Promising apprentice Dylan Gibbons has limited experience on the Provincial circuit but goes into Wednesday’s Wyong meeting with two strong chances.
The 19-year-old has only had 10 Provincial rides to date, tasting success on the Ron Quinton trained Hibiscus Lady at Gosford in late October.
At her subsequent start on November 18, Gibbon’s first race ride at Wyong, he was runner-up but hopes to go one better on Wednesday.
He partners Siesta Key and No Laughing Matter part of a strong team his boss Kris Lees has at the meeting.
“I’d ridden in a few trials at Wyong before the race ride with Hibiscus Lady and found riding on race day a whole lot different.
“The home turn was a lot sharper race day than it seemed trial day. I got a bit lost and let my horse wander right off, so I’ll be navigating a bit better than I did that day.
“It’s all experience and I’m still learning so much. It’s a different level again riding against the best jockeys at Provincial meetings.”
Gibbons has had a flying start to his apprenticeship with 26 winners to date.
He is coming off a double at Tuncurry on Saturday and Port Macquarie double on January 8.
He now claims 2kg in the country and is happy to do the most of his riding around the bush tracks.
“I’m not in a hurry to take more rides at the Provincials. I’d like to outride my country claim before I concentrate on that. I know I’ve still got so much to learn, and the country is a good place to do it.”
So You Think mare Siesta Keys starts in the Benchmark 58 over 1300m, with Gibbons having partnered her to a second at her last outing at Taree on January 4.
The four-year-old was beaten in a photo by stablemate No Laughing Matter and Gibbons is confident she’s a winning chance.
“The only time I’ve sat on her was last start at Taree when we just got beat by No Laughing Matter.
“It was a super run. She got caught wide with no cover outside the leaders and had to do all the bullocking work. No Laughing Matter nearly put a length on her, and she fought back to get pipped by a nose.
“She’s got all the right attributes for a race like this. She’s got ability and the physical and mental toughness that gets her through challenges like getting caught wide without cover.
“She’s definitely seasoned and ready for it. She’s a tough, honest mare who will give me 100%.”
Gibbons rides No Laughing Matter in the 1350m Benchmark 64, a heat of the Rising Star Series for apprentices.
The Exosphere filly has won three of her six starts and is shooting for her third successive win.
“I’ve won on No Laughing Matter before in an apprentice race at Taree,” he said.
“She’s a young filly going through her grades and is doing everything right.
It was a Kris Lees trifecta in the $150,000 final of the Sky Racing Summer Provincial Series with Itz Lily a dominant winner over stable mates Spanish Point and Game Of Thorns.
The win gave Lees his second successive final win in the popular series.
Itz Lily, the $3.30 race favourite, relished the heavy conditions and despite being caught three wide throughout, Alysha Collett kept her cool hitting the lead on the turn and drawing away to score by almost two lengths.
Successful syndicators Australian Bloodstock race both the winner and third placegetter.
Danny Greer, representing the Lees stable, said it was a terrific effort by Itz Lily, a $80,000 yearling, after a tough run.
“She didn’t have a lot of luck in the run but was very dominant working into the race nicely and putting them away a long way out,” he said.
“It’s good to see her come back in really good order.
“Australian Bloodstock provided us with a couple really nice horses in this race.
“We were also happy with the effort of Spanish Point, who is improving with racing.”
Greer was full of praise for the ride by Collett.
“She didn’t panic at all and improved into the race at the right time. It was good to see her sustain that sprint and she put them away a long way out from the finish.”
The win brought up back-to-back victories for Itz Lily, who took out the Newcastle heat on December 19.
The consistent Snitzel mare has now had six wins and seven placings from 21 starts.
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A terrific training effort by Kylie Gavenlock to taste success with Go For Gold after more than 15 months off the scene.
The five-year-old was having only his third career run but was sent out at $3.50 on the strength of a strong barrier trial at Wyong on December 18.
Jockey Andrew Gibbons had him in the box seat throughout the 1200m LAKES OFFICE CHOICE 4YO & UP MAIDEN and was able to get the edge over his opposition in the final stages.
Gavenlock said it was great to get a win for the connections, who include prominent owner and breeder Kim Harding.
“They have been very patient,” she said.
“He had some real issues with the barriers and that’s why he has been off the scene for so long.
“We think he’s got it now and he trialled nicely here which is why we brought him back.
“I think he’s a very nice horse, but I was a bit worried he may have been a little underdone today.
“He had missed a bit of work leading into it and he’s a gross horse and a good doer.
“I thought if anything would of beat him today it was his condition, but he got the job done.”
A $360,000 yearling Go For Gold was resuming from a lengthy spell, having previously been trained by Les Bridge.
He beat Good Deed ($5), from the Hickman stable, with Tracey Bartley’s Stonesthrow ($6.50) third.
The Exosphere gelding was first past the post on the Kensington track on December 17 but lost the race on protest.
At his previous two starts he was runner-up at both Kensington and Newcastle.
He wasn’t to be denied at Wyong breaking through for his debut win in the best possible way.
Apprentice Brandon Griffiths had the $1.26 favourite just behind the leader in the early stages, before hitting the front around the 600m mark and drawing away in the straight for an effortless win. Ben Bloore, representing the Snowden’s, was full of praise for the victory.
“It was agood win. Brandon put him outside the leader, let him settle and balance up, and then coming to the corner he let him go and said goodbye,” Bloore said.
“It was a good ride. Brandon has nice, strong good hands and can get them to relax in the run.”
He said Exoboom, a $70,000 yearling, had taken time to come to hand.
“He’s still very immature. He’s a big lanky horse with plenty of scope about him. The more he races the more mature he gets.”
Exoboom beat the Perry trained Mon Amore ($20), with Mandalorian ($41) from the Coyle stable, third.
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It was a double for the Snowden stable and their apprentice Brandon Griffiths, when Sahra ($2.15fav) greeted the judge in the CAVARNI DESIGN BENCHMARK 64 over 1200m.
Griffiths put in another strong ride to claim victory on the Hinchinbrook filly, her second win in six starts.
Ben Bloore described it as a “very good win.”
“She will take a lot of confidence out of that. Brandon rode her well and didn’t panic.
“He took off at the right time and didn’t panic, just cruised up around them, hit the button and away she went.
“She’s had a few little setbacks here and there. The drop in grade today has helped her a lot and she will take a lot out the win.
“Two winners from two runners should keep Pete happy for another week.”
Cathay ($8) from the Portelli stable was second, two lengths behind the winner, with Godolphin’s Raison D’Etre ($3) third.
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Godolphin filly Geist made it back-to-back wins in the 1100m CANADIAN CLUB CLASS 1 courtesy of a great ride by Christian Reith, the first of a winning double for stable and rider.
The in-form jockey had to weave a passage in the straight after coming from behind the pack on the turn.
He drew away in the final stages to win by three quarters of a length.
The double brought up 14 wins for Reith in just over a month, the jockey having posted 36 victories to date for the season for a 20 percent win ratio.
Geist was having her 10th career start, having raced in Victoria for the early part of her career.
She was unable to break her maiden in the southern State despite finishing third in the Group 2 Blue Diamond Prelude at Caulfield in February.
She broke her maiden at Hawkesbury on December 13 over 1100m and again found the distance ideal at Wyong to bring up successive wins.
She beat Kim Waugh’s Tinka’s Lad ($7), with Harmonium ($6), from the Richard and Michael Freedman stable, third.
Another super ride by Reith, who came from last on the turn, secured victory for the $2.10 race favourite.
It was the third win for the Lonhro filly from 10 starts, all three coming on the Wyong track.
Stable representative Lee Kunde said Mollycoddle would likely head to a mid-week Metropolitan race.
“She is very consistent this time in, has strengthened up and is a mare in form,” he said.
“Last start she finished second behind Private Eye who came out and won in town today, so the form is franked there.
“I’d say she’ll head to town, but the team will take her back and tick her over and see where we got next.”
Kunde said he wasn’t concerned when Mollycoddle was well back in the field.
“She was always travelling. He cut the corner and it worked out good and she powered through the line.
“She’s been in a purple patch of form and it was a great ride today.”
Mollycoddle scored a length and a half win over the Waterhouse/Bott trained Tastebud ($12), with Duchess Marizza ($6.50) from the Maher/Eustace stable, third.
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Short-priced favourite Solar Apex didn’t disappoint in the JIM BEAM MAIDEN over 1600m, bringing up his debut win in impressive style.
The well-bred Deep Impact colt was having his fourth start, having been placed twice on Metropolitan tracks and once on the Provincial circuit.
Jockey Lee Magorrian came from behind on the turn and was able to get a split on straightening, with the three-year-old speeding away to win by almost a length.
Clare Hewson, representing trainer Chris Waller, said it was a good win.
“It looked a bit precarious once they jumped because he got shuffled back and looked like he was going to land in an awkward spot,” Hewson said.
“But the horse responded to Lee’s riding and pushed forward to be in a good position.
“He was able to whip around the two leaders on the turn to be in the clear. That’s a good thing about Wyong, they can fan across and get out in the straight.
“He was lucky the split came, and it was good riding by Lee to drive the horse through.”
A $300,000 yearling, Solar Apex ($2.60) was having his fifth career start.
He beat the John Thompson trained Speedzone ($7), with Jauhera ($5.50) from the Ryan/Alexiou stable, third.
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A convincing win by the Paul Perry trained Skylab ($8.50) to take out the COMMAND BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION PTY LTD CG&E BENCHMARK 64.
The Real Impact gelding was resuming from a spell, after breaking his maiden and being placed twice in four runs in his first preparation.
Shaun Guymer settled the three-year-old toward the rear in the early stages, before rounding the field at the 600m mark and hitting the front on straightening.
He drew away in the final stages to win by two lengths, handling the heavy nine conditions.
Skylab, a $48,000 yearling, looks to be developing into a promising stayer, having recorded a Newcastle win over 1875m at the end of his last preparation.
He beat Jason Coyle’s race favourite Chateaux Park ($3.50) at his latest outing, with American Salute ($12) trained by Matthew Smith, third.
Kim Waugh is enjoying a purple patch and is confident the run can continue on her home track this Saturday.
Waugh saddled up five winners in a nine-day period in late December and believes either Trajection or Knight can add to that tally in the $150,000 Sky Racing Provincial Series Final.
The pair are part of a strong field of 15, who will contest the final as part of Wyong’s eight race program.
Waugh’s runners are both in great form and shooting for three successive wins in the 1600m race.
Smart Missile mare Trajection qualified for the Series final, with a win in the Wyong heat over 1350m on November 26.
The four-year-old edged out Kristen Buchanan’s Margie Bee in a tight finish and then came from last on the turn to take out a Fillies & Mares Benchmark 72 on the Kensington track on December 17.
Knight found his path to the final via a victory in the Gosford heat over the mile on December 2, before tasting success over the same distance at Goulburn on December 18.
Waugh said it difficult to split the duo coming into Saturday’s final.
“They have both had really good preparations and have done really well since their last runs,” she said.
“They are just different sort of horses. Knight will be on pace and she’ll be off pace. “He normally leads or is in the first two or three, and she is normally in the back half and will be relying on a bit of luck from back there.”
Waugh said the distance should also be ideal for both.
“The mile will really suit Trajection. I always thought she would get over more ground and Knight will also be strong over the 1600m.”
Trajection, raced by Darby Syndications, has had 19 starts for seven wins and three placings, while Knight has had four wins and two placings from eight runs.
Waugh said it was exciting to have two runners in the series final.
“It’s great to have two runners, two very nice horses with a lot of potential.
“They are both lightly raced and it’s a big thrill to get them both into the final for the owners.
“Both have a strong chance to take it out.
“Things are going really well. We are having a great run and I’m just really happy with it. “
She’s All Class left no-one in doubt about her ability taking out the $200,000 MAGIC MILLIONS WYONG 2YO CLASSIC and giving trainer Chris Waller his first win in the feature race.
The I’m Invincible filly, a $200,000 Magic Millions graduate, put almost five lengths on her opposition in the straight in a dominant performance.
James McDonald stalked the leaders coming to the turn before hitting the lead on straightening and drawing away for an effortless win.
The victory was also McDonald’s first in the Wyong feature.
The winner carried the colours of last year’s Everest winner, Yes Yes Yes.
Her emphatic victory saw her tumble from $51 into $4.80 equal favouritism for the $2million Gold Coast Magic Millions Classic.
And she looks a real chance of emulating the success of previous Wyong 2YO Classic winners on the Gold Coast.
Dan Cobby, representing the Waller stable, described it as a pretty impressive win.
“We were pretty confident coming into today and she’s shown up,” Cobby said.
“Credit to Chris and the team, they have done a really good job with her. “She had other options to run over the last couple of weeks, but the team and owners have been really patient with her and proved they made the right decision with her today. “
Cobby said She’s All Class had raced well on debut in the Victory Vein at Randwick in October.
“She showed really good speed that day and finished third.
“Today she was in a perfect position and they went very hard in front.
“She’ll join Shaquero and a couple of others heading north. We are looking forward to the Gold Coast.”
James McDonald said Waller and his team had done a marvellous job with She’s All Class.
“She’s a hypo little filly. Chris tinkered with a few things and she really impressed me in her trial.
“We always knew she had ability. She works like a pretty good horse at home and we brought her here today to see what she could do.
“She wasn’t all that comfortable around the track, but she got the job done.
” The six furlongs on the Gold Coast will be right up her alley.”
She’s All Class ($7) beat Victorian visitor Gleneagles ($4.80fav) from the Busuttin/Young stable, with the Waterhouse/Bott’s Swift Witness ($5), a long head behind in third.
The son of Fastnet Rock proved too strong for his opposition scoring an impressive victory and securing another trip to the Gold Coast in January.
It was another feature for Eleven Eleven’s already impressive resume, including the rich Magic Millions 3YO Guineas in January.
The $230,000 yearling, who has now amassed more than $1.4m in prizemoney, will head for the $1m MM Cup over 1400m.
The Wyong victory came courtesy of a cool ride by Latham, who was caught three-wide on the four-year-old for much of the 1200m trip, but he was able to quicken in the straight and run down the leaders to win by almost a length.
Hickman had intended to run Eleven Eleven at Randwick on Saturday but opted for the Wyong race, which proved to be a winning move.
“He’s been a bit up and down this preparation, but we pulled the right rein here and it worked out really well,” he said.
“Keagan gets on really well with this horse and he knows what he can do.
“He might have been a bit wide, but he gave him plenty of space to hit the line.
“He’s the type of horse that wants an uninterrupted run. Keagan knows this track and did a super job.”
Hickman said he will likely give Eleven Eleven one more run before heading to the Gold Coast.
“I’ll give him a start and see how he pulls up after that and then on to the Gold Coast.”
Latham said Eleven Eleven was right on target for another crack at one of the Magic Millions features in January.
“It was a good win today and nice to see him put his ability forward,” he said.
“He quickened really well today, and we are on the right course to go back to the Gold Coast.
“He’s a nice big animal and has a good bunch of guys who support him, so hopefully he can do the magic again up there.”
Latham has partnered Eleven Eleven in each of his five career starts.
Eleven Eleven ($6.50) beat Yao Dash ($3.90) from the Waterhouse/Bott stable, with Gary Portelli’s $3 favourite Spaceboy, third.
ELEVEN ELEVEN TAKING OUT THE $100,000 MAGIC MILLIONS 3YO & 4YO STAKES
Jones partnered the Richard Litt trained Wander ($4.40) to victory, the sixth win for the well-bred six-year-old.
Litt was full of praise for the ride by Jones.
“Credit to Reece he rode him really well and it paid off,” he said.
“The horse has a big finish in him but the last few runs he’s just had no luck.
“The other day at Warwick Farm he was caught on the fence. He was happy to be wide today and make the swooping run.”
Litt said Wander had been a great addition since joining his stable two years ago.
“He cost a bit of money early and has been very consistent, a great old campaigner.
“There’s nothing wrong with those Godolphin horses. They’ve been holding up my stable for years.”
Jones, who is leading the NSW Apprentices Premiership, said the step back in class had helped Wander.
“He hasn’t been too far way in his previous runs and made it look easy today. “There was good pace in the race, and I was able to flop him out and have him where he was comfortable.”
Wander ($4.40), beat the Denim Wynen trained Dual Escape ($26) by more than a length, with the locally trained Mosht Up ($8.5) from the Stephen Schofield stable, third.
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A dominant victory to the Gary Portelli trained Amoretti, who appreciated the step up in distance and sting out of the ground, to take out the 1600m MAINSTREAM TAXATION & ACCOUNTANCY SERVICES CLASS 1.
Louise Day gave the four-year-old a great ride just behind the leaders, circling the field on the turn and drawing away to win by almost four lengths.
The Verrazano gelding, a $90,000 yearling, was fourth at Wyong at his last start on November 26, having broken his maiden at Newcastle over 1200m in May.
Portelli said it was great to see Amoretti finish off the race so strongly.
“It was good to watch. His first time over the mile and with blinkers on and Louise got him into a really good spot,” he said.
“He looked good going through the line.
“He has a pedigree that suggests he’s more of a speedster but the way he went through the line he might get further.
“This horse has been quite promising for a long time. He had a lot of shin soreness early, but he kept improving.
“I know today wasn’t the strongest race in the world, but I like the way he did it. If he can get further, it opens up a lot of doors.”
Amoretti ($2.70) beat Butch’N’Bugs ($11) from the Peter Green stable, with Dance Too Hard ($8), trained by Marc Connors, third.
The Jason Coyle trained four-year-old has been racing consistently but was unable to break through for a win until start nine.
He was coming off a third at Canberra when resuming and Coyle expected the 1350m Wyong trip would suit.
Jason Collett had to cross from the widest barrier and was able to settle the four-year-old midfield, before drawing level with the favourite on the turn.
The pair battled it out in the straight, with Chateaux Park ($6.50) going to the line a length ahead of Jesse James ($1.80fav).
“I’m really happy with the horse. I’ve had a bit of time for him for a while now and he will take plenty out of that win,” Coyle said.
“Jason had to overcome a wide barrier and it was a good, strong win.
“I would think he will get further on the back of that sustained run today. The form around the favourite has been okay, so hopefully he goes on with it.
“I probably raced him a few extra times than I should of as a young horse, but hopefully that racing holds him in good stead moving forward.”
The Godolphin trained Jana ($3.80) was third, four lengths behind the winner.
Damien Lane hasn’t had a runner in the Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic but will have a two-pronged attack come Wednesday.
The Lane duo of Snowdrop and Impact Star line up in a classy field of 14 two-year-old’s, including Astrologer from the Snowden stable, who was third in the Group 3 Breeders Plate at his only start.
And while Lane isn’t under any illusions about the quality of the field, he’s more than happy with his pair.
“It’s been a long-range plan to get them both into this race and thankfully it’s paid off,” Lane said.
“We only brought two horses at the Magic Millions last year and to have them both in this race is great.
“They both galloped between races at Wyong last Thursday and I couldn’t be happier with them.
“I wouldn’t swap them for anything else that’s for sure.
“If one of them can win or place, we will head to the Gold Coast and that would be exciting.”
Lane said it was difficult to split the two horses, both having placed second on debut.
Snowdrop was second to Sliders in the Max Lees Classic at Newcastle on November 14, with the winner a runner-up at Rosehill at her next start.
Lane said the Capitalist filly was “unlucky” with jockey Jason Collett dropping his whip in the final stages.
“Jason believes she would have challenged the winner,” Lane said. “She went really good that day and had only had one soft trial leading into it.
“She had a week in the paddock after that race and is ready for a good first up run.
“She’s a very speedy filly and will probably lead from the soft draw. Rachel (King) rode her in the gallop the other day and was very happy with her and she’ll ride her on Wednesday.”
Lane said Impact Star also had a hard-luck story at his first start when he was narrowly beaten at Canberra over 1000m.
“Digger (McLellan) said he shied at the winning post and probably should have won.
“It was very unexpected of him to do that because he’s a very casual sort of horse.
“He’s a great natured, really big, strong horse and I think he will be better over the 1400m.
“He has got natural ability and with the good barrier should be able to put himself into the race.”
The Waterhouse/Bott stable will be chasing a hat trick with unraced Star Witness filly Swift Witness, the first starter and early favourite coming off two eye catching trials.
The Busuttin/Young stable will have to rely on scratching’s to have their first runner in the lucrative race, with Randwick trial winner Gleneagles first emergency.
A field of nine will start in the $100,000 Magic Millions 3YO & 4YO Classic, with Barbaric from the Snowden stable, the early favourite.
Race 2 – 2.55pm: MAINSTREAM FINANCE SERVICES PTY LTD 4YO & UP MAIDEN (1350m): 1JANA, 2 Jesse James, 3 Chateaux Park, 4 Candy Pants.
Race 3 – 3.30pm: MAGIC MILLIONS 3YO & 4YO STAKES (1200m): 1 BARBARIC, 2 YAO DASH, 3 SPACEBOY, 4 COUNT DE RUPEE.
Race 4 – 4.05pm: MAGIC MILLIONS 2021 GOLD COAST YEARLING SALE 12-18 JANUARY BENCHMARK 64 (1100m): 1 ON HER WORD, 2 Upper East Side, 3 Sedona, 4 Testing Times.
Race 5 – 4.40pm: MAGIC MILLIONS 2YO CLASSIC (1100m): 1ASTROLOGER, 2 She’s All Class, 3 Snide, 4 Snowdrop.
The race carried double points in the Magic Millions Series, and with Buchanan already on two points from an earlier meeting, she scooped the pool taking out both the round and overall title.
She received flights, transfers and accommodation to the MM Sale of choice for being the leading Provincial trainer on the day and took home at $5000 MM Sales credit for winning the series.
“It’s just fabulous. I’m excited about the prize and I’m excited for Margie Bee. This win over the 1600m adds a whole new dimension to her going forward,” Buchanan said.
“It is so good for Magic Millions and the Wyong club to put on this series for Provincial trainers.
“It’s a fantastic prize and I got in at the last minute.”
Margie Bee qualified for the Sky Racing Summer Provincial Series with a second in the Wyong heat over 1350m on November 26.
Buchanan was unsure if the five-year-old would run out the 1600m, the distance of the final, to be run at Wyong on January 2.
“She’s very tough and she’s very smart and she knows her home track and where the finishing track is. I thought if the race was run that way, she was good chance.
“In previous preparations I would never have dreamt she would get to the mile. I have the Provincial Series to thank for pushing my hand.
“I thought we’d test her out over the 1600m, and it happened to be the MM double points race, so it all worked out.
“It was a beautiful, well-judged ride by Mikayla, she just gave her a cuddle in the run and that’s the key to her.”
Coming off the second at Wyong last start, Margie Bee earned good late support and was sent out at $3.40.
The five-year-old led throughout drawing away on the line to win by almost two lengths.
She beat the $3.30 favourite Shamani, from the Freedman stable, with Austreet ($31) trained by Jarrod Austin, third.
Buchanan said she would likely trial Margie Bee prior to the January 2 final.
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Stoltz looks to be a horse with a future after bringing up back to back Wyong wins.
The More Than Ready gelding broke his maiden at Wyong on November 26 and followed that up with a strong win in the 1200m FIRE & GENERAL CLASS 1.
The victory brought up a double for Tommy Berry, who has partnered the three-year-old in both his wins.
Berry led throughout on Stoltz ($5) and was dominant to the line, recording a length win.
Up and coming trainer Annabel Neasham has a good opinion of Stoltz, a $200,000 Magic Millions yearling.
“I was really impressed with the win today,” she said.
“Prior to the race I thought it mapped like there was going to be too much speed for him to get in a forward spot, but he rocketed out of the gates.
“Tommy just used his initiative and got to the rails, he got a few cheap sectionals mid-race and then kicked away and was too good.
“That’s why you put people like Tommy on because when things don’t map like you think, they can still put them in the right spot.”
Neasham said Stoltz will now head to a midweek Metropolitan race.
“I’ll see how he comes through. I’d like to find a race for him at the Magic Millions, but he’ll go to a mid-week from here.”
Stoltz beat the $2.80 race favourite Yangarra Rose from the Snowden stable, with Bravio ($15) trained by Mark Minnervini successfully protesting for third.
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Speedy mare Miss Dior ($3.40) put together her third consecutive win taking out the 1000m SYSCON BENCHMARK 64.
Trained by Peter and Paul Snowden and ridden by Adrian Layt, the mare has greeted the judge at all three starts since a freshen up in September.
She posted a Wyong victory on November 7, followed up with a Kembla win on November 28, completing the treble with her second Wyong win.
Layt, who has partnered Miss Dior in all three wins, settled her just behind the leader before hitting the front in the straight and drawing away to win by a long neck.
She beat the $2.90 race favourite Able Hill, trained by Bjorn Baker, with Star Harada ($21) from the Wendy Roache stable, more than two lengths behind in third.
Snowden’s racing manager Colum McCullagh said Miss Dior had been a work in progress.
“Peter and Paul always knew she had ability, but it’s taken her a while to put things together.
“She has really turned the corner now and hopefully she can go on with it.”
A four-year-old by Brazen Beau, Miss Dior has now put together three wins from just six starts.
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Irish bred Harpo Marx brought up his first Australian win with a dominant staying performance in the 2100m INTERNATIONAL POLES CLASS 1 & MAIDEN.
The five-year-old was given a patient ride by Rachel King, before drawing away in the straight.
It was his first victory for trainer Bjorn Baker, his other win recorded at Tipperary, Ireland in June 2019.
He went on to be placed sixth in a Group 2 at Ascot and was subsequently seventh in a Group 1 before coming to Australia.
He has been in consistent form since joining the Baker stable and was coming off a second at Canterbury on November 27.
He was sent out $1.16 favourite and beat Bulwark ($20) trained by Robert and Luke Price by three and a half lengths, with Zoomerango ($31) from the Perry stable third.
The son of Galileo looks set to win more races on the back of his impressive victory.
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A thrilling finish to the SICAME AUSTRALIA MAIDEN between the two favourites before Resilient Star grabbed victory on the line.
The More Than Ready gelding, was having his fourth start, with a previous second at Gosford and a fourth at Warwick Farm.
The Freedman trained three-year-old was ridden by Tommy Berry, who continued a great run at Wyong, after posting four winners at the previous meeting.
Berry settled Resilient Star ($2.90) toward the rear of the small field in the 1350m race, winding him up on the turn.
He drew level with Saint Of Katowice ($2.80fav) halfway down the straight but ran out twice before Berry was able to straighten him just before the line.
“I thought he’d got beat,” a relieved Richard Freedman said after the race.
“It’s a tricky angle but he got in by the skin of his teeth.
“He is just about at the end of his preparation. I’ll speak to Michael (Freedman) and I’d say he will most probably spell.
“He’s running about and has got a few things to learn but he’s knocked off his maiden now.”
Freedman said the Vinery bred Resilient Star has a lot of growing to do and will be a better horse as he gets older.
Just A Jedi ($12) from the Ryan/Alexiou stable, was almost two lengths behind in third.
The Excelebration gelding, having only his second start for the Doyle stable, was ridden by Koby Jennings.
He settled the four-year-old toward the rear in the early stages, bringing him to the rails on straightening.
He was able to hold out Mark Newnham’s fast finishing Prince Six ($11) and Desert Flame ($7) from the Payne stable, to win by half a length.
“I think he’s a progressive horse and it’s good to see him win today,” Doyle said.
“He will improve over the staying trips and was second up over the mile today.
“I always thought he was a blinkers horse and he pulled up at the line today.
“He definitely needs them. He should have won a bit more comfortably but just wanted to stop when he got in front.
“I think he will run at least 2000m, perhaps a bit further if he relaxes well.
“He’s shown us at home that he seems to want a trip, but we’ll step him up slowly and let him tell us.”
Doyle said Teronito was their first winner for owner Superhorse.
“We’ve had about four runners for them, and he is our first win,” Doyle said.
Teronito had previously been trained by Gwenda Markwell, where he was placed twice at Kembla Grange.
He was second at Muswellbrook in his first start for the Doyle stable, over 1280m on November 27, and went one better at Wyong.
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Mark Newnham’s consistent four-year-old That’s Better broke through for a well- deserved win in the 1000m LAWRENCE & HANSON MAIDEN.
Despite running wide on the turn, Josh Parr was able to take hold of the Exceed and Excel gelding, who went to the line more than two lengths ahead of his rivals.
That’s Better ($3.40) led from barrier to post and beat the John Thompson trained Pacific Ocean ($7.50), with French Bonnet ($3.50) from the Waugh stable, storming home to finish third.
French Bonnet had a hard luck tale after losing considerable ground mid-race when she brushed the rial and put in an eye-catching finish.
The winner, a $300,000 Inglis yearling, was having his fifth race start, having been narrowly beaten at Wyong over the same distance on November 18.
He had previously posted two seconds and a third from four starts, the three placings all on provincial tracks.
Bred and raced by Domeland, That’s Better could be headed for bigger things, on the strength of the win in strong maiden company.
Brett Partelle is banking on a change of luck for his two runners at Thursday’s SYSCON Race Day.
He saddles up Aytobe and new stable addition Head Spins and considers the consistent Aytobe, who lines up in the 1600m Benchmark 64 as his best chance.
“We could really do with a bit of luck and hopefully that will come at Wyong,” he said.
“The horses have been racing well but without any luck and that gets pretty frustrating.”
Bullet Train gelding Aytobe has been placed third at his three starts this preparation, his latest outing over the 1350m at Wyong on November 26.
Partelle expects him to appreciate a step up in distance and be very competitive if he can run out the 1600m.
“He’s definitely got a good chance on exposed form, but it will depend if he can run the mile,” he said.
“He’s given every indication that he can and Rachel (King), who rode him last start, thinks he should.
“We’ve given him a traditional campaign, stepping him up from the 1000m to 1350m in his three starts.
“He’s had the grounding to run the solid mile.”
Partelle said the five-year-old had not been getting beat far among some strong competition.
“There’s been some good form around him. He was beaten by Mo’s Crown at Newcastle last preparation and he’s franked that form.
“He’s been sparingly raced and taken a long time to mature.
“He’s racing well, has won one and run eight placings and I’m looking forward to seeing how he can go over the mile.”
Head Spins, a newcomer to the stable, starts in the 1000m Benchmark 64.
The lightly raced five-year-old is coming off two trials, the latest at Gosford on November 25.
“He trialled well first up and was still quite burly and took further improvement for his next trial,” Partelle said.
“I reckon this race will bring him to his peak.
“We are having a look at him and whatever he does I’m looking forward to moving on with him through the campaign.
“He should run quite nice.
“He has won first up but, in a lot, lesser grade but he’s a happy horse and when you get them happy, they tend to try harder.”
The meeting sees the final round of the Magic Millions Wyong Provincial Trainers Series and Partelle could swoop in for a last-minute victory if both his runners were to greet the judge.
He is one of 19 Provincial trainers with runners across the seven races.
The series has been run over three meetings, with Provincial trainers allocated points for winning or placing in individual races, with a double points bonus race each meeting.
The winner at each meeting receives flights, transfers and accommodation to the Magic Millions Sale of their choice, and the overall winner, decided on Thursday, also bags a $5000 MM Sales credit.
Race 6, the Benchmark 64 over 1600m, will carry double points.
The first race gets underway at 1.35pm.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 1.35pm: SICAME AUSTRALIA MAIDEN PLATE (1350m): 1 BIG LION, 2 Saint Of Katowice, 3 Resilient Star, 4 Just A Jedi.
Race 2 – 2.10pm: LAWRENCE & HANSON MAIDEN PLATE (1000m): 1 THAT’S BETTER, 2 Pacific Ocean, 3 Perlant, 4 French Bonnet.
Race 3 – 2.45pm: THE ENERGY NETWORKS METRO & PROV MAIDEN PLATE (1600m): 1 TERONITO, 2 The Fringe, 3 Prince Six, 4 Chenin Blanc.
Race 4 – 3.20pm: INTERNATIONAL POLES CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (2100m): 1 HARPO MARX, 2 Kippax, 3 Persian Front, 4 Every Effort.
Race 5 – 3.55 pm: FIRE & GENERAL CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1200m): 1 NELSPRUIT, 2 Stoltz, 3 Bravio, 4 Yangarra Rose.
Robert and Luke Price have a three-pronged attack in Thursday’s second heat of the Sky Racing Summer Provincial Series.
The father and son duo already have Accoy headed to the January 2 final at Wyong following her narrow defeat in the series opener at Hawkesbury on November 19.
The stable saddles up last start winner Against The Tide, El Magnificence and Mohican, and consider Against The Tide the best of the three.
“We usually have a little bit of luck when we come to Wyong, so let’s hope it’s our day on Thursday,” Luke Price said.
“We are really happy with Against The Tide. He’s the best chance of our three.
“He won here (Nowra) the other day and Keagan Latham is sticking with him, plus he has good form around that distance.”
Price said the five-year-old Dane Shadow gelding had taken time to hit form.
“He’s always shown us that he has ability, but he can just do things wrong.
“He comes into this in good form, looks sensational and it’s a nice race for him.”
Price said it was ideal with the final being run at Wyong, the horses will have had a hit out on the track.
“It’s good to know the final is there and he will have had a go around the tighter track.
“I don’t think it will be a problem for him. He’ll put himself on the speed and as long as he’s on the speed and rolling at a nice tempo, he’ll be hard to beat.”
Price expects seven-year-old Mohican could put in a good performance first up.
“He got beat in a photo finish first up last preparation over the 1350m at Wyong.
“He went to the paddock in really good form and even though he’s first up he’ll run a cheeky race.”
The Authorized gelding will be ridden by Brock Ryan.
Magnus six-year-old El Magnificence has drawn wide in 12 and Price is uncertain if he will start.
“I might have to save him for another day but I’m undecided at this stage.
“It’s his first time out over this trip in a while, he’s only ever had one start at it.
“He’s had a bit of a gear change and is pretty speedy so could easily lead them.”
The Price’s also saddle up Stays On Tour in the 1100m 4YO and Up Maiden.
The four-year-old is having only his second race start and Price is hoping for an improved showing.
“His trials were super going into his first up run, but he just raced terrible.
“Brock rides him and he knows him really well. We’ll be more positive with him out the gates.
“He’s a horse who’s taken his time. He’s shown us enough at home but needs to take it to the track.”
Race 2 – 2pm: VALE JOHN MCDERMOTT CHAMPION CALLER AND CHAMPION BLOKE MAIDEN HANDICAP (1350m): 1 BIG LION, 2 Chateaux Park, 3 Black Sage, 4 Dizzy Dawn.
Race 3 – 2.35pm: WYONG EQUINE CLINIC 4YO & UP MAIDEN PLATE (1600m): 1 SUPER WALLY, 2 Aunty, 3 Yes No Maybe So, 4 Mister Ripley.
Race 4 – 3.10pm: WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETING THURSDAY DECEMBER 10 MAIDEN PLATE (1000m): 1 STOLTZ, 2 Arctic Rover, 3 Zouly, 4 Pacific Ocean.
Race 5 – 3.50pm: NO EXCUSE FOR ABUSE – DOMESTIC & FAMILY VIOLENCE AWARENESS WEEK CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1350m): 1 EDMOND, 2 Mollycoddle, 3 Titanium Power, 4 Shadow Chaser.
Race 6 – 4.30pm: SKY RACING SUMMER PROVINCIAL SERIES – HEAT 2 – CLASS 5 PLATE (1350m): 1 AGAINST THE TIDE, 2 Great Danger, 3 Trajection, 4 Sapphires Son.
Race 7 – 5.10pm: WYONG EQUINE CLINIC 4YO & UP BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1600m): 1 BUBA, 2 My Desire, 3 Fill Of Fun, 4 All Things.
A great end to the second day of the Magic Millions Wyong Provincial Trainers Series with Stephen Schofield and Kristen Buchanan both winners.
Magic Millions generously donated a second prize pack of airfares, transfers and accommodation to the MM sale of choice, when the trainers finished on equal points after the meeting.
The final leg of the series will be on MM Day, December 16, with the overall winner receiving a $5000 credit to spend at the sales.
It was a super day of racing, with some impressive maiden winners including Can Do It and Beiber, who look likely to take the next step.
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Well-bred Godolphin filly Reverse opened her winning account taking out the 1000m BOOK YOUR CHRISTMAS PARTY AT WYONG RACE CLUB MAIDEN.
The Exceed and Excel three-year-old was resuming from a spell, having debuted at Kembla in May.
Two good trials heading into the race had her primed for a strong first up performance and she didn’t disappoint.
Jason Collett settled Reverse just behind the leaders, bringing her to the outside in the straight.
She was able to run down her rivals in the final stages, finishing strongly to record a half-length win.
Stable representative Josh Whittaker said the filly had matured a bit courtesy of the trials.
“She got some nice easy trials under her belt coming into this and that has helped her mature and get the job done today,” he said.
“She jumped well, not like her first start, and that was a big help. She’s a lovely bred filly and should go on with it.”
Reverse started $4.40 favourite after Kristen Buchanan’s first starter, Eyewitness was scratched at the barrier.
She beat the Mark Newnham trained That’s Better ($4.60), with Gallant Run ($5) from the Gary and John Moore stable, third.
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Goulburn visitor Can Do It made short work of his opposition to take out the DE BORTOLI WINES MAIDEN over 1600metres in impressive style.
The three-year-old, a $100,000 Magic Millions yearling, had superior form heading into the race, having been placed twice this preparation.
He was coming off a fourth at Randwick on November 4 over the 1400m.
Can Do It, a colt by American sire No Nay Never, appreciated the rise in distance and dominated the field, posting a four and a half length win.
Chad Lever had him in the gun position throughout outside the leader, before speeding past the tiring Aunty on the turn.
He sped away on straightening and was never in danger in the final stages.
Can Do It looks certain to make a return to mid-week Metropolitan grade on the back of the win.
Trained by Jean Dubois, Can Do It was sent out $1.75 favourite, and beat Aunty ($15) trained by Anthony Cummings, with Lincoln Park ($7) from the Perry yard, a half-length behind in third.
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The Waterhouse/Bott trained Belieber ($1.30fav) lived up to his trial form with a dominant maiden win over the 1100m.
Raced by the Tait family and sporting the colours made famous by champion Tie The Knot, Belieber cruised to the line three lengths ahead of his opposition in the TAB.COM.AU MAIDEN.
Tim Clark led throughout and had the rest of field off the bit and chasing a long way from home.
Neil Paine, representing the stable, said Gai and Adrian would be “rapt” with the win.
“It was a terrific win. Gai and Adrian think he is up to Sydney Saturday class and he showed he’s on track for that today,” he said.
“Let’s hope he can prove them right and go on with it.
“They like to send these horses up this way to learn their trade and get a win on the board. It gives them so much confidence.
“He hasn’t beat the greatest field, but it was the way he did it and the confidence he will take out of it.
“Once Tim released the brakes, he went away with it.”
Beiber, a Zoustar gelding, was having his third career start, having previously finished fourth at two Randwick starts.
He beat the Richard and Michael Freedman trained Screebe ($6.50), with Soldier’s Desire ($21) from the Widdup stable, third.
The Shooting To Win mare, a $150,000 MM yearling, was given a ten out of ten ride by Dolan, and was able to run over her opposition in the final stages to win by more than a length.
Raced by Triple Crown Syndications, Miss Sure Shot is becoming a Wyong specialist with both her wins recorded on the track.
The four-year-old mare brought up her maiden win in December 2019 and was coming off two Randwick trials prior to her latest outing.
She was well supported starting at $3.80 and beat the locally trained Mosht Up ($13) from the Schofield stable, with Designer Maid ($16) trained by Blake Fitzpatrick, third.
Miss Sure Shot has now had two wins and two placings from nine starts.
The four-year-old led from barriers to post, defying plenty of mid-race pressure to score her fourth win from 12 starts, with Jeff Penza in the saddle.
Trainer Jan Bowen bred the Epaulette mare and races her, making the win even more special.
“Jeff rode her perfect today,” she said.
“There was plenty of pressure around the turn, but Jeff knows her and that paid off.
“She always shows plenty of speed and went really good today.”
It was Penza’s second winning ride on the mare, the pair having tasted success at Muswellbrook on August 4.
Eminette was coming off a last start fourth at Muswellbrook over the 900m on November 3.
She earned late support in the betting at Wyong and was sent out $5.
Eminette beat the Ron Quinton trained Hibiscus Lady ($3.80), with the locally trained Upper East Side ($19) from the Buchanan stable, a length behind in third.
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Big Bad Bruce broke through for his third career win, taking out the
The Not A Single Doubt gelding, trained by Joe Pride, is headed for metropolitan grade on the back of the win.
Sam Clipperton gave the five-year-old a super ride, weaving a passage in the straight before bursting clear in the final stages to win by more than two lengths over the 1200m.
“It was soft in the end and that’s the way they need to be if they are going to progress to the next stage,” Pride said.
“We wanted to take him back to metro grade this time around and will be heading that way now.
“It was a nice ride by Sam, giving him a cosy run just behind the speed and that won him the race.”
It was the second win for Triple Crown Syndications on the day, with Miss Sure Shot having taken out an earlier race.
Big Bad Bruce ($3.10) beat the $2.70 race favourite Wild Chap, with Thiswilldous ($12) trained by Damien Lane, third.
Kristen Buchanan is excited about the prospects of her three-year-old Eyewitness who debuts at this Wednesday’s Wyong meeting.
The Star Witness filly has been impressive in her three trials and Buchanan is keen to see how she can perform under race conditions.
“She’s a very nice filly and it’s great to finally be going to the races with her,” she said.
“She is still very immature but in my eyes she has a lot of ability.
“If she wins, I’ll probably tip her out. I think she has plenty of upside and I want to be patient with her.
“She is lightly framed and all legs, so she’s got plenty of growing still to come.”
Eyewitness had two nice trials in the winter before being spelled and resumed with a winning trial at Gosford on November 4.
“Her trials have been good but it’s different on race day in a more pressured situation,” Buchanan said.
“Her owners, who are new clients to the stable bred her, and are very excited to be going to the races for the first time.
“I’m confident she will race well for them.”
Eyewitness has drawn favourably in barrier two in the 1000m Maiden and will be ridden by Koby Jennings.
He also partners Buchanan’s other runners on the day, Upper East Side and Margie Bee.
Upper East Side resumes in the 1000m BM68 following a nice trial win at Gosford on November 4.
The Manhattan Rain four-year-old has clocked up five wins from his 18 starts, and Buchanan is hoping to add to that tally come Wednesday.
“This is a nice starting point for him,” she said.
“He’s been a tricky horse. He’s won five races, but he should have won a lot more.
“He’s matured a lot and this time around he will get the 1200m a bit more comfortably.
“Hopefully there will be enough speed in this race and that should stop him doing anything wrong.”
Buchanan is confident the addition of a Norton bit will help Margie Bee, who starts in the 1200m BM64.
“She won first up at Wyong but sometimes that’s not such a good thing.
“I think she is a genuine Benchmark 65 horse, so she has a win goes up in grade, carries weight, then we keep racing her in town to drop her benchmark back down and she wins again.
“That’s reality for her, she’s not a superstar but she will continue to win races on her terms.
“She’s been a little bit fierce in her racing, so the Norton has gone on in this race.
“I’m a bit tired of her going as hard as she can for as long as she can and then tiring.
“I’m hoping it will make a difference to her racing pattern. She will still be up there but just that notch off.”
The first of seven races, on day two of the Magic Millions Wyong Provincial Trainers Series, gets underway at 2pm.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 2pm: BOOK YOUR CHRISTMAS PARTY AT WYONG RACE CLUB MAIDEN (1000m): 1 THAT’S BETTER, 2 Screebe, 3 Eyewitness, 4 Urban Warrioir.
Race 2 – 2.35pm: DE BORTOLI WINES MAIDEN (1600m): 1 DUNLEE, 2 Can Do It, 3 Lincoln Park, 4 Somova.
