Raceday News

On a day celebrating Women in Racing it was fitting Wyong trainer Kristen Buchanan saddled up a home-track winner.

Some of racing’s female royalty were trackside including Sky Racing’s Lizzie Jelfs and Winks co-owner Debbie Kepitis, who were joined local trainers Kim Waugh and Buchanan.

The women, along with jockey Rachel King and Julianne Horsman from Racing NSW Media, gave an insight into racing through their different perspectives, entertaining a large crowd at the Trackside Marquee.

It was on the track that Buchanan’s ability to prepare horses shone through.

“It is great to get a winner any day but to have a win on a day celebrating the role women play in racing is pretty special,” she said.

In a good training performance, Buchanan’s Choisir gelding Traumatised put two lengths on his opposition to take out the BLITZ HOMES CONDITIONAL BM70 over 1000m.

The six-year-old, who was first up from a spell, showed an impressive turn of foot to bring up his fifth win.

“I’m very happy with him,” an excited Buchanan said. “I thought he was fantastic last preparation, I kept raising the bar and he kept finding.

“He had good form and I was surprised that he opened at the price that he did.

“I love this horse and I hate to say it that early in the day I told the owners I didn’t think he was going to make it. Horses make fools of you and I’m glad we were patient and he’s just kept improving.”

Buchanan praised the ride of apprentice Chris Williams.

“It was a really good ride by Chris, he really listened to me. He’s got a 200m dash and you have to be patient.

“There was a lot of speed in that race and you could be tempted to chase but he was very patient and rode him confidently.

“I think he’s a really great apprentice on the up with a two kilo claim when you are really getting the ability of a senior rider.”

Traumatised ($3.30) beat the $3.10 favourite Little Al, trained by Nathan Doyle, with Il Bandito ($5) from the Joe Pride stable, third.

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Another young female making her mark in the racing game, apprentice Cejay Graham, claimed victory in the BOB HOLLOWAY MEMORIAL on Soul Soldier for her bosses Peter and Paul Snowden.

In a second win for the stable on the day, the Written Tycoon colt was too strong for his opposition scoring a two and a quarter length win over the 1000m.

Graham came from behind on the three-year-old who stormed home over the top of his rivals.

“I’m so pleased to get another win on him,” she said. “He was the first horse I won on for the Snowdens and now he’s come back from a spell and I’ve been able to do it again.

“He travelled beautifully, and I was hands and heels most of the way. It was a good win.”

Colum McCullagh said it was a “terrific return” by Soul Soldier.

“His work has been really good and with his trial form it suggested he would go well today,” he said.

“Cejay has a good affiliation with him and it would be good if she could stay on him going forward.

“He has won two out of three starts and still has a lot to learn, so hopefully will be an even better horse in the future.”

Soul Soldier ($3) beat Cassy’s Sister ($8.50) trained by Troy O’Neile, with Upper East Side ($8) third.

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Two impressive fillies fought out the finish of the KRISTEN BUCHANAN RACING F&M MAIDEN with the honours going to the Kris Lees trained Regimental Band ($1.55).

By I Am Invincible, the winner was resuming after finishing second at both starts in her first preparation.

She beat the Brad Widdup trained Akari ($8), who was caught wide for most of the race, with the Joe Pride’s Threeood ($14) third.

Regimental Band had trialled impressively at Newcastle on August 19 and looked sharp at a subsequent gallop between races.

Lees said he considered the filly had a “bright future.”

“It’s good to get the maiden out of the way. It was another lovely ride from Brenton (Avdulla), in that stalking position and she let down really well,” he said.

“The second horse went well too so there is plenty of form to come out of that race. The second horse came at her and she really found with the pressure.

“She will certainly benefit from the run and I think she’s got a nice spring ahead of her.”

Avdulla was also impressed with the win.

“She’s lovely for sure. It was my first time sitting on her, but I’ve seen plenty of her.

“She trialled well with Louise (Day) and the gallop after was quite sharp.

“I wanted to be positive today. I felt in control a long way out and once the second horse got to her, she found another gear.”

It was the second leg of a winning double for the Lees/Avdulla combination scoring earlier in the day with Intimidating ($5.50).

The Sebring filly took out the SKY RACING C,G&E MAIDEN over 1100m by more than two lengths, to bring up his debut win at start two.

He beat the $1.55 favourite Iresign, trained by Lee Curtis, with Joe Pride’s Big Bad Bruce ($3.80) third.

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Classy stayer Miss Moana ($12) could be ready to claim more black type after her strong first up win over 1600m in the AFFORDABLE WARDROBES CENTRAL COAST CLASS 2.

The John Sargent trained mare, who was placed second in a Group 3 race at Adelaide in May, was resuming after trialling at Randwick on September 10.

Jockey Lee Magorrian, who has a good association with the four-year-old, came from the rear of the field to run down the leaders and claim a half-length victory.

Campbell Ashby, representing the Sargent stable, said it was a great first up performance over a mile with just one trial.

“We are highly delighted in that,” he said. “She’s in for a fruitful campaign.

“She’s got plenty of improvement in her. We took her to Adelaide last year and she finished second, but she’ll stay longer than the mother-in-law this one.”

Magorrian also gave credit to Sargent.

“She’s gone well today, and it was a good training performance by John, fresh up over a mile with one trial.

“She’s a real good staying mare.”

Miss Moana beat I Arize ($10) trained by Jarrod Austin, with Bernson ($31) from the John Thompson stable, third.

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It was a quinella for the Gerald Ryan stable in the 1350m DE BORTOLI MAIDEN with Zell ($6.50) a narrow winner over stablemate Highbury ($6).

Ryan said it was only circumstances that had led to the horses starting at Wyong.

“It’s quite funny because both horses are here by default really,” Ryan said.

“Zell was supposed to run on Friday at Newcastle, but the owner Neil Werrett had another runner in the race and didn’t want to go there.

“The other horse has been in twice and the meetings been called off. He is a horse that is looking for more ground, so it was a bit of a surprise to see him go so good over 1350m. I

“They are both two really nice colts, well-bred colts, both by I Am Invincible. They are still carrying a bit of weight and can improve off this.”

Ryan said the winner was particularly well bred.

“I bought him for $400,000 at the sales and Neil retained him, so it’s good to see him get an early result.”

Zell was having his second start, coming off a fifth at Wyong on September 6 over 1200m.

Schemer ($5) from the Perry stable was third.

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Famous could well live up to his name following a good win in the WISEBERRY HERITAGE REAL ESTATE Class 1 over 1350m.

The Medaglia d’Oro colt, bred by John Camilleri was a $750,000 yearling purchase, with John retaining a share in the promising three-year-old.

Trained by the Snowdens and ridden by Tim Clark, the Famous will now likely head to a metropolitan race after bringing up his second victory at start six.

Colum McCullagh, representing the Snowdens, was full of praise for the ride.

“Timmy gave him a beautiful ride from the inside gate. It was just nice to see everything work out and get another win for the James Harron crew.

“Barriers make a huge difference and drawing the one was a telling factor today. This horse has been a work in progress.

“He relaxed nicely and appreciated the speed today and I think that was key. “

McCullagh said he expected plenty of improvement in Famous.

“He’s bred to be strong late and now that he’s starting to relax, I think we will see the best of him this preparation.”

Magnificently ($5.50) trained by Clarry Connors, was a half-length behind in second, with the $2.45 favourite Darling Point, from the Widdup stable a close third.

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Maybach, from the Waterhouse/Bott stable took out the first on the program, the 2100m EVENT CINEMAS TUGGERAH MAIDEN.

The More Than Ready gelding, a $1.3m yearling, looks set for bigger things following his two and a half-length victory.

With Adam Hyeronimous in the saddle, the four-year-old brought up his first win at his fifth start.

He was coming off a third at Kembla over 1600m on September 24 and appreciated the step up in distance.

He beat the $1.90 Lees trained favourite Urbino, with The Borough ($7) from the Perry stable, two lengths behind in third.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.

Race 4 – 2.45pm: AUSTRALIAN BLOODSTOCK BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1600m): 1 BID ‘N’ BARE, 2 Suitor, 3 Kiarra Rose, 4 Baanone.

Race 5 – 3.20pm: HUNTER PETROLEUM PRODUCTS DA VINCI – 3&4YO BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1300m): 1 CAMP RIFLE, 2 Rythmic Pulse, 3 Defeat, 4 Enseguida.

Race 6 – 3.55pm: WINNING COMMERCIAL MONA LISA STAKES (1350m): 1 CONNEMARA, 2 Delectation Girl, 3 Sweet Deal, 4 Notation.

Race 7 – 4.35pm: 2019 CARLTON DRAUGHT WYONG GOLD CUP (2100m): 1 STAMPEDE, 2 Loveisili, 3 Hogmanay, 4 Our Century.

Race 8 – 5.15pm: THE DOYLO SPRINGTIME BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP (1100m): 1 MAROCH, 2 McCormack, 3 Red Notice, 4 Herzegovina.

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 100^th 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.