Kris Lees and new stable acquisition Le Villi (NZ) (Puccini) have had about as much time to get to know each other as a couple on a speed dating experience. But Lees is happy to progress to the next round and take her to Saturday’s ATC Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick. The former New Zealander arrived at his stables less than two weeks ago, having been purchased by Lees’ long-time clients Australian Bloodstock prior to her sixth in the New Zealand Oaks (2400m) on March 19. Lees admits it is…
Month: April 2022
Timing perfect for back-up Queen
Trainer Brad Widdup is relying on a tried and tested formula to help luckless mare Icebath (NZ) (Sacred Falls) snare an elusive Group One win on the second day of The Championships at Randwick. Two of the five-year-old’s best runs have been on a seven-day back-up – her narrow second to Colette (Jugah) on a heavy track in the 2020 Golden Eagle and equally close second to Cascadian (New Approach) in last year’s Doncaster Mile. Icebath will again be on a seven-day turnaround in Saturday’s Queen Of The Turf Stakes…
Weight right for Stockman in Sydney Cup
The right form reference – tick; beating the handicapper – tick; heavy track – tick. The stars are aligning ahead of Stockman’s (NZ) (Tavistock) Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) tilt at Randwick and trainer Joe Pride isn’t the only one growing in confidence that he has the right horse, in the right race at the right time. Punters are also rallying behind the seasoned stayer, who has been backed from $6 to be an outright $4.80 favourite for Saturday’s two-mile feature. Coming off a last-start, weight-for-age second to budding star Duais…
Gypsy Goddess to lap up Oaks distance
Trainer David Vandyke can’t wait to see Gypsy Goddess over more ground at Randwick on Saturday. The daughter of Tarzino was impressive when running home for third in the Gr.1 Vinery Stakes (1850m) at Newcastle last start, with the race reducing from its original 2000m distance after being transferred from Rosehill. She clocked the fasted closing 200m of the race and Vandyke believes she will appreciate the step-up to 2400m in the Gr.1 Australian Oaks this weekend. “That is how we have trained her. She has never raced under 1400m…
Group One performer heads Latta’s Awapuni arsenal
Local trainer Lisa Latta will have a strong team lining up at Awapuni on Friday, including Group One performer Charms Star, who is back in the stable after a stint with Chris Waller across the Tasman. The four-year-old mare will face just five rivals in the Gr.3 JAPAC Homes Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2000m) and is an $18 quote with the TAB as the daughter of Per Incanto aims to find her winning groove. Despite winning just one of her 16 starts to date, Charms Star boasts a second placing in…
Manning fillies tackle Riccarton feature
Cambridge trainer Ralph Manning is hoping one of his favourite tracks can again prove a happy hunting ground for Saturday’s Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton. Manning has sent last-start maiden winners Above The Clouds (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) and Champagnes On Me (All Too Hard) down for a two-race campaign consisting of Saturday’s three-year-old fillies race and the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m) in a fortnight’s time, also at Riccarton. “I’ve won three New Zealand Cups and a 1000 Guineas at Riccarton so it’s been a…
Freedmans secure promising Kiwi filly
Promising filly Victoria Roc (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) is set to continue her racing career in Australia. The daughter of Turn Me Loose was impressive when winning by 3-3/4 lengths when on debut at Matamata last week for former trainer Jamie Richards, sealing the deal on her acquisition for trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman. “We were fortunate to put a deal together with a client of the stable, and the previous owners have retained a share. We are looking forward to getting her to Melbourne,” Freedman Racing Manager Brad Taylor…
Mr. Audacious scratched from Ballarat Cup
Favourite Mr. Audacious has been sensationally scratched from Friday night’s Group 2 SJC Concreting Ballarat Cup final (450m). Mr. Audacious was TAB’s $2.20 favourite for the $50,000 to-the-winner Ballarat Cup after a scorching 24.79sec heat victory, his fifth win from seven starts, but Kilmany trainer Rachael Busuttil was forced to withdraw the boom youngster on Thursday morning due to a toenail injury. “It’s a bit crappy,” Mark Busuttil, Rachael’s husband, said. “We worked him in the run as we normally do on Tuesday morning, and he pulled a toenail out.…
No plans to leave Alice Springs for Philpot after 100th win
Jessie Philpot after winning the Cervus Equipment 3YO Maiden Plate, at Sportsbet-Ballarat Synthetic Racecourse on July 20, 2020. (Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) It took her a while, but Darwin Cup-winning jockey Jessie Philpot achieved a significant career milestone last Saturday. The former Queensland hoop, who has also ridden in Canberra, Tasmania and Victoria in the past, booted home her 100th winner at Alice Springs. That was aboard the Greg Connor-trained three-year-old gelding Flying Start in a maiden in the opening race on the program at Pioneer Park. “It certainly was a…
Anamoe looking to build on impressive record in Queen Elizabeth
Anamoe has taken out the 2022 Rosehill Guineas in emphatic style. (Photo: Lisa Grimm) After falling short in the Cox Plate (2040m) during the spring, Anamoe will be out to stamp himself as Australia’s best three-year-old in Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick. The colt is no stranger to rich weight-for-age races over 2000m, which is why trainer James Cummings has decided to run the three-time Group 1-winning galloper against the older horses. Despite finishing a narrow second in the Cox Plate, Anamoe’s wins at the highest level…