Speaker 1We're on, all in, we're ready, set to go, off and racing, down the way, knuckling out a great finish, 3-4 in front, what a superstar, what a courageous win, an absolute thrill, and the crowd here is phenomenal, unreal. On Sky Sports Radio and Radio Tab, welcome to Racing HQ, Racing HQ, here's your host, Luke Marlow.
Speaker 2And a very good morning everyone, it's your Wednesday, Racing HQ, and good to have your company, we go national from the get-go this morning, so good morning to all of our listeners across the Sky Sports Radio and Radio Tab networks, it's great to have your company, we're going to be looking ahead towards the weekend on this morning's show, and also hoping to find you a winner for today's racing. Barry Lockwood's got some good chances at Doomb, and today we'll catch up with Barry throughout the course of the show, he's sending three runners to the races. Barry Lockwood's got some good chances at Doomb, and today we'll catch up with Barry throughout the course of the show, and also hoping to find you a winner for today's racing. Ed Wall will head to the races at the weekend, he was wonderful on return. Also catch up with Tom Charlton, David Payne. A ticket giveaway, speaking of Newcastle, from Dwayne Dowell, the CEO of the Newcastle Race Club, a bit later in the program, so stay tuned for that. I think we've got a four-pack, three of them, so three group tickets for four, so that's a very generous giveaway. Friday is the Newcastle Cup, Anthony Don as well. Adrian Siglitano and Nathan Sheppard join me in the studio this morning. Good morning to you boys, Adrian, I'll say hello to you firstly. We had a nice evening last night, actually, didn't we, at Royal Randwick for a media dinner with a few racing types. Flindale got me out of the match for mine, he was telling some great yarns, it was good to catch up with everyone.
Speaker 3Morning to you, Luke, he was in fine form, and thank you to Brett Devine and Steve McMahon at the ATC for putting that dinner on for the racing media as we head into this Sydney Everest carnival, and it will heat up on Saturday. Luke, how are you? We've got the second, I guess, leg of the trek to the Everest on the weekend, the short, so we'll see Headwall go there, we'll see Jolly Star return as well, first up off that Ascot run, and the last time we saw a horse from this stable return in this race off an Ascot run was Nature Strip, and he won. It's a really interesting stat as well that I want to dive into during the week about horses first up from overseas, the return in Australia, we've got the second leg of the Princess, third leg, sorry, of the Princess. We've got the third leg of the Princess series, 1400 metres for these fillies on the weekend, and the seven stakes, how many runners will we have? I'm not too sure, we'll see acceptances this morning, Chris Waller will have a few in there, Aliana, Lady Shenandoah, Autumn Glow and Lindemann, but we also have the Underwood in Melbourne as well, Luke, so a little bit of tossing and changing as well as we head towards the weekend.
Speaker 2You betcha, Adrian. Nathan, good morning to you, we were all well behaved last night, we left as a pack, you know, we stuck together, and it was a nice quiet evening, but plenty of light.
Speaker 4You betcha, Adrian. Nathan, good morning to you, we were all well behaved last night, we left as a pack, you know, we stuck together, and it was a nice quiet evening, but plenty of light. You betcha, Adrian. Nathan, good morning to you, we left as a pack, you know, we stuck together, and it was a nice quiet evening, but plenty of light.
Speaker 2You betcha, Adrian. Nathan, good morning to you, we left as a pack, you know, we stuck together, and it was a nice quiet evening, but plenty of light. You betcha, Adrian. Nathan, good morning to you, we left as a pack, you know, we stuck together, and it was a nice quiet evening, but plenty of light. You betcha, Adrian. Nathan, good morning to you, we left as a pack, you know, we stuck together, and it was a nice quiet evening, but plenty of light. You betcha, Adrian. Nathan, good morning to you, we left as a pack, you know, we stuck together, and it was a nice quiet evening, but plenty of light. You betcha, Adrian. Nathan, good morning to you, we left as a pack, you know, we stuck together, and it was a nice quiet evening, but plenty of light.
Speaker 5You betcha, Adrian. Nathan, good morning to you, we left as a pack, you know, we stuck together, and it was a nice quiet evening, but plenty of light.
Speaker 2You betcha, Adrian. Nathan, good morning to you, we left as a pack, you know, we stuck together, and it was a nice quiet evening, but plenty of light. You betcha, Adrian. Nathan, good morning to you, we left as a pack, you know, we stuck together, and it was a nice quiet evening, but plenty of light.
Speaker 5You betcha, Adrian. Nathan, good morning to you, we left as a pack, you know, we stuck together, and it was a nice quiet evening, but plenty of light.
Speaker 2You betcha, Adrian. Nathan, good morning to you, we left as a pack, you know, we stuck together, and it was a nice quiet evening, but plenty of light.
Speaker 5You betcha, Adrian. Nathan, good morning to you, we left as a pack, you know, we stuck together, and it was a nice quiet evening, but plenty of light. She didn't race till she was an older horse too so there's plenty left in her and she's a big strong horse you know she's a bit like a colt really and uh no no she should have a good campaign that's asgard you've got hooligan tommy
Speaker 2nominated for saturday as well he was down the track in the golden cup but it was a biased track by that point of the day and it was very hard to make grand out wide so i think we could put a line
Speaker 5through that is he going to run saturday yeah he had a head of boneship operation um after a great prep last time he's out for about a year we knew he'd need that run he had a hard run coming around them wide um i'd say it's 90 saturday whatever he does he'll improve and then he should be in peak form from then on and but he'll go nice cheeky race getting home i'd say on saturday but i still think he's one away looking at him okay global goal your best on the weekend you'd think so she's got a bit of class about him let's hope she can front up and do it for the owners and does dylan stick with her
Speaker 2you yeah dylan rides her yeah yeah terrific what would be an ideal draw for her i guess any just
Speaker 5anything middle or better would be probably ideal yeah that's right because as you say she can jump now and uh you know put herself in the sort of fourth fifth six behind the first wave would be ideal for her so you can get at them late so uh yeah nice sort of middle to inside draw would be
Speaker 2just ideal you make of this three-year-old crop the fillies and the cults i was talking about it yesterday i reckon they're a fairly even bunch at the moment john
Speaker 5i think so obviously some of those cults look smart so we're starting to the fillies but they are and then you've also got now they've put the thousand guineas further back you've got that as a backup to go down to melbourne and uh you know i think they're stronger at the moment here um but um good even bunch of three-year-olds but i'd say in the next few weeks you'll see the good ones go ahead of the rest and uh always is this time of year so we'll find out after the weekend probably more
Speaker 2and how was the randwick uh hud of knowledge this morning i saw some vision of michael friedman on social media yesterday he's got a very flash coffee machine in there you blokes are flying
Speaker 5i know that i love it they do him and him and tom charlton love their coffees don't worry about that
Speaker 2oh tommy charlton of course he'd only have the flash stuff he wouldn't be getting that one dollar
Speaker 5foodery coffee on the way to the track not not for not for tommy no no it's the best one don't worry about that so he was in good form this morning with adrian and uh john o'shea wasn't there he goes every friday up to his hawksbury team and michael was there as well and anthony was across the way sitting in his car watching so he was
Speaker 2doing his work in the car anthony friedman wow he's he's handy then very handy i'd say i'm catching up with o'shea tomorrow at a function um any any good stories about o'shea that uh cross your mind just text me if you've got anything decent i could lead him into
Speaker 5just ask him how many shares he's got and he'll tell you how many shares he's got and he'll tell you super seth that he didn't sell he uh keeps denying he didn't have a share in it but he's got a share in every horse of waikato stud stallion so we're trying to find out how much he got out of that sale of the horse but he won't let it let on i notice he's always rapping super seth that's why i'm wondering might still have a share or two up at um
Speaker 2up at the scone with the horse detective sergeant i love your work john have a great day all the best there he goes john sergeant always great to speak to him on hq and he's got a nice filly there in the shape of global goal so keen to see a run on saturday adrian do you think she's just that flight stakes type or does sarge have in the back of his mind oaks for her because we know he's very good with these fillies well just looking at her pedigree luke
Speaker 3she's out of a mare called tides who went up to 1600 meters and shoals is also on that page and just looking at her in the mounting yard she's going to improve she doesn't look like a stayer so i think the mile probably sees her out and she's going to improve she's going to improve and it's a very interesting third leg of the princess series isn't it on the weekend you've got that main lead-up form with chili girl bangkok hottie striking alibi you throw in global goal who missed the second leg and then you throw in these other winners from a warwick farm meeting that we saw a few weeks ago sing your song and queen's gamble my negative with queen's gamble this weekend is she goes from a really fast tempo which looks like a dawdle on the weekend doesn't it we might probably get a small field so we'll see how she reacts with that i think she's a filly with a lot of ability and i want to stick with her in the flight stakes if we get more tempo but i just think on saturday she's the one that wants that strong tempo which she might not get in chili girl she has to run 1400 meters on the weekend but who am i to say she can't run it off last start as
Speaker 2well she was pretty good wasn't she oh she was super sky racing one at the moment racing extra nick bernie joined by richard calendar another star of the media dinner last night calendar
Speaker 4wasn't he up and about nathan hey he was and he entered with his big cough as he loves to do you could hear him before you can see ritchie god he got he was coughing every second did you eat your bread nice well he's not listening thank god so he's on tv at the moment i was sitting next to ritchie two years at a row i've been sat next to ritchie it's a bad barrier to be honest it was funny he was great he could tell a good story he had me in stitches a few times my bread's right underneath him and he was coughing all and he's like oh my god he's like oh my god he's like oh my god and we're about three quarters of the way through the dinner he's like you can eat your bread i was like no he's like oh thanks mate he just grabs it with one big bit takes the bread
Speaker 2well i'll tell you what the food was beautiful last night and the atc gave us a little bit of a tease as to what uh food they're going to produce for the punters over the course excuse me i've got ritchie's cough over the course of uh the carnival and adrian we had a beautiful it was described as but it was it was quite a refreshing taste and it was more like a bao bun it was sweet wasn't it it
Speaker 3was sweet and we had that with the steak fruits as well so japanese slash it was like hybrid japanese and then we went to france a little bit so also a bit of mexican yeah what was the taco i
Speaker 4didn't try the taco nathan yeah the cauliflower tacos to be honest prefer meat but the cauliflower was still okay ritchie wrapped the cauliflower he tried the taco and he said it was nice
Speaker 2so that's a bit of a tease punters is what you can expect over the carnival the atc trying a few different options and one thing i loved about uh steve and i don't need to talk out of school but steve mcmahon um just gave us a bit of an insight into the atc and what's going on at the moment and one thing he said he said look we've done some research about the price of beers at the track and i know that's been spoken about on this program and they did every day with that stanley's not happy is he about the cost of a beer at the track but the atc and in line with pubs and clubs around the place their prices are sort of pretty similar in fact he mentioned the bolter it's actually cheaper at the track than it is at nearby pubs so they're aware of it uh they want to make it value for money for punters to go to the track but you've also got to be getting a quit i suppose and if your prices are similar to other pubs and clubs around the place well the clubs we know they can charge uh cheaper for meals and and grog etc because they're just a pub well it's lining up similar to what the atc are charging at the track so you know i guess they can defend themselves in that aspect but i love the fact that they want to make the punters experience a good one at the track and they're looking at how they can make it affordable etc so at least they're thinking about it adrian which is great and
Speaker 3they've got those food stalls as well coming this saturday 9th so the eljana's there on the weekend they've got eat zeus greek as well so just something a little bit different that you don't usually get at the races so hopefully we can attract a younger crowd i saw that they've got the stage set up as well so not far away from that entertainment after the last race as well so plenty happening there and the everest carnival kicks off on saturday i can't wait and you're a
Speaker 4bra boy now luke you live in marubra the new eljana in marubra they're popping up everywhere there's one near me in ramwick unbelievable so if you're at the track and you see the eljana
Speaker 2i would highly recommend okay a little bit of late mail from shepherd don't mind that sam on the text line has a couple of horses to ask tom charlton about a bit later yeah ask him
Speaker 4about mind games yeah because he had a bit of a setback he did and king pedro had a setback as
Speaker 3well luke so i don't think we'll see him in the metropolitan he just had a bit of a temperature
Speaker 4last week so was it john who was talking about mind games yep john was very keen um for mind games when he comes back all right get an update from tom please you guys remind me if i forget
Speaker 2that from sam and just quickly on the big and little dance adrian i'll put my hand up here i don't know if you're watching this but the the way the fields are compiled it's on rating isn't it
Speaker 3it is yeah how they work out i think it's all it's all winners first yeah in a rating and then the second place is in a rating as well so you can choose not to run in it as well like i heard a little bit of commentary from gerald and sterling last week with just party yep they're a little bit worried at a mile with him so he looks like a 1400 meter horse he won the golden cup so i think they might just have a second guess about going that way so obviously there might be a spot available
Speaker 2all right well opposed the connections of palmetto he looks like an ideal little dance yeah sort of horse i don't think he could win a big dance i don't think he's quite up to that level um but i think a little dance would be ideal uh for a horse like palmetto we'll catch up with mitch cowan next on racing hq the latest racing news with mitch cowan yeah good morning
Speaker 6mitch morning luke good morning boys how are you yeah really?
Speaker 2well we're excited for saturday we've been pouring over some of these nominations and we're waiting for the fields to drop for the Seven Stakes meeting at the weekend. Last year we had, I've just got the field in front of me, Fangirl beating Lindemann, Childwolf, Private Eye, 5, 6, 7, 8. So a field of eight. At the moment we've got seven nommed, and I doubt seven will run. So we're going to have a smaller field for the Seven Stakes this weekend.
Speaker 6Yeah, I can tell you seven have accepted, but I doubt that all seven will run. Obviously, Lady Shenandoah, a chance to go to Melbourne for that Sir Rupert Clark, but it almost looks like a lay down Mazair for Hortum Glow, doesn't it? She's just going to probably sit right there. If Lindemann is among the acceptors, he probably leaves the race, and she just camps off them and probably wins again. She's the best horse in the country. She gets a small field in a million-dollar race at a mile, where we know she's so good. How do they beat her? I know Childwolf was in the early markets as a six-dollar champion, but speaking to Joe Pryde before the run the other day in the Chelmsford, and it's probably the same scenario here. There's a lack of tempo, and when Childwolf shows his best, it's when there's a bit of tempo on and he can just unleash. I mean, he was awesome the other day in the Chelmsford Stakes, but he's just the sort of horse that probably can't land too prominently and sort of finish off the way he does. Now Hortum Glow probably just lands right there, and she probably wins again, doesn't she?
Speaker 2I think so, mate. I just think... You know, how do they beat her? If it's a slow tempo, she's got the turn of foot, but if Lindemann runs... Oh, he's a great horse. Yeah, I wouldn't put past Nash trying something. You know, Nash really just says, right, come and beat me. He will... His mind will be ticking over how could I maybe upset the apple cart here and test Hortum Glow. I think no matter what happens, she runs over him. If he's there, if he's not there, well, Hortum Glow might lead. We'll park outside something, so we'll wait and see, but it's just going to be great to see her out there again, isn't it?
Speaker 6Yeah, I guess so. She's the sort of horse... I think now we're all sort of hoping the King Charles shapes up as the race we want it to be because that's really the three-mile grand final now, but this race is a bit of... Look, I can't say I'm that excited about it just because I think we know what we're going to get with it. I know Lindemann's a good horse, and he did beat her in that King Charles... Oh, sorry, that Queen Elizabeth, I should say, the other monarch, but she's just, I think, she's different gravy. Agree.
Speaker 2On the King Charles, there's a bit of thought about that she's an alibi and might go straight to the Golden Eagle, which would obviously rule her out of the King Charles, which is two weeks before, so that clash that we thought we might get with Hortum Glow and she's an alibi, it might not be likely now.
Speaker 6Yeah, it's disappointing, isn't it? Because I think, well, we thought that was the only time we'd see them clash during the spring cardinal, and then obviously Peter and Catherine have decided to bring she's an alibi up to that first up assignment where she was still so good, and we know 1,400 metres was more in Hortum Glow's wheelhouse, wasn't it, Luke? So on the market said it all that we expected Hortum Glow to beat her at that level, but we want to see these two clash at a mile, so fingers crossed we get to see it, but of course, you can't blame the Canadiens, next year's of she's an alibi. $10 million is $10 million, and you get to race her at once, and she's going to be, she'll take a pair of beating in a $10 million race, and now it's got group one level as well, so you can't blame anyone for not going there. What's the best preparation to get there? If I own she's an alibi,
Speaker 2I'm just aiming up at that race every day of the week. Absolutely. I've just got to note too that Nash might be on Gringotts on Saturday, so that would rule out what I was saying about him being on Lindemann. As far as other races, Athol Wolfe on Friday, he's likely to go to that Newcastle Cup as opposed to the Kingston Town, and he's a very promising stay. I'll catch up with Matthew Smith other side of this interview to confirm where he's going to run, but we're thinking Newcastle Cup, Mitch, and he's a very promising stay.
Speaker 6Yeah, so as far as I'm aware, not when you're going completely blind, but I think he hasn't accepted in the Kingston Town, so it will be that Newcastle Cup. There's been eight acceptors in that Newcastle Cup on Friday. Good day's racing there. I don't think, we'll have the Cameron there as well and the Tibby. The Cameron's a bit difficult, of course, because we've got so many dual acceptors with the Bill Ritchie on Saturday as people sort of duck and weave, but that Newcastle Cup, so eight acceptors. I'll be interested to hear what Matt says about Athol Wolfe because I know he spoke, had a good conversation with Clinton Payne yesterday. He obviously holds a Melbourne Cup nomination. Does he go to a Metropolitan? There was, in Matt's comments yesterday, he was talking the potential of going to a Barton, but Cummings on the same day as a Metropolitan, which would, of course, get him ballot exempt in a Melbourne Cup. Now, that is appetising. It's got to be appetising. I mean, he's only going to carry a very lightweight in a Melbourne Cup once, and if he's still up and going and he wins this Newcastle Cup, as we probably expect he will, he could continue on that upward trajectory and go for the big one down in Melbourne.
Speaker 2The shorts. Do you believe that whatever wins the race, obviously Ninja's already got a slot, but if, if he doesn't win, I'd suggest the winner of the race will go pretty close to running in an Everest.
Speaker 6To be honest, I can't believe Hedwall wasn't locked in after his first up run. I'm with you. I think he'll be there. I think he'll be there. Yeah. If we're talking a year of horses, we're thinking it's going to be slim pickings. I mean, his first up run was, seeing was believing. He was awesome. He was a bit unlucky not to win that race. I think still tempted, still had plenty to offer, but he would have run a lot closer if he had a bit more luck in the straight. He's come back well. I think if he runs well on Saturday, if not, if he doesn't win, if he runs in the placings, someone surely locks him in. Now, Jolie stars a different story altogether. She's obviously the top seed for that Chris Wallace slot, you'd think. So she's just got to come back and show that she's come back from Royal Ascot. Chris used the same race with Nature Strip after he came back from Royal Ascot and won. He started Nature Strip in this race. He obviously came out and won this race before finishing fourth in an Everest. So if she runs well, Chris doesn't really have to mess. He can sort of wait to see how she's going to lock him in the slot. The other one's probably Spicy Martini. I know there's interest there from Toby Edmonds to run in an Everest. Of course, he had, when was it? It was a few years ago now, Luke. Maybe eight or nine years. Maybe the first Everest that Hudson ran in the race a long time ago now as a young horse. But Spicy Martini coming off that Queensland preparation, obviously winning a Stradbroke. She'll obviously want to put her hand, but I'll hazard a guess, the top three in this race and probably the top three in the Premier in two weeks' time are surely the horses that you've got to lock in.
Speaker 2Market for the Everest as it stands. Kying rising $1.40. Tempted eight. Guesthouse 11. Jolie Star 15. Ninja, who has a slot, 15. And then at 21, Bivart and Headwall at the $26 line. We've got Jimmy Star, Joker's Grin, who had a temperature. Paradoxium, St. Gothard. I reckon he's a sneaky hover being there, St. Gothard. I think the race will have a few three-year-olds. We know they run well in the race. And if he comes out and wins a Golden Rose or runs well in the Golden Rose... 50, 51 kilos as well. Yeah, he'd be a sniff, I reckon. So we'll wait and see how it all plays out. You've got some news regarding the T-Rose as well. There's one non-accepter.
Speaker 6Yeah, one non-accepter. So basically looking at it, it is... Well, if you look at the acceptors, it will be basically what you seize, what you get there. So a field of 11 there. Now, the top seeds, of course, Chilly Girl, Global Goal and Striking Alibi will all be there. Bangkok Hottie. How good's David Payne going, by the way? Three straight weekends of three-year-old winners that are all sort of shaping up to bigger goals during the carnival. So of that field, the one you were referring to was Cherry Bombshell. But, jeez, this is a fascinating race. I really can't split a number of these fillies. Look, I'm not sure... I'm not sure where you're leaning. I do have a soft spot for Sing Your Song, but that's for personal reasons. Heading towards the flight stakes, but it is going to be a cracker. So, yeah, Cherry Blossom is the one that probably didn't accept, but everything else, as you'd expect, with this third leg of the Princess Series, they're all heading towards that flight stakes. It'll be a fork in the road for a few because the 1400 obviously finds a few out whether they're going to drop back to 1,200 metres. But I think there's a pretty even bunch of fillies, I would say.
Speaker 2Agreed. It's round three at the Masters. Who's going to fight out the finish in the flight and who's going to drop off? So we'll wait and see how it all plays out with those three-year-old fillies. But I've been saying it a bit this week. I think they're a very even bunch, not just the fillies, but the boys as well. But we know they can improve quickly and one horse might put their name up in lights. But you're right about the form of David Payne. He's going well. And Matthew Smith, I was just having a bit of a look. He is equal... fifth on the New South Wales Premiership for winners, 15 winners. And he's third at the moment on the Metropolitan standing. So he's had a really good start to the season, batting around 20% in town.
Speaker 6Well, you talk about a big weekend for trainers. I'm sure Matt Smith's looking around at home. He's got Idle Flyer in the seventh stake. So obviously a Group 1 winning mare. He's got Headwall just looking to announce, hopefully, firming himself up into an Everest slot. Queen's Gamble, who's going to be up next, come from the clouds to be, I think, equal favourite for the flight steaks and athelwolves. So what a big 36-hour list.
Speaker 2Massive, mate, massive. I'll give Nathan Doyle a wrap here too. Looking at his strike rate in town, he's at 31.2% so far this season, only 16 runners, so good effort by Nathan. And a few of our trainers have good strike rates early in the season. Marr punching at 27% in town. Les Bridge is at 50% from just six runners, 25% Joe Pride. So a few of our Sydney stables and beyond firing at the moment. Who's your favourite trainer to back, Mitch? You got a favourite trainer to back?
Speaker 6Oh, I do have a soft spot for Kembler trainers. I was probably a few years spent down in my early years of work down at Kembler Grange. So I do like all the Kembler stables. But in Sydney, nah, I sort of play around. I more get attached to horses early on in their careers. And I'll tell you what, I'm bad at it. I can't fall off. That is, when they're going, no, guys, I'm still there. I'm loyal. I'm loyal to horses. But other than that, it's Kembler Grange trainers only.
Speaker 2What about jockeys?
Speaker 6Again, if James has done anything, we're fine with it. Because I think in terms of mistakes, I think James makes the least. But I'm forgiving again of all because it's a tough job. It's a very tough job. But I think James makes the least mistakes. And that's what makes him what he is.
Speaker 2Lloyd has won 26 races so far this year. He leads the New South Wales Premiership. John Bonovermeer, Brodie Loy, having a good start to the year. Aaron Bullock, always up there. And J-Mac's on 18 wins in the Metro area. Lloyd on 15, J-Mac on 14. So he's one behind.
Speaker 6That could be the story of the season, though, Luke, I think. If Zach continues to ride like he is, he's obviously riding. He's riding in terrific form. James obviously sort of spends some time away. But I think James might have to spend a bit more time in Sydney come sort of June, July next year. Because I think Zach could make a pretty concerted push to really push him in this Premiership race this season.
Speaker 2Yeah, and I reckon James would be loving this challenge. You know, he likes to compete. And it'll keep him keen as well with Zach nipping at his heels. So it's good stuff. Thanks a lot, Mitch. All good, mate. There he goes, Mitch Cohen on Racing HQ this morning. Right to our next guest, and it is Matthew Smith. Good morning to you, Matthew. Morning, Luke. How are you going there? Super, mate. Just running through a few stats. You must be really pleased with the run of the stable's form at the moment, not just in the metropolitan area, but they're running well everywhere.
Speaker 7It's been good. No, you know, the horses, I think, that have come back have been a bit more forward this season in terms of their preps. And they've come out of the winter in good shape. And, yeah, they're sort of racing very well. So it's good.
Speaker 2You've got a promising stayer there. You just haven't been able to get on the track for the last few years. But she resumed at the weekend. Athol fled. How has she come through that race? And, you know, I'm sure you've been very frustrated because you've got a bit of time for this girl, but she's just had those niggles.
Speaker 7Yeah, for sure. Luke's a really good stayer, I'd say. And she's had a few little issues through last preparation again. But, look, I think we've got her back on track this time. I thought her first up run was good. Look, she's... She's good. If she can hold together, she should hopefully end up in some good staying races. I guess we just have to wait and see. Because she's been off the scene a long time, how she handles the next couple of runs. She'll run again in two weeks at Rose Hill. Over 1,900, which is a bit short for her, but she'll take a couple of runs. And then once she gets to 2,400, you'll see the best of her.
Speaker 2She's by the same sire as Athol Wolfe, I think I'm right. Saxon Warrior. They're not related on the dam side, but...
Speaker 7No.
Speaker 2Athol Wolfe on him. We're going to see him at Newcastle on Friday, are we?
Speaker 7That's right. Yeah, no, he's done well between runs. He looks good. And he's definitely a promising stayer in the making. And we're calling him a stayer, but we don't even know if he can run 2,200 yet. Not like 2,400. So we'll find out. We'll find out on Friday.
Speaker 2Well, talk us through that decision, because he won over 2,000 metres effortlessly last time. But, yeah, there was that 2,000 metre option of the Kingston town, but you want to try him over that bit further of the Newcastle, Newcastle Cup, which, for our listeners, is 2,300 metres.
Speaker 7For sure. For us, he always profiled like a stayer, and he looks like one. So we'll give him a shot. And we thought, well, it's a nice race, because it's a nice lead-up for the Metrop or the Barg Cummings. So, look, I guess we'll see how he goes on Friday. We think he can do it. We've got to see him do it, though, right?
Speaker 2Exactly. So you're not sure where next. You just want to see him on Friday, and then you'll work out your next move. But you've got two pretty good options there, a Metrop or that Barg Cummings.
Speaker 7Yeah, and, you know, he'd have to be winning well on Friday to run neither of those races. You know, he'd have to sort of put his hand up and say, you know, I can run the trip and I'm looking for further and I'm enjoying my racing and all that sort of stuff. So if he does that, we'll definitely keep going with him, for sure.
Speaker 2OK. That's Athol Wolfe. We'll see him on Friday in the Newcastle Cup. Focusing on your team for Saturday, you're strong with Idle Flyer among the acceptors, I believe, for the seven stakes. How is she and will she run?
Speaker 7She's good and she'll run. Just keen to get her back up to the mile. I think her runs have been OK, her first two runs back. So she really likes the Randwick mile. She's been working well. And, you know, we make a decision after this run whether we go to the Epsom or where we go from there. But she can just put her best foot forward on Saturday. You know, it's obviously she's out of mayor's grade now, and she's into open company, which is always a bit harder. But we just need to see her attack the line on Saturday. And she's very strong at the Randwick mile.
Speaker 2Yeah. So you'll make a decision again after Saturday where next? Headwalls in the shorts. Brilliant first up. He's seven, but he hasn't had 20 starts yet.
Speaker 7I know. It's ridiculous, isn't it? He's another one that's had all sorts of problems throughout his career. But I'm lucky we've got some patient owners there. And they should reap the rewards for doing that. So he's come back great. He's pulled up super from his first up run. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And I can't wait to see him on Saturday.
Speaker 2Yeah. Neither can we. He'll put his hand up perhaps for a slot. We'll wait and see. Queen's Gamble in the T-Rose, deserving of a place after really turning it on at the midweeks of late.
Speaker 7She has, isn't she? She's just kept improving. And that's all you could ask. She's definitely a promising type of horse. So, you know, I think that second win there at Warwick Farm sort of gave us the indication she should be heading to stakes grade. And those jockeys have ridden. And they've said, I think she'll go a mile. So we'll see what happens after Saturday. But nothing, you know, nothing's changed with her. Her work's been good. She's been kicking over nicely. Obviously, having it at the 13, the 14, we just had to keep her happy into this race. So, you know, I can't fault her. She looks great. And she's just a nice filly on the way up.
Speaker 2And Golden Strand is nominated for the weekend as well. Has he accepted? He's set to resume. And he's a pretty good horse, this too.
Speaker 7He has. No, he's been good. And he's set to go. Look, he'll definitely be better over further. But it's a good starting point for him Saturday. Wouldn't surprise me if he graduated into some better class races. Over 1,200 to 1,400 metres. He's a lovely horse. And a good action horse. Lots of good ground. Yeah, I think he's got a bright future. We'll get him started on Saturday and see how he goes. And then we can, you know, plot a path after that.
Speaker 2The easier accept is for Golden. For Canterbury today, race three, you've got Fia Prospero and Millie DeLune. Race six, number 15, Cosmic Order, which I believe has gained a start, was an emergency. And race seven, number seven, Fierceness. What's your best chance among those, do you think, Matt?
Speaker 7I think there's a couple of nice horses in Cosmic. Cosmic Order's going really well. And she's improving. There's a couple of nice fillies in that race. I don't know, maybe Fierceness. I mean, he's... He's a win. The distance is right. He's drawn a good gait. Zach's on board. He looks to just Matt to get the nice run. I don't know what Ozzy is, but he's going very well. Either of the two starters could win. I don't know. That's an open race, I thought. I'd probably put my finger on one, maybe Fierceness today.
Speaker 2Yeah, OK. He's $5 in the last race. Seven, number seven, Fierceness. And I'll just ask you about one tomorrow on the Illawarra Grange. I've been following this Glastonbury girl throughout its career. Race six, number four. I see you've got Zach to ride there tomorrow. She's had nine starts, three wins, four minor placings. So she's super consistent. How's she done since her first up run?
Speaker 7She's good, really good. And her run at Gossard was very good too. It was probably not the most suitable race for her, but she was tacking the line strong late. 1450's perfect. Zach's on board. I think she'll be hard to beat there. She just gets a bit of luck in running. She's going very well. I'm happy with her.
Speaker 2Perfect, mate. Always good to catch up and good luck with them all over the coming days.
Speaker 7Many times. Thank you.
Speaker 2There is Matthew Smith on Racing HQ.
Speaker 1This is Racing HQ with Luke Marlowe on Radio Tab and Sky Sports Radio.
Speaker 2And great to have your company. I'm joined on the program now by Barry Lockwood this morning. G'day, Barry.
Speaker 8Good morning.
Speaker 2Thanks for joining us this morning. I know you've been busy this morning with the horses at track work. How's it all been going?
Speaker 8We had a good morning. Everything's fine. No drama. at all which is strange. That's terrific
Speaker 2before we get into runners at Doombin, I wanted to ask you about a promising horse you've got there called Racketeer has won 3 out of 5 I think he's back in work at the moment, how's Racketeer?
Speaker 8Yeah he's just come back to work he just loved being up here like he really should have been nearly 4 out of 4 for up here but he went in on the bog at the sunny coast one day but he's an improving horse and sectionals he ran in his last race here at Eagle Farm were 43 something for the last half mile on the race day times, you know it's quite
Speaker 2stupid. Yeah wow, so he's clearly got that ability to run a sectional I notice you've kept his distances to that shorter range, 1100 metres do you feel like that's his sweet spot at the moment?
Speaker 8Well just at the moment he's still wanting to do things a bit stronger than what he needs to so I'm sure further down the track he'll get over more ground, he's just learning to settle, he's happy to do things a bit quickly if you let him you know
Speaker 2Since he joined your training partnership of course you co-trained with Emma Jay and Vincent he was a horse that had previously won start with the Price Kent Junior team, how did he find his way to your barn?
Speaker 8Oh he obviously wasn't going to make it to where they needed him to be in Melbourne and we bought him online and which we've done with a few from down south now and it's good up here, it's a like the food chain, a bit further down the food chain it's a bit easier and that's about how it works from here of course if they're not good enough here they head up and go to Townsville, Cairns etc is the other way. That's
Speaker 2Racketeer, you also had a recent winner in late August which carries the same colour as a horse called Redpoint what's Redpoint up to?
Speaker 8Yeah he's back in love, we put him out for a couple of weeks after that, he's quite a smart little horse that fellow, he should have won his first start at Eagle Farm and he's just a bit steady away and run up a few backsides down the straight but he's got a little bit of ability I think to get through his grade quite quickly. He was bred by one of our clients Nick Anderson, the first foal of a mare we bought off that John Thompson had in
Speaker 2Sydney actually. Yeah terrific, a mare called Shimmer and Shine is the dam, gee that's that would have been a tongue twister to get the tongue around for a race caller in her time, Shimmer and Shine. I'm glad it's not around these days Barry. I don't think she
Speaker 8got to the races actually, she did a tender note and I asked him about her ability and he said no she got plenty of ability but never got there and she's quite well bred so Nick bought her and put her in fold of Blue Point and now she's got one by St. Mark's Basilica getting broken in, the next one.
Speaker 2Great back story there, so that's Red Point, we'll keep an eye on him when he comes back to the race, he's only had two starts. Focusing on today at Doombin, how do you expect the track to play today
Speaker 8Barry? It's a good forward track and I'm sure it'll just be you know solid racing all day. We've drawn out the first couple of runners 10 out of 10 and 10 out of 11 races, two and three. The last one drew a decent gate for a change, she had four or five weeks, we've not and she drew the outside, and we ended up having to run her from a wide gate last time, which she was able to win from. So hopefully it all keeps going today.
Speaker 2Okay, we'll get to Tasman Bay in race seven, but we'll start at the top. You mentioned race two, Speedy Crown, unfortunately draws wide. How's the horse going, though?
Speaker 8The horse is fine. I would really love to get a barrier. We drew the outside at Ipswich the other day, and he was back and wide, and it would be impossible to make ground on that track when the rail was out about eight or nine metres. So he ran well, he ran fourth, and I expect he'll be a bit closer in the run today. He's got a good bit of speed, and he wants to be there, so I'd say he'll be pretty handy. He can sit out for a couple of furlongs out of the gates and then make up his mind where he slots in, but I don't think he'll be too far off the front.
Speaker 2Okay, so maybe push forward with Speedy Crown. Race two, number eight at Doonbin today. We're chatting with Barry Lockwood on the program. Barry, in race three, you've got a first starter, number four, Watchman. Looks to go okay off that recent trial win.
Speaker 8Yes, his first trial was awful. He didn't know what he was doing and where he was going. Then his next trial, he picked it up and he bounced out and led and kept leading and was quite strong all the way. And the only question with him today is that, you know, pretty inexperienced to us. If he missed the kick again, he'd be in a bit of strife because he's drawn wide. If he happens to step away, well, he'll certainly run very well.
Speaker 2Okay, he's by a profiteer. Our punters would remember him. He won a Millennium and was second in a Todman before running seventh in a Golden Slipper profiteer. Now it's stud. So that's Watchman, race three, number four. Your last runner today is race seven, number nine, Tasman Bay with Anthony Allen up. She's a five-year-old mare. It looks like you've taken your time with her. She's only had the five. She's only had the five starts but won two races and they've come this preparation.
Speaker 8Yeah, she came up to us from down south and she was a bit of a naughty girl. She landed here and we got her going and she ran second and first up for us at Sunshine Coast and then she heard a hock in the box. Not a mark on it, but she heard a hock and she couldn't put it to the ground for a couple of months. They had a scan and did some tigraphy and everything on it. They couldn't find a thing. It took nearly... Two months of not standing on it to get going and then we gave her those two runs back after 12 months off and she won both of those and she's doing well today and hopefully she gets a nice run in the race. She'll be forward and just not too much pressure will be a big help for her.
Speaker 2Okay. What do you think your best chance is today at Doombit?
Speaker 8I'd like the horse in race two. Myself, he's just been a horse that's coming along. He's a great horse to watch work. He just travels nicely. If he doesn't run well, I'll be quite disappointed in him because he's promised from day one that he's going to be a lovely horse.
Speaker 2That's Speedy Crown Doombin race two, number eight. Appreciate your time, Barry. Everything in Queensland racing seems to be going pretty well. We had a good winter carnival up there. How do you see the state of play in Brisbane racing at the moment?
Speaker 8I know it's going along very well. Prize money's come up. As you guys know down in Sydney now, we get many visitors now. The trucks never stop coming up the highway because it's quite good to say that they prize money even for the Sydney guys.
Speaker 2Yeah, no doubt. I appreciate your time this morning, Barry. No, no. Thank you.
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