Year: 2020

By Frances O’Shea, Photos Steve Hart

Mark Newnham was hoping to end the 2019/2020 season on a high and did just that with a winning double.

Newnham has had his best season in his four years of training, with the Wyong double bringing his tally to 68.

He had been confident of the chances of his two runners, Malfy and Sweeping Brook, leading into the meeting and that confidence paid off.

Both horses looked well-placed and Newnham’s apprentices Tom Sherry and Tyler Schiller did the rest, posting victories for their boss.

It was Sherry’s 14^th win on the Wyong track for the season, securing him the Apprentices Premiership Title.

“It was great to finish off the season with a couple of winners and it all starts again tomorrow,” Newham said. 

Malfy was the first of stable’s winners taking out the DE BORTOLI WINES MAIDEN over 1600m.

There were some anxious moments in the straight as the Dundeel filly attempted to run down the leaders, but she responded to hard riding by Tom Sherry and grabbed victory on the line.

Sherry had positioned the short-priced favourite midfield, getting onto the back of the leaders at the turn.

The Perry trained Rainbow Man looked likely to cause an upset, but despite laying in the in the straight, Sherry was able to get Malfy home by a half-length.

It was the second start for Malfy, coming off a fourth at Hawkesbury over 1300m on debut and Newnham had been confident she would race well.

“She came through her first run really well and with the step up to a mile I thought she was well placed,” he said.

“I was pleased with the way she paraded today,” he said. “In her first start she got upset and it was hard to get Robbie (Dolan) on her.

“Today with early muffs on and with the pony, she was nice and relaxed. “Since her last start she appreciated having her work lengthened out a bit and I thought the mile would suit her.”

Malfy ($1.40), beat Rainbow Man ($8), with Haven Road ($8), trained by Dwayne Schmidt, third.

The second of Newnham’s runners, Sweeping Brook, was sent out a short-priced $1.70 favourite in the NSW JOCKEYS ASSOCIATION 3YO MAIDEN over 1350m and didn’t disappoint.

Despite being posted three-wide for much of the race, Schiller didn’t panic, bringing the three-year-old to the front on straightening and drawing away for a three and a half length win.

Newnham had tinkered with the gear on the gelding, taking off the blinkers.

“He’d finished second in both his previous starts and seemed to be getting to the front and waiting for them.

“I thought he was well placed, with 1350m the right trip and three kilos off for Tyler.

“He’s always shown a bit of ability and was nice to knock off a maiden win.” with him now and give him a bit more time.”

Sweeping Brook beat Happy Babe ($6) trained by Richard Litt, with Dizzy Dawn ($4.50) from the Craig Carmody stable, third.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

David Pfeiffer and Mitchell Bell had a good day out, combining for a winning double with Jacquine Reward and Coco Cuber.

The well-supported Jacquine Reward ($4.40) proved too strong for his opposition to take out the HAPPY 50TH MICHELLE CLASS 1over 1200m.

The Reward For Effort three-year-old was coming off a fourth at Nowra over 1100m on July 3.

Bell settled the gelding just behind the leaders and despite being caught wide, had him travelling strong on the home turn.

He dashed away in the straight to win by a length over the $2.60 favourite Belitsa, from the Snowden yard.

A $25,000 Inglis gelding, Jacquine Reward has had 10 starts for two wins.

Heza Gentleman ($18), trained by Mitchell and Desiree Kearney, was third.

Stablemate Coco Cuber ($15) caused an upset in the 1100m JOCKEYS CELEBRATION DAY BENCHMARK 64 with an impressive length and a half win.  

The Rubick gelding was coming off a last race start at Wyong over the same distance on July 21, when he finished almost four lengths behind the winner in seventh.

Bell settled the three-year-old midfield, before moving up just before the turn.

He hit the front on straightening and held off the fast finishing Can I Rock

An $85,000 yearling, Coco Cuber has now had eight starts for two wins and a placing.

He beat the Mick Dwyer trained Can I Rock ($10), with Stephen Schofield’s Mosht Up ($7.50), third.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It looked like a race in two and proved to be exactly that with Garrison and Eye See Things fighting out the finish of the 1100m COCA-COLA 3YO&UP MAIDEN.

The Snowden trained Garrison ($2.30), ridden by Brenton Avdulla, got the edge in the final stages, to win by almost a length.

Both look like progressive three-year-olds and seem likely to be headed for metropolitan racing.

Avdulla, box seated on Garrison, before drawing level with the $2 favourite Eye See Things, from the John Thompson stable, on the turn.

The pair battled it out down the straight before Garrison got the upper hand.

Lindy Ings, representing the Snowdens, said it was very satisfying to finally get a win.

“It’s a great result for the team, Peter and Paul, and everyone who has been involved with him,” she said.

“He’s a big, robust horse and has had niggling injuries right through his career.

“There’s been a fair bit of work to get him here, but it was great to get the win.

“He wasn’t beaten far last start at Newcastle, but he was much better today.

“The win today will be good for his confidence.”

Enamour ($11) trained by Tracey Bartley, was seven lengths behind, in third.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Craig Carmody paid tribute to the ride by Kathy O’Hara after Buzz made it back to back wins in the TAB.COM.AU BENCHMARK 64 over 1350m.

The Denman gelding was coming off a win at Wyong over the same distance on June 18.

In his two previous victories Buzz had been ridden on the pace, but when favourite Al Snip opened up an early six length lead, O’Hara made the decision to restrain him.

It proved to be a winning move, with Buzz circling the field on the turn and running down the leaders in the straight to win by almost three lengths.

“That was quite a run of emotions,” Carmody said after the win.

“I didn’t expect him to be so far back but then we didn’t expect that frantic speed.

“Usually his best runs are when he is up front, but Kathy summed up the situation and the win is probably dedicated to her wise move.

“She summed it up really well.

“It’s nice to see him race with consistency this time in. He’s been honest and deserves the win.

“He’s been up for nine months but is thriving on routine and training. Initially he was quite a fragile customer but has thrived this time in, so we’ll keep him going.”

Buzz ($3.80) beat the John Sargent trained Easy Campese ($6.50), with Weekend Affair ($5) from the Coyle stable, third.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Cameron Crockett saddled up his first winner at Wyong, with consistent mare Now Or Never getting a well-deserved victory in the GREAT NORTHERN ON TAP 4YO&UP MAIDEN over 1350m.

Now based at Scone, Crockett has only had a handful of runners at the track and was happy to break through for a win.

Jason Collett gave the All American four-year-old a gun ride, positioning her midfield in running before hitting the front on straightening and drawing away in the final stages to win by more than two lengths.

Now Or Never, raced by Darby Syndications, was well supported on the back of two good runs at Muswellbrook and Dubbo this time in, and sent out $2.60 favourite.

Previously trained in Sydney by Gary Portelli, she had showed early potential finishing fourth in the Gimcrack and sixth in the Inglis Classic, beaten only two lengths.

She has raced well since joining the Crockett stable, with three placings from eight runs.

In her breakthrough Wyong win she beat the Lauri Parker trained Haunting Spirit ($3), with Badge Of Honour ($231) from the Cheers stable, a close third.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Back to back Wyong wins for the Waterhouse/Bott trained Vienna Rain, who took out the 1600m WYONGS NEXT RACEDAY SUNDAY AUGUST 30 CONDITIONAL BENCHMARK 70.

The Manhattan Rain gelding was sent out $3.00 favourite and didn’t disappoint, with Adam Hyeronimus giving the three-year-old a well-rated ride on the pace.

Vienna Rain jumped well and Hyeronimus settled him just off the leader.

He hit the front on straightening and was able to hold out his rivals to score a two-length win.

The $50,000 yearling made the step up in grade to BM70, after his July 21 Wyong win in a BM64 over the same distance.

He beat the Lees trained Blazing Sunrise ($3.60), with Call Me Mo ($8.50) from the Perry stable third.

By Frances O’Shea, Photos Steve Hart

Trainer Tanya Randall is renowned for cheering home her winner’s but had to be content with watching from her hospital bed when My Rose My Kingdom greeted the judge.

The bargain-buy filly went from villain to heroine when she took out the 1200m CARLTON DRY PROV & CTRY MAIDEN in impressive style.

The previous morning Randall was leading My Rose My Kingdom off a float when the horse was spooked and jammed her into the side of the trailer.

She suffered two broken ribs and a broken collarbone and is recovering in John Hunter Hospital.

It was left to her partner Mal Ollerton to saddle up the three-year-old, with Tanya watching on from her hospital bed.

Apprentice Tom Sherry took My Rose My Kingdom ($9.50) to an early lead, which she maintained throughout, kicking away in the straight to win by more than three lengths.

“I’d say Tanya would be pretty happy now and feeling now pain,” Ollerton said.

“The filly won really well, and she still has a bit to learn.

“We put her in a couple of shorter races, and I thought the run at Newcastle was better than her second at Muswellbrook a couple of weeks earlier.

“I said to Tom (Sherry) today not to fight her, because I don’t think she’s as affective held up. She’s a bit of a free striding filly and can quicken off that.”

Ollerton said My Rose My Kingdom, a $4000 purchase, was bred to get over further ground.

“I thought there must have been something wrong with her when we got her at that price, but they were just selling everything off. She’s always been a nice filly and is still growing, so we haven’t rushed her.”

Ollerton said they would look for a similar race around the provincials in coming weeks.

My Rose My Kingdom beat Brad Widdup’s $4.80 favourite Stark, a $1.45m yearling, with the Perry trained Mon Amore ($8.50) third.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Moccasin Miss may have delayed her retirement plans with a strong win the OFF THE TRACK NSW BENCHMARK 64 over 1100m.

The Gary Portelli trained mare maintained her impressive first up record with three wins and three placings from seven starts.

Perfectly ridden by Shaun Guymer, Moccasin Miss ($8) settled just behind the leaders, with Guymer patiently waiting for a split at the top of the straight and pulling away along the rails to win by a length over the fast finishing Ragged Rascal ($11). The Godolphin trained favourite Badia ($4.20) was a half-length behind in third.

Gary Portelli described Moccasin Miss, who claimed her fourth win from 41 starts, as a “great little mare.”

“I’ll be sad when she’s retired because she just turns up week after week,” he said.

“She’s been with us since she was two. I bought her in Western Australia for $60,000, out of good mare Moccasin Bend, who won a West Australian Guineas.

“She will probably get retired to stud after this campaign, but we’ll see how she goes.

“It was good ride by Shaun. I couldn’t believe the rails run, he was sweating on it, got it and pounced.

“She’s always there about and when she draws well fresh and especially around these sorts of tracks, she’s pretty hard to beat first up. I thought her form would line up against these.”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

An exciting finish in the DE BORTOLI WINES 3YO MAIDEN over 1600m with the Gerald Ryan trained Swahili Mai ($6) getting the bob on the line.

The three-year-old, by Japanese sire Kinshasa No Kiseki, brought up her first win at her sixth race start.

Apprentice Tyler Schiller had settled the filly just off the speed, bringing her to the outside in the straight.

Swahili Mai looked to have the measure of the Anthony Cummings trained favourite Mooy ($2.60) but she fought back to make It a close finish, beaten only a short head.

Ryan said he hoped there were more wins in store for Swahili Mai, an $80,000 yearling purchase.

“I had a big question mark on her running 1600m and thought if she can’t run it today with 52kg on her back she never will,” he said.

“She probably felt the pinch late but got the job done.”

He said the filly had been unlucky in her last two starts.

“Two starts ago at Canberra she should have nearly won, and the other day at Newcastle she was unlucky again. She’s an honest little thing.

“Her sire won 6 Group1’s in Japan and has thrown a couple G1 winners this season. I hope she can go on and win another one.”

Zounate ($3.10), from the Portelli stable, who led up the field finished third, two lengths behind the winner.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A dominant win by Emthree ($4.80) to take out the COCA-COLA MAIDEN over 1350m.

The Deep Field gelding easily rounded up his rivals in the straight, courtesy of a well-timed ride by Andrew Gibbons.

He settled the three-year-old just behind the leaders, putting pressure on race favourite Lake Marion ($1.75) on the turn, before drawing away in the final stages to win by more than two lengths.

“He’s needed a bit of time,” trainer Bryce Heys said after the win.

“There were issues with his mannerisms due to tractability in the run, but today was the first day the race set up in a manner he was able to take advantage of, and he was able to do that.”

Heys was full of praise for the ride by Gibbons.

“Draw a gate, have a horse going well and Gibbo’s the man to put on,” he said.

Emthree, a $100,000 yearling, was having his seventh career start and coming off a ninth at Newcastle on June 27.

I Am Flying ($26) trained by Peter Cheers was second, from Lake Marion.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Yangarra Rose went one better than her debut at Newcastle, to take out the 1000m JIM BEAM 2YO MAIDEN in a close finish.

The well-bred Zoustar filly, a $460,000 yearling, was narrowly beaten over 900m on July 7 and appreciated the step up in distance to claim her first victory.

She was given a great ride by apprentice Andrew Adkins and finished strongly to run down the leaders in the final stages of the straight.

Colum McCullogh, representing the Snowden stable, said the filly had definitely appreciated the extra distance.

“She was good up in trip. Andrew got her into a good spot, she found her rhythm and relaxed well,” he said.

 “Coming up the straight another horse started to veer out a bit, and she was a little bit wary about going past it, but when she knew what she was doing Andrew got stuck into her and she let down really good.

“She’s by Zoustar and we are of the opinion she will probably be a better Autumn three-year-old. She still has to fill out quite a bit, she’s got a good mentality, now we just need the physical side to fill out. She’s done a great job in her first preparation.”

Runner-up, the Tracey Bartley trained Barossa Rosa ($2.30fav), looked promising, with We Had Too Many ($21), trained by John Thompson, third.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

An upset in the 1350m TAB.COM.AU CLASS 1 with the Hawkes trained Snowfire ($12) proving too strong for his more favoured opponents.

The Star Witness gelding brought up his second career wins from six starts, courtesy of a good ride by the in-form Koby Jennings.

He took an early lead and picked up some easy sectionals in front, before drawing away in the straight and holding off the fast finishing, short-priced favourite Al Snip ($1.70).

The winning margin was a long neck, with the Jason Coyle trained Undoubted ($13), a length behind in third.

Snowfire, a $120,000 yearling, had been racing in Victoria prior to spelling. He resumed with a fifth at Hawkesbury over 1300m on July 2.

The win continues a great run for Jennings, who has booted home eight winners in the past three weeks.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Veteran trainer Pat Farrell showed his younger counterparts how it’s done, taking out the 1000m GREAT NORTHERN ON TAP CLASS 2 with One To Remember.

The Office Bearing gelding was having his fourth career start, having won his maiden at Muswellbrook on May 1.

Farrell gave the gelding a 10 week freshen up, starting him at Wyong without a trial.

It proved to be a winning move, with One To Remember blitzing his opposition to win by almost three lengths.

Leading jockey Jeff Penza took advantage of the one barrier, jumping the two-year-old to the front.

He led throughout and drew away from the field in the final stages, beating the Stephen Schofield trained, Mosht Up ($41), with Can I Rock ($6.50), trained by Mick Dwyer, a further three lengths behind in third.

Farrell saddled up three runners in the race, with his other two Euroaire and When You Wish, finishing toward the rear of the field.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The well supported Vienna Rain finished the day well for favourite backers, taking out the WYONGS NEXT RACEDAY FRIDAY JULY 31 BENCHMARK 64 over 1600m.

The Manhattan Rain gelding caught the eye of punters with a good performance over the 1500m at Newcastle on July 4.

He was well ridden by Adam Hyeronimus, who box seated behind the leaders, before taking a rails run on straightening and drawing away to win by more than a length.

Runner-up Brutality ($8) from the Joe Pride stable, finished strongly, ahead of High Court ($41), trained locally by Jeff Englebrecht.

A $50,000 yearling, Vienna Rain raced by Blueblood Thoroughbreds, has now had 10 starts for two wins and four placings.

By Grahame Timbrell, Photos Steve Hart

Tom Sherry, the former Irish apprentice who only started riding in Australia last October, has hit the lead in the NSW apprentices’ premiership after riding a winning double at Wyong on Thursday.

Sherry won the Doylo Maiden (1350m) in a boil over on the Paul Perry trained La Jolie Fille ($10) when they beat the heavily backed long odds on favourite Pitchfork.

Later in the day he scored on the heavily backed Ladies’ Gem with a gem of a ride in the Bishop Collins Chartered Accountants Benchmark 64 (1600m).

That takes him to 90 winners for the season, one ahead of Samantha Clenton who is sidelined with an injury.

It also comes at Sherry prepares to soon start riding in the metropolitan area.

Sherry let Ladies’ Gem ($3 fav) settle on the outside of the leader Apicius until the 600 metres when he made his move.

Sherry had Ladies’ Gem on the fence by the time they turned the corner and she careered away to win by two and a half lengths from Delicately ($9.50) which came from well back early.

That was the fifth win for Ladies’ Gem with three of them coming on soft or heavy going.

His other winner, La Jolie Fille ($10) was the only two-year-old in the race she won but gave her older rivals a galloping lesson.

Pitchfork looked to head the winner momentarily in the straight but the two-year-old fought back along the rail to win by a neck.

***

Kathy O’Hara combined with trainer Gary Portelli to also landed a double with the pair winning the Great Northern Maiden (1000m) with Absolutely Foxy and the Wyong Rugby League Club Class Two (1100m) with Spaceboy. 

Absolutely Foxy ($6) was another two- year-old to beat older horses, showing blistering speed to lead all the way.

She just lasted to score by half a neck from the James Cummings trained $19 chance Let Me Think (Jean van Overmeire) which came from mid-field and made up many lengths in an impressive debut.

Portelli said that his filly was a precocious speedster which only knew one way to race.

“She showed blistering speed in the (Inglis) Millenium and led for most of the trip when she ran fourth,” Portelli said.

“We decided to try and teach her to settle by riding her back in a trial but she resented it so we decided to her do her own thing out in front.

“She is only a little thing.

“Kathy rode her at Randwick one day for us and said to keep her racing her as a two-year-old because I don’t think she is going to grow.”

Spaceboy was out in a world of his own when he raced right away in the straight to win the Wyong Rugby League Club Class Two (1100m) by almost five lengths.

O’Hara took advantage of her inside draw to let Spaceboy ($2.40 fav) go straight to the lead and dictate terms before exploding away in the straight to beat the Paul Perry trained Titus ($18) by four and three quarter lengths.

That was Spaceboy’s second win in 13 starts despite showing so much promise.

That included a second in the Golden Gift at Rosehill, a third in the Wyong Magic Millions and a fourth in the Magic Millions Maiden at the Golden Coast.

“I know a lot of punters have been dirty on him but it is a relief to see him getting his confidence and winning like that,” Portelli said.

“I put a tongue tie on him for this race and that might have made a difference.

“It was good to see him open up like that late so we will just let him go through his grades.

“He works like a Group horse at home and my challenge is to eventually get him up to that level.”
***
Brenton Avdulla celebrated his return to riding at Wyong with a gun ride on the Chris Waller trained Rules Don’t Apply to win the Royal Hotel Maiden (1600m).

It was his first ride back at the track after restrictions were lifted following the virus lockdown.

Avdulla let Rules Don’t Apply ($1.70) settle in third with a lovely trail with Adrian Layt rating Misty Brook perfectly in the lead.

Avdulla moved up three wide approaching the turn but the filly took the turn awkwardly which allowed Misty Brook to maintain her lead.

It was not until close to the line that Rules Don’t Apply was able to grab the lead and score by half a neck at her second run back from a spell.

“That will do her confidence the world of good,” stable representative, Clare Heuston, said.

“She comes out of our Warwick Farm stable and the team there has done a great job with her.”

That was the seventh start for Rules Don’t Apply and followed placings at Kembla Grange, Warwick Farm and Canterbury.

***

Another odds-on favourite was beaten when the imported German bred stayer Arabolini (Jeff Penza) led all the way to win the De Bortoli Wines Class One and Maiden (2100m) beating the $1.55 favourite Alakahan (Keagan Latham).

Penza did a great job in rating Arabolini ($7) in the lead while the Irish bred Alakahan raced in second last place until nearing the 600 metres when Latham started his move.

However, he was spotting the leader too big a start and despite making up a lot of ground in the straight he ended up being beaten a length.

Arabolini is one of only three horses trained at Gosford by John Cooper.

The horse was originally trained by Kris Lees but never raced for him.

After two trials, the second in January last year, the horse was bought by Cooper and after a spell had his first start when eighth in a Taree maiden.

Since then he has had another 10 starts for two wins.

“The horse has been improving all the time,” Cooper said.

“Paul King helped me find the horse and I would like to thank him for that.”

***

Travis Wolfgram went to Wyong for one ride and ended up a winner when the Craig Carmody trained Buzz ($9) came across from the outside gate to lead all the way and win the Wyong’s Next Raceday Saturday July 11 Benchmark 64 (1350m).

Carmody, a former top jockey, praised the ride.

“Travis rated him really well in front and used his momentum to cruise across from the outside gate to take the lead,” Carmody said.

The was the third win from 13 starts for Buzz which is raced by a syndicate headed by Kim Harding with the horse carrying her colours.

By Frances O’Shea, Photos Steve Hart

Veteran local trainer Stan Thomas was in the winner’s circle with his tough mare Ondo Pasa in a race honouring a fellow Wyong trainer Johnnie Roberts.

The six-year-old brought up her eighth career win and the third on her home track.

She was disappointing at her last start at Wyong on May 14 after being caught three wide but atoned for that with a convincing one and a half-length victory.

Mikayla Weir continued a great association with Ondo Pasa, having combined with her in her last three wins.

Kindly given to Thomas by a couple of valued friends, Ondo Pasa has now amassed more than $215,000 in prizemoney.

It was a popular win for the 83-year-old trainer, who has three horses in work.

“She’s been a great horse for me. She tries hard every time she goes around and that’s all you can ask,” Thomas said.

Weir had Ondo Pasa ($9) toward the rear of the field in the early stages, circling the field on the turn and fighting on in the straight to claim victory.

She beat the Widdup trained Louder ($31), with Nishka ($8.50) from the Ron Quinton stable, third.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Tom Sherry extended his lead in the provincial jockey’s premiership and took out the riding honours at Wyong with a winning double.

Currently the State’s leading apprentice, Sherry now has 46 wins in the premiership, five ahead of his nearest rival.

The first leg of his double came on De Grawin in the 1000m DE BORTOLI WINES MAIDEN PLATE.

He piloted the Joe Pride trained filly to a length win, in her first run for the new stable.

The Snitzel filly was placed twice in two starts for Matt Vella, before being transferred to Pride.

She had trialled well leading into the Wyong race, and was heavily supported by punters starting at $2.20.

Sherry drove the filly to the lead from the barriers and she travelled well throughout, holding out her rivals, to score by a length.

De Grawin beat Giselle Anne ($7) trained by Lee Curtis, with Godolphin trained Segosha ($9), third.

Sherry, who had been favourite in the jockey’s challenge, had to wait until the final race to bring up his double.

He combined with his master Mark Newnham, to win the WYONG’S NEXT RACE DAY THURSDAY JUNE 18 CG&E BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP over 1350m.

Newnham had the Shamus Award gelding primed for a strong first up performance, following an eye-catching trial win at Warwick Farm on May 22.
He was sent out $4.20 equal favourite and didn’t disappoint, beating fellow Darby Racing runner Amoretti by a long neck.

Sherry had the four-year-old three-wide with cover in the early stages, looming up on the turn, before hitting the front around the 200m.

He was able to hold out the Portelli trained Amortetti ($26), with Cubix ($4.20 eqfav) from the Matthew Dunn stable, two lengths behind in third.

A $150,000 yearling, Academy has now had three wins from eight starts.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

All Things put on a dominant staying performance to take out the 2100m SKY RACING CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE in his first trip over the distance.

The So You Think gelding, trained by John Sargent, is compiling an impressive record with two wins and three placings from seven starts.

Foreman Campbell Ashby believes the four-year-old will continue to improve.

“That’s his trip and I think he will get further than that,” he said.

“Andrew (Gibbons) was able to get him into a good spot and into his rhythm.

“He’s a momentum horse and he got that today. He out-toughed them all.

“He is still very immature, and he’ll improve from that win.”

Gibbons settled All Things just behind the leaders, before moving up around the 500m and hitting the lead on straightening.

He got into a battle with Seporto in the final stages but kicked on the line to win by a half neck.

All Things ($6) was coming off a fourth at Newcastle over the 1800m, having broken through for his debut win the previous start.

He beat Seporto ($4.80) trained by Clarry Connors, with Mick ‘N Nicks ($16) from the Peter Robl stable, third.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A strong ride by Lee Magorrian secured victory for the Waller trained April Thunder in the GREAT NORTHERN MAIDEN HANDICAP over 1600m.

Magorrian had to work hard on the Sebring filly after she looked to have dropped the bit mid-race.

She responded to his hard riding, hitting the front in the straight to score a three quarter of a length win.

April Thunder, a $120,000 yearling, had been strong on debut at Randwick in December finishing third but then failed at her subsequent four starts.

She was coming off a seventh at Hawkesbury last start and seemed to appreciate the step up to 1600m.

She was sent out $3.80 second favourite and didn’t disappoint, with the $3.40 favourite and early leader, California Spell, finishing back in the field.

April Thunder is raced by Hermitage, who also owned multiple Group 1 winner The Autumn Sun.

Jazirat ($8) from the Godolphin stable put in a much-improved performance to finish second, with Our Cheeky Monkey ($5), trained by Gary Portelli, three and a half lengths behind in third.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

An exciting three-way finish in the 1100m TAB.COM.AU CLASS 2 HANDICAP with the Terry Drayton trained Belladeel ($15) snatching victory on the line.

The Dundeel gelding upset some of the more favoured runners to bring up his second career win.

There was late support in the betting for the four-year-old, who was coming off an unplaced run at Scone on May 15.

Chris O’Brien settled Belladeel just off the pace and chasing the two leaders in the straight looked certain to finish third.

O’Brien drove him to the line, and he was declared a half head winner in a photo finish.

Previously trained by Chris Waller, Belladeel was having his sixth start for the new stable. He beat Shadow Bridge ($4.80) from the Mark Newnham stable, with the Snowden trained Crimlet ($5.50) third.