Sapphire Coast preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, May 18, 2025

Trainers Barbara Joseph and Paul and Matt Jones saddle up a string team at the Sapphire Coast and can kick the day off on a winning note

Shayne O'Cass previews Sapphire Coast on Sunday.

The Barbara Joseph and Paul and Matt Jones-trained gelding Conjoin is ready and able to reward his loyal band of followers when he seeks to shed his maiden status at start number 12.

A son of the lightly-raced Wyong 2YO Magic Millions winner Unite And Conquer, Conjoin has been both costly and consistent ahead of the Cooma Cricket Club Country Boosted Maiden Handicap (1010m).

“He had a bit of a head cold after his last run so we freshened him up, he had a couple of weeks of soft work, and his last gallop with Billy Owen on board was excellent,’’ co-trainer Paul Jones said.

.@GraemeWhiteSky's tip Aqualina's Star⭐️kicks off the card at Albury! @BlaikeMcDougallpic.twitter.com/uyGwEdLwgE

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 21, 2024

The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!

Conjoin is an exceedingly well-bred horse; his third dam is the aptly-named Special who won 10 races in total including the Lightning Stakes and Newmarket Handicap double as well as the Gadsden, Moir Stakes and Bobbie Lewis.

The Joseph/Jones entry in race two, Wauchope, also boasts a champion within her family tree.

Her third dam, Zephyr Zouba, was the mother of the AJC Derby winner and Japan Cup placegetter, Naturalism.

Wauchope managed to turn a last into a first in the space of one run to the next, both here at the Sapphire Coast, and while the win was a shock for most punters, those close to the filly weren’t surprised.

“It was a very good win from that wide gate,’’ Jones said.

“It was very hard to maintain speed on that track, it was very gluey, as people later in the day found out that it was hard to lead that day which is anti-Sapphire Coast.”

Wauchope’s connections, including the Logan Livestock boss Richard Logan, had the choice of two races this weekend, electing the shorter Benchmark 58 over (1010m).

“Jake (Barrett) got off her and said she’s that so fast, it wouldn’t matter if you put her in a 1000m or 1200m, so we accepted in both races but we just went with the better draw,’’ Jones said.

Wauchope holds on, winning in a tight photo finish for the @JJRacing_ACT stable! pic.twitter.com/DsrpoWbwk5

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 4, 2025

As well bred as the abovementioned duo are, another of their stablemates headed to the Sapphire Coast could challenge both in the blue blood stakes.

The horse in question is Ceremonious who lines-up in the eminently suitable Monaro Cup (1613m).

Ceremonious is a son of the two-year-old Triple Crown winner Pierro while his third dam, Flying Floozie, is one of only a trio of horses to have been crowned New Zealand Broodmare of the Year three times.

The others being the immortal Eight Carat and Songline (dam of Sunline).

Originally trained by Chris Waller, Ceremonious turned in a brave and determined on-pace third at Wagga on Town Plate Day in a 1400m Class 2.

“It was an excellent run,’’ Jones praised.

“We haven’t pushed him too hard and to see him be very keen in the bridle and be competitive up on the speed, obviously that augurs well going to the Sapphire Coast.”

The step up to the mile is a logical and perfect next step for the horse according to Jones.

Apart from being bred on a 4x3 double cross of Zabeel, Ceremonious’ two wins have been at 1830m at Eagle Farm and 2000m, winning his 2000m Canberra Maiden by four lengths.

SHAYNE O’CASS’ TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 2 No. 2: THE UNIQUE STAR

Big winner on debut at Albury; runner-up there next time. Trialled well for the return.

NEXT BEST

Race 5 No. 2: LETHAL LADY

Ran far above where she was credited for in that Benchmark 58 at Wagga last time.

VALUE BET

Race 3 No. 10: SUPERIOR FUN

Gives the impression that the mile suits now after a closing second here on May 4.

QUADDIE

Race 4: 2, 4, 8

Race 5: 2, 5

Race 6: 1, 10, 14

Race 7: 1, 2, 9

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Rebecca Bronett-Prag has a good book of rides.

Rebecca Bronett-Prag has some nice rides at the Sapphire Coast. Picture: Bradley Photos

INSIDE MAIL - SAPPHIRE COAST

RACE 1: Cooma Cricket Club Country Boosted Mdn Hcp 1010m

CONJOIN (5) is something of a rarity in as much as his dam is by Rory’s Jester who won a Golden Slipper 40 years ago. As for Conjoin, he’s been costly and consistent in equal measure with five placings from 11 starts. He’s an on-pacer drawn 4 in a 1010m race so no excuses. SESTO (1) was born and raised at Emirates Park; his fourth dam was the mother of the great Shaftesbury Avenue. Sesto led and faded on debut at Orange but it was a take no prisoners war up front.

Bet: Conjoin to win, exacta 5 to beat 1

RACE 2: Mark Williams & Robin Gauld Memorial (Bm58) 1010m

THE UNIQUE STAR (1) was $1.40 on debut at Albury on November 21 last year and won accordingly. He was back there on December 14 and was runner-up and spelled. Won a very deep Heat at Goulburn on May 8. Nice horse. WINNIE FORTUNE (7) did some good things at her first preparation including a third to Beer Baron and a win over Cougars. In good hands. WAUCHOPE (6) was big odds when she won her last start but it was no shock to her trainers.

Bet: The Unique Star to win

RACE 3: Diggers Bobcat Hire Mdn Plate 1613m

SUPERIOR FUN (10) has been with Anthony Mountney for the last three of her six career starts. In that time, she has two seconds and a fifth. This is her first time to a mile but look at that build-up; 1209m, 1300m and 1410m. EVOKES (2) is unplaced in all five starts but they have contained merit to varying degrees. This is a suitable and attainable race for him as well. I AM A ROCKSTAR (4) is fit, ready and in-form for the mile from the favourable draw.

Bet: Superior Fun each-way

RACE 4: Jack Atkinson Surveying Monaro Cup (Bm66) 1613m

CRAFT (4) has won or placed at nine of his 14 starts. He won as recently as two starts and better still, he was a tough on-pace third in the Highway at Hawkesbury on Cup Day. Barrier 2 is just the dream scenario for the horse. GATCHAN (8) has a powerful finish but more often than not, the Sapphire Coast favours those who race closer to the speed and the inside fence. Doesn’t totally rule her out though. CEREMONIOUS (3) ran a big race at his first one for the Joseph/Jones barn. Every little step-up in trip suits him.

Bet: Craft to win, box trifecta 2, 3, 4, 8

RACE 5: Cooma Race Club Country Boosted (Bm58) 1413m

LETHAL LADY (2) has won five times with seven placings from 33 starts on her resume. She has been known to get back, when drawn wide, and that was very much the case when she jumped from 14 of 14 in a Wagga 58 on Cup Day. She passed half the field and did it weaving her way through some heavy traffic. Drawn 3 here. SNOWY (5) is another one who ran on Wagga Cup Day and ran better than what the form guide would attest. As it stands, she did run fifth in the Queen Of The South at Benchmark 66 level. DUBAI CENTRE (1) has a huge weight but rates 64 in a 58.

Bet: Lethal Lady to win, exacta 2 to beat 5, quinella 2, 5, DD 1st Leg 2, 2nd Leg 9

RACE 6: Delegate Crew Super Mdn Plate 1212m

LONDON STAR (10) is trained by Theresa Bateup who has led in 83 winners at the Sapphire Coast at a very high strike-rate of 16.7 per cent. This Vinery Stud-bred has contested some strong races in her eight starts; Urafiki won one of them, Welcometobarbados another. Beaten narrowly here last time. Go well again. DE RAZILLY (14) deserves so much credit and praise for her debut second here, keeping in mind that she was a two-year-old taking on older horses and got close to Giza who is pretty handy. Terrible draw though.

Bet: London Star to win

RACE 7: Nimmitabel Country Club (Bm58) 1212m

HELL OF A FOX (9) is a regally-bred filly; her fourth dam is Canny Lass who, of course, was a sister to Canny Lad. was building up to that impressive win at Wagga on Cup Day rolling as long odds-on favourite. Snappy Jim boasts some decent numbers at the track and the distance. Has his share of weight but is both honest and reliable. Reigning Bong Bong Cup winner ARANCIONE (2) has won five from 16, one of them was here at the Sapphire Coast while racing first-up. Big watch and respect for ASTROGAZER (6).

Bet: Hell Of A Fox to win

SAPPHIRE COAST

BEST BET

Race 2 No. 2: The Unique One

Big winner on debut at Albury; runner-up there next time. trialled well for the return.

NEXT BEST

Race 5 No. 2: Lethal Lady

Ran far above where she was credited for in that Benchmark 58 at Wagga last time.

VALUE

Race 3 No. 10: Superior Fun

Gives the impression that the mile suits now after a closing second here on May 4

QUADDIE

Race 4: 2,4,8,

Race 5: 2,5

Race 6: 1,10,14

Race 7: 1,2,9

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Rebecca Bronett-Prag has a good book of rides at the Sapphire Coast on Sunday