Kristen Buchanan is hoping to celebrate Wyong’s Women In Racing Raceday on Tuesday with a winner on her home track.
Buchanan will join a panel of well-known female racing identities including Lizzie Jelfs and Debbie Kepitis, at the club’s luncheon to recognise the achievements and contributions of women involved in the industry.
And while she is looking forward to the function, she hopes her trio of runners will ‘do her talking’ on the track.
“It’s great for the club to recognise the part women play in the industry and I’m very happy to be a invovled,” Buchanan said.
“I’ve got three runners and I’m confident two of them will perform well, with the third having his first start.”
Traumatised and Upper East Side from the Buchanan stable are resuming, while four-year-old mare Sequenzalot is on debut.
“I’m really excited about Traumatised resuming,” she said.
“I’m very happy with the way he’s been going, and it’s will be great to see just how far he can progress this preparation.”
Traumatised, a six-year-old by Choisir, has had 18 starts for four wins and eight placings and was narrowly beaten at his last start at Rosehill on June 29, following a Brisbane Winter Carnival campaign where he placed twice in three starts.
He trialled at Wyong on September 17 and has impressive first up form with two wins and two placings from four starts.
He resumes in the 1000m Benchmark 70 with apprentice Chris Williams in the saddle.
“He was a bit wild and woolly when he came to us and had a horrible attitude. To be honest, I was very close to sacking him. I’m so glad I didn’t,” Buchanan said.
“He’s come such a long way and he just keeps ticking the boxes. He’s one of my best horses and there are plenty of options for him.
“He is only a small, homebred horse and that’s why we sent him to Queensland, so he didn’t have to carry as much weight. We might step him up to a higher grade this preparation where he will get a lighter weight and see how he goes.”
Buchanan is also keen on the chances of Upper East Side in the 1000m Class 1, her only concern the Wyong track.
“I feel like he has a good future ahead of him. He is a really nice horse, he trialled well, has had a jump out since then and is working great.
“Ideally I think he would be better suited on a bigger track but in saying that he works well around Wyong so we will see how he goes raceday.”
Buchanan regards first starter Sequenzalot, lining up in the 1100m Maiden, as a “nice mare” and is keen to see her race.
“It’s her first outing so that will tell us a lot more about her,” she said.
“I don’t have big expectations first up, it will be good to see her go around.”
Buchanan recorded a personal best in 2018/2019 with 35 winner and a strike rate of around 20 percent. With three wins already this season she hopes to add to that tally come Tuesday.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 1.10pm: EVENT CINEMAS TUGGERAH MAIDEN PLATE (2100m): 1 URBINO, 2 Maybach, 3 The Borough, 4 Bansuri.
Race 2 – 1.45pm: SKY RACING CG&E MAIDEN PLATE (1100m): 1 BIG BAD BRUCE, 2 Iresign, 3 Intimidating, 1 Battlers Four.
Race 3 – 2.20pm: DE BORTOLI MAIDEN HANDICAP (1350m): 1 BRANDENBURG, 2 Liberty Head, 3 Zell, 4 Golwen.
Race 4 – 2.55pm: WISEBERRY HERITAGE REAL ESTATE CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1350m): 1 FAMOUS, 2 Magnicently, 3 Wounded Soldier, 4 Tinai.
Race 5 – 3.35pm: KRISTEN BUCHAN RACING F&M MAIDEN PLATE (1100m): 1 AKARI, 2 Regimental Band, 3 Furlana, Compatriot.
Race 6 – 4.10pm: AFFORDABLE WARDROBES CENTRAL COAST CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1600m): 1AORAKI, 2 Jarhead, 3 Miss Moana, 1 Julian Rock.
Race 7 – 4.45pm: BLITZ HOMES CONDITIONAL BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP (1000m): 1 TRAUMATISED, 2 Rambler Rebel, 3 Little Al, 4 Il Bandito.
Race 8 – 5.20pm: BOB HOLLOWAY MEMORIAL CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1000m): 1 PEAK, 2 Soul Soldier, 3 Upper East Side, 4 For Love.
Chris Waller franked his title as the Cups King at Wyong after Wu Gok took out the 2019 $160,000 Carlton Draught Gold Cup, the seventh feature victory for the stable in nine years.
A gamble by Waller to test the Sebring gelding on firm ground paid off, with the six-year-old scoring a convincing length and a half win, courtesy of a great James McDonald ride.
McDonald circled the leaders around the 400m mark and established a good lead into the straight, drawing away to win by almost two lengths.
Jack Bruce, representing the Waller stable, said the track had been the main concern coming into the race, with the majority of Wu Gok’s wins on soft or heavy tracks.
“The track certainly didn’t worry him today. It was another good win,” Bruce said.
“He is in a good vein of form. He’s been up for a while and has been racing consistently, which is all you can ask.”
Bruce said Wu Gok had gotten stronger as he got older.
“He’s a strong stayer and it was good ride by James. He got on his bike early but that’s the way you have to ride Wyong and the experienced jockeys make those decisions and get it right.
“It is a great result for the connections as well, they’ve been patient but are having a good run now.”
Wu Gok, who is raced by Oliver Koolman’s Hermitage Syndicate, was coming off a win in the Group 3 Premier Cup at Rosehill only five days earlier.
The Cup victory is his ninth win from 32 starts.
James McDonald, who brought up a double with the win, joked he felt like he was on the Autumn Sun halfway up the straight.
“He’s a great horse and he did a great job today,’ McDonald said.
“I had a really nice position early. He beat me last Saturday and I learnt a fair bit from that. I knew he was a quality stayer.
“It was a great effort by the Waller team to back him up and have him run so well.”
Wu Gok, the $4.80 favourite, beat Hush Writer ($16) from the Waterhouse/Bott stable, with another Waller runner Vaucluse Bay ($15) third.
Joe Pride’s faith in apprentice Robbie Dolan was richly rewarded when Foxy Housewife took out the Listed WINNING COMMERCIAL MONA LISA STAKES over 1350m.
Dolan was called in when Rachel King was suspended and gave the Foxwedge mare the perfect ride to secure a narrow win in the $140,000 race.
“He rode the perfect race,” an excited Pride said.
“She was ridden a treat. It was a great ride by Robbie, he did a great job.
“I came here today really happy with both my mares in this race, but this one has really turned up with her A game.
“She’s a big strong mare and there weren’t too many nicer types in the parade there today. Full credit to David Van Dyke who has looked after this horse the majority of her career and sent us a horse in perfect order.”
It was only the second start for Foxy Housewife since transferring to the Pride stable and she has won both, the first a Benchmark 88 at Rosehill on July 27
“She’s earned some black type with this race which is important and is now the winner of a Listed race and a really strong race here today,” Pride said.
“We gave her a tick over trial a couple of weeks ago and knew she was spot on coming in to today.”
He said he would now likely target the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes at Newcastle on September 20.
Dolan thanked Pride and the owners for the opportunity to ride in the race.
“I don’t claim in the Provincials anymore and it’s great to get these chances,” he said.
“She jumped well, and I just put her in position where I was always around the fancied horses and best jockeys in the race. Thankfully it all just worked out.
“She was strong late, right through the line and is a good horse going forward.”
Foxy Housewife ($26) beat the Godolphin galloper Laburnum ($12) by a neck, with the $3.40 race favourite Connemara trained by Bjorn Baker, third.
James Cummings was impressed with the win of Camp Rifle ($1.90fav) in taking out the 1300m HUNTER PETROLEUM PRODUCTS DA VINCI – 3&4YO BENCHMARK 64.
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy settled the gelding toward the rear of the small field, making up significant ground on the turn.
He hit the lead on straightening but was in a bobbing dual with Rythmic Pulse ($4.80) in the final stages, before scoring a narrow win on the line.
“He went really well. He is still only very young up against some four-year-olds this afternoon but Kerrin really saved something for later. I liked the way he came underneath him,” Cummings said.
“He is by Shooting To Win so there’s every chance he will enjoy getting up to a mile as well.
“I think a bigger track will suit him but it’s just as much about his inexperience at the moment. Kerrin just conserved his energy out the back, while they bunched coming to the turn, he’s got a good finish for as far back as he was.
“It’s one thing to get to those horses and another thing to get to go past them so it’s good to see him knuckle down and demonstrate he’s still a horse on the rise.”
Defeat ($9.50) from the Snowden stable was third.
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It was a memorable Cup Day for Damien Lane the locally based trainer scoring a double on the program, both raced by prominent owner Bruce Mackenzie.
Lane’s first win came with Oakfield Twilight ($9) scoring an impressive win in the 1200m CENTRAL COAST COOLROOMS CLASS 2.
The Zoffany gelding, who competed in the 2109 Provincial Championship final, was coming off a fifth at Canterbury on August 21, a race in which Lane said he had no luck.
Jockey Jason Collett led throughout and had his rivals chasing coming into the straight.
He drew away in the final stages to win by two lengths.
“I knew on the back of his trial that we were in for a good preparation,” Lane said.
“He wasn’t beaten far by Redzel and I thought it was an eye-catching run.
“We came here pretty confident today and he got the job done.
“I’ll just take him through his classes and see how far we get this preparation.”
Oakfield Twilight, raced by Bruce Mackenzie, beat the $2.60 favourite Famous, from the Snowden stable, with Splendid Surprise ($3) third.
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Stable mate Oakfield Captain ($7.50) was equally impressive winning the 1100m THE DOYLO SPRINGTIME BENCHMARK 70, with apprentice Leah Kilner in the saddle.
The five-year-old brought up his second win from three starts this preparation, with Lane now leading toward taking the Testa Rossa gelding to a midweek metropolitan race.
“He’s earned his chance to have a start in town and we will go from there,” Lane said.
“I’ve always had an opinion of this horse, but we were trying him over 1600m last preparation, and he was just falling short.
“I think he’s better kept fresh and over the shorter distances and he’s proved that with two wins and a second this preparation.
“A really good ride by Leah helped get the job done today.”
Lane said it was a “great feeling” training a double on his home track on Cup day.
Kilner, who will transfer to Lane in two weeks, said she was grateful for Lane and the connections giving her the ride.
“It was really good to win and hopefully that will be the start of a good association with Damien.”
A super ride by the Nash Rawiller secured a close win for Canasta ($7) in the 1350m PRIORITY BUSINESS LAWYERS 4YO&UP MAIDEN.
The Bjorn Baker trained gelding was coming off a narrow defeat over the 1408m at Bathurst on August 26.
Baker said there were excuse for the four-year-old, having only his third race start.
“He had a foot issue after his first up run, so last start he needed the outing.
“His coat looked good today, it’s the best he’s looked. The blinkers went on and Nash went on.
“It was a great ride, he can really lift them.”
Baker said he would try and step Canasta up over more ground in his next run probably 1600m.
“He’s a four-year-old but he’s European bred so he’s six months behind really. He’s still yet to reach his peak.”
Canasta beat Version ($4.20) trained by Peter Robl, with Parveen ($4.60) from the Godolphin stable, third.
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Brenton Avdulla believes there are better races in store for Impudens after his impressive win in the BISHOP COLLINS ACCOUNTANTS MAIDEN over 1200m.
The I Am Invincible colt, a $500,000 yearling purchase, put paid to his opposition in the straight to win by a length and a half.
Avdulla said he was able to get the Kris Lees trained Impudens into a good position early in the race.
“He settled well, and I was always able to keep Hughie on the favourite back on my inside. I made sure he was there until I was ready to go and when I went, he went quick and was good enough to get away with it.
“He’s a nice horse who is still learning his craft and he will go on to better races.”
Lees said it was the perfect ride by Avdulla.
“He’s still got a bit to learn but he’s a progressive horse and I think he’s in for a nice preparation.
“He will probably go to town now to test him in a better grade.”
Impudens ($3.70) beat the $2.20 favourite Katakeri from the Godolphin stable by a length and a half, with the Gary Moore trained Lucky Imperator ($10) a close third.
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The step up to 1600m proved the key to the Kylie Gavenlock trained Temprado who won the AUSTRALIAN BLOODSTOCK BENCHMARK 64 in a close finish.
Sporting the Kolivos colours, made famous by his sire Pierro, the five-year-old was settled mid-field by Hugh Bowman, who made his move just before straightening and was able to hold out He’s A Given ($7.50) on the line to win by a half neck.
Owners Greg Kolivos, representing Gavenlock, said the gelding had been looking for further.
“He needed the extra distance today. Last start the Newcastle track was like concrete, but this track today has a little give in it which suited him perfectly,” Kolivos said.
“He ran here first up over 1100m and we were pleased with the run. He likes this track. We will step him up to 1800 to 1900m now, although 2000m is probably his trip.”
Bowman said he thought the Temprado raced well, dug in when he needed to and would be improve when he stepped up further.
Bid ‘N’ Bare, the $2.50 race favourite trained by Kristen Buchanan was third, a length behind the winner.
Barriers haven’t been kind to Australian Bloodstock in this year’s $160,000 Carlton Draught Wyong Gold Cup but director Luke Murrell still considers they are a chance of taking out the 2100m Listed race.
The syndicators have four runners accepted in the capacity field of 16, the strongest race in recent years, with two of those emergencies. The Kris Lees trained trio Sixties Groove, Mongolian Wolf and Loveisili have drawn wide in 19, 10 and 18 respectively, while Our Century, prepared by Kim Waugh drew 19.
Lees is still undecided if Sixties Groove, who trialled impressively at Newcastle on August 19, will head to the Cup or the Chelsmford Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
“More than likely he will race in town, but I haven’t decided 100 percent yet,” he said.
Murrell is also of the opinion Sixties Groove will head to town but believes their other runners, should they all gain runs, have genuine chances.
“Obviously the barriers aren’t ideal but if we can get Loveisili in to the Cup, he’s probably our best hope and Our Century, he’s just a classy horse, I expect he’ll run well anyway despite the wide draw,” he said.
“I think Delectation Girl is a great hope in the Mona Lisa so it could be a good day.”
The Waugh trained Our Century is resuming but he has won twice first up over similar distance and looks primed for a big race on the back of two recent trials.
“This was always the race Kim wanted to kick him off in. There are not a lot of real options for him and he goes really good fresh,” Murrell said.
“We saw last preparation that he does have a lot of gate speed, that was in smaller fields. He’s probably more of an on-speed horse, which I don’t mind for a wide draw for a on speeder because they can take their time getting across.”
“He’s been in work quite a while, so I’d say he would more than likely be positive from the draw.”
Murrell is keen on the chances of Loveisili, who strung together three consecutive wins over similar distances last preparation.
“I thought Loveisili was going to be our best chance, but I would have loved to have seen him draw soft and switch off.”
“If he gets a start, he will be the one out of all of ours that would be the best hope, given how he’s going.”
He said Mongolian Wolf had been racing in good form and deserved a chance in the race. “He went super the other day in the Taree Cup, but his best chance is a wet track, which is highly unlikely.
“That will be a bit of a dampener for his chances, but it was probably one of his best runs ever on a firm track at Taree so he’s going good.”
Murrell is very keen on the chances of Delectation Girl in the $140,000 Listed Winning Commercial Mona Lisa Stakes.
“Kris has deliberately kept her in a shorter distance race knowing full well we won’t see the best of her until she gets to 1400m and maybe 1600m.”
“I think she is a winning chance. She’s shown speed in her trials and she’s shown speed in America, but in Germany all she wanted to do was relax.”
“Her Randwick run last start was fantastic. She jumped really well and Brenton had to restrain her, I thought she went super and I’m very pleased with her.”
Aliferous, also raced by the syndicate, is unlikely to run from the barrier 16.
The Mona Lisa has attracted a top-class capacity field with two emergencies.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 12.55pm: PRIORITY BUSINESS LAWYERS 4YO & UP MAIDEN PLATE (1350m): 1 PARVEEN, 2 Corporal, 3 Canasta, 4 Version Two.
Race 2 – 1.35pm: BISHOP COLLINS ACCOUNTANTS MAIDEN HANDICAP (1200m): 1 MAISAA, 2 Impudens, 3 Favra, 4 Lady Lucienne.
Race 3 – 2.10pm: CENTRAL COAST COOLROOMS CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1200m): 1 SPLENDID SURPRISE, 2 Raay Of Dreams, 3 Republic, 4 Oakfield Twilight.
The $160,000 Listed Carlton Draught Wyong Gold Cup is shaping up as one of the best in recent years with 25 nominations for Friday’s feature race.
The powerful Waller has six horses nominated, including last start Taree Cup winner Hogmanay and Wu Gok, who was an impressive winner at Rosehill last Saturday. Waller has dominated the Wyong Gold Cup in recent years – winning the race six times in the last eight years.
Kris Lees has also nominated six runners for the race. Lees had previously indicated Sixties Groove, Mongolian Wolfe and High Opinion would be headed to the Cup, but this morning added Hallelujah Boy, Loveisili and Our Gravano to the mix.
The Wyong Gold Cup will have its first international runner, with Blue Breeze from New Zealand among the nominations. Blue Breeze arrives in Australia tonight and will be stabled at Wyong for his upcoming campaign. The Allan Morley trained six-year-old is coming off a last start win over 1400m, with connections keen to use the Wyong Cup as a stepping board for the Melbourne Cup. Blue Breeze has solid credentials having finished a close second in the Gr 2 Avondale Cup (2400m) and third in the Gr 1 Auckland Cup (3200m) in the autumn across the Tasman behind Glory Days both times, who then ran third in the Sydney Cup at its subsequent start.
Veteran galloper Destiny’s Kiss, from the Joe Pride stable, will have his 100th start in the Cup, having previously contested the race on four occasions and claiming the trophy in 2017.
The locally trained Our Century will kick off his preparation in the race, with Kim Waugh hoping to secure her first hometown Cup, with the Australian Bloodstock’s Irish import.
James Cummings has another Irish import, Duca Valentinois in the mix, the Group 3 winning gelding coming off a fifth in the Listed Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury on August 22.
The $140,000 Listed Mona Lisa has also attracted 21 quality nominations. With a fine forecast through the week and an expectation of a Good track for Cup the Club is looking forward to a huge day on Friday. Acceptances for the meeting close at 9am on Wednesday.
There were emotional scenes in the winner’s circle when the Denim Wynen trained Dual Escape ($14) took out the HAPPY 60TH STEVE REECE BENCHMARK 64 giving the young trainer her first victory.
Wyong-based Wynen, 23, only recently took over the care of the Dubleo mare but had been reasonably confident going into the race.
“I’ve had about eight runners before but this is my first win and great that it’s at the provincials,” she said.
“It’s a day I won’t forget in a hurry, very exciting. I’ve had this horse for six weeks now. The owners wanted to lease her so I took out an owner/trainer licence.
“She’s been going really good and has the ability. It was good to have some luck with her today.”
Jockey Serg Lisnyy said Dual Escape had always had ability but also had attitude.
“Denim has done a good job with the mare, she was spot on today.
“I’ve ridden this mare in races and trackwork plenty of times, I know her well.”
Lisnyy had settled Dual Escape mid-field, peeling to the outside on the turn, before storming home to claim a length and a half win.
The Graham Brown trained Lass Vegas ($6.50) was second, with Mr Hennessy ($8) a close third.
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Kris Lees stable could have as many as four runners in Friday’s Listed Wyong Carlton Draught Gold Cup after Milseain took out the Cup Prelude ridden by Louise Day.
Lees has already indicated Sixties Groove, High Opinion and Mongolian Wolf will be likely Cup starters and with Milseain has now earnt automatic entry in to the $160,000 race.
“Kris will wait and see how she pulls up before deciding if she will start,” stable representative Cheree Marsham said. “Today was her day. She had the track and distance to suit her and she got the job done.
“It was a great ride by Louise. She rated her really well in front and got her to sprint when she needed to.
“She will win more races on that for sure.”
Louise Day said Milsean was a real “mud lark” who appreciated the conditions.
“The plan was to try and lead, keep in an even rhythm and skip away on the bend. I could hear them breathing down my neck the whole way but she did well she’s tough.”
Milsean ($2.50fav), who brought up her fourth career win from 18 starts with the victory in the 2100m CARLTON DRAUGHT WYONG CUP PRELUDE – CLASS 4, beat the fast finishing Equipped ($5) from the John Sargent stable by a half-length, with He’s Imposing ($2.30) trained by Joe Pride, four lengths behind in third.
The win capped off a big day for the Lees stable, who also took out the first four races at Moree’s Cup Day.
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Nash Rawiller wasted no time getting back into the winner’s circle on his first ride at Wyong in more than five years.
The champion hoop rode the Kim Waugh trained $1.75 favourite Sebonna to victory in the 1600m HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY FIONA PROV & CTRY MAIDEN.
The Orbis Bloodstock gelding was an impressive two length winner, after being taken to an early lead by Rawiller, and drawing away in the straight to win by two lengths.
Rawiller said Sebonna, who was a $250,000 yearling, was still learning his craft.
“He’s a lovely horse but very raw. I elected to try and lead, just through riding him to the gates, I thought that would be the best place to be.
“He didn’t really get around this track too well so there is plenty of improvement to come,” he said.
Waugh agreed Rawiller’s decision to roll forward had been the right one.
“I think he needed to do that. He’s been a bit slow out and is still learning. Even when he hit the front, he was a bit lost and a bit all over the place, but he’s getting there,” she said.
“He’s still got a bit to learn but when he learns to race true and correct, he will be a nice horse.
“I’ll look for a similar race for him. He will get over more ground, but I’ll probably run him again over a mile.
“I’ll just see how far he goes this time in because he’s improved so much from last preparation and I think he will improve a lot again in his next preparation.”
Sebonna beat the Kris Lees trained Blazing Sunrise ($10), with Wayne Austin’s Whitney’s Star ($31) third.
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A race to race double for Nash Rawiller scoring on the Joe Pride trained Nature ($2.05fav) in the 1100m TUGGERAH DEMOLITION & EXCAVATION 4YO&UP MAIDEN.
The Dream Ahead mare was coming off a short back-up at Newcastle on August 24, when she was narrowly beaten in third.
Rawiller had intended to take a sit on the four-year-old but elected to lead when there was no early speed.
He maintained the front throughout, holding out the fast finishing Sethlans, to win by a long neck.
“She got through it and got the job done. We didn’t really want to lead either, but we will take the win,” Pride said.
“She’s a very honest mare and has been luckless in a few of her starts, so it’s good to get the maiden out of the way.
“She will probably go for a little break now, this is her fourth run. She has to strengthen up a bit and time will do that for her.”
Pride was full of praise for the Wyong track, saying it was a credit to the club for the meeting to go ahead
Rawiller said he had intended to get a bit of cover for the mare, but circumstances dictated he take her to the front.
“No one wanted to lead so I thought I will. She bottomed right out there the last 100m but she’s a really lovely mare and has a good turn of foot.
“You can expect more of her next time in.”
Raced by Newhaven Park, Nature beat the Goldolphin runner Sethlans ($4.80), with Shamuso Sho ($3.60), trained by Bjorn Baker, third.
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Joe Pride also finished the day with a double after Paulo Pace successfully protested in the last race, the 1350m GRAEME KERNICK MEMORIAL BENCHMARK 64.
Stewards found interference on the home turn caused the $2 favourite the race and relegated the first across the line, Cosmic Reign ($7) trained by Stephen Gleeson, to second.
The win also brought up a double for Josh Parr.
Paulo Pace, an Epauette gelding, brought up his second win from seven starts with the victory.
“He’s a good strong horse and I thought he would relish the sting out of the track today,” Pride said.
“I thought he would get on pace favours, which he did today, and be hard to beat.”
The Kristen Buchanan trained Bid ‘N’ Bare ($4.60) finished a close third.
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Jason Coyle believes Mo’s Crown ($1.55fav) could make an Autumn carnival horse following his break-through win in the 1200m WYONG PRODUCE & FARM SUPPLIES 3YO MAIDEN.
Jockey Kathy O’Hara settled the colt mid-field before circling the runners on the turn and drawing away in the straight to win by more than a length.
Coyle said Mo’s Crown looked like he had a fair share of ability.
“He’s still doing a lot wrong and was a bit keen off the slow tempo. He still doesn’t quite know how to put them away but it’s good to get the maiden out of the way.
“He’s got raw ability but when everything falls into place, he could be an autumn horse.”
Mo’s Crown did everything wrong when narrowly beaten at Hawkesbury last start and has now had a win and a placing from five starts.
Coyle trained the quinella with Bluff ‘N’ Bluster ($41), the Waterhouse/Bott trained Our Castaway ($7), third.
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Gerald Ryan’s decision not to scratch his mare Zourhea ($5) proved a winning one, with the four-year-old taking out the STAR 104.5 LA GIOCONDA – F&M CLASS 4 over 1600m.
Ryan had been worried about the heavy track conditions but Zourhea put paid to those concerns scoring a narrow win, with Jay Ford in the saddle.
She finished strongly down the outside, hitting the line with Tricky Gal ($2.40fav), the judge called upon to decide the winner.
“I thought she got beat from where I watched it,” Ryan said. “It’s a good win. A big jump from 1250m to 1600m, second up on a heavy track.
“She’s had three goes now second up for three wins. She’s done well for a cheap horse. She is a half-sister to Harper’s Choice and has won over 1800m in the past.
“I’ve always had a bit of time for her and I think she’ll be even better as a five-year-old.” Ryan said he would target a race Stakes mares race in October over a mile for Zourhea.
“I think she deserves a throw at the stumps so we will probably go that way.”
Luddenham Lass ($6) trained by Jeff Englebrecht, was a length behind in third.
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A race to race double for the Ryan stable with Jarhead ($7) proving too strong for his opposition in the 1600m HAPPY 70TH BIRTHDAY GARRY DIETRICH CLASS 2.
The Warhead gelding is a Wyong specialist with two wins and three placings on the track from as many starts.
“She loves it here this horse,” Ryan said.
“I came here fairly confident. I thought he would improve off the Newcastle run. I stepped him up to 1500m pretty quick and he had improved off that.
“He’s had a couple of weeks to get over it. He’s only a little fellow but he’s doing a great job.
“He’s come back a little bit stronger this prep and he certainly has a go. He has improved with each run this preparation so hopefully that can continue.
“I think he can get up around the 2000m so we will head towards that.”
Jarhead beat I Arize ($10), trained by Jarrod Austin by a neck, with Kristen Buchanan’s $3.30 race favourite Arrogante, third.
Veteran galloper Destiny’s Kiss will attempt to claim his second Listed Carlton Draught Wyong Gold Cup next Friday.
It will be the 100th race for the 11-year-old, who resumed from a let-up in the Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury on August 22.
It will also be the veteran’s 4th start in the Wyong Gold Cup, having first contested the race in 2014, then he returned three years later to win the race in 2017 and finish 6th with top weight last year.
Trainer Joe Pride believes Destiny’s Kiss primed for a strong showing in the Cup again this year.
“He had his 50th start when he won the Gosford Cup in 2016,” Pride said. “It was his 12th win and at the time I thought you’ve done your job.
“Here he is now having his 100th run in the Wyong Cup. He is just a legend.
“He is going really good and I’m sure he will run well.”
Pride said Josh Parr had been booked to ride Destiny’s Kiss.
The Nick Moratis owned gelding has a host of Listed races to his name and has amassed more than $1.5m in prizemoney from 19 wins and 22 places.
Pride said he will also be bringing Mandylion and Foxy Housewife for the $140,000 Listed Mona Lisa Stakes.
“They are two really nice mares and it looks like a good race for them.”
Nominations for the Wyong Cup meeting close at 11am Monday.
Kim Waugh is excited about the prospect of her first Wyong Carlton Draught Gold Cup runner and hoping the veteran galloper could secure her home track’s $160,000 feature.
She has confirmed Our Century will start in Friday week’s Listed race, some eight months after his last outing, with Jason Collett in the saddle.
The nine-year-old import, who will have only his 19th start in the Cup, was impressive last preparation with a win and placing in Listed company at Randwick and Rosehill and a Rosehill win first up over 1900m.
In May 2018 he impressed with a win in the 2000m Listed Lord Mayors Cup and a third in the Listed McKell Cup (2400m).
He has been plagued by problems and Waugh has taken her time preparing the Australian Bloodstock galloper for a first up tilt at the Cup over 2100m.
“He’s going great and I couldn’t be happier with him,” Waugh said. “I was pleased with both his trials and he’ll be ready to go in the Cup.
“I’ve had a lot of Cup runners before but not the Wyong Cup. It would be wonderful to win. I would definitely love to.”
Waugh said Jason confirmed last week he would ride the gelding. He has a great record on Our Century, partnering him four times for three wins and a second.
Waugh said she would consider future options for the gelding after his Wyong run.
“He’s had a lot of issues so we will just see how he goes. If he runs well at Wyong, we will press on to the Newcastle Cup and a few others. There are a number of different options we can take,” she said.
Our Century will join Kris Lees pair Sixties Groove and Mongolian Wolf in the Cup field, completing a trio of runners for Australian Bloodstock.
The syndicate took out the Wyong Carlton Draught Gold Cup in 2016 with Slow Pace.
Kris Lees is planning a three-pronged attack for this year’s $160,000 Listed Carlton Draught Wyong Gold Cup.
Lees took out the 2016 version of the prestigious race with Australian Bloodstock’s Slow Pace and plans for two runners, Sixties Groove and Mongolian Wolfe, raced by the same syndicate, to be part of this year’s field.
High Opinion, who was runner up in the Listed Wagga Cup in May, will make up the Lees trio.
English import Sixties Groove trialled at Newcastle on August 19 and Lees was more than happy with what he showed.
“It was a bit of a surprise that he won the trial. The track was pretty firm, and I didn’t expect him to be so sharp, but it shapes up well for the coming preparation,” he said.
The seven-year-old, a winner of the Group 2 Doomben Cup in June, just fell short of qualifying for the Melbourne Cup last year and will begin his quest to run in this year’s version at Wyong.
New Zealand import Mongolian Wolf was second in the Taree Cup on August 18 and has shown his best form at 2000m and beyond.
“It was a promising run at Taree considering he runs much better on a wet track. It would be great if there were conditions at Wyong on Cup day to suit him.”
High Opinion finished strongly when finishing fourth on the Kensington track on August 17 over 1800m and looks primed for a second-up run over the 2100m at Wyong.
John Thompson has confirmed his in-form mare Sweet Deal will head to the $140,000 Listed Mona Lisa over 1350m on Cup day after she posted back to back wins in the 1400m BM88 at Randwick on Saturday.
