Bear set to let Loose in 2025 Caloundra Cup
Bear On The Loose returns to 2400m for Saturday’s Caloundra Cup at the Sunshine Coast, aiming to go one better after a brave runner-up finish in the Winter Cup.
The Tulloch Lodge gelding gave a bold sight on pace last start, only fading late behind his stablemate Sir Lucan in his staying test debut.
Adrian Bott is confident the gelding will thrive again at the journey and sees Saturday as a big opportunity.
“For his first attempt at the trip, his run was excellent,” Bott said.
“There were questions over whether he could get the trip and I think he relishes it. He ran it out very strongly.
“He was there for a long way and it took a horse who’d had a better run in transit and had the sit on him to run him down. He was unlucky to get beaten.”
Bear On The Loose bypassed Sydney’s McKell Cup and Stayer’s Cup to enjoy a freshen-up ahead of the Listed assignment in Queensland.
The stable also saddles up The Three Hundred in the Winx Guineas (1600m), with Bott expecting improvement from the colt following a luckless run at Ipswich.
“He missed the start and got too far back. The tight track, he didn’t really appreciate, and from where he was it was always going to be difficult,” Bott noted.
“But the last furlong of his race was pretty good.
“The 1600 will suit. Hopefully he breaks cleanly, puts himself in the race and he will be much more effective.”
Any black-type success at the Sunshine Coast would only enhance what has already been a record-breaking term for the Waterhouse-Bott team.
“If we’re trying to find areas to focus on to improve each season, stakes wins is what we all strive for so I guess that’s a good indicator for us and we’ll try to keep topping it again next year,” Bott added.
Check out the latest odds and place your bets on the Caloundra Cup and more via justhorseracing.com.au.
More Racing News
Mr consistency heads to the 2026 Ballarat Cup
Ocean Beyond might not always warm the hearts of punters, but he remains an exceptionally consistent earner for his connections. The Simon Ryan-trained gelding will attempt to secure his biggest payday yet when he contests the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday, entering the race with more than $535,000 already...
Bar raised for in-form colt Swift Legend
Swift Legend has earned his opportunity in stronger company after back-to-back midweek victories, but jockey Jason Collett remains cautious as the colt continues to mature. The Dundeel youngster lines up in Sunday’s Vinnie @ Yarraman Park Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill, stepping out from recent wins at Warwick Farm and Canterbury. Collett says...
Inhabit out to book a 2026 Magic Millions Classic trip
Unbeaten filly Inhabit will be racing for a Magic Millions berth when she steps out again on Saturday. A stylish debut winner at Murray Bridge in October, she now lines up in the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Two-Year-Old Plate (1000m) at Morphettville Parks. Her assignment has been simplified with three scratchings, leaving...
Tommy Berry to test the summer carnival waters in 2025 George Moore Stakes
Tommy Berry will be a key figure in Brisbane this weekend as he reunites with Caballus, while also unveiling a valuable Magic Millions hopeful. Berry’s association with Caballus includes a Flemington stakes win two starts ago, prior to the sprinter backing up into the Champions Sprint, where he was unplaced behind...
Rob and Annabel Archibald hoping to return north with West Of Africa
Despite Sydney lacking a feature race this weekend, Sunday’s Rosehill program will be pivotal for Rob and Annabel Archibald as they shape their Magic Millions carnival team. The Archibalds will run West Of Africa and Mickey’s Medal in the TAB Handicap (1400m), with both aiming to justify a January trip to...
Michael Dee makes Ascot return for Apulia in 2025 Northerly Stakes
Group 1-winning jockey Michael Dee is set to make a rare Perth appearance as he chases more elite-level success aboard Apulia. Dee will ride the Lindsay Park-trained entire in the Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot, marking his first visit to the track since November 2018. The Victorian lightweight has a strong record...
SA raider Promises Kept chases 2025 Ballarat Cup
Trainer Michael Hickmott is confident that new stable acquisition Promises Kept can give his owners plenty to look forward to over the next fortnight. The gelding heads east for Saturday’s Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) and may then target the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) seven days later. Previously trained by Greg Eurell and...
Son of ill-fated stallion St Jean scores impressive debut win
Melek, a staying-bred son of St Jean, made the perfect start to his racing career with a determined win over the mile at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday. The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old debuted in the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1600m) and made an immediate impact. Starting at $4.20 after firming late, Melek charged...
Weather prompts Rosehill races transfer
Saturday’s Rosehill race meeting will now be held on Sunday after Racing NSW moved to avoid anticipated extreme heat across Sydney, with temperatures set to surge past 40 degrees. Racing NSW stewards had tracked forecasts closely all week and, with no relief in sight, chief steward Tom Moxon confirmed the rescheduling...
Air has second Assault on the 2025 Ballarat Cup
A mature and more composed Air Assault will attempt to push his prizemoney beyond $1 million when he lines up in Saturday’s Ballarat Cup. Trainer Andrew Gluyas says the gelding has finally pieced it all together after years of racing keenly, noting the now nine-time winner has developed into a tractable,...