Smith claims training honours

Smith claims training honours 1

The Matthew Smith stable had plenty of reason to celebrate saddling up the first two winners on the program. 

Debutant Per Ivy and Bedford Square didn’t disappoint, both sent out favourites on the strength of their recent from. 

Per Ivy had great trial form, while Bedford Square was rewarded for her consistency after running six placings in nine starts. 

The well-bred Niffler from the Waller stable looks a handy type and likely to progress to better races 

Jason Collett bagged a double with Per Ivy and Glittery.

The predicted rain didn’t eventuate until late in the day, with a storm resulting in the last race to be abandoned. 

Race 1: 1800RESPECT MAIDEN (1000m): 

Matthew Smith looks to have unveiled a promising filly in Per Ivy who backed up her impressive trial form with a debut win. 

The Per Incanto three-year-old looked was under heavy riding and looked to be in trouble on the turn after Kristen Buchanan’s One Way Street kicked away. 

But she put her head down in the final stages and overhauled the leaders on the line to win by a long neck.

“She’s a nice progressive filly,” Jason Collett said. 

“The speed really suited her, but she did a few things wrong in the middle stages. 

“The racing experience is going to help her, but it was a good start to her career.”

Per Ivy was coming off an eye-catching trial win at Rosehill on November 8. 

She earned good support in a strong betting race, sent out $2.70 favourite. 

She beat the $2.90 second favourite One Way Street, from the Kristen Buchanan yard, who also looked strong in his first start. 

The three favourites finished in market order, with the Ryan/Alexiou’s Miss Maz ($3.50), third. 

Race 2: MOUNTIES GROUP 4YO & UP MAIDEN (1600m): 

A running double to the Matthew Smith stable after Bedford Square brought up a well-deserved win. 

The Tavistock mare had been placed in six of her nine starts and was coming off a fourth at Canterbury on November 12. 

The stable had considered both the Wyong track and track conditions would be ideal and the plan worked to perfection, with the four-year-old gathering in the leader late to bring up her first win. 

Joe Curran, representing the Smith stable, said it was a great start to the day. 

“It’s very pleasing to get the first two home and great to see this mare finally break through.

“It was a very good ride by Jay (Ford) because they were walking early and our plan had been to be a bit further back,” he said. “He used his initiative placing her second for most of the trip and she finished strongly.

“The Canterbury run really put the writing on the wall and being by Tavistock she could be even better over more ground.”

Bedford Square ($2fav), a $45,000 Karaka yearling, beat the Anthony Cummings trained Tailoring ($4).

Les Bridge’s second favourite Miss Delia ($2.70) finished strongly in third and will appreciate more ground.

Race 3: #NO EXCUSE FOR ABUSE MAIDEN (1350m): 

Well bred filly mare Too Much Lippy continued a super run for the Ryan/Alexiou stable bringing up their seventh winner for the month. 

Bred and raced by John Singleton, the four-year-old was having only her second start but looks set to progress through the grades. 

She debuted in March with a second at Goulburn and was given a trial heading into the Wyong race. 

Nash Rawiller gave Too Much Lippy ($3.10) the perfect ride, holding her together into the straight before letting her down in the final stages. 

The win was never in doubt, despite a mid-race move by Tommy Berry who circled the field on John Sargent’s Gin Martini ($3fav), but couldn’t sustain the run, finishing second. Gary Moore’s Stay Wealthy ($3.10), appeared to have every chance finishing third. 

Rawiller said the winner, a son of More Than Ready, could progress off the victory. 

“She’s been lightly treated for a four-year-old mare but had a few little issues and took a long time to mature. I wanted to hold onto her as long as I could and let her show her dash and she certainly did that.

“She’s got a bit of rating in hand now.”

Race 4: STAND UP AGAINST DOMESTIC AND FAMILY ABUSE CLASS 1(1350m): 

Smith claims training honours 2
Niffler draws away to win ridden by Lee Magorrian

An eye-catching win by the Waller trained Niffler coming from behind in a slowly run race to overhaul her rivals. 

The Chris Waller trained mare, another winner on the program by Tavistock, looks headed for better races after bringing up her second win from as many starts. 

Niffler came from near last on the turn and chased the three leaders down the straight, rounding them up in the final stages to win by more than a length. 

Bred in New Zealand by iconic breeders Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan, the four-year-old was sold at Karaka for $200,000.

She debuted with a win at Kembla on April 3 and was then spelled, resuming with two trials. 

Winning rider Lee Magorrian said he believes Niffler will progress to better races.

“She gave me the impression she’ll take the next step,” he said. “Chris and his team did a great job to get her ready to win over 1350m, when ideally she’ll be better suited over the mile plus.

“I always go into the races confident when I’m riding one with the Waller bridle and Debbie Kepitis as the owner.”

Niffler ($3.80fav) beat Cushy ($5.50) from the Pride stable, with Field Wiri ($4.40) trained by the Freedman brothers, third. 

Smith claims training honours 3
Jess Taylor rides Penopera to victory

Race 5: WYONG MAGIC MILLIONS WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 15 4YO & UP MAIDEN (1100m): 

Penopera gave Jason Coyle plenty of reason to celebrate, the mare breaking through for her first win. 

Coyle bred the four-year-old having trained her mother Ashlee’s Jewel, and now races her. 

She had been racing without luck in several of her recent races and was placed fourth at Gosford over 1100m at her last start. 

Penopera ($12) was given a great ride by Jess Taylor, who was toward the rear of the field on straightening. 

She had plenty of momentum in the straight and found a gap through a wall of horses to post a half length victory. 

Taylor returned to scale cheered on by her two young daughters. 

“It was exciting to have a win in front of the girls,” she said. 

“This mare has been getting better with each run. She is so consistent and there’s not a lot of her. 

“I was three wide with cover but I think it helped having a bit of room today. 

“I was confident from the top of the straight and had a lovely run through.”

Hypnosis ($6) from the Baker stable, showed plenty of heart fighting on for second, over the local trained and ultra-consistent Mister Ripley ($9) from the Rod Bailey yard. 

Race 6: DOMESTIC & FAMILY ABUSE AWARENESS BM64 (1100m): 

It was a race in two in the straight with Never Second and Glittery neck and neck before the Godolphin runner got the upper hand on the line. 

A half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Bivouac, Glittery ($3.50) was having her sixth career start, having brought up her maiden win at Gosford in June. 

She was given a well-timed run by Jason Collett, who fought out the finish with fellow leading rider Tommy Berry, on the Neasham trained $2.50 favourite Never Second. 

Joe Pride’s Macomo ($6) was two and a half lengths behind in third. 

Darren Beadman, representing the stable, said Glittery had come back better from her spell. 

“Her coat was glistening today, and she came into the race today with the right sort of lead up,” he said. “She’s a very well-bred filly and that breeding will hold her in good stead into the future. 

“She went well in a very strong trial at Warwick Farm and had a good bit of time between the trial and today’s run. It worked out perfect.”

The win brought up a double for Collett.

STARS ALIGNED FOR DUAL ESCAPE

STARS ALIGNED FOR DUAL ESCAPE 4

Click for today’s race book. Port Macquarie trainer Denim Wynen believes her stable star Dual Escape is primed for win number 11 when she lines up in the 1100m BM64 at Wyong on Thursday. 

Wynen’s confidence comes not only from the mare’s strong recent form but also from her reuniting with jockey Serg Lisnyy on one of her favourite tracks.

The Lisnyy and Dual Escape combination has been together for all the eight-year-old wins, four of which have come on the Wyong track.

Lisnyy recently returned from suspension and will be hoping Dual Escape can return him to the winner’s circle. 

“She’s not the easiest horse to ride and Serg seems to have the key to her,” Wynen said. 

“It’s only her pre-race manners that get her in a bit of trouble. She’s thrown Serg in the enclosure a couple of times but once she gets out onto the track, she is fine. 

“She really races well on the Wyong track and can handle any track conditions, so if the rain keeps coming it won’t worry her.

“She’s ready to win again.”

Dual Escape resumed from a spell at Port Macquarie on October 8, a race Wynen considered to be more of a barrier trial. 

“I didn’t expect much from her that day but her two runs since then have been very good.”

STARS ALIGNED FOR DUAL ESCAPE 5

The mare was narrowly beaten at Gosford over 1000m on October 28 and was runner-up again at her subsequent start at Wyong over the same distance on November 6, behind Scott Singleton’s promising filly I’m Not Slew.

“I honestly wasn’t expecting her to race as well as she did in her past two starts because Serg wasn’t on her. 

“She surprised me and went really well for both Jenny Duggan and Ashley Morgan. 

“With Serg back on her on Thursday there will be no excuse because he can get the best out of her. 

“I wanted to get her nice and fit for when he came back. 

“She is ready to go and looks the best she has this preparation. There should be no excuses.”

At just 26, and a mother to two young children, Wynen credits Dual Escape and Kristen Buchanan with helping to establish her as a trainer. 

She took out her licence while working for Buchanan at Wyong, who also gave her the opportunity to train Dual Escape. 

“I leased her initially and she bolted in at Wyong only three weeks after I’d taken over the training. It was the best feeling. 

“I brought her last year and she’s won around $70,000 since. She’s a great little pay cheque and a very easy horse to train. 

“I moved to Port Macquarie last year and she has really thrived in this environment. She does better in a smaller stable and my partner Reece Partington rides all her work. 

“She has helped get my name out there as a trainer and I’ve got a few new owners with some nice young horses coming through.

“She’s got a few niggling issues, but we keep on top of them, and I think she’s got a few wins left in her.”

The first of seven races at the club’s Domestic & Family Abuse Awareness Race Day, gets underway at 1.50pm.

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 1.50pm: 1800RESPECT MAIDEN (1000m): 1 ROYAL BALLET, 2 Miss Maz, 3 One Way Street, 4 The Leopard’s Tale.

Race 2 – 2.25pm: MOUNTIES GROUP 4YO & UP MAIDEN (1600m): 1 BEDFORD SQUARE, 2 Miss Delia, 3 Tailoring, 4 Under The Pump. 

Race 3 – 3.05pm: #NO EXCUSE FOR ABUSE MAIDEN (1350m): 1 STAY WEALTHY, 2 Rejoiced, 3 Diamond Blush, 4 Too Much Lippy.

Race 4 – 3.40pm: STAND UP AGAINST DOMESTIC AND FAMILY ABUSE CLASS 1(1350m): 1 CUSHY, 2 Niffler, 3 Groover, 4 Zohan.

Race 5 – 4.20pm: WYONG MAGIC MILLIONS WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 15 4YO & UP MAIDEN (1100m): 1 KYALLA, 2 Hypnosis, 3 One Way Street, 4 El Nido.

Race 6 – 4.55pm: DOMESTIC & FAMILY ABUSE AWARENESS BM64 (1100m): 1 DUAL ESCAPE, 2 Discompose, 3 Never Second, 4 Maccomo.

Race 7 – 5.30pm: WYONG’S NEXT MEETING THURSDAY DECEMBER 9 4YO&UP BM64 (1600m): 1 BAK DA MAN, 2 Buba, 3 Carolina Fire, 4 Mon Amore.

HIGHLIGHTS GALORE AT WYONG MIDWEEKER

HIGHLIGHTS GALORE AT WYONG MIDWEEKER 6

A successful day for punters, doubles for three jockeys along with two horses who won and look destined for better things.

They were the notable highlights from today’s midweek meeting.

Punters definitely came out on top with favorites winning five of the eight races.

The successful major elects were For Valour ($1.45), Bon Vivant ($1.90), Glamour and Glory ($2.20), Sweet Ruby ($2.50) and Ka Bling ($2.10).

Close second favorite Oceanic Flash ($2.50) also scored, pipping favorite Tea Leaves ($1.95) in the opening event.

Jockeys Mitchell Bell (Oceanic Flash and Proverbial), Hugh Bowman (Bon Vivant and Sweet Ruby), and Tommy Berry (Glamour and Glory and Ka Bling) shared riding honours.

Bon Vivant and Ka Bling, both young horses, are worth following.

Whilst their margins weren’t great, their performances indeed were and they look capable of winning better races.

RACE 1 – WYONG RACE CLUB FUNCTION CENTRE CLASS 1/MAIDEN PLATE (2100m):

CO-TRAINER Gerald Ryan was concerned beforehand that last-start runaway Newcastle winner Oceanic Flash would be as well suited on the tighter circuit – but need not have worried.

The lightly-raced four-year-old made it two wins in a row, but it was nowhere near as comprehensive as his 1850m victory on the spacious Newcastle track on October 30. 

Oceanic Flash ($2.50) nosed out the $1.95 favorite Tea Leaves, and the pair had the finish to themselves, leaving third placegetter Seporto ($12) more than five lengths astern. 

“He got the job done,” Ryan said afterwards. “I was concerned because he is a big-striding horse and pricked his ears in the straight when he looked to be putting the second horse away easily. He had a bit of a think about it for sure, but he is a big immature horse who is still learning.” 

A gear change on Tea Leaves almost brought about a reversal in form, having been beaten 19 lengths at Kembla Grange at his previous start after doing plenty of work in the run. Blinkers replaced winkers and Tim Clark gave him a perfect run. A two-year-old winner at Newcastle in March, the now three-year-old is ready to return to the winning list.

RACE 2: BUSINESS WYONG RACE DAY DECEMBER 9 BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1600m):

TIM Clark and the Waterhouse-Bott team just missed in the opener, but they quickly struck back with hotpot For Valour ($1.45). 

Clark took bad luck out of the equation by making the running and the Zoustar four-year-old made it two wins on end,  holding off a game Miss Scalini ($5.50), who tried hard to overhaul him. 

Mo’s Crown ($14) was third without ever threatening the first pair and can win if he returns to a suitable country event. 

For Valour had scored over 1500m on heavy ground at Hawkesbury on November 9, and is taking the next step with every start this campaign. 

Stable representative Neil Paine said it was never easy to progress straight from a Maiden to winning a Benchmark race. 

“He is the whole package and can certainly get up to city class,” Paine said. “I thought he won with a bit of confidence today and has now won on heavy and good ground.

“We won the race in the first 150m because For Valour has so much gate speed, and then got into a nice rhythm and had more to offer at the finish.” 

RACE 3: TAB.COM.AU MAIDEN HANDICAP (1600m):

HUGH Bowman’s class shone through on the $1.90 favorite Bon Vivant, who overcame a wide draw and slow beginning to overhaul Pelennium ($5.50) and Gerardjoseph ($7.50).

“He’s very raw and things didn’t work out in the early stages, and he wasn’t all that comfortable making the home turn,” Bowman said. “But I was confident once he balanced up on straightening, and he didn’t let me down.” 

Stable representative Darren Beadman agreed that Bon Vivant was a “big, raw horse” and it was a matter of Bowman keeping him balanced. He also pointed to the run of stablemate Abenaki ($26), who hit the line stylishly to finish fifth and said she could be worth following. Abenaki had done little in four previous runs but looks as though she is going to appreciate a middle distance. 

Stewards questioned jockey Glyn Schofield about his riding of Abenaki from the 800m. Schofield agreed with stewards that, in hindsight, the better option would have been to shift outside Gerardjoseph passing the 700m, which would have avoided his mount losing ground at that point.

RACE 4: WYONG LEAGUES GROUP MAIDEN HANDICAP (1000m):

FAVORITE punters struck again when Star Turn filly Glamour and Glory ($2.20) broke through at her fourth start.

 Jockey Tommy Berry gave her the run of the race, then pulled her around the heels of the two leaders, London Ruler and The Leopard’s Tale (both $41 chances) on the home turn. She stretched out nicely to beat the latter and former horses into the placings. 

Berry had a broad smile returning to scale – and with good reason as his wife Sharnee is a part-owner of the filly, a $200,000 Magic Millions purchase. 

“She is raced by a ladies’ syndicate and they have been very patient,” Berry said. “Glamour and Glory has always been a bit temperamental, and is now starting to work it out.

 “This is probably the tightest track she has raced on, and didn’t get around it all that well, so it adds merit to her win. She will be better on a bigger track.”

RACE 5: GREAT NORTHERN MAIDEN PLATE (1100m): 

SCONE trainer Lou Mary clinched his second Provincial success much to the delight of bookmakers, as favorites had won three of the first four races. His $18 chance Proverbial provided Mitchell Bell with his second winner of the day, and Mary’s second in two days. Bell picked up an unexpected booking when illness forced Christian Reith to forego the mount. Mary was excited to win for new clients and said he had been waiting to put blinkers on Proverbial, who had kept improving this preparation. Proverbial led and just held out the late-finishing $61 roughie Miss Lenorr, who showed rapid improvement on her debut failure at Gosford in June. It looked a two-horse race on paper, but Sacred Field ($1.85) and Bartoselli ($2.70) finished fourth and third respectively. Hugh Bowman reported Bartoselli hung in and never travelled comfortably, whilst Tommy Berry said Sacred Field was obliged to race wide and without cover and hung out during the race.

RACE 6: WYONG MAGIC MILLIONS DECEMBER 15 F&M BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1200m): 

HUGH Bowman claimed a double when another favorite Sweet Ruby ($2.50) scored – but runner-up My Snow Queen ($3.90) cost herself the race. She made the running but didn’t make the home turn well and veered to the centre of the track. Her waywardness enabled the winner to enjoy a trouble-free run in the straight and she responded gamely to edge out My Snow Queen. Locally-trained Mosht Up ($21) finished third and nearly upset the fancied pair. Winning trainer Kim Waugh described Sweet Ruby as a “nice filly who keeps on improving”. “She looks as though she is looking for 1600m already,” she said. Bowman added: “Sweet Ruby wasn’t comfortable amongst horses, and I’m sure she will be better placed on a bigger track getting over more ground.”

RACE 7: DE BORTOLI WINES CG&E BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1200m):

UNDOUBTEDLY one of the wins of the day! No other way to describe $2.10 favorite Ka Bling’s victory. Not the best away, he continued to make ground to race up near the lead, then found plenty in the straight to defeat Mystic Vein ($11) and Buzz ‘N’ Joe ($20). The Capitalist three-year-old was having only his fourth start and has now won twice. Co-trainer Paul Snowden was full of praise for Ka Bling, explaining he was a late scratching at Gosford recently when also favorite, after pulling a shoe and pricking himself after arriving at the track. 

“We’ll be looking to get to town with him soon, but he’s still a preparation away,” Snowden said. Winning rider Tommy Berry echoed Snowden’s comments. “I’m really looking forward to his next preparation as he still has plenty of improvement,” he said. “After he began awkwardly, I went forward on him when the speed slackened as it is hard to win today from back in the field.” Apprentice Tyler Schiller, who rode Land Of Valens (ninth at $6), told stewards his mount received heavy contact from another runner passing the 700m and became under pressure from that point and failed to respond to his riding.

RACE 8: WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETING THURSDAY NOVEMBER 25 CONDITIONAL BENCHMARK 68 HANDICAP (1000m):

No excuses for the beaten brigade here. Winner Toro Toro ($7.50) gave them a start and a beating. The Scone-trained five-year-old, having his fourth start this preparation, began awkwardly and shortly afterwards was bumped by eventual runner-up Flora ($11). He came from last, made the home turn the widest and still rounded up his seven rivals. Stewards, however, cautioned winning rider Matt Palmer to exercise more care as Flora’s rider Josh Parr had to take hold to avoid the heels of the winner when it shifted in under pressure over the closing stages. Favorite Emilette ($3.50), just nudged out of a minor placing, made contact with the inside running rail near the finish when racing tight inside third placegetter Young Heart ($6.50).

FLORA AIMING FOR FOUR IN A ROW

FLORA AIMING FOR FOUR IN A ROW 9

Northern Rivers trained Flora is shooting for her fourth successive win when she lines up in the 1000m BM68 at Wyong on Tuesday. 

The Delago Deluxe mare has been in sizzling form this preparation putting together four wins and a placing from five starts. 

Her trainer Norm Rogers is hoping a return to his former training base at Wyong, could see the four-year-old breakthrough for her first Provincial win. 

“She’s been in great form but because of that has been weighted out of races up here,” Rogers said. 

“It was either take her back to the Gold Coast or bring her down to the Provincials, so we decided to go that way.”

Rogers, a licenced real estate agent and hobby trainer, was based out of Wyong for many years before heading north to the Gold Coast. 

He spent a couple of years training there before relocating to the small town of Tabulam, where he prepares the only two horses trained on the track. 

“It’s a good set up and we get to work them on the grass every day,” Rogers said. 

“Flora has been thriving there and the only thing I’m worried about on Tuesday is how she will handle the long trip.”

Rogers will make the seven-hour drive on Sunday and has enlisted the help of old friend Stephen “Beaver” Schofield to house Flora. 

“Beaver has a box for her, and he’ll trot her up on Monday morning for me. 

“Provided she handles the trip I expect her to race really well. 

“She likes to be up on the speed and the Wyong track should really suit her.

“She has done well since her last win at Grafton on October 26, and we’ve got a great jockey in Josh (Parr).”

Rogers has known Parr from more than 30 years and believes he is the perfect rider for Flora.

“He’s a great jockey and rides Wyong as good as anyone, so there will be no issue there.

“His uncle Mark Webb rides him all his work up here.”

Flora has had four wins and a placing from her eight career starts but Rogers believes that record would have been even better if it weren’t for some early setbacks.

“She got a virus on the Gold Coast and after getting over that she got another one. She lost around 40kg, and it really set her back. 

“Once she got over that and we moved to Tabulam she started racing really well and has continued to do so.

“She’s no world beater but is very consistent, so we will see how she handles the step up in grade.”

The first of eight races at the clubs De Bortoli Wines Race Day gets underway at 1.15pm.

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 1.15pm: WYONG RACE CLUB FUNCTION CENTRE CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2100m): 1 OCEANIC FLASH, 2 Tea Leaves, 3 Willinga Stirling, 4 Pirate Bird.

Race 2 – 1.50pm: BUSINESS WYONG RACE DAY DECEMBER 9 BENCHMARK 64 (1600m): 1 FOR VALOUR, 2 Prasiolite, 3 Miss Scalini, 4 Dhakuri.

Race 3 – 2.25pm: TAB.COM.AU MAIDEN (1600m): 1 AL SAHARA, 2 Zoomurudi, 3 Elarski, 4 Sir Savaluca.

Race 4 – 3.05pm: WYONG LEAGUES GROUP MAIDEN (1000m): 1GLAMOUR AND GLORY, 2 Alegna, 3 Joyzel, 4 Lily Elsie.

Race 5 – 3.45pm: GREAT NORTHERN MADIEN (1100m): 1 DERRY GROVE, 2 Bartoselli, 3 Cool Lad, 4 Hard To Excel.

Race 6 – 4.25pm: WYONG MAGIC MILLIONS DECEMBER 15 F&M BENCHMARK 64 (1200m): 1 SWEET RUBY, 2 My Snow Queen, 3 Passistas, 4 Raay Of Dreams.

Race 7 – 5.05pm: DE BORTOLI WINES CG&E BENCHMARK 64 (1200m): 1 FRENCH MARINE, 2 Land Of Valens, 3 Coal Crusher, 4 Ka Bling.

Race 8 – 5.40PM: WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETING THURSDAY NOVEMBER 25 BENCHMARK 68 (1000m): 1 PICK THE SCORE, 2 Flora, 3 Emilette, 4 Affinity Beyond.

OXFORD TYCOON CLAIMS FEATURE FOR WAUGH

OXFORD TYCOON CLAIMS FEATURE FOR WAUGH 10

A local win in the $40,000 SKY RACING Summing Provincial Series opening heat was the highlight of the eight-race ‘Back To The Races’ meeting.

Kim Waugh’s Oxford Tycoon was too strong for his rivals in the feature race and now heads to the $150,000 final at Newcastle on December 18.

The six-year-old Written Tycoon gelding will step up to 1600m for the final, having previously placed over 1500m at Rosehill. 

Darleb will represent Kris Lees after finishing second, the Lees stable already claiming two of the three series Summer Provincial Series finals run to date. 

The Angela Davies trained Momack, who fought on gamely for third, also earned a finals berth, and will also appreciate more ground. 

Reece Jones, who took out the Wyong Apprentice Premiership last season, made an impressive return to the track after injury, riding a race to race double.

He shared the riding honours with Louise Day also bagging two winners. 

Speedy Scone filly I’m Not Slew looks to have an impressive future, easily making the step up from Country to Provincial grade in the 1000m BM64.

Race 1 – MAGIC MILLIONS – GOLD COAST IN JANUARY MAIDEN (1600m):

Impeccably bred Snitzel colt Vyner broke through for his first win for trainer Mark Newnham and prominent part-owner Alan Jones.

The three-year-old was coming off a second at Kembla over the same distance on October 23 and earned strong late support, starting $2.30 favourite. 

Koby Jennings gave Vyner a confident ride, settling just behind the leaders before taking off on the turn. 

He kicked three lengths clear on straightening and was never in doubt in the final stages, beating his rivals by half a length. 

Newnham has always had an opinion of Vyner, whose mother Vadomoro was runner-up In the VRC Oakes and Vinery Stud Stakes.

“Vyner is a nice horse,” Newnham said. “He was a late foal, so he has taken a while to mature but he has always shown me above average ability.

“We thought he would be effective at the mile to 2000m, and he’s shown that today.”

John Sargent’s Al Sahara, the $2.80 second favourite, was runner-up, over Vitae ($7), from the Matthew Dunn yard. 

Race 2 – WWW.TAB.COM.AU CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2100m):

Back-to-back wins for Louise Day on the Waller trained Black Queen, who justified her short price to record another dominant Wyong win. 

The Mongolian Khan mare was ridden to victory by Day at Kembla on October 23, catching the eye of punters who were confident she could replicate her last start win and sent her out $1.30 favourite. 

The victory was never in doubt with Day settling the four-year-old just behind the leader in a slowly run race, before taking him to the lead at the 600m mark and drawing away in the straight to win by almost two lengths.

Black Queen was having her eighth start, after beginning her racing career with a second in New Zealand. 

She made the switch to Waller’s Sydney stables and has since won two races, with four placings.

Paul Murray’s Kembla-trained Lady Redwood ($6.50) was again runner-up to Black Queen, with Deel Street ($7) from the Waugh stable, third. 

Race 3 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY JADE CG&E MAIDEN (1350m):

Joe Pride made the trip to Wyong to see his gelding Cushy win before heading back to Sydney to saddle up his Golden Gift favourite Shalatin.

And while Shalatin was narrowly beaten he also tasted success at Rosehill with Zoushack.

Pride has a share in the ownership of Cushy, a Super Easy gelding having his fourth career start. 
He was in a battle for favouritism with Gary Moore’s Stay Wealthy and the pair were in a race of their own in the final stages, with Andrew Gibbons getting the most out of Cushy on the line. 

The three-year-old appreciated the step up in distance and firmer track, after a last start third over 1200m at Kembla in the heavy on October 23.

Cushy ($3.20), out of New Zealand mare Our Solaris, beat Stay Wealthy ($2.90fav) by a nose, with the tiring Marvelous ($7.50), from the Lee and Cherie Curtis yard, third.

Race 4 – WELCOME BACK TO RACING WRC MEMBERS F&M MAIDEN (1350m):

Louise Day brought up a double in an upset win on the Maher Eustace first starter Pono Kitoro. 

The Reliable Man filly was the outsider in the field, with Day giving him a soft run toward the rear of in the early stages. 

She made a sweeping run from last to first just before the turn, and from then on, the win was never in doubt. 

Pono Kitoro drew away in the final stages to win by almost three lengths. 

The three-year-old was coming off two moderate Metropolitan trials, the latest on October 19 when he was beaten more than six lengths over the 1045m.

He relished the race day conditions, giving Day a double and win for her former boss Maher. 

The $2.45 favourite Estonia was second for Richard and Michael Freedman, with Drummin ($5.50) trained by Lee and Cherie Curtis, third.

Race 5 – GREAT NORTHERN ON TAP MAIDEN (1000m): 

Leading apprentice Reece Jones didn’t take long to return to the winner’s circle in his second meeting back after being sidelined with injury. 

Jones spent almost two months recovering from a wrist injury, resuming at Muswellbrook on Melbourne Cup Day without tasting success.

At only his second meeting back he piloted speedy Goulburn sprinter Girl Mania to a four-length win. 

The Jean Dubois trained filly was sent out $3.40 second favourite on the back of her fourth at Hawkesbury when resuming on October 26. 

It was another race in two in the final stages, with Girl Mania running down Brad Widdup’s $2.45 favourite Mareeba early in the straight, and then drawing away for a dominant win. 

Matthew Smith’s Rubigal ($7) was a length behind in third. 

A Capitalist filly, Girl Mania has now had a win and two placings from her seven starts. 

Race 6 – WYONG MAGIC MILLIONS RACE DAY 15 DEC CLASS 1 (1350m): 

A race to race double for the returning Reece Jones, coming from last on the turn to steer Artero to victory. 

The Flying Artie colt, trained by Matthew Dunn, was back in grade after finishing last in the Listed Brian Crowley at Randwick on October 23. 

He was unfancied by punters drifting in the betting to $6.80 but seems to have returned to the form that saw him take out the Inglis Challenge at Scone in May.

Jones settled Artero at the rear of the field, coming from behind on the turn with a sustained run to win by a length and a half. 

The $10,000 Inglis yearling, has now amassed more than $155,000 in prizemoney with more wins in store. 

He beat Dale Riley’s The Defiant One ($21) who fought on strongly in the straight, with Irish Kisses ($2.25fav) from the Tracey Bartley yard, third. 

Race 7 – SKY RACING SUMMER PROVINCIAL SERIES HEAT 1 – CLASS 5 (1350m):

A home track win in the opening heat of the Sky Racing Summer Provincial Series with Kim Waugh’s Oxford Tycoon too strong for his rivals. 

The six-year-old earned a spot in the $150,000 final with a half-length win over the Kris Lees race favourite Darleb. 

Oxford Tycoon was coming off a second in the Midway over 1300m on August 28 and was the recipient of strong late support.

He started $3 second favourite and didn’t disappoint, courtesy of a confident ride by Jeff Penza. 

He stalked the leaders prior to the turn before hitting the front on straightening.

Oxford Tycoon put two lengths on his rivals in the straight and was able to hold out the fast-finishing Darleb. 

They put a gap between the rest of the field, with the Angela Davies trained Momack fighting on strongly in the final stages to finish more than three lengths behind in third. 

Waugh had been confident of the chances of Oxford Tycoon leading into the $40,000 heat. 

“I’ve been really happy with him leading into this,” Waugh said. 

“He galloped the other morning and worked really well.

“It’s the perfect distance for him and he’s won here before so there was plenty in his favour today.”

Race 8 – WYONG’S NEXT MEETING TUESDAY NOVEMBER 16 BM64 (1000m):

The Scott Singleton trained I’m Not Slew looks set for bigger things on the strength of her dominant win in stronger grade.

The speedy Sooboog filly was stepping up from a Scone win over the 1100m on October 22 but had no problem with the rise to Provincial grade.

Christian Reith drove the three-year-old to the lead from the barriers and maintained the front throughout, drawing away in the straight to win by more than a length. 

Punters were confident I’m Not Slew could put together successive wins, sending her out $.190 favourite on the strength of his Scone win.

The victory was never in doubt, with the filly showing an abundance of speed throughout. 

She beat Denim Wynen’s Dual Escape ($12), who always saves her best runs for the Wyong track, with Allan Denham’s Adios Steve ($19) third. 

MOMACK LOOKING THE GOODS FIRST UP

MOMACK LOOKING THE GOODS FIRST UP 11

Angela Davies is hopeful Momack can return a winner when he resumes in Saturday’s Sky Racing Summer Provincial Series Heat at Wyong.

The gelding is one of 11 acceptors for the $40,000 race, the first in a five-heat series for Provincial trainers offering a total of $350,000 in prizemoney.

The final at Newcastle on December 18, run over the 16000m, carries a purse of $150,000.

Davies said the heat is an ideal starting point for her five-year-old Uncle Mo gelding Momack.

“He looks super, and his coat is really sparkling,” Davies said. “It has taken quite a while to bring him to hand, but he seems right to go now. 

“The 1350m should really suit him first up. He was a Wyong winner over the 1600m before we spelled him, so the track won’t present any problems.”

In only his first preparation with Davies, Momack put together two wins and a second from just four runs.

He was strong to the line in his last start win at Wyong on May 13, the victory adding to his overall record of four wins and three placings from just 11 starts.

“It was a really good preparation, but he needed a break. It has taken a bit longer than we hoped to get him back,” she said. 

“He’s had two trials and I think he’s finally right to go. His best form is over more ground, so if he can get through to the final it would really suit him.”

Davies was approached by well-known owner Phillip Pollicina to take over the training of Momack. 

“It’s the first horse I’ve had for him and good to get results in his first preparation with us.

“Phillip was looking to place the horse with a Provincial trainer and said he had been watching me and liked what he saw.

“It will be great if we can keep rewarding him with more wins, particularly this series with some good prizemoney on offer.”

Davies’ fellow Gosford trainer Kylie Gavenlock is also expecting her runner Highjacker to perform well first up. 

The seven-year-old, by High Chaparral, is a first up winner and Gavenlock hopes he can repeat that performance. 

“He’s won when resuming over 1300m and pulled up really well after his 1200m trial at Newcastle last week,” Gavenlock said. 

“This looks like a nice race for him and fits in really well with his preparation. He’s got good form over the 1600m, so if he qualifies for the final it will work out well.”

Kris Lees, who took out both the 2019 and 2020 series finals, with Occupy and Itz Lily respectively, saddles up Darleb and Azarmin.

The first of eight races gets underway at 1.20pm.

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 1.20pm: MAGIC MILLIONS – GOLD COAST IN JANUARY MAIDEN (1600m): 1 VITAE, 2 Vyner, 3 Al Sahara, 4 Tiva Bay.

Race 2 – 2.00pm: WWW.TAB.COM.AU CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2100m): 1 BLACK QUEEN, 2 Deel Street, 3 Amore, 4 Willinga Stirling.

Race 3 – 2.40pm: HAPPY BIRTHDAY JADE CG&E MAIDEN (1350m): 1 ISLAND LEGEND, 2 Stay Wealthy, 3 Cushy, 4 Marvelous.

Race 4 – 3.20pm: WELCOME BACK TO RACING WRC MEMBERS F&M MAIDEN (1350m): 1 DRUMMIN, 2 Estonia, 3 All Too Scottish, 4 Pono Kitoro.

Race 5 – 3.55pm: GREAT NORTHERN ON TAP MAIDEN (1000m): 1 MISS CAN DO, 2 Diamond Blush, 3 Airstrike, 4 Girl Mania.

Race 6 – 4.35pm: WYONG MAGIC MILLIONS RACE DAY 15 DEC CLASS 1 (1350m): 1 IRISH KISSES, 2 Seven Twenty, 3 Trinity Missile, 4 Lovetheinvasion.

Race 7 – 5.15pm: SKY RACING SUMMER PROVINCIAL SERIES HEAT 1 CLASS 5 (1350m):  1 OXFORD TYCOON, 2 Greek Hero, 3 Darleb, 4 Departing Bullet.

Race 8 – 5.55pm: WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETNG TUESDAY NOVEMBER 16 BM64 (1000m): 1 I’M NOT SLEW, 2 Perlant, 3 Bring Glory, 4 Murungal.