he's the rank outsider at $41 for the Racing And Sports Handicap (1400m). Trainer Matthew Smith isn't worried the price assessors have dismissed Icebreaker's chances as the grey four-year-old has done everything right in preparation for his Rosehill return. 'He's trialling nicely, I can't fault him, he's coming up 'good','' Smith said. 'He likes wet tracks which is a help to him, too.'' Icebreaker is resuming after reeling off three successive wins over the Canberra 1600m course late last year. 'There was a perfect sequence of races for him so we kept going back to Canberra,'' Smith explained. 'He started off in a class 1, then he ran in two (benchmark) 70 races. They just fitted nicely into his preparation. 'After he won his third race in a row, we gave him a good spell and he's come back in great order. 'The 1400m on Saturday might be a bit short but it might not either as he's nice and fresh. I think he can run well.'' Jockey challenge favourite @djgibbons22 kicks off the @WyongRaceClub card with a win on Icebreaker 🧊 — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 11, 2024 Icebreaker is Smith's solo Rosehill runner while the trainer also has just the one starter at Eagle Farm – tough stayer True Marvel in the Group 2 $400,000 Brisbane Cup (3200m). True Marvel, rising 10-year-old, is a specialist at the marathon trip and two years ago ran second in the Sydney Cup behind Explosive Jack, third in Selino's Brisbane Cup, and ran a commendable eighth in the Melbourne Cup won by Without A Fight. But after missing all of 2024 with injury, True Marvel has had six starts this preparation and indicated he was close to his best again with his fourth behind Diwali in the Sandown Cup at 3200m last start. Diwali relishes the two-mile test of the Listed Sandown Cup â�ï¸� @GavinBedggood 's strong form continues ðŸ'¥ — (@Racing) June 1, 2025 • 'True Marvel is going super, he's a true stayer and needs those genuine staying trips,'' Smith said. 'He ran well last start when nothing really went right for him during the race and I think he can run a very good race in the Brisbane Cup. 'He's been a ripping old horse, he loves training and racing but there are not enough 3200m races for him. But he's won a lot of money for his owners ($942,715) and it would be great if he could get to $1 million on Saturday.'' â– â– â– â– â– Another Group 1 win? That'd be Cool Max Whitby has enjoyed plenty of success as an owner-breeder in racing but admitted it would be 'next level' if his brilliant two-year-old Cool Archie can win the Group 1 $1 million JJ Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm. 'I can't tell you what it would mean to me if Cool Archie can win the JJ Atkins,'' Whitby said. 'I've waited 20 years since Savabeel to get another potential stallion and if Cool Archie wins the Group 1 it would be really special. 'Cool Archie is a grandson of Savabeel and he's trained by Chris Munce, who used to ride Savabeel, so it's all there. I'm just super proud of this colt.'' After reeling off four successive wins including the Listed Dalrello Stakes and back-to-back Group 2 wins in the Champagne Classic and BRC Sires Produce Stakes, Cool Archie is the $3.60 favourite for the JJ Atkins. A barnstorming win by Cool Archie in the G2 BRC Sires' Produce Stakes, and that's four in a row to the @munceracing galloper! 🙌 @BrisRacingClub — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025 • 'I'm never short of confidence in anything I try to do in life but I'm trying to rein myself in a little with Cool Archie,'' Whitby said. 'All I can tell you is my trainer is very happy, the horse is the same weight as he was last start, he's drawn OK in nine, he handles good tracks and we think he will run the 1600m easily. 'And my jockey, Martin Harley, is so optimistic it is unbelievable. He's going over to ride at Royal Ascot after this weekend so I hope we can give him a Group 1 win before he leaves for England.'' • 2025 JJ Atkins tips, runner-by-runner form analysis â– â– â– â– â– 5 YEARS AGO Tyzone, runner-up in the Stradbroke Handicap to Trekking the previous year, went one better when he scored a popular win in Queensland's premier race for trainers Toby and Trent Edmonds, defeating Madam Rouge at Eagle Farm. It was a dual celebration for local trainers when Rob Heathcote's brilliant Rothfire raced away with the JJ Atkins. Love You Lucy, a $41 outsider, won the Dane Ripper Stakes but the Brisbane Cup was not run that year due to the Covid pandemic. At Rosehill, the Chris Waller-trained Wu Gok won the Winter Cup. • A thrilling finish in the TAB Stradbroke Handicap as Tyzone who ran second in last year's race has come back to win the 2020 edition for @EdmondsRacing and Robbie Fradd @TrentEd1 @RaceQLD @BrisRacingClub — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 6, 2020 10 YEARS AGO The Ciaron Maher-trained Srikandi scored a career-best win over Boban in the Stradbroke Handicap, run that year at Doomben. Srikandi backed up two weeks later to make it successive Group 1 wins in the Tatt's Tiara. Chris Waller's Press Statement maintained his unbeaten record in the JJ Atkins. Later that year, Press Statement won a second Group 1 in the Caulfield Guineas. Jetset Lad was an upset winner of the Brisbane Cup and the Lee Freedman-trained Hazard won the Dane Ripper Stakes. Kerrin McEvoy rode Kapour, also trained by Maher, to win the Winter Cup. 20 YEARS AGO St Basil saved the best for last with the 13th and final win of his race career in the Stradbroke defeating Perfect Promise and Shamekha. Darci Brahma finished powerfully to win the TJ Smith Stakes (now JJ Atkins), the first of five Group 1 wins during his career. Darci Brahma then became a leading New Zealand-based stallion. Portland Singa, trained by Neville McBurney, won the Brisbane Cup and Gerald Ryan's Our Sweet Moss won the Dane Ripper. The late Jack Denham prepared Verb to win the Winter Cup.
Courier-Mail
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
Gosford inside mail: Bjorn Baker recruit Winning Proposal has impressed with barrier trials
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Trainer Bjorn Baker is keen to test to the emerging potential of stable recruit Winning Proposal in the $200,000 Thunder Thousand (1000m) at the Gosford stand-alone meeting on Saturday. Winning Proposal is making her debut for the Baker stable but has impressed in two recent barrier trials, winning a Randwick 740m heat then finishing a close third to Group 1 winner Schwarz in a 1050m trial at the same track. • 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! The talented three-year-old filly has won two of her 10 races but has been competitive against some of the best fillies in training this season. 'Winning Proposal has just joined our stable and we are still getting to know her but her trials have been great,'' Baker said. 'I've been really happy with how she is coming up this preparation and she's a filly that handles soft to heavy tracks so she's in at the right time of the season. 'This is a tough race for her first-up at Gosford but she's ready to go and I'm looking forward to seeing what she can do on Saturday.'' • Ray and Duff analyse every race for Gosford stand-alone meet Winning Proposal continues to firm in TAB betting and is challenging for favouritism at $5.50 behind Rantan at $5. Baker has a strong team for the Gosford stand-alone meeting including in-form mare Yankee One ($7.50) in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1600m). Yankee One, who has won three of her last four starts, has topweight of 61kg but Baker has secured 2kg-claiming apprentice Anna Roper to reduce the mare's impost. 'I can't fault Yankee One,'' Baker said. 'Her work this week has been really good and she couldn't be going better.'' Winning Proposal will have her first start for the Bjorn Baker stable at Gosford today. Picture: Bradley Photos Baker is also expecting Shezanalister ($8.50) to make her presence felt in the Group 3 $250,000 Takeover Target Stakes (1200m). Shezanalister has been freshened since finishing at the rear of the field in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes won by Briasa a month ago but the mare is back in her right grade at Gosford. 'I'm keen to run her, she's nice and fresh for this race,'' Baker said. 'She has drawn a little awkwardly but we know she has a powerful finish.'' Baker is on weather watch before deciding if he runs Thunderlips ($23 in the Listed $500,000 The Coast (1600m). The Gosford track was rated a Soft 7 on Friday and with some showers forecast for Saturday, Baker is concerned about a deteriorating track for Thunderlips. Baker also Raikkonen ($2.70 favourite) for the Gosford closer, and earlier in the program two-year-olds Tiberius ($8.50) and Cold Gin ($14) clashing in the Ortus Financial Handicap (1200m). ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ GOSFORD BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS RACE 1: Duck Egg Blue $3.60-$3.50, The Great Houdini $8-$5, Trafalgar Square $6-$5 RACE 2: Sequista $2.30-$2.15, Hidden Achievement $11-$6.50, Tiberius $11-$8.50, Green Spaces $15-$10 RACE 3: Ritzsun $8-$7.50 RACE 4: Engine Room $3.60-$3.30, Pure Alpha $26-$8 RACE 5: Cormac T $6-$5, Sun God $8-$7.50, All Hunky Dory $15-$8, Junebug $26-$10 RACE 6: Rantan $6-$5, Winning Proposal $6-$5.50 RACE 7: Les Vampires $4.60-$4.20, Hezashocka $4.60-$4.40 RACE 8: Know Thyself $4.60-$3.50, Depth Of Character $4.60-$4.40, Mare Of Mt Buller $11-$7 RACE 9: Pereille $8-$7, Warnie $8-$7, Xidaki $11-$8.50, Shezanalister $11-$8.50, Barber $26-$12 RACE 10: Raikkonen $2.80-$2.70, King Of Roseau $6-$4.80, Acappella Sun $15-$8 EARLY QUADDIE RACE 3: 1, 4, 8, 14 RACE 4: 1, 2, 4, 12 RACE 5: 3, 7, 9, 14 RACE 6: 5, 6, 7 QUADDIE RACE 7: 2, 3, 9, 12 RACE 8: 2, 4, 8, 10 RACE 9: 8, 9, 15 RACE 10: 4, 5, 6, 10 • 'On at the right time': Bayliss bullish about import at Gosford ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ PRICE CHECK PURE ALPHA (race 4) and Junebug (race 5) have been the biggest firmers in TAB betting for the Gosford meeting. The Chris Waller-trained Pure Alpha has been racing in Victoria but returns for Gosford where he likely have suitable soft-heavy tracks conditions. Pure Alpha opened at $26 but is into $8. The Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained Junebug, a winner of three of his last five starts, also opened at $26 and is now into $10. SECTIONAL STARS JOISELLE (race 3) has been improved by recent racing and indicated she was close to regaining winning form with her fast finishing third to Massira in a TAB Highway. She ran home her final 600m in 34.65sec, the best of the race and one of the fastest of the meeting. Joiselle was one of the few to break 12sec for her closing 200m sectional with a 11.98sec split. ENGINE ROOM (race 4) was very impressive winning on the Kensington track on Anzac Day. He was back in an awkward spot at the rear of the small field but saved ground on the rail and sprinted a brilliant 200m sectional between the 400m to 200m of 11.34sec to sprint through and takes the lead. He seized control of the race and was cruising to the line but still ran an 11.98sec final 200m to win easily. TRIAL POINTERS WINNING PROPOSAL (race 6) is a talented filly resuming for a new stable but she has impressed in two recent barrier trials. She dominated her 740m heat at Randwick last month, winning by nearly two lengths, then she took on some top class sprinters including Group 1 winner Schwarz when a close third on a heavy track at Randwick over 1050m last Monday. She is primed to sprint well fresh. ACCREDITED (race 9) is resuming after an impressive summer campaign where he reeled off three brilliant wins in succession before finishing unplaced in the Southern Cross Stakes. He's resuming in the Listed Takeover Target Stakes but has shaped well in two Warwick Farm barrier trials over about 800m, finishing seventh under hold when beaten less than two lengths and then a close second to Don't Doubt Merlin. Accredited is a noted first-up performer and his trials indicate he is going as well as ever. BEST BET SEQUISTA (race 2) ran a blinder on debut to finish a close third to top filly Within The Law in the Inglis Nursery back and at her only run since she led for home before finishing fourth to the outstanding Tempted in the Percy Sykes Stakes. Sequista had to do a lot of work first-up and it wasn't surprising she faded late. Her form does read very well for this race but just needs a touch of luck finding a position from her awkward draw and she will be hard to beat. VALUE BET OAKFIELD BADGER (race 1) is a very consistent sprinter who ran on well without threatening the impressive Sunrise at Randwick last start. He gets out to 1200m here and that should suit. He's double figure odds and will give his backers a great sight. Originally published as Gosford inside mail: Bjorn Baker recruit Winning Proposal has impressed with barrier trials
News.com.au
09-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Gosford inside mail: Bjorn Baker recruit Winning Proposal has impressed with barrier trials
Trainer Bjorn Baker is keen to test to the emerging potential of stable recruit Winning Proposal in the $200,000 Thunder Thousand (1000m) at the Gosford stand-alone meeting on Saturday. Winning Proposal is making her debut for the Baker stable but has impressed in two recent barrier trials, winning a Randwick 740m heat then finishing a close third to Group 1 winner Schwarz in a 1050m trial at the same track. The talented three-year-old filly has won two of her 10 races but has been competitive against some of the best fillies in training this season. 'Winning Proposal has just joined our stable and we are still getting to know her but her trials have been great,'' Baker said. 'I've been really happy with how she is coming up this preparation and she's a filly that handles soft to heavy tracks so she's in at the right time of the season. 'This is a tough race for her first-up at Gosford but she's ready to go and I'm looking forward to seeing what she can do on Saturday.'' Winning Proposal continues to firm in TAB betting and is challenging for favouritism at $5.50 behind Rantan at $5. Baker has a strong team for the Gosford stand-alone meeting including in-form mare Yankee One ($7.50) in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1600m). Yankee One, who has won three of her last four starts, has topweight of 61kg but Baker has secured 2kg-claiming apprentice Anna Roper to reduce the mare's impost. 'I can't fault Yankee One,'' Baker said. 'Her work this week has been really good and she couldn't be going better.'' Baker is also expecting Shezanalister ($8.50) to make her presence felt in the Group 3 $250,000 Takeover Target Stakes (1200m). Shezanalister has been freshened since finishing at the rear of the field in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes won by Briasa a month ago but the mare is back in her right grade at Gosford. 'I'm keen to run her, she's nice and fresh for this race,'' Baker said. 'She has drawn a little awkwardly but we know she has a powerful finish.'' Baker is on weather watch before deciding if he runs Thunderlips ($23 in the Listed $500,000 The Coast (1600m). The Gosford track was rated a Soft 7 on Friday and with some showers forecast for Saturday, Baker is concerned about a deteriorating track for Thunderlips. Baker also Raikkonen ($2.70 favourite) for the Gosford closer, and earlier in the program two-year-olds Tiberius ($8.50) and Cold Gin ($14) clashing in the Ortus Financial Handicap (1200m). â– â– â– â– â– GOSFORD BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS RACE 3: Ritzsun $8-$7.50 RACE 4: Engine Room $3.60-$3.30, Pure Alpha $26-$8 EARLY QUADDIE RACE 3: 1, 4, 8, 14 RACE 4: 1, 2, 4, 12 RACE 5: 3, 7, 9, 14 RACE 6: 5, 6, 7 QUADDIE RACE 7: 2, 3, 9, 12 RACE 8: 2, 4, 8, 10 RACE 9: 8, 9, 15 RACE 10: 4, 5, 6, 10 â– â– â– â– â– PRICE CHECK PURE ALPHA (race 4) and Junebug (race 5) have been the biggest firmers in TAB betting for the Gosford meeting. The Chris Waller-trained Pure Alpha has been racing in Victoria but returns for Gosford where he likely have suitable soft-heavy tracks conditions. Pure Alpha opened at $26 but is into $8. The Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained Junebug, a winner of three of his last five starts, also opened at $26 and is now into $10. SECTIONAL STARS JOISELLE (race 3) has been improved by recent racing and indicated she was close to regaining winning form with her fast finishing third to Massira in a TAB Highway. She ran home her final 600m in 34.65sec, the best of the race and one of the fastest of the meeting. Joiselle was one of the few to break 12sec for her closing 200m sectional with a 11.98sec split. ENGINE ROOM (race 4) was very impressive winning on the Kensington track on Anzac Day. He was back in an awkward spot at the rear of the small field but saved ground on the rail and sprinted a brilliant 200m sectional between the 400m to 200m of 11.34sec to sprint through and takes the lead. He seized control of the race and was cruising to the line but still ran an 11.98sec final 200m to win easily. Engine Room motors home with ease to make it back-to-back wins! ðŸ'¨ @heysy | @ZacLloydx | @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 25, 2025 TRIAL POINTERS WINNING PROPOSAL (race 6) is a talented filly resuming for a new stable but she has impressed in two recent barrier trials. She dominated her 740m heat at Randwick last month, winning by nearly two lengths, then she took on some top class sprinters including Group 1 winner Schwarz when a close third on a heavy track at Randwick over 1050m last Monday. She is primed to sprint well fresh. ACCREDITED (race 9) is resuming after an impressive summer campaign where he reeled off three brilliant wins in succession before finishing unplaced in the Southern Cross Stakes. He's resuming in the Listed Takeover Target Stakes but has shaped well in two Warwick Farm barrier trials over about 800m, finishing seventh under hold when beaten less than two lengths and then a close second to Don't Doubt Merlin. Accredited is a noted first-up performer and his trials indicate he is going as well as ever. A strong win for the @PrideRacing trained Accredited! ðŸ'° @JoshuaParr8 — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 4, 2025 BEST BET SEQUISTA (race 2) ran a blinder on debut to finish a close third to top filly Within The Law in the Inglis Nursery back and at her only run since she led for home before finishing fourth to the outstanding Tempted in the Percy Sykes Stakes. Sequista had to do a lot of work first-up and it wasn't surprising she faded late. Her form does read very well for this race but just needs a touch of luck finding a position from her awkward draw and she will be hard to beat. OAKFIELD BADGER (race 1) is a very consistent sprinter who ran on well without threatening the impressive Sunrise at Randwick last start. He gets out to 1200m here and that should suit. He's double figure odds and will give his backers a great sight.
