JAZZLAND HEADS TO PROVINCIAL SERIES FINAL FOR BUCHANAN

JAZZLAND HEADS TO PROVINCIAL SERIES FINAL FOR BUCHANAN 1

While Kristen Buchanan took a well-earned break her consistent galloper Jazzland returned to form to win the SKY RACING SUMMER PROVINCIAL SERIES – HEAT 5 WYONG in impressive fashion.

And it wasn’t the stable’s only win with new stable addition Ocean Go proving too strong in the 1350m Class 2, bringing up a double for the Buchanan/Parr combination.

It was courtesy of a great front-running ride by Josh Parr, that saw Jazzland speed away from his rivals on straightening to win the Provincial Series heat by almost two lengths, eased down on the line.

He will now contest the $150,000 series final at Gosford on December 27.

“He certainly appreciates the mile, especially here, “Parr said after the win.

“We went a step further with him last start up to 2000m and it was just too much for him. It was more like him today.

“The team here have done a really good job with him and he will appreciate the same distance in the final at Gosford.”

Buchanan is currently enjoying a cruise with family and left her in-form stable in the hands of foreman Shaun Harvey.

“He loves it at Wyong and he and Josh are a good combination,” he said.

“He just went too quick at Kembla last start over the 2000m. He can run 11’s here for the sectionals over 1600m and keep going but not over 2000m.

“We took him back to the trials and gave him a bit of a break and he was nice and fresh coming here today.

“We will see how he pulls up, but I’d say he will head for the final.”

Harvey said Jazzland, who has now had 13 starts for six wins and four minor placings, was a stable favourite.

“He’s just a home bred horse but has put together a great record and we all love him,” he said.

It was a Wyong quinella in the race, with the Waugh trained Calabasas ($8.50) second, over Mr Garcia ($3.20) from the Lees stable.

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Kiwi import Ocean Go was having his second start for the stable in the TWIN LAKES AIR & SOLAR CLASS 2, after finishing second at Newcastle on December 1.

The four-year-old had five starts in New Zealand before his Hong Kong based owners moved him to Buchanan’s stable.

Parr had to chase hard in the final stages of the race after Quick Finance kicked two lengths clear in the straight.

“I had to ride him really hard into the corner and considering it is only his second start going this direction, he ran really well,” he said.

“I was forced to go a bit earlier than I would have liked, so he had a strong gallop all the way.”

Foreman Shaun Harvey said it was a great win.

“He really hit the line strong after a tough race. He was good first up, and we knew he would run well here today. He really appreciated the extra distance and he will be more suited getting out to a mile or further. He’s a great horse to have in the stable.”

Ocean Go ($3) beat Quick Finance, trained by Kevin Moses, by half a length, with the $1.95 favourite Brunetta, almost two lengths behind in third.

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Wayne Seelin was full of praise for the ride by Hugh Bowman after the champion jockey partnered his mare Invincible Kiss ($3.20) to a home track victory in the 1000m WYONG EQUINE CLINIC BENCHMARK 64.

The win brought up a race to race double for Bowman.

It was the second win from 16 starts for Invincible Kiss, who was narrowly beaten at Wyong last start over the same distance.

 “I had my heart in my mouth for a little while down the straight when he was held up for a run and then I remembered I had Hugh on,” Seelin said. “It was a great ride.

“He had to ask her permission when the gap opened but when he did bang. She’s been going really good for a while and she loves Wyong.

“She is tough and very consistent. I think it was just a matter of her growing up but she’s racing so well now.”

Bowman said the five-year-old mare had travelled well throughout.

“I needed a bit of room and was able to get that and she let down really well,” he said. “She travelled really sweet in the run. It is nice riding horses when they want to win like that.”

Invincible Kiss beat the $2.20 race favourite North, from the Snowden stable, with Thermosa ($7) trained by Rodney Robb, third.

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Rejinsky could chase black type at his next start after an impressive debut win in the FIGTREE GROUP MAIDEN over 1000m.

The well-bred Redoute’s Choice colt came from the rear of the field, with jockey Aaron Bullock patiently waiting for a split on the turn.

When the gap opened the three-year-old sped away to win by almost half a length.

Relieved trainer Grant Allard said the plan had been to ride him close but when he was tardy at the start Bullock had opted to settle him back in the field.

“His two trials were good coming into this, but I genuinely don’t think he’s a 1000m horse, he’s probably best around 1400m or a mile but we had to kick off somewhere. He was a touch slow getting away, was held up in traffic, found the gap and hit the line pretty good,” Allard said.

“I think he is a pretty good horse in the making, a nice horse with a nice future.

“We’ve ticked one boss ticked here so we’ll see how he eats up and look at possibly starting him in the Gosford Guineas next Friday.”

Bullock said he knew Rejinsky was a nice horse leading into the race.

“I knew he had ability off his trials, but he is a pretty nice horse,” he said. “They burnt me early, so I just took the sit and I always had plenty of horse. I was a bit worried coming to the corner whether I’d get out, but the outside horse just dropped off and he attacked the line like a nice horse. He’s definitely going to win more races.”

Rejinsky, who was having his first run for the Allard stable, was sent out $2.90 favourite on the back of his two recent trial wins.
He beat the Widdup trained Vulpine ($5), with Enamour ($5) from the O’Shea stable, third.

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Joe Pride believes he has a progressive horse on his hands following Sea Echo’s win in the 1350m DNR AIRCONDITIONING & ELECTRICAL 4YO & UP MAIDEN.

The Sepoy gelding justified his short-priced favouritism with an effortless three and three-quarter length win with Hugh Bowman in the saddle.

Bowman was able to dictate terms, with a great front-running ride, drawing away in the straight.

“He is a really nice horse and I’m not surprised to see him win like that,” Pride said.

“He’s a progressive gelding who will make a nice city class horse, so being a gelding he will just work his way through the grades.

“He is a very laid by type and they ran a good time today, while still looking like he had something under the bonnet.”

Bowman agreed the four-year-old could have a future.

“He felt good today. He was a short-priced favourite so the result but somewhat expected but it was nice to see him do it,” Bowman said.

“I feel he is a progressive type. In the start he was very sluggish in the way he did things but when the gates opened, he was very relaxed. 

“I think he is certainly up to mid-week class.”

Bringing up his debut win at start four, Sea Echo started $1.18 favourite having been runner up at Wyong in his two previous starts. He beat Disco Mo ($5.50) trained by Anthony Cummings, with Tony Ball’s Senatorial ($15), third.

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A drop back in distance proved to be the key to Bernson bringing up his second race win in the SM CONCRETE CONSTRUCTIONS KYLE’S RUN CLASS 1 over a mile.

The Bernardini gelding, had been placed second over the 1900m and 1800m at his past two starts, with trainer John Thompson deciding to run him over 1600m.

The move paid off and jockey Rachel King was able to dictate terms up front, with Bernson ($1.80fav) looking the winner a long way from home. He drew away in the final stages and was able to record a two-length victory over the Cymbalic ($4.20) from the Mark Newnham stable, with Mowanjum ($14), trained by Gary Portelli third.

“He seems to be racing a lot more genuinely now,” King said following the race. “It was a relatively slow pace and that suited him, and he won well again today.”

Stable representative Danielle Podlewski said the four-year-old had had a very consistent preparation.

“He’s been racing well. His last couple of starts he’s run into a few good ones, but it was nice to see him get a win today,” she said.

“We find he runs the best over the mile and that showed today. He’s a horse that likes to be kept fresh and happy, so if we can keep him to the mile, we will do that.

“I think he’s probably done enough this preparation and will probably head out for a spell.”

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A double to Rachel King after the John O’Shea trained Lillemor ($3.60) proved too strong for her rivals in the ROKBUILT CLASS 1 over 1200m.

The well-bred filly, made it two wins from two starts, having scored on debut at Gosford on December 4.

She had no difficulty making the step up to class 1 and King believes the three-year-old has a bright future.

“It will be exciting to see just how far she can go,” she said.

“She does everything right and is really straightforward. I wouldn’t mind taking the sit on her as well because she does get a little bit lost out front, she sort of pricks her ears when she gets there, but she drew a bad gate today so we had to try and eliminate that by going forward.

“She’s very genuine, honest and has a really good attitude. She’s still not 100 percent there yet and is still learning, so it will be exciting to see how she goes when she learns how to really be a racehorse.”

Tom Charlton, stable foreman, said the filly does everything right in her races and is “easy going.”

“She’s an improving filly and it was a great ride by Rachel,” he said. “She’s very progressive and an easy, uncomplicated filly.”

Lillemor beat Belle Of Clonmel ($11) from the Jason Coyle stable by a length and a half, with Trengganu ($4.80) trained by Brad Widdup, third.

BUCHANAN BANKING ON A CHANGE OF TACTICS

BUCHANAN BANKING ON A CHANGE OF TACTICS 2

Kristen Buchanan concedes Jazzland is a “work in progress” but is hoping the gelding can return to winning form in Thursday’s $50,000 heat of the Provincial Series at Wyong.

The race, to be run over 1600m, has attracted a strong field of nine, with the top three progressing to the $150,000 series final at Gosford on December 27.

“It looks an ideal race for him, and I think he really needs to drop back to the 1600m at this stage,” Buchanan said.

“Last start he went too hard in the lead over the 2000m. He was pressured with another horse to lead, and if you look at his sectional times, he’s run pretty much 11’s throughout and then stopped.

“The horse has taken me a bit by surprise this time around. He is a lot fresher, is a lot more switched on and has a lot more toe. That’s why we’ve freshened him up and brought him back to the mile and I won’t step him up to the 2000m again until he indicates that’s what he needs.

“Last preparation he indicated he needed 2400m, so I’ve had to reassess.

“He’s a work in progress and is developing more and getting more switched on. I feel in hindsight I was a bit hasty to step him up to the 2000m when he didn’t really need to just yet.”

Buchanan said while Jazzland looks well suited in the race, the Kris Lees trained Mr Garcia would be hard to beat.

“The Class 5 conditions with the set weights means Kris Lees horse gets in in good order considering his benchmark, but it does look a nice race for Jazzland, that horse aside. We’d love to get into the final and have a crack at that as well.

“Josh (Parr) is riding him and knows him so well. He hasn’t missed a beat on him at Wyong.”

Jazzland has an unblemished record in his three starts on his home track, with Parr in the saddle for each win.

He will also partner Buchanan’s other runner, Ocean Go, in the 1350m Class 2.

The Ocean Park gelding has had one start for the stable, a second at Newcastle over 1200m on December 1, since transferring from New Zealand.

“He’s a really lovely horse, a beautiful animal and is showing a lot of promise,” Buchanan said.

“I was very pleased with him first up. He’s definitely a mile, 2000m horse in the long run, but he was very good over the 1200m at Newcastle and I think the step up to 1350m will be ideal for him.

“I’ve had a long association with the Hong Kong based owners and it was my luck they decided to send him my way. He will race very well.

“It’s been a good season so far and we have a lot of nice new horses coming through the stable, so it’s looking good.”

The first of seven races, at Wyong’s Christmas At The Races Day, gets underway at 1.50pm.

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 1.50pm: SM CONCRETE CONSTRUCTIONS KYLE’S RUN CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1600m): 1 CYMBALIC, 2 Satirical Knight, 3 Mowanjum, 4 Bernson.

Race 2 – 2.25pm: DNR AIRCONDITIONING & ELECTRICAL 4YO & UP MAIDEN HANDICAP (1350m): 1 SEA ECHO, 2 Flying Mojo, 3 Lady Legend, 4 Disco Mo.

Race 3 – 3.05pm: WYONG EQUINE CLINIC BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1000m): 1 NORTH, 2 Invincible Kiss, 3 Happy Mo, 4 Thermosa.

Race 4 – 3.45pm: FIGTREE GROUP MAIDEN PLATE (1000m): 1 PIZZLY, 2 Miss Dior, 3 Shadow Colour, 4 Enamour.

Race 5 – 4.20pm: SKY RACING SUMMER PROVINCIAL SERIES – HEAT 5 WYONG (1600m): 1 CALABASAS, 2 Jazzland, 3 Mr Garcia, 4 Django Unreined.

Race 6 – 4.55pm: ROKBUILT CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1200m): 1 ABSOLUTE TRUST, 2 Lillemor, 3 Belle Of Clonmel, 4 Pace Stick.

Race 6 – 5.35pm: TWIN LAKES AIR AND SOLAR CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1350m): 1 BRUNETTA, 2 Ocean Go, 3 Quick Finance, 4 Flying Mojo.

WATERHOUSE/BOTT CLAIM ANOTHER 2YO CLASSIC

WATERHOUSE/BOTT CLAIM ANOTHER 2YO CLASSIC 3

Article – Frances O’Shea – Photos Steve Hart

It was back to back Wyong Magic Million 2YO Classic wins for the Waterhouse/Bott stable after Farnan handled a step up on class to take out the $200,000 feature race.

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Gai Waterhouse has now claimed the race five times, the second with co-trainer Adrian Bott, after the pair took out the 2018 version with Unite And Conquer.

In a good training performance, Farnan was taken from a 2YO Handicap win at Canberra on November 17 to the Wyong race.

The $550,000 yearling purchase was sired by Not A Single Doubt, who won the first Wyong Magic Millions 2YO in 2003 and sired a subsequent winner, Karuta Queen in 2010.

Farnan was sent out $2.90 second favourite to the Mark Newnham trained Every Rose.

Jockey Tim Clark sat just off the leader after Farnan pinged the gates, hitting the front on straightening to win by a length.

WATERHOUSE/BOTT CLAIM ANOTHER 2YO CLASSIC 5

“It’s really exciting,” Bott said after the race.

“He’s a quality individual and it was a big step up for him from a Canberra maiden to here today. We took a bit of time between his runs, but his great, professional attitude got him here today.

“He broke brilliantly today and settled well for Tim (Clark) throughout the run, moved up when he need to and showed a good turn of foot. All the good attributes that those good two-year-olds have, that’s what he has got, and it’s taken him a long way.

“We kept him nice and fresh between the two runs getting him today and it’s great to see him take the next step and exciting for him.

“He’s a lovely physical type and a nice strong individual.

“I think he is definitely open to more improvement off the back of that and he’s on the right path.”

Bott said he would see how the horse pulled up before deciding if they would run him again before the Gold Coast Classic.

Clark said it was his first ride on the colt and he was impressed by the way he won.

“He was really impressive. His attitude is great, and he seems unflappable which is a good attribute to have.

“He began well and got outside the leader no worries and we controlled the speed from there. He gave a nice kick and I felt the filly coming at him but he responded for me and was strong to the line.

“He’s done a really good job there, second start in a race and is progressing nicely.”

WATERHOUSE/BOTT CLAIM ANOTHER 2YO CLASSIC 6

Every Rose ($2.35) was second, over the Snowden trained Remorseless ($13).

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Mark Newnham didn’t go home empty handed with the Diamond Thunder taking out the $100,000 MAGIC MILLIONS WYONG 3YO & 4YO STAKES and Exceed The Stars winning the 1000m Class 1.

Both were ridden by Josh Parr giving his locally based fan squad plenty to cheer about.

Diamond Thunder ($2.10) proved his versatility to take out the $100,000 MAGIC MILLIONS WYONG 3YO & 4YO STAKES.

WATERHOUSE/BOTT CLAIM ANOTHER 2YO CLASSIC 7

Parr had to change tactics after the Dawn Approach gelding dwelt at the start, opting to settle the three-year-old toward the rear before making his run on the turn.

Hugh Bowman appeared to have snatched victory, after switching Hightail to the fence in the final stages, but Diamond Thunder showed his class to grab a narrow half neck win.

WATERHOUSE/BOTT CLAIM ANOTHER 2YO CLASSIC 8

It was fifth win from seven starts for the $135,000 yearling, the victory franking his favouritism for the $2m Magic Millions 3YO Guineas in January.

“What he did today he showed he will definitely be better once he gets to 1400m,” Newnham said.

“He came and had a look around Wyong on Saturday morning, I floated him up here for a gallop, and I think it’s been beneficial in him getting the result today.

“He was a bit awkward back in the field but gathered them up really well.

“He started a bit slow, which is unusual for him but he’s a really versatile horse anyway. He’s led in one, he sits back, he’s got a good will to win.

“Josh did the right thing and let him gather himself and balance and got the job done. 

“He will now go to the Vo Rogue at Eagle Farm on December 28 and then on to the Gold Coast for the three-year-old Magic Millions.”

Parr joked he had to revert to ‘plan c’ after the slow start.

“I’m not sure what happened today. For the first time in his career he just dwelt at the start and was a bit hesitant over the first fifty metres of the race,” he said.

“There is nothing like versatility and that comes from both horse and jockey and I had to deploy plan c.

WATERHOUSE/BOTT CLAIM ANOTHER 2YO CLASSIC 9

“He’s got an unbelievable will to win and is notching up a really good record. The stable and myself have had a lot of time for him for a very long time and it’s been interesting and intriguing to see the process of getting him here today.”

The Snowden stable filled the minor placings with Hightail ($6.50) runner-up, ahead of Leviathan ($3.60).

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It was another good ride by Parr that secured victory for Exceed The Stars ($3.70) who brought up his second win from seven starts in the WYONG COAL CLASS 1.

“It was a very good win,” Newnham said. “Once he got into the right spot you could see he was always going to be hard to beat because the two leaders had gone at it pretty tough together.

“He had the sitting shot at them but still had to put them away and it was good to see him do that.

“He trialled behind another horse of mine that won at Rosehill yesterday, so the trial form was good. He’s been a horse that has been a bit inconsistent but today, as soon as he jumped well and travelled strongly you know he would be in the finish.

“It was really good.”

Wyong trainers Wayne Seelin, Invincible Kiss ($8.50) and Kristen Buchanan, Designated ($13), were second and third.

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In other results on the day, Irish jockey Oisin Orr brought up his first Australian winner on the Chris Waller trained Kimpembe ($3.70) in the GREAT NORTHERN BREWING CO METRO & PROV MAIDEN over 1600m.

Orr, a dual Irish apprenticeship winner, was having his eighth ride since moving to Australia in late November.

“It’s great to get a winner, especially for Mr Waller, and hopefully there will be many more to come,” he said.

Orr, settled the Savabeel gelding toward the rear of the small field, circling on the turn before hitting the front in the final stages to score a length and a quarter win.

It was the fourth career start for Kimpembe, a $240,000 Magic Millions yearling.

Stable representative Adam Ritchie said Orr had given the three-year-old the “perfect Wyong ride.”

“He had him in an ideal position, that suited the horse well and he was able to go on with it,” Ritchie said.

McGraw ($3.60), trained by Anthony Cummings, fought on for second, with race favourite Dinado ($3.20fav), third.

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Veteran Wyong trainer Stan Thomas bagged another home-track win just two weeks after his 83rd birthday.

Ondo Pasa ($9) upset some of her more favoured rivals to take out the MERCURE KOOINDAH WATERS GOLF & SPA RESORT BENCHMARK 64 over 1600m.

It was the second Wyong win for the Love Conquers All six-year-old in just over a month.

Mikayla Weir took a sit on the mare, settling her toward the rear. She took off just before the turn and was able to run down the Waller trained Fairy Me Home ($8.50) to win by a length.

WATERHOUSE/BOTT CLAIM ANOTHER 2YO CLASSIC 10

“I’m not feeling 83 today,” Thomas laughed after the win.

“She’s a handy little mare and this little girl rides her so well. The horse loves Wyong and appreciated the extra distance today.”

Weir said Ondo Pasa, who she partnered in her last Wyong win, had been “crying out” for the extra distance.

WATERHOUSE/BOTT CLAIM ANOTHER 2YO CLASSIC 11

“We thought she’d appreciate the extra ground and she certainly did,” Weir said.

“I was able to settle her toward the rear and she let down really well when we got into the clear running.

“It was a good win and Stan is doing a great job.”

Disgraceful ($21) trained by Dale Riley, was third.

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The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Miss Sure Shot justified her race favouritism with a strong win in the MAINSTREAM TAXATION & ACCOUNTANCY SERVICES MAIDEN over 1350m.

The $150,000 Shooting To Win yearling, reaped the benefits of a well rated, front running ride by Kerrin McEvoy to come away with her debut win at start four.

Peter Snowden said he believed the filly would improve further when she could take a sit.

“Kerrin rode her perfectly for the race today but I don’t think that’s the way to ride her going forward,” he said.

“But you’ve got to get the job done and that was the only way to do it today and he’s rated her perfectly.

“I’ve always liked her and I’m hoping she can go on with it.

“I think you’ll see a better filly if she can get back and you’ll see her turn of foot.”

Miss Sure Foot ($1.55) beat Sea Echo ($4) from the Pride stable by a length, with the Kristen Buchanan trained My Desire ($21), third.

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A slow tempo and step up in distance were the perfect combination for the Clare Cunningham trained Lady Highly to take out the 2100m MAGIC MILLIONS GOLD COAST IN JANUARY CLASS 1 & MAIDEN.

The High Chapparal mare looked set for a 2100m race when she finished fourth over 1900m at Canterbury on November 20.

Cunningham said it was a great ride by Jason Collett to secure victory for Lady Highly ($3.20) at her fourth race start.

“She’s definitely bred to stay but she’s a bit quirky,” Cunningham said.

“So it’s been about a bit of education for her and this was her fourth run this preparation and it was the perfect ride by Jason for her to get the job done.”

Cunningham said she would see how the horse pulled up before deciding on her next run.

“We will probably just work her through the grades. She still has a little bit of learning to go but we’ve found her mark over a trip.

“Now she’s doing everything right hopefully we will her along through the grades.”

Collett settled Lady Highly mid-field throughout, and when the split came in the straight, she showed a good turn of foot in the final stages to win by two lengths.

The $2.60 race favourite Brilliant Mind, trained by Gary Moore was second, with Savvy Valentino ($3.80) from the Bjorn Baker stable third.

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NEWNHAM BANKING ON FEATURE DOUBLE

NEWNHAM BANKING ON FEATURE DOUBLE 12

Mark Newnham saddles up the favourites in the two feature races at Wyong’s Magic Millions raceday on Thursday and is confident both will be hard to beat.

Every Rose has been favourite for the $2m Gold Coast Classic since her impressive debut win in the Gimcrack Stakes in October and continued to please her trainer with an eye-catching trial win at Randwick on November 26.

Not surprisingly she is expected to take out the $200,000 Wyong 2YO Classic with the in-form Rachel King in the saddle, having drawn nicely in barrier three. 

NEWNHAM BANKING ON FEATURE DOUBLE 13
Mark Newnham and Rachel King

Stablemate Diamond Thunder will contest the $100,000 MM 3YO and 4YO Stakes and be ridden by Josh Parr.

“The Magic Millions has been their specific targets with Wyong part of the journey,” Newnham said.

“Josh rode them both work on Saturday. They had a good blow out and I was very happy with them.”

He said Every Rose, a $240,000 yearling, had shown good versatility in her race and trials.

“It is good to have drawn a nice barrier with her but she’s shown even in her first trial before she raced that she can take a sit and finish off if need be,” he said.

“When she needed to in the Gimcrack, she led them up. She’s versatile enough to make do with whatever the conditions are.”

Newnham said Every Rose, is raced by an all-female Darby Racing syndicate.

They will be eligible for the $250,000 Women’s Bonus if the filly is one of the first four raced by a female syndicate, to cross the line. 

“It is exciting for them being a ladies syndicate with the Gold Coast becoming a race within a race. It will be good if it comes off.

“She looks an ideal Magic Millions type and being a ladies syndicate horse there is some incentive there as well.

“There will be a fair few of them coming to Wyong so you might need to top up the champagne.”

Newnham said while Rachel King will ride the filly at Wyong, Josh Parr has been booked for the Gold Coast.

“She doesn’t have enough weight for Josh in this race, but he will take over on the Gold Coast.”

Craig Williams returns to Wyong to partner the Maher/Eustace trained Rathlin in the race, the Fastnet Rock colt was narrowly beaten in the MM Classic at Ballarat on November 23.

Newnham’s Diamond Thunder also looks ideally drawn in four, in a field of eight which includes in-form Godolphin filly Exhilerates.

“Diamond Thunder is just a really tough, consistent horse with good ability,” he said.

“I just needed to give him that one run in the spring to keep him ticking over for this otherwise he would have been out too long. He was able to win that race and this summer was really his target with Thursday, then up to Queensland in a couple of weeks’ time where he will start on the 28th and then the Magic Millions 3YO.”

Josh Parr also partners Newnham’s other runner Exceed The Stars, resuming in the 1000m Class 1.

“He is first up over the 1000m. He might just need one run and he’s going quite well,” he said.

The first of seven races gets underway at 1.50pm.

SELECTIONS:

RACE 1 – 1.50pm: MAINSTREAM TAXATION & ACCOUNTANCY SERVICES MAIDEN (1350m): 1 MISS SURE SHOT, 2 Sea Echo, 3 My Desire, 4 Completed.

RACE 2 – 2.25pm: GREAT NORTHERN BREWING CO METRO & PROV MAIDEN (1600m): 1 DIAMONDS AND RUST, 2 Petrus, 3 Submission, 4 McGraw.

RACE 3 – 3.05pm: MAGIC MILLIONS GOLD COAST IN JANUARY CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2100m): 1 LADY HIGHLY, 2 Savvy Valentino, 3 Little Arnie, 4 Into The Oblivion.

RACE 4 – 3.40pm: MAGIC MILLIONS WYONG 3YO & 4YO STAKES (1200m): 1 DIAMOND THUNDER, 2 Exhilerates, 3 Leviathan, 4 Think Free.

RACE 5 – 4.15pm: WYONG COAL CLASS 1 (1000m): 1 AUXIN, 2 Exceed The Stars, 3 Designated. 4 Lolliepop.

RACE 6 – 4.50pm: MAGIC MILLIONS WYONG 2YO CLASSIC (1100m): 1 EVERY ROSE, 2 Strike, 3 Farnan, 4 Kavak.

RACE 7 – 5.25pm: MECURE KOOINDAH WATERS GOLF & SPA RESORT BM64 (1600m): 1 FAIRY ME HOME, 2 Evard, 3 Disgraceful, 4 Terroir.

WATERHOUSE BACK FOR MORE AT WYONG’S MAGIC MILLIONS

WATERHOUSE BACK FOR MORE AT WYONG'S MAGIC MILLIONS 14

Gai Waterhouse has claimed the most Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic titles since the inception of the race in 2003.

With two entries among the 16 nominations for this year’s feature, the now Waterhouse/Bott stable will be hoping to make it back to back wins following Unite And Conquer’s victory last year.

The stable has nominated last start Canberra winner Farnan and Vancouver filly, Found Our Thrill, who was fourth on debut at Kembla last month.

Mark Newnham’s filly Every Rose looks the standout, resuming from her dominant win in the Gimcrack Stakes, with an impressive five length barrier trial win at Randwick on November 26.

The Maher/Eustace stable has six two-year-olds nominated including last start Morphetville winner Unstoppable.

Chris Munce, who won several Wyong feature races as a jockey, has nominated Kavak, a $145,000 yearling purchase. The colt is an Eagle Farm winner and was runner up on the Gold Coast in late November.

The Newnham stable could also hold the key to the $100,000 Magic Millions 3YO & 4YO Stakes with exciting three-year-old Diamond Thunder.

The Dawn Approach gelding has put together an impressive resume with four wins, including two Listed races, and a placing from six starts.

Australian Bloodstock’s Think Free, from the Lees stable, is among the 21 nominations, the So You Think mare having won five of her ten starts, with two placings.

Acceptances for Thursday’s meeting close at 9am on Tuesday.

SNOWDEN STABLE TARGETTING WYONG MAGIC MILLIONS

SNOWDEN STABLE TARGETTING WYONG MAGIC MILLIONS 15

Peter Snowden is planning a two-pronged attack at next Thursday’s Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

The stable will saddle up Eagle Farm winner Strike and Written Tycoon colt Remorseless in the $200,000 feature over 1100m.

Strike, a $150,000 yearling, was an impressive winner on debut at Eagle Farm on October 12.

SNOWDEN STABLE TARGETTING WYONG MAGIC MILLIONS 16
(Strike – Photo Australian Associated Press)

He was then spelled and looks to have returned in good order taking out his trial at Randwick on December 2.

Remorseless, a $350,000 yearling, also debuted at Eagle Farm in October, finishing sixth over the 1000m.

“We sent them both to Brisbane early last preparation and Strike was able to get a win on the board,” Snowden said.

“They both went out and came back and the same time and trialled well the other day.

“The Wyong race looks ideal at this stage and hopefully they can qualify for the Gold Coast.”

Snowden last tasted success in the Wyong MM 2YO in 2015 with Capitalist, also by Written Tycoon, who went on to win both the Gold Coast feature and the Golden Slipper the following year.

Hightail, who finished third in last year’s Gold Coast MM 2YO Classic and Zoustar gelding Leviathan, will both contest the $100,000 Wyong MM 3YO & 4YO Stakes for the Snowden stable.

Nominations for the meeting close at 11am tomorrow.

https://racing.racingnsw.com.au/FreeFields/RaceProgram.aspx?Key=2019Dec12,NSW,Wyong

Commute wins Hudson Homes Wyong Town Plate in style

Commute wins Hudson Homes Wyong Town Plate in style 17

The locals got the right result when Wyong trainer Tracey Bartley’s impressive mare Commute led her rivals a merry dance leading all the way to win Thursday’s $50,000 feature Hudson Homes Wyong Town Plate.

Jockey Rachel King rode the hot favourite Commute like she was the best horse in the race and she never looked like being run down.

Commute wins Hudson Homes Wyong Town Plate in style 18

Thursday’s win was her third success from just 13 career starts. The big girl has generally raced very consistently and her record could easily have been better.  Thanks to patient handling by Team Bartley the 4yo mare promises to keep improving.

Tracey Bartley suggested after the win that Commute was likely to target the rich $500,000 Polytrack Provincial Championship in March which looks to be an ideal race for the mare.

Commute wins Hudson Homes Wyong Town Plate in style 19

Interest building in Wyong Magic Millions 2YO

Interest building in Wyong Magic Millions 2YO 20

Mark Newnham’s impressive filly Every Rose will be a definite starter at Wyong’s upcoming $200,000 Magic Millions 2YO Classic on December 12.

The Choisir filly caught the eye on debut with an impressive win in the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes at Randwick on October 5 over 1000m and has been installed as the early favourite for the $2m Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

Newnham sent the $160,000 yearling purchase straight out for a break after her debut win and she will trial at Randwick next week in preparation for her Magic Millions campaign.

“She’ll trial and then go to Wyong,” Newnham said. “I’ll also have Diamond Thunder in the 3YO and 4YO Wyong race after he trials at Randwick on the same day.”

Newnham was impressed with Every Rose following the Gimcrack win, describing her as having a disposition like a “kid’s pony.”

The filly is sure to draw a crowd to Wyong, with 18 female owners keen to cheer her home.

Raced by Darby Syndications, the filly is vying for half a million dollars in prizemoney if she can be one of the first four horses over the line owned by female syndicates.

Stablemate Diamond Thunder has had four wins from his six starts, his latest being the Brian Crowley Listed on October 26 over 1200m.

Nominations for the Wyong Magic Million race day close on Friday, December 6.

PENZA DOMINATES RIDING RANKS – Carlton Spring Race Day Review

PENZA DOMINATES RIDING RANKS - Carlton Spring Race Day Review 21

A treble to comeback jockey Jeff Penza and a win for veteran local trainer Stan Thomas were the features of Saturday’s Wyong Race meeting.

Penza, who returned to the saddle two months ago after being sidelined for almost a year, is back to his best and recorded wins on John Sargent’s stayer Tyrrhenian, Godolphin’s promising gelding Suave and on Rabbit Clause for Joe Pride.

Ocean Park gelding Tyrrhenian ($6) removed any questions about his ability to stay, taking out the 2100m WYONG MAGIC MILLIONS DECEMBER 12 CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE by a length and a half.

The four-year-old outstayed his stable mate Prince Camelot ($2.70) courtesy of a well-judged Penza ride.

Campbell, representing the Sargent stable, was complimentary of the ride.

It was a good ride by Jeff, he used his brain. The horse wanted to go forward and he took the race by the scruff of the neck and showed today he can stay.

“It was a race winning move by Jeff at the 600m and he went on with it really well. John thought he would run the trip and he proved him right today.”

Penza’s second win was on the well-bred Suave ($1.55) who brought up back to back wins in the WWW.TAB.COM.AU CLASS 1 HANDICAP over 1350 metres.

The four-year-old won on debut at Hawkesbury on October 24 and was even more convincing bringing up his second victory.

“He’s nice horse going somewhere,” Lee Cundy, representing the stable said.

“He will bob up in a better race somewhere. He comes from a good family and he will go a long way. He’s very casual which will take him a fair way. “We will step him through the grades and see where we end up.”

Penza also has a high opinion of Suave.

“He’s a slow learner and started his career as a colt and wasn’t going anywhere. He had to start from scratch this preparation and has come out and had two wins. I think he’s got a long way to go.”

Suave beat Go Fish Go ($9) from the Newnham stable, with Romalette ($3.30) trained by Joe Pride third.

Penza rounded off his treble riding Rabbit Clause ($4.40) to victory for Pride in the 1000m DE BORTOLI WINES MAIDEN PLATE.

The three-year-old got the nod in a tight finish from Matowatakpe ($3.10fav), from the Baker stable, the pair fighting it out in the final stages of the straight.

Pride was impressed with the performance of the first starter and believes he is in for a good preparation.

“His trial coming into today was good and we came here with plenty of confidence. It was a great ride by Jeff and always good to get the maiden win out of the way.”

Godolphin’s runner Mercury ($3.40), was more than two lengths behind in third.

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The consistent Ondo Pasa ($11) rewarded veteran Wyong trainer Stan Thomas with another win, storming home to take out the 1350m GREAT NORTHERN ON TAP CONDITIONAL BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP.

Ridden by Mikayla Weir, the six-year-old mare brought up her sixth win from 45 starts.

In a well-timed ride, Weir came from the rear of the field at the 600m mark, hitting the front on straightening and pulling away from her rivals to win by almost two lengths.

It was a popular win for the 82-year-old trainer, who has two horses in work on the track.

He was full of praise for the consistent mare, who he owns himself.

“There were excuses last start and I was reasonably confident today,” the 82-year-old trainer said.

“She’s been a great horse for me. She tries hard every time she goes around and that’s all you can ask.”

Ondo Pasa was sixth at her last start at Wyong on October 20 over 1300m but was beaten only just over a length. She last tasted victory in March but has been placed twice since.

“It’s always good to train a winner on the home track and I’m happy today,” he said.

Ondo Pasa beat The Patrician ($18), trained by Robert Pearse, with Godolphins $3 favourite Nindamos, third.

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Rachael Murray recorded her first Wyong win since relocating to the area mid-year on the aptly named Dancing Rachel.

The Declaration Of War filly was purchased by trainer Gilbert Slattery for just $5000 and raised on the family’s property near Gosford.

The three-year-old was having her ninth start in the CHRISTMAS @ THE RACES DECEMBER 19 MAIDEN HANDICAP over 1600m, have been previously placed twice.

Murray took a sit toward the rear of the field, making her move around the 400m mark. She hit the front mid-way down the straight and let down strongly for a strong length and a half win.

“That’s a huge win today, Rachel on Rachel,” Slattery said. “She was unlucky last start at Gosford, and we lost the protest.

“She’s a good filly. She’s by the Melbourne Cup winner and I brought her as a weanling at Scone and we raised her at home.

“My grandson and my son do all the work so it’s a real family affair. “

Murray said Dancing Rachel went “super.”

“I asked Louise (Day) how to ride her and she said make sure her last furlong was the best. That was fantastic advice because the horse went really well. She settled lovely and raced the mile perfect.”

Dancing Rachel ($5) beat the $2.15 race favourite Haunting Spirit, trained by Lauri Parker, with Mick An’ Nick’s ($3.50), from the Robl stable, third.

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Luke Hilton is excited about the prospects of Hinchinbrook gelding Playard ($8.50) after the new stable additions win in the 1000m GOSFORD HOCKEY MENS HCPL PREMIERS 2019 BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP.

Hilton said they had taken their time with five-year-old.

“He had a few issues, so we gave him some time off,” he said. “We knew he had the talent and he’s a big strong horse but has had niggling issues.

“I was really pleased to get him back to the races today.

“I thought he could win today but may of been a little bit vulnerable over the 1000m. Aaron Bullock rode him in the trials the other day and gave him a really good push.

“His work during the week was spot on, so it’s great to get the win with him. I’ll keep him at the shorter trips. He’s got a good turn of foot and it was a great ride by Ashley (Morgan). “

Playard beat Zeta’s Rocket ($8) trained by Craig Carmody by a long neck, with the Waterhouse/Bott trained Dreaming For More ($3.70fav), third.

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South African jockey Brandon Lerena recorded his first Wyong win in his first appearance at the track, booting home the Bjorn Baker trained Axe.

Lerena made the move to Australia in August and Axe was his fifth win.

He rated the Written Tycoon colt well, with a good front-running ride, holding off his challengers to win by a half-length.

“He is a very nice colt, “Lerena said.

“He’s still quite immature and green and does things the wrong way but it was a win full of merit today.

“He shirked the start slightly and I had to chase them up to get to the lead. It enabled him to build up some gears and he kicked away in the straight.”

Axe ($3) won the 1600m CHRISTMAS @ THE RACES DECEMBER 19 MAIDEN HANDICAP by half a length from the Waller trained Samurai ($6.50), with Pitchfork ($15) from the O’Shea stable, third.

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Blake Spriggs was in the winner’s circle, piloting Bollywood to victory for Godolphin, the first leg of a winning double.

The consistent Sepoy filly was having her 11th career start in the HAPPY 21ST PATRICK DARBIN MAIDEN PLATE (1350m) having previously recorded seven placings.

Spriggs sat just off the pace on the $1.85 favourite, getting a split in the straight and chasing down the leaders to win by a length and a half.

“She deserved the win,” Spriggs said.

“She’s not the best horse in the stable but she tries very hard and that is evident in her form. She keeps running around the placings, but she won well today.

“She had a bit of a job to do getting the 1350m, and I thought that would be her maximum distance wise. She got out and won well.”

Bollywood beat the Snowden trained Maisaa ($4), with the Newnham trained Supercede ($7), third.

SKY PROVINCIAL SUMMER SERIES KICKS OFF THIS NOVEMBER

SKY PROVINCIAL SUMMER SERIES KICKS OFF THIS NOVEMBER 22

MEDIA RELEASE – 

After a successful series in 2018, the Sky Provincial Series returns this summer. The $400,000 race series for provincial horses, is a joint venture of Racing NSW, Sky Racing and the five provincial race clubs of Wyong, Hawkesbury, Newcastle, Kembla Grange and Gosford.

The series is comprised of five $50,000 qualifying races that will be run across the NSW provincial clubs over a six week period, culminating in the $150,000 final over 1,600m, which will be held at Gosford on Saturday 27 December, 2019.

With heats ranging from 1400m to 1600m, provincial trainers will put forward their stable stars with the first three placegetters from each heat qualifying for the final. Fourth placegetters from each heat will declared an emergency for the final in December.

“Last years series was an immense success” Matt Benson Chairman of the NSW Provincial Racing Association stated. “The eventual winner ‘Bobbing’ went on to win the Provincial Championships too, so it shows that the quality horses took this series seriously as well” he concluded.

Series Schedule:

Series No. Venue Date Distance Type Prizemoney
1 Kembla Grange Saturday 16 November 1400m Class 5 $50,000
2 Gosford Friday 22 November 1600m Class 5 $50,000
3 Newcastle Sunday 1 December 1400m Class 5 $50,000
4 Hawkesbury Sunday 8 December 1500m Class 5 $50,000
5 Wyong Thursday 19 December 1600m Class 5 $50,000
Final Gosford Friday 27 December 1600m Class 5 $150,000

Of $50,000 – 1st $22,000, 2nd $8,950, 3rd $5,000, 4th $3,400, 5th $2,000, 6th $1,650, 7th $1,500, 8th $1,500, 9th $1,500, 10th $1,500, Equine Welfare Fund $500, Jockey Welfare Fund $500.

Class 5, Set Weights, Three-Years-Old and Upwards, No sex restriction

Restricted to horses trained by a NSW Provincial trainer in accordance with the 5 provincial clubs of PRANSW. To be eligible a horse must have had its last three starts for an eligible provincial trainer. SET WEIGHTS – Class 5 – 59kgs Class 4 – 57.5kgs Class 3 and below 56kgs. Fillies and Mares allowed 2kgs. No allowance for 3yos. If a ballot is required it will be done on benchmark order. 1st 2nd and 3rd qualify for the final. Once qualified, horses are NOT permitted to run in another Heat and MUST run in the final unless scratched by Stewards with a Vet’s Certificate. The 4th placegetter from each heat will be declared an emergency for the final in benchmark order. If equal Benchmark then by lot.

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