Month: December 2021

It was heart in mouth stuff for Annabel Neasham who completed a Wyong feature double with Soaring Ambition overcoming a bump on the corner to take out the $200,000 Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic in impressive style. 

It capped off a super day for Neasham, who earlier took out the 3YO & 4YO Stakes with Wisdom Of Water. 

Soaring Ambition was coming with a sustained run on the turn when she was bumped and forced wide. 

Tommy Berry was able to rebalance the filly who lengthened over the last 100m, gathering in the leaders on the line to win by a neck. 

“I was having heart palpitations on the turn,” a relieved Neasham said after the race. “It looked like she’d clipped heels and was scary for a minute. 

“She’s such a gutsy filly and I’ve always had a lot of time for her. This has been an obvious race for her, and I was pretty confident. 

“To win this race is very special, especially given the circumstances, so she’s obviously pretty talented. Bring on the Gold Coast.”

Berry was also full of praise for the Not A Single Doubt filly, a $270,000 Magic Millions yearling raced by Zhongli Thoroughbreds.

“It was a great effort. It’s the last track you want to get a bump on the corner, but she was able to pick herself up quickly and win with authority, which was good to see. 

“I want to stick with her. She is one of the most professional two-year-old’s I’ve sat on and you saw that today. 

“She’s definitely a Magic Millions horse but you won’t know if she’s a Golden Slipper horse until she gets the job done up there but she’s with a great stable.”

Coming off just one trial, Soaring Ambition earned some support and was sent out at $11 and with the win has now been installed as an $11 chance for the Gold Coast 2YO Classic on January 15,

Miss Hellfire ($5.50) from the Snowden yard was runner-up at Wyong, with Damien Lane’s Wealthy Investor ($18), impressive third. The $3.90 favourite Command Approved from the Waterhouse/Bott stable, hung on the turn well, finishing fourth. 

Race 4: MAGIC MILLIONS WYONG 3YO & 4YO STAKES (1200m): 

A super ride by Rachel King saw Wisdom Of Water return to the winner’s circle in the best possible way, taking out the $100,000 Magic Millions 3YO & 4YO Stakes. 

Raced by the Fung Family, the Headwater four-year-old was a $70,000 Magic Millions yearling, having his 19^thcareer start.

He began his racing career on the Gold Coast and is now set to return, with Annabel Neasham saying she would find a suitable Magic Millions race for him. 

“He’s a very talented colt and his owners have been great supporters of mine,” Neasham said. “I’ll take him to the Gold Coast now. He’s won races there before and races well up there. 

“He’s been knocking on the door for a while and it’s great to get him back in the winners enclosure. It looked like the perfect race and conditions for him today and fortunately that’s how it turned out. 

“It was a lovely ride by Rachel, she was parked behind them, and I thought he’d gone the wrong way at one stage, but it was great to see him knuckle down and fight to the line.”

King said she had needed a bit of luck and was happy when it came. 

“He proved he’s the class horse today. He’s not an easy horse and needed a bit of luck. 

“It was a benefit me having ridden him in his last couple of starts because I’ve learnt his tricks. Annabel thought he might appreciate a girl rider and it’s definitely working. He’s racing really nicely for me and it’s great to get the win.”

Wisdom Of Water was sent out ($3.30) second favourite, beating Tracey Bartley’s Compassionate ($61) who was brave in defeat, with a dead heat for third between the Waterhouse/Bott trained favourite Snitzonfire ($2.90), with Tanker ($8) from the Maher/Eustace stable, third.

Race 1: MAINSTREAM FINANCE SERVICES PTY LTD CONDITIONAL BM 68 (1600m): 

A thrilling finish to open the program, with Kylie Gavenlock’s Highjacker returning to form with a strong win. 

The High Chaparral gelding, ridden by Andrew Gibbons came from last before the turn to run down the leader and race favourite Dodecanese ($2.30) on the line. 

Gavenlock had been at a loss to explain the seven-year-old’s poor performance when resuming at Wyong on November 6.

She made some gear changes, which proved to winning moves, with Highjacker ($6) bringing up his third career victory. 

“He was terrible first up and I couldn’t fathom why he went so bad,” she said. “I changed some things around, added a tongue tie and blinkers, and thank God he did something for me today.

“He’s going to make a pretty nice stayer. He’s a cranky old thing but it’s good to see him return to form.”

Gibbons said it was a “masterstroke” by Gavenlock to apply the blinkers. 

“I was worried about the blinkers, but they got him back to his old self today,” 

Gavenlock’s Dundee ($31) was third. 

Race 2: MAINSTREAM TAXATION & ACCOUNTACY SERVICES BM64 (2100m):

Lee Magorrian’s confidence about Dalgarno was justified when he snatched a last stride victory on the Nathan Doyle trained gelding.

Magorrian had partnered the Dalghar four-year-old at his last start at Newcastle on December 4 and after finishing third told Doyle if he gave him another ride on him, he would win.

And that he did in another exciting finish, with Dalgarno running down the locally trained Apache Belle on the line to bring up his third win. 

Dalgarno was positioned perfectly by Magorrian behind the two favourites, and when the race looked won, he kept coming, lunging on the line to claim victory. 

“It was a brilliant ride by Lee, and he backed up his words,” Doyle said. “I think he’s still a preparation away mentally because he needs to relax down, especially if he’s going to get over a trip. But he got the job done today so I’ll tip him out and I’m sure there will be plenty more wins in him.”

Dalgarno, after earning strong late support, started at $5.50, beating Wayne Seelin’s Apache Belle ($4.40), with Reposition ($6.50) trained by Greg Preston, third.

The $2.90 favourite Viren raced without luck, finishing fourth.

Race 3: MAGIC MILLIONS 2022 GOLD COAST YEARLING SALE 11-17 JANUARY 4YO & UP MAIDEN (1350m): 

Mum-to-be Diorissima goes out a winner after showing a terrific turn of foot to bring up her first victory. 
The four-year-old mare, by USA sire Tapit, came from behind on the turn speeding down the outside to win by almost two lengths. 

Trained at Goulburn by Jean Dubois, Diorissima was a $160,000 Magic Millions yearling having her 14^thcareer start. 

Coming off a Randwick trial win on December 7, Diorissima earned strong support backed in from $7 to $4.40.

“It wasn’t our intention to get that far back but you’ve almost got to ride her ugly to ride her good,” Innes said. 

“Her best run previously was in a highway when she circled the field and finished fourth. We put the blinkers on her today to try and get her to relax and thought it she gets back and has to come around it them that’s what we’ll have to do. 

“They skipped away on the corner, and I was a bit worried, but it was a huge effort by her, and she picked them up well.”

Auzstar ($4) from the Waller stable was second after handling the corner awkwardly, while Gary Moore’s Harapan ($5) put in a much-improved performance to finish third. 

Race 5: EXALTED CONSTRUCTIONS CLASS 1 (1600m): 

The Ryan/Alexiou trained El Parmy made it back-to-back wins proving too strong for his opposition over the final stages of the 1600m race.

The Snitzel colt sent out at $4.60 on the strength of a Canterbury victory on November 26.

He was given a great ride by Nash Rawiller, who circled the field on the turn and overhauled the leaders to win by more than a length. 

“He’s on an upward rise now,” Rawiller said after the win. “He took a bit of confidence out of his last win and took it to another level today. 

“I think the key to his last win was letting him come into the race of his own accord. A few of them wanted to be there early today and there was a bit of pressure, but he was pretty fresh on the scene when he joined them in the straight and was able to put the sword to them. It was great.”

El Parmy was a $200,000 Magic Millions yearling, his victory continuing a super run for the stable with 15 winners from their past 35 starters.

He beat the Freedman trained Rock The Bells ($3.90), with Typanist ($14) from the David Payne stable, third. 

The $2.90 favourite King Of Spades appeared to have every chance, finishing toward the rear.

Race 7: WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETING SATURDAY JANUARY 8 BM64 (1100m): 

An emotional win in the last with the Todd Howlett trained Toto coming with a sustained run to bring up his fourth career win. 

The Manhattan Rain gelding suffered a broken jaw in a truck accident last year and was scratched at the barriers at his last two starts. 

There were no such problems today, with the five-year-old on his best behaviour. 

Tom Sherry settled him at the rear of the field, coming from last and running down his rivals to score by a head. 

“It’s been a tough time for him and he’s lucky to be alive,” Howlett said. 

“He had some long overdue luck on his side today. I was a bit worried when he was back in the field, but he got home well which is great to see.

‘He’s a nice horse and deserved the win. He will go on to better races.” 

Sherry said he was also concerned when Toto was slow to begin. 

“I was a touch concerned but he did his best work on the line,” he said. 

“He was the class horse in the race and it’s good to get some confidence on his side.”
Greg Hickman’s $3.80 favourite Tudor Music was second, over Lashoni ($12) from the Troy O’Neile stable. 

A double to jockey Tommy Berry and a local winner were among the highlights of the Business Wyong Race Day. 

Berry, who was favourite in the jockey’s challenge, partnered On Bail for the Snowden’s and promising filly Petulant for the Hawkes stable. 

Allan Kehoe’s Schoona The Better (pictured) continued a good run for the stable, bringing up his fourth career win. 

Race 1: COMMUNITY BANK WYONG – BENDIGO BANK MAIDEN (1350m): 

Gary Moore’s consistent Stay Wealthy opened the program with a well-deserved win. 

The Redoute’s Choice gelding, a $1,075,000 Magic Millions yearling, had been placed in all four previous starts, three of those at Wyong. 

Moore had urged Tim Clark to be positive from the start and that’s how it panned out with the four-year-old pinging the gates and leading. 

Clark was able to dictate terms throughout and despite a couple of nervous moments before the turn, when he was pressured by runner-up Military Star, the result was never in doubt. 

Stay Wealthy pulled away in the final stages to win by three and a half lengths. 

“He’s been a pleasure to train,” Moore, who races the gelding in partnership with Newhaven Park, said.

“He’s got a big heart and had been beaten by a couple of handy horses in his previous starts but he’s very consistent and came here today with his best chance to win a race.”

Stay Wealthy was sent out $1.45 favourite in the field of four, beating Karen Outrim’s Military Star ($7), with local galloper Sonic Hollow ($61) from the Stephen Schofield stable, third.

Race 2: PAUL HILLS – THE AGENCY CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2100m): 

A gun ride by Tommy Berry secured a debut win for On Bail who outstayed his rivals in a grinding victory. 

Berry wasn’t content with the mid-race tempo, taking On Bail from last at the 1200m mark to just off the leader Conference. 

He hit the front on straightening, holding out the fast-finishing Ironic Miss to post a one length victory. 

“The ride won the race,” Snowden’s racing manager Colm McCullough said. “Tommy elected to get up on the speed and take any bad luck out of it. He was always going to be good when he got over a trip and it was great to see him strong to the line. 

“It will be interesting to see how he goes as we step him up further.”

On Bail ($5.50), a Turn Me Loose gelding, was having his seventh career start, having finished fourth at Gosford over 1900m on November 20.

Ironic Miss ($6) trained by Rodney Ollerton was second, with Conference ($6.50) from the Gary Nickson stable, third. The $1.90 favourite Lady Redwood appeared to have every chance, finishing fourth. 

Race 3: BATTERY WORLD WYONG METRO & PROV MAIDEN (1600m): 

The well supported Caboteur went one better than his last start second at Canterbury to claim his first victory and looks set for better races. 

The David Payne stable has always had an opinion of the son of, So You Think, who had two Metropolitan placings from his four starts.

“He’s got it all ahead of him, we are in no hurry, and that’s why we have been a bit patient with him,” Payne said.

Caboteur was backed in late, starting $2.25 favourite, with punters confident he would handle both the track and heavy conditions. 

He didn’t disappoint and looked the winner a long way from home despite a challenge from runner-up Ba Ai Gei Ni.

It was a pickup ride for Josh Parr after Keagan Latham was unavailable and Payne couldn’t have found a better substitute with Parr a pro around Wyong. 

He got an easy run in front with Parr able to dictate terms and pull away in the final stages to win by a length.

The victory denied Snowden’s and Tommy Berry of a race to race double, with Ba Ai Gei Ni ($4) second, over Perfect Match ($31) from the Gary Moore stable.

Race 4: CENTRAL COAST UNITY BANK BM64 (1600m): 

A home track win for the Allan Kehoe trained Schoona The Better who brought up his fourth career victory courtesy of a tactical ride by Jason Collett. 

There were a few nervous moments for Kehoe, who hadn’t expected the gelding to lead. 

But Collett was able to dictate terms throughout, after taking the five-year-old to an easy lead, backing off the tempo in the middle stages. 

The tactic proved a winner with Schoona The Better able to kick in the straight. 

Tommy Berry had to press forward on the $2 favourite Lord Winston in the early stages after being caught three wide, with the Lees trained gelding tiring late to finish fourth. 

All honours were with the winner, who despite coming off a Tamworth victory and third at Goulburn this preparation, was sent out $10.

The five-year-old, by Pellizotti, has really hit his straps in the middle-distance races, all four wins from his 14 starts coming from 1400m at beyond. 

“He’s never led before, so I was a bit worried, but they went slow, and it suited him today and showed his versatility,” Kehoe said. 

“I’ve always liked this horse, but he’s been a work in progress. He gives me the feeling he’s going to go on and win quite a few races but he’s still learning to be a racehorse. I’ll probably put him over 1800m next start.”

Bak Da Man ($3.10) from the Nathan Doyle stable, was runner up after going astray on the turn, and could be the one to follow. Departing Bullet ($10) trained by Paul Niceforo was third. 

Race 5: WYONG RUGBY LEAGUE CLUB GROUP MAIDEN (1000m): 

The Hawkes trained Petulant was able to justify her short price with a dominant win in just her second career start. 

A Starspangledbanner filly out of a Denman mare, Petulant was coming off a second at Hawkesbury on debut when she was just run down on the line.

Tommy Berry took a sit behind Kristen Buchanan’s speedster One Way Street and was able to overhaul the leader in the final stages to win by a length. 

The promising three-year-old could be headed for better races on the strength of her win. 

Petulant was the recipient of strong support, starting $1.90, the win bringing up a double for Berry.

Wyong horses featured heavily in the first four with One Way Street, who looks close to a win the runner-up, over Kim Waugh’s Foolish, with the Allan Denham first starter Alucia ($10) fourth. 

Race 6: SIGNARAMA TUGGERAH BM64 (1000m): 

Veteran Muswellbrook trainer Pat Farrell was in the winner’s circle with his speedy gelding Bengalla Bay proving too quick for his opposition over the 1000m.

The Wandjina five-year-old had been placed fourth in stronger company at Taree on November 21 but wasn’t to be denied at Wyong leading all the way. 

Alysha Collett gave the flying Bengalla Bay plenty of rein and he scooted away to lead throughout, tiring in the final stages but holding on to win. 

South Coast visitor River Mac ($6) dived on the line but was beaten a neck, with a much-improved performance by the Brett Partelle trained Trust Me ($12) to finish third. 

Stephen Schofield’s $3.30 favourite Mosht Up was caught wide and raced keenly, finishing fifth.

The winner has been in good form this preparation, figuring in the finish in most of his seven starts. 

Bengalla Bay landed some good bets after starting $3.40 second favourite and has now had five wins and 11 placings from his 40 starts.

Race 7: McDONALD’S FAMILY CHIPS CLASS 1 (1200m): 

In a busy four-way finish the Jason Coyle trained Hasty Duchess was able to snatch victory on the line. 

The mare, by Hallowed Crown, was resuming after three trials. She looks to have regained the form of her first preparation, where she had a win and second from three starts. 

She resumed from a spell with a fourth at Canberra in March this year but was then spelled again, before returning with the three trials. 

Coyle had her primed for a strong first up performance and the four-year-old didn’t disappoint, coming from behind to hit the front on the line. Starting at $5.50, Hasty Duchess was ridden by Jess Taylor. 

The Chosen One ($4.80), having his first start for Damien Lane, was slow to jump and looked to have the race won before being swamped on the line, with a win not far off. 

The Kearney trained Carlisle Bay ($5.50), who was also doing his best work on the line, was third.