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Comeback jockey Sam Clenton continued her winning run taking out the TWIN LAKES AIR AND SOLAR BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP over 1350m on High Rush.

Clenton returned to the saddle just over a month ago after spending two and a half years recovering from spinal injuries, she suffered in a serious race fall.

During that time, she also gave birth to her now 16-month-old son, before setting her sights on a comeback.

Clenton, who had been the state’s leading apprentice at the time of her fall, has now ridden eight winners since her return.

She said it was a “tough win” by High Rush.

“I was caught a bit wide, but the tempo suited her so that’s all that matters,” Clenton said.

“She let down good. She’s definitely strengthened this time in and is going in the right direction.”

Trainer Jason Deamer said the High Chaparral mare, who has now had 12 starts for four wins and two seconds, always tried hard.

“She did well today. They weren’t going too fast and Sam just had her where she was travelling. She was caught three-wide, but she was comfortable there and there wasn’t much she could do about it.

“It’s only half a corner here and she was strong in the finish. She travelled just nice today and didn’t want to go too hard.

“She has always been a handy country horse, not that she’s been overly raced, I’ve just kept her a little on the fresh side because she sprinted so well first up so I thought I’d give her another go in a shorter one and it has paid dividends.

“She always tries hard and gives a 100 percent.”

High Rush ($5.50), a $7000 yearling purchase, made it back to back victories following a last start win at Scone.

She beat Showminder ($2.50fav) from the Portelli stable by three quarters of a length, with the Lees trained I Am Awesome ($12) a close third.

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Proven Thoroughbreds and Joe Pride look to have unveiled a filly with plenty of potential with Romalette ($3.60) scoring an impressive three and a quarter length win over the 1350m.

Having only her second start the Epaulette three-year-old, a $90,000 yearling purchase, pulled away in the final stages of the straight after jockey Corey Brown had stalked the leader for much of the race.

Adam Hyeronimus had taken the lead on the Waterhouse/Bott trained $1.95 favourite Dubai Harbour, kicking two lengths clear on straightening.

When Brown asked Romalette for an effort she cruised up the leader and pulled away for a dominant win.

Brown, who brought up a winning double on Romalette, described her as a “nice filly.”

“Even though she won as she liked today, she didn’t really handle the track that well,” he said.

“She wasn’t quite sure on the turn, it was a bit sharp for her.

“In saying that she will run forever. She is a nice filly who is going to get up over plenty of ground.

“They are going to have plenty of fun with her.”

Hayley Blithe-Devlin Rorison representing Joe Pride said the filly had really appreciated the step up to the 1350m.

“Corey rode her beautifully. She had a nice run behind the speed and put it all together at the end. She seemed to be comfortable where he rode her and coming around the turn, he looked like he had a double handful of horse and that’s how it worked out.

“It’s good to see fillies like her who haven’t had a lot of race experience to kick hard in the straight and put it away like she did.”

A large contingent of owners, including Jamie Walter from Proven Throughbreds, were on hand to cheer the filly back into the winners’ circle.

Minor placings in the RUSSELL MAY “SPIDER” MEMORIAL MAIDEN PLATE went to the Graham Payne trained Nobody’s Perfect ($19), with Bernson ($31) from the John Thompson stable third.

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A group of deserving owners finally made it to the winners’ circle after Impurity broke through for her maiden win after seven second placings.

The Ron Leemon trained mare had to dig deep to take out the 1200m GO ELECTRICAL TUGGERAH MAIDEN HANDICAP with Jason Collett in the saddle.

In a close three-way finish Impurity ($3.30fav) held on to beat the Laurie Wray trained second favourite Haunting Spirit ($4) by a head, with the Godolphin runner Arboreal ($4.40) a long neck behind in third.

The win came in the Buriton mare’s 18^th start and following seven seconds and a third at metropolitan tracks over the past year.

Leemon said it was great to finally be able to reward the owners for their patience.

“For a minute there I thought she was going to get second again,” a relieved Leemon said.

“She’s a very, very honest mare but she gives her best every time. She’s a hard mare to train because she wants to go hard so it was good to see her win.

“She’s a tough little thing, she’s been up for a while and really is a tough mare.

“It’s great for the owners to finally be rewarded because they have been very patient.”

Leemon said he would likely give Impurity a short let up before her next race.

Jason Collett, who has ridden Impurity in her last four starts, said she is still improving.

“She’s quite a busy mare but each time I’ve ridden her she has improved, and she finally got the job done today.

“She hasn’t been disappointing and has been earning a paycheck every time but just missing out.”

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A race to race double for Jason Collett bringing up the first win for the Chris Waller trained Costas.

The Tavisoc gelding was having his sixth career start in the 1600m BLITZ HOMES MAIDEN having previously notched up three minor placings, the latest a third at Hawkesbury on March 20.

He was sent out at $2.40, with the runner up, the Anthony Cummings trained Royal Anthem $2.30 favourite.

Collett followed his riding instructions to a tee and was able to settle the three-year-old in the lead, drawing away in the final stages to score a length and three-quarter victory.

“My instructions were to be prominent and he made it easy for me,” Collett said.

“He was comfortable in front and got in a nice rhythm early. When they started to creep up to me, I gave him a bit of rein he quickened nicely.

“He is bred to get over more ground and I think he will handle it.”

Coffs Harbour galloper Guest ($12), trained by Jim Jarvis, was a half-length behind in third.

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A drop in class and a cool ride by Robbie Dolan proved to be the winning combination for the Paul Perry trained Surjin who took out the 1600m EVENT CINEMAS TUGGERAH CONDITIONAL PROVINCIAL CUP – CLASS 4 HANDICAP in a thrilling four way finish.

Dolan took advantage of the tempo and rode Surjin toward the rear of the field, pulling to the outside on straightening where he was able to steam home over the top of his opposition and claim a narrow victory.

The well-bred Stratum entire had been racing without luck in stronger company in recent outings, including the Provincial Championship Qualifier at Wyong.

“He deserved the win today. He’s had no luck in his last two starts and has been ridden four and five wide,” stable foreman Nathan Perry said.

“In those tougher races you need to draw well and have luck on your side, and he didn’t but he didn’t disgrace himself either.

“Stepping up in distance today and with a patient ride by Robbie, although I was a little bit worried, he got the job done.

“It’s great to see for the owners. They have been patient and have had a lot of bad luck and bad draws this prep so it’s good to see him get a win.”

The win brought up a double for Dolan.

“I thought I might have left my run a little too late, “a relieved Dolan said.

“He’s a nice horse to deal with and has a high cruising speed. He got into a beautiful rhythm the whole race and had a little bit left in the tank over tiring horses in the end.”

Surjin ($7), beat the Kylie Gavenlock trained Wild About Her ($4.80) by a short half head, with John Sargent’s $3.80 race favourite Tinkermosa, third.

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Plenty of praise for the Gary Portelli trained Walk The Runway after her impressive win in the 1000m WWW.TAB.COM.AU CLASS 2.

The well-bred mare, by All Too Hard out of Group 1 winning mare Fashions Afield, looks to have a bright future with an unblemished record in two starts.

Bred and raced by Gerry Harvey, Walk The Runway, was sent out $2.70 favourite on the strength of her debut win at Gosford on January 11 and two subsequent trials.

Apprentice Robbie Dolan took the four-year-old to an early lead and was able to fight off a challenge by the Lees trained Power Rush ($3.60) in the straight to score a grinding half neck win.

Dolan said the mare had given him a really good feeling.

“She’s very fast and is still putting it together. She gave me a beautiful feel, it’s onwards and upwards for this horse,” he said.

“She had a bit of a blow there and I wouldn’t be surprised if she comes on a lot from that run.”

Stable representative Dave Keating was impressed with the victory and said the mare would be headed to a metropolitan race.

“She really knuckled down, it was a good tough win,” he said. “She’s had a few problems and now the two wins from two starts so it would be nice to get her to a mid-week now.

“She’s been off the scene for a while, so it was a good effort by Gary and the team.”

Wyong galloper Little Steiny ($9.50), trained by Louise Munce, was third.

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Debutante Power Lift ($3.80) stamped himself as a horse of the future with a strong win over 1000m in the POLYTRACK 3YO MAIDEN PLATE.

Trained by Kris Lees and ridden by Corey Brown, the three-year-old by Great Britain sire Power, had a tough run when caught wide in the early stages but was still able to knuckle down in the straight and run down the leaders to win by half a neck.

“He’s a really nice horse,” stable representative Cameron Swan said.

“We thought he’d have the speed to lead but he was posted early when Corey couldn’t get across.

“He still has plenty of learning to do but I think he has a really good future. He’s had two trials and got better each time and today we’ve brought him to the races, and he’s improved again.

“He is also bred to get over more ground so that’s a bonus.”

Brown described the win as a “tough effort.”

“He jumped well but just didn’t muster the early speed. He is a lovely horse and he still doesn’t know a lot so there is plenty of upside to him.”

Power Lift was a $60,000 purchase at the New Zealand Select Yearling sale and is raced by well-known owner Phillip Pollicina from Ravenswood Bloodstock, who also raced the runner-up in the 1000m Class 2 Power Rush.

Serbelloni ($12) from the Perry stable was second, a half-length ahead of Satirical Knight ($3.80) trained by John Sargent.

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A trip to the Brisbane Carnival could be on the agenda for Natabadharada ($11) after his convincing win in the 2100m CARLTON DRAUGHT BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP.

Trained by Jim and Greg Lee the Haradasun gelding was coming off a fourth at Hawkesbury over 1800m where he was beaten by White Turf.

The winner finished a close fourth in the Group 3 Packer Plate at Randwick on Saturday, giving the Lee stable plenty of confidence heading into the Wyong race.

“He has been racing well with some good form around him and we thought he would go well today,” Ocky Kerehi, representing the Lee stable said.

“It was a good ride from Adam (Hyeronimus) and great for the horse to bring up another win.”

Kerehi said he thought the stable would consider a trip to Brisbane with the three-year-old, who has now had two wins and two placings from 11 starts.

“I don’t think it would be out of the question. We will see how he pulls up and go from there,” he said.

Hyeronimus settled Notabadharada toward the rear of the field throughout, taking an inside run on straightening and cruising past the leaders to win by a half-length.

He beat Home Made ($5) from the John Sargent stable, with local galloper The Iron Maiden ($16) trained by Jeff Englebrecht third.

Jim Jarvis has no qualms about the six-hour trip from Coffs Harbour to Wyong on Wednesday.

The veteran trainer is very confident his two horses, Evopex and Guest can handle the step up to provincial class.

Evopex, a northern Meteor gelding, gave Jarvis his first Sydney winner when he took out the Highway Handicap at Randwick on October 6 last year.

On Wednesday the five-year-old lines up from barrier one in the 1600m Class 4 Handicap, with Port Macquarie based jockey Luke Rolls in the saddle.

“He’s a handy little horse and this looks like a good race for him,” Jarvis said.

“He’s run a couple of good races in town and I think it’s a natural progression for him to take on this grade.

“He can run on wet or dry tracks so that’s a bonus.

“It doesn’t matter where they win it’s always a thrill to see your colours first past the post, but it was great to get one up with this bloke in Sydney.”

Evopex was a $165,000 yearling purchase who started his racing career in Victoria.

Jarvis trained for 50 years at Cranbourne before relocating to northern NSW in 2009 and was given the “heads up” about the gelding.

He brought him for $33,000 at an Inglis sale in Melbourne and has reaped the rewards.

Since joining his stable Evopex has had seven starts for three wins and two placings, earning Jarvis around $75,000 in prizemoney.

“I thought he would fit in well up here and be suitable for the Highways and that is how worked out,” he said.

“He’s done really well and hopefully that will continue.

“He finished sixth in the Grafton Country Championship Qualifier first up and wasn’t beaten far when he finished second at Port last start.

“I’m hoping he can sit midfield in the Wyong race and would prefer him with a bit of cover.

“With the shorter Wyong straight, he will have to make his run pretty early.”

Jarvis will also saddle up Guest in the 1600m Maiden, the four-year-old coming off a third at Port Macquarie.

“He’s a work in progress but has shown a fair bit of ability,” he said.

“I think 2000 is his pet distance and we are getting him up there.

“He’s also an ex-Victorian and ran some nice races around these distances down there.

“He flew home to finish third at Port Macquarie last start and drew wide that day.

“He’s drawn 10 on Wednesday so is going to need some luck. If he can jump well and get across, he will give a good account of himself.”

The first of eight races at the club’s Anzac Eve Raceday, gets underway at 12.45pm.

 

SELECTIONS:

 

Race 1 – 12.45pm: WWW.TAB.COM.AU CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1000m): 1LASHES, 2 Walk The Runway, 3 Venture Capital, 4 Power Rush.

Race 2 – 1.20pm: POLYTRACK 3YO MAIDEN PLATE (1000m): 1 SO YUMMY, 2 Power Lift, 3 Satirical Knight, 4 Serbelloni.

Race 3 – 1.55pm: GO ELECTRICAL TUGGERAH MAIDEN HANDICAP (1200m): 1 IMPURITY, 2 Extreme Jewel, 3 Right Bower, 4 Haunting Spirit.

Race 4 – 2.35pm: BLITZ HOMES MAIDEN HANDICAP (1600m): 1 ROYAL ANTHEM, 2 Well Decorated, 3 Guest, 4 Costas.

Race 5 – 3.10pm: RUSSELL MAY “SPIDER” MEMORIAL MAIDEN PLATE (1350m): 1 DUBAI HARBOUR, 2 Braidwood Gold, 3 Nobody’s Perfect, 4 Romalette.

Race 6 – 3.45pm: TWIN LAKES AIR AND SOLAR BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1350m): 1 HIGH RUSH, 2 Hostwin Saturn, 3 I Am Awesome, 4 Showminder.

Race 7 – 4.20pm: EVENT CINEMAS TUGGERAH CONDITIONAL PROVINCIAL CUP – CLASS 4 HANDICAP (1600m): 1 EVOPEX, 2 Wild About Her, 3 Potent Force, 4 Tinkermosa.

Race 8 – 4.55pm: CARLTON DRAUGHT BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (2100m): 1 SOLDIER OF LOVE, 2 Diamond Star Halo, 3 Home Made, 4 Butter Toast.

 

Kylie Gavenlock is planning a step up to metropolitan class for her consistent mare Wild About Her who resumes at Wyong’s NBN Television Raceday on Thursday.

The Big Brown four-year-old, bred and raced by John Singleton, put together three successive wins last preparation and Gavenlock is confident she can make the next step.

“She was pretty good last prep, and she’s gone well fresh before,” Gavenlock said. “Hopefully this weather continues and dries out the track a little bit but in saying that she trialled nicely on the soft the other day and I’m pretty happy with how she’s going.”

Wild About Her, who has had 15 starts for four wins and seven placings, starts from barrier four in the 1350m Benchmark 70.

“Grant Buckley’s been riding her and is happy to stick with her. All indications are she will go well.”

Gavenlock admits she has a soft spot for the mare.

“I’ve done pre-training for John for years and years and had a couple of horses for him that didn’t take to the city as well.

“I had a lot to do with Wild About Her as a young horse and saw something in her that I really liked.

“I thought she’d get over a bit of ground, so I harped at John for a bit and it worked.

“We will probably look at a metropolitan race next.”

Gavenlock has two other runners on the eight-race program and considers both chances.

Magic Albert filly Lightning Ally is looking for back to back wins when she starts in the 1300m Class 1, while stablemate Furlana is a dual acceptor in the 1350m Maiden and 1350m Provincial and Country Maiden.

“Lightning Ally does look promising,” she said. “This is her first preparation, she’s had a lot of issues early on, but they seem to be all good at the moment.

“She raced nicely in her first start in the provincials, then she went to the country where she was ridden a bit upside down. She was ridden really well the next start and won at Port so hopefully she can take the next step. I’ll probably tip her out for a bit of a break after this.”

Gavenlock has retained the services of Chad Lever, her winning rider at Port Macquarie.

She said she is still contemplating which of the 1350m maiden races to start Furlana in.

The Pierro mare, a $150,000 yearling purchase, has been runner up at her past two starts at Hawkesbury and Newcastle.

“She’s been just out of the money the last couple of times when she hasn’t drawn well. That’s one of the reasons why I put her in two races, because I think drawing a bad alley has been against her in her last two starts.

“She has drawn badly in the Provincial and Country Maiden which I thought was the weaker of the two races and better in the other, so I’ve got some thinking to do.

“Her provincial form is pretty good, and the distance will suit her fine.”

The first of eight races gets underway at 12.50pm.

 

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 12.50pm: BAYVIEW HOTEL MAIDEN PLATE (1350m): 1 FURLANA, 2 Provocative Man, 3 Tapiconic, 4 Akileos.

Race 2 – 1.25pm: FREDDY’S FISHING MAIDEN PLATE (2100m): 1 ALAM MO NA, 2 Avalene, 3 Heaven’s Dream, 4 Final Honour.

Race 3 – 2.05pm: GOSFORD RENT A TRUCK PROV & CTRY MAIDEN HANDICAP (1350m): 1 WELL DECORATED, 2 Palais De Louvre, 3 Reiby’s Regent, 4 Our Eppy.

Race 4 – 2.40pm: HALEKULANI BOWLING CLUB MAIDEN HANDICAP (1000m): 1PRETORIUS, 2 Rock Amore, 3 Chelsea Reign, 4 Rebecca’s Quest.

Race 5 – 3.15pm: HARVEY NORMAN CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1600m): 1 LOVESEAT, 2 Elaborate, 3 Plagiarist, 4 Vive Marie.

Race 6 – 3.50pm: JIM’S MOWING CENTRAL COAST & NEWCASTLE CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1300m): 1 LUCKY MISSION, 2 Bondi Boy, 3 Lightning Ally, 4 Kosciusko.

Race 7 – 4.25pm: JOB CENTRE AUSTRALIA CONDITIONAL BENCHMARK 70 (1350m): 1 BE MINDFUL, 2 Blinkin Artie, 3 Wild About Her, Your Witness.

Race 8 – 5.50pm: NBN NEWS CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1100m): 1 TRUMBULL, 2 Valeria, 3 Don’t Doubt Arthur, 4 Thiswilldous.

 

An emotional win for Samantha Clenton who cemented her comeback after serious injury taking out the $150,000 POLYTRAK PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER on Turnberry.

Clenton was the State’s leading apprentice when she was injured in a fall at Taree in October 2016 suffering serious spinal damage.

Doctors told Clenton she was fortunate not to be in a wheelchair, but it didn’t deter her drive to return to the saddle.

She spent more than two years on the sidelines recovering and giving birth to her now 16-month-old son Isaac.

Clenton made a comeback to riding only two weeks ago at Scone, the Qualifier win being her third victory from just nine rides.

“It feels wonderful,” an emotional Clenton said.

“I can’t thank Kris enough for his support. It is so good to be back and to win this race today.”

Clenton is apprenticed to Lees, who listened to the race from Dubai where he was waiting an appearance later in the day by Brave Smash in the rich Al Quoz Sprint.

“Kris was on the phone, but I told him I thought Turnberry was gone mid-race,” stable foreman Mal Ollerton said.

“The other runners had got to him and I thought they would just go past but he fought on.”

Turnberry ($7.50), who sat three wide without cover for most of the race, appeared to be headed in the straight but fought on to score a narrow win over the fast finishing Bobbing ($4.20). Bangkok ($18) trained locally by Allan Denham, was a close third.

Ollerton said Lees had told Clenton she would have to ride the horse “ugly” after he drew wide.

“She was stuck three-wide, but we thought that might happen. Kris said ride him like he’s in a 1600m race.

“He’s just a tough, tough horse and he proved that today.

“They’ll know he’s in the final in a fortnight,” Ollerton said.

Turnberry, a $250,000 yearling purchase, brought up his seventh win from 19 starts, including a last start Randwick victory over 1500m on January 12.

The win gave Lees his third runner in the $500,000 final, after Evalina and Chalmers qualified in an earlier race.

With Bangkok’s third placing Wyong trainers now have six representatives in the April 13 final, Safado and Spring Charlie from the Kim Waugh stable, Damien Lane’s duo Oakfield Missile and Oakfield Twilight and the Tracey Bartley trained Miss Redoble.

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Kim Waugh looks to have two promising two-year-olds in the stable after Erno ($8.50) and Trajection ($61) outclassed their rivals in the LAKES PODIATRY 2YO MAIDEN.

A large group of excited owners celebrated the Waugh quinella with Rubick gelding Erno scoring a length victory over his stablemate, a Smart Missile filly syndicated by Darby Racing.

Waugh said she had been unable to split the two horses leading into the race.

“They do everything together, so it’s great they went so well. They are stabled side by side, they work together, gallop together, kind of like girlfriend and boyfriend. It’s hilarious,” she laughed.

Serg Lisnyy found the lead on Erno early in the race and Travis Wolfgram settled Trajection just behind him. They stayed that way throughout the running, fighting out the finish, with Maisaa ($8.50) from the Snowden stable, more than two lengths behind in third.

Waugh said there wasn’t much between the two horses but thought Erno may have been a “little bit sharper.”

“He’s a lovely horse. He trialled really well, and she did too.

“He drew a really tricky barrier. I told Serg to just jump out and be positive and work out if he could get in somewhere in the first 100m. He did that and got across.

“The other filly she travelled beautifully, there’s not much between the two but the price difference was huge.

“I was very proud of both of them. You put a lot of work in them to educate them well and to do that first start on a heavy track it’s a great effort.

“Today was just about running them and seeing how they get through the race. They are both really nice.”

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Lexi’s Choice was rewarded for her consistency with a breakthrough win in the SERVERS AUSTRALIA MAIDEN over 1350m.

The three-year-old filly, trained at Hawkesbury by Scott Singleton, was sent out $2.70 favourite on the back of two recent fourth placings at Orange and Kembla Grange.

She had to survive a protest from the second placed Well Decorated, before notching up her first victory at her eighth career start.

“She’s been knocking on the door to do something in her past few starts and with the wet track today it helped her,” Singleton said.

“She hasn’t raced on a heavy track before but jarred up a bit on the firm tracks last preparation. She had a little let up and its nice and wet for her now so hopefully she can go on with it.”

Singleton said he expected the Choistar filly would get further this preparation.

Apprentice Brandon Griffiths has partnered Lexi’s Choice at her last two starts and in track gallops leading up to the race.

He settled her toward the rear of the small field, hitting the front half way down the straight and holding out her rivals to win by half a length.

The Michael Plummer trained Well Decorated ($3.80) was second, with Charged Flame ($3.50) from the Waterhouse Bott stable third.

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Scott Singleton will target the Orange Cup with Itasca ($15) after his strong win in the LAKE MACQUARIE SHEET METAL CLASS 2 HANDICAP over 1600m.

The Tickets five-year-old returned to the winner’s circle with a length victory over Soldier Of Love ($3.30), with Miss Moana ($7), a length and a half behind in third.

The win gave Singleton a winning double and cause to praise the Wyong track.

“I always have a bit of luck here,” he said. “I’ll have to come back more often.

“We haven’t been having the best run of late. We just needed some luck so it’s great to get a double.”

Singleton said Itasca had been disappointing at his last start when he was narrowly beaten over 2000m at Queanbeyan.

“He just threw it away that day. I’ve put the blinkers back on him and that switched him on a bit today,” he said.

“He’s very consistent. I wanted to run him in the Orange Cup, so I needed to run him over the mile here today.

“This was just an in between race for him. He hasn’t been beaten far in the provincials in a lot stronger races than this. He’s probably a little bit ingenuine but hopefully we can bring the best out in him.”

Itasca, ridden by Jess Taylor, has now had three wins, and six minor placings from 25 starts.

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Brad Widdup will consider a trip to Brisbane’s winter carnival with his filly Lily Astolat ($4.80) after her tough win in the 1600m HALEKULANI BOWLING CLUB MAIDEN.

Ridden by Koby Jennings, the three-year-old snatched a narrow victory in an exciting four-way finish.

Widdup said he would rule out a trip to Brisbane if the filly continues to improve.

“I’ll see how far we go with her. Once we get to 2000m there is always Queensland if she’s going well enough.

“I won’t get ahead of myself, but we will see,” he said.

“Her first run was good, and I was a little bit disappointed the other day at Hawkesbury but it’s tough competition this time of year. She’s been racing well and it’s good to see her win here today.

“He probably went a little bit early on her but he’s the one riding so I’ll give him that. Her pattern will be to just ride her quiet and get home. I think she will get over a bit further as well.”

Jennings settled the filly toward the rear of the field, making his move around the 600m mark. He chased the early leader Elgin into the straight and held on to win by a head.

The Sainty Sunrise ($7) from the Maher/Eustace stable was second, with Senatorial ($31) trained by Tony Ball, a short half head behind in third.

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A great ride by Keagan Latham gave the in-form Richard Freedman stable their third winner in two days, after Bondi Boy stormed home over the top of his rivals to win the 1100m MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES AIR CONDITIONING AUSTRALIA METRO & PROV MAIDEN.

Freedman had a day out at Muswellbrook on Friday with a feature double, including the Muswellbrook Cup with The Bandit, and Bondi’s victory ended a great week with six winners.

“I’ll probably celebrate tonight because it’s been pretty hectic,” Freedman’s son and foreman Will said. “We’ve had a good run. It’s been great.”

“It was an A-1 ride by Keagan today. There is nothing more to be said. Keagan comes in and rides a bit of work for us and is very much a part of our team. “He’s been doing a great job.”

Latham had Bondi Boy a little worse than midfield for much of the race, squeezing through on the rails in the final stages to score a length win.

Freedman said a change in riding tactics had made the difference.

“It was a different tactic today. Letting him conserve energy and finish off late is his go. If he gets too much open air early, he just over does things. He is a little bit fresh as well and has acquitted himself.

“We will keep going with him, probably another provincial class 1 race and if he shows that he’s got ability to make it back in town, he will earn that right.

“At this point he will need to reproduce it again before we give him a crack in town.”

Bondi Boy ($4.20), beat the Anthony Cummings favourite Making Whoopee ($4), with Jaytees ($5), trained by Gerald Ryan, third.

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Praise for jockey Leigh Magorrian after Burbank’s return to form in the 1350m VIETNAM VETERANS KEITH PAYNE V.C HOSTEL CLASS 1.

The Sizzling gelding was last from 14 when resuming at Newcastle on March 21, but a tactical change, well executed by Magorrian, saw the gelding score a convincing three length win.

Stable foreman Clare Heuston said the ride had won the race.

“It was a beautiful win. He doesn’t like being around other horses. Lee was going to ride him positive today. He missed the kick a little bit but just took his time and pinched ground on the outside and had him basically in a very good position coming to the turn,” she said.

“He was full of running and obviously appreciated not being around other horses. That’s the key to him.

“We might find a Canterbury mid-week for him now because he’ll suit the tighter track.”

Burbank ($6), beat the Perry trained Shark Alley ($81), with the Rodney Bailey trained outsider Annie Saturday ($81), third.

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Taree trainer Tony Ball had plenty of reason to celebrate after his sprinter Bancroft, the outsider of the field, took out the TWIN LAKES AIR AND SOLAR CONDITIONAL BENCHMARK 70 over 1100m.

Bancroft, ridden by Shaun Guymer, was sent out at $34 but defied the odds to win by a short neck.

Ball, who races the horse in partnership, said it was a great win for him and his owners.

“We got second in an earlier race so to take this out was fantastic,” he said.

“There was so much against him today. He doesn’t handle the heavy and I told Shaun to lead on him at all costs.

“He’s never come from behind in his whole life. I just can’t believe it.

“Ten out of ten to Shaun, it was a great ride.

“He’s missed the kick but then done everything right. That’s why you put the good jockeys on.

“It’s unbelievable, very, very good.

“We will go home now and recoup, see how he pulls up and go from there.”

Bancroft beat Sniponet ($7), trained by Wayne Wilkes, with the $3.50 race favourite Crackneck, trained by Allan Kehoe, third.

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Tracey Bartley is justifiably proud his small stable will be represented in the $500,000 Polytrack Provincial Championship final at Randwick on April 13.

His consistent mare Miss Redoble secured her spot in the race with a convincing three length win in the Kembla Qualifier last Saturday.

But Bartley isn’t finished there and believes his last start winner McCormack could give him two chances in the final.

“He won pretty well at Kembla on Saturday over 1400m and has pulled up pretty good,” he said. “I had decided before the race that if he won, he should have a go at the Wyong Qualifier.

“It was a bit of a tough run at Kembla, but he came home and licked the bin, so it’s all systems go.

“I’ve just been giving him a trot and canter and he had a swim this morning.”

Bartley said three-year olds didn’t have a great record in the Provincial Championships, but he was hoping McCormack could buck the trend. The Eurozone gelding has had three wins from just five starts and Bartley has always had a good opinion of him.

“I thought he was a pretty nice horse from day one. He’s one of those arrogant horses but he’s putting together a good record and I’m rapt to be training him.”

Bartley believes there will be plenty of speed in the race and would ideally like McCormack to be just behind the leaders.

“They will go very hard in this race on Saturday, no risk in the world, and I think from the four barrier we will be fourth or fifth at best in the run. “He won’t be second like he was the other day but he’s bouncy and he’s well so who knows.”

McCormack is owned by Andrew and Mary Phillips and family from Tamworth, new owners to the Bartley stable.

“They gave me this bloke and Commute to train, and both are going really well,” he said.

“They are really excited about McCormack racing in the Qualifier. It took them six hours to get the Kembla the other day. They were so happy with the win and will be heading to Wyong on Saturday.”

Bartley said Miss Redoble had pulled up well from her win.

The mare was sent out at $51 and upset many of the more fancied runners but Bartley was always confident she would race well.

“I knew she would be hard to beat, and she has pulled up fantastic. I think she will be hard to beat in the final as well.”

Bartley was full of praise for the Provincial Series.

“For a small stable with only 16 horses it’s a great feather in our cap to have a runner in the final and possibly two,” he said.

“It’s not like a Group One race but it’s very good for us provincial trainers, and we are all aiming horses towards these races.”

Wyong trainers already dominate the final field with five runners, including Miss Redoble, previously qualifying.

Kim Waugh and Allan Denham saddle up Fuchu and Bangkok, respectively in Saturday’s race.

The club has a huge day of entertainment planned, with the first of eight races at 1.34pm.

 

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 1.34pm: SERVERS AUSTRALIA MAIDEN HANDICAP (1350m): 1 WORD FOR WORD, 2 Charged Flame, 3 Loving Heart, 4 Well Decorated.

Race 2 – 2.14pm: HALEKULANI BOWLING CLUB MAIDEN PLATE (1600m): 1 LADY LUCIENNE, 2 Elgin, Costa Zou 4 Lily Astolat.

Race 3 – 2.54pm: LAKES PODIATRY 2YO MAIDEN PLATE (1200m): 1 TRAJECTION, 2 Bandersnatch, 3 Anethole, 4 Swiftlet.

Race 4 – 3.34pm: LAKE MACQUARE SHEET METAL LCLASS 2 HANDICAP (1600m): 1 EVERARD, 2 Faith In Kind, 3 Onthetake, 4 Appertizing.

Race 5 – 4.14pm: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES AIR CONDITIONING AUSTRALIA METRO & PROV MAIDEN HANDICAP (1100m): 1 JAYTEES, 2 Ultimate Power, 3 Absolute Control, 4 Bondi Boy.

Race 6 – 4.54pm: VIETNAM VETERANS KEITH PAYNE V.C. HOSTEL CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1350m): 1 VENDELLA, 2 Shark Alley, 3 City Of Love, 4 Continuation.

Race 7 – 5.29pm: TWIN LAKES AIR AND SOLAR CONDITIONAL BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP (1100m): 1 RARE EPISODE, 2 Tony’s Reward, 3 Shelley Beach Road, 4 Rare Episode.

Race 8 – 6.05pm: POLYTRACK WYONG PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER (1350m): 1 BOBBING, 2 Sheriff, 3 Fuchu, 4 Turnberry.

 

 

 

Wyong trainer Tracey Bartley is confident his mare Miss Redoble can perform well in tomorrow’s $150,000 Polytrack Provincial Championship Qualifier at Kembla, despite a wide barrier draw.

Bartley said the four-year-old, who put together back to back wins last preparation, had been unlucky at her two runs this time in.

“She hasn’t raced with a lot of luck but I’m happy with how she is going,” he said.

“Barrier 16 doesn’t worry me. I think she can get into a better spot. She really needs the 1400m so this suits perfectly and if she gets clear running, she will be finishing hard.

“I’ve booked Travis Wolfgram. He’s a very good rider and I’m happy with that.”

Miss Redoble is one of three Wyong hopes in the Qualifier, with Kristen Buchanan saddling up last start winner Oakfied Geronimo and consistent gelding Hubble.

Wyong trainers already have four trainers heading for the final, with Kim Waugh and Damien Lane each qualifying two horses at Hawkesbury and Newcastle respectively.

The Wyong Qualifier, the last in the series, will be run on March 30, with the club planning a big day of entertainment.

Kristen Buchanan is confident she has two genuine chances heading into this Saturday’s $150,000 Gosford Polytrack Provincial Championship Qualifier.

Her runners, Invincible Gangsta and Grand Exit are among the field of 16, as the series hits the halfway mark.

Fellow Wyong trainer Allan Denham will also be vying for a spot in the rich final with his mare Bangkok. The four-year-old, a last start Rosehill winner, put together four successive victories last preparation.

Buchanan said both her runners deserve a chance in the race.

“Grand Exit is a nice consistent filly. I like the distance for her and there should be plenty of speed which will suit her,” she said.

“Invincible Gangsta could be a query over the distance but if he gets enough speed, he will have the last crack at them.”

Wyong trainers Damien Lane and Kim Waugh, both have two gallopers already qualified for the April 13 Randwick final.

The $150,000 Wyong Provincial Championship Qualifier will be run on Saturday, March 30.

 

 

Damien Lane is excited about the prospect of his two runners in Saturday’s Polytrack Provincial Championship Qualifier at Newcastle.

The Wyong based trainer hasn’t had a runner in the Provincial Championship final at Randwick and hoping this could be the year.

“I haven’t had a lot of chances previously but these two are genuine hopes.”

Lane saddles up Oakfield Missile and Oakfield Twilight, both for well-known owner Bruce Mackenzie.

Oakfield Missile narrowly missed out on securing a berth in the April 13 final, when he finished fifth in the Hawkesbury Qualifier.

Lane said the mare was “very stiff” not to run third.

“With even luck, she would of got third and be in the final already,” he said. “We get another chance at Newcastle and she’s drawn soft this time.

“She likes Newcastle and has won three races there. Grant Buckley is sticking with her and I think she’ll go really well.”

Lane won’t be surprised to see Oakfield Twilight figure in the finish.

“He’s finished second at his last three starts behind three nice horses. He shows the same ability as Oakfield Missile at home but has taken a while to learn what it’s all about.

“He’s got a lot of ability but just has to live up to it on raceday.”

Fuchu, representing the Kim Waugh stable, has drawn barrier five and will be ridden by Robbie Dolan.

He is coming off a barrier trial win at Newcastle on February 27.

Prior to a brief let up he strung together three successive wins at Newcastle, Wyong and Kensington, and looks among the top chances.