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Articles by Ray Thomas
Cold Brew on the boil, sparking wild scenes after another dominant Randwick win
Cold Brew received an Everest-like reception after continuing his winning momentum in the Robrick Lodge Eremein Handicap (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday. The Richard and Will Freedman-trained Cold Brew’s large group of owners made plenty of noise during and post-race as their gelding continued his form surge. Top jockey Chad Schofield, rider of Cold Brew, acknowledged the raucous ownership group with his whip as he brought the horse back to the winner’s stall.
Joliestar and Overpass draw to strike at Royal Ascot
A final field of 19 was declared for the straight track sprint with the decision made to accept with Overpass after his game third to Mission Central in the King Charles III Stakes on day one of Royal Ascot. Overpass has come through Tuesday’s race in good order and trainer Bjorn Baker has a suspicion the seven-year-old will appreciate the 1200m of Saturday’s sprint. Joliestar, the long-time favourite for the Jubilee, has drawn barrier nine and Overpass is set to come out of gate seven.
‘Why are we buying him?’: How Gai got Vauban … and why he can win the Cup
Hall of Fame trainer Gai Waterhouse had a novel excuse for the last-start flop of Melbourne Cup hopeful Vauban. “I don’t really know what happened at Caulfield but I will say he’s an unusual horse,’’ Waterhouse said. “If things don’t go his way, he spits the dummy out of the cot.’’ But Waterhouse, always confident and assured, maintains Vauban is going to be hard to beat in the $10m Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday.
LIVE: Ka Ying Rising wins The Everest; Half Yours claims Caulfield Cup
Welcome to live coverage of 2025 The Everest day from Royal Randwick and 2025 Caulfield Cup day at Caulfield. Hong Kong champion Ka Ying Rising has won the $20 million Group 1 The TAB Everest (1200m), securing a thrilling victory for trainer David Hayes and jockey Zac Purton. The Hong Kong superstar was simply sublime in the world’s richest race on turf, stretching clear late for a commanding victory at Randwick on Saturday.
Racing Confidential: Friday is D-Day for Leilani Lodge call
Horse Racing Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. The Australian Turf Club board will meet on Friday to determine which trainer will be given the famous Leilani Lodge stables at Royal Randwick. James Cummings was in the running to return to the vacant stables which have been in his family for more than 40 years before his shock announcement on Wednesday that he accepted an offer to train in Hong Kong.
2025 Winter Cup: Changingoftheguard heads wave of imports
It will be almost a case of “spot the Aussie” when the Winter Cup field goes out onto the track at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. There are 14 stayers entered for the Listed $200,000 race over 2400m with 12 of them born overseas including topweight Changingoftheguard, a son of the greatest European stallion influence this century, Galileo. Changingoftheguard is among four Irish-bred stayers in the race, while there’s five from France, two from Great Britain and one from New Zealand.
‘It’s not true’: Kepitis shoots down Crown Lodge rumours
Godolphin Australia supremo Andy Makiv has revealed there are “interested parties” wanting to secure some of their training and stabling facilities as the racing and breeding giant restructures its business in the wake of trainer James Cummings’ departure to Hong Kong.
“We’re all devastated”: Super stallion Snitzel dies
Arrowfield Stud’s super sire Snitzel, the nation’s four-time champion stallion, has died. He was 23. John Messara, Arrowfield’s chairman, told News Corp Snitzel passed away just after 11am on Wednesday. “We are all devastated by what’s happened,’’ Messara said. “Snitzel had not been well over the last 12 months with a liver complaint but he has gone downhill rapidly the last few days.
‘Never seen a better jockey’: J-Mac closes in on Miracle Mal’s mark
Hall of Fame jockey Malcolm Johnston is adamant James McDonald will claim his national riding record for most Group 1 wins in a season – it’s just a matter of when. And Johnston also declared McDonald could ride an unthinkable 200 Australian Group 1 winners before the end of his riding career if he remains based in Sydney.
Joe Pride taking on Stradbroke Handicap history with Private Eye
Trainer Joe Pride isn’t concerned by historical trends as he readies Private Eye for a remarkable bid to win the Group 1 $3m Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. With the withdrawal of Giga Kick, Pride’s sprinter Private Eye has 57kg and will wear the No.1 saddlecloth when he goes first-up into Queensland’s premier sprint. Private Eye is attempting to become the first horse this century to win the Stradbroke as topweight and without a lead-up run.
At The Track: Sydney racing scores with Everest slot deal
The Australian Turf Club’s decision to lease their Everest slot to Hong Kong Jockey Club for at least two years is a coup for Sydney racing. The deal ensures that barring injury or some unforeseen circumstance, the world’s number one-ranked racehorse, Hong Kong’s superstar sprinter Ka Ying Rising, will contest the Group 1 $20 million The TAB Everest at Royal Randwick on October 18.
David Payne shows his training mastery with Shoisha at Randwick
The maestro David Payne has enjoyed a hugely successful training career by not following convention. So, we shouldn’t have been surprised when Payne produced another training masterclass when Shohisha won the Drinkwise Mile Handicap (1600m). Payne’s filly was jumping from 1100m straight to the tough Randwick mile course and it seems most punters and form experts had put a line through her chances.
THE LAST SAY: Tips, big bets, inside mail for today’s racing
Joliestar, the outstanding sprinter, can secure the third Group 1 win of her career in the $1 million Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm today. The Chris Waller-trained and James McDonald-ridden Joliestar will appreciate the drying track conditions with Eagle Farm bordering on a good 4. If Joliestar ($2.30 favourite) is successful, she will provide Waller with his 19th Group 1 winner of the season – a new Australian record for a trainer.
Ray and Duff’s Randwick, Eagle Farm tips: Best bet to ‘go right on with job’
Racenet and The Daily Telegraph’s Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central’s Ron Dufficy discuss all the chances on the 10-race program at Royal Randwick, as well as the three Group 1 races at Eagle Farm on Saturday. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section.
‘I’ll be moving to Vaucluse!’: It’s all in the name for Sargent filly
Horse Racing Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Trainer John Sargent has revealed the comical explanation behind the naming of bargain basement buy, Change My Address. “It means if she can win enough prizemoney I will be changing my address,’’ Sargent said.
2025 Queensland Oaks: Kerrin McEvoy to ride favourite Philia
Champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy is riding for a record-equalling fourth win in the Group 1 $700,000 Queensland Oaks (2200m) on favourite Philia at Eagle Farm on Saturday. McEvoy has won the fillies classic previously on Youngstar (2018), Egg Tart (2017) and Purple (2009) and – if he is successful on Philia – will join Chris Munce as the only jockeys to ride four Queensland Oaks winners.
Racing Confidential: Harris recovering from spinal surgery
Wayne Harris, the former champion jockey and popular Sky Thoroughbred Central form expert, is recovering slowly after another major spinal surgery. Harris has had ongoing health issues for some years and been forced to undergo many operations. But he has repeatedly shown remarkable courage to continually overcome his health setbacks. His many friends in the racing industry are hoping he returns to the racetrack very soon.
Ka Ying Rising locked in for The Everest as slot details confirmed
Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising, the world’s number one-ranked sprinter, has been confirmed as a starter in the Group 1 $20 million The Everest. Ka Ying Rising will race for new slot-holder the Hong Kong Jockey Club which is understood to have negotiated a lease arrangement for the Australian Turf Club’s slot.
Coolmore backs trainer Aidan O’Brien to have Storm Boy at his best for Royal Ascot
Horse Racing Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Coolmore is relying on the training genius of Aidan O’Brien to orchestrate the ultimate form reversal from crack colt Storm Boy at England’s prestigious Royal Ascot carnival. Storm Boy, formerly trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, made his debut for the O’Brien stable earlier this month with an inglorious last of nine in the Greenlands Stakes at The Curragh.
‘Potential to produce something very special’: Winx’s Hot date confirmed
Horse Racing Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Mighty mare Winx will visit Darley’s champion sire Too Darn Hot in the coming spring breeding season. Winx’s ownership group of Peter Tighe, Debbie Kepitis and Elizabeth Treweeke made the much-anticipated announcement on Monday night, ending weeks of speculation about their legendary mare’s next mating.
Pride’s plea: ‘What about the Kingsford Smith Cup horses?’
Trainer Joe Pride admitted he was “disappointed” the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup wasn’t rescheduled for midweek before ruling his elite sprinter out of the $1 million Eagle Farm race on Saturday. The Kingsford Smith Cup and Queensland Derby were added to the Oaks Day program at Eagle Farm after heavy rain last Saturday resulted in the final five races being washed out.
‘A bit of a freak’: Wootton Bassett’s incredible run continues
Coolmore Australia supremo Tom Magnier has described Wootton Bassett as a “freak” after the sire sensation’s son Camille Pissaro won the French Derby at Chantilly on Sunday. Camille Pissaro’s classic triumph gave Wootton Bassett the prestigious French Group 1 three-year-old double after another of his sons, Henri Matisse, won the 2000 Guineas at Longchamp last month.
John Hawkes: Ka Ying Rising still has a box to tick for The Everest
Hall of Fame trainer John Hawkes has provided his expert endorsement of the sprinting talents of The Everest favourite Ka Ying Rising – but with one qualification. “Ka Ying Rising looks a really, really good horse but he has got to travel from Hong Kong and settle in here,’’ Hawkes said. “Most probably he will be fine but it is never easy when you are travelling a horse overseas. “At least he has a very good trainer (Hall of Famer David Hayes) and he’s a mature horse now.
The Last Say: Tips, inside mail for Eagle Farm, Rosehill, Caulfield and more
Trainer Chris Waller can set an all-time record for most Group 1 wins in a season at Eagle Farm today. The Hall of Fame trainer has already prepared 18 big-race winners this season – including seven majors with champion mare Via Sistina – to equal the record he set in 2018-19 when the mighty Winx was having her final season of racing.
‘We’ve had a good season’: Team Hawkes on verge of prizemoney milestone
Team Hawkes are on the verge of a personal stable milestone at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. The training partnership of Hall of Famer John Hawkes and his sons Michael and Wayne have already prepared 58 winners on all tracks during 2024-25, including three at Group 1 level, for stable earnings of $10,721,795.
Rosehill tips, inside mail: $14 chance set for ‘peak’ performance
Horse Racing Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Khumbila, named after a mountain in the Himalayas that has never been climbed, is set for a “peak” performance of his own when he resumes in the Midway Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Gerald Ryan, who trains in partnership with Sterling Alexiou, said rising five-year-old Khumbila was coming up well for his winter preparation before revealing the origin of the horse’s name.
Ray Thomas, Ron Dufficy Rosehill tips: Saturday, May 31, 2025
Racenet and The Daily Telegraph’s Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central’s Ron Dufficy debate the chances in all 10 races – including the Listed Lord Mayor’s Cup – at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Ray and Duff also provide their selections for the three feature races at Eagle Farm on Saturday – the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup, the Group 1 Queensland Derby and Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes.
Hickman’s mare can leave lasting Legacy in Lord Mayor’s Cup
Private Legacy, a sentimental favourite of trainer Greg Hickman, is attempting to become only the third mare this century to win the Listed $200,000 Lord Mayor’s Cup (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. The late autumn middle distance stakes race was first run in 1944 and was won by one of the greatest mares of all-time, Flight.
What is Plan B? Rosehill sale decision ‘missed opportunity’
The rejection by Australian Turf Club members of the $5bn Rosehill sale proposal is a “missed opportunity” to financially future-proof Sydney and NSW racing for decades. This was the reaction of one leading trainer who contacted Racing Confidential under a cloak of anonymity after Tuesday’s members vote dealt a fatal blow for plans to sell Rosehill, transform Warwick Farm and build a new racing and training centre at Penrith.
‘A break I didn’t know I wanted but really needed’: Gibbons’ silver lining
This was the break Dylan Gibbons had to have. He just didn’t know it at the time. The star young jockey needed a shoulder reconstruction that was to keep him out of the saddle for five months. There is never a good time to be injured but when Gibbons was told he needed surgery last November, he had just completed his apprenticeship four months earlier and was trying to establish himself as a senior rider in the competitive Sydney jockey ranks.
‘Hope right decision was made’: Rosehill trainers react to sale vote
Trainer Richard Freedman says only time will tell if Australian Turf Club members have made the right decision to reject the Rosehill sale proposal. “All I will say is I hope they have made the right decision,’’ Freedman told The Daily Telegraph.
Tavi Time ready to peak in Lord Mayor’s Cup - but which one?
Trainer Kris Lees has confirmed Tavi Time will run in the Lord Mayor’s Cup – but it is most likely at Eagle Farm and not Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Tavi Time, the last-start Scone Cup winner, is entered for two races of the same name and is topweight with 59.5kg for Sydney’s version, a Listed race worth $200,000 and run over 2000m.
Rosehill sale vote: Australian Turf Club meeting reveals result
To sell or not to sell, that is the question. The Australian Turf Club’s proposal to sell Rosehill Gardens racecourse for a reported $5 billion to make way for 25,000 new homes will be determined by the club’s 11,000-plus members on Tuesday. This is a defining moment for Sydney and NSW racing. It is up to the members to decide the fate of Rosehill, the home of the Golden Slipper.
2025 Kingsford Smith Cup: James McDonald to ride Joliestar
Horse Racing Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Champion jockey James McDonald can enhance his career-best Group 1 season when he partners brilliant mare Joliestar in the $1 million Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Joliestar, trained by Chris Waller, is the $3.50 favourite in early TAB Fixed Odds betting for the feature sprint.
Ray Thomas’ Blackbook: Cummings to learn Leilani Lodge fate
The Australian Turf Club board must deal with two significant issues this week – which trainer is allocated Leilani Lodge at Royal Randwick and the outcome of the members vote on the Rosehill sale proposal. The board is understood to be meeting Monday and one of the agenda items is to discuss who gets the keys to the vacant Randwick stables. At least three trainers have made application for Leilani Lodge including Godolphin’s James Cummings.
Rosehill racecourse sale result revealed Tuesday, May 27, 2025
The contentious Rosehill sale proposal will be determined by an Australian Turf Club membership vote on Tuesday. ATC has a membership base of nearly 11,500 and at most annual general meetings, usually less than 2000 cast votes on various issues. But the club expects at least half of members to vote on the proposal to sell Rosehill for at least $5 billion to make way for 25,000 new homes.
Queensland Oaks on radar for Let’s Fly
Let’s Fly lived up to her name with a runaway Royal Randwick win that just might have earned her a start in the Queensland Oaks. Then 45 minutes later, Casual Connection also put daylight between himself and his chasing rivals to put himself into the Brisbane Cup conversation. For a Saturday Sydney off-carnival meeting without a stakes event, some of the dominant and classy winners including Let’s Fly and Casual Connection showed they were on target for interstate feature race raids.
Gai Waterhouse, Adrian Bott’s Agarwood wins at Randwick
Agarwood maintained her unbeaten record with a facile win as her sire sensation, Wootton Bassett, dominated the juvenile opener at Royal Randwick on Saturday Coolmore Stud’s Wootton Bassett not only sired Agarwood, winner of the Sporting Chance Cancer Foundation Handicap (1200m), he also had the third and fourth placegetters, Providence and Regulated Affair.
THE LAST SAY: Tips, inside mail and track conditions for today’s racing
Pride Of Jenni is poised to become the first reigning Horse of the Year to win the Group 1 $1 million Doomben Cup (2000m) at Doomben today. The great Might And Power did win the 1998 Doomben Cup the same season he won his first Horse of the Year title. He retained the title in 1998-99.
Chris Waller has four shots at Group 1 record in Doomben Cup
Chris Waller can set a national record for most Group 1 wins and take his stable earnings over the $50m mark for the season if either Kovalica, Lindermann, Osipenko or Militarize wins the $1m Doomben Cup (2000m) at Doomben on Saturday. The champion trainer has had another sensational season preparing 18 Group 1 wins, equalling the all-time record he set in 2018-19.
Sargent aims to continue Connection with Randwick staying feature
Trainer John Sargent is ready to go back to the future with Casual Connection in the PF Civil Handicap (2400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Casual Connection, a resolute stayer who revels on wet tracks, won this race 12 months ago to earn his chance in the Brisbane Cup. But a firm Eagle Farm track meant Sargent’s stayer struggled when only eighth in the Group 2 race, won by the Bjorn Baker-trained Alegron.
Randwick inside mail: Payne plots boilover with $61 roughie
Trainer David Payne has ambitions to set bargain-basement buy and rank outsider Sacro Catino for the Group 1 $1m Queensland Derby if he can win the Chalouhi Handicap (1800m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Sacro Catino is at $61 latest TAB Fixed Odds betting after finishing only seventh to Ella Hazel at the Kensington midweeks last start.
Ray Thomas, Ron Dufficy Randwick tips: Saturday May 24, 2025
Horse Racing Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Racenet and The Daily Telegraph’s Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central’s Ron Dufficy debate the key chances in all 10 races at Royal Randwick on Saturday. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section.
Tom Moxon takes over as Racing NSW chief steward after serving 20-year ‘apprenticeship’
Horse Racing Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Tom Moxon has learned from three of the best and is now ready for one of the toughest jobs in the sport – Racing NSW’s chairman of stewards. Moxon will take on his new role on June 1 after a 20-year “apprenticeship” on the stewards panel including serving as deputy chairman to Steve Railton since November, 2022.
Trainer Roger James launches a late Queensland Oaks bid with She's A Dealer
A mystery New Zealand filly and her unknown English rider are set to make a statement in their Australian debuts at Royal Randwick on Saturday. She’s A Dealer and jockey George Rooke are set to continue their winning momentum in the Chalouhi Handicap (1800m). Champion Kiwi trainer Roger James has Queensland Oaks ambitions for She’s A Dealer after she won her two most recent starts impressively at Ellerslie and Te Rapa with Rooke in the saddle.
‘What else am I going to do?’ My Last Hooray no last hurrah for Cleary
Frank Cleary, the racehorse trainer who can’t retire, often finds himself reminiscing about what might have been during State of Origin time. A talented rugby league fullback in his day, Cleary earned selection in 1970 for Country Seconds against City Seconds at the SCG. This was 10 years before State of Origin was introduced and Country teams were made up of part-timers from bush regions against City sides full of the sport’s best players.
Randwick meeting predicted to go ahead on Saturday despite dire weather forecast
Racing’s return to Royal Randwick on Saturday is set to go ahead despite a deluge of rain forecast for Sydney in coming days. Randwick’s capable course manager Michael Wood is confident the track surface “will be fine” to host the 10-race program. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section.
Lady Shenandoah or Autumn Glow? Even the bookies can’t decide
Who is the better three-year-old filly – Autumn Glow or Lady Shenandoah? It’s a debate that has raged for months with opinions evenly divided after both of trainer Chris Waller’s star fillies completed perfect seasons. Even the bookies are having trouble separating them with TAB Fixed Odds price assessors rating Autumn Glow and Lady Shenandoah as equal favourites for some of the biggest races of the spring.
2025 The Everest: Sunshine In Paris in, Ka Ying Rising deal nears
Sunshine In Paris is almost certain to stay in training and be aimed at the Group 1 $20 million The Everest next spring. And an Everest deal for Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising that will secure his place in the world’s richest turf race is also imminent. John Camilleri, owner of Sunshine In Paris, suggested his outstanding rising six-year-old mare will race on next season after her tough win in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 last Saturday.
‘Great storyteller, wonderful horseman’: Trainer Syd Brown dies aged 99
Syd Brown, the legendary trainer of champions like Redcraze, Daryl’s Joy, Wood Court Inn, Classic Mission, Triton and Kista, passed away on Sunday. The former New Zealander who called Sydney home for more than five decades would have turned 100 in October. Brown, a NZ Hall of Fame inductee in 2014, was an institution at Warwick Farm where he trained. “Syd was a good friend and mentor, a great storyteller and a wonderful horseman, ’’ trainer Ron Leemon said.
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