Latest news with #horseRacing
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Trainer Peter Snowden banking on gear change bringing out best from Xidaki in Eye Liner Stakes
Sydney trainer Peter Snowden hopes another gear change will do the trick for his underperforming gelding Xidaki in the $200,000 Listed Eye Liner Stakes at Ipswich on Saturday. The Ciaron Maher -trained Warnie ($2.40) is definitely the horse to beat in the 1350m race but Xidaki poses a genuine threat if he can rediscover the form that led to his last victory, in the $300,000 Group 3 Winx Guineas (1600m) at Caloundra last July. Snowden decided to put a cross-over nose band on the gelding this campaign because the four-year-old was 'over-racing badly' but the results have been lacklustre. Xidaki finished seventh in the Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m) at Randwick in April, ninth in the Listed Takeover Target Stakes (1200m) at Gosford on May 10 and seventh in the Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben two weeks later. He is rated as a $7.50 chance in the Eye Liner Stakes behind Warnie and the Tony Gollan -trained Devastate ($7). 'I've had a cross-over noseband on him this time in because he was struggling last time in and I felt it cost him a couple of races,'' Snowden said. 'But it seems he has been resenting it this preparation because he's been getting too far back in his races. 'So I've taken the noseband off for Saturday and hope he can settle closer in the run. 'Ipswich is a track where you have to stay positive and he has drawn five. I don't want him to get too far back from there. 'I'm confident he has the tactical speed to be in the first five or six in the run. 'He's going great at home and I can't believe he won't be running well on what he has been showing me in his trackwork.' Lindsay Park star War Machine emphatically won the BRC Sprint before impressively taking out the $3m Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) three weeks later at Eagle Farm. Xidaki crossed the winning post almost five lengths behind War Machine in the BRC Sprint but on the bright side, Snowden was pleased with how his galloper hit the line. 'He got too far back last start and had a lot of work to do but he was one of those finishing hardest late,'' Snowden said. 'The horse that won it (War Machine) went on to win the Stradbroke Handicap. 'If he can hold his spot on Saturday it will go a long way to helping his chances at Ipswich.'' It will also comfort Snowden knowing that Xidaki was a narrow runner-up to Ostraka in the $1m Group 3 Silver Eagle (1300m) at Randwick last October but finished ahead of the Ben, Will and JD Hayes -trained War Machine. It's fair to say that Snowden is due for some luck in this Queensland winter carnival. His mare Tashi has twice just missed the chocolates - in the Listed Helen Coughlan Stakes (1200m) and Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1300m) - while the appropriately named gelding Need Some Luck finished half a length behind winner Compelling Truth in the Listed Hinkler Handicap (1200m) last Saturday at Eagle Farm.
Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Underestimating Jonquil could prove costly in vintage Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot
A decade of evidence indicates that quality control can rise and fall in Royal Ascot's Commonwealth Cup, although Friday's renewal looks like being firmly on an upswing. A potentially vintage renewal contains a number of horses that could contend for outright sprint championship honours by the end of the season. The brief for Europe's first ever European Group One sprint for three-year-olds might have been written with last year's champion juvenile Shadow Of Light in mind. Godolphin's star ran a fine third to his stable companion Ruling Court and Field Of Gold in the 2000 Guineas, quickening up and looking a likely winner only for his stamina to peter out. He was barely past the post before the Commonwealth Cup was being mooted as a perfect fit. READ MORE It hasn't prevented a bumper field of 22 lining up, with two other Group One winning two-year-olds travelling from Ireland . Colin Keane has chosen to stick with his old ally Babouche over Juddmonte's other big hope, Jonquil, and she again takes on old rival Whistlejacket who she comprehensively beat at Naas last month. A handful of other progressive sprint types also take their chance, including a US hope in Shisospicy, whose Qatar ownership have claimed Oisin Murphy to ride. Murphy rode Shaquille to win the Commonwealth two years ago. He proved himself top-notch by subsequently landing the July Cup and the first Commonwealth winner was an undisputed champion in Muhaarar. The decision to go sprinting is not surprising considering the depth of mile talent at Juddmonte's disposal If subsequent winners such as Eqtidaar (2018) and Advertise (2019) underlined how it can be enough to peak on a single day, this latest edition could prove a level above that. Shadow Of Light is a worthy favourite and a peak-form Babouche is a worthy contender. With that said, underestimating Jonquil's chance might prove costly. Keane's discard has been picked up by Christophe Soumillon, a Commonwealth Cup winner on Perfect Power three years ago. Oisin Murphy riding Jonquil to victory at Newbury Racecourse in April. Photograph:Jonquil was just a head off Henri Matisse in the French 2,000 Guineas when running a remarkable race. Both the winner and his subsequent French Derby winning stable companion Camille Pissarro came from off a very strong pace. Jonquil, in contrast, sat just off it and when headed close home by Henri Matisse rallied to notable effect. That was under Oisin Murphy, who also rode him to win the Greenham on quick ground. The decision to go sprinting is not surprising considering the depth of mile talent at Juddmonte's disposal. With Murphy claimed and Keane opting for Babouche, the Commonwealth cards may end up falling in Soumillon's favour. Friday's other Group One is the Coronation Stakes, where a trio of Irish-trained fillies will try to become the 18th from this county to win since the war. Joe Murphy's Irish Guineas third, Cercene, is joined by the Ballydoyle pair Exactly and January. Ryan Moore's call to ride the latter is significant considering Exactly ran well in last month's controversial French Guineas. That saw Zarigana get the classic in the stewards' room. The French star will be the focus of attention in this Coronation although the supplemented Falakeyah could prove a potent threat. An Oaks programme looked likely for Falakeyah after a resounding Pretty Polly success at 10-furlongs. Instead, she drops in trip for this. A stall-two draw could help her adopt front-running tactics again and she may prove very difficult to peg back. [ Colin Keane labels Field Of Gold 'the best I've ridden' after securing first Group One Royal Ascot win Opens in new window ] [ Colin Keane appointed as Juddmonte's number one jockey in Europe Opens in new window ] Johnny Murtagh twice won the King Edward VII Stakes as a jockey and could have a major shot at saddling the winner of the so-called 'Ascot Derby' this time. Zahrann has a little bit to find with rivals such as Amiloc and Wimbledon Hawkeye on official ratings, but looks to be rapidly progressive. He came from off the pace to win at Listed level in Leopardstown last time and previously sluiced up on quick ground in Cork. Joseph O'Brien runs three in the Sandringham Handicap although it is Dancing Teapot that looks intriguing off a low weight. Chris Hayes comes in for the spin on a full sister to Dancing Gemini, who won nicely at Gowran on her last start and sports first-time cheekpieces. Signora caught the eye on her Naas debut in a Group Three and should step up considerably for that in the Albany Stakes.
News.com.au
4 hours ago
- Automotive
- News.com.au
‘As a party, it stands alone': Ipswich Cup meeting bounces back from grandstand fire
There were the dramatic scenes of a burning grandstand in the lead-up to last year's Ipswich Cup, but it has been far more smooth sailing this time for officials who are expecting a bumper crowd of more than 12,000 on Saturday. An electrical fire on Cup eve last year saw extraordinary scenes at the popular meeting with the main grandstand empty apart from the racecaller. 'Obviously one aspect we are looking forward to is having people back in the grandstand following the Cup eve fire last year,' Ipswich Turf Club CEO Nathan Exelby said. 'Broadcaster David Fowler cut a lonely figure as the only person in that stand last year. 'Restoration works were completed in October and we're looking forward to seeing our members and guests back in that stand for the 2025 Cup. 'The crowd last year was 12,500 and we are expecting a similar number this time around based on ticket pre-sales. 'The Ipswich Turf Club is proud of the role its TAB Cup meeting plays in the winter carnival landscape. 'It's not a Group race meeting, but as a party, it stands alone. Sean Tou played the role of fireman when he charged into a burning grandstand at Ipswich to save the club's biggest race meeting earlier this year and has pulled off recovery work of a different type in reviving the track after a recent renovation. ðŸ'‡ — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) September 15, 2024 'The combination of the infield festival and the 200m-plus marquee line along the home straight, it is a sight to behold and newcomers to the Cup meeting are consistently amazed at the scope of the event. 'The Brisbane Racing Club do a super job with their carnival, having positioned it as the launching pad to future stardom. 'Ipswich doesn't attract that same level of horse, but we run three very competitive stakes races and another (the TL Cooney) that is knocking on the door of being upgraded to black type status.' While the race day is known for the $250,000 Ipswich Cup, the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic and Listed Eye Liner Stakes are also key races. It might not be the Group 1 Stradbroke day that we saw last Saturday, but Ipswich has its own iconic spot. 'The weather gods finally tipped their hat to the Brisbane Racing Club and the Stradbroke meeting was simply outstanding,' Racing Queensland CEO Lachlan Murray said. 'Attention now turns to Ipswich Turf Club. 'Nathan Exelby hosted a Calcutta on Thursday night, the first time it has ever been held at the Turf Club itself and it was a good warm up for the Ipswich Cup meeting. 'The weather gods are smiling and the fields are looking good; I expect a great day of racing.' The Ipswich Cup is one of the most attended race meetings in Queensland every year.
News.com.au
5 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Randwick Inside Mail: Gerald Ryan-trained Grebeni poised for breakthrough in 2025 Civic Stakes
Grebeni can snap a frustrating run of feature race near misses in the Listed $200,000 Civic Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday. The Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou -trained Grebeni is racing very consistently without winning this preparation with four minor placings from five attempts. The striking chestnut resumed with a close third to Sandpaper in the Group 3 Newcastle Stakes before a narrow loss to Lavish Empire in the Muswellbrook Cup. Grebeni had excuses when unplaced behind Punch Lane at Randwick but he then ran a good third to Tavi Time in the Scone Cup before he ran Loch Eagle to less than a length in the Racing To Win Handicap. Ryan said there was some consideration given to saving Grebeni for a stakes race at Eagle Farm next week before it was decided to give the five-year-old his chance in the Civic Stakes. 'We were originally going to go to Eagle Farm but the way that track is racing we didn't want to risk him,'' Ryan explained. 'So, he will have this run then probably have a breather and we will get him ready for the Little Dance or the Big Dance in the spring.'' . @KPMcEvoy gets Grebeni home to win by half a length after going head to head in the last 200 with Riyazan! — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 30, 2023 • Grebeni, who has drawn well in barrier four, is at $10 in latest TAB Fixed Odds betting behind Civic Stakes favourite Headley Grange at $3. 'There is good speed in the race and Grebeni is coming back to 1400m so I thought he would be off the pace to midfield,'' Ryan added. Grebeni's stablemate, Green Shadows ($14), gives Ryan and Alexiou dual representation in the Civic Stakes. Green Shadows, part-owned by popular Sky Thoroughbred Central presenter Gavin Carmody, has also returned to racing this campaign in very good form but has drawn off the track. He ran a close second to Name Dropper in the Tamworth Cup then was beaten three-quarters of a length by Headley Grange over 1300m at Randwick last start. 'Green Shadows comes in to either 14 or 16 after the scratchings,'' Ryan said. 'He's come back well and if he gets the right run, he can make a race of it.'' .@GRyanRacing make it back-to-back Goulburn Cup wins! ðŸ�† Green Shadows wins the Goulburn Cup with @RachelK11 on board 🙌 — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 25, 2024 â– â– â– â– â– RANDWICK BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS Race 1: Callistemon $6-$4.20, Piraeus $8.50-$4.60 Race 2: Shropshire Lad $5-$4.80, Satin Stiletto $8-$5.50 Race 3: Lunaite $5.50-$4.60, Bengal $21-$12 Race 4: Millie De Lune $4-$3.80, Piggyback $8-$6 Race 5: Hopper $8-$5, Rotagilla $11-$5.50 Race 6: Quantum Cat $4.60-$3.10, Zaphod $5-$3.20 Race 7: Storm The Ramparts $3.80-$3.50, Gitalong $4.80-$4 Race 8: Raikkonen $3.40-$3, Fiddlers Green $11-$7.50 Race 9: Headley Grange $4.60-$3, Grebeni $19-$10 Race 10: Fully Lit $19-$7, Pereille $16-$9.50 MARKET MOVERS: FEATURE RACE FANCY $3 INTO $2.40 @ClintonPayne reveals where the early money is going for Saturday racing right around Australia. ðŸ'‡ — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) June 20, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– EARLY QUADDIE Race 3: 4,5,10,11 Race 4: 3,5,8,12 Race 5: 2,5,11 Race 6: 1,2,4,10 QUADDIE Race 7: 1,2,3,6 Race 8: 1,6,12,13 Race 9: 5,6,13,21 Race 10: 1,3,5,19 â– â– â– â– â– PRICE CHECK Storm The Ramparts and Gitalong (race 7) fought out the finish of a Randwick 1000m sprint two weeks ago and market moves suggest there might be a repeat on Saturday. Storm The Ramparts has firmed from $3.80 to $3.50 favouritism with Gitalong also coming in from to $4.80 to $4. In the Civic Stakes (race 9), Headley Grange is now a dominant favourite after firming from $4.60 to $3 and there has been support for Grebeni who is $19 into $10. ⛈ï¸� Back-to-back Randwick wins for Storm The Ramparts as @PrideRacing trains the last three winners, and a double to Adam Hyeronimus! 🥳 @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– SECTIONAL STARS Race 9 No.13 HEADLEY GRANGE was resuming over the Randwick 1300m two weeks ago and was held up for a run from the top of the straight until the 200m when he gained a split and sprinted through for a brilliant first-up win. Headley Grange's final 200m split of 11.59s was the best of the day. Race 10 No.1 CONTEMPORARY took on stages grade last start and held his own running on for third behind In Flight in the Bob Charley Stakes. Contemporary didn't get a lot of galloping room in the straight but was still able to run his final 600m in 34.11s, one of the best sectionals of the meeting. A tough win to In Flight in the Listed Bob Charley AO Stakes at Randwick for @PrideRacing! 🚀 @ProvenTbreds @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 • â– â– â– â– â– TRIAL POINTERS Race 7 No.4 SHALL BE is a promising sprinter with a good record of four wins from eight starts and is resuming here off after a close second in a Wyong barrier trial earlier this week. He settled outside leader Royal Bombardier and was keen to go faster but was kept under a tight hold to be beaten less than a half length. Shall Be goes well fresh and looks tuned up for his return. Race 9 No.1 IKNOWASTAR won the Five Diamond Prelude last spring then resumed off a long spell and disappointed when well beaten behind subsequent Stradbroke Handicap War Machine in the BRC Sprint. Trainer Bjorn Baker sent Iknowastar back to Sydney and he looked more like his old self with a dominant all-the-way Rosehill barrier trial win by more than six lengths two weeks ago. Back-to-back features for @BBakerRacing! ðŸ�†ðŸ�† A @Rachelk11 special aboard Iknowastar sees the consistent galloper take the Five Diamonds Prelude at Randwick ðŸ'ŽðŸ'Ž — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 26, 2024 • 'Young horse with a lot of ability': Baker bullish on Raikkonen â– â– â– â– â– BEST BET Race 3 No.4 BRAVE ONE was a $300,000 Easter Yearling Sale purchase who has only had five starts for a debut Randwick win last July and two recent second placings at Canterbury and Rosehill since resuming. Promising three-year-old who didn't shirk his task when second to a smart older horse in Kerguelen last start. Brave One has drawn a little awkwardly but Team Hawkes has found the right race for him and with even luck in running he's going to be very hard to beat. Brave One races on the speed, travels well under @ZacLloydx, and the son of Exceedance handles the wet track to win on debut for @HawkesRacing ðŸ�‡ @racing_nsw | @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 6, 2024 • Bengal to claw his way into Kosciuszko contention â– â– â– â– â– VALUE Race 1 No.6 HOOLIGAN TOMMY has returned in good order this campaign with two wins and two placings from five starts. He comes to Randwick off a career-best effort at Kembla Grange where he gapped his rivals, winning by a widening margin of more than three lengths when shouldering 60.5kg in heavy going. Hooligan Tommy drops 2.5kg, gets onto a more suitable firmer track and he's at value odds near $8.
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Bet they wished they'd reined it in! Royal Ascot revellers spotted making their way home after a big day on their feet... in the 32.2C heat
Revellers at Royal Ascot spilled out onto the street as they were spotted heading home on the hottest day of the year so far. Drinks were flowing in the scorching heat and many racegoers were looking a little worse for wear after leaving the venue. Even King Charles was seen adjusting his tie in the tropical conditions as other racegoers cooled down with magnums of champagne and old-fashioned fans. And the going was stifling for the horses, who were doused in buckets of water as forecasters warned of a four-day heatwave set to see Britain turn hotter than Hawaii – with 34C (93F) expected in the South and East this weekend. Royal Ascot, known as the jewel in the crown of the UK racing calendar, will welcome hundreds of thousands of punters during the five-day meet. The term Ladies Day was first used in 1823 when an anonymous poet described the Thursday of the annual meeting as 'Ladies' Day … when the women, like angels, look sweetly divine.' While there is no official prize on offer for best dressed lady as there is at other race meetings, ticket holders were still eager to put their best foot forward. Stylish racegoers at today's event turned the racecourse into a sea of vibrant outfits as they donned bright prints to ensure they stood out from the crowd. One lady keeps cool with a handheld fan in the scorching sunlight Many of those arriving at the main spectators' enclosure opted for coordinating outfits with their friends too. However, the combination of the blistering sun and an indulgence of drinks proved tough for many. A large police presence was spotted throughout the Berkshire town to keep people in check. Fans were treated to an exciting day of racing as seven-year-old Trawlerman won the Gold Cup with his jockey William Buick. In a race that dates back to 1807, the horse on his 21st race sprung out of the starting stalls and never looked back. The horse which was ridden by legendary jockey Frankie Dettori eight times, began its career during the pandemic. But yesterday it had its finest hour in the two-and-a-half-mile race. Buick was congratulated by King Charles and Queen Camilla, who braved the heat in Berkshire. Taxi! Time to head home for this group of racegoers eager to get out of the sun Two ladies give their feet a rest after walking in heels at the races all day long Also amongst the punters for Ladies Day were famous faces such as former model Jerry Hall, who attended with her son Gabriel Jagger and daughter-in-law Anouk Winzenried. As temperatures soared in excess of 32C –almost 90F – racegoers clad in their finery, including full morning suits for the men, began dropping like flies. At least one person was taken to hospital and more than 40 treated for heat-related illness. The last time Britain reached 34C in June was almost six years ago on June 29, 2019, at Northolt and Heathrow. The record for the month is 35.6C (96.1F) on June 29, 1957, at Camden Square, central London. As The UK Health Security Agency issued a four-day amber heat health alert from noon yesterday until 9am on Monday, even Newcastle-upon-Tyne is forecast to hit 31C (87.8F) tomorrow. The agency warns 'significant impacts are likely' across health and social care services because of high temperatures, including a rise in deaths – particularly among those aged 65 and over. An official heatwave is logged when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25-28C (77-82F) in different parts. Temperatures are set to fall back to the mid-20s by the start of next week.
