Month: December 2020

She’s All Class left no-one in doubt about her ability taking out the $200,000 MAGIC MILLIONS WYONG 2YO CLASSIC and giving trainer Chris Waller his first win in the feature race. 

The I’m Invincible filly, a $200,000 Magic Millions graduate, put almost five lengths on her opposition in the straight in a dominant performance. 

James McDonald stalked the leaders coming to the turn before hitting the lead on straightening and drawing away for an effortless win. 

The victory was also McDonald’s first in the Wyong feature.

The winner carried the colours of last year’s Everest winner, Yes Yes Yes.

Her emphatic victory saw her tumble from $51 into $4.80 equal favouritism for the $2million Gold Coast Magic Millions Classic.

And she looks a real chance of emulating the success of previous Wyong 2YO Classic winners on the Gold Coast.

Dan Cobby, representing the Waller stable, described it as a pretty impressive win. 

“We were pretty confident coming into today and she’s shown up,” Cobby said.

“Credit to Chris and the team, they have done a really good job with her. “She had other options to run over the last couple of weeks, but the team and owners have been really patient with her and proved they made the right decision with her today. “

Cobby said She’s All Class had raced well on debut in the Victory Vein at Randwick in October.

“She showed really good speed that day and finished third. 

“Today she was in a perfect position and they went very hard in front. 

“She’ll join Shaquero and a couple of others heading north. We are looking forward to the Gold Coast.”

James McDonald said Waller and his team had done a marvellous job with She’s All Class.

“She’s a hypo little filly. Chris tinkered with a few things and she really impressed me in her trial.

“We always knew she had ability. She works like a pretty good horse at home and we brought her here today to see what she could do.

“She wasn’t all that comfortable around the track, but she got the job done.

” The six furlongs on the Gold Coast will be right up her alley.”

She’s All Class ($7) beat Victorian visitor Gleneagles ($4.80fav) from the Busuttin/Young stable, with the Waterhouse/Bott’s Swift Witness ($5), a long head behind in third.

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Eleven Eleven overcame a wide draw to take out the $100,000 MAGIC MILLIONS WYONG 3YO & 4YO STAKES for Greg Hickman and Keagan Latham.

The son of Fastnet Rock proved too strong for his opposition scoring an impressive victory and securing another trip to the Gold Coast in January. 

It was another feature for Eleven Eleven’s already impressive resume, including the rich Magic Millions 3YO Guineas in January. 

The $230,000 yearling, who has now amassed more than $1.4m in prizemoney, will head for the $1m MM Cup over 1400m.

The Wyong victory came courtesy of a cool ride by Latham, who was caught three-wide on the four-year-old for much of the 1200m trip, but he was able to quicken in the straight and run down the leaders to win by almost a length. 

Hickman had intended to run Eleven Eleven at Randwick on Saturday but opted for the Wyong race, which proved to be a winning move. 

“He’s been a bit up and down this preparation, but we pulled the right rein here and it worked out really well,” he said. 

“Keagan gets on really well with this horse and he knows what he can do.

“He might have been a bit wide, but he gave him plenty of space to hit the line. 

“He’s the type of horse that wants an uninterrupted run. Keagan knows this track and did a super job.”

Hickman said he will likely give Eleven Eleven one more run before heading to the Gold Coast. 

“I’ll give him a start and see how he pulls up after that and then on to the Gold Coast.”

Latham said Eleven Eleven was right on target for another crack at one of the Magic Millions features in January. 

“It was a good win today and nice to see him put his ability forward,” he said. 

“He quickened really well today, and we are on the right course to go back to the Gold Coast. 

“He’s a nice big animal and has a good bunch of guys who support him, so hopefully he can do the magic again up there.”

Latham has partnered Eleven Eleven in each of his five career starts. 

Eleven Eleven ($6.50) beat Yao Dash ($3.90) from the Waterhouse/Bott stable, with Gary Portelli’s $3 favourite Spaceboy, third.

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Tracey Bartley got the edge over fellow Wyong trainer Brett Partelle with Onemore Sapphire taking out the 1600m EXALTED CONSTRUCTIONS CONDITIONAL BENCHMARK 68.

The Onemorenomore gelding fought out the finish with Partelle’s Commander Belle, a nose separating the pair on the line. 

Jason Collett had to be patient in the straight waiting for a gap to appear and Onemore Sapphire was able to take the split and drive to the line. 

“It was a beautiful ride,” Bartley said.

“He just needed luck there and the spilt was enough for him to get through.

“I knew Jason had a lap full of horse in the straight and the luck came. It was really nice. “

The win brought up a double for Collett.  

“I did get a bit of luck in the straight which was good,” he said.

“It was a tricky sort of gate for a horse that races back, and I needed the luck and I got it, so it was really good.”

Onemore Sapphire was sent out $2.80 favourite on the strength of his last start win at Tuncurry. 

Commander Bell, started at $16, with Foxborough ($3.80) trained by John Sargent, a close third.

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In-form apprentice Reece Jones continued a super run, winning the 1100m MAGIC MILLIONS 2021 GOLD COAST YEARLING SALE 12-18 JANUARY BENCHMARK 64.

Jones partnered the Richard Litt trained Wander ($4.40) to victory, the sixth win for the well-bred six-year-old.

Litt was full of praise for the ride by Jones.

“Credit to Reece he rode him really well and it paid off,” he said. 

“The horse has a big finish in him but the last few runs he’s just had no luck.

“The other day at Warwick Farm he was caught on the fence. He was happy to be wide today and make the swooping run.”

Litt said Wander had been a great addition since joining his stable two years ago. 

“He cost a bit of money early and has been very consistent, a great old campaigner. 

“There’s nothing wrong with those Godolphin horses. They’ve been holding up my stable for years.” 

Jones, who is leading the NSW Apprentices Premiership, said the step back in class had helped Wander.

“He hasn’t been too far way in his previous runs and made it look easy today. “There was good pace in the race, and I was able to flop him out and have him where he was comfortable.”

Wander ($4.40), beat the Denim Wynen trained Dual Escape ($26) by more than a length, with the locally trained Mosht Up ($8.5) from the Stephen Schofield stable, third.

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A dominant victory to the Gary Portelli trained Amoretti, who appreciated the step up in distance and sting out of the ground, to take out the 1600m MAINSTREAM TAXATION & ACCOUNTANCY SERVICES CLASS 1.

Louise Day gave the four-year-old a great ride just behind the leaders, circling the field on the turn and drawing away to win by almost four lengths. 

The Verrazano gelding, a $90,000 yearling, was fourth at Wyong at his last start on November 26, having broken his maiden at Newcastle over 1200m in May.

Portelli said it was great to see Amoretti finish off the race so strongly. 

“It was good to watch. His first time over the mile and with blinkers on and Louise got him into a really good spot,” he said.

“He looked good going through the line.

“He has a pedigree that suggests he’s more of a speedster but the way he went through the line he might get further. 

“This horse has been quite promising for a long time. He had a lot of shin soreness early, but he kept improving.

“I know today wasn’t the strongest race in the world, but I like the way he did it. If he can get further, it opens up a lot of doors.”

Amoretti ($2.70) beat Butch’N’Bugs ($11) from the Peter Green stable, with Dance Too Hard ($8), trained by Marc Connors, third.

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It was a race in two in the final stages of the MAINSTREAM FINANCE SERVICES PTY LTD 4YO & UP MAIDEN with Chateaux Park getting the edge over race favourite Jesse James. 

The Jason Coyle trained four-year-old has been racing consistently but was unable to break through for a win until start nine.

He was coming off a third at Canberra when resuming and Coyle expected the 1350m Wyong trip would suit. 

Jason Collett had to cross from the widest barrier and was able to settle the four-year-old midfield, before drawing level with the favourite on the turn. 

The pair battled it out in the straight, with Chateaux Park ($6.50) going to the line a length ahead of Jesse James ($1.80fav). 

“I’m really happy with the horse. I’ve had a bit of time for him for a while now and he will take plenty out of that win,” Coyle said.

“Jason had to overcome a wide barrier and it was a good, strong win.

“I would think he will get further on the back of that sustained run today. The form around the favourite has been okay, so hopefully he goes on with it. 

“I probably raced him a few extra times than I should of as a young horse, but hopefully that racing holds him in good stead moving forward.”

The Godolphin trained Jana ($3.80) was third, four lengths behind the winner.

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A dominant win by Margie Bee secured the Magic Millions Wyong Provincial Trainers title for Kristen Buchanan.

The Dreamscape mare brought up her fifth career win in the FULTONS FLYING FETLOCKS BENCHMARK 64 over1600 metres, with Mikayla Weir in the saddle.

The race carried double points in the Magic Millions Series, and with Buchanan already on two points from an earlier meeting, she scooped the pool taking out both the round and overall title. 

She received flights, transfers and accommodation to the MM Sale of choice for being the leading Provincial trainer on the day and took home at $5000 MM Sales credit for winning the series. 

“It’s just fabulous. I’m excited about the prize and I’m excited for Margie Bee. This win over the 1600m adds a whole new dimension to her going forward,” Buchanan said.

“It is so good for Magic Millions and the Wyong club to put on this series for Provincial trainers. 

“It’s a fantastic prize and I got in at the last minute.”

Margie Bee qualified for the Sky Racing Summer Provincial Series with a second in the Wyong heat over 1350m on November 26. 

Buchanan was unsure if the five-year-old would run out the 1600m, the distance of the final, to be run at Wyong on January 2.

“She’s very tough and she’s very smart and she knows her home track and where the finishing track is. I thought if the race was run that way, she was good chance.

“In previous preparations I would never have dreamt she would get to the mile. I have the Provincial Series to thank for pushing my hand.

“I thought we’d test her out over the 1600m, and it happened to be the MM double points race, so it all worked out. 

“It was a beautiful, well-judged ride by Mikayla, she just gave her a cuddle in the run and that’s the key to her.” 

Coming off the second at Wyong last start, Margie Bee earned good late support and was sent out at $3.40.

The five-year-old led throughout drawing away on the line to win by almost two lengths.

She beat the $3.30 favourite Shamani, from the Freedman stable, with Austreet ($31) trained by Jarrod Austin, third. 

Buchanan said she would likely trial Margie Bee prior to the January 2 final.

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Stoltz looks to be a horse with a future after bringing up back to back Wyong wins.

The More Than Ready gelding broke his maiden at Wyong on November 26 and followed that up with a strong win in the 1200m FIRE & GENERAL CLASS 1.

The victory brought up a double for Tommy Berry, who has partnered the three-year-old in both his wins. 

Berry led throughout on Stoltz ($5) and was dominant to the line, recording a length win.

Up and coming trainer Annabel Neasham has a good opinion of Stoltz, a $200,000 Magic Millions yearling.

“I was really impressed with the win today,” she said.

“Prior to the race I thought it mapped like there was going to be too much speed for him to get in a forward spot, but he rocketed out of the gates.

“Tommy just used his initiative and got to the rails, he got a few cheap sectionals mid-race and then kicked away and was too good. 

“That’s why you put people like Tommy on because when things don’t map like you think, they can still put them in the right spot.”

Neasham said Stoltz will now head to a midweek Metropolitan race. 

“I’ll see how he comes through. I’d like to find a race for him at the Magic Millions, but he’ll go to a mid-week from here.”

Stoltz beat the $2.80 race favourite Yangarra Rose from the Snowden stable, with Bravio ($15) trained by Mark Minnervini successfully protesting for third. 

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Speedy mare Miss Dior ($3.40) put together her third consecutive win taking out the 1000m SYSCON BENCHMARK 64.

Trained by Peter and Paul Snowden and ridden by Adrian Layt, the mare has greeted the judge at all three starts since a freshen up in September. 

She posted a Wyong victory on November 7, followed up with a Kembla win on November 28, completing the treble with her second Wyong win. 

Layt, who has partnered Miss Dior in all three wins, settled her just behind the leader before hitting the front in the straight and drawing away to win by a long neck.

She beat the $2.90 race favourite Able Hill, trained by Bjorn Baker, with Star Harada ($21) from the Wendy Roache stable, more than two lengths behind in third.

Snowden’s racing manager Colum McCullagh said Miss Dior had been a work in progress. 

“Peter and Paul always knew she had ability, but it’s taken her a while to put things together. 

“She has really turned the corner now and hopefully she can go on with it.”

A four-year-old by Brazen Beau, Miss Dior has now put together three wins from just six starts. 

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Irish bred Harpo Marx brought up his first Australian win with a dominant staying performance in the 2100m INTERNATIONAL POLES CLASS 1 & MAIDEN.

The five-year-old was given a patient ride by Rachel King, before drawing away in the straight.

It was his first victory for trainer Bjorn Baker, his other win recorded at Tipperary, Ireland in June 2019.

He went on to be placed sixth in a Group 2 at Ascot and was subsequently seventh in a Group 1 before coming to Australia.

He has been in consistent form since joining the Baker stable and was coming off a second at Canterbury on November 27. 

He was sent out $1.16 favourite and beat Bulwark ($20) trained by Robert and Luke Price by three and a half lengths, with Zoomerango ($31) from the Perry stable third.

The son of Galileo looks set to win more races on the back of his impressive victory. 

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A thrilling finish to the SICAME AUSTRALIA MAIDEN between the two favourites before Resilient Star grabbed victory on the line. 

The More Than Ready gelding, was having his fourth start, with a previous second at Gosford and a fourth at Warwick Farm. 

The Freedman trained three-year-old was ridden by Tommy Berry, who continued a great run at Wyong, after posting four winners at the previous meeting.

Berry settled Resilient Star ($2.90) toward the rear of the small field in the 1350m race, winding him up on the turn. 

He drew level with Saint Of Katowice ($2.80fav) halfway down the straight but ran out twice before Berry was able to straighten him just before the line. 

“I thought he’d got beat,” a relieved Richard Freedman said after the race. 

“It’s a tricky angle but he got in by the skin of his teeth.

“He is just about at the end of his preparation. I’ll speak to Michael (Freedman) and I’d say he will most probably spell. 

“He’s running about and has got a few things to learn but he’s knocked off his maiden now.” 

Freedman said the Vinery bred Resilient Star has a lot of growing to do and will be a better horse as he gets older.

Just A Jedi ($12) from the Ryan/Alexiou stable, was almost two lengths behind in third. 

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Teronito ($3.70) scored his debut win in THE ENERGY NETWORKS METRO & PROV MAIDEN over 1600m impressing trainer Nathan Doyle.

The Excelebration gelding, having only his second start for the Doyle stable, was ridden by Koby Jennings.

He settled the four-year-old toward the rear in the early stages, bringing him to the rails on straightening. 

He was able to hold out Mark Newnham’s fast finishing Prince Six ($11) and Desert Flame ($7) from the Payne stable, to win by half a length. 

“I think he’s a progressive horse and it’s good to see him win today,” Doyle said.

“He will improve over the staying trips and was second up over the mile today.

“I always thought he was a blinkers horse and he pulled up at the line today.  

“He definitely needs them. He should have won a bit more comfortably but just wanted to stop when he got in front. 

“I think he will run at least 2000m, perhaps a bit further if he relaxes well. 

“He’s shown us at home that he seems to want a trip, but we’ll step him up slowly and let him tell us.”

Doyle said Teronito was their first winner for owner Superhorse. 

“We’ve had about four runners for them, and he is our first win,” Doyle said.

Teronito had previously been trained by Gwenda Markwell, where he was placed twice at Kembla Grange. 

He was second at Muswellbrook in his first start for the Doyle stable, over 1280m on November 27, and went one better at Wyong. 

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Mark Newnham’s consistent four-year-old That’s Better broke through for a well- deserved win in the 1000m LAWRENCE & HANSON MAIDEN.

Despite running wide on the turn, Josh Parr was able to take hold of the Exceed and Excel gelding, who went to the line more than two lengths ahead of his rivals. 

That’s Better ($3.40) led from barrier to post and beat the John Thompson trained Pacific Ocean ($7.50), with French Bonnet ($3.50) from the Waugh stable, storming home to finish third. 

French Bonnet had a hard luck tale after losing considerable ground mid-race when she brushed the rial and put in an eye-catching finish.

The winner, a $300,000 Inglis yearling, was having his fifth race start, having been narrowly beaten at Wyong over the same distance on November 18. 

He had previously posted two seconds and a third from four starts, the three placings all on provincial tracks. 

Bred and raced by Domeland, That’s Better could be headed for bigger things, on the strength of the win in strong maiden company. 

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