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ONE trainer has had a solitary Wyong starter for a win so far this season, and the other is yet to have a runner at the track in the opening months of the racing year.

But both are keen to make their mark at tomorrow’s second last meeting before the $200,000 Magic Millions 2YO Classic grabs the national spotlight on Wednesday, December 14.

Newcastle’s Jason Deamer scored with Hard To Say at Wyong on November 5 and is back there with him and lightly-raced Miss Shalaa, while Royal Randwick’s multiple Group 1 winning trainer Ron Quinton makes his debut at the track this season with newcomers Beauty Crusade and Biographer.

Tim Clark will ride both Hard To Say in the 1100m Ettalong Bowling Club Benchmark 64, and Miss Shalaa in the 1600m Stop Abuse At The Start 4YO & Up Maiden, while Andrew Adkins partners the Quinton pair Beauty Crusade in the 1350m Raise Respect Midway Maiden, and Biographer in the 1000m Elimination Against Violence Maiden.

Hard To Say and Miss Shalaa are raced by Deamer’s major client Dynamic Syndications, and the former is bypassing a Warwick Farm engagement today to focus on Wyong.

“We discussed both races and decided to go to Wyong as it is only his second run back,” Deamer said.

“Hard To Say resumed as a gelding when he won a 1000m Midway Maiden here earlier in the month at his first start since being placed at Eagle Farm in August.

“Although it was a narrow margin, he did a good job as he drew the outside barrier and went flat out all the way.

“The first two had a decent margin on the third placegetter. Hard To Say had only one trial going into that race, so fitness wise he will be improved and I’ve been very happy with him since.”

An Exceed And Excel three-year-old, Hard To Say was a $160,000 MM Gold Coast yearling purchase last year for Dynamic, and has returned just over $76,000 so far from only six starts.

Dynamic also purchased Miss Shalaa for half that amount at the Gold Coast, but at the previous year’s MM sale, and she has raced only four times in the country for three seconds.

“She came to me from a Sydney stable without trialling,” Deamer said. “She has settled in well and is pretty honest.

“Shalaa Miss ran fourth and second at Gunnedah and Port Macquarie earlier in the year, and her two recent runs this preparation at Taree and Scone this month have been good.

“It looks the right race to try her at the provincials, and I’m confident she will handle the 1600m at her first attempt.”

Hard To Say was a $4 second favourite with TAB.com.au in early markets behind local trainer Tracey Bartley’s first-up winner Mabel ($3.30), and another local, Kristen Buchanan’s $6 third favourite Oakfield Triumph.

 Miss Shalaa was also second favorite, but at $4.40, behind Diamond Drummer ($2.30), who has blinkers back on.

Ron Quinton’s three-year-olds Beauty Crusade and Biographer last year were $375,000 Inglis Classic yearling sale and $500,000 Magic Millions yearling sale buys respectively.

But the latter, a I Am Invincible colt and the first foal of dual WA winner Precious Memories, was subsequently resold online to his breeder Ray Gall for $95,000 in April, after three starts, two in South Australia and the other in country Victoria, for seconds at Morphettville Parks and Terang.

“Ray bought Biographer back when he wasn’t considered a likely stallion prospect and put on the market,” Quinton said. “The Gall family has been a wonderful supporter of mine, and it’s my job now to try to get the best out of the colt.

“Obviously he has ability, and the Wyong race is a good starting point and it’s the same with Beauty Crusade, who is raced in Hong Kong interests.

“He was a bit of a handful earlier, but has been gelded and has had the benefit of two recent trials at home. I’m not going there expecting to win, but looking forward to hopefully seeing him run well all the same.”

Quinton has made important gear changes on the stablemates. He has taken blinkers and a tongue tie off Biographer, and will substitute a cross-over nose band.

Beauty Crusade has been gelded, and also will race in a cross-over nose band and wear ear muffs, which will be removed at the barrier.

Biographer was installed as $5 fourth favourite when markets opened, in an open race behind $4 top elect Surrenders, and Beauty Crusade was $4.80 second favourite, with topweight Edge Of Reward holding clear sway at $2.30.

The rail is in the true position, and a Good 4 rating has been posted for the eight race program getting away at 1.15pm.

SELECTIONS:

RACE 1 – 1.15pm: STOP ABUSE AT THE START 4YO & UP MAIDEN PLATE, 1600m: 1 DIAMOND DRUMMER, 2 Miss Shalaa, 3 Rangitikei, 4 Zimtopia.

RACE 2 – 1.50pm: #NO EXCUSE FOR ABUSE 4YO & UP MAIDEN HCP, 1100m: 1 EXPENSIBLE, 2 Oakfield Blue Bell, 3 Oakfield Paperbark, 4 Ma’s Dream.

RACE 3 – 2.25pm: RAISE RESPECT MIDWAY MAIDEN HCP, 1350m: 1 EDGE OF REWARD, 2 Beauty Crusade, 3 Mancconi, 4 Emphatic Bel.

RACE 4 – 3.05pm: ELIMINATION AGAINST VIOLENCE MAIDEN PLATE, 1000m: 1 SURRENDERS, 2 Meod, 3 Selfless Act, 4 Biographer.

RACE 5 – 3.40pm: REPORT. REPORT OFTEN CONDITIONAL BENCHMARK 68 HCP, 1200m: 1 MORALIST, 2 Dimaggio, 3 Ranuncula, 4 Crimson Rock.

RACE 6 – 4.20pm: JOHN ELLIOT CLASS 1 HCP, 1350m: 1 WEST OF AFRICA, 2 Oakfield Waratah, 3 Assiduity, 4 Bat Out Of Hell.

RACE 7 – 4.55pm: ETTALONG BOWLING CLUB PROVINCIAL BENCHMARK 64 HCP, 1100m: 1 MABEL, 2 Hard To Say, 3 Oakfield Triumph, 4 Xpresso.

RACE 8 – 5.30pm: THE MOUNTIES GROUP 4YO & UP BENCHMARK 64 HCP, 1600m: 1 KICKATORP, 2 Duke Of Buckingham, 3 Dream Eclipse, 4 Da Nang Star.

Showtime Star is headed for the $150,000 final of the SKY RACING Summer Provincial Series after taking out the first heat at Wyong on Saturday.

The Brad Widdup trained mare led throughout the 1350m feature race and was able to hold out her challengers to win by almost a length. 

The victory was one of several strong performances on the program, with highlights including riding doubles to Andrew Atkins and Lee Magorrian. 

A large crowd enjoyed the sunshine and great Provincial racing, while raising funds for the Central Coast Kids In Need. 

Andrew Atkins rated Showtime Star perfectly in the Class 5 feature, leading throughout off the back of a great start. 

She was sent out $2 favourite following two previous Metropolitan placings at Warwick Farm and will now progress to the series final at Hawkesbury on December 15, along with placegetters Dream Eclipse ($26) trained by Brooke Somers and La Jolie Fillie ($9) from the Perry stable.

A daughter of Showcasing, Showtime Lady was a $50,000 Magic Millions purchase for James Harron. 

Widdup has always had a good opinion of the five-year-old who has had five wins and five placings from her 18 starts. 

“She’s done a good job for us,” he said. “We had a throw at the stumps with her at the Flemington last year and she didn’t disgrace. She is really racing well this preparation.”

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The Waller stable was confident about the chances of Kovalica in the 1600m GOSFORD MASONIC CENTRE MAIDEN and the son of Ocean Park didn’t disappoint. 

The four-year-old caught the eye of punters in his only start where he finished fourth over the 1300m at Newcastle on October 15. 

He was sent out $2.05 favourite and the win was never in doubt after Lee Magorrian settled him midfield in the early stages, patiently waiting until the 400m when began circling the field, hitting the front in the straight before drawing away to win by more than three lengths. 

Robert Quinn’s Thoughtful Woman ($6.50) was second over the Craig Carmody trained Fireman ($21), who put in a much-improved performance for third. 

“He was doing his best work late in the Newcastle race and we thought he would appreciate the step up in distance to the mile today,” stable representative Adam Stewart said. “We thought he’d go pretty close, and he did.”

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Another impressive winner in the GARY TURNER MEMORIAL – ABBEY TIMBER CG&E MAIDEN with Kristen Buchanan’s Oakfield Waratah ($3.80) blitzing his rivals over the 1350m.

Having his fourth career start, the Dissendent four-year-old showed good gate speed to enable Koby Jennings to place him in a gun spot, just behind the leader. 

He hit the front on straightening and was able to put more than three lengths on his opposition on the line, despite Jennings losing his whip near the 100m when the result was beyond doubt.

Buchanan had been keen on the chances of Oakfield Waratah.

“He finally drew a good barrier and that was the difference today,” she said. 

“I really like this horse. He’s raced well at Wyong in the past and it was great to see him win today.”

The Newnham trained Just An Upstart ($4.40) was second, head of Shihab ($2.70) from the Waller yard.

Oakfield Waratah is raced by Bruce McKenzie, who gave Buchanan one of her biggest wins the previous Saturday, with Oakfield Arrow taking out the $500,000 Four Pillars at Rosehill.

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It was a closer finish in the 1350m THE ROOS FOUNDATION F&M MAIDEN with the Snowden trained Kobenhavn diving on the line to snatch a narrow victory. 

The I Am Invincible filly, a $400,000 Magic Millions yearling, was having her fourth career start, resuming this preparation with a 12^th at Hawkesbury on October 20.

After an awkward start, she was ridden off the pace by Mitchell Bell, before a sustained run on the turn saw her pounce on the leaders in final stages, beating the $2.80 favourite Concordia, trained by Les Bridge by a neck. 

Miss Faberge ($3.40) from the Sargent stable was third.

It was the fourth start for Kobenhavn, who had to overcome the widest barrier to bring up her first win. 

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Nathan Doyle’s Kingdom Of Gold put on a superior staying display to take out the 2100m PETER MAC AUTOMOTIVE CLASS 1 & MAIDEN.

Despite being caught wide mid-race, the Animal Kingdom four-year-old was able to put in a sustained run in the straight before drawing away to win by almost two lengths. 

Kingdom Of Gold, an Animal Kingdom four-year-old, was having his 10^th career start, his latest outing a second at Newcastle on October 15 over the 2350m. 

The victory brought up a double for Lee Magorrian, who settled the gelding just off the speed in the early stages. He found himself three deep around the 800m and began a run, which he sustained into the straight, drawing away to win by almost two lengths.

The James Ponsonby trained Raffish ($11) was second, over Brad Widdup’s $3.20 favourite Brave Boy.

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Promising prospect Field Marshal kept his unbeaten record intact winning the FREEMASONS ON THE CENTRAL COAST CLASS 1 over 1350m.

The three-year-old colt, by prominent Great Britain sire Kingman, debuted with a strong win over 1200m at Canberra on October 21. 

Trainer John Thompson stepped him up in distance at Wyong and courtesy of a great ride by Blake Spriggs, he posted his second successive win. 

Spriggs didn’t have it all his own way, having to contend with the horse over racing in the early and middle stages and was then being held up for a run in the straight. 

When he found clear running, he showed a good turn of foot to run down the leaders and win by a length.

Spriggs, who teamed with Field Marshal’s owner Paul Fudge to take out a Group 1 on Sir John Hawkwood, has a very good opinion of the colt going forward and believes he will improve further over more ground. 

Despite a tough run, Superargo ($21) put in a much-improved performance to finish second for Stephen O’Halloran, with the $2.90 favourite Principessa trained by Joe Pride, third.

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There were a few nervous moments for the connections of Hard To Say who looked to have the 1000m CENTRAL COAST UNITY BANK MIDWAY MAIDEN won before a late challenge by Terra Mater. 

The Exceed And Excel gelding, trained by Jason Deamer, was sent out as $1.60 favourite on the strength of two previous Eagle Farm placings. 

Andrew Atkins pinged the gates and looked like the winner a long way from home before Jarrod Austin’s Terra Mater emerged from the pack. 

The filly dived on the line but just missed, the race going too Hard To Say by the smallest possible margin.

The winner, a $160,000 Magic Millions yearling, is raced by Dynamic Syndications. 

Oakfield Blue Bell ($3.70) trained by Damien Lane finished third, but will take plenty of improvement from the run, having missed the start. 

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Jarrod Austin didn’t go home empty handed, with his Super One mare Suprina outsprinting her opposition in the WIDELINE WINDOWS AND DOORS BM64 over 1000m. 

The five-year-old was taken to an early lead by Jess Taylor after jumping well and maintained it throughout, posting a two-length victory. 

Suprina ($12) has proved to be a bargain buy for Austin and connections, who purchased her in January last year for $25,000. 

She has since gone on to win four races and run multiple placings, taking her overall prizemoney to $118,200.

Three of the four wins came with Jess Taylor in the saddle.

In her latest win she beat O’Tycoon ($4.80) trained by Bjorn Baker, with Stephen Jones’ Ranuncula ($9) third.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT: The 2022 Annual General Meeting of Wyong Race Club Limited will be held on Tuesday 8 November 2022 in the Magic Millions Lounge (middle floor), Wyong Racecourse, Howarth St, Wyong, commencing at 6.00pm

AGENDA

The business of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall be as follows: –

1. Confirm the Minutes of the 2021 Annual General Meeting.
2. Receive & consider Annual Financial Report for year ended 30 June 2022 including –
   • Directors’ Report
   • Statement of Comprehensive Income
   • Statement of Financial Position
   • Statement of Cash Flows
   • Statement of Changes in Equity
   • Notes to the Financial Statements
   • Auditor’s Reports
3. Election of ONE (1) Board member.
   One Member to be elected to fill the casual vacancy resulting from the resignation of Darren Hooper in September, 2022.
4. Further Notices of Motion:
   A. “That Members approve and agree to expenditure by the Club until the next Annual General Meeting of the Club of reasonable expenses incurred by directors in relation to such other duties including entertainment of special guests to the Club and other promotional activities performed by directors including attending functions at other clubs to represent the Club, such activities and expenses as may be approved.”
   B. “That Members approve and agree to the availability until the next Annual General Meeting of the Club a reserved car space at Club race meetings for directors.”
   C. “That Members approve and agree to reasonable expenditure by the Club until the next Annual General Meeting of the Club for the provision of refreshments before or after Board Meetings.”
5. Election of Patron.
6. Transact, in accordance with the Constitution, any other ordinary business that may be lawfully brought forward.

Robin Taylor
General Manager
It would be appreciated if Members who wish to raise queries or seek information about any matters appearing in the Annual Report, give at least (10) days written notice to the General Manager. This will allow sufficient time for proper research and preparation of the replies for the benefit of all Members.

Please note:
Members wishing to nominate for the ONE (1) available elected position on the Board of Directors are required to lodge their nomination on the prescribed form with the Company’s General Manager at the General Office, Howarth Street, Wyong NOT LATER THAN 12 noon on Friday 21 October 2022. Nomination forms are available from the Club’s Office during normal business hours.

Election of the Board – shall take place in the following manner:
a) Any two Ordinary / Life Members of the Club may nominate any other Ordinary / Life Member to serve as a Member elected Director
on the Board of Directors as long as the nominee has been a Financial Member of the Club for the 12 months prior to their nomination.
b) The nomination must be in writing and signed by the Member and his proposer and seconder shall be lodged with the secretary by 12 noon on Friday 21 October, 2022.
c) A list of such nominations, with proposer’s and seconder’s names, shall be posted at the Club’s registered offices at least seven days
immediately preceding the meeting at which the elections take place and will be made available on the Wyong Race Club website www.wyongraceclub.com. au, not later than Thursday 27 October 2022.

The 2022 Annual Report will be posted to all financial Members on or before 17 October 2022 in accordance with the Rules.
Members and Proxies attending the AGM will be required to prove their identity with photo ID such as a driver’s licence, a passport, or similar. A Member’s card by itself will be insufficient proof of identity.
Appointing a Proxy: if you are a Member entitled to attend and vote at this AGM, you may appoint a person as your proxy to attend and vote for you at the meeting. A proxy need not be a member of the company. For the appointment of a proxy to be effective the required form (available from the Racing Club office) will need to be completed and returned by 4pm Thursday 3 November 2022. The Constitution of the Wyong Race Club does not provide for postal voting.

Yet another Carlton Wyong Gold Cup victory for Chris Waller, who took his recent success in the Listed race to a new level, training the first four. 

The win by English import Durston, gave Waller his eighth Wyong Cup since 2010. 

The victory was also James McDonald’s third in the prestigious race, the champion hoop almost claiming the feature double after a narrow defeat in the Wyong Leagues Group Mona Lisa. 

Aboard the Godolphin trained favourite Katlin, McDonald looked to have the race won, before Matt Dale’s Meg flew down the outside to win by a nose. 

McDonald went home with a double, winning on the O’Shea trained Kokoro, giving him enough points to secure the coveted Nathan Berry Shield, for the best rider over the two days. 

The locals weren’t left out with both Damien Lane and Kristen Buchanan training winners. 

McDonald gave Durston a peach of a ride in the $200,000 Listed Carlton Wyong Gold Cup, placing him conservatively in the early stages, before taking off around the 650m mark.

He weaved a passage to the outside on the seven-year-old, hitting the front in the straight and drawing away to win by almost two lengths.

It was the biggest career win for Durston from his 13 starts, having switched to the Waller stable for his previous two runs.

He was disappointing finishing last in the Group 3 Premiers Cup on August 20 but atoned for the loss with a dominant Cup win.

Stable foreman Damien Fitton gave plenty of praise to McDonald. 

“It was a great ride by James. He went back to rear of the field and let him switch off. He dropped his head for the first time since we’ve had him and that told the tale in the finish. He was able to conserve some energy,” Fitton said.

“It was a winning move when he made the run when he did. It’s just onward and upwards for this horse now.”

Fitton said he believed the addition of a Norton bit to Durston had made a huge difference to his racing style. 

“He’s a good horse but has been racing a bit fiercely in first two starts for us. A Norton bit on today was the ultimate gear change and made big difference.

“He did a lot wrong last start but got the miles in his legs and that enabled him to run a strong 2100m today.” 

Yi Yi ($6) was runner-up, from stablemate Our Intrigue ($16). 

McDonald didn’t have the same luck on $2.70 favourite Katalin in the $160,000 Listed WYONG LEAGUES GROUP MONA LISA STAKES and after being caught wide, was run down on the line by Meg ($31).

McDonald and Hugh Bowman fought it out in the final stages, with last start Randwick winner Meg, overcoming a wide barrier to snatch victory.

An ecstatic Matt Dale was thrilled with the efforts of his Sebring filly and Bowman.

 “It was a perfect ride,” Dale said. “Momentum out wide seemed to be the key as the day went on and I thought the wide barrier was an advantage, not a disadvantage.

“Hughie was confident. He was really happy with her win at Randwick the other day, after watching the replay, and he went out there with confidence. I thought she could run second or third, but she ran out of her skin to win on the line. 

“It’s very rewarding – a great ride and a great team effort by the team at home. She still hasn’t cleaned right up in the coat yet so there is still a little bit more to come.

“She looks to be a Group style mare over 1600m, so there are plenty of those options to come. It’s great to get the black type and my wife owns half so that’s even better.”

Damien Lane’s Wealthy Investor was able to hold out the late challengers to take out the 1200m PBL LAW GROUP MAIDEN, the first of winning double for locals.

The Capitalist colt was resuming from a spell, having been unplaced in Group company in his three starts last preparation. 

Lane had been confident he would race well, and he didn’t disappoint, bringing up his first win at start seven.

“He’s a lovely horse with a good future,” Lane said. “It’s good to get a win on board. We tested him out in some quality races last preparation, and I still think he is up to that grade. We will see the best of him as he stretches out in trip.” 

Wealthy Investor earned strong support to start $4.20 second favourite. He beat the fast-finishing Poetic Drama ($20) from the Hawkes stable, with Gary Nickson’s One Destiny ($7) third. A win won’t be far off for both minor placegetters.

Kristen Buchanan was in the winner’s circle in the last race of the day, the DOYLO SPRINGTIME BM68, after her talented four-year-old Oakfield Duke ($2.80fav) brought up his fourth successive win.

Buchanan had given the Into Mischief gelding a freshen up leading into the race and it worked a charm, with Aaron Bullock bringing him to the centre of the track on straightening and drawing away to win.

“He loves winning,” Buchanan said after the race. “That’s a massive attribute and he’s very, very genuine. He’s obviously got the ability as well, but he loves getting to the line.”

Buchanan said she would consider the Four Pillars as an option for Oakfield Duke. 

“I think he’s a really exciting prospect going forward.”

It was James McDonald at his best in the BISHOP COLLINS CHARTERED ACCOUNTS BM64 with the gun jockey giving Kokoro ($4.80) a super ride to secure his third career win. 

John O’Shea’s Real Impact gelding came from the rear of the field before the turn in the 1600m race, catching his rivals napping. 

He hit the front on straightening and from then the win was never in doubt, the four-year-old drawing away in the final stages to post a three and a half-length length victory.

“He got it really soft in the first half of the race, “McDonald said. “I was impressed, he sustained the speed and appreciated the firm ground. The better track conditions have been a big improvement for him and he’s ready to go back to town now.”

A one act affair in the 1100m HUNTER PETROLEUM PRODUCTS CLASS 1 saw Clarry Connors’ promising Choisir filly Cholante blitz her rivals. 

The three-year-old showed a great turn of foot to speed away in the straight and score by almost two lengths. 

Jockey Willie Pike was full of praise for the winner. 

“She has a great turn of foot. She’s taken the next step today, she was too good for them,” Pike said. 

Connors agreed the filly had gone to another level.

“She just keeps surprising me. When we realised we had to ride her back off the pace she was a different filly. When she sees daylight, she’s a bullet, she just flies.”

A $45,000 Magic Millions yearling, Cholante ($2.35fav) beat Tocomah ($9.50), from the Frazer stable, with Transformation ($10) trained by Melanie O’Gorman, third. 

Former jockey Jim Cassidy was “over the moon” after his gelding Notabadsuspect took out the 1350m STONE REAL ESTATE WYONG 4YO&UP MAIDEN.

The four-year-old, an American import trained by Greg and Jim Lee, brought up his first win with Glyn Schofield in the saddle. 

“It’s a great thrill. I’ve won a Wyong Cup, a number of races here but to be an owner, it’s fantastic,” an excited Cassidy said. “It’s a team effort, I’m delighted.”

Notabadsuspect ($9), beat the Joe Pride trained Diva Diva ($8) with Lidia ($11) from the Coyle stable third. 

Bjorn Baker’s Cinque Torri was too strong in the CENTRAL COAST COOLROOMS DA VINCE – 3YO & 4YO BM64(1300m), courtesy of a patient ride by Dylan Gibbons. 

The son of I Am Invincible was coming off a sixth at Hawkesbury on August 18, after winning at Muswellbrook over 1280m the previous start. 

Glen Lobb, representing the Baker stable, said Cinque Torri had always shown a bit of ability. 

“He’s a bit funny with different things. He doesn’t like getting crowded and had everything go his way today. The winkers made a difference and I’d say they’ll stay one. 

The winner a $170,000 Magic Millions yearling, beat the Waller trained I Am Geronimo ($3.20fav), with Marc Conners’ Starstruck Barbie ($9) third.  

Allan Kehoe has no qualms about taking on the ‘big boys’ in this Friday’s Carlton Wyong Gold Cup. 

Kehoe saddles up Dragon Dream, the only local runner in the $200,000 Listed feature and despite the five-year-old being eligible for much weaker races, he believes he deserves a chance in his hometown cup. 

“They may be too good for him on Friday, but he ticks a lot of boxes and I give him a rough chance,” Kehoe said. 

“The weather is the key. He has really strong form on heavy tracks so if the predicted rain comes, his chances will improve. 

“This is the best preparation he’s had. He’s a good sound horse, the distance certainly won’t worry him, and he gets around Wyong well.”

Dragon Dream is coming off a last start second at Gosford over the 2100m, the run impressing jockey Willie Pike. 

“He thought he was a nice horse and was ready to win for us, but obviously that was in a lower grade. 

“He’s a half-brother to multiple Group One winner Dark Dream and is bred to stay. I think he’ll get up over 2400m or further and is an exciting prospect for us. 

“We’ve all got to dream, and it would certainly be a fantastic dream if we won the Cup.”

Dragon Dream is up against a strong contingent of Waller runners, with seven lining up for the stable in the field of 12. 

Waller has dominated the Wyong Cup in recent years and is chasing his eighth Cup victory since 2010. His last win coming with Wu Gok in 2019. 

The in-form Lord Ardmore looks to have the goods on his rivals, having put together two wins and two placings from his four starts this preparation, his latest victory in the Premiers Cup Prelude at Randwick on August 6. 

The Waterhouse/Bott stable will also be out to upset the Waller party with Grove Ferry, who is coming off strong runs in both the Premiers Cup and Premier’s Prelude, where he was runner up. 

Wyong trainers are well represented in the Listed $160,000 Wyong Leagues Group Mona Lisa with Kristen Buchanan saddling up Pandora Blue and Flandersrain, Tracey Bartley Miss Redoble and Damien Lane Sonnet Star. 

The race has attracted a strong field of 16, with Waller chasing a feature double with talented Niconi mare Sur La Mer, who has put together five wins and seven placings from her 17 starts. 

The first of eight races gets underway at 12.45pm. 

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 12.45pm: STONE REAL ESTATE WYONG 4YO&UP MAIDEN (1350m): 1 NANO STAR, 2 Notabadsuspect, 3 Developed, 4 Tyquendo.

Race 2 – 1.20pm: CENTRAL COAST COOLROOMS DA VINCE – 3YO & 4YO BM64 (1300m): 1 I AM GERONIMO, 2 Sumatra, 3 Verzenay, 4 Starstruck Barbie.

Race 3 – 1.55pm: PBL LAW GROUP MAIDEN (1200m): 1 ORZALA, 2 Time To Boogie, 3 Miss Artfire, 4 London.

Race 4 – 2.35pm: HUNTER PETROLEUM PRODUCTS CLASS 1 (1100m): BAYEZID, 2 Transformation, 3 Acappella Sun, 4 Acceber.

Race 5 – 3.10pm: BISHOP COLLINS CHARTERED ACCOUNTS BM64 (1600m): 1 COPPLESON, 2 Kokoro, 3 Martini Crusader, 4 Prefect Match.

Race 6 – 3.50pm: WYONG LEAGUES CLUB MONA LISA STAKES (1350m): 1 EXPAT, 2 Sur La Mer, 3 Dalchini, 4 Boomnova.

Race 7 – 4.25pm: 2022 CARLTON WYONG GOLD CUP (2100m): 1 LA CHEVALEE, 2 Lord Ardmore, 3 Our Intrigue, 4 Grove Ferry. 

Race 8 – 5.05pm: THE DOYLE SPRINGTIME CONDITIONAL BM68 (1100m): 1 OAKFIELD DUKE, 2 Bullinachinashop, 3 Tinka’s Lad, 4 Land Of Valens.

James Ponsonby has the Carlton Wyong Gold Cup in his sights if his stayer Alloway can taste success in Sunday’s Cup Prelude. 

The Wandjina five-year-old has been racing in good form since joining the Ponsonby stable earlier this year, with a win and two placings from his five runs. 

He starts from barrier 10 in the 2100m BM68 Cup Prelude, the feature race on day one of the Cup Carnival, with the winner earning automatic entry to Friday’s $200,000 Listed Carlton Wyong Gold Cup.

And the trainer believes if he can race up to the form which saw him placed second in the 2200m Listed Tasmanian Guineas, he will be right in the finish come Sunday. 

“I was pleased to see him race well at Wyong in his first win for me on June 16 over the 2000m,” he said. “His subsequent start at Hawkesbury was good and he went really well in the Highway last start.

“He’s drawn a bit wider than I would prefer but he seems to be a horse that puts himself handy to the pace. 

“Winona (Costin) knows him well and she can hopefully roll forward from the barrier and have him up there. It’s a nice even field, not unlike a Highway race, and I give him a good opportunity.”

Ponsonby said he wouldn’t have any qualms pushing onto the Wyong Cup if Alloway were to win. 

“I’d have no hesitation at all. Obviously, it’s a much stronger race and he’d have to keep improving but he gets over the 2000m and is racing well.”

Ponsonby saddles up two other runners at the meeting, Walk Up Start in the 1600m Prov & Ctry Maiden and Dark Satin in the 1600m Class 1 and believes all three are definite chances. 

Kristen Buchanan represents the locals in the Cup Prelude with Oakfield Pinto and while acknowledging he is up in grade, also gives him a good chance. 

The Dundeel five-year-old, coming off a last start win at Newcastle over 1600m, will start from barrier one with Rachel King aboard. 

“He was quite impressive last start but in saying that he sort of got left alone and may not get those favours on Sunday. He’s placed at this trip and is weighted pretty well with 55kg.

“He’s very cool, calm and collected and we thought this was worth a throw at the stumps. It would be very exciting to get him through to the Cup.”

The first of eight races gets underway at 12.20pm.

SELECTIONS:

RACE 1 – 12.20PM: THE AGENCY 3YO MAIDEN (1200m): 1 HAWAIII FIVE OH, 2 Dear Jewel, 3 Villa Tinto, 4 Eagle Nest

RACE 2 – 1.00PM: JOHNNIE ROBERTS MEMORIAL PROV & CTRY MAIDEN (1600m): 1 SOLAROSA, 2 Speedy Song, 3 Wheni Sayucan, 4 Gingembre

RACE 3 – 1.40PM: MAGIC MILLIONS RACING WOMEN LA GIOCONDA – F&M BM68 (1600m): 1 SANSTOC, 2 Sebring’s Rose, 3 Eve ‘N’ Ruby, 4 Clear Blonde

RACE 4 – 2.20PM: GURNEY FINANCIAL SERVICES 4YO&UP MAIDEN (1100m): 1 DIAMOND FLARE, 2 Sir Crackle, 3 Bringonthebubbles, 4 Mad Darcey

RACE 5 – 3.00PM: ROBSON CIVIL PROJECTS WYONG CUP PRELUDE BM68 (2100m): 1 DENILIQUIN, 2 Legend Has It, 3 Mirror Queen, 4 Oakfield Pinto

RACE 6 – 3.40pm: DREW CHIVAS MEMORIAL CLASS 1 (1600m): 1 PRIZE DRAW, 2 Stonecoat, 3 Dark Satin, 4 Lady Superspy

RACE 7 – 4.15pm: CARE 2 THE MAX BM64 (1350m): 1 MAYHEM, 2 Jacquine Reward, 3 Budhwar, 4 Uncaged

RACE 8 – 4.50pm: DEBBIE GAUNT FOUNDATION BM64 (1000m): 1 PER IVY, 2 Forms Of Fear, 3 Don’t Doubt Katie, 4 Reach For Gold

FRESH from a TAB Highway success at Rosehill Gardens at the weekend, Joe Burges will be back on the road again tomorrow.

But this time the young Taree trainer’s trip to Wyong with last-start winner Mr Eighty Eight will be a snack compared to the recent 15-hour round trek he undertook to the Forbes Cup Showcase meeting to shed the gelding’s maiden status.

Having his 14^th start (but only his third for Burges), the Tavistock six-year-old easily won a 1600m Maiden Plate at Forbes on July 31 to put behind a frustrating run of 10 minor placings.

Having made the running but given little peace, Mr Eighty Eight comfortably held out his rivals and was strong to the line.

Thirty-six-year-old Burges took two horses to Forbes for the feature Sunday program and also scored with Barry’s Lane later in the program.

He and his wife Emma returned to their Bulahdelah base the next day, completing a hectic three days of travel as Zaru (who gave the trainer the second highway victory of his brief career last Saturday) had raced at Rosehill on the Saturday before the long trip to Forbes got underway later that afternoon.

Whilst Burges admitted he felt “a bit flat for a few days” afterwards, he feels the decision to go bush has worked in more ways than one for Mr Eighty Eight, who is raced by a syndicate headed by former Wyong racecourse and now Taree racecourse curator Scott Olson.

“Mr Eighty Eight has been a finicky eater, but there has been a real change in him since the trip to Forbes,” Burges said.

“Not only did we manage to get his maiden out of the way, but he is eating so much better.

“I’m really happy with the horse, and this time the trip will take only about one and a half hours down the highway.

“We’ll find out tomorrow whether he can beat some of the city horses at Wyong, but he has a nice drop in weight and I’m sure he will acquit himself well again.”

Burges has booked leading apprentice Dylan Gibbons for the Wyong Leading Apprentice Jockey Reece Jones and Tom Sherry Class 1 Handicap (1600m).

Gibbons’ 1.5kg provincial claim ensures Mr Eighty Eight will relish carrying 4.5kg less than the 59kg he successfully humped at Forbes in a set weights Maiden.

It’s not the first time Burges has called on the talented young Newcastle jockey.

“Dylan rode Barry’s Lane (whom Burges owns) to break his maiden over 1450m at Kempsey in June last year,” he said.

Dual acceptor Edge Of Darkness has been withdrawn from Mr Eighty Eight’s Wyong race, reducing the field to seven.

Instead, Newcastle trainer Grant Marshall’s Edge Of Darkness will line up one race earlier in the Wyong Jockeys’ Premiership Winner Jason Collett Class 1 Handicap (1350m), and Kacie Adams has the ride.

Fellow Newcastle trainer Mark Minervini has given a strong lead to lightly-raced Fire And Ice’s prospects in the Wyong’s Next Race Day Sunday August 28 Class 1 Handicap (1000m).

Minervini pulled the Hellbent three-year-old out of the Listed Rosebud (1100m) against his own age at Rosehill last Saturday to focus on the Wyong race, and booked Hugh Bowman.

Fire And Ice, with Bowman up, outclassed his rivals over the Wyong 1000m to easily win a 2YO Maiden there on July 19 toward the end of the last season.

Minervini also has found Bowman for another lightly-raced three-year-old Soobooco in the Lauraine Buchanan Best Mum Ever CG&E Maiden Plate (1000m).

James McDonald rode the Sooboog colt on resumption – and at his first start since tackling the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) on debut on a very heavy Royal Randwick surface in March – when runner-up to the promising Hawkesbury mare Aureus Angel in a Provincial & Country Maiden Handicap (1000m) at Kembla Grange on August 4.

Soobooco had won trials at Wyong (June 29) and Muswellbrook (July 22) before going to Kembla Grange, and is bound to have taken improvement from that run.

Interestingly, McDonald has taken the mount in Soobooco’s race on Chris Waller’s unraced Maurice four-year-old Narito, who heads the early pre-post market. 

. The rail is 4m out for the entire circumference, and the track this morning was rated a “Soft 5”. The 1350m to 1000m chute, however, is a “Soft 7”. There has been 7mm of rain recorded in the past seven days, but none in the last 24 hours. Racing begins at 12.35pm.

SELECTIONS:

RACE 1 – 12.35pm: WYONG TRAINERS’ PREMIERSHIP WINNER KIM WAUGH MAIDEN: 1 PIEMPURR, 2 Mr Luke, 3 Lady Goodfellow, 4 Bandolero.

RACE 2 – 1.10pm: 2022 TRAINERS’ PREMIERSHIP WINNERS GAI WATERHOUSE & ADRIAN BOTT MAIDEN – 1350m: 1 I AM GERONIMO, 2 Dresden, 3 Nano Star, 4 Makanui.

RACE 3 – 1.50pm: 2022 WYONG JOCKEYS’ PREMIERSHIP WINNER JASON COLLETT CLASS 1 – 1350m: 1 THINK ABOUT IT, 2 Ilzoomya, 3 Flying Witness, 4 Poetic Miss.  

RACE 4 – 2.25pm: 2022 LEADING APPRENTICE JOCKEY REECE JONES AND TOM SHERRY CLASS 1 – 1600m: 1 MR EIGHTY EIGHT, 2 The Replicant, 3 Believe So, 4 Brynner.

RACE 5 – 3.05pm: LAURAINE BUCHANAN BEST MUM EVER CG&E MAIDEN PLATE – 1100m: 1 NARITO, 2 Soobooco, 3 Nolan, 4 Sacred Field.

RACE 6 – 3.40pm: FAREWELL WRC RACING & OPERATIONS MANAGER DEAN GROGAN F&M MAIDEN – 1100m: 1 PANTONARO, 2 Miss Faberge, 3 Crystalane, 4 Perpignan.

RACE 7 – 4.20pm: CARLTON WYONG GOLD CUP FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 2 CONDITIONAL BENCHMARK 68 – 1100m: 1 COOL LAD, 2 Belladeel, 3 Da Nang Star, 4 Bullinachinashop.

RACE 8 – 4.55pm: WYONG’S NEXT RACE DAY SUNDAY AUGUST 28 CLASS 1 – 1000m: 1 FIRE AND ICE, 2 Dijon, 3 Custo, 4 Have Mercy.