Jimmysstar bites punters again as Neasham imports deliver
Though her stable star may have retired, the Zaaki connection is still helping Annabel Neasham tread winning paths with imports as a step back in grade saw Might Ulysses take out the Listed Brisbane Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm.
Finishing outside of the placings on his Australian debut in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on March 24, the five-year-old gelding found the company and conditions to his liking while stablemate Jimi Hendrix ($21), also having his second Australian start, finished second.
Five starts back Mighty Ulysses ($31) ran fifth in the Group 3 Strensall Stakes (1771m) at York in England while Jimi Hendrix also ran fifth in the same race in 2023.
Four years earlier, Zaaki won the Strensall 12 months before her move to Neasham’s Sydney stable.
“Annabel was quite confident with both of them as they are both nice horses in the making,” Todd Pollard, Neasham’s assistant trained, said.
“She thinks that Mighty Ulysses has a bright future before him, and both of these horses raced against each other in Europe in the Summer Mile.
“That is a race that Zaaki ran second in as well so there are three horses that haven’t won it but it is a nice race to find horses out of.”
With five wins in 12 starts, the application of ear muffs suited Mighty Ulysses in ironing out some race day quirkiness.
The $1.75 favourite Jimmysstar made a run down the centre of the Eagle Farm lane but couldn’t rein in the Neasham pair in a third successive failure as an odds-on favourite.
“He had a bit of a break and going to the mile, he was alright,” trainer Ciaron Maher said from Adelaide.
He added that the plan is still to proceed to the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) but the challenge remains for the four-year-old gelding to quality for it.
More Racing News
Blind Raise's faith rewarded with Cox Plate start
Trent Busuttin is aware that if the primary goal was to secure a Group 1 victory, the more prudent strategy would be to send Blind Raise to Sydney for this Saturday's Spring Champion Stakes.Nevertheless, he also recognises that the type of opportunity that has arisen this year is not a...
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...