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  • Quality entries for The Pinnacles

    Star mare local mare Amelia’s Jewel headlines a quality list of nominations from around Australia for the upcoming Carnival in Western Australia – The Pinnacles.

    The leading stables on the eastern seaboard of Australia have all nominated horses for the rich five-meeting carnival in Western Australia. 

    The Pinnacles kicks off on November 18 with Champion Fillies Day and culminates on December 16 with Damien Oliver Gold Rush Day. 

    Western Australia’s three Group 1 races – the Railway Stakes (1600m), the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) and the Northerly Stakes (1800m) will be held on three consecutive Saturday – November 25 through to December 9. 

    Connections of horses entered in The Pinnacles will chase $10.5 million in prizemoney. 

    Chris Waller has 26 horses entered across the feature races while other eastern seaboard stables with nominations include Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Annabel Neasham,Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman , Anthony and Sam Freedman and Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr. 

    Inaugural Quokka winning trainer Bjorn Baker, has entered his Quokka victor Overpass in the Winterbottom Stakes while runner-up, Amelia’s Jewel heads the local entry for that race along with the Damien Oliver Gold Rush. 

    A total of 94 horses have been entered for the Railway Stakes, headlined by multiple Group 1 winner Zaaki, prepared by Neasham who has also entered My Oberon. 

    Chris Waller has entered 13 horses for the race, headed by Atishu, Osipenko and Kovalica while Australian Cup winner Cascadian, a previous Perth visitor for Godolphin, is among entries. 

    Former WA-based trainer Lindsey Smith has entered Tuvalu for a return to his previous hometown. 

    Among the 68 nominations for the Winterbottom Stakes includes Asfoora, last week’s Schillaci Stakes winner at Caulfield, Espiona for the Waller stable and I Am Me, a winner of six of her last eight starts for Maher and Eustace. 

    There are 106 nominations for the Northerly Stakes including last year’s Railway Stakes winner Trix Of The Trade for local trainer Colin Webster while Waller has entered Rediener and Moody and Coleman have three entries, including Stakes winner Pounding. 

    Local gallopers Red Can Man, Resortman, Startrade, Snowdome and My Bella Mae join Amelia’s Jewel among the 104 nominations for the Damien Oliver Gold Rush that also sees Nugget, a Cox Plate entrant for Maher and Eustace among nominations. 

    Perth Racing chief executive James Oldring is delighted with the quality of nominations for The Pinnacles. 

    “We have worked extremely hard to present The Pinnacles as an Australian racing carnival, not just a West Australian feature and the calibre of horses and trainers that have nominated for our carnival highlights are a testament to our progress in that regard,” Oldring said. 

    “It’s so important for the standing of our carnival, particularly our Group 1 events, to attract the best horses, trainers and jockeys in Australia. 

    “We look forward to extending a very warm welcome to everyone that travels from the east coast to take on the best of our home team, who will no doubt be all out to ensure that the bulk of the prize money, and the bragging rights, stay right here in Perth.” 

  • French’s dream week ends as he downs French with Wigan

    Bevan French has won the Super League grand final with Wigan as they beat Catalans Dragons in an anti-climactic end to Mitchell Pearce’s career.

    Australian flyer Bevan French has ended a triumphant week in which he was voted British rugby league’s top player by helping Wigan beat Catalans Dragons 10-2 in the Super League grand final at Old Trafford.

    But as French and fellow former Parramatta Eel Jai Field celebrated Wigan’s win in Manchester on Saturday, there was to be no fairytale ending to the career of Aussie playmaker Mitchell Pearce, who couldn’t inspire the Dragons to become the first French winners of the British game’s top prize.

    “The celebrations have gone on longer than the game,” beamed the triumphant French, who had started the week by being crowned the Man of Steel as the League’s star performer of the season.

    “I’m really proud of getting the win here. Every lesson we’ve come across this year we’ve seemed to come out the other end.

    “In the last couple of seasons, when we got challenged in tough grinding games that’s when we seemed to fall off – but not this time.”

    The versatile French said his friends and family back home in Tingha, NSW, would have stayed up into the early hours to savour the best moment of his career.

    “It’s five or six in the morning there and everyone will be having beers. I hope they’re up enjoying it as much as we are,” he said.

    Liam Marshall proved the match-winner, grabbing the only try of an attritional game, as Wigan ran out fairly convincing winners of a sixth Super League crown, and their first in five years.

    It was an anti-climactic end to the career of two fine performers – Pearce, 10 years since he won an NRL grand final with the Sydney Roosters, and England star Sam Tomkins, whose dream was shattered by his former club.

    Two yellow cards proved fatal for the Perpignan side, who lost their second final in three years.

    Australian Adam Keighran was sent to the sin bin midway through the first half for a tip tackle and Tom Davies after the break for an intentional block on Marshall.

    Pearce had his moments in his farewell appearance, not least when he produced a remarkable try-saving tackle to hold up Liam Farrell.

    But the man whose controversy-riddled career has enjoyed a welcome upturn since moving to the south of France trooped off in the 67th minute having failed to provide the spark the Dragons needed.

    French and Field, the pair who have become cult figures at Wigan, nearly combined for a memorable try, but Field’s pass that sent his friend over the try line was clearly forward.

    But just two minutes later, Wigan delivered the coup de grace on their French opponents with Farrell setting up Marshall to go over.

    Leading 8-2 at the hour mark, another mistake from Keighran – this time a high tackle on Tyler Dupree – gifted Smith the chance to lift Wigan into an irretrievable two-score lead.

  • First of the Spring Cups will be a big Caulfield Cup Day

    Always a great race for every Spring is the Caulfield Cup and 2023 looks no different.

    Will the G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) go to the locals with the likes of Soulcombe ($5), Gold Trip ($6) and Montefilia ($13) big hopes or will it be those coming from overseas?

    West Wind Blows ($6), Breakup ($9) and Okita Soushi ($21) could be massive hopes with their international connections.

    Nominations were extended for the G3 Caulfield Classic (2000m) as Derby credentials are on the line. Riff Rocket ($1.70) will naturally be heavily featured but strong stables also run with Gold Bullion ($6) and To Be Frank ($15).

    It’s the same situation for the fillies in the G3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m). Tropical Squall ($2.10) brings in G1 form but Autumn Angel ($4.20) now comes out of a strong form race.

    Another race where more entries are a chance is in the G2 Caulfield Sprint (1000m). Lofty Strike ($3.50) is the best horse in it as he resumes from a spell.

    The G2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m) is generally a great pointer to the Empire Rose and good mares are entered like Madame Pommery, Nunthorpe and Skew Wiff.

    With the change in the programming, the G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) is now on Cup day and we see new blood here like Coeur Volante and Zourion coming from the Moonee Valley race.

    Other features on the day include the Listed Gothic Stakes (1200m) for the 3yos and the G3 Moonga Stakes (1400m) for the older sprinters.

  • Demon capable of ending Australian Open drought: Hewitt

    Australian tennis great Lleyton Hewitt believes Alex de Minaur is capable of beating anyone on his day and can make a deep run in January’s Australian Open.

    Alex de Minaur has the game to break into world’s top 10 and have a serious crack at ending the host nation’s Australian Open men’s title drought, Lleyton Hewitt says.

    Ash Barty broke a 44-year drought when she claimed the women’s crown in 2022, but no Australian man has won a home major since Mark Edmondson in 1976.

    Hewitt went close in 2005 when he lost the final to Russia’s Marat Safin, while Pat Cash was runner-up in consecutive years in 1987-88.

    De Minaur has reached the fourth round at Melbourne Park in each of the last two years and has since risen to a career-best world ranking of No.11.

    To end the Open drought, de Minaur would have to put a stop to 10-time champion Novak Djokovic’s dominance.

    “He’s certainly got a chance,” Davis Cup captain Hewitt told reporters at the Australian Open 2024 launch on Wednesday.

    “He can do some pretty special things and I have full confidence every time he goes out there for me in Davis Cup that he can beat anyone.

    “He’s put himself in a position seeding-wise where he’s going to give himself a shot.

    “You can never take any of those first couple of rounds easily but he’ll be ready for those.

    “If he can get through and not cause too much damage to his body physically then I think he can push deep.”

    Australian fans responded to Hewitt’s trademark grit throughout his decorated career and the two-time grand slam champion sees similar qualities in de Minaur.

    “I know deep down that he would love nothing more than to make a really big run here (in Melbourne) and get the crowd behind him,” Hewitt said.

    “They’ll feed off his determination and his never-say-die attitude every time he goes out there.”

    De Minaur’s impressive season on the ATP Tour includes winning a seventh career title at Acapulco and three other finals appearances.

    The 24-year-old is now within sight of becoming the first Australian since Hewitt to crack the world’s top 10.

    He is also a chance to make his first appearance at the prestigious ATP Tour finals, to be held in Turin in November.

    “He’s getting there. I always knew that he was going to be a top-10 player, I had full belief in that,” Hewitt said.

    “He’s hopefully going to get his opportunity over the next few months to crack into the top 10.”

  • World Pool will be in operation for the first time on The Everest Day (Randwick, Australia) this Saturday.

    The HKJC will host 9 out of 10 races from the card.

    The World Pool bet-types offered are Win, Place, Quinella, Quinella Place (Swinger), Tierce (Trifecta).

    Note that not every partner is taking all these bet-types as you can see on the World Pool micro-site – worldpool.hkjc.com.

    You may also find the below race details there, as well as latest news and some other educational contents like World Pool background, history and other turnover numbers.

    Australian Spring Carnival mini site has been launched as well, with introduction and feature articles on all the simulcast meetings in Australia from October to November – English version 英文版 / Chinese version 中文版

    Besides, as one of the official betting partners, we have the naming rights for one race – please refer the one highlighted in orange in below table:

    The Everest Day (珠穆朗瑪峰錦標賽馬日) 
    Sat 14th October 2023 
    Randwick (蘭域)
    Local TimeHK TimeIntervalRace NameDistanceStatusSurface
    13:0510:05–World Pool Handicap (全球匯合彩池讓賽)1400–Turf (草地)
    13:4010:4035mReginald Allen Quality (雷根雅倫讓賽)1400LTurf (草地)
    14:1511:1535mGloaming Stakes (高明錦標)1800G3Turf (草地)
    14:5011:5035mThe Kosciuszko (科斯高山錦標)1200–Turf (草地)
    15:2512:2535mSydney Stakes (悉尼錦標)1200G3Turf (草地)
    16:1513:1550mThe Everest (珠穆朗瑪峰錦標)1200–Turf (草地)
    16:5013:5035mSilver Eagle (銀鷹錦標)1300–Turf (草地)
    17:3514:3545mKing Charles III Stakes (英皇查理斯三世錦標)1600G1Turf (草地)
    18:1015:1035mAngst Stakes (熱望錦標)1600G3Turf (草地)

    Other useful sites and information:

    World Pool mini site – English version 英文版 / Chinese version 中文版

    Moment of the Day/Year 2023 – Link

    For more latest news as well as live information, please visit our official World Pool twitter handle.

    Please feel free to promote on your platforms!

    Next World Pool day after the Everest will be on 21 Oct, which consists of races in both Australia (Caulfield Cup Day) and UK (British Champions Day).

  • Aussie Volkanovski answers late SOS for UFC showdown

    UFC fighter Alexander Volkanovski has taken up a last-minute offer to challenge Islam Makhachev for the lightweight belt, in a rematch of his February defeat.

     

    Australian Alexander Volkanovski will be given the chance to become the fourth man in history to simultaneously hold two different UFC belts, after accepting a last-minute rematch against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.

    Volkanovski’s camp on Wednesday took up the offer to fight Makhachev in Dubai on October 21, after challenger Charles Oliveira withdrew from the UFC294 event through injury.

    That prompted UFC officials to contact Volkanovski, who was beaten by Makhachev for the lightweight belt by unanimous decision in Perth in February.

    Already the UFC featherweight champion since December 2019, Volkanovski will now have a second chance to contend for the lightweight belt in Dubai.

    UFC boss Dana White praised Volkanovski and his team for taking up the offer at the last minute, leaving the 35-year-old with only 11 days to prepare.

    “The Volkanovski crew, these guys are absolute studs, man,” White said.

    “He jumps in and accepts the fight.

    “This is how we do it. One fight falls out and we end up making a fight. “It’s one of the most anticipated rematches ever in that weight class.”

    Volkanovski’s preparation will not be without their challenges.

    The short lead-in time aside, Volkanovski defended his featherweight crown in the lower weight division in July and has since had surgery on his arm.

    The NSW south coast junior had not intended to return to the octagon until January, when he was scheduled to fight Ilia Topuria in Toronto.

    But Volkanovski had long eyed another shot at Makhachev ever since he was beaten in Perth earlier this year.

    The Australian unleashed with a final-round barrage in that battle, prompting many to believe he had done enough to claim the belt.

    If he wins later this month he will join Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier and Henry Cejudo to hold belts in two separate weight divisions at the same time.

    Makhachev has not fought since the February fight against Volkanovski and has a 24-1 record, with four knockouts. Volkanovski holds a 26-2 record with 13 knockouts.

  • TAB Everest rises to new heights at Royal Randwick

    Sydney’s world-famous Royal Randwick hosts the seventh running of the $20 million TAB Everest and a celebration of a thoroughbred racing and entertainment phenomenon this Saturday.

    General Admission tickets at just $40 via theraces.com.au provides entry to Royal Randwick for a ten-race card, a post-racing concert from Australian act Empire Of The Sun in the spectacular Theatre Of The Horse and access to the new $46 million WINX Stand.

    General Admission ticket holders and Australian Turf Club Members also have all public transport services – including light rail services directly to Royal Randwick – included.

    Along with the $20 million TAB Everest, the richest race on turf in the world, Saturday also sees the inaugural $5 million King Charles III Stakes and the $2 million The Kosciuszko, all part of Australia’s richest day of racing.

    Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Matt Galanos said TAB Everest Day has become an iconic event on the Sydney Spring sporting and entertainment calendar.

    “The world’s richest race on turf at Royal Randwick brings a live racing experience unmatched in Australian racing,’’ Mr Galanos said.

    “The electric atmosphere throughout the day peaks with the running of the TAB Everest as the crowd joins as one to roar the annual rendition of Sweet Caroline as the horses get to the gates.

    “With public transport and a live concert after the races from Empire Of The Sun all included in a $40 ticket, TAB Everest Day is the year’s best value of any major event in Sydney.

    “Royal Randwick is ready to host the world’s fastest horses and Sydney’s most exciting event in Spring.’’

    Full fields for Saturday’s massive card offering a total of almost $32 million prizemoney are available here and full TAB Fixed Odds markets for all races available here.

    The $20 million TAB Everest contains 12 of Australia’s best horses headed by:

    • Overpass ($9 TAB) representing the Australian Turf Club and slot partners RAM Racing, trained by Bjorn Baker and ridden by Josh Parr, and owned by a syndicate of owners with Darby Racing.

    • A Golden Eagle and TJ Smith Stakes champion in I Wish I Win ($4.50 TAB), trained by Peter Moody and ridden by Luke Nolen of Black Caviar fame, representing slot holder Trackside NZ.

    • Warwick Farm trainer Joe Pride’s two runners – Think About It ($4.50 TAB slot holders Newgate and GPI Racing) ridden by Sam Clipperton and Private Eye ($6 TAB slot Max Whitby and Neil Werrett), who ran second in last year’s TAB Everest, to be ridden by Nash Rawiller. Both horses are managed by Proven Thoroughbreds.

    • Godolphin owning two runners – In Secret ($17 TAB) ridden by Zac Purton for the slot holder and Cylinder ($9 TAB) for jockey Zac Lloyd and the James Harron slot

    • Mazu ($17 TAB) – representing Triple Crown who owned dual Everest winner Redzel. Mazu is prepared by Redzel’s trainers Peter and Paul Snowden and will be ridden by Tommy Berry for The Star and Arrowfield slot

    • Hawaii Five Oh ($17 TAB) trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott with jockey James McDonald aboard for the Aquis slot. The stable also has Alcohol Free ($34 TAB) jockey Craig Williams for Yulong.

    • Sydney’s 13-time Sydney training champion Chris Waller with two runners – Golden Slipper champion Shinzo ($15 TAB Kerrin McEvoy) for Coolmore and Espiona in his own slot for Star Thoroughbreds and jockey Hugh Bowman.

    On a day full of racing highlights, several other innovative races on the card add to one of the biggest programs in Sydney racing history.

    The $2 million Group 3 Feel New Sydney Stakes with a capacity field of 18 runners including emergency runners for The Tab Everest.

    The $2 million The Kosciuszko featuring 14 NSW country-trained gallopers – the richest race in the world for country horses – and with a variety of slot owner agreements won via public ticket purchases.

    The $1 million Silver Eagle – which provides ballot exemption for the first three placegetters into the $10 million Golden Eagle at Rosehill Gardens on 4 November.

  • Cam Davis set for Australian Open and PGA Championship

    Coming off a career-best PGA Tour in the US, Aussie golf star Cam Davis is on the hunt for his second Stonehaven Cup at the Australian Open in November.

    More than five years since an astonishing Australian Open victory, Cam Davis is setting his sights on winning a second Stonehaven Cup.

    The rising star of Aussie golf confirmed on Thursday he would take on the Australian PGA Championship in Brisbane this November, before heading home to Sydney for a shot at another Australian Open title.

    “It’s always enjoyable to come back home and to be part of the Summer Golf in Australia,” Davis said.

    “I have great memories of The Australian and going back there, as well as The Lakes, for the Open is something I’m very much looking forward to.”

    Ranked outside the top 1000 in the world, then 22-year-old Davis produced a sensational against-the-odds performance to take out the 2017 Australian Open.

    Davis, now 28, enjoyed seven top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour in 2023 and tied for fourth at the PGA Championship to execute his best finish to date in his young major championship career.

    He recently finished joint-third at the Fortinet Championship in California to reach a career-high Official World Golf Ranking of 44.

    Perhaps returning to his underdog status, Davis will face a formidable opponent in Australia’s No.1 drawcard Cam Smith at the Australian Open, who will also have another crack at the two local majors.

    Despite three Australian PGA titles to his name, the Stonehaven Cup has eluded Smith – his best finish was a playoff defeat to American Jordan Spieth in 2016.

    The two tournaments are part of a new summer schedule for the 2023/24 PGA Tour of Australasia, which includes trips to five states and New Zealand.

    Having begun with the PNG Open in May, the Tour’s schedule includes two new events – the Webex Players Series in South Australia in October and January’s Heritage Class in Melbourne.

    More than $9 million in prizemoney will be up for grabs in the Tour’s 18 events in a bid to grow the sport in Australia.

    “The fact is that all these kids can’t make enough money in this country to really hone their game,” veteran Australian golfer Paul Gow said on Thursday.

    “Five or six years ago, we had a handful of events and it was awful. The players had nothing.

    “Now, they’ve got something. They’ll make enough money and off they can go and they can support their career.”

  • Country trainer takes on city slickers in Friday’s Port Macquarie Cup (Taree)

    It’s not going to be easy for the country trainers to knock over the city slickers in Friday’s $200,000 Port Macquarie Cup at Taree, but Tony Ball is enthusiastic about the chances of his horse Ljungberg running a big race at good odds ($21 on TAB).

    The cup is one of the last remaining chances for trainers to qualify their horses for the $3 million Big Dance over 1600m at Royal Randwick on November 7 and as such has attracted runners from leading Sydney stables as well as provincial and country stables.

    The Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes stable at Rosehill will start favourite Superium – they also accepted with Mount Popa but it was scratched on Thursday.

    Chris Waller is sending Special Swey to the race from his Rosehill stable.

    But the presence of those Sydney horses doesn’t bother Taree trainer Ball, who was delighted with eight-year-old gelding Ljungberg’s last-start win over 1609m at Taree on September 24 and is looking forward to stepping him up to the 2000m of the cup.

    “If he can win and get a start in the Big Dance that would be a dream come true,” Ball said.

    “I reckon he’ll get the distance of the cup. He just needs there to be a bit of pace so they run along well and he doesn’t start pulling.

    “If he can settle down over the longer distance he’ll get a good cart into the race.

    “He’s been working really well since he won at Taree and (apprentice) Mollie Fitzgerald is riding him again after she rode him there.

    “She’s got a good understanding with the horse. I think he’ll run a good race.”

    Seven-year-old gelding Superium is an interesting runner because his five career wins have been over distances ranging from 1100m to 1400m and he has never raced over further than 1600m.

    But obviously the stable believes that at this stage of his career he can extend to the 2000m and be successful and bookmakers are certainly wary because TAB has installed him as $3 favourite.

    The big plus for Superium, which will carry 55kg, is that the minimum weight for the cup is 54kg and he will carry just one kilogram more than each of the other nine runners.

    Superium has had three runs back from a spell and at his most recent start finished off well for third in a Group 3 race over 1500m at Sandown just last Sunday.

    Holstein, trained by Matt Dunn at Murwillumbah, is second favourite at $4.20 and Special Swey is next in the betting at $5.

    Special Swey is a lightly-raced four-year-old gelding that has not performed well at either of its two runs back from a spell, but which did win a Group 3 race over 2000m in Brisbane during the winter carnival.

    *Gates open at 11.30am and the first race is at 1.05pm. Admission is $10 and $5 concession. Full bar, bistro, TAB and bookmaker facilities.

  • Turnbull Stakes Day, Sun Chariot Stakes Day and Gran Premio Latinoamericano to be beamed live for betting

    The Hong Kong Jockey Club will simulcast for betting five races from the Turnbull Day meeting to be held at Flemington racecourse on Saturday, 7 October. The Turnbull Stakes is a 2000m Group One for four-year-olds and older and contested under set weights and penalties conditions.

    The race attained Group 1 status in 2006 and has served as an important lead-up for major prizes of Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival such as the Cox Plate and the Melbourne Cup. The days broadcasting will commence 12.15 Hong Kong time.

    The 2023 running of the Turnbull Stakes promises to draw worldwide attention as Hong Kong’s Middle-Distance champion Romantic Warrior kicks off his overseas campaign here before a tilt at the Cox Plate. The Danny Shum trained superstar will become the first Hong Kong trained runner to contest in Australia since Dominant’s Sydney Cup venture in 2015.

    Sun Chariot Stakes Day from Newmarket in England (Sat 7 Oct – first race 20:30 Hong Kong time)

    Racing action will continue at Newmarket in the evening with the simulcast of the Sun Chariot Stakes and three other supporting races.

    Named after King George VI’s talented racehorse who won the Fillies Triple Crown in 1942 under legendary jockey Gordon Richards, the featured Sun Chariot Stakes is run over 1600m on the Rowley Mile course for the most promising three-year-olds and older fillies and mares. It forms part of the British Champions Series which will conclude at Ascot on 21 October.

    Gran Premio Latinoamericano from San Isidro in Argentina (Sun 8 Oct – 4:45 Hong Kong time)

    In the early morning of Sunday, 8th October, the Gran Premio Latinoamericano will be simulcast live for betting to Hong Kong racing fans for the first time.

    Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1 2000m for 3yo+) is the richest and most important race in Latin America. First run in 1981, the race is run every year in different member countries and participated by the best horses in the Latin America region. San Isidro Racecourse in Buenos Aires of Argentina will play host to the 2023 renewal.

    Final declarations with barrier draws for the Turnbull Stakes Day, the Sun Chariot Stakes Day races and the Gran Premio Latinoamericano will be available on Friday, 6 October.