Month: January 2021

The Tracey Bartley trained Enamour started the day well for locals breaking through for a well-deserved win in the DE BORTOLI WINES 4YO & UP MAIDEN over 1100m.

The Charm Spirit mare had been placed in her past four starts and was coming off a third when resuming at Muswellbrook on January 7. 

Her win continued a great month for the Bartley stable with four winners to date. 

Enamour’s win came courtesy of in-form apprentice Reece Jones, who took the four-year-old to the lead and rated her well in front, holding out the fast-finishing Giselle Anne to win by half a length.

“She’s a winning mare now and we are all very happy,” Bartley said.

“It’s great for the owners to win a race with her. She’s run second to some good horses so the form around her is good. She will definitely pay her way.”

Bartley said he would consider dropping Enamour back to 1000m next start. 

“I’d like to drop her back to 1000m and ride her quieter even though she won like that today.

“We tried to hold her up in her trial and she went really good but the other day at Muswellbrook she got her toe on again.

“It would be good to get her to settle behind them.”

Bartley said it was a good ride by Jones, with his instructions to “rate her and save her for the kick home,” carried out to a tee.

Enamour ($2.40) beat the race favourite Giselle Anne ($2.30fav) trained by Lee and Cherie Curtis, with Ron Lemon’s Redconi ($9), third.

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Reece Jones brought up a race to race double after Taree visitor Standing Bear upset the favoured runners to take out the 1100m GREAT NORTHERN ON TAP CLASS 1. 

The four-year-old by Smart Missile, a $150,000 yearling, brought up his second win at start nine. 

Jones rated the gelding well in front, drawing away in the final stages to win by almost four lengths.

Ball said he had expected Standing Bear to race well. 

“He didn’t handle the heavy 10 at Coffs last start and before that he got beaten only two lengths in a Highway,” he said. 

“It was an absolute bog at Coffs but here on a soft 5 he was well suited. 

“He’s got plenty of ability and can go for a spell now. 

“He will come back a better horse.”

Standing Bear ($13) beat Ron Leemon’s Miss Anticipation ($8), with Hurt Money ($3.80) from the Snowden yard, a close third.

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Well-bred Chris Waller debutant Lucilight proved too smart for her opposition in the JIM BEAM MAIDEN over 1350m, overhauling the short-priced favourite on the line. 

Rachel King piloted the $140,000 yearling to a strong three-quarter length victory.

By All Too Hard, Lucilight carries the Inglis colours of Group 1 winning mare Youngstar.  

King settled the three-year-old toward the rear of the small field throughout, before finding a gap on straightening and drawing away for an impressive win.

Damien Fitton, representing the Waller stable, described the winner as a ‘very nice filly.’

“We’ve given her a bit of time to get to the races, strengthen up and mature,” he said.

“She won quite easily today but it was just a matter of would she be able to do it first up. 

“Rachel gave a glowing report and said she’s very professional and will go on with the job.

“She should be a nice metropolitan horse and maybe even go a bit further.” 

Lucilight, who returned $8.50, beat the $1.55 favourite Nearly Fine, from the Mark Newnham stable, with another Waller runner, Big Angle ($6), third. 

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A few anxious moments for the connections of Desert Flame in the final stages of the RYAN’S METAL ROOFING MAIDEN over 1600m.

The three-year-old daughter of Pride of Dubai looked all out of steam heading for the line but managed to hold out the fast-finishing opposition to win by half a length. 

A $200,000 yearling, Desert Flame had four placings leading into the race, the latest a third a Warwick Farm on January 13.

She was sent out $1.40 favourite on the back of her strong Metropolitan and Provincial form.

Trainer David Payne had planned to let the filly roll along in front and Keagan Latham was able to carry out his instructions, with Desert Flame taking an early lead. 

Latham dictated the pace in front before kicking away on the turn, only to be threatened late by the Sombre Prize ($51) from the Henry Reeves stable and Red Hot Zone ($17), trained by Clarry Connors. 

Payne said he has always had a decent opinion of the filly.

“She’s been knocking on the door for a while,” he said.

“We wanted to get that win out of the way today.”  

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Consistent stayer Duchess Of Windsor put her best foot forward outstaying her opposition to take out the 2100m ROYAL HOTEL WYONG BENCHMARK 64.

The Matthew Smith trained mare brought up her fourth career win at start 29.

Alysha Collett settled the five-year-old outside the leader and short priced favourite So United but had the superior fitness in the straight drawing away to win by more than a length. 

Matthew Smith said the Rip Van Winkle mare could always perform with the right conditions. 

“She is just one of those horses who needs things to go right for her in the run,” he said.

“She’s won over the 2100m before and it was good to see her sitting handy and keeping out of trouble.

Duchess Of Windsor ($13), beat the $2.30 favourite So United from the Waterhouse/Bott stable, with Itasca, trained by Scott Singleton, third.

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A strong ride by Mikayla Weir secured victory for the John Steinmetz trained Writing Unexpected in the TEAM THOROUGHBRED NSW REHOMING HORSES BENCHMARK 64 over 1600m. 

The son of Choistar, raced by the Steinmetz family, brought up his fifth career win in a thrilling three-way finish.

Weir had the mare well-placed midfield for much of the race, before taking her to the lead on straightening. 

She had to dig deep in the final stages to secure a narrow short half head win for the five-year-old over the Freedman trained Dinado ($7), with the $2.60 race favourite Lexi’s Choice, from the Widdup stable, a half-length behind in third.

Writing Unexpected appreciated the drop in class having last run in the Moruya Cup over 1435m.

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Promising filly Proud Mia franked her winning form with an impressive victory in the WYONG’S NEXT RACEDAY THURSDAY FEBRUARY 25 BENCHMARK 64.

The Pride Of Dubai three-year-old brought up her fourth win from just nine starts in a smart time over the 1000m.

Apprentice Tyler Schiller drove the filly to the lead from the barriers, rating her well in the running before pulling away in the final stages to win by more than a length. 

Trainer Nick Olive has always had a good opinion of Proud Mia, who was sent out $3 favourite. 

“She is very fast but also seems very professional in what she does,” he said.

“She’s got a lot of natural speed and that’s probably her biggest asset.”

A $60,000 yearling, Proud Mia beat the Stephen Bartley trained Engadine ($7) by more than a length, with Upper East Side ($17) from the Buchanan stable, third.

Kristen Buchanan looks to have unveiled a promising galloper with Delexo blitzing his opposition on debut.

The three-year-old was sent out $2.35 favourite and didn’t disappoint, taking out the MARK CROSS RACING 2&3YO PROV & CTRY MAIDEN by almost three lengths. 

Ridden by Ashley Morgan, Delexo raced fiercely at times but still had the ability to finish off the 1000m race in convincing fashion.

“I do like this bloke,” Buchanan said following the win.

“I was nervous about today but he’s a really, lovely animal.

“He was fierce in the early stages and has to learn to cool his jets a little but over the 1000m he’s got some good jets.

“He has a very competitive mind set on game day and you can’t complain about that in a racehorse.”

Buchanan said she had purchased Delexo at the breeze up sales on the Gold Coast. 

“He was a standout in terms of heart rate and recovery and that really drew my attention plus he was a cracking sort as well. 

“He had a few little issues and because of that we got him at a reasonable price. 

“I was prepared to be patient, but he got here a little earlier than I expected and it’s great to see him win like that.

“He’s a beautiful strong horse and a favourite in the stables.”

Coming off three trial wins, Delexo beat Sniper Legend ($4.60) trained by Matthew Vella, with Belleofthehunter ($26) from the Ken Lantry stable, third.

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Snitzify denied local warrior Isorich victory in the HAPPY RETIREMENT WYONG TRAINER STAN THOMAS CONDITIONAL BENCHMARK 68, getting the bob of the head on the line. 

Apprentice Reece Jones took the 10-year-old veteran to the lead and kicked away in the straight, only to be run down in the final stages by Snitzify.

The winner, a $105,000 yearling, is trained by Peter and Paul Snowden for Triple Crown syndications. 

Racing manager Colum McCullagh was full of praise for the ride by Keagan Latham.

“Keagan slid across and got him in a nice spot just outside the lead.

“It was nice to see him knuckle down and try really hard in the straight,” he said.

“We were counting steps in the end for Isorich to stop but luckily for us and a great bunch of Triple Crown owners, Snitzify was able to stretch out and get his nose on the right side of the post.”

Snitzify ($3.40) beat the Wayne Seelin trained Isorich ($21), with the $3 favourite Debari, from the Pride stable, third.

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Patience paid off for the connections of Blue Sky Moon, with the first starter taking out the 1200m KIM WAUGH RACING 4YO&UP MAIDEN.

The four-year-old, by Irish Sire Puissance De Lune, had been trialled twice in the lead up by trainer Paul Cave.

He looked sharp winning his latest trial over 740m at Warwick Farm on December 30 and carried that form into the race.

The gelding pinged the gates, enabling Kathy O’Hara to dictate terms in front. 

Courtesy of a well-rated ride, she was able to hold out the short priced favourite Doppelpunkt in the final stages, to win by half a neck.

“He’s a lovely horse and is still pretty raw,” O’Hara said after the win.

“He’s a big, scopey horse who will improve with time and racing.

“The owners have taken their time with him and hopefully they will be rewarded.

“It’s all before him at the moment and he will take a lot of benefit out of today.”

Blue Sky Moon ($3.30) beat John O’Shea’s $1.75 favourite Doppelpunkt, with Chloebella Rose ($41) from the Kearney stable, third. 

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The formidable combination of Tim Clark and Waterhouse/Bott struck again in the KRISTEN BUCHANAN RACING CG&E MAIDEN with Anotherthinkcomin’ a dominant winner.

The three-year-old, a $210,000 Vancouver yearling, was coming off a ninth on debut at Bathurst on December 21, but made the step up to Provincial grade impressively, recording a four-length win.

Clark took the gelding to the lead in the 1350m race, and maintained the front, kicking away in the final stages. 

Stable foreman Ron Nunn said they had expected an improved performance. 

“The win wasn’t totally unexpected,” he said.

“He didn’t have a whole lot of luck at Bathurst last start. It was a bit short and he got caught out in the middle of no man’s land and just had a tough run. “He trained on from that and cleaned up in the coat and was looking a lot better.”

Anotherthinkcomin’ beat the short priced favourite Kaptive ($1.40) from the Hawkes stable, who was held up on the turn, with Apex ($31) trained by John Cooper, third. 

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The well-supported Correlate overcame a wide barrier to score a tough win in the 1350m TRACEY BARTLEY RACING F&M MAIDEN.

Josh Parr was able to take the Not A Single Doubt filly to a soft lead from barrier nine after a positive ride from the gates.

He dictated terms in front, giving the filly a breather in the back straight, before drawing away in the final stages to win by more than a length.

Aaron Lau, representing the Newnham stable, said Correlate had gone into the race with plenty of fitness.

“She was third up today and was fit enough to win like that,” he said.

“The original plan was to sit outside the leader, but she got into a lovely rhythm and was way too strong.

“She got a stitch over in the last 100m at Newcastle last start but was very good today.”

Correlate, who had been placed once from five starts, earned plenty of late support to start $2.40 favourite.

She beat the Snowden trained Danzette ($7.50), with Princess Amira ($8.50) from the Waterhouse/Bott stable, third.

The winner was a $180,000 Magic Millions yearling.

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It was back-to-back Wyong wins for the Kylie Gavenlock trained Go For Gold taking out the 1100m ALLAN DENHAM CLASS 1.

The five-year-old by Medaglia D’Oro had to survive a protest by runner-up Cinderella after being wayward in the final stages of the straight.

He kept his winning record intact in his second start since joining the Gavenlock stable, recording a half length win.

Andrew Gibbons had Go For Gold just behind the leaders, before circling the field on the turn and hitting the front in the straight.

Gavenlock described the winner as a work in progress. 

“He’s a really quiet, beautiful animal but it’s a psychological thing for him,” she said.

“He had bad barrier manners when he came to us. He collapsed at Gosford after his second start and since then his manners got worse.

“We had to go right back and get it all out of his head and take him to the races and give him nice experiences. 

“It seems to be paying off but it’s still pretty nerve wracking waiting for him to get into the gates. 

“He’s very versatile and a fair dinkum racehorse but we still have to keep working on his manners.”

Go For Gold ($14) beat Cinderella ($17), trained by Richard and Michael Freedman, with Colonel ($5) from the Snowden stable, third.

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The heavily backed Never Never River proved too strong in the JEFF ENGLEBRECTH RACING BM64 over 1350m.

The Written Tycoon three-year-old, a $130,000 yearling, was a Canterbury winner two starts back and struggled in the heavy at his last outing on the Kensington track.

Apprentice Tyler Schiller claimed a heat of the Rising Star Series with the victory along with the praise of trainer Gerald Ryan.

“He is a nice horse and Tyler rode him terrific,” Ryan said.

“He can be a difficult horse to ride, over racing and pulling.

“Tim Clark spoke to Tyler and said to just flow with him, and he would do what he did today, come back off the bit and travel. 

“I’ve always had an opinion of him, but he’s been his own worst enemy but he’s starting to learn his craft.”

Never Never River ($1.55fav) beat the Lees trained Elegant Grace ($6.50) by a length and a half, with Bizou ($19) from the O’Shea stable, third.

It was a Kris Lees trifecta in the $150,000 final of the Sky Racing Summer Provincial Series with Itz Lily a dominant winner over stable mates Spanish Point and Game Of Thorns.

The win gave Lees his second successive final win in the popular series. 

Itz Lily, the $3.30 race favourite, relished the heavy conditions and despite being caught three wide throughout, Alysha Collett kept her cool hitting the lead on the turn and drawing away to score by almost two lengths. 

Successful syndicators Australian Bloodstock race both the winner and third placegetter. 

Danny Greer, representing the Lees stable, said it was a terrific effort by Itz Lily, a $80,000 yearling, after a tough run.

“She didn’t have a lot of luck in the run but was very dominant working into the race nicely and putting them away a long way out,” he said.

“It’s good to see her come back in really good order. 

“Australian Bloodstock provided us with a couple really nice horses in this race. 

“We were also happy with the effort of Spanish Point, who is improving with racing.”

Greer was full of praise for the ride by Collett. 

“She didn’t panic at all and improved into the race at the right time. It was good to see her sustain that sprint and she put them away a long way out from the finish.”

The win brought up back-to-back victories for Itz Lily, who took out the Newcastle heat on December 19. 

The consistent Snitzel mare has now had six wins and seven placings from 21 starts. 

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A terrific training effort by Kylie Gavenlock to taste success with Go For Gold after more than 15 months off the scene.

The five-year-old was having only his third career run but was sent out at $3.50 on the strength of a strong barrier trial at Wyong on December 18.

Jockey Andrew Gibbons had him in the box seat throughout the 1200m LAKES OFFICE CHOICE 4YO & UP MAIDEN and was able to get the edge over his opposition in the final stages. 

Gavenlock said it was great to get a win for the connections, who include prominent owner and breeder Kim Harding.

“They have been very patient,” she said. 

“He had some real issues with the barriers and that’s why he has been off the scene for so long. 

“We think he’s got it now and he trialled nicely here which is why we brought him back. 

“I think he’s a very nice horse, but I was a bit worried he may have been a little underdone today. 

“He had missed a bit of work leading into it and he’s a gross horse and a good doer.

“I thought if anything would of beat him today it was his condition, but he got the job done.”

A $360,000 yearling Go For Gold was resuming from a lengthy spell, having previously been trained by Les Bridge. 

He beat Good Deed ($5), from the Hickman stable, with Tracey Bartley’s Stonesthrow ($6.50) third.

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A very dominant win by the Snowden trained Exoboom who justified his short price posting a seven-length victory in the LAKES PRINTERS MAIDEN over 1350 metres. 

The Exosphere gelding was first past the post on the Kensington track on December 17 but lost the race on protest. 

At his previous two starts he was runner-up at both Kensington and Newcastle. 

He wasn’t to be denied at Wyong breaking through for his debut win in the best possible way.

Apprentice Brandon Griffiths had the $1.26 favourite just behind the leader in the early stages, before hitting the front around the 600m mark and drawing away in the straight for an effortless win. 
Ben Bloore, representing the Snowden’s, was full of praise for the victory. 

“It was a good win. Brandon put him outside the leader, let him settle and balance up, and then coming to the corner he let him go and said goodbye,” Bloore said. 

“It was a good ride. Brandon has nice, strong good hands and can get them to relax in the run.” 

He said Exoboom, a $70,000 yearling, had taken time to come to hand. 

“He’s still very immature. He’s a big lanky horse with plenty of scope about him. The more he races the more mature he gets.” 

Exoboom beat the Perry trained Mon Amore ($20), with Mandalorian ($41) from the Coyle stable, third.

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It was a double for the Snowden stable and their apprentice Brandon Griffiths, when Sahra ($2.15fav) greeted the judge in the CAVARNI DESIGN BENCHMARK 64 over 1200m.

Griffiths put in another strong ride to claim victory on the Hinchinbrook filly, her second win in six starts.

Ben Bloore described it as a “very good win.”

“She will take a lot of confidence out of that. Brandon rode her well and didn’t panic.

“He took off at the right time and didn’t panic, just cruised up around them, hit the button and away she went.

“She’s had a few little setbacks here and there. The drop in grade today has helped her a lot and she will take a lot out the win. 

“Two winners from two runners should keep Pete happy for another week.”

Cathay ($8) from the Portelli stable was second, two lengths behind the winner, with Godolphin’s Raison D’Etre ($3) third.  

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Godolphin filly Geist made it back-to-back wins in the 1100m CANADIAN CLUB CLASS 1 courtesy of a great ride by Christian Reith, the first of a winning double for stable and rider.

The in-form jockey had to weave a passage in the straight after coming from behind the pack on the turn.

He drew away in the final stages to win by three quarters of a length. 

The double brought up 14 wins for Reith in just over a month, the jockey having posted 36 victories to date for the season for a 20 percent win ratio.

Geist was having her 10^th career start, having raced in Victoria for the early part of her career. 

She was unable to break her maiden in the southern State despite finishing third in the Group 2 Blue Diamond Prelude at Caulfield in February.

She broke her maiden at Hawkesbury on December 13 over 1100m and again found the distance ideal at Wyong to bring up successive wins. 

She beat Kim Waugh’s Tinka’s Lad ($7), with Harmonium ($6), from the Richard and Michael Freedman stable, third. 

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It was a double for stable and rider after Mollycoddle’s victory in the WYONG’S NEXT RACEDAY SUNDAY JANUARY 24 F&M BENCHMARK 64 over 1350m.

Another super ride by Reith, who came from last on the turn, secured victory for the $2.10 race favourite. 

It was the third win for the Lonhro filly from 10 starts, all three coming on the Wyong track. 

Stable representative Lee Kunde said Mollycoddle would likely head to a mid-week Metropolitan race.

“She is very consistent this time in, has strengthened up and is a mare in form,” he said.

“Last start she finished second behind Private Eye who came out and won in town today, so the form is franked there.

“I’d say she’ll head to town, but the team will take her back and tick her over and see where we got next.”

Kunde said he wasn’t concerned when Mollycoddle was well back in the field.

“She was always travelling. He cut the corner and it worked out good and she powered through the line. 

“She’s been in a purple patch of form and it was a great ride today.”

Mollycoddle scored a length and a half win over the Waterhouse/Bott trained Tastebud ($12), with Duchess Marizza ($6.50) from the Maher/Eustace stable, third.

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Short-priced favourite Solar Apex didn’t disappoint in the JIM BEAM MAIDEN over 1600m, bringing up his debut win in impressive style. 

The well-bred Deep Impact colt was having his fourth start, having been placed twice on Metropolitan tracks and once on the Provincial circuit.

Jockey Lee Magorrian came from behind on the turn and was able to get a split on straightening, with the three-year-old speeding away to win by almost a length. 

Clare Hewson, representing trainer Chris Waller, said it was a good win. 

“It looked a bit precarious once they jumped because he got shuffled back and looked like he was going to land in an awkward spot,” Hewson said.

“But the horse responded to Lee’s riding and pushed forward to be in a good position.

“He was able to whip around the two leaders on the turn to be in the clear. That’s a good thing about Wyong, they can fan across and get out in the straight. 

“He was lucky the split came, and it was good riding by Lee to drive the horse through.”

A $300,000 yearling, Solar Apex ($2.60) was having his fifth career start.

He beat the John Thompson trained Speedzone ($7), with Jauhera ($5.50) from the Ryan/Alexiou stable, third.

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A convincing win by the Paul Perry trained Skylab ($8.50) to take out the COMMAND BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION PTY LTD CG&E BENCHMARK 64.

The Real Impact gelding was resuming from a spell, after breaking his maiden and being placed twice in four runs in his first preparation.

Shaun Guymer settled the three-year-old toward the rear in the early stages, before rounding the field at the 600m mark and hitting the front on straightening. 

He drew away in the final stages to win by two lengths, handling the heavy nine conditions.  

Skylab, a $48,000 yearling, looks to be developing into a promising stayer, having recorded a Newcastle win over 1875m at the end of his last preparation. 

He beat Jason Coyle’s race favourite Chateaux Park ($3.50) at his latest outing, with American Salute ($12) trained by Matthew Smith, third. 

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