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The State’s leading jockey Aaron Bullock put on a master class at Wyong’s Winter Race Day combining with Mark Minervini to take out the 1350m BM64 on Star Impact and Fire And Ice in the 1100m BM68. 

The pair have become a formidable combination in recent months, with Bullock riding five winners and four placings for the Minervini stable from just 10 starters. 

His Wyong double took his tally for the season to 148, with James McDonald second on 110.

Minervini is also enjoying his best season in recent years with 21 winners to date, five of those in the past four days. 

He was thrilled with the Wyong double and full of praise for Bullock. 

“You always go to these meetings with plenty of hope, but it doesn’t often happen, so to train a double was great. We are still pinching ourselves to be honest,” he said. 

“It’s great to have Aaron on board. He’s riding with so much confidence at the moment and is very focused. He rode my first winner for me when we came over from Adelaide.

“I’ve given him a few rides recently and we’ve just gelled together, so I hope it keeps going.

“It’s taken us a while to get established since moving to Newcastle. It’s a big job and if I’d realised how long I would have taken I probably wouldn’t have done it. We’re over the moon now and hopefully the future is only going to get better.”

Young guns Tyler Schiller, Dylan Gibbons and Jett Stanley weren’t to be denied, assisting their respective mounts to victory. 

Comeback jockey Adam Hyeronimus couldn’t hide his delight, returning to scale after booting home Notabadone for Jim and Greg Lee. 

Hyeronimus was sidelined for two years and four months by stewards for betting offences, returned to the saddle on May 26 and has already ridden a winner. He was having his first ride back at Wyong and his only ride for the day. 

Hyeronimus, was keen to partner Notabadone, the $2.10 favourite narrowly beaten at his last start at Nowra on May 21. 

The Group 1 winning jockey, who spent much of his time while suspended working as a tree lopper, said he had expected the slower tempo in the 1350m 4YO & Up Maiden would suit Notabadone.

Gibbons combined with his boss Kris Lees to take out the 1100m Provincial Maiden with three-year-old Orlabent. The short-priced favourite didn’t disappoint winning by more than two lengths and looks headed for bigger things. The victory took Gibbons to 90.5 in the Apprentice’s Premiership, giving him a narrow 1.5 lead over Tyler Schiller.

A patient ride by Schiller in the 1600m Maiden resulted in a significant form reversal by Doutelle. Matthew Smith’s Olympic Glory three-year-old was beaten more than 10 lengths at his last start at Kembla but was able to turn that around, courtesy of Schiller, in the 1600m Maiden. 

Stanley continued a great run since moving north riding the Maher Eustace trained Windshadow home in the 1350m CG&E BM64. After being purchased as a $900,00 Magic Millions yearling, the four-year-old was on sold to the current owner Maree Anderson for just $22,500, his Wyong win taking his prizemoney to date to almost $70,000. 

John Thompson had planned to send his well-bred filly California Grass north for the Group 1 Queensland Oaks but she came up as fourth emergency he opted for the Wyong race. 

And she didn’t disappoint, putting more than four lengths on her rivals in the 2100m Class 1 and Maiden, with Keagan Latham in the saddle. The Al Maher three-year-old was coming off a last start Newcastle win over 2300m and looks destined to go on to bigger things. 

Well-bred Written Tycoon colt Mafia will likely head back to Metropolitan grade on the strength of his debut win in the 1000m Maiden. Snowden’s $850,000 colt was resuming from a spell and the win never looked in doubt. Stable representative Colm McCullagh said Mafia had always shown plenty of ability but had taken plenty of time to mature. Chad Schofield was the winning rider. 

*Pics Steve Hart Photographics*

THE “girls” had it all to themselves!

Four Wyong trainers – all of them women – had a blowout at their Wyong Roos Foundation race day at home, winning five of the eight races.

And Kim Waugh, who prepared two of them, forecast a big future for one of her winners, the two-year-old debutant Super News.

At $15, the Your Song youngster (pictured) was super indeed, landing the Coca Cola Europacific Partners and Hospitality Supplies Express 2YO Maiden Plate (1100m).

Despite never seeing the inside rail, Super News stormed to the line to overpower another first starter, the $4.20 favorite Absolute Power.

“I tossed up whether to run him because he drew the carpark,” Waugh said.

“I’ve got a very big opinion of him, but he’s so green and mentally immature.

“I think he is going to be a very good horse.

“He was four deep the whole way, and it was such a good effort.

“Once he got balanced, that’s when he put his foot down and said: ‘See you’.”

Jay Ford rode Super News and also Waugh’s earlier winner Always In ($3.70), who was a shade too strong for runner-up Jo Jo Sun ($6) in the opening event, the Accolade Wines Provincial 3YO Maiden Handicap (1300m).

A three-year-old by Olympic Glory, she was having only her third start, and first since December.

“She is a lovely filly, who was chasing all the way at her first preparation,” Waugh said.

“Now she is learning how to race,” Waugh said.

“I thought she was a bit too far back, so she did a good job.”’

Waugh also was pleased with stablemate Doraskaya, who like Always In, got out of her ground and finished solidly along the inside to just miss third placing.

Along with the Waugh double, fellow Wyong trainers Nikki Hodgson, Kristen Buchanan and Sara Ryan also were successful.

Hodgson scored with Skybeam ($31), Buchanan with Oakfield Waratah ($14), and Ryan with heavily-backed odds-on favorite Chief Conductor ($1.85).

Skybeam, a four-year-old son of Reliable Man, began his career in Victoria and then had three unplaced starts in country NSW before joining Hodgson’s stable.

He ran third first-up over 1350m on his home track a fortnight ago, and stayed at that distance in the Austbrokers and Bishop Collins Maiden Plate on the recommendation of his rider Grant Buckley.

“He still does a bit wrong, so rather than step him up in distance, we decided to keep him at 1350m and he relaxed lovely today,” Hodgson said.

Hodgson could not have wished for a better start to her training career. She has had only 10 starters and won four races; the first being Boho Chick at Port Macquarie on New Year’s Day.

Favorite Little Cointreau ($2.20) was momentarily held up on straightening before getting his chance, but Skybeam surged near the post when he saw the other horse on his inside.

Buchanan produced Oakfield Waratah to post his second win when first-up in the Arcade Trader & Central Coast Kids In Need Benchmark 64 Handicap (1350m), upsetting $2.35 favorite Rocstar Boy.

The lightly-raced Dissident four-year-old, raced by long-time client Bruce Mackenzie, shared the lead with fellow Wyong representative Budhwar, then gained a break in the straight and held out the favorite.

Oakfield Waratah at his fourth start had won his maiden back in November, also at the same track and over the same distance.

Winning rider Koby Jennings said it was good to see the gelding’s progression, and that he still wasn’t sure how to use his legs properly to gallop.

Sara Ryan has done a terrific job with the beautifully-bred Chief Conductor (I Am Invincible from the eight times winner Snitzerland, who took the 2014 Group 1 Lightning Stakes at Flemington).

The four-year-old gelding, a $600,000 Easter yearling purchase in 2020, has had several trainers and is really hitting his straps in her care. 

He has raced four times for Ryan, never been out of a placing and has now won two on end.

Ryan has 22 horses in racing trim, and rides Chief Conductor in his work.

She said before the race that he had not gone backwards since scoring at Hawkesbury on April 13, and that was confirmed when he carried 59.5kg after Jett Stanley’s 2kg claim to land the Wyong Roos Foundation Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m).

Chief Conductor had to work early after an awkward beginning, then fellow Wyong representative, Rod Bailey’s Mr Bingo ($18), gave him no peace in front.

All credit to the winner, but Mr Bingo was excellent also in trying so hard to finish second.

The remaining three races were won by Team Hawkes with first starter Consenza ($3.60 joint favorite), John O’Shea with Aunt Roberta ($9.50), and Anthony Cummings took the closer with $3 favorite Reginald.

Racing NSW stewards have adjourned an inquiry into Salaasel ($3.60 co-favorite) being severely checked near the 200m in Consenza’s race.

She had to be eased out of the race and finished 10^th, 12 lengths from the winner.

Pierro filly Aunt Roberta made it two in a row at Wyong, producing another tough staying performance to wear down $2.90 co-favorite The Englishman in the Harvey Norman Commercial & Central Coast Volunteer Rescue Association Class 1/Maiden Plate (2100m).

Stewards also reported that both Gold Witness and Restrictions bled from both nostrils in their respective races, incurring a mandatory three months’ ban from racing.

FIVE favourites and two second favourites greeted the judge on the eight-race Wyong card. Little wonder punters couldn’t hide their smiles and were quickly searching for the date of the next Wyong meeting (Thursday, May 11) as they left the track. Even the day’s longest priced winner Cappelletti at $7 had his admirers, so it was a blackout for bookmakers. Senior jockey Sam Clipperton and star apprentice Zac Lloyd rode doubles. Clipperton scored on favourites Silent Raindrops and Queenmaker (pictured), whilst Lloyd also did the right thing by favourite backers, getting home on Ruby Flyer and Shipshape.  Jockeys Jason Collett and Keagan Latham were both charged with careless riding by Racing NSW stewards in the sixth race, but escaped with reprimands.

RACE 1 – HMA GROUP MAIDEN HANDICAP, 1200m:

PUNTERS were on the ball when well-backed favorite SILENT RAINDROPS ($2.30) was successful – but weren’t on good terms with themselves when she conceded her five rivals a decent start before rounding them up. Trainer Joe Pride said he thought the Sebring three-year-old, a $280,000 yearling purchase in Melbourne two years ago, would have won before now, and was understandably glad to see her break through at her fifth start and third this campaign. “She has been a work in progress, but is a nice style of filly and that win should give her plenty of confidence to go on with it,” he added. SILENT RAINDROPS was the best backed runner, ousting Gustisisimo (who eased from a shade of odds-on to $2.90), and left the two-year-old with no excuses. Gustisisimo trailed the two leaders and took over on straightening, but was no match for the winner. Parmenio ($4.80) raced up on the speed, but weakened and finished a distant third. Winning rider Sam Clipperton said SILENT RAINDROPS broke cleanly but took a while to get into her rhythm, hence why she settled a clear last in the small field.

RACE 2 – HMA INSTRUMENTATION PROVINCIAL 4YO&UP MAIDEN PLATE, 1350m:

THE market suggested a two-horse race was in the offing, but it turned out to be a one-act affair for odds-on favorite RUBY FLYER ($1.85). The Hawkesbury four-year-old settled in an awkward spot on the inside back past midfield, but star apprentice Zac Lloyd produced a pearler of a ride, securing a decent split on straightening – and it was all over. RUBY FLYER bolted away to score by a widening five and a half lengths from his main rival Twentyeightdragons ($3.40). The victory had special significance for husband and wife training partners Jason Attard and Lucy Keegan-Attard, as the former prepared the gelding’s dam Kellyville Flyer, and also her brother Sons Of John (2015 Hawkesbury Gold Cup winner) when training in his own right. Locally-trained Skybeam($18) was third and should appreciate further ground.

RACE 3 – HMA POWER GENERATION MAIDEN PLATE, 2100m:

IN a tricky finish, another favourite was successful, but it was oh so close. Tyler Schiller picked up a late ride from Chad Schofield, who was ill, on AUNT ROBERTA ($3.20), who nabbed Four O’Clock Rock ($4.80) in virtually the last bound. The Pierro filly was having her seventh start and followed up recent placings at Hawkesbury and Wyong by breaking through after beginning awkwardly. Connections thought enough of AUNT ROBERTA to start her in a Group 3 over 2000m at Caulfield last spring, and she should be able to measure up in better company now that she has broken through. The runner-up didn’t jump brilliantly either, but the winner came from behind him. Bonaventure ($5.50) had his supporters and finished third after having every chance.Octahedron (sixth at $7) pulled up 1/5 lame in the off hindleg, and stewards told trainer David Payne a veterinary clearance will be required before the gelding can either trial or race again. 

RACE 4 – HMA MATERIALS HANDLING MAIDEN HANDICAP, 1600m:

TRAINER Bjorn Baker and jockey Brandon Lerena were pipped in the previous race, but not here. Lerena took any bad luck out of the equation on the well-named BOY LOVES TO RUN ($3.30), and he ran right up to his name. Lerena made the running on the three-year-old, and he never looked like losing at his 10^th start, scoring comfortably from Doutelle($31) and Vegas on Fire ($6). The South African expat afterwards said his mount travelled comfortably throughout, and felt he had further upside. “The owners have been very patient, so they deserved to finally get a result,” said stable spokesman Glenn Lobb. While beaten easily, there was plenty of merit in the performance of runner-up Doutelle, who came from last at the 400m. This was only his second start, so connections should have plenty to look forward to with him. BOY LOVES TO RUN was the second favorite, but favorite Theoneandonly ($2.80) was never a possibility in finishing fourth.

RACE 5 – HMA FLOW & INDUSTRIAL MIDWAY CLASS 1 HANDICAP, 1600m:

HAWKESBURY trainer Edward Cummings warmed up for a tilt at Saturday’s Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) in Adelaide with Arts by winning here with QUEENMAKER ($3 fav) – but he might not be the most popular with his trainer father Anthony. QUEENMAKER, a daughter of Tavistock, beat Cummings’ Snr’s horse Reginald ($4.40), and beat that horse decisively. Rider Sam Clipperton had QUEENMAKER away smartly and trailed front-runner Mayapple ($20) before taking over approaching the home turn. Her dominance was such that she had more than four lengths to spare at the post.  “She has been a bridesmaid a few more times than I would have liked,” Ed Cummings said, referring to his mare’s six second placings in her career. “The form around her has been good for a race like this. “Hopefully we can do the same in Adelaide on Saturday, but Arts won’t be ridden the same way as QUEENMAKER.” Clipperton felt his mount was going well enough to be competitive in a suitable Sydney race in the near future. Both Reginald and third placegetter Acceber ($4.80) found the line well enough even though they were never a chance of overhauling the winner.

RACE 6 – HMA GEOTECHNICAL CLASS 1 HANDICAP, 1200m:

CAPPELLETTI was the longest priced winner of the day at $7, and continued his consistent form this preparation. He has now won twice and been placed twice since resuming as a gelding, and there’s no reason he can’t win again soon. “He has always shown good ability, and is starting to put it all together,” co-trainer Sterling Alexiou said. “They paid big money for him ($725,000 as an Easter yearling two years ago), and it’s good to see they are now getting some returns.” Runner-up Principessa ($4 fav) looks capable of scoring at her next start. She has been placed at 10 of her 13 starts (one solitary win) and was having her first start since November. Principessa hit the line with purpose and looks like she will handle further ground, and third placegetter Grand Crusader ($) also ran home strongly. Jockey Regan Bayliss said Surf On Turf ($4.60) started to weaken passing the 400m, and was disappointing in the manner it finished the race. A subsequent vet examination did not reveal any abnormalities.

RACE 7 – HMA WEAR SOLUTIONS BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP, 1350m:

ZAC Lloyd was an odds-on favourite for the Jockeys’ Challenge before racing began, and everything was shipshape here. The young rider made it a double when the Godolphin colours saluted. Lloyd had SHIPSHAPE ($2.10) away smartly, dictated out in front and got a break on the point of home turn to leave his rivals chasing thin air. He scored easily from Nitride ($31), who finished gamely and the remarkable 12-year-old Isorich ($26) was third after being forced to race wide and running his heart out in the straight at his 155^th start. Along with his 16 wins, he has also been placed on 37 occasions. “SHIPSHAPE is a very casual customer, hence the blinkers on him,” said stable spokesman Darren Beadman. Nitride was having his fourth start this campaign and is getting close to another win, whilst Kozluca ($26) finished determinedly and could pay to follow as he was resuming and can handle longer trips.

RACE 8 – HMA GTECH CYCLONES BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP, 1000m:

GARRY Frazer made it a treble for Hawkesbury trainers when the well-backed TOCOMAH ($3.90) saluted. As much as $10 was bet about him, and he did a good job to score under his 61kg at his first start in six months. “He bolted in with a Gosford Maiden at his second start, but we had plenty of issues with him after that,” Frazer said. “Thankfully, he is now the soundest he has ever been. I was a little concerned beforehand that the 1000m might be a trifle short, and that’s why you put the top jockeys on (Kerrin McEvoy had the mount).” Frazer gave credit to TOCOMAH, who carried a big weight and found plenty in the closing stages. Laroupe ($3.80 favorite) was one of the biggest tips of the day on the strength of a couple of good recent trials, but didn’t help her chances by beginning awkwardly and making contact with the offside barrier partition. In the circumstances, her performance was excellent, but nothing can be taken away from the winner, who conceded her a tidy 4.5kg. Fire And Ice ($8) hit the line nicely at his first start since November, and trainer Mark Minervini should be able to place him to advantage this campaign.

SENIOR jockey Chad Schofield and star apprentice Zac Lloyd claimed doubles – but the track certainly earned plaudits as well. From a “Soft 5” morning rating, Racing NSW stewards downgraded it to a “Heavy 10” retrospective to the fourth race as consistent and at times heavy rain fell, but the eight-race card was able to be completed.

The fields weren’t big, but full marks to course manager Phill Robinson and his team.

Schofield scored on favourites Youthfull and Allasandra, and Lloyd, who goes from strength to strength, won on well-supported Diamond Blush and the day’s outsider Commander Bell. While she had only three rivals to beat, there was much to like about the debut of the Tracey Bartley-trained Chilada, who quickly took up the front in her race and won with seemingly plenty in hand. Bartley described her as a “city class filly”, so it will be interesting to gauge her future progress.

RACE 1 – PAVILION EVENTS CENTRAL COAST MAIDEN HANDICAP, 1600m: 

FOLLOWING rain throughout the morning, the track was downgraded to a “Heavy 8” before the meeting began. The renowned Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott ball of muscle was again to the fore with $3 favourite VENETIAN BLUE, who broke through at her fifth start after being runner-up on three occasions. Jockey Regan Bayliss took the filly to the front and she had a comfortable run during transit before being strongly challenged on straightening by Ocean Honour ($7), who cruised up and looked certain to overhaul her. However, VENETIAN BLUE, a $320,000 Magic Millions yearling buy in 2021, would not surrender and toughed it out to the line to stall the runner-up’s challenge. The first two horses were sired by multiple Group 1 winner Merchant Navy, and Ocean Honour should not be long breaking through either. This was also his fifth start and his third this preparation. The $31 outsider Tina’s Rock made nice ground along the inside in the straight to finish third. 

RACE 2 – CARLTON & UNITED BREWERIES BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP, 2100m: 

PUNTERS were on good terms with themselves during the race with jockey Chad Schofield giving the $2.70 favourite YOUTHFULL a perfect run, one out and one back in harness racing parlance. But it proved to be a real struggle before they were able to collect. Schofield wisely made his move from the 800m to ensure locally-trained Dreamdeel ($2.90) did not get it all his own way up front – and just as well he did. YOUTHFULL took the entire length of the straight before just edging past Dreamdeel in the closing stages to give the daughter of So You Think the third win of her career. Leading Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup edged toward a half century of winners for the season, and opted to back up YOUTHFULL after she had run fourth at Newcastle yesterday week in a similar race over 1850m. She met Dreamdeel (second in the Newcastle race) 1kg better, and it was a telling factor in such a hard slog to the line. Into The Oblivion ($13) made a dash after straightening but was unable to pick up the first two and had to be content with third placing. As with the opening winner, YOUTHFULL also was purchased at the Magic Millions yearling sale at the Gold Coast, this time in 2020 for $375,000. She is a younger sister to 2018 Rosehill Guineas winner D’Argento. Sian (fourth) stood flatfooted and missed the start, and will have to trial to stewards’ satisfaction before being allowed to race again. 

RACE 3 – DE BORTOLI F&M MAIDEN HANDICAP, 1200m:

THIS result was never in doubt. Star apprentice Zac Lloyd took DIAMOND BLUSH ($4.20) to the front and the four-year-old daughter of Deep Field, whose stock are generally accomplished wet trackers, never gave her rivals a chance. She travelled strongly throughout, moved clear approaching the home turn and trounced her rivals. DIAMOND BLUSH was having her 13^th start, and her young rider took any possible bad luck out of the equation to ensure she had the best opportunity to break through. She had been unplaced at her previous two starts, but revelled in the heavy ground. 

Kristen Buchanan’s Foxford Babe ($51) was making her debut and, although convincingly beaten, did a good job to finish second, belying her generous odds. Undoubtedly she can be placed to advantage to shed her maiden status in the near future. Turbo Charged ($5) finished third, whilst the $2.10 favourite Choice Legend was up on the pace, but was under pressure on the home turn and dropped out to finish last of the eight runners. Apprentice Jett Stanley told stewards his mount failed to handle the conditions.

RACE 4 – MAGIC MILLIONS MIDWAY MAIDEN PLATE, 1350m:

A further downgrade to a “Heavy 10” certainly didn’t affect the chances of Pride of Dubai three-year-old ALLASANDRA ($2.60 joint fav), who broke through at her ninth start. Jockey Chad Schofield, as he had done earlier on second race winner Youthfull, didn’t wait and began his run well before the home turn. ALLASANDRA looked a certain winner as she circled the field, but had to work hard to get the better of runner-up Willaidow ($5), who has continued to show improvement this preparation and didn’t give in without a fight. The other co-favorite Yamba’s Award appeared to travel well enough in the early and middle stages, but struggled down the running and finished a distant third.

ALLASANDRA had been placed on heavy ground as a two-year-old at Goulburn in May last year, and this race could hardly be described as the strongest of Maidens. In stark contrast to the first two winners and the third ($180,000 as a yearling), she was a “cheapie”, fetching a mere $4250 online in 2020 as a weanling.

RACE 5 – TAB.COM.AU MAIDEN HANDICAP, 1100m:

The downgrade to a “Heavy 10” precipitated a number of late withdrawals, and only four horses faced the starter here. It may not have mattered anyway how many faced the starter as well-supported first starter CHILADA ($2.35) made a mess of her three rivals. Local trainer Tracey Bartley was on track, recovering well from serious injuries sustained when kicked by a horse a few weeks back, and described the Pride OfDubai filly, who races in the iconic colours of the White family, as city class. “You wouldn’t normally run her on a such a heavy track, but she had a good grounding,” he said. “She is a really good filly who prepped up beautifully with two good trials (winning both at Gosford and on the Beaumont track). “It is an honour to train this filly for the White family.” Rider Jason Collett took CHILADA straight to the front, and she was never threatened. Surrenders ($1.75 favorite) tried hard but was no match for the impressive debutante, and Amadi ($8) was third.

RACE 6 – EARLY BIRD MEMBERSHIP $55 PROVINCIAL BENCHMARK 68 HANDICAP, 1200m:

IN front again was definitely the place to be. Alysha Collett made the running on JACQUINE REWARD ($6), who has a liking for a heavy track at Wyong. He had previously won a Class 1 Handicap (1200m) here in July, 2020 on a ‘Heavy 8’. JACQUINE REWARD was having his fifth start this preparation and clinched his second success and his fifth overall. It was hard going in the straight but he toughed it out to defeat the rising 13-year-old ISORICH ($14), who finished best of all and would have made matters interesting had the race been much further. The old warrior was having his 154^thstart and is a credit to his Wyong trainer Wayne Seelin, who continues to keep him in such fine fettle. Oxford Tycoon ($3.50) had his chance before finishing third. Odds-on favorite Miss Fox ($1.85) was never in contention and was beaten a long way out. She tailed the field home in the six-horse field. Jockey Josh Parr told stewards the mare never travelled at any stage and failed to finish the race off.

RACE 7 – WYONG’S NEXT COCKTAIL PARTY – SAT JULY 15 – BOOK NOW F&M BENCHMARK 64 HCP, 1350m:

FAVOURITE backers were on the mark with BEIRUT MISS ($3.50) – but it was no gimme!  She was trapped wide early without cover and rider Sam Clipperton had to ease back to get a decent position before making a swooping run around the field. As with Allesandra earlier, BEIRUT MISS looked likely to win comfortably, but had to battle hard in the straight to overcome runner-up She’s Independent ($10). Taking into account she had 60kg and was conceding 5kg, it was a pretty tidy effort. A lightly-raced four-year-old mare, she has raced only eight times for two wins and three placings, so there appears no reason why she cannot show further improvement. The pair had the finish to themselves with third placegetter Impressive Lass ($4.60) more than two length astern. Hyacinth finished a distant last and her rider could not offer a plausible explanation for her failure.

RACE 8 – WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETING – THURSDAY APRIL 27 – CG&E BENCHMARK 64 HCP, 1350m:

FOUR favourites and two second favorites had won leading up to the last and the longest-priced winner was $6. The seven-year-old gelding COMMANDER BELL gave bookmakers some relief when he finished best to score at $14 for local trainer Brett Partelle. Yet another good day for his young rider Zac Lloyd, who had five rides at the meeting for two wins and two placings. COMMANDER BELL had finished last at his previous start at Wyong a fortnight ago, but obviously relished the heavy ground. He had not won in nearly two years – and that was also on a heavy surface at Gosford in June, 2021. Just as $2.50 favourite Surfers Royale was being hailed the winner, COMMANDER BELL got him down. Jason Collett dropped his off-side rein on Surfers Royale 150m out, and regathered it a short time later. Josh Parr told stewards second favorite Skylight Song (5^th at $2.60) struggled to run out a strong 1350m in such heavy conditions, and also felt he might be better suited with the addition of blinkers. Jutland bled from both nostrils.

A race to race double to Damien Lane was fitting on a day paying tribute to our talented Wyong trainers. 

Lane ended a run of outs with Oakfield Twilight taking out the 1350m BM68 & Princess Amira winning the 1100m BM64.

Doubles were the flavour of the afternoon with Mark Newnham training two winners Skylight Song and Street Gossip, while both Josh Parr and Tom Sherry bagged doubles. 

There were some impressive winners with the Snowden trained Gilmore breaking her maiden by more than five lengths and Gary Portelli’s Itsagooddeel revelling in his first attempt over the 2100m to win by three lengths. 

Race 1 – WYONG TRAINERS – CONTRIBUTING MORE THAN JUST WINNERS MAIDEN(1000m): The Snowden trained Gilmore put her rivals to bed with a dominant win in her fourth career start.

A $200k Magic Millions filly by Flying Artie, Gilmore had two starts in her first preparation, and was spelled following a fourth at Canterbury. 

She was runner up when resuming at Hawkesbury after racing greenly in the straight but showed none of those characteristics in her Wyong win. 

Josh Parr led from barrier to post, drawing away in the finals stages to post a five-length victory. 

“Josh took her to the front and took all the bad luck out of the equation,” stable representative Colin McCullagh said. “It was good to see her finish off the way she did. I think it’s been a maturity thing with her. She was in a rush to do things last preparation, but Peter & Paul gave her time to get her to mature physically and mentally and it’s paid off in spades. 

“We’ll get her back to town know where she belongs.”

Gilmore earned plenty of supper and was sent out $1.60 favourite She beat the Damien Lane trained Alegna ($16), with Sumo Star ($7.50) from the Portelli stable third.

Race 2 – SARA RYAN RACING MAIDEN (1350m):

An early double to Josh Parr and another favourite greets the judge, with the Mark Newnham trained Skylight Song too strong for his opposition. 

The son of Your Song was resuming from a spell, having run three seconds in his previous six starts. 

Parr engaged similar tactics to the first race, sitting just outside the early leader Twilight Rock. He hit the lead on straightening and was able to hold out the fast-finishing Star Legacy, to win by almost a length. 

Newnham has always had a good opinion of Skylight Song, but said he needed time to mature. 

“He needed to grow up mentally. He’s always been a terrific style of a horse who has shown above average ability, but he didn’t have a killer punch. He did today and was able to put them away.

“It was good to see him get the job done and hopefully there are many more wins to come.”

Newnham has had a long association with owner Frank Mittiga, having ridden his first horse for him as an owner.

Skylight Song started $1.90 fav, with the runner up Star Legacy from the Portelli stable ($8.50) & Bjorn Baker’s Twilight Rock ($7), third.

Race 3 – ALLAN KEHOE RACING PROVINCIAL MAIDEN (1350m):

Tom Sherry was full of praise for the Paul Perry trained Angara following the Frankel gelding’s debut win. 

There was plenty of late support for the three-year-old who was backed in from $6 to $4 favourite. 

Punters weren’t disappointed, with Sherry sweeping down the outside on Angara to nab a narrow victory on the line. 

Sherry had settled the gelding toward the rear of the field early, taking him to the outside on straightening. 
It was a race in two in the final stages, with Yamba’s Award ($4.80) fighting on strongly, but Angara gained ascendency on the line to win by a short half head. 

“He’s a lovely horse,” Sherry said after the race. “He didn’t show a lot of gate speed and I had to get up him to keep him in touch with them. It was a nice race for him today and he will improve immensely from that. I think he’ll be a lovely miler.”

A $130k Magic Millions yearling, Angara is raced in partnership by Perry, with Frank and Christine Cook.

Allan Kehoe’s Gold Something ($18) was third, after leading for much of the race.

Race 4 – TRACEY BARTELY RACING MAIDEN (2100m):

A patient ride by gun apprentice Tyler Schiller helped secure victory for the Gary Portelli trained Itsagooddeel ($7).

Schiller, who had a wall of horses in front of him on the turn, waited until they fanned and was able to get a dream run along the rails. He sped away over the last 50m to win by more than three lengths. 

The son of Dundeel was having his first attempt at the 2100m and relished the extra ground. 

“We’ve been really keen to get him up in trip but had to be patient,” stable representative James Fartherssaid. “We were thrilled to get the reward today and great for the connections Elite Thoroughbreds.

“It was a fantastic ride by Tyler. He gave him every opportunity to put his best foot forward.”

There was no such luck for the O’Shea trained favourite Aunt Roberta ($2.10), who was slow to start, raced ungenerously and knocked up to finish third following a sustained run. 

The Kearney trained Hardazhell ($26) was an eye-catcher, coming from last on the turn to finish second. 

Race 5 – DAMIEN LANE RACING CLASS 1 (1600m):

Mark Newnham has a good opinion of his filly Street Gossip ($2.70), who proved too strong in her first run over the mile. 

The three-yar-old by So You Think, a $140k Magic Millions yearling, had previously won over the 1200m at Warwick Farm and was coming off a fifth on the Kensington track over 1400m. 

Newnham removed the earmuffs for the Wyong race with the desired result, the filly pinging the gates and enabling Sherry to take a sit just off the speed. 

Despite being wayward on the turn, she managed to pull away from her rivals in the straight and win by more than a length. 

“She’s always been a nice filly but has taken a while to come together. I think she’s got a bright future. She’s always had above average talent and I thought she’d get to a fairly good grade.”

Queenmaker ($3.60) trained by Edward Cummings was second, over the Portelli trained Regal Inheritance ($6.50) who was doing her best work on the line. 

Race 6 – KRISTEN BUCHANAN OWNERS LOUNGE CLASS 1 (1350m):

An upset by the Mark Connors trained Vandelay Style ($13), who ran down the favourite on the line to bring up her second career win. 

The $15,000 Magic Millions yearling is proving to be somewhat of a bargain buy, with more than $45,000 in prizemoney to date and the trainer expecting more wins to come for the four-year-old.

She was well ridden by Reece Jones who settled her to the rear of the field, coming from behind on the turn to overhaul the favourite on the line by a narrow margin. 

It was a pickup ride for Jones after Brock Ryan was indisposed. 

Connors said it had been a stop/start career for the Vandelay Style. 

“She has given us a lot of trouble back home but has come back bigger and better than ever,” he said. “Credit to the staff, especially Mikayla Young who rides her in all her work and got her to where she is today. She’s a lovely big strong mare and I think they further they go the better she will get.”

Michael Freedman’s $2.70 favourite looked to have the race one before Vandelay Style appeared from the pack. Lehndorff ($3.80) trained by Mark Newnham was third.

Race 7 – KIM WAUGH RACING MIDWAY BM68 (1350m):

Damien Lane’s eight-year-old Oakfield Twilight returned to form to bring up his eighth career win ending a frustrating run of outs for the stable. 

The Zoffany gelding was having his 56^th career start and given a peach of a ride by Brad Rawiller. 

Despite drawing the outside barrier, Rawiller was able to cross and eventually get a soft lead in front. He drew away on the turn and kicked to score by two and a half lengths. 

Lane said it was good to get back on the board with a win. 

“We’ve had a frustrating run without much luck and its good to finally get a win. Brad rode him a treat. He likes to get in front dictating and that’s what he did. He’s been a super horse for Bruce (McKenzie) and me. He might be past his best, but he’s still got a few wins in him.”

Oakfield Twilight ($5.50) beat Clarry Connors $3.40 favourite Peace Officer, with Impressive Lass ($7) trained by Clare Collett, third. 

Race 8 – WYONG’S NEXT MEETING – APRIL 20, 2023 BM64 (1100m):

It was a race to race double for Damien Lane with his five-year-old Princess Amira ($13) edging out another local on the line, Rodney Bailey’s Mr Bingo. 

The win came as a bit of a surprise for Lane who had expected she would need more time. 

“She trialled super the other day, but I was surprised who forward she was today,” Lane said. 

“Her first preparation for us was really good but she didn’t com e up last prep. She seems to have come back really well this time. It’s funny you can’t get a winner and then get two in a row,” Lane said. “It’s always good to get a win on the home track and hopefully the luck has changed and we’re on for a good period.”

Princess Amira, ridden by Jenny Duggan, brought up her third win at start 15, with five minor placings. 

She beat Mr Bingo ($16) by a nose, with Cappelllettii ($6) from the Ryan/Alexiou stable third. 

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