Month: July 2021

Tracey Bartley had a memorable day on his home track, with a winning double at the last Wyong meeting of the season. 

The wins took Bartley’s 2020/21 total to 27, his best season to date.

Sebrenco and Defeat greeted the judge for the stable in their respective races, both well supported in the betting. 

It was also a memorable day for popular jockey Grant Buckley who brought up 100 wins for the season on Sombre Prize, for Hawkesbury trainer Henry Reeves.

Reeves was also celebrating with the win his first since 2016.  

Race 1 – TAB.COM.AU 4YO&UP MAIDEN PLATE (1100m): 

A great first up effort saw the Grant Allard trained Rubielie ($3.30) out sprint her rivals over the 1100m. 

The Rubick mare, having her 13^th career start, had been luckless in several of her previous runs but returned fresh from a spell to bring up her debut win. 

The speed was slow in the early stages, forcing Josh Parr to take off early in the straight. 

Despite not trialling, Rubielie responded well and was able to finish strongly to win by a half-length. 

“She’d done plenty of work at home and in the past, she’d raced well fresh,” stable representative Jake Hull said. 

“I’m not sure how strong of a form race it is today, but she had too much on them.

“Things didn’t really go her way. They walked early and Josh made the right call to take off.

“She’s a bit of a slow mature, but the penny has really dropped with her now.”

Em Cee Gee ($3.50) from the Marc Connors stable was second, with Aleacia Bennett’s $3 favourite Rockamo, third.  

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Race 2 – SKY RACING 4YO&UP MAIDEN HANDICAP (1350m):

Sombre Prize gave popular jockey Grant Buckley his 100^th win for the season, the Dream Ahead gelding bringing up his first win at start 20.

Buckley had to work hard to claim his century, with the Henry Reeves trained Sombre Prize ($7.50) laying in in the final stages, before recording a narrow victory. 

He then had to survive a protest from the runner-up, which was quickly dismissed by stewards.

“He took some riding but I’m glad to get the 100 up,” Buckley said. “It takes a bit of pressure off now.

“He’s not an easy horse to ride. He wanted to lay all over the other horse, so it was a slog down the running. 

“Henry only has a small team at Hawkesbury and does a good job. I rode him when he was placed second last start and we talked about where to start him next. 

“This race looked cherry ripe for him, and it turned out well.”

The Dream Ahead four-year-old is Reeves’ only horse in work and has now had a win and three placings from his 20 starts. 

He paid $7000 for Sombre Prize, who has given him his first winner since Stormy Benz in 2016.

Rod Bailey’s $2.80 race favourite Mister Ripley looked like ending a run of placings, only to be nailed on the line. 

Gloraya ($15) from the Alexandre Lemarie stable, was third. 

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Race 3 – RYAN’S METAL ROOFING MAIDEN HANDICAP (1600m):

A decision by Mitchell and Desiree Kearney to back up Carlisle Bay paid off with the Smart Missile gelding breaking through for his first win. 

The three-year-old was coming off a second over 1300m at Kembla on July 22, with the stable confident he would appreciate the quick back up and rise in distance. 

Carlisle Bay did just that and courtesy of a well rated ride by Jean Van Overmeire, brought up his debut win at start ten. 

Co-trainer Desiree Kearney said they had been confident the gelding would run well and expect more improvement next preparation. 

“He has trained on really well since last run, is very fit and we couldn’t be happier,” she said.

“He tries very hard and is one of the unluckiest horses going around. We wanted to give him one more chance with the BOBS.

“He’s a smart little horse and I think we will have a bit more fun with him next preparation when he gets up over 1800m to 2000m.

“There is a race for him at home in two weeks, if he’s not giving us any reason not to, we will keep him going.”

It was the second win in three days for the Hawkesbury based Kearney stable, with a third at Kensington in between.

They paid $2000 for the then unraced two-year-old at an online sale in May last year.

Carlisle Bay ($4.40) beat the fast finishing $2.90 favourite Kouklara from the Pride stable, with Dr Evil ($17) trained by John Steinmetz, third.

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Race 4 – DE BORTOLI WINES 3YO MAIDEN PLATE (1350m):

An upset in the three-year-old maiden, with Brad Widdup’s Eminencia beating the two fancied Waller runners. 

The I Am Invincible filly, having her fifth career start, was coming off a narrow defeat over 1300m at Hawkesbury last start. 

Tom Sherry settled Eminencia ($12) just behind the early leader, hitting the front on straightening and holding out the Waller pair of Barrichello ($2.90) and Cat D’Oro ($2.60fav).

Stable representative Andre Rabett said the filly had finally brought her trackwork form to a race. 

“It was great to see her win today,” he said.  

“She’s always trialled well but has shown a few tricks in her races. 

“It’s really good for her to come out and do everything right today and get the result. 

“She’s finally shown what we see in trackwork and trials. Hopefully she will move forward to better races.”

Waller’s Cat D’Oro was the hard luck story of the race, denied a run in the final stages.  

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Race 5 – GREAT NORTHERN CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1200m):

Tracey Bartley’s Sebrenco could head to the city for her next start, after bringing up her second career win.  

The Sebring two-year-old, proved too strong for her older opposition, leading from barrier to post to record a one length victory. 

Bartley will assess the filly over the next few days but could give her one final race in town to round off her preparation. 

He had been confident coming into the race, after Sebrenco was runner-up at her two previous starts at Muswellbrook and Dubbo. 

“She’s a young two-year-old and this is only her second race preparation,” he said.

“She shows good potential at home, and I thought she’d be hard to beat today.

“She’s a nice filly and being on her home track, from the soft draw and on top of the ground, I knew there would be improvement.

“She got a good kick coming to the corner and put them away. 

“I’d like to see her in a race where she can take a sit and relax, that would be ideal. 

“I’ll assess her over the next few days but might give her one more run in town.”

Sebrenco, the $2.90 favourite, beat the Kim Waugh trained Underboss ($13), who stormed home in an impressive first up run, with Bec Dunn’s On Her Word ($5.50) third.

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Race 6 – CARLTON WYONG GOLD CUP FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 3 BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1100m):

Gary Moore’s consistent Prince Invincible could be headed for a Midway Handicap on the strength of his strong three and a half length win. 

The heavily backed son of I Am Invincible brought up his second win with Tim Clark in the saddle. 

In typical Clark style, Prince Invincible was given a great front-running ride, drawing away in the final stages. 

Clark was full of compliments for Prince Invincible, a $580,000 yearling purchase, who now has two wins and five placings from 10 starts.

“He’s going really well and is in a really good zone at the moment,” Clark said.

“He’s a really happy horse and that translates to a really good performance, probably a personal best for him and hopefully he can continue in that way.

“He was caught wide at his last start but still ran a solid race. They freshened him up, then he had a good tick over trial win and came here in really good order. 

“Gary has done a great job with him. A think a tilt at the Midway could be well and truly on the cards.”

Prince Invincible($3.60fav) beat Allan Denham’s Gidgee Guy ($7.50), with Into The Fire ($7.50) from the Bjorn Baker stable, third. 

Matt Vella’s Sniper Legend, well supported in the betting, failed to load at the barriers.

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Race 7 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANT PIDGEON CONDITIONAL BENCHMARK 68 HANDICAP (1600m):

A perfect ride and quick tempo set the scene for Go Gazza to bring up back-to-back wins and plot a course to a Midway Handicap.

The Foxwedge three-year-old was coming off a last start Wyong win over the same distance and earned strong support starting at $5. 

Tommy Berry, who rode Go Gazza to his dominant maiden win, settled him midfield off the strong tempo, before bringing him to the front on straightening.

He was able to hold out the fast-finishing favourite, Bjorn Baker’s Lake Tai ($3.50), to win by a long neck.

Trainer Mark Minervini said Go Gazza, a $45,000 Magic Millions yearling, had always shown ability. 

“He took confidence out of the maiden win and Tommy was impressed, so we said we will do what worked and bring him back. 

“As it turned out it was the right race, over the right distance, with the right jockey. Everything aligned and he got the job done. 

“He’s related to a couple of Oaks winners, and we did a DNA test on him that told us he will run up to 2400m. 

“We aren’t in a hurry to get him there. I think he will be well suited for a midweek or a Midway, so we will see what’s around.

Another of the Baker runners, Deel With Me ($10) was third. 

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Race 8 – WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETING SUNDAY AUGUST 29 BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1350m):

Tracey Bartley was expecting a much-improved performance by Defeat and that’s exactly what he got with the five-year-old winning by almost three lengths. 

The I Am Invincible gelding capped off a great day for the stable, with Sebrenco scoring earlier in the program. 

Bartley said Defeat had been the victim of bad track conditions and barrier draws in his recent runs.

Despite drawing wide at Wyong, the good track rating suited and the win resulted. 

Brock Ryan was given instructions to rev the five-year-old up midrace, and he followed them to a tee, taking off at the 600m. 

Defeat circled the field and kicked in the straight, drawing away for a dominant win. 

“I told him to rip into him and build momentum and that’s exactly what he did,” Bartley said. 

“They weren’t going to beat him with that momentum. He rode him a treat.

“It’s been a great year and credit to the staff.”

Defeat ($7), who earned plenty of late support, beat fellow Wyong gallopers Big Surprise ($15) from the Buchanan stable, and Damien Lane’s Oakfield Target ($4.80). 

Kim Waugh’s debutant Pretty Enuff was one of the standouts on a strong day of racing at Wyong. 

The Rich Enuff filly was impressive in winning the 1200m Prov & Ctry Maiden and looks to have a bright future. 

Mr Bond emerged as a good staying prospect for Brad Widdup after blitzing his opposition in the 2100m Class 1 & Maiden. 

There could be some promising newcomers’ surface from the two-year-old race including the winner Sealion from the Waterhouse/Bott stable and Tracey Bartley’s Mabel, who stormed home to be narrowly beaten.

Jay Ford took out the riding honours with a double, partnering Mr Bond to victory and Roderick’s Secret for Matthew Smith in the 1600m Class 1. 

Race 1 – Great Northern Maiden (1350m): 

Crazy Wolf took out the opening event, despite the Hawkes trained three-year-old looking beaten on the turn. 

The All Too Hard gelding started $2.70 favourite and was settled toward the rear of the small field by Regan Bayliss. 

When he asked for an effort on the corner, Crazy Wolf dropped the bridle and looked beaten. 

But Bayliss was able to get the best out him in the final stages, with Crazy Wolf rallying to win by three quarters of a length. 

Kim Waugh’s Don’t Recall was the hard luck story of the race, finishing second after hanging badly in the straight. 

Bullet Hero ($2.80) from the Mark Newnham stable, was a long head behind in third. 

The winner, a $210,000 Magic Millions yearling, was having his fourth start, his previous three runs in Victoria.

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Race 2 – SKY Racing Class 1 & Maiden (2100m):

Brad Widdup is excited about the prospects of his stayer Mr Bond, who made short work of his opposition to score a dominant five and half-length win over the 2100m. 

Jay Ford settled the Darci Brahma four-year-old at the rear of the field for much of the race, before making his move on the turn and outsprinting his rivals in the final stages. 

Widdup said the gelding, who had two starts in New Zealand before joining his stable, had plenty of potential. 

“He’s a nice type of horse and I think he could have some better staying races ahead of him,” he said. 

“He came over to me in great order from New Zealand and has been pretty straight forward to train. 

“He got cast in the box after his Nowra win, so we had to take a bit of time with him. 

“The run at Kembla last start just topped him off for today.

“He’s going to be a lovely horse next time and is going from strength to strength.”

Mr Bond ($2.40fav) beat Kermajack ($4.40) from the Waller stable, with the Waterhouse/Bott trained Mantinello ($2.45) third.

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Race 3 – Canadian Club 3YO Maiden (1600m):

A top Tommy Berry ride secured victory for the Mark Minervini trained Go Gazza. 

The Foxwedge gelding, a $45,000 Magic Millions yearling, is raced by Newcastle based Minervini and a group of his friends.

He was a runner up at Kembla over the same distance last start and looked well suited to the Wyong race. 
Berry settled him toward the rear, before circling the field on the turn and drawing away in the straight to win by almost two lengths.

Go Gazza started at $5 after the Waller trained runner-up Mouvement earned strong late support and was sent out $2.45 favourite.

Law Party ($3.20) from the Newnham stable was third, with Kylie Gavenlock’s Trojan Hero the one to follow, making up plenty of ground in the straight.

The consistent Go Gazza has now had a win and three placings from his seven starts. 

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Race 4 – Carlton Dry Prov & Ctry Maiden (1200m):

It was an impressive debut by the Kim Waugh trained Pretty Enuff, who looks to have a promising future. 

The Rich Enuff three-year-old was coming off two trials, her latest at Wyong on June 25, an eye catching third over 1000m.

She earned strong support in the betting on the strength of the trial, starting $2.40 favourite. 

Tim Clark opted to ride Pretty Enuff back in the field, before taking off on the turn and drawing away in the straight to win by more than a length.

Waugh said she has a good opinion of the filly, a $50,000 Inglis yearling.

“She’s a lovely filly with good ability but she’s taken a lot of time to get her act together. 

“I like her, and her last trial was really good. 

“She is built like a colt, and we had a lot of trouble early with her knees jarring up. 

“She just needed time and it’s good to get the win today.”

Pretty Enuff is raced by a syndicate which includes Waugh’s husband Mark. 

It was a Wyong quinella with Nayziair ($11) from the Lane stable second, over 

Nick Mitchell’s Miss Checkoni ($3.50). 

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Race 5 – TAB.COM.AU 2YO Maiden (1000m):

The Waterhouse/Bott trained Sealion caused an upset in a classy field of two-year-old’s, beating the more favoured runners at the juicy odds of $41.

Jean Van Overmire piloted the Astern gelding, who was coming off a trial on July 5, when he finished second over the 800m.

Sealion pinged the gates and was wide throughout but still managed to hold out his opposition in the final stages and win by a half-length.

Tracey Bartley’s Mabel, the $3.50 favourite, came from near last on the turn to finish second, ahead of Godolphin runner The Globe ($8.50). 

Neil Paine, from the Waterhouse/Bott stable said they had expected Sealion would need more ground. 

“He was wound up to do his best today, but it was just a steppingstone to get him up to the 1350m and mile,” Paine said. 

“He’s a real big duffer of a horse and we thought he’d be looking for further but it’s great to get a win along the way.”

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Race 6 – De Bortoli Wines Class 1 (1600m):

An exciting four-way finish saw the locally trained Apex narrowly beaten on the line by Roderick’s Secret from the Matthew Smith yard. 

John Cooper’s Apex ($15) looked the winner after leading throughout but was swamped on the line by the backmarkers.

A Rubick’s gelding, Roderick’s Secret ($9) brought up his second win at start 18. 

It was another great ride by Jay Ford, to bring up a winning double, taking off at the 400m mark, making up ground on the turn and storming down the outside to win by a half head.

The $50,000 yearling was coming off a sixth at Hawkesbury last start over the same distance, beaten just over two lengths. 

The John Thompson trained Speedzone ($3.60) was third, with the $2.60 favourite UK import Sidereal, struggling under the 62kg. 

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Race 7 – COCA-COLA Benchmark 64 (1300m):

John Thompson’s consistent mare Eye See Things continued her strong preparation bringing up another win. 

The Star Witness four-year-old has had seven runs this time in for two wins and five placings. 

She added to her win tally with a great ride by Rachel King, who went head-to-head with the favourite Born To Play around the turn, before drawing away to win by a length and a half. 

The $150,000 Magic Millions yearling now has career stats of two wins and eight placings from 12 starts. 

Eye See Things ($3.30) beat the Damien Lane trained Oakfield Captain ($19), who put in a much-improved run, with Matthew Smith’s American Salute ($5.50) third.

The $3.20 favourite Born To Play struggled in the final stages, finishing more than three lengths behind in sixth. 

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Race 8 – Wyong’s Next Race Meeting Thursday July 29 Class 1 (1000m):

A clever ride by James Innes Jnr secured victory for Star Cherie, a daughter of Star Witness, who brought up her second win from five starts. 

The Ryan/Alexiou trained three-year-old relished the improving track conditions to win by a long neck over the $3.10 favourite Head On Up. 

Innes looked like being posted wide from the barriers but elected to stride up and settle the filly just behind the leader. 

She hit the front on straightening and dug deep in the final stages to record her second win. 

Gerald Ryan described the winner as “a little fighter.”

“That’s one of her best qualities, she’s a real fighter. She’s no star but she digs deep and has a go.

“For her first racing prep she’s done a terrific job. She might be looking for a rest now, but we’ll see how she pulls up, she could have one more run.”

The Matthew Dunn trained Amungee ($9) was third.