Latest news with #WinterCup
News.com.au
7 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Sir Lucan defies odds to secure second Winter Cup
Sir Lucan staged racing's ultimate form reversal to achieve something no stayer has managed in more than 60 years at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Sir Lucan became the first horse since Royal Bark in 1962-63 to win successive Winter Cups (2400m). The only other horse to win two Winter Cups was Destiny's Kiss and those triumphs were six years apart – 2013 and 2019! Racenet iQ members get full access to our Pro Tips service, where Greg and our team of professional punters provide daily tips with fully transparent return on investment statistics. SUBSCRIBE NOW and start punting like a pro! But Sir Lucan was coming off a long last when resuming in the Lord Mayor's Cup two weeks ago although he was obviously a different horse second-up from a spell. Adam Hyeronimus, one of Sydney's in-form jockeys, has ridden Sir Lucan in both his Winter Cup wins and said to connections: 'Can you book me for the horse in this race next year!' Sir Lucan ($21) finished strongly to run down stablemate Bear On The Loose ($3 favourite) to win by three-quarters of a length with Hopeful ($31) a long neck away third. Hyeronimus rode a stalking race on Sir Lucan, not dissimilar to how he rode the gelding last year, tracking Bear On The Loose into the straight then seizing control of the Winter Cup near the line. 'It was a good win. I had to use him to get to the spot I wanted and I got there and after that it was just a matter of keeping him in a rhythm, keeping him relaxed,'' Hyeronimus said. 'He can sprint once he has a soft, economical run but he had to do it early and he's had to carry 57kg today in this race so he's done a good job and he was tough late.'' Waterhouse and Bott's stable representative Neil Paine declared: 'He loves the Winter Cup, Sir Lucan.'' 'It was a great ride from Adam Hyeronimus,' Paine said. • Star apprentice brings up century with first city treble 'Bear On The Loose is a horse you can't hold up, you have to let him run along. Young Zac Wadick rode him an absolute treat and it was good to see him fight out the finish. 'But Adam was right on his tail, knew exactly where he was going and got out at the right time. 'It's just great for Sir Lucan, I don't think he has won in between this year and last year. Where do we go from here? Let's just take this win today and see how we go.'' Sir Lucan was the second leg of a feature race staying double for Waterhouse and Bott after they prepared Campaldino to win the Group 2 Brisbane Cup at Eagle Farm. The big-race brace gives the trainers 35 Group or Listed wins this season equalling their previous best stakes haul set in 2023-24 – and there's still six weeks of the current season remaining. Monique and Adam Annetts are part-owners of Sir Lucan and are hoping the stayer's return to winning form is a sign of things. The couple flew to England last night to attend the famous Royal Ascot carnival and watch their sprinter, Storm Boy, contest the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Cup (1200m) next Saturday night. • Filly eases Portelli's pain after Kimochi retirement with Rosehill win 'We're very excited to win the Winter Cup again and the owners are flying over to London tonight,'' Paine said. 'Monique and Adam, 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.' Storm Boy, formerly trained by Waterhouse and Bott, is now with Irish maestro Aidan O'Brien after Coolmore purchased a majority share in the colt. Sir Lucan was born and bred at Coolmore in Ireland and raised within sight of the life-size bronze statue of Sadler's Wells. That is more than fitting given the Tulloch Lodge stayer carries a 3x3 double cross of the stallion that has shaped the European and world thoroughbred scene for decades. On top of that, Sir Lucan is a third generation direct descendant of Urban Sea who almost single-handedly disproved the theory that 'champion mares never throw champions horses'. Urban Sea won Europe's most prestigious race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, then in the breeding barn produced four Group 1 winners including two great champion racehorses and stallions, Galileo and Sea The Stars. Galileo (2001) and Sea The Stars (2009) both won the English Derby, a feat that Sir Lucan's father Camelot (2012) also managed during his stellar racing career. Originally published as Imported stayer Sir Lucan achieves historic feat with back-to-back Winter Cup Victories at Rosehill
The Age
13-06-2025
- Sport
- The Age
His dad rode over 1000 winners, now Will's out to blaze own trail
Apprentice Will Stanley hopes 'a shot in the dark' from his manager will lead to a stakes win at his first attempt when he partners Steel Blaze for Kembla Grange trainer Brett Lazzarini in the Winter Cup (2400m) at Rosehill on Saturday. With just two city winners to his name, Stanley will join five other apprentices with rides in the listed $200,000 race. 'I've never ridden for the trainer before,' Stanley said 'I think my manager [Ryan Roberts] just kicked up for it, just as a shot in the dark for it. 'It's good. It's a bit below the weight I usually ride, but he was willing to put me on without a claim, so that was a bit of a bonus for me.' Steel Blaze, second to Campaldino in the Orange Cup this preparation, was a $31 shot with Sportsbet from gate six. 'He should get a lovely run and I'd say he'll end up three pairs back the fence, ideally,' Stanley said. 'He's raced over that sort of journey before and he's coped with it pretty well, so I think he'll handle it.' A son of trainer and former jockey Peter Stanley, the 21-year-old moved from his hometown of Orange to Newcastle to join the Kris Lees stable late last year and further his riding career. His sister Ashleigh, brother Justin, nephew Dylan and cousin Jett are also jockeys.
Sydney Morning Herald
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
His dad rode over 1000 winners, now Will's out to blaze own trail
Apprentice Will Stanley hopes 'a shot in the dark' from his manager will lead to a stakes win at his first attempt when he partners Steel Blaze for Kembla Grange trainer Brett Lazzarini in the Winter Cup (2400m) at Rosehill on Saturday. With just two city winners to his name, Stanley will join five other apprentices with rides in the listed $200,000 race. 'I've never ridden for the trainer before,' Stanley said 'I think my manager [Ryan Roberts] just kicked up for it, just as a shot in the dark for it. 'It's good. It's a bit below the weight I usually ride, but he was willing to put me on without a claim, so that was a bit of a bonus for me.' Steel Blaze, second to Campaldino in the Orange Cup this preparation, was a $31 shot with Sportsbet from gate six. 'He should get a lovely run and I'd say he'll end up three pairs back the fence, ideally,' Stanley said. 'He's raced over that sort of journey before and he's coped with it pretty well, so I think he'll handle it.' A son of trainer and former jockey Peter Stanley, the 21-year-old moved from his hometown of Orange to Newcastle to join the Kris Lees stable late last year and further his riding career. His sister Ashleigh, brother Justin, nephew Dylan and cousin Jett are also jockeys.
The Australian
13-06-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
2025 Winter Cup: Adrian Bott, Gai Waterhouse saddle up two
Bear On The Loose faces a stamina test and Sir Lucan is trying to snap a year-long losing streak. But trainer Adrian Bott has a quiet confidence in both imported geldings going into the Listed $200,000 Winter Cup (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. With co-trainer Gai Waterhouse in England trying to source their stable's next overseas equine recruits, Bott has kept famous Tulloch Lodge's winning momentum going in recent weeks. In fact, if Bear On The Loose or Sir Lucan can win the Winter Cup or the Waterhouse-Bott team has success at Eagle Farm, it will move the training partnership closer to a career-best season at Group and Listed level. There's less than two months of the 2024-25 season remaining but Waterhouse and Bott have already trained the winners of 33 stakes races and need just two more black type wins to equal their previous best return at feature race level they set last season. • 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! TAB Fixed Odds price assessors have Bear On The Loose early Winter Cup favourite at $3.60 with stablemate and defending champ Sir Lucan at $23. Bott also conceded Bear On The Loose was the stable's number one seed even though the five-year-old has never been out to 2400m in his 13 career starts. Bear On The Loose goes to the Winter Cup after three lead-up runs including a close second to Glory Daze over 2000m at Randwick last start. 'We feel he's racing well and the form out of his Randwick run is good,'' Bott said. 'He stuck on nicely that day on a very heavy track and the drier conditions (Rosehill is rated a soft 5) are going to be to his advantage.'' Bott said he expected Bear On The Loose to take up the frontrunning role. 'I think he is most likely to lead and hopefully he can roll along at his own tempo,'' Bott said. 'I'm confident he can run 2400m.'' • Archibald army turns up the heat in Winter Cup Sir Lucan has been winless since taking out the Winter Cup 12 months ago. But the seven-year-old returns to defend his 'title' and if successful will join Royal Bark (1962-63) as the only horses to win successive Winter Cups. The only other multiple Winter Cup winner was the remarkable Destiny's Kiss – but his wins were six years apart in 2013 and 2019. The former Joe Pride-trained stayer also ran second (2018) and third (2017) in the feature Rosehill staying race. Sir Lucan has only had the one start this campaign when he failed to beat a rival to the line in the Lord Mayor's Cup won by Touristic two weeks ago. Bott was cautiously optimistic about Sir Lucan's chances of staging the ultimate form reversal and going back-to-back in the Winter Cup. 'Sir Lucan got further back than expected first-up, he should improve again but is still working his way back to his peak,'' Bott said. 'He's worked well since and he's certainly capable of running well but Bear On The Loose is the stable's best chance.'' • Ray & Duff's best bets for Saturday: 'First-up run was hard to miss' Bott also has another import, Assailant, set to race competitively in the TAB Handicap (2000m). Assailant, by English super sire Dubawi, shaped promisingly at his Australian debut when third to Hell To Pay at Canterbury. 'It was a nice run from Assailant a couple of weeks ago and he's in great shape,'' Bott enthused. 'He should improve on a bigger track and more suitable distance. He's a young horse with a future.'' • EXPERT TIPS: Clinton Payne's race-by-race tips and analysis for Rosehill Gardens on Saturday Bott, who also has topweight Ganbare resuming in the Ranvet Handicap (1500m), said Waterhouse will attend England's famous Goffs Sale next Monday on the eve of the Royal Ascot carnival. 'We are going through the catalogue for the Goffs Sale next week,'' Bott said. 'Gai will be there and we have had some luck at that sale. Pornichet came from that sale, as did New Endeavour.'' Pornichet won the Group 1 Doomben Cup a decade ago and New Endeavour, a last start winner of the Lord Mayor's Cup, is one of the main chances in the Group 2 $1.2 million Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. 'New Endeavour won really well last start and has trained on nicely,'' Bott said. 'He is going to this distance for the first time but that win will give him confidence.'' The Waterhouse-Bott stable is also represented in both Group 1 races with The Instructor lining up in the $3 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) and Farnicle is in the $1 million JJ Atkins (1600m). • EXPERT TIPS: Graeme Carey's best bets, race-by-race tips, analysis for Stradbroke Day at Eagle Farm on Saturday The Instructor has won three of his four starts this campaign including the Listed Luskin Star Stakes at Scone a month ago. Bott said it has been a deliberate tactic to keep The Instructor on the fresh side for the Stradbroke. 'The Instructor is in good form, he's deep into his campaign but he's well in himself,'' Bott said. 'The plan was if he ran well at Scone then the option was to go to the Stradbroke and we have given him a trial between runs. 'He gets in with a lightweight (52kg) so there's plenty to like about him. Jett Stanley has won on the horse, he knows him well, and he can ride the weight.'' • Jett Hatton's Stradbroke Handicap tips, runner-by-runner form analysis Bott also made a strong case for Farnicle after the two-year-old's good second to Cool Archie in the BRC Sires Produce Stakes. 'Farnicle keeps improving every time he steps out,'' Bott said. 'He is out of a good New Zealand mare (Jennifer Ecles who won the 2020 NZ Oaks) so there is plenty to suggest he will stay the trip. I think he will be suited by the mile.'' • Jett Hatton's JJ Atkins tips, runner-by-runner form analysis The Waterhouse and Bott-trained Campaldino is aiming for a fourth consecutive win in the Group 2 $400,000 Brisbane Cup (3200m). 'Campaldino has had a good grounding for 3200m,'' Bott said. 'The way he has been relaxing and racing gives you the confidence he will see it out.''
The Australian
13-06-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Ray Thomas, Ron Dufficy tips for Rosehill, Eagle Farm on Saturday
Racenet and The Daily Telegraph's Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central's Ron Dufficy debate the chances for the Winter Cup meeting at Rosehill Gardens, plus both Group 1 races on Stradbroke Handicap Day at Eagle Farm. Ray Thomas (left) and Ron Dufficy. • 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! ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ DUFF'S BEST BETS Race 5 No.2 CODETTA Race 9 No.6 HALF YOURS • Clinton Payne's tips, race-by-race analysis for Rosehill Gardens on Saturday ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ROSEHILL RACE 1: Chandon Handicap (1400m) Ron Dufficy: I want to be with REGULATED AFFAIR (1) who has trialled nicely since his last start and a drier track is in his favour. NAMASTE (3) is still learning but I liked the way he fits in here on the map. CROCODILE (2) showed nice improvement when getting to this distance last start. CRUSADER VOYAGE (5) finished off nicely at his debut and is bred to eat up the extra ground. Ray Thomas: CROCODILE (2)'s maiden win at Hawkesbury could have been accentuated by the very heavy track but it was still an impressive effort as he led and dominated the race, winning by a big margin. I've got him on top from REGULATED AFFAIR (1) who looks nicely placed here on his home track. NAMASTE (3) is improving with racing and watch for QUEEN OF CLUBS (12) to run a race at odds. • Shayne O'Cass's Rosehill Saturday tips and race-by-race analysis ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ROSEHILL RACE 2: TAB Highway (1400m) Dufficy: I like SUPER NORWEST (6). She won her only start over this track and distance, she's primed third-up off a great last start effort and looks hard to beat. PLENITUDE (9) has been well tried but had no luck at last two starts and deserves a change of fortune. HELL OF A FOX (5) is thriving for the new stable having won three straight. SALUTE AGAIN (19) has been around the mark all preparation under big weights and gets in light here. Thomas: PLENITUDE (9) hasn't had much go his way in recent starts including his third in Randwick Highway after he was held up for a run at the top of the straight. The barrier draw is ideal here, he should get the right run and will go close. SUPER NORWEST (6) beat Plenitude home last start and does look the main danger but she has to overcome a wide draw. MULVADER (3) and HELL OF A FOX (5) are also drawn off the track but both are racing well. • Racing Confidential: Friday is D-Day for Leilani Lodge call ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ROSEHILL RACE 3: Midway Hcp (1200m) Dufficy: SILENTSAR (2) is resuming off one nice trial and has good form for a race like this. SMASHING TIME (6) has been a work in progress for a while now but with a drop in grade and recent racing he could surprise. LET'S GO AGAIN (13) is going well and is hard to dismiss. MONTE KATE (1) is very well graded here even with the big weight and has strong credentials. Thomas: I've gone with LET'S GO AGAIN (13). She's a lightly-raced mare building a consistent record and she one of the main chances is an open race. IL PASSERO (17) has to come back slightly in trip but he has tactical speed, is well drawn and has no weight. MONTE KATE (1) is another mare racing in good form but she has her share of weight. OAKFIELD BADGER (7) is never far away and overdue to win one of these races. • Ryan reminisces on Snitzel ahead of dual state Saturday tilt ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ROSEHILL RACE 4: Racing And Sports Hcp (1400m) Dufficy: TASORAAY (11) has been kept fresh since landing some nice bets at Scone. He looks to get a cosy run on the map here so I'm leaning his way. I'm going to have something on KUNDABUNG (12) who is a very good longshot after a forgivable run last start. I think he has talent. DAME COMMANDER (4) had vet excuses in Queensland last start and could be the forgotten horse. HOPPER (8) was great when up in class last start. Thomas: I'm also with TASORAAY (11) for the reasons you mentioned, Ronnie. There was a lot to like about his win at Scone and he can only improve. HELL TO PAY (3) finally broke through for a deserved win at Canterbury and he's got to be hard to beat again. HOPPER (8) does look a likely type and I'm keeping a close watch on any betting moves for PRETTY POWERFUL (10) who gets in well at the weights after the claim. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ROSEHILL RACE 5: Asahi Super Dry Hcp (1100m) Dufficy: CODETTA (2)'s first-up run was hard to miss, Ray. She is unbeaten second-up and should prove hard to beat. SUMMER FLAME (16) is a big improver on a drier track. MARTINI MUMMA (10) had a few excuses first-up and I like her back to 1100m. EPIC PROPORTIONS (1) drops in grade, has the claim third-up and should go well. Thomas: I agree with everything you say about CODETTA (2). She ran a blinder first-up, get the benefit of Jace McMurray's 3kg claim, and can turn the tables on the promising KING'S SECRET (9) who is going to get the right run from the good draw. WINNING PROPOSAL (3) is fitter for two runs back from a spell and she's got ability when right. EPIC PROPORTIONS (1) does look well placed here. • Rosehill Turf Talk: Code cracked for punters on Saturday ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ROSEHILL RACE 6: Ranvet Hcp (1500m) Dufficy: PURE ALPHA (10) hasn't won in a year but he would have last start if he got clear running earlier. The draw looks good for him and I'm leaning his way. MICKEY'S MEDAL (5) is racing with a high level of consistency as is LITTLE COINTREAU (6) – they both represent threats. CHICA MOJITO (2) did enough first-up and rarely runs a bad race. Thomas: MICKEY'S MEDAL (5) was never on the track last start, racing three wide without cover and did a super job to hold off Hopper and win well over this course and distance two weeks ago. Mickey's Medal is perfectly drawn here, excels over the track and distance and the drier surface is also in his favour. He ticks all the boxes. LITTLE COINTREAU (6) is very genuine, PURE ALPHA (10) is working his way back to top form and NORTHERN EYES (3) will be in the mix. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ROSEHILL RACE 7: Captivant At Kia Ora Hcp (1300m) Dufficy: Wide open race. TESTATOR SILENS (1) has a big weight but he has done enough in two unsuitable races back from a spell and is primed for 1300m. HIGH BLUE SEA (4) has trialled up nicely and is usually good fresh. UNSTOPABULL (7) finds a suitable race third-up now and understandably is popular. SNACK BAR (11) gets the right run from the draw and gets in light with the claim. Thomas: SNACK BAR (11), who was stakes placed when last in work, has raced in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne in successive starts this campaign. He's been racing well without winning and but this race sets up nicely from the good draw. TESTATOR SILENS (1) is ready after two runs from a spell, KING OF ROSEAU (5) got bogged down at Randwick and deserves another chance, while HIGH BLUE SEA (4) will be running on well. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ROSEHILL RACE 8: Winter Cup (2400m) Dufficy: This is another open race. TOURISTIC (3) has his confidence back with an authoritative win last start. There is no reason he can't go on with it here as the jar is still out of the track which suits him. DON DIEGO DE VEGA (6) had to give an impossible start there last start and did a great job to finish as close as he did. CHANGINGOFTHEGUARD (1) has been sharpened up with a trial win and he could do something here. He's a huge query. BEAR ON THE LOOSE (5) is set to give plenty of cheek as he will settle on speed again. Thomas. BEAR ON THE LOOSE (5) still has to show he can run a strong 2400m but he is very fit, racing well and is likely to get control up front which all equates to a very competitive run. TOURISTIC (3) is also on trial at this trip but he was dominant in the Lord Mayor's Cup last start. CHANGINGOFTHEGUARD (1) is a talented stayer good enough to race well first-up over this trip, while DON DIEGO DE VEGA (6) will be improved by his good comeback run. • Archibald army turns up the heat in Winter Cup ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ROSEHILL RACE 9: TAB Handicap (2000m) Dufficy: HALF YOURS (6) was possibly flattered by the heavy track last start but he was very dominant and is building a good race record now. I'm happy to be with him. FREIGHT TRAIN (12) could be the big improver on the drier track. CORMAC T (8) is holding his form and is a chance again. QUANTUM CAT (7) is working up to a win. Thomas: I'm leaning to CORMAC T (8). He has returned in very good form, he's ideally drawn and the improving track is in his favour. ASSAILANT (11) is superbly bred by Dubawi and he shaped promisingly when third over 1500m at Canterbury. The bigger track and 2000m are in his favour. KIND WORDS (10) will need luck form her wide barrier but she's racing well. HALF YOURS (6) has risen sharply at the weights to 60kg but he could not have been more impressive last start. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ROSEHILL RACE 10: Toyota Forklifts Hcp (1300m) Dufficy: I don't mind PAJANTI (9) at big odds. There has been merit in both her runs back from a spell and she doesn't have to improve much. WEEPING WOMAN (8) has a wide draw to overcome but was great first-up considering the testing heavy track. DRIFT NET (7) gets another chance dropping back in distance with the claim. WATCH MY GIRL (1) had heat stress first-up and is well-graded on her best form. Thomas: HELLBENT ON YOU (6) is another not suited by the very heavy track at Randwick last start but she still stuck on well. Her previous form was very good and she will be competitive in an open race. If WEEPING WOMAN (8) had drawn a barrier she would have been on top. With luck in running, she will go close. SACRED ROCKS (11) has drawn off the track but stays under notice after a brilliant first-up win at Sale. PAJANTI (9) had no luck second-up and is worth another chance. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ EAGLE FARM RACE 6: Group 1 JJ Atkins (2yo, 1600m) Dufficy: I just feel HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT (8) has had the perfect preparation leading into this race. He looks a promising horse, gets a set of blinkers, and this looks a typical Chris Waller 'Grand Final' set-up. FARNICLE (3) was good in the Sires, he showed a lot of fight that day indicating he will give plenty of cheek up on top of the speed here. COOL ARCHIE (1) keeps jumping the bar and it was an incredible win last start. If he can bring that form to the dry track here he will be in the finish again. GRAFTERBURNERS (2) is better on a drier track and I like the way he has progressed third-up into this race. Thomas: COOL ARCHIE (1) just keeps winning. He handles all track conditions and was outstanding powering home to win the Sires last start. He should run a strong 1600m and can make it five wins in succession. I agree that HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT (8) has had the right preparation for this race and will be in the finish. FARNICLE (3) might take catching if he can get some control up front and AERODROME (6) will be running on. • Graeme Carey's race-by-race tips, analysis for Stradbroke Handicap Day at Eagle Farm ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ EAGLE FARM RACE 8: Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) Dufficy: WAR MACHINE (7) is short enough but I can't get away from him. He has a sense of timing about him, he's dodged all the testing wet track runs coming into this and gets in with a beautiful weight. PRIVATE EYE (1) is the forgotten horse and is well set-up with a handful of trials. There is stable confidence he is here to run well. RISE AT DAWN (13) was fantastic in a Doncaster Mile two starts back so this looks a lovely target riding the speed with no weight. DESERT LIGHTNING (3) was OK last start, has a big weight drop and he is shaping as a good longshot. Thomas: GOLDEN MILE (6) got the measure of Zarastro and looked likely to win the Kingsford Smith Cup only to be collared right on the line by the outstanding Joliestar. He carried weight-for-age of 59kg that day, drops to 53.5kg, drawn to get all the favours and he's at each way odds. PRIVATE EYE (1) has had four barrier trials to prepare for this and he does race well fresh. WAR MACHINE (7) is hard to fault but he's rock bottom odds. • Jett Hatton's tips and runner-by-runner form analysis for the 2025 Stradbroke Handicap
