Fran, Author At Wyong Race Club & Function Centre

BAKER DUO TOO STRONG

September 23, 2020September 22, 2020 by Fran

Bjorn Baker bagged the training honours in an action-packed day at Wyong with speedy colt Malkovich and progressive mare Exotic Ruby tasting success.

Locals Kim Waugh and Kristen Buchanan also featured, with Destacado and Margie Bee recording nice wins.

Brenton Avdulla also bagged a double aboard Ballistic Lover for Joe Pride and Verbal Assault for Matthew Dunn.

It was off the track that created the most drama, with a police operation causing delays before the second and fifth race.

The first of the Baker double came in the 1100m WYONG RACE CLUB CG&E MAIDEN.

Rachel King continued her winning Wyong run, partnering Malkovich to a dominate victory.

The promising son of Choisir, syndicated by Darby Racing, was having his third race start, and coming off a first up third at Kensington on August 26.

The three-year-old was narrowly beaten that day and the drop back in grade gave punters plenty of confidence, sending him out the $1.45 race favourite.

King took the $85,000 yearling to an early lead, pulling away on the turn to blitz the opposition by four and a half lengths.

Steve McLean, representing the Baker stable, said they had a good opinion of Malkovich.

“I know Bjorn thinks he’s up to stakes company. He’s definitely got the speed to compete in that company.

“It’s going to be up to him. He’s got to take that next step now and show us what he’s got.”

Malkovich beat Finally Realised ($19) trained by Peter Robl, with Born A Warrior ($2.50) from the Hawkes stable, a close third.

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Baker’s second win came with the heavily backed Exotic Ruby, who didn’t disappoint favourite backers taking out the POLICE MEMORIAL WEEK – REMEMBERING FALLEN OFFICERS CLASS 1 over 1350m.

The Snitzel mare was coming off a second at Hawkesbury over 1300m on September 5 and the stable were confident she would run well.

She was sent out $2.50 favourite on the back of her consistent metropolitan and provincial form.

Josh Parr settled the five-year-old midfield, rounding the field on the turn.

She managed to overhaul her rivals in the final stages, in a close three-way finish, to win by a long neck.

Steve McLean said the stable had a good opinion of the mare and believed there was plenty of improvement to come.

“She was a touch further back than we anticipated today but nevertheless she had a great run in transit and got the job done,” he said.

“The Hawkesbury race really tuned her up and she was dappled up lovely today.

“I know Bjorn is leaving the blinkers up his sleeve too. He has been spoken about them since her first run for the stable so there is plenty more to come.”

Exotic Ruby, a $260,000 yearling, beat the O’Shea trained Crosscheck ($8.50), with Atherton ($5.50), from the Waugh stable, third.

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A super ride by Brenton Avdulla secured victory for the Joe Pride trained Ballistic Lover, who broke through for her maiden win over 1100m.

Pride had been hopeful the Smart Missile filly could taste success in the COCA-COLA F&M MAIDEN, after performing well in two recent trials.

He expected Ballistic Lover to settle just behind the speed, but things didn’t go as planned.

Avdulla had to change tactics after the three-year-old blew the start, landing her toward the rear of the field.

He pinched ground along the rails but had to wait until a run presented in the straight.

When the split came around the 200m mark, he angled through and drew away to record a dominant three and a half length win.

“It was the moment of truth for her,” Pride said, “and she didn’t let us down.

“We’ve been putting a bit of work into getting her to settle since the Canterbury run and obviously that’s the best way to ride her.

“All her best runs have been on the short course, on the fresh side, so we will just try and repeat that before putting her over more ground.

“She ended up well back today and more often than not it’s not the spot to be.

“But it was like Brenton was driving a Ferrari around some VW’s, it was a little bit easy for him picking off the runs.

“I’m very happy with that filly’s win today, it shows she’s on her way.”

Alura ($10) from the O’Shea stable was runner-up, with Godolphin’s Attribution ($7.50) a half-length behind in third.

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Kim Waugh kicked off the home track meeting with a winner, after Destacado ($6) upset the heavily fancied favourite in the DE BORTOLI WINES MAIDEN over 1350m.

It was the second successive Wyong meeting, where Waugh has opened the program with a win.

Destacado, a Reset gelding, drifted late in the betting as heavy support came for the Mark Newnham trained Write On, who was sent out $1.60 favourite.

Nash Rawiller settled Destacado just behind the speed, taking him to the outside on straightening before running down the leaders to score a length win.

Waugh had been confident the lightly raced five-year-old, a $160,000 yearling, would perform well.

“I was really happy going into today’s race,” she said.

“He’s had a tendon injury and we were hoping that he could win today, but I thought maybe he was looking for a little bit further.

“That wasn’t the case and he was very strong to the line.”

Destacado was having his third start for the Waugh stable, having been sidelined for more than 18 months with a tendon injury.

Waugh said his last start had been on the heavy at Hawkesbury, which he hadn’t handled.

“It was too wet, and he really struggled the whole race. He was dipping and diving and Nash came back and said forget the run.

“I was a little worried about his leg after Hawkesbury, but he pulled up great.

“We just keep stepping him up now while he’s coping well and then we will give him a little freshen up and go again.”

Destacado beat the Ron Quinton trained Deep Creek ($7.50), with the short-priced favourite Write On, third.

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A dramatic finish to the TEAM THOROUGHBRED NSW MAIDEN with Jean Van Overmeire battling to stay on the wayward winner Overthink in the final stages of the 2100m race.

The So You Think gelding and $1.90 favourite hung in badly twice in the last 200m with Van Overmeire struggling to maintain his balance on the gelding.

Showing great horsemanship, he was able to regain his seat and steer the four-year-old to a two-length win.

Trainer Steve Englebrecht said he wasn’t surprised by Overthink’s antics.

“He’s a tough horse but he’s still a bit dumb and does some things wrong, but when the penny drops, I think he’ll be a handy horse,” he said.

“It was quite dramatic toward the finish. He’s well named because he does over think.

“He’s very green and has still got a lot to learn but I think he can be quite a reasonable horse when he puts it all together.”

Englebrecht said he expects the four-year-old to get over more ground.

“I think he will run a mile and half easy if he doesn’t go too hard. He’s pretty versatile too and can get over any sort of ground.

“’I’ll see how he pulls up, but I might give him a little holiday now and let him think about things.”

The Justin Bowen trained Avalene ($11) was second, with Anakin Skywalker ($4.40) from the Sargent stable, third.

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Classy mare Aspect Ratio brought her Group 1 form to Wyong to score an impressive win in the 1600m TAB.COM.AU CLASS 1.

The Declaration Of War mare, was far from disgraced when racing in Group 1 company last preparation.

She has had two trials following a spell and resumed at Wyong on August 30 with a third behind Wild Chap over 1350m.

She appreciated the rise in distance to the mile and scored an impressive three- and three-quarter length win, with Sam Clipperton in the saddle.

Aspect Ratio ($9) jumped well and Clipperton was able to cross the field from the wide barrier and dictate terms throughout.

He drew away in the final stages to beat the $2.50 favourite Coco Baci with Let Me Think ($4.60) trained by Anthony Cummings, third.

Campbell Ashby, representing the Sargent stable, said they were confident leading into the race.

“We knew she would need a bit of luck from the tricky gate, but she had trained on good since her last start,” he said.

“For a filly getting over an Oaks trip last preparation we knew she would appreciate the extra ground.

“The plan wasn’t to be in front, but she jumped so well, and Sam got the sectionals just right.”

“The Sargent family own a good chunk of this horse and I’m sure they’d be happy.”

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A great front running ride by apprentice Stacey Metcalfe secured victory for the locally trained Margie Bee.

The Kristen Buchanan trained mare was resuming from a spell in the GREAT NORTHERN ON ,TAP CONDITIONAL BENCHMARK 68 over 1100m.

Metcalfe was able to cross the field from the outside barrier and take an early lead which she maintained throughout to win by more than a length.

Buchanan sent the Dreamscape mare to the races without a trial, which proved to be a winning move.

“She’s good fresh and I didn’t trial her. She’s been working well at home and I thought why not bring her to the races,” Buchanan said.

“I thought traditionally her best runs are second and third up and she takes a run or two to get her fitness solid because she’s quite fierce in her racing pattern.

“But she was further ahead than I had thought today, and it was a beautiful ride by Stacey.

“The key to this horse is letting her be wherever she wants to be, just be comfortable and Stacey did that perfectly today.

“We’ll find another nice race for her and hopefully she’s even better third up.”

Margie Bee ($16) beat Destiny’s Son ($26), trained by Mark Newham, with Empress Bea ($9.50) from the Quinton stable, third.

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An upset in the WYONGS NEXT RACEDAY THURSDAY OCTOBER 1 CLASS 1 with the Matthew Dunn trained Verbal Assault ($5.50) proving too strong for the short-priced race favourite.

The Deep Field gelding got the bob on the line to beat Bjorn Baker’s $1.30 favourite Belluci Babe and deprive the stable of a winning treble.

Brenton Avdulla, who brought up a double with the win, sat just behind the favourite for most of the race, peeling out in the final stages to win by a neck.

Keira Dunn said it was great to see the horse finally put it all together.

“He was great today and it’s so nice to see him race well,” she said.

“He’s been a long time in the making and does a few things wrong. It’s a big credit to everyone at home who ride him because they do a great job with him.

“The gelding procedure and taking our time with him this preparation and getting him to relax that’s the main thing.

“Matt doesn’t have any grand plans for him. We will just let him go through his grades and get him to relax.

“He’s doing everything right at this stage and it’s great to see.”

Already Blessed ($9) from the Portelli stable, was third.

Atherton shooting for 2nd win

September 18, 2020September 18, 2020 by Fran

Kim Waugh has always had a good opinion of Atherton and hopes he can start living up to her expectations by putting together back to back Wyong wins.

The Written Tycoon gelding scored a dominant two length victory over the 1350m on September 4 to break his maiden status.

He lines up in the Class 1 over the same distance on Tuesday and Waugh is hopeful he can taste success again.

“He’s done well since his win and it looks like a nice race for him,” she said.

“We’ve always liked him and early on we thought he was a Group horse.

“He has always shown so much promise but failed to put it together on race day.”

The well-bred four-year-old is a full brother to Waugh’s Provincial Championship heat winner Hetty Heights and raced by the same connections, the mare winning five of her 28 starts for $250,000 in prizemoney.

“He’s really well bred, and the owners have been so patient,” she said.

“Hopefully his win the other day will give him some really nice confidence.

“It’s just taken a while to get him right. He’s a big horse and has taken a lot of time but hopefully he can put it all together now.

“I think he will get further and hopefully he can produce what we always thought he could.”

Brenton Avdulla, who partnered Atherton to victory, retains the ride.

He will have to take on another promising last start winner, Sammy from the Lees stable.

The colt, out of Lee’s multiple group winning mare Samantha Miss, was dominant winning his maiden over the 1200m on September 4.

He hit the line strongly to record a length win and will likely appreciate the extra distance, with Nash Rawiller in the saddle.

Waugh is confident her other runner, Reset gelding Destacado, should race well in the 1350m Maiden.

The lightly raced five-year-old, who has run two fourths at Provincial level since joining the stable, will be ridden by Rawiller.

At his last outing he struggled in the heavy going at Hawkesbury over 1300m.

“He’s going well,” Waugh said.

“He didn’t handle the heavy track at all the other day so hopefully the track should be nice for him on Tuesday.

“He’s very lightly raced but a nice little horse.”

A strong eight-race meeting gets underway at 1.05pm.

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 1.05pm: DE BORTOLI WINES MAIDEN (1350m): 1 DESTACADO, 2 Write On, 3 Deep Creek, 4 The Fat White

Race 2 – 1.40pm: WYONG RACE CLUB CG&E MAIDEN (1100m): 1 COLONEL, 2 Born A Warrior, 3 Malkovich, 4 Feeling Mighty.

Race 3 – 2.20pm: COCA-COLA F&M MAIDEN (1100m): 1 BALLISTIC LOVER, 2 Pia Sophia, 3 Parineeti, 4 Belfast Lass.

Race 4 – 2.55pm: TEAM THOROUGHBRED NSW MAIDEN (2100m): 1 OVERTHINK, 2 No Complaints, 3 Anakin Skywalker, 4 Rainbow Man.

Race 5 – 3.35pm: TAB.COM.AU CLASS 1 (1600m): 1 JEANNE D’ARC, 2 Let Me Think, 3 Aspect Ratio, 4 Kikikapow.

Race 6 – 4.10pm: POLICE MEMORIAL WEEK – REMEMBERING FALLEN OFFICERS CLASS 1 (1350m): 1 SAMMY, 2 Atherton, 3 Exotic Ruby, 4 Morethannumberone.

Race 7 – 4.45pm: GREAT NORTHERN ON TAP CONDITIONAL BENCHMARK 68 (1100m): 1 SIESTA KEY, 2 Bollywood, 3 Empress Bea, 4 Destiny’s Son.

Race 8 – 5.25pm: WYONGS NEXT RACEDAY THURSDAY OCTOBER 1 CLASS 1 (1000m): 1 BELLUCI BABE, 2 Rocketing By, 3 Midsummer Rain, 4 Jackson Storm.

KING SCOOPS THE CUP DAY POOL

September 11, 2020September 5, 2020 by Fran

Rachel King was the toast of Wyong yesterday, the talented rider making a clean sweep of both feature races on the Cup Day program.

King took out the main prize, the $160,000 Listed Carlton Draught Wyong Gold Cup on the Richard and Michael Freedman trained Paths Of Glory.

In doing so she became the first woman to claim a Wyong Cup in the 122^nd running of the prestigious race.

She had earlier taken out the $140,000 Listed Bishop Collins Accountants Mona Lisa Stakes, on Asiago for Godolphin.

It was her ride on Great Britain import Paths Of Glory that caught the eye, after being posted toward the rear, she weaved her way through the field bursting through late to win by a long neck.

The patient ride earned the praise of co-trainer Richard Freedman.

“It was a brilliant ride by Rachel,” he said.

“I said to her ‘you’ll have to give this horse a rest somewhere because he’s first up over the 2100m.’

“She might have taken that a bit literally. He was resting away at the back there where he’s never raced,” he laughed.

“It was exciting, and we will most likely head to the Newcastle Cup now.”

King said she had considered Asiago a good chance in the Mona Lisa but had been surprised to take out the Cup.

“I thought he would be a bit under done coming into the 2100m first up,” she said.

“I had planned to be midfield, but I looked like being caught three wide early and didn’t think he’d have the fitness to sit out there.

“Then I was shuffled back to nearly last and probably gave Richard a heart attack.

“He dropped the bit at the 800m, and I thought he’d just keep whacking away but once he started to improve, he really switched on and started to travel.

“He enjoyed being amongst them and near the end I got a good tow into it and he hit the line strong.

“He’s a dynamic type of horse and I feel like he could gallop all day.”

Paths Of Glory ($13), beat the Lord Mayor ($6) from the Waller stable, with the luckless Hush Writer ($5), trained by Waterhouse/Bott third.

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Darren Beadman was also complimentary of King’s ride on the Mona Lisa winner Asiago.

The Godolphin racing manager said King had work to do from a wide barrier but managed to get the Medaglia D’Oro mare into a good position.

“She was able to get into a nice position, with cover three deep and roll into it,” Beadman said.

“There was a little bit of traffic with the horses on the inside, and she had an uninterrupted run and was strong to the line.

” The tempo didn’t really suit but Rachel didn’t panic, had hold of her and let her finish strongly.”

He said they were extremely happy with the four-year-old’s first up win.

“She won the Kembla Grange Classic last preparation and went down to Melbourne, so she had a lot of residual fitness.

“She was first up today and only had one and a half trials really, because one of them was on a synthetic track.

“It’s nice to get some more black type for her. She’s come back in good order and I think she’s in for a nice spring.”

King said it was a good win and believes the mare will improve further on a bigger track.

“I think she is a class above a lot of those horses who went around today.

“She certainly proved too good despite an awkward draw.

“This race kicks off her preparation and there are bigger things in store for her. “It was a bonus for her to win it.”

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Damien Lane had another memorable Wyong Cup day, training a double.

It was the second year in a row the popular local has bagged two winners on Cup day.

Both winners, Just Field and Bombasay, were having their first starts for the stable.

Lane is excited about the prospects of the pair, considering they could both go on to winner better races.

“It’s been a huge day. It’s a great result with a couple of new horses into the barn,” he said.

“I’ve got to thank the owners. The two of them are both quality horses and I think they’ve both got a bit of a future.”

Just Field ($31) upset her rivals to bring up her first victory for Lane in the CENTRAL COAST COOLROOMS CLASS 1 over 1100m.

The $650,000 yearling brought up her second career win ridden by Darryl McLellan.

He settled her toward the rear from a wide barrier, circling the field on the turn and running down her rivals in the final stages, to win by a long neck.

Lane said he will head toward the Provincial Championship Series with the mare.

“She’s a really nice filly and we were lucky to get her to train,” Lane said.

“Lustre Lodge brought her as a broodmare off the China Horse Club, but they decided to give her another 12 months racing.

“She trialled really nice leading into this race and I was confident she would race well.

“I can see her progressing to a Provincial Championships horse, so it’s pretty exciting.”

Just Field beat the Mark Newnham trained Shadow Crush ($19), with Godolphin’s $2.60 race favourite Badia, third.

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Lane’s second win came in the last, with Bombasay taking out the THE DOYLO SPRINGTIME CONDITIONAL BENCHMARK 68 over 1100m.

Jason Collett gave the Rothesay gelding a great ride, settling one pair back from the leaders in the fastly run race.

He peeled to the outside on the turn and stormed down the outside to run down Partners in the final stages.

Lane is also considering a Provincial Championships campaign for the gelding.

“He’s a nice horse. He went around in a couple of Provinical heats this year and was probably just a bit immature.

“He still does a few things wrong so we will probably give him a short preparation and bring him back for the heats next year.

“He’s a pretty promising horse.”

Bomasay ($6) beat the Scott Singleton trained The Kosciuszko aspirant Partners ($6), with The Drake ($14) from the Jenny Graham stable, third.

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It was a race to race double for the powerful Lees stable with the impeccably bred Sammy winning the 1200m AUSTRALIAN BLOODSTOCK MAIDEN and stablemate Regimental Band greeting the judge in the HOOLIHAN PARTNERS DA VINCI – 3&4YO BENCHMARK 64 over 1300m.

Sammy, the son of Lee’s multiple Group 1 winning mare Samantha Miss, took out the AUSTRALIAN BLOODSTOCK MAIDEN over 1200m.

The three-year-old, ridden by Nash Rawiller, was resuming from a spell after being placed twice at Provincial level in his first preparation.

Lees was full of praise for the win.

“He’s a nice progressive colt,” he said.

“He sat wide and still hit the line well, so he’s probably capable of going on to better things.”

Sammy ($6.50), beat Godolphin’s $1.55 race favourite Mashrabiya by a length, with the Portelli trained Princess Glamour ($17), third.

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The Lees trained Regimental Band, ridden by Kerrin McEvoy proved too strong for her opposition to kick off her latest preparation.

The I Am Invincible mare stormed home strongly in the straight to score a narrow win.

Lees believes there is plenty of improvement to come for the four-year-old.

“It was a really good win considering.

“She didn’t parade great and still has a bit to go in her coat.

“We will give her an opportunity at Stakes level in the Tibbie at home on Cup day,” he said.

Snippy Fox ($.7.50) from the Pride stable was second, over Godolphin’s $2.70 favourite Chanting.

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Kim Waugh got the day off to a great start with Atherton taking out the first.

The Written Tycoon gelding was given a gun, on-pace ride by Brenton Avdulla, who drew away from his opposition to record a two-length victory in the PRIORITY BUSINESS LAWYERS 4YO&UP MAIDEN over 1350m.

The four-year-old was resuming from a spell, having trialled twice leading into the race.

Waugh said she had always had a good opinion of Atherton.

“He’s promised so much this horse. He’s really well bred, and the owners have been so patient,” she said.

“Early on we thought he was a Group horse, we’ve just always liked him.

“Hopefully today gives him some really nice confidence.

“I think he will get further and hopefully he can produce what we always thought he could. “

Atherton beat the $1.75 race favourite Kiss And Tell, from the Ryan/Alexiou stable, with the Damien Lane trained Dunlee, third.

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The Waller stable didn’t go home emptyhanded, with Rules Don’t Apply winning the 1600m WINNING COMMERCIAL BENCHMARK 64.

The $5 equal favourite came with a sustained run down the straight, pegging High Court ($6), trained locally by Jeff Englebrecht, on the line.

The victory brought up a race to race double for Brenton Avdulla.

A four-year-old Dissident mare Rules Don’t Apply was having her ninth career start and coming off a six week freshen up.

She was a previous Wyong winner over the same distance in June.

The consistent mare is putting together a good record, with two wins and four placings from her ninth start.

Ladies’ Gem ($5EF) from the Jim and Greg Lee stable was third.

BUCHANAN CHASING DREAMS

September 11, 2020September 2, 2020 by Fran

Kristen Buchanan has no doubt Jazzland will have to bring his A game to Friday’s Carlton Draught Wyong Gold Cup.

The six-year-old is among a strong field of 13 stayers making up this year’s $160,000 Listed feature.

Jazzland will carry the hopes of the locals, and while Buchanan concedes it is a tough task, she doesn’t believe it is beyond his capabilities.

“I haven’t got my head stuck in the clouds. I know he is going to be meeting some very nice horses here, but the track suits him and for a big horse he really handles Wyong very well,” Buchanan said.

“He loves the track and knows where the finishing post is. He clicks into gear himself at the 600m and really knows what he’s doing here.”

So strong is the six-year-old’s affinity with his home track, that he is unbeaten in four starts, two of those over the 2100m Cup distance.

He has been in good form leading into the race, claiming the South Grafton Cup over 1600m in July, before a sixth in the Coffs Harbour Cup and most recently a third in the Taree Cup over 2100m.

“He’s unbeaten at home and that does give me confidence, but it’s relative to the grade he’s been running in.

“I believe he is well and truly capable of winning, absolutely. He’s got a terrific cruising speed but he’s a hard horse to ride. If you give him the right run at the right tempo, he can really run to his strengths.

“Bucko (Grant Buckley) has ridden him before and been sweating on riding him again and we are more than happy to have him on.

“We will be looking for him to lead or be there abouts. He loves to dictate but not at all costs. He can’t run his race at both ends.”

Buchanan said while she always knew Jazzland had potential, it has taken a while to work him out.

“He’s got all the ability in the world, but he can really chuck the towel in and have a proper tantrum if he wants to. He’s grown out of it a lot and we know how to keep him happy now.”

Buchanan is super excited about having her first Wyong Cup runner.

“It’s been on the bucket list to be able to have a horse good enough to run in our home track Cup.

“The owners are lovely people and have been very good to train for.

“They are a bit more conservative and feel safer going to country cups. This is definitely my dream come true and they’ve come along for the ride.”

Jazzland will have to beat some heavy hitters in the staying ranks to claim the Wyong Cup.

The Kris Lees trained Attention Run, last year’s Newcastle Cup runner-up, is the $3.60 favourite over stablemate Raheen House ($6), who was third in the Sydney Cup.

Chris Waller, shooting for his eighth Cup in 10 years, saddles up Savacool, also on the $6 line, The Lord Mayor $8 and Toryjoy, an $11 chance.

Last year’s Wyong Cup runner-up Hush Writer, from the Waterhouse/Bott stable is listed at $16.

The John Sargent trained Emeralds, is the early favourite for the $140,000 Listed Collins Accounts Mona Lisa Stakes, over the Lees trained Miss Fabulass, $4.80.

The first of eight races gets underway at 12.55pm.

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 12.55pm: PRIORITY BUSINESS LAWYERS 4YO&UP MAIDEN (1350m): 1 KISS AND TELL, 2 Explosive Truth, 3 Kowloon Treasure, 4 Sisseck.

Race 2 – 1.35pm: WINNING COMMERCIAL BM64 (1600m): 1 ELISA CAROLINA, 2 Rules Don’t Apply, 3 Hubble, 4 High Court.

Race 3 – 2.10pm: CENTRAL COAST COOLROOMS CLASS 1 (1100m): 1 BADIA, 2 Archery Butts, 3 Isalute, 4 Parachuter.

Race 4 – 2.45pm: AUSTRALIAN BLOODSTOCK MAIDEN (1200m): 1 O’TARTAN LASS, 2 Astero, 3 Sammy, 1 Not Another Reiby.

Race 5 – 3.20pm: HOOLIHAN PARTNERS DA VINCI – 3&4YO BM64 (1300m): 1 CELANDINE, 2 Regimental Band, 3 Skymist, 4 Snippy Fox.

Race 6 – 3.55pm: BISHOP COLLINS ACCOUNTANTS MONA LISA STAKES (1350m): 1 MISS FABULASS, 2 Missybeel, 3 Wandabaa, 4 In Lighten Me.

Race 7 – 4.35pm: 2020 CARLTON DRAUGHT WYONG GOLD CUP (2100m): 1 RAHEEN HOUSE, 2 Kiss The Bride, 3 Attention Run, 4 Savacool.

Race 8 – 5.10pm: THE DOYLO SPRINGTIME CONDITIONAL BM68 (1100m): 1 PEARL ROAN, 2 Partners, 3 The Drake, 4 Rifles.

WALLER HUNTING EIGHTH WYONG CUP

August 31, 2020August 31, 2020 by Fran

Chris Waller could have a three-pronged attack at this Friday’s $160,000 Listed Carlton Draught Wyong Gold Cup.

The Waller stable has dominated the Cup in recent years, winning seven of the past ten, and has three top class stayers in the nominations released today.

Savacool, who was placed four times at Group level in the Spring and Winter, before taking out the Listed Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury first up, heads the Waller trio.

At her most recent outing on Saturday she finished strongly in the Group 3 Premiers Cup over 1900m, with the step up to 2100m looking ideal.

Stablemate The Lord Mayor, who was second in the Grafton Cup over 2350m in July, resumed over 1600m at Eagle Farm on August 15 and strong from around the 2100m.

Completing the Waller trio is six-year-old Street Cry mare Torjoy, who at her last outing was fourth behind Savacool in the Rowley Mile, beaten less than a length.

The Kris Lees/Australian Bloodstock team also has a strong representation including Irish import Raheen House, who has impressive staying credentials taking out the Group 2 Chairman’s Quality at Randwick in the Autumn, before finishing a close third in the Group 1 Sydney Cup over 3200m.

He resumed with a fifth in the Premiers Cup Prelude over 1800m on August 15.

Attention Run, runner-up in last year’s Newcastle Cup, is another of the Lees contingent who has been in good form, her last run a second in the Premiers Cup Prelude.

She is the early favourite in betting markets.

Veteran stayer Big Duke is the third of the Lees team, the nine-year-old having finished fourth in his last outing in the Premiers Cup Prelude.

With a Group 2 and two Group 3 wins to his name, along with multiple Group placings, he would be among the chances at his best form.

Kiss The Bride, from the in-form Bjorn Baker stable, is among the nominations, the five-year-old having won his past two starts over 1800m and 2400m at Randwick.

The Waterhouse/Bott stable will be hoping last year’s Wyong Cup runner-up Hush Writer can go one better.

The six-year-old went on to win the Group 3 Newcastle Cup and St Leger in 2019 but was unsuccessful in four runs in the Autumn.

He has had four trials and would be primed for a strong first up performance over the 2100m.

Local trainers Kristen Buchanan, Jazzland and Stan Thomas, Ondo Pasa are among the 15 nominations, which have been extended to 11am Tuesday.

The $140,000 Mona Lisa has attracted 20 nominations included Bjorn Baker’s Group 2 winning mare, Positive Peace, who put together five successive Metropolitan wins last preparation.

Nominations have been extended for several races on the eight-race card.

https://racing.racingnsw.com.au/FreeFields/Nominations.aspx?Key=2020Sep04,NSW,Wyong

FRENZIED TOO STRONG IN CUP PRELUDE

August 30, 2020 by Fran

The formidable combination of Gai Waterhouse, Adrian Bott and Nash Rawiller, struck again at Wyong with the well supported Frenzied taking out the CARLTON DRAUGHT WYONG CUP PRELUDE – BENCHMARK 68.

The Americain gelding outstayed his opposition over the 2100m, courtesy of a great ride by Rawiller and a well-planned preparation by the stable.

The 2019 Bong Bong Cup winner, raced by Dynamic Syndications, broke his maiden at Wyong in May last year over 1600m and has continued to improve as he steps up in distance.

“Gai and Adrian had him spot on today,” stable representative Neil Paine said.

“It was perfectly planned to kick him off over 1500m, then to 1850m and on to this.

“It turned out perfectly today.

“The way Nash rode him today was an absolute treat.

“What a terrific treble they are.”

Paine said it was a tough performance by the five-year-old.

“He carried 59kg and everything else was around the 55kg or less. It really was a tough win.

“This horse has just realised his potential. He is getting better and better with each campaign.”

Paine was unsure if the stable would push on to Friday’s Carlton Draught Wyong Gold Cup, with the victory earning Frenzied automatic entry.

Gai Waterhouse combined with Nash Rawiller to win the Wyong Cup in 2012 and 2008 with Julienas and Bianca, respectively.

Frenzied, a $85,000 yearling, started $2 favourite in the Cup Prelude and led all the way, with a beautifully rated, front running ride by Rawiller.

It was a race in two in the straight with Frenzied holding out Prince Of Arragon ($2.60) trained by Stephen O’Halloran, with Itsa Fait Accompli ($61) from the Daniel and Rocky Simonetta stable, third.

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The in-form Robbie Dolan dominated the riding ranks with a treble, the WYONG RACE CLUB LA GIOCONDA – F&M BENCHMARK 68 bringing up his third win with Happy Candy.

The Mark Newnham trained gelding defied a strong betting drift to score his third career win at start 11 over the 1600m.

The Smart Missile mare pinged the gates, allowing Dolan to ease her to the front from the outside barrier.

He settled her in the lead and was able to control the pace, drawing away to win by half a length, holding out the fast finishing local galloper Ondo Pasa.

A $40,000 yearling, Happy Candy beat the Stan Thomas trained Ondo Pasa ($9.50) by half a length, with Sensacova ($8) from the Marc Connors stable, third.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Elon caused an upset in the COCA-COLA CLASS 1 over 1600m, giving a welcome boost to Warwick Farm based trainer Gary Nickson and his family.

Nickson’s wife, an owner in the Exceed and Excel gelding, is currently being treated for cancer.

It was the first leg of the winning treble by Dolan.

Stable foreman Mark Galea said the win would mean a lot for the Nickson family.

“Gary’s wife is crook at the moment with cancer and this will give her a good boost,” Galea said.

“The horse has been working good and we thought she’d win today.”

At $16, Elon was the second outsider in the small field, but defied his odds to score a narrow win, courtesy of a great ride by Dolan.

He took the four-year-old to an early lead, dictating terms throughout.

Despite looking under pressure on the turn, Elon fought on to hold off the fast finishing Grand Acheva ($9) to win by a long neck.

The Jason Coyle trained Lunar Rain ($9) was third.

A $260,000 yearling, Elon brought up his second career win at start 12.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The John Sargent trained Elizabeel defied a better drift to take out the 1200m TEAM THOROUGHBRED NSW 3YO MAIDEN, securing a double for Robbie Dolan.

The three-year-old filly, by Great Britain sire Power, had been racing in metropolitan grade in her past three starts, with two seconds and a third to her name.

She was coming off a second on a heavy track at Canterbury over the same distance on August 19 and looked like a major contender in the Wyong race.

Dolan settled Elizabeel ($3.40) just behind the leader and $2.50 favourite Wuddacuddashudda, drawing level in the straight before pulling away in the final stages to win by more than a length.

Sargent has had a good opinion of the filly and believes she will get out over more distance.

He said she had been “knocking at the door” in her previous runs.

“I think she’ll get out to a mile or more later in her career,” he said.

Matthew Dunn trained the runner-up Wuddacuddashudda, with Echo Point ($16) from the Waterhouse/Bott stable, third.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jockey Keagan Latham was able to get the best out of Miss Japan in the final stages of the TAB.COM.AU PROV & CTRY MAIDEN, with the mare claiming victory in a head bobbing finish.

Trained by Stephen O’Halloran, for Waratah Thoroughbreds, the four-year-old was coming off a poor performance on her home track at Goulburn, where she finished a long last in a field of nine.

Punters were forgiving and Miss Japan was sent out $4 second favourite and didn’t disappoint.

Latham settled the mare midfield in the 1600m race, bringing her to the outside in the final stages of the straight where she was able to run down the Peter Cheers trained, I Am Flying ($13) to win by a short half head.

The $2.50 favourite Stark, from the Widdup stable, was a length behind in third.

“I’m really happy with that performance from her, particularly coming off a bad run last start,” O’Halloran said.

“I put that down to a very heavy track. I think she appreciated getting on the better ground and she put in right on the line.

“She’s obviously a good grown horse but there’s not much of her. I think she’ll get over more ground. She’s bred to do so.

“I’m really happy with her win today.”

Miss Japan was O’Halloran’s first runner at Wyong. The long-time Waterhouse/Bott racing manager took on the job as head trainer for Waratah Thoroughbreds, earlier this year.

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A strong ride by the in-form Jason Collett secured victory for Numbers Game, a debutante from the Bjorn Baker stable.

The New Zealand bred four-year-old only arrived in Australia last month and has wasted no time in stamping himself as a gelding with a future.

Collett gave the Per Incanto gelding a great rails run, after settling him just off the speed in the early stages.

He stuck to the rails in the straight and responded to hard riding by Collett, to win the TRACSIDE AUTOMOTIVE 4YO&UP MAIDEN over 1100m by half a length.

“It was definitely a good start to his career,” racing manager Stephen McLean said.

“Full credit to Mickey and Lauren Brennan in NZ. He arrived in great order six weeks ago.

“We came here with a bit of confidence and he didn’t disappoint.”

McLean said it was a tough win by the $130,000 yearling.

“I don’t think he had it easy in any part of the race. Jason had to use him early to hold his position. It was really good to see him get the job done today.”

Numbers Game ($3.10), coming off a trial win at Warwick Farm on August 21,

beat Maccomo ($12) trained by Joe Pride, with stablemate Oslo, the $1.85 race favourite, a length behind in third.

McLean described Oslo as a “very promising horse.”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Classy filly Miss Fox continued her winning run with a dominant victory in the 1100m DE BORTOLI WINES BENCHMARK 64.

Trained by Adam Duggan, the Mossman mare was resuming from a spell.

She was sent out the $2.25 favourite and didn’t disappoint with jockey Tim Clark settling her just behind the leaders.

She came to the outside on straightening, going on to win by a length.

It was the fourth career win for the promising four-year-old from just five starts.

She was narrowly beaten on debut at Muswellbrook, before stringing together two successive wins at Taree and a home track victory at Gosford.

She trialled impressively at Gosford on August 3 and looked primed for a good first up performance.

She beat the Tony Ball trained Boom Queen ($13), with Crackneck ($17) from the Allan Kehoe stable, a close third.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Apprentice Cejay Graham continued a winning weekend, riding Wild Chap to victory in the WYONG’S NEXT RACE DAY FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 4 IS CUP DAY BENCHMARK 64 over 1350m.

Graham booted home a double at Kembla on Saturday, including Delileo for the Brett Lazzarini stable.

The pair combined again at Wyong with Wild Chap and were again in the winner’s circle.

It was a great, front running ride by the apprentice, who dictated terms in front drawing two lengths clear of her opponents on straightening, maintaining the margin to the post.

Wild Chap ($11), an $80,000 yearling, was having his third start for the Lazzarini stable.

He was coming off a second at Kembla on August 6 over the 1200m and responded well to the freshen up.

Lazzarini had been confident leading into the race.

“He’s a very handy galloper,” he said.

“He is lightly-framed so you can’t get a lot of work into him but there is plenty of ability there.

“It is not a hard 1350m at Wyong so I thought he would run a big race.”

Wild Chap beat the Grant Marshall trained Achi Baba ($41), with Aspect Ratio ($4.40) third.

O’HALLORAN BANKING ON FIRST TIME LUCKY

August 27, 2020 by Fran

Stephen O’Halloran has made the trip to Wyong countless times as racing manager for the Waterhouse/Bott stable, but on Sunday he will saddle up runners for the first time in his own name.

O’Halloran spent 17 years as a vital cog for the leading Sydney stable, but earlier this year stepped out on his own to become a trainer for Moss Vale based Waratah Thoroughbreds.

He will start the consistent Prince Arragon in the 2100m Carlton Draught Wyong Gold Cup Prelude and the lightly raced Miss Japan in the 1600m Provincial and Country Maiden.

“Gai was a big supporter of sending horses to Wyong, especially with the ones heading towards Magic Millions, so I had plenty of trips up there over the years,” O’Halloran said.

“Sunday will be my first runners at the track in my own right.

“It’s been a big change for me but I’m enjoying it.

“It’s obviously a lot different from just being based at Randwick and running the stable for Gai.

“I’m making my own decisions now, but we have a beautiful property down here in the Southern Highlands which is great for the horses.

“Riot Act has won two for me over the last couple of weeks so it

was good to get the monkey off my back, so to speak.

“I have 29 horses in work and will try and get them all out running in the next few weeks.”

O’Halloran believes Prince Arragon has a good chance in the Wyong Cup Prelude.

The More Than Ready four-year-old, who has a win and four placings from 10 starts, will have his first attempt at the 2100m.

“He’s been going really well and came out of his last start good,” he said.

“The extra ground is going to suit him, and he’s been crying out for a dry track.

“It looks like he will get the ideal conditions and I expect him to run out the distance.

“Last start he was over the 1875m at Newcastle and he was just beaten.

“Keagan (Latham) was really happy with him and believes he will have no problems with the 2100m.

“I think on his racing style, he relaxes really easy, goes to sleep underneath you and has that turn of foot that you need over a staying trip.

“Keagan is pretty comfortable he will run the distance, especially on a good track.”

O’Halloran also expects a much better showing from his mare Miss Japan, who is coming off a last at Goulburn over 1500m on August 14.

She lines up in the 1600m Provincial and Country Maiden and will also be ridden by Latham.

“She was very disappointing last start, but we are putting it down to the heavy track at Goulburn.

“We are looking forward to a big improvement from her being on top of the ground.

“Her work has been good since the run and I expect her to race well.”

The Cup Prelude has attracted a field of nine, with Frenzied from the Waterhouse/Bott stable and Malfy, trained by Mark Newnham among the top chances.

The 1200m 3YO Maiden has attracted a capacity field, with plenty of classy debutants including Van Gogh, a $170,000 yearling from the Waterhouse/Bott stable, who was impressive in two recent trials.

The first of eight races gets underway at 12.50pm.

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 12.50pm: COCA-COLA CLASS 1 (1600m): 1 EMTHREE, 2 Rockness Angel, 3 Now Or Never, 4 Lunar Rain.

Race 2 – 1.25pm: TAB.COM.AU PROV & CTRY MAIDEN (1600m): 1 STARK, 2 Omaka, 3 Alanton’s Treaty, 4 Miss Japan.

Race 3 – 2pm: TRACSIDE AUTOMOTIVE 4YO&UP MAIDEN (1100m): 1 KISS AND TELL, 2 Oslo, 3 Maccomo, 4 Sublime Lady.

Race 4 – 2.36pm: TEAM THOROUGHBRED NSW 3YO MAIDEN (1200m): 1 VAN GOGH, 2 Loveland, 3 Wuddacuddashudda, 4 Hypnosis.

Race 5 – 3.11pm: WYONG RACE CLUB LA GIOCONDA – F&M BM68 (1600m): 1 HARD LADY, 2 Happy Candy, 3 Time To Dazzle, 4 Our Winnie.

Race 6 – 3.46pm: CARLTON DRAUGHT WYONG CUP PRELUDE – BM68 (2100m): 1 FRENZIED, 2 Malfy, 3 Continuation, 4 Prince of Arragon.

Race 7 – 4.21pm: DE BORTOLI WINES BM64 (1000m): 1 MISS FOX, 2 Archery Butts, 3 Galaxial, 4 Gidgee Guy.

Race 8 – 4.56pm: WYONG’S NEXT RACE DAY FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 4 IS CUP DAY BM64 (1350m): CULTURAL AMNESIA, 2 Mo The Great, 3 Patagonian, 4 Invincible Dash.

Next Race Day: May 2 Tickets on sale

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Atherton shooting for 2nd win

KING SCOOPS THE CUP DAY POOL

BUCHANAN CHASING DREAMS

WALLER HUNTING EIGHTH WYONG CUP

FRENZIED TOO STRONG IN CUP PRELUDE

O’HALLORAN BANKING ON FIRST TIME LUCKY

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