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The Prostate Cancer Foundation Of Australia silks were prominent on Clubs NSW Men’s Health Charity Race Day greeting the judge twice.

It was two local runners that carried the flag for the charity, with Kristen Buchanan’s impressive debutant Bullet Wing and Damien Lane’s Fielding (pictured above) winning their respective races. 

Jan Bowen’s progressive mare Running Bear was an eye-catching winner, along with the Waterhouse/Bott The Milkybar Kid.

Check out the full review below.

The James Ponsonby trained Alloway opened the program with a dominant win in the THE ENTRANCE LEAGUES CLUB 4YO&UP CLASS 1 & MAIDEN, out staying his rivals over the 2000m. 

The $120,000 Magic Millions yearling, was having only his third start for the stable, having previously been trained in Victoria where he was placed second in the Listed Tasmanian Derby over 2200m.

He was coming off a third at Cowra and Ponsonby wasn’t surprised to see him improve over more ground. 

Winona Costin settled the Wandjina four-year-old just off the speed, before hitting the front in the straight and drawing away for a three-length victory. 

Ponsonby had expected a nice performance by Alloway and wasn’t disappointed. 

“I thought today’s run might have been a fraction short of his best, but knew he was going to get a good chance from the nice draw,” he said. 

“He’s a lovely horse to train.”

Alloway ($6.50) beat Karen Outrim’s Mr Luke ($10) who fought on in the straight, with Dunlee trained by Nikki Pollock ($41) third. 

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An impressive win by Kristen Buchanan’s Bullet Wing, taking out the 1350m MINGARA RECREATION CLUB MAIDEN on debut, giving the stable a winning start for new owners Trilogy. 

Buchanan made the right decision choosing the home track option, after scratching the three-year-old from a 1300m race at Scone on Tuesday. 

Koby Jennings was able to cross the field and lead from barrier nine, and despite the early effort Bullet Wing was able to hold out his rivals on the line to win by almost a length. 

“He’s a really lovely horse and it’s great to get the win today,” Buchanan said. 

“We’ve been patient with him and had to scratch him a couple of times due to wide barriers. He drew wide again today but we decided to send him around. Koby just let him roll to the front and dictate terms and he had plenty in the tank to finish it off.

“It’s exciting to have my first winner for Trilogy. I have numerous yearlings coming to me from them and this was our first runner today. It was also their first runner that wasn’t a tried horse, so it’s exciting all-round.”

Bullet Wing was coming off two nice trials at Randwick and Scone.

The Joe Pride trained $2.25 favourite The Replicant ran on fairly to finish second and could be looking for more ground, over Feirme Prince ($8) from the Matthew Dunn yard. 

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Pokerjack was sent out $1.80 favourite in the AINSWORTH LEISURE GROUP 4YO&UP MAIDEN (1100m) and didn’t disappoint with the win never in doubt. 

Apprentice Amy McLucas put in a well-rated ride to help secure victory for the four-year-old, who had been runner-up in three of his previous six starts.

Pokerjack, a four-year-old Casino Prince gelding, was coming off a second at Hawkesbury on May 22 over the 1000m.

The rise in distance and firm track were in his favour and McLucas sat just outside the leader before drawing away close to the line to win by half a length.

Gary Moore’s Harapan ($5.50) hit the line well in second, with the Buchanan trained Oakfield Blossom ($6.50) holding on for third.

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Damien Lane stamped his three-year-old Fielding as a horse with a future after his breakthrough win in the 1100m GOSFORD RSL CLUB 3YO MAIDEN.

It had been a frustrating run for Lane with the son of Deep Field, who had been placed in all his five previous starts. 

“It was a relief today for sure,” Lane said. “It’s been frustrating to say the least. “We’ve had all sorts of problems with him early and drawn some bad barriers, but he has raced in good company.

“His whole attitude has changed, and he’s grown into a lovely horse with plenty of ability.

“He pricked his ears late today and it was quite soft in the end. He’s definitely going in the right direction.”

Fielding, raced by a syndicate including Lane and his wife Kate, was sent out $2.40 favourite and given a well rated ride by apprentice Jackson Searle.

He beat the Ron Quinton trained Miss Mya ($8) who isn’t far off a win, with the Waterhouse/Bott All Too Scottish ($14), third. 

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The addition of blinkers made the difference to the Waterhouse/Bott trained The Milkybar Kid ($2fav), who atoned from his last start defeat to win the STAR FM 104.5 MAIDEN over 1600m.

The Reliable Man gelding looked to have the race won at Gosford on May 26 before running off the track in the final stages. 

He was trialled in blinkers and the stable was confident he could break though. 

Tim Clark settled the three-year-old midfield, gaining ground from the 600m and hitting the front on straightening. 

He was able to find the fence in the straight and sped away to score by more than four lengths. 

“He trialled well with the blinkers on, and this looked like the right race for him today,” stable representative Neil Paine said.

“It’s a good steppingstone for him. Gai and Adrian have started a lot of horse’s careers around here and this could be another.”

The winner is co-owned by former AJC Chairman Bob Charley.

The O’Shea trained Count On Me ($3.40) was second, over Dash Dash Dash prepared by Ian Finn ($14).

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A super ride by Sam Clipperton secured victory for the well supported Dom Tycoon in the 1600m THE ROOS FOUNDATION BM64.

Clipperton took an early lead on the four-year-old and was able to get some cheap sectionals in the middle stages. 

He fought on strong to the line, able to hold out the fast-finishing Oakfield Storm ($4.40) from the Buchanan yard, with the O’Shea trained favourite Denarau ($2.70fav) third.

Robl said Dom Tycoon had come off his last start fourth at Hawkesbury in good form.

“He’s normally genuine when he finds form. Sam has won on him here previously and I had expected him to be near the lead. 

“He prefers the firmer tracks and everything going well I expected him to be hard to beat today.”

The four-year-old by Written Tycoon, brought up his fifth win at start 23. 

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Progressive Muswellbrook mare Running Bear brought up win number three in impressive style beating a strong field in the THE BELLA GROUP BM64.

Trained by Jan Bowen and ridden by Ashley Morgan, the daughter of Your Song, is amassing a good record with three wins and five placings from just 13 starts. 

She was coming off a second in the Highway at Randwick on May 28 and kept firm in the betting starting at $6.50.

Morgan placed her just behind the speed in the early stages, before circling the leaders on the turn and drawing away in the straight to win by almost two lengths. 

“We threw her in the deep end last start at Randwick and she handled herself brilliantly,” Justin Bowen, representing the stable said. 

“We thought if she could repeat that performance she’d be in the finish and that’s what happened. 

“We don’t come this way often, unless we think we’ve got a chance, and it worked out today.”

Gary Moore’s Stay Wealthy ($26) finished strongly in second, with The Chosen One ($10), trained by Damien Lane, making up ground in the straight for third. 

Stewards adjourned an inquiry into Rachel King’s riding out of Adios Steve in the final stages. 

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The favourite salutes in the last with the Bjorn Baker trained Divine Okay ($2.50) too strong for his opposition in a competitive Class 1. 

The Capitalist gelding brought up his second win at start four in the 1100m DOYALSON RSL CLASS 1, courtesy of a great ride by Josh Parr.

He pinched what proved to be a winning break on the turn and sped away in the straight, able to hold out the fast-finishing import Siyata from the O’Shea stable, with the luckless Tocomah ($4.60), trained by Gary Frazer, third.

“We were pretty keen on him today. It looked an ideal race,” Glen Lobb said. 

“He was a bit unlucky last start and didn’t get beat that far. I thought if he landed in the first four or five, he’d be hard to hold out.”

A super start to the day saw the Brett Partelle trained Nomoretawq breakthrough for a well-deserved win. 

He was the first of two locals to greet the judge, with Kristen Buchanan’s Ready’s Girl winning later in the day. 

Partelle’s Onemorenowmore gelding was having his 19^th start in the WYONG RACE CLUB FUNCTION CENTRE 4YO & UP MAIDEN (1350m) and his third for the stable. Long-time friend Peter Eggleston, who recently retired from the training ranks, gave the six-year-old to Partelle and he has run a fourth and third this preparation. 

Nomoretawq was sent out $3.60 favourite on the strength of those runs and the win was never in doubt after Hugh Bowman took him to an early lead. 

He rated him well in front, drawing away in the final stages to win by almost two lengths over Cataratas ($4.80) trained by Peter Robl, with Jaxon’s Day ($5.50) from the Michael Rinkin stable third. 

Partelle, who was ill and unable to attend, had expected a nice home track run from Nomoretawq and paid tribute to Eggleston. 

“Peter sent him down in good order. He’s settled in well and enjoys the environment. We have him in the water a lot which is therapeutic. He seems to appreciate that and is responding to it. 

“He’s improved since his last run, and I expected him to race well.”

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A luckless run for the Damien Lane trained Fielding paved the way for Kris Lee’s debutant Razeta to storm down the outside and claim victory in the 1100m THE ZING ON PROV & CTRY MAIDEN. 

Lane’s three-year-old had been placed in all four starts leading into the race and was the $3 favourite despite a wide draw.

When jockey Darryl McLellan was unable to gain cover in the early stages, it was always going to be a hard task for Fielding. 

Kerrin McKevoy had the sit on the leaders and was able to run down Fielding in the final stages to win by a long neck.

Razeta ($10.60), a daughter of Deep Field, was coming off three trials and is raced by long time Lees clients Bob and Sue Hannon.

“She was impressive and it’s nice to have another youngster coming through. Hopefully she’ll keep going now,” stable representative Danny Greer said.

Kristen Buchanan’s Oakfield Duke ($4) ran on strongly to finish third, while the The Halo from the Widdup stable wasn’t far off the placegetters. 

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A race to race double for Kerrin McEvoy after the Godolphin trained favourite Shirshov ($2) proved too strong in the FINGER LICKIN GOOD MAIDEN over 1000m.

The Exosphere gelding was having his seventh career start and coming off a second at Hawkesbury over 1100m on May 19. 

Despite racing fiercely in the middle stages, the three-year-old was able to hold off the fast-finishing Nickelback to win by a long neck. 

Stable representative Darren Beadman said hopefully the penny has dropped for Shirshov, who had run three previous placings. 

“Sometimes a maiden is the hardest race to win and once they get the monkey of their back they can go on and be good. Hopefully that’s the case here,” he said.

“He sprung the gates today and Kerrin was able to dictate, and the horse fought on strongly.”

The Hawkes trained Nickelback ($3.20) looks close to a win, while Secret Hunter ($19), trained by Michael Freedman, put in a much-improved run finishing third. 

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A big plunge paid off in the KYLE OLIVER MAIDEN with the John O’Shea trained Denarua blitzing his opposition over the 1600m to win by more than two lengths. 

A $140,000 So You Think yearling, Denarau was having his third career start, finishing a close second at Hawkesbury over 1500m on May 19.

He caught the eye of punters who backed him in from $5 to $2.60 in the final stages and they weren’t disappointed. 

It was a patient ride by Tommy Berry, who settled off the pace, making his run around the 400m and coming down the outside to win by two lengths. 

“It was a good win today,” Berry said. “She’s got a bit of ability and I don’t think she’ll have any trouble making it to mid-week Metropolitan grade.”

Avian Crescent ($13) trained by Jarrod Austin was second, over the $4.60 second favourite Calm Down, from the Quinton stable, who appeared to have every chance.

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An upset in the 2000m THE STACK BURGER CLASS 1 & MAIDEN with Goulburn visitor Sorokin outstaying his opposition. 

Trained by Jean Dubois, the Star Witness gelding was having just his third career start and could have a bright future as a stayer.

He had been unplaced in his two previous runs at Kembla and Canberra but put on a great staying performance at Wyong to beat the more favoured runners. 

Dylan Gibbons took on the short priced favourite Vyner ($1.55) in the straight, the pair going head-to-head in the final stages with Sorokin getting the better on the line. 

“It was only his third start, and he was up to 2000. He copped pressure and won his first race, so it’s onwards and upwards for him,” Gibbons said.

The winner had been $41 in early betting but earned some support to start $14.

The Karen Outrim trained Mr Luke ($31) put in an improved performance to finish third.

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Speedy Scone mare Tucson Valley was one of the more impressive winners on the day, bringing up her fifth win from just 10 starts in the 1100m COLONEL SANDERS CONDITIONAL BM68.

The daughter of Swiss Ace, trained by Stephen Jones, was able to lead throughout, fending off an early challenge from Trust Me, to fight on for a strong win.

Tucson Valley owned and raced by Gerry Harvey, is by his NZ sire Swiss Ace, out of his classy Flemington 1400m winner Sabino Canyon.

She had been impressive winning in the country beating her opponents at Wellington by more than seven lengths and handled the step up to Provincial grade in style. 

Starting at $3.50 favourite, Tuscon Valley beat the Partelle trained Trust Me ($14) by a length, with Jenny Graham’s The Drake ($6) third. 

There was drama at the start with Kim Waugh’s second favourite Black Jacamar rearing in the barriers and jumping some 10 lengths behind the other runners. 

After deliberating stewards declared Black Jacamar a runner. 

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Kristen Buchanan’s new stable acquisition Ready’s Girl ($19) wasted no time making it to the winner’s circle, taking out the THE RAYMOND FAMILY F&M BM64 over 1350m.

The Better Than Ready mare was given a perfect front-running ride by Rachel King to bring up her fifth career win.

Previously trained by Chris Anderson in Queensland, Ready’s Girl was having her 29^th start. 

It was a super effort by Buchanan to have her ready first up, with her last start on the Sunshine Coast in early December. 

Ready’s Girl was given a Randwick trial leading into the race and was able to win by almost a length over the Kim Waugh trained favourite Buba ($2.10). 

My Snow Queen ($3.80) from the John Sargent yard, was third. 

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Kris Lees and Dylan Gibbons brought up a double in the final race of the day, after Mobstar showed an impressive turn of foot to take out the 1350m WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETING THURSDAY JUNE 16 BM64.

The Shalaa three-year-old pulled away in the final stages to bring up his second win from start five, giving the stable plenty of confidence going forward. 

“It was a really good run at Scone last start, and he has continued to please at home,” stable representative Danny Greer said. 

“It was good to see him dominate like that today. Dylan had him in a nice stalking position and when he asked him to improve, he certainly did that. 

“Australian Bloodstock have found another nice one. It will be interesting to see how far he goes.”

Starting $3.80 favourite, Mobstar beat the Ryan/Alexiou trained Mihocek ($6), with the Perry trained Harlem Groove ($5.50) third. 

It was the John O’Shea and Willie Pike show at a rain affected Wyong meeting, the pair teaming for a race to race double.

Pike piloted the O’Shea duo Duke Of Gordon and Awesome Wonder to victory, the latter being targeted towards the Queensland Oaks.

The locals weren’t to be denied with Kristen Buchanan’s One Way Street returning to form to take out the 1200m Maiden.

The last two races on the card were abandoned after heavy showers continued throughout the afternoon. 

HMA GROUP MAIDEN PLATE (1350m): 

The result was never in double for the Annabel Neasham trained African Daisy who justified her short price with an effortless win. 

The American Pharoah filly was resuming from a spell and Neasham had her primed for victory, with two impressive Warwick Farm trials. 

It was an easy watch for punters, with Brodie Loy taking an early sit behind the leader, easing to the front mid-race, before sprinting away to win by more than five lengths. 

Raphael Marchelli, representing the stable, said they had been confident leading into the race. 

“She had two nice trials and looked very sharp,” he said. “She likes heavy tracks too so we knew that wouldn’t be a problem. She looked like a winner a long way out and we were happy with that.

“Her coat wasn’t perfect, and she was green late, so there is still plenty of improvement to come.”

African Daisy ($1.20fav), beat Gracious Gracie ($7.50) from the Mark Stewart stable, with Karen Outrim’s Australian Citizen ($31) third. 

HMA INSTRUMENTATION MAIDEN HANDICAP (1200m)

A change in tactics proved to be a winning move for Kristen Buchanan’s One Way Street.

The Super One gelding was taken to the lead by Hugh Bowman, who maintained the front throughout and despite tiring in the final stages, held on to win.

It was Bowman’s only ride for the day and Buchanan was full of praise for the jockey. 

“He was the perfect rider for this horse, and I wanted to get his perspective on him,” she said. 

“Clearly, he’s going to be one paced. We’ve tried to hold him up at his past two starts and it hasn’t worked, so we did things differently today. 

“It was fantastic to see him win.”

One Way Street was sent out $2.40 favourite, based on his two placings on his home track in rain affected conditions in his first preparation.  

It was another runner-up for Taree trainer Mark Stewart, with All Beans ($14) finishing strongly and not far off a win. 

Damien Lane’s Red Cobra ($3.50) was also doing his best work late coming from well back, to finish third. 

HMA POWER GENERATION MAIDEN (2000m)

LOVE RULES – Reece Jones

A perfectly executed plan saw Rod Northam’s Love Rules breakthrough for her debut win over the 2000m.

The daughter of Pierro was given a great ride by Reece Jones, who followed his boss’s instructions to a tee, settling the filly just behind the leaders. 

She hit the front on straightening, sprinting away in the final stages to record her first win at start six. 

The three-year-old was coming off a third at Newcastle over 1890m on April 9 on a heavy track. 

Northam was impressed by the filly’s late turn of foot and pleased with the ride. 

“I was pretty happy with that. She hasn’t figured out how to race properly and is the type of filly who the older she gets the better she’ll get.

“She showed a nice turn of foot, and it was good to see her kicking away at the end of 2000m. It was a really good ride from Reece. He hasn’t had a lot of luck with the barriers on this filly, but the owners have stuck with him, and he repaid them today.

“I trained her mother, Myamira and she was a super mare, so I’m hoping this filly will keep improving.”

Love Rules earned late support to start $2.60 second favourite, over the Maher/Eustace runner-up Bay Of Kiel ($2.40), who despite being momentarily held up in the straight, appeared to have every chance. 

All About Ollie ($12) trained by Bruce Cross, was third. 

HMA MATERIALS HANDLING MAIDEN HANDICAP (1600m)

Irish import Awesome Wonder wasted no time making her impact on Australian racing, winning at her first start. 

The well-bred Galileo filly was unplaced at her three starts in Ireland before her move to the John O’Shea stables. 

She had three trials leading into the Wyong race and earned some support in the betting, sent out $4 third favourite.

Willie Pike settled her at the rear of the field and looked to have a task ahead of him before setting sail around the turn and storming down the outside to score a narrow victory. 

He ran down Ron Quinton’s Calm Down ($3.70) in the final stages, with the Widdup trained favourite Sneaky Island ($3) driving through on the line to secure second. 

O’Shea has a good opinion of Awesome Wonder and is targeting the Queensland Oaks.

“It was a really good performance today. It’s difficult to make up ground and she came from last. She’s got a really bright future and is a real delight to train. 

“She’s a full sister to a horse who was quite effective over the mile and half, and I didn’t think the distance would be a problem.”

The filly was purchased from Ireland by well-known owner/breeder Jason Abrahams who bred her mother, a Flemington Coolmore Stud Group 1 winner Nechita, who was sold on to Ireland.

HMA FLOW & INDUSTRIAL CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1600m)

A race to race double for John O’Shea and William Pike with Duke Of Gordon ($1.70) justifying his short price favouritism with a dominant win.

The Dissident gelding made it back-to-back Wyong victories relishing both the heavy track and distance. 

Pike placed the three-year-old just off the early pace, drawing level with the leader before the turn and drawing away in the straight to win by more than four lengths. 

O’Shea had been confident leading into the race, with Duke Of Gordon having improved since his Wyong win on April 14. 

“He had improved at home, was fit and adept on the ground so I was reasonably confident,” he said. 

“He relaxed a lot better today. It’s great for his ownership group, Go Racing, to have a progressive, young staying horse with a future. “

Ben Hill’s Allthehills ($11) put in another nice run finishing second, over another local runner, Launch Attack ($16) from the Damien Lane stable. 

HMA GEOTECHNICAL BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1350m)

Clarry Connors was surprised when his mare Segrill got the nod in the closest finish of the day. 

The five-year-old dived at the line to snatch victory over the short priced favourite Crazy Train to bring up her fifth career win. 

“I thought she was in front a stride before and for a stride after but wasn’t sure she got there on the line,” Connors said. “Winners are grinners, so we’ll take it. She’s a pretty honest mare who has put together a string of placings.”

Connors had been dodging heavy tracks with Segrill but decided to run at Wyong. 

“She’s not a heavy track horse and I scratched her the other day to come here. She needed to go around and has handled it well.”

Winning rider Tom Sherry agreed the heavy conditions had been a concern. 

“She’s got a bad record on heavy tracks but couldn’t avoid that today and Mr Connors had her in great order. 

“I thought as I turned into the straight, she still had a lot to offer, and she went on with it. There’s still a bit of improvement to come.”

Segrill ($7) beat the Dunn trained favourite Crazy Train ($1.80) who looked to have every chance, with the Perry trained Tupou ($16) putting in an improved performance for third. 

A strong meeting on an improving track, produced some impressive wins including the South Australian Derby bound Bastida. 

John Sargent’s three-year-old colt looks set for bigger things after dominating his rivals over the 2100m.

Gwenda Markwell had a successful trip north returning home to Kembla with two winners, Mentalism and Highballer, while Brenton Avdulla took out the riding honours with a double. 

After the meeting was in some doubt early following heavy rain, the track improved from a 10 to a heavy 8, earning the praise of participants. 

Race 1 – TAB.COM.AU BENCHMARK 64 (2000m): 

John Sargent’s Bastida stamped his credentials as both a stayer and mudlark with a strong win in the opening race over 2100m.

And the stable has big plans for the gelding planning to target black type staying races.

“The penny has dropped, and we have a couple of nice races planned for him at Flemington on Anzac Day and the South Australian Derby. He loves the soft tracks, so that’s a bonus,” stable representative Campbell Ashby said. 

“It was a race in two here today and he was always going to be able to outstay them.”

The Pierro three-year-old brought up his second victory in as many starts, coming off a Goulburn victory over the same distance on March 18. 

The win had come on a soft track and a previous second at Newcastle in the heavy, gave punters the confidence to send him out $2 favourite. 

Tim Clark stalked the John Cooper trained Arabolini ($2.80), in his customary role as leader, before hitting the front on straightening and drawing way to win by more than a length.

It was a pick-up ride for Clark, replacing his brother-in-law, Josh Parr.

The outsider of the small field, the Perry trained Into The Oblivion ($14) was third, more than seven lengths behind the winner. 

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Race 2 – WYONG RACE CLUB FUNCTION CENTRE MAIDEN (1600m): 

A gun ride by Willie Pike helped secure victory for the John O’Shea trained race favourite Duke Of Gordon ($2.60). 

The Dissident gelding, having his fourth career start, was coming off a third at Scone on March 16 over the same distance and track conditions.

Pike was able to position the three-year-old in the box seat just behind the barriers after a good start.

He got to the centre of the track on straightening and was able to hold off his rivals to win by a length and a half. 

Duke Of Gordon was an $80,000 Karaka yearling, by a Giant’s Causeway mare.

Taree galloper Preferred Choice ($31), trained by Mark Stewart, battled on well for second, over Gwenda Markwell’s Blackall ($4.20), who looked like the one to follow. 

There were excuses for the Hawkes trained Poetic Drama ($2.90) who had to work hard in the early stages when planted three and finished fourth.

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Race 3 – DE BORTOLI WINES 2YO MAIDEN (1000m): 

Annabel Neasham’s good opinion of Diamond City ($2.40fav) was franked with a strong debut win over the 1000m.

It was a race in one after Brenton Avdulla led throughout to win by almost three lengths.

The filly finished third in a three-way photo at Newcastle when resuming on a heavy track on March 31. 

Neasham had been impressed with the run giving her confidence heading into the Wyong race, and she wasn’t disappointed with the win never appearing in doubt with Avdulla’s positive ride.

“I’ve always had a lot of time for her,” Neasham said. “It was a good tough run that day at Newcastle in quite testing conditions.

“I was confident today in a small field Brenton would take luck out the equation and she’d be hard to beat.”

There were no excuses for the beaten brigade with Ron Quinton’s Light Press ($8.50) and Damien Lane’s Red Cobra ($7.50) filling the minor placings.

Diamond City, by Ilovethiscity out of a Danerich mare, was a $120,000 yearling purchase at the Inglis Melbourne Yearling sale. 

Race 4 – HUCKEL EXCAVATIONS 3YO MAIDEN (1200m): 

An ultimatum by Mark Newnham paid dividends with his Capitalist colt Mission Value breaking through for his first win at start three. 

Newnham had been disappointed with Mission Value’s last outing when resuming at Warwick Farm, finishing ninth over the 1100m some 10 lengths off the winner.

He had debuted with a third in stronger company in the Listed Inglis Nursery in December 2020 before a lengthy spell.

Newnham had planned to geld Mission Value if he failed to produce at Wyong, with that procedure now likely on hold. 

“He just didn’t seem to take much interest at Warwick Farm and was never in the race,” he said. 

“He had a fair bit of work and a jump out since then, so I thought it was time he showed us what he’s got.”

The Capitalist colt, a $70,000 yearling, drifted considerably in betting, starting at $10 after earlier being half those odds.

Tyler Schiller pinched the win with a good kick on the turn and was able to hold out the fast-finishing Hawkes debutant Airraid ($3.40). 

John Steinmetz’s Khumbu ($7) was third after earning late support, with both the minor placegetters not far off a win. 

The $2.15 favourite Island Lass was caught wide early and failed to run on.

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Race 5 – PBL LAW GROUP MAIDEN (1300m): 

Antonio Giovanni showed his class to take out the 1300m Maiden but had to fight hard on the line to win by the narrowest of margins. 

Kim Waugh’s Oxford Vison seemed to have the race won before Antonio Giovanni dived at the line late, with the judge required the separate the pair. 

Chris Waller’s All Too Hard colt got the nod, bringing up his first win at start six, in his first run for the stable. 

He was sent out $1.75 favourite, after having competed in two Victorian Group races in the spring. 

He looked primed for a good first up run with two good trials leading up Wyong race, the colt closing off nicely in both. 

Brenton Avdulla, who brought up a double, settled him just behind the lead pair throughout, coming with a sustained run in the straight to snatch victory on the line. 

Oxford Vision ($2.20) has now had three seconds and a third from four runs and deserves a win, while Sir Savaluca ($11) from the Pride stable, battled on for third.

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Race 6 – GO ELECTRICAL BENCHMARK 64 (1300m): 

Impending father Keegan Latham believes there could be more wins in store for Mentalism after the gelding notched up his second victory.

Latham’s partner was expected to give birth on Friday and the jockey was excited to ride a winner on the eve of the arrival of his first child.

He was impressed by the improvement in the Gwenda Markwell trained Mentalism ($9), who has partnered in four of his five runs this preparation. 

“He’s turned the corner quick and has been very consistent in his runs and improved a lot,” Latham said. “I’ve been looking forward to the 1300m today because I believe he is better suited over more ground.

“He was a bit keen early in his career and that’s why they kept running him over shorter trips.

“He’s really learned his trade well now, you can see by the way he won today and hopefully there are more wins to come.”

It was a good ride by Latham, who had to weave a passage in the straight before getting the spilt and racing through to win by a length and a half. 

Wild Chap, trained by Brett Lazzarini ($11) was the runner-up and looks close to a win, while Godolphin’s $3.20 favourite Brillar, was third and looked to have every chance. 

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Race 7 – CARLTON DRAUGHT BENCHMARK 64 (1000m): 

The Joe Pride trained Coal Crusher ($2.90fav) looks set for a good preparation on the strength of his first up win.

It was the third race victory for the super consistent son of Turffontein from nine starts, including five seconds. 

Pride had expected Coal Crusher to sprint well first up and Glynn Schofield gave him the perfect ride off the pace, before finding a gap in the straight and speeding away for a convincing win. 

“He’s a nice horse with a good future,” Pride said. “He’s not a 1000m horse but I was happy to see him finish off strongly with 61.5kg on his back. He’s in for a good preparation.”

It was an emotional victory for Pride with his son Brave on strapping duties for the first time. 

“I strapped my first Group 1 winner 21 years ago to the day,” he said. “It’s great to Brave get his first winner today.”

It was a real Pride family affair with Joe’s wife Kylie sharing ownership of the four-year-old.

Runner-up Suprina, from the Jarrod Austin stable, was attempting to bring up her fourth successive win which won’t be far off, while Charlie Porter’s Mr Polar ($20) put in a strong performance, coming from the rear of the field to finish third.

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Race 8 – WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETING THURSDAY APRIL 28 PROVINCIAL CUP-CONDITIONAL CLASS 4 (1600m): 

A double to Gwenda Markwell and well-deserved victory to Highballer ($2.80fav), the four-year-old placed in four of his previous five starts this preparation. 

The ultra-consistent son of Teofilo was given a great ride by Rachel King, who had him positioned just behind the leader.

He hit the front on straightening and then the result was never in doubt, drawing away to win by more than a length. 

King was impressed with the victory. 

“He’s been really consistent, and I was able to get a nice run on speed today,” she said. “It was a nice tempo for him, and he let down really well late. 

“He races well on this track and did a great job.”

Highballer was coming off a second at Goulburn last start over the 1600m, beaten less than a length and punters kept the faith sending him out favourite. 

He beat the Snowden trained Vigorous Flow ($4.80), who was doing his best work late, with a much-improved performance by Tracey Bartley’s Kaaydeh ($81) for third. 

Ben Hill trained his first winner in almost two years courtesy of Allthehills who relished the heavy 10 track at Wyong to take out the 1350m Great Northern Provincial and Country Maiden. 

The Love Conquers All gelding has been a handful for Wyong based Hill who now seems to have found the key and his hopeful there will be more wins to come. 

With heavy rain falling throughout the day the meeting was postponed after the first four races due to poor visibility.

But fortunately for Hill his gelding took out the third race after running down Kim Waugh’s $1.40 favourite Oxford Vision on the line. 

It was a patient ride by local apprentice Pat Scorse, who settled the four-year-old just worse than midfield before peeling out around the turn and coming home strong to win by a long neck.

Hill had been unsure how Allthehills would get through the heavy track but the four-year-old had no issues. 

“We missed a run at Newcastle over 1800m and I scratched him on a heavy track. I thought we’ll come here today and give him a nice sound hit out on the heavy and see how we go, and he obviously got through it,” Hill said.

“Callum Bailey rides him in his work – he’s a bit hot headed for me. Cal has done a great job with him. He’s been a handful of a horse so hopefully he can go on with it now. 

“This will hopefully give him the confidence he needs. He was a very hot horse early on and we’ve had a few issues on the ground, no injuries at all, but hopefully the penny is starting to drop.”

Scorse said he believed Allthehills would get over more ground.

“I know Benny wants to get him over more ground and I don’t think he’ll have any trouble with that,” he said.

“We did have a nice run through today. I thought speed was quite a genuine tempo for a heavy rack and I got a nice trail a few pairs back. 

“He really switched on and get through ground good and when I ask him to improve, he gave me everything he had and finish the race off nicely.”

Allthehillis ($12) is raced by Hill and family members and was having his 10^th race start. 

It was an all-Wyong trifecta, with Wayne Seelin’s Supreme Play ($51) third.

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Sam Clipperton rode two of the four winners, taking out the 1350m Canadian Club Maiden on Mirra View for the Snowdens and the Vale Cam McBrien Maiden over 1000m on Prefer To Be Ready for Jay Hopkins. 

More Than Ready filly Mirra View was coming off a third at Newcastle on a slow track on March 17 and earned the confidence of punters, being sent out $1.30 favourite. 

She didn’t disappoint scoring by almost a length after Clipperton started his run around the 600m mark, circling the field and leading down the straight. 

Runner-up Roccaforte ($4) trained by Richard Litt, was strong late with a win not far off. 

Raging Climax ($15) trained by Kristen Buchanan, was third. 

Clipperton had partnered Mirra View in her previous start and had been confident coming into the race. 

“Her first up run was sound, and she went into that with only one trial,” he said. “She’s only a light filly and took plenty of improvement from that. 

“She looked the better horse in the race today, but she still had to get out there and do it.

“I thought being by More Than Ready she should handle the ground and she did.”

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Clipperton had also been confident about the chances of Prefer To Be Ready ($4.40) with the filly having previously been placed on a heavy track. 

Raced by a syndicate including Hopkins wife Hannah, the three-year-old had been runner in her two previous starts last preparation at Gosford and Tuncurry. 

Clipperton settled her just off the speed in the early stages and was able to get the best out of her in the straight, drawing away to win by a length and a half. 

“She’d had a good second on a heavy nine, so I thought she’d get through the ground. Jay had given her a good trial over 1000m, so I knew she’d be well primed for today.”

Brett Partelle’s Arion Story ($14) put in a nice run to finish second, over Kristen Buchanan’s debutant Tikitiboo ($5.50).

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Mark Newnham’s race favourite Sonic The Hedgehog was able to outstay his rivals in the 2000m TAB.COM.AU Maiden.

The American Pharoah gelding was having his fourth race start, after finishing third at Goulbourn on March 18 over the 2100m. 

It was a race in two in the final stages with Sonic The Hedgehog getting the better of John Sargent’s Essential Sky ($3.70) to win by a length. 

Josh Par was the winning rider, with the three-year-old gelding having no problems getting through the heavy 10 conditions. 

Sky Ace ($2.80) trained by Brad Widdup was third.