Year: 2020

By Frances O’Shea, Photos Steve Hart

Kim Waugh is excited about the prospects of Great News after the filly’s breakthrough maiden win at her third start.

The Uncle Mo three-year-old put more than a length on her opposition on the line to take out the TAB.COM.AU MAIDEN over 1100m, courtesy of a patient ride by Andrew Gibbons.

He was behind the leaders on straightening, but found a gap round the 200m mark, driving the filly through for victory.

“She’s a lovely filly,” Waugh said.

“She’s been slow maturing but she’s getting there, and I like her a lot.

“She was very impressive in her trial last week and her work has been great.

“She just keeps improving all the time and she’s exciting.”

Waugh said it was great to see the owners get a winner, particularly Jim Lee, a long-time client who she described as “very loyal.”

Great News ($2.70) was resuming after two provincial placings in her first preparation and had finished second in a trial at Gosford to Miss Fabulass.

She brought up her first win beating the Bryce Heys trained Key Largo ($21), with the $1.75 favourite Ballistic Missile, from the Joe Pride stable, third.

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Anders is on the way to justifying his expensive price tag after his dominant seven length win in the 2YO maiden.

The Not A Single Doubt colt, a $670,00 Magic Millions purchase, had the 1100m COCA-COLA 2YO MAIDEN won at the turn, drawing away from his opposition as he went to the line.

The Maher Eustace stable has always had a strong opinion of the colt, who debuted in the spring with a fourth at Randwick, followed by a Queensland campaign where he finished third at Eagle Farm and sixth in the Gold Nugget on the Gold Coast.

He resumed with a second at Kembla on April 28 and looks set to return to metropolitan class, following his breakthrough Wyong win.

Anders jumped well with jockey Ash Morgan settling him just behind the leader, before hitting the front around the 600m mark and pulling away for a commanding win.

Anders, sent out $3 favourite, beat the Snowden duo Sharpshooter ($26) and Falcon ($5.50).

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A change of riding tactics proved to be a winning move for the Keegan-Attard trained Reiby’s Regent in the WYONG’S NEXT RACE DAY THURSDAY JUNE 4 BENCHMARK 64 over 1350m.

The four-year-old by Uncle Mo, left his rivals in his wake with Keagan Latham leading from barrier to post to score a three-length win.

Jason Attard said he had left the riding instructions to Latham after a downgrade in the track had him concerned.

“He had failed before on heavy tracks, but they were quite wet, and I was just concerned if this was a soft 7 or a heavy 8.

“We came here pretty confident but then we had that downpour of rain, so I did have a query.

“I left it up to Keagan, but I was thinking we may have been a little closer than we were at Newcastle last start.”

Reiby’s Regent was narrowly beaten at Newcastle on May 2 with no luck in the race.

The Wyong win was his second in 10 starts, both on the same track.

“There has been some good form around him, and he’s got plenty of ability,” Attard said.

Salsa Man ($7) from the Perry stable was second, with Mo The Great ($11) trained by Kim Waugh, third.

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Mitch Newman has a good opinion of his filly Diva Bella who brought up back to back wins taking out the DE BORTOLI WINES CLASS 1 over 1200m in impressive style.

Newman seems to have found the key to the Reward For Effort filly, who has had two wins and two placings since switching from the Tim Martin stable.

“She’s a filly with nice ability and hopefully she can go on with it,” Newman said following the win.

“It was a good effort today. She had a good draw and nice pull in the weights on the favourite.

“She seemed to plough through the going. There is a bit of wet form in her breeding and she ticked that box today.

“She’s a filly in good form.”

Cejay Graham had Diva Bella ($5) in a good position, just behind the leader, taking her to the front on straightening and drawing away on the line to win by two lengths.

She beat the Widdup trained Louder ($26), with Ranges ($4.20) from the Snowden stable, third.

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Only five days back from a fall Grant Buckley continued his winning run lifting the Godolphin trained Delicately ($7) to victory.

Buckley was sidelined with a broken collarbone and torn chest muscle for almost six weeks and has now booted home four winners since his return on May 9.

He produced a strong ride to steer Medaglia D’Oro filly Delicately to a half-length victory in the WYONGRACECLUB.COM.AU 3YO MAIDEN over 1350m.

Buckley settled the three-year-old, just behind the leaders, drawing level with Timon Stinger in the straight.

He lifted the filly to the line, bringing up her debut win at her fourth start.

She was coming off a third at Canberra over 1400m on April 24.

Timon Stinger ($7.50) trained by Lindsey Kennedy was second, over the $2.70 race favourite Shuwaamekh from the Waterhouse/Bott stable.

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Crown Affair ($5.50) confirmed his status as a stayer putting almost eight lengths on his opposition to win the 2100m CARLTON & UNITED BREWERIES MAIDEN.

Trainer David Payne has always had a good opinion of the Snitzel gelding who raced in the Group 3 Canonbury as a two-year-old.

He was passed in by owner/breeder John Cordina as a yearling for just shy of $1million.

“I like to get them in and having a run early because it is good to have that experience,” Payne said. “I knew he was going to get better with time and more ground.”

The now three-year-old proved Payne right with placings over the 1900m and 1800m in his last two starts at Gosford and Hawkesbury.

The 2100m at Wyong looked ideal and he didn’t disappoint breaking through for his debut win at his 13^th career start.

Crown Affair jumped well, and Rory Hutchings took him to the lead, maintaining the front throughout and kicking away in the final stages.

He beat the Perry trained The Borough ($19), with Spring Secret ($17) trained by Paul Niceforo, third.

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It was a race to race double for Rory Hutchings who pounced on the leaders to claim victory on the Joe Pride trained Stockman.

The three-year-old had been looking for more ground and relished a downgrade in the track to take out the SKY RACING CLASS 1 over 1600m.

Hutchings brought the Tavistock gelding down the outside in the straight, after it had looked like a race in two with Benfica Maid and Significance fighting out the finish.

Stockman swooped on the line to score a half-length win.

It was his second victory from six starts, having tasted success over the 1300m at Goulburn when resuming.

“I think he’s a really nice horse,” Pride said.

“He’s got fantastic pedigree to stay with quite a few Derby winners having the same breeding.

“It was an excellent win at Goulburn and there were excuses last start.

“He’s got stamina and that’s a big plus.

“It’s good to see him out over the mile and even beyond. That’s when we are going to see the best of him.”

Stockman ($5) beat the $2.70 favourite Benfica Maid, trained by Jason Coyle, with Significance, ($3.90), from the O’Shea stable, two lengths behind in third.

By Frances O’Shea, Photos Steve Hart

The Waterhouse/Bott trained Reinvest is headed to the Queensland winter carnival after making it back to back wins with an impressive victory at Wyong.

The Newhaven Park bred three-year-old was a Newcastle winner on debut and handled the step up in distance and grade to score a tough win in the HMA GROUP METRO & PROV MAIDEN HANDICAP over 1600m.

A $450,000 yearling purchase, Reinvest started $1.45 favourite and despite being headed in the straight by Fill Of Fun, got his head in front on the line to win by a half neck.

Lee Magorrian had settled the gelding just behind the leader in a slowly run race, moving up on the corner and battling it out the final stages of the straight to score a tough win.

Neil Paine, representing the stable, confirmed Reinvest would head to Queensland.

“I’ve had Gai on the phone and she’s very excited,” he said.

“They picked out this race and he got the job done. This horse has got potential.

“It was only his second run in a race and to win a tough class 1 is impressive.

“Gai is looking at taking him to Queensland for a longer race up there over the carnival.

“This horse will get over 2000m to 2400m and that’s when you’ll see the best of him. “He will stay all day. He’s a nice horse with a good stride on him.”

Reinvest beat the Anthony Cummings trained Fill Of Fun ($17), with Cottenham ($14) from the O’Shea stable, third.

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A strong ride by apprentice Tom Sherry secured victory for the John Thompson trained Lando Bay in the WYONGRACECLUB.COM.AU MAIDEN over 1350m.

The short-priced favourite went head to head in the straight with runner-up Daksha, getting the bob on the line to score by a long neck.

Stable representative Danielle Podelwski described it as a “good win.”

“He had to dig deep to get over the line. It was great to get his maiden win,” she said.

“It was a good ride by Tom. When he asked him to give that extra length near the line he responded. It was nice.”

Lando Bay ($1.60), a $100,000 Inglis yearling, was having his eighth career start, having previously been placed twice at provincial level.

The three-year-old Sebring gelding was coming off a third at Kembla last start.

The Widdup trained Daksha ($5) was second, with Oakfield Lane ($14) from the Damien Lane stable, third.

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A race to race double for in-form apprentice Tom Sherry after Miss Maisel’s win in the CARLTON & UNITED BREWERIES MAIDEN over 1100m.

The Mark Newnham trained filly was sent out $3.10 favourite after her narrow last start defeat to Marboosha in the Miss Finland at Muswellbrook on April 13.

Marboosha, trained by the Snowden’s was an impressive winner at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, franking the form of Miss Maisel.

Sherry settled the Hinchinbrook filly just behind the leaders, hitting the front on straightening before drawing away in the final stages to win by more than two lengths.

Newnham has always had an opinion of the two-year-old, who was having her fourth race start.

She was sent out favourite on debut at Kembla in November but missed the start, storming home to finish second.

Miss Maisel finished fifth at a subsequent Rosehill start before spelling and resuming at Muswellbrook.

Sherry, who rode the filly at Muswellbrook, was confident coming into the Wyong race.

“We thought we would just go to Muswellbrook and win but it didn’t pan out that way,” he said.

“I was very confident she’d race well today.”

Miss Maisel beat Kiss And Tell ($5.50) from the Gerald Ryan stable, with Spanish Fighter ($21) trained by Peter Green, third.

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A great training performance by Jason Coyle with Maui Girl ($3.40) returning to the winner’s circle first up after 18 months on the sideline.

The four-year-old mare scored a tough win in the SKY RACING CLASS 2 over 1350m after being caught wide in the early stages.

Andrew Gibbons was forced to go forward and sat just off the leader, hitting the front on straightening and holding off rivals to win by a long head.

“It was a good tough effort,” Coyle said after the race.

“Both her trials had been good, and I thought she was forward enough to run a nice race, but I was a little concerned with her getting onto a track that was a touch testing.

“It was good to see her knuckle down over the last 100m and get the win.

“Things didn’t quite pan out like we thought early, she was caught wide and Gibbo had to roll forward mid-race. She relaxed then but not having raced for so long, I was always worried about the last little bit.

“I think she’s a mare with some ability and she can only improve off the back of that.”

Maui Girl, having her first start for the Coyle stable, beat the Matthew Dunn trained Cubix ($3.80), with Jim and Greg Lee’s Ladies Gem ($12) third.

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Gerald Ryan believes there is plenty of improvement in his filly Sally’s Day who broke through for her second win in the COCA-COLA BENCHMARK 64 over 1100m.

The More Than Ready filly, a $220,000 yearling, bred and raced by John Singleton, was resuming following an impressive trial win at Rosehill on April 6.

She was sent out $2.50 favourite and didn’t disappoint, with Christian Reith sitting just off the leader, hitting the front on straightening and drawing away for an impressive two length victory.

“It was a good win,” Ryan said.

“She’s only a light little filly and can’t cop a lot of work, but a three-year-old filly up against the older horses today, she did a good job.

“She had to carry weight and cover ground, she was good.”

Ryan believes Sally’s Day will only get better with time.

“When you can get her to settle like Christian did today, she can race well but she can also over race.

“We’ve been working on getting her to settle and when she learns to switch off completely, she’ll have a good turn of foot.”

Ondo Pasa ($14), trained by Stan Thomas was second, with the locally trained Dual Escape ($15), from the Denim Wynen stable, third. 

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A change of gear and a welcome change of luck were key to the Lees trained Darleb ($5) taking out the WYONG’S NEXT RACE DAY THURSDAY MAY 14 BENCHMARK 64 over 1300m.

The Uncle Mo colt, a $16,000 yearling purchase, had no luck at his last start at Wyong and Lees added blinkers.

The move proved successful and courtesy of a strong ride by Sam Clenton, he posted a narrow victory over Kim Waugh’s race favourite Holy Reign ($3.20).

The pair fought it out in the final stages with Darleb gaining ascendency on the line.

“He was too good today,” stable representative Danny Greer said.

“Everything worked out a lot better today. It was a lovely ride by Sammy.

“They looked to be a jammed up on the home turn, she just popped out of that trouble, found clear running and was strong late.

“He was really good third up today with the blinkers on. Sammy got him out of trouble and really lifted him over the line late. “

The Paul Perry trained Salsa Man ($8) was third.

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Peter Green seems to have found the key to former Victorian galloper Auvergne, with the filly bringing up her debut win in the HMA GROUP METRO & PROV MAIDEN.

The three-year-old was having her second start for the Green stable, with three previous unplaced starts in Victoria.

Hawkesbury based Green picked her up for the bargain price of $3000 in December and is now reaping the rewards.

The Dawn Approach filly finished fifth at Wyong over 1350m on April 16 and appreciated the step up to 1600m.

She had no trouble handling the going, with a heavy downpour hitting the track shortly before the race.

Green had been confident Auvergne ($7.50) could run a good race, with the only question mark the distance.

“I thought if she gets the mile and settles, after not settling last start at Wyong, she would run well because she’s been working very well,” he said.

“We got a nice run in behind them and that suited her.”

Mikayla Weir settled Auvergne toward the rear of the field, bringing her along the rail on straightening to snatch a narrow win on the line.

She beat Clever Man ($8) trained by Anthony Cummings, with Gloraya ($9.50) from the Perry stable, a length behind in third.

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By Frances O’Shea

A Tamworth Cup start could be on the agenda for the Tas Morton trained Acoustix after his tough win in the WWW.TAB.COM.AU CONDITIONAL PROVINCIAL CUP – CLASS 4.

The well-bred Snitzel gelding, ridden by Jenny Duggan, led throughout to win the feature race by almost two lengths.

“It was a very gutsy win,” Morton said.

“When he was taken on mid-race, I thought this will be a real test for him.

“He certainly proved his ability by going on with it.”

Morton said he had always expected to see the best of Acoustix when he got over the mile.

“It was the right distance for him at Gosford last start and he was only beaten a lip,” he said.

“It was a step up in class for him today, but he was good and got the job done.”

Morton, who races the four-year-old with close friends, said he would now consider the Tamworth and South Grafton Cups for Acoustix, or a mid-week metropolitan meeting.

“He’s continuing to improve so that’s promising. He’ll be weighted out of most country races now, but we’ll look at the Cups and a mid-weeker in town.

“I’m very happy with the win today.”

Acoustix ($5), who has now had five wins from 19 starts, beat the $3.80 favourite Surjin from the Perry stable, with First Lady ($7) trained by Gary Portelli, third.

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Million-dollar colt Signficance showed his class to break through for a dominant debut win in the H & H CATERING MAIDEN over 1600 metres.

Trained by John O’Shea, the Frankel gelding had been disappointing in his last two starts on rain affected tracks but appreciated the good four Wyong surface, putting more than seven lengths on his opposition.

Apprentice Tom Sherry had the UK bred colt in the perfect position, just behind the leader before hitting the front around the 600m mark and pulling away in the straight.

He cruised to the line, never overextended by Sherry, to record an impressive seven and a half length win at his sixth start.

Signficance, who justified his $1.55 favouritism, was purchased as a yearling at the Inglis Sales by Domeland for $1.1million.

He beat the Gerald Ryan trained Highbury ($3.90), with the locally trained Dunlee ($7) from the Damien Lane stable, third.

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Speedy gelding Kyo ($5.50) upset some of the more favoured runners to win the 1000m RAPID CLEAN CENTRAL COAST 3YO MAIDEN in a tight finish.

The three-year-old, by Poet’s Voice, had shown plenty of speed at her previous two starts at Gosford over the 1000m and although finishing out of the placings had only been beaten just over a length on both occasions.

Apprentice Cejay Graham was confident the gelding would appreciate the Wyong track.

“It’s my first ride on him but his pattern had been to jump and run and that is an asset on a track like Wyong,” Graham said.

“I think the two kilos off definitely helped, particularly in the closing stages.”

Graham followed the race plan and was able to dictate terms with Kyo jumping to the lead.

She pulled away in the straight and held out the fast finishing Glock ($12) to win by a nose.

Short priced favourite More Prophets ($1.90) was third, two and a half lengths behind the winner.

The winner is trained by Craig Carmody and raced by Kim Harding.

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Gerald Ryan expects Secretly Awesome ($1.55) to be a much better horse as a four-year-old after his impressive win in theGO ELECTRICAL TUGGERAH MAIDEN.

The Snitzel gelding put paid to his opposition over the 1350m in just his second race start, having finished second on debut at Newcastle over 1200m on March 31.

Ryan said Secretly Awesome, owned by Cressfield, had been a ‘very, very difficult horse’ to get to the races.

“It’s taken a long time to get to this stage,” Ryan said. “He been a very difficult horse to get going, not just around the stables but at the farm, at the breakers, everywhere.

“He trialled well and raced well at Newcastle last start. I think we will get a better idea of how far he will go next preparations. I’ll give him a couple more runs for education and then turn him out.”

Keagan Latham, settled the three-year-old just behind the leader, peeling three-wide on the turn to hit the front and dash away in the straight.

He posted a three-length win over the Waller trained Savaspur ($5.50), with Mikhail ($10) from the Portelli stable, third.

Latham said he had thought Secretly Awesome would take a ‘power of beating.’

“He’s a lovely horse and Gerald said he had come on a ton since his first run, so I thought he’d be hard to beat.”

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A nice ride by Louise Day secured victory for the Anthony Cummings trained Loves To Rock in the 2100m CARLTON & UNITED BREWERIES BENCHMARK 64.

It was the second win in five days for the tough Loves To Rock mare, who was successful at Newcastle over 1850m on Saturday.

The mare continued the trend of favourites winning, scoring a dominant three and a half length victory.

The four-year-old, who is raced in partnership by Cummings, is putting together an impressive record with four wins from 15 starts, three this preparation.

Day settled Loves To Rock just behind the early leader, maintaining the position until around the 500m mark, when she hit the front, pinching a break on straightening.

The Freedman trained Unamerican ($5) was second, with Also Cool ($13) trained by Garry White, third.

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Shamus Award gelding Corcra made it back to back wins taking out the 1000m COCA-COLA CLASS 2 in impressive style.

The Bjorn Baker trained three-year-old earned plenty of support from punters on the strength of his last start Nowra win and was sent out $3.30 favourite.

He didn’t disappoint, with jockey Mitchell Bell giving him a lovely run just behind the leaders, before taking him to the front on straightening and drawing away to win by more than a length.

Baker said Corcra had handled the step up to provincial class.

“It was another test for him today. He came into the race in good order,” he said.

“I thought his last win was very good and he showed good speed.

“I wanted him to be positive today because he’s a very fast horse.

“Coming back to the 1000m was also a good thing for him.”

Corcra, an $80,000 Inglis Classic yearling, brought up his third win from seven starts.

He beat King’s Champ ($3.70) from the Gerald Ryan yard, with Gulgong visitor Deviate ($51) trained by Brett Thompson, third.

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By Frances O’Shea, Photos Steve Hart

CONNORS CAUSES ANOTHER UPSET

Veteran trainer Clarry Connors pulled off his second upset in as many days with Segrill’s win in the COCA-COLA CLASS 1.

The Sebring gelding greeted the judge at the juicy odds of $19, following on from Connors Warwick Farm win the previous day with Bolero King at $31.

Segrill, a three-year-old by Sebring, made it back to back wins after scoring at Kembla over the same distance on March 13.

Jockey Digger McLellan gave the filly a lovely run throughout, sitting just off the leader before hitting the front on straightening.

Segrill was full of running and drew away in the final stages to win by more than a length.

Marc Connors, representing his father, said they had gone into the race with confidence.

“She put the writing on the wall with a fantastic win last start,” he said.

“We were positive today that if he put her into the race she’d go well again, and she got the job done.

“I was surprised she was $20 but good luck to everyone who was on.

“It’s been a good couple of days.”

John O’Shea’s $2.80 race favourite Kirwan’s Lane finished second, a length behind the winner, with the Jason Coyle trained Benfica Maid ($5.50), third.

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A super ride by apprentice Tom Sherry secured a well-deserved victory for Red Hot Chillypins ($2.05) in the RFS VOLUNTEERS THANK YOU MAIDEN over 2100m.

In a small field, Sherry settled the Joe Pride trained favourite, toward the rear switching to the inside on the turn before coming around the heels of the leaders to score a narrow win.

The Rock’N’Pop four-year-old has been runner up at her past three starts.

Hayley Blythe-Devlin, representing the Pride stable, said while the mare didn’t make it easy watching, it was good to final see her win.

“It felt like I was watching her over 2300m,” Blythe-Devlin laughed.

“She’s just so green still. She needs racing and exposure to that, and I’m really pleased for the ownership group that she won today.

“She’s a very genuine, lovely sound filly and I think she’ll give them a lot of fun.

“Joe’s been waiting to get her up in distance and it did look like a good race for her today.”

Whiskey Jack ($4.80) finished a long head behind the winner, with Scorching Zorro ($7) third.

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The Greg Hickman trained Enigma ($4.40) defied a late betting drift to bring up her debut win in the 1000m SES VOLUNTEERS THANK YOU MAIDEN.

The Time For War filly had her first start at Randwick on March 18, finishing midfield.

Hickman said she had now earned another metropolitan start.

“She’s a nice filly and I’ll probably look to start her in town again now,” he said.

“She jumped well today, was travelling throughout and hit the line very strong.

“It’s good to get her confidence up with a win.”

The filly jumped well and Andrew Gibbons maintained the lead throughout, kicking away on straightening to win by more than a length.

He beat the fast finishing Shepherd Of Fire ($8.50), trained by Bruce Heys, with Schengen ($14) from the Jeff Englebrecht stable, third.

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A return to the provincials proved to be the key to the Waterhouse/Bott trained Smart Success ($8), who upset some of the more fancied runners to take out the VRA VOLUNTEERS THANK YOU MAIDEN over 1350m.

The Smart Missile filly, ridden by Lee Magorrian, was expected to lead but settled midfield, before peeling wide on straightening and running down the leaders on the line to win by a neck.

Lauren De Arias Huep, representing the stable, said they were confident leading into the race.

“She was really good first up at Gosford and only narrowly beaten. Then she stepped up in class, but it wasn’t the right race for her.

“We had expected her to put in a performance today similar to when she was first up.

“She had quite a bit of work to do today coming into the straight but flew home.

“She will only improve coming off this. We will take her through her grades and hopefully see her progress.”

The Craig Carmody trained Bob’s Your Uncle ($5.50) was second, nearly two lengths ahead of Bjorn Baker’s Qinghai Lake ($9).

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Written Tycoon colt Axe ($6) lived up to his big price tag with a strong win in GOOD LUCK WYONG @ THE POLYTRACK PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL CLASS 1 over 1000m.

The three-year-old, a $350,000 Magic Millions Yearling purchase, scored his second career win from just three starts, both victories on the Wyong track.

Samantha Clenton took Axe to an early lead garnering early speed from a wider barrier.

She was able to gain a breather in the middle stages before kicking clear in the straight to win by a length and a half in the fastest 600m of the day.

Axe was resuming from a spell, having finished second in a trial at Hawkesbury on March 23.

There was plenty of drama before the start with the Brett Partelle trained Rifles ($4.60) having to be re-plated in the stalls.

The gelding finished third, despite a wide run, behind the Godolphin trained favourite Bollywood ($3.60).

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A change of gear could have been a winning move for the Brad Widdup stable, with Carte Blanche ($8.50) taking out the 1300m CARLTON & UNITED BREWERIES CLASS 1 in impressive style.

The daughter of Casino Prince, ridden by Christian Reith, brought up her second win from eight starts.

Widdup removed the blinkers from the filly and she responded with a strong win.

The four-year-old is owned by Julie Ritchie, the vice-chairwoman of the ATC.

“Julia gave Carte Blanche to me to train as an unraced three-year-old, and I’ve taken my time with her,” Widdup said.

“Our apprentice Qin Yong rode her at her first start at Kembla Grange last September and she was narrowly beaten at big odds ($81).

“Carte Blanche ran fourth at her next two starts and was given a break, and I was always confident we could win at least a maiden with her.

“Now she’s brought up two wins and should keep improving.”

Reith came from last on the turn, circling the field and drawing away in the straight to win by three quarters of a length.
She beat the Peter Robl trained Power Of Attorney ($3.80), with Rocquette ($41) from the Clare Cunningham stable, third.

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Bargain buy Butch’n’bugs put in an improved performance to secure victory in the WWW.TAB.COM.AU PROV & CTRY MAIDEN over 1350m.

The Sidestep filly, a $3000 yearling purchase, was coming off a fourth at Wyong last start.

Cejay Graham took advantage of an inside run in the straight, overhauling the leaders to win by more than a length.

The filly is trained at Hawkesbury by Peter Green, who races her with family members.

She was having her third race start, having finished third on debut at Tuncurry in February.

Butch’n’bugs appreciated the extra distance, beating the Stephen Schofield trained $2.80 favourite Queen Snip, with Buckin’ Rippa ($4.20) from the Damien Lane stable, third.

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Dream Circle ($10) regained his winning form with a narrow victory in the WYONG’S NEXT RACE DAY APRIL 16 CONDITIONAL BENCHMARK 70 over 1350m.

The Dream Ahead gelding, a $130,000 yearling, was an impressive winner on the Beaumont track on February 27 before failing at Kembla over 1400m last start.

Jockey Serg Lisnyy, who has combined with the three-year-old in his past two starts, gave him the ideal ride just off the pace.

He showed a good turn of foot in the straight to run down the leader, The Cartoonist ($21), in the final stages.

Bringing up his third win at his 13^th start, Payne said he had an opinion of him.

“He’s a nice little horse,” he said.

Salsa Man ($14) from the Perry stable, was third.

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By Frances O’Shea, Photos Steve Hart

Disappointment for trainers with the Wyong Polytrack Provincial Championship Qualifier called off due to heavy rain late in the day.

The $150,000 heat was to be the last race on the program but a deluge resulted in the race being postponed due to visibility concerns.

Racing officials will likely add the race to the Newcastle program on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day Chris Waller and Lee Magorrian combined to take out two races, the first with promising prospect Kinane.

The stable looks to have another smart stayer on their books after Kinane’s impressive win in the TWIN LAKES AIR AND SOLAR MAIDEN over 1600m.

The Reliable Man gelding was having his second start for the stable, after a luckless second on debut over 1400m at Warwick Farm on March 11.

The three-year-old was previously been trained by Mick Kent and had been nominated for feature staying races by that stable.

Punters installed him as the $1.45 favourite and he didn’t disappoint, drawing away in the straight to score by more than two lengths.

Jockey Lee Magorrian settled the three-year-old off the speed, and despite hitting a flat spot on the turn, he drew away for a convincing win.

Damien Fitton, representing the Waller stable, praised the ride.

“It was a very good ride by Lee. They put the pace on early and he was run off his feet, but Lee was patient and let him work through his gears before he put them away.

“It’s good to get the maiden out of the way. I think we’ve got a pretty promising horse on our hands.”

The Anthony Cummings trained Dame Margot ($5) was second from Urbino ($3.90) from the Lees stable.

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An exciting finish in the 1350m PANASONIC AUSTRALIA CLASS 1 with Earth Song ($8) bringing up a double for the Waller/Magorrian combination.

The Nicconi filly, a $105,000 yearling purchase, came from the rear of the field, with Magorrian weaving a passage mid-race before hitting the lead close to the line.

The three-year-old, resuming from a spell, brought up her second win from seven starts.

She beat the fast finishing Lady Tavista ($11) from the Widdup stable by a head, with the Pride trained Big Bad Bruce ($5) third.

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A beautifully rated ride by Andrew Gibbons brought out the best in Elisa Carolina ($5) who scored her first win for the Lees stable with a strong staying performance.

Raced by the same connections as champion mare Lucia Valentina, the Makfi filly proved too strong for her opponents in the MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES AIR CONDITIONING AUSTRALIA CLASS 1 & MAIDEN, posting a three-quarter length win.

Gibbons was able to lead throughout, dictating terms in the small field.

He managed to stave off his opposition in an exciting four-way battle in the straight, to bring up the filly’s second career win from seven starts.

Stable representative Danny Greer said Elisa Carolina was an improving type.

“Gibbo showed his hand in the early stages and dictated the pace. It was a nice ride,” Greer said.

“She’s only been in the stable for a short time but is a nice horse to have in the stable. She’ll stay all day too which is good.”

The Godolphin trained Tahuna ($4.40) was second, from the $1.85 favourite Sciconic, from the Freedman stable.

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A dominant win by speedy Godolphin galloper Emanate ($1.90) to take out the LAKE MACQUARIE SHEET METAL MAIDEN over 1000m.

The impeccably bred Lonhro filly showed her class leading from the outset and letting down in the final stages to win by almost two lengths.

The three-year-old was runner-up on debut at Hawkesbury on March 7 and started $1.90 favourite.

She beat the well-supported Mark Newnham filly Zanzidance ($3.30), with Princess Ariana ($9.50), from the Kristen Buchanan yard, third.

Kent Wade, representing James Cummings, said they were confident coming into the race.

“She had to work hard from a bad alley at her first start,” he said. “She’s had a good week leading into this and we thought she’d be hard to beat.

“It was a great, controlled ride by Jeff and her breeding came through.

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Irish apprentice Louise Day posted a victory for her former boss Ciaron Maher, with Major Murphy ($11) causing an upset in the VIETNAM VETERANS HOSTEL 2YO MAIDEN over 1200m.

In an action-packed race, Day came from the rear of the field in the straight to upset some of the more favoured runners and post a half-length win.

Princess Betty ($7.50), from the Waugh stable, looked to have the race won before Day swooped in the final stages.

O’Tartan Lass ($7) trained by Bjorn Baker was third.

Day worked for Maher in Melbourne for almost two years before being apprenticed to Kris Lees.

The Maher/Eustace trained Major Murphy, a $130,000 yearling, had been unplaced in two Randwick barrier trials leading into the race.

The Waterhouse/Bott $3 favourite Only Mine tapered off from the start and failed to finish, while Spin That Wheel was scratched at the barriers.

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Estroverto broke through for a well-deserved win in the 1200m VIETNAM VETERANS HOSTEL 2YO MAIDEN.

The Pierro gelding, trained by Kylie Gavenlock and ridden by Digger McLellan, had eight placings from 17 starts leading into the race.

He was installed as $5.00 second favourite on the strength of his last start third at Hawkesbury.

McLellan settled the four-year-old midfield, circling the field around the 600m mark and hitting the front on straightening.

He was able to hold off his rivals to score a length and a half win.

Estroverto is raced by the well-known Kolivos family.

He beat the Stephen Schofield trained Quick Snip ($21), with the $3.30 favourite Derbari, from the Pride stable third.

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The Brad Widdup trained Night Flyer ($3.60) stormed home in the straight to snatch a narrow win the 1100m NORTHLAKES TOUKLEY ROTARY CLUB CONDITIONAL BENCHMARK 70.

Ridden by Christian Reith, the All Too Hard filly, relished the heavy conditions to bring up her second win from eight starts.

The three-year-old scored her first career win on a heavy track and with rain falling punters were keen to support her, with the filly starting $3.40 favourite.

She ran down the race leader Iconic Star ($7.50) in the closing stages, showing a great turn of foot to beat the Portelli trained Moccasin Miss ($10) on the line.

“It was great to get the rain late, that really helped her,” Widdup said.

“She’s a very honest little filly but she doesn’t win out of turn.

“I was expecting her to run well in this type of grade.”