Fancy Man takes out the Queensland Cup at Eagle Farm
The extravagant salute said it all.
Apprentice Bailey Wheeler has been having a ball recently riding winner after winner and his salute on the Annabel Neasham trained Fancy Man in the featured Queensland Cup at Eagle Farm where he was $7 with the leading online betting agencies was just part of a continuation of that run of success, although Wheeler’s reaction as he took Fancy Man through the line underlined the particular pleasure he obviously felt at landing another feature race victory.
It was a peach of a ride from Wheeler and it brought up a double for the young rider on the day after he had earlier claimed victory on the Stuart Kendrick trained Pocket Full.
Those results would have pushed the unfortunate false start Wheeler had to the day to a distance memory and it is a credit to Wheeler’s mental toughness that the unhappy hiccup that surrounded the running of the first race did not have any lingering negative impact on Wheeler once he was able to set about doing his job.
Wheeler, a 3kg claiming apprentice in town, did not make it to the track in time to take his mount on the Kendrick trained Lost In Transit in the opening race on the card.
As a consequence, Wheeler was replaced on Lost In Transit by Justin Huxtable, an equally competent rider but one without the advantage of that 3kg claim, meaning that Lost In Transit had to carry 57.5kg instead of the 54.5kg he would have done with Wheeler in the saddle, a statistic which arguably ultimately played a part in the outcome with the son of Speith, who was bidding for a fifth straight win, only being denied by a narrow margin.
“He did owe me one from missing the earlier one,” said Kendrick, speaking after Wheeler had taken Pocket Full to back-to-back wins in a case of all’s well that ends well.
With Wheeler adding a Metropolitan double to the treble he rode last Saturday, he has now edged marginally past Cejay Graham (who also had a winner … Preached … on the day) in the Brisbane Apprentice Jockey’s Premiership to lead that chase by 16.5 wins to 16 wins.
Early days, but it is currently a fascinating cut and thrust battle between these two riders.
Only two other apprentices … Jake Molloy (two winners) and Casey Waddell (one winner) have ridden a Metropolitan winner in Queensland this season.
More Racing News
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...
War Machine back in winning form at Caulfield
A great deal has transpired for War Machine over the past twelve months.On the equivalent weekend last year, the horse trained by Ben, Will, and Jd Hayes, War Machine, was competing in Sydney for The Everest.While the results didn't align with the Lindsay Park trainers' aspirations, War Machine had entered...
Saintly Dancer's Thousand Guineas triumph highlights Shinn's comeback
Jockey Blake Shinn has celebrated his first Group 1 win since recovering from a significant leg injury, as Saintly Dancer dictated terms from the front to capture the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield.Shinn endured a fractured leg from a fall during last year's Melbourne Cup and made his return to competitive...