race day preview

Kim Waugh could have one of the biggest days of her career if Shadows Of Love can take out Saturday’s $1m Provincial-Midway Championship Final. 

She will be hoping 2024 is her year after having qualified runners in all nine previous finals and being placed five times. 

But the major prize has eluded her, and she’ll be relying on her talented mare to get the job done. 

A long-term plan by Waugh to start the mare in the Gosford Qualifer on March 16 paid off when she outsprinted her rivals in the straight to claim success. 

“She’s been going very good and I’m really happy with her. She’s a tough mare who has gone from strength to strength,” Waugh said. 

Shadows Of Love was Waugh’s last winner and she’ll be hoping a home track victory with stablemate Bellenth (pictured) could set the tone for things to come. 

The well-bred Helbent gelding put in a strong performance on debut at Hawkesbury on March 28 over the 1100m.

He had trialed well leading into his first start, winning both outings including an eye-catching two length victory over the 1000m at Hawkesbury on February 27.

Waugh has opted to step the three-year-old up in distance at Wyong on Thursday in the 1350m Super Maiden.

“The extra distance should suit him really well,” she said. “He missed the start at Hawkesbury and got behind them. He’s done really well since and this looks like a nice race for him.”

Jay Ford will partner the gelding who has drawn well in five. 

Ford also partners Churchill four-year-old Bertie who has his first start for the Waugh stable in the 1350m Provincial Maiden. 

The gelding has trialed twice and steps up to provincial grade, having had all four previous runs in the country.

“He’s been doing really good and working well. I’ve been happy with his trials, and we will see how he measures up in this grade.”

Rounding out the Waugh trio on the nine-race program is Shemran, who resumes in the 1350m Class 1. 

“It’s a good starting point for him and he should be in for a good preparation.”

The So You Think gelding who broke through for his maiden win over 1890m at Muswellbrook last preparation and was runner-up at Wyong over 2100m in his next start on November 23.

The first of nine races gets underway at 12.15pm, with the track currently rated a Soft 7.

SELECTIONS: 

Race 1 – 12.15pm: HMA GROUP MAIDEN (2100m): 1 HONGKONG HARMONY, 2 Pine Valley, 3 Icebreaker, 4 Éclair Dancer.

Race 2 – 12.50pm: HMA INSTRUMENTATION MIDWAY BM68 (1350m): 1 CHEVRON, 2 Pennart, 3 Putt For Dough, 4 Tip Top Timing. 

Race 3 – 1.25pm: HMA POWER GENERATION PROVINCIAL MAIDEN (1350m): 1JUMP IN THE LINE, 2 Black Tiara, 3 More Voltage, 4 Oakfield Hawk.

Race 4 – 2.05pm: HMA MATERIALS HANDLING SUPER MAIDEN (1350m): 1 BELLENTH, 2 One Command, 3 Make A Call, 4 Waverley.

Race 5 – 2.40pm: HMA FLOW & INDUSTRIAL CLASS 1 (1350m): 1 EYE OF THE FIRE, 2 Wembanyama, 3 Bold Julius, 4 Bestower.

Race 6 – 3.20pm: HMA GEOTECHNICAL MAIDEN (1000m): 1 RUM DIARY, 2 Keysborough, 3 Super Zippi, 4 Candy Women.

Race 7 – 3.55pm: HMA GTECH CYCLONES BM64 (1100m): 1 SLINKY, 2 Single Benefactor, 3 Cassiel, 4 Time Bandit.

Race 8 – 4.35pm: HMA WEAR SOLUTIONS BM64 (1100m): 1 CROSS YOUR HEART, 2 Drums Of War, 3 Keep Your Cool, 4 Suprina.

Race 9 – 5.10pm: HMA CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1600m): 1 PROFESSOR PICKLES, 2 Draco’s Fire, 3 Dunedin, 4 Highborn Harry. 

The lure of substantial prizemoney combined with a home track advantage, has Wyong trainers Kim Waugh, Allan Kehoe and Kristen Buchanan accept with runners for this Saturday’s $150k Provincial-Midway Championship Qualifier. 

The Waugh trained Shadows Of Love is already through to the $1m final at Randwick on April 13, the Dissident mare a strong winner of the Gosford Qualifier over 1200m on March 16.

She has accepted with True Crime, who finished sixth in the series Final in 2023 and her consistent mare Sweet Ruby. 

In a super training effort, Waugh has saddled up runners in the nine previous finals and has had five placings.

With Shadows Of Love the current third favourite, she will be hoping to add to her finals arsenal on Saturday. 

Darby Racing’s True Crime was second at his last start over the same track and distance on March 20 and Waugh will be hoping he can replicate this form on Saturday. 

A $25,000 bargain buy, the son of Sooboog has won four of his 15 starts with four minor placings, for more than $322,000 in prizemoney. 

Keagan Latham will partner True Crime from barrier six, while the well credentialed Sweet Ruby has drawn barrier 11 and will be ridden by Ashley Morgan. 

A $70,000 Magic Millions buy, Sweet Ruby resumes from a spell in the qualifier, and looks primed for a strong first up effort on the back of two recent trials.

She has had four wins and six placings from her 20 starts, one victory on the Wyong track and another in city grade. 

The local track and distance will hold no qualms for Kristen Buchanan’s Oakfield Waratah, the five-year-old having won two of her four races at Wyong over the 1350m and being placed in the two others. 

The Dissident gelding resumes from a spell, having won a 1000m trial on the track on March 19. 

Buchanan has only had one runner make it through to the Provincial-Midway Championships Final, Designated in 2020, and will be relying on Lee Magorrian to get the job done. 

Allan Kehoe is vying for his first final runner and hoping his four-year-old mare Moonlight Grace, raced by his family, can be the one. 

The daughter of Scissor Kick has brought up two wins and five placings from her 12 starts and has posted a victory over the 1350m.  She will be ridden by Grant Buckley. 

The feature race gets underway at 5pm, with the track rated a good 4. The first of eight races is scheduled for 1.25pm. 

SELELCTIONS:

Race 1 – 1.25pm: TWIN LAKES AIR & SOLAR MIDWAY MAIDEN (1600m): 1 FRENCH DELIVERY, 2 Scorpion Jack, 3 Hellbetta, 4 Hippy Dreams. 

Race 2 – 2.00pm: REWARD HOMES PROVINCIAL CLASS 1 (1350m): 1 GAGO, 2 Braven, 3 Red Cobra, 4 Tender Steak.

Race 3 – 2.35pm: THE ARY SUPER 3YO MAIDEN (1000m): 1 JAMAKIN MONEY, 2 Sturty, 3 Bambi Belle, 4 Du Cap. 

Race 4 – 3.10pm: LIFEFUL NDIS CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2100m): 1 HIGH DANDY, 2 Elemental, 3 Tom Cruising, 4 Super Defense. 

Race 5 – 3.45pm: ASH & SONS 2YO MAIDEN (1200m): 1 MARAIS, 2 Interjection, 3 Desirous, 4 Froebel Star. 

Race 6 – 4.20pm: OLIVIERI’S FLORIST MAIDEN (1350m): 1 STAR BLAZER, 2 Good Once, 3 Parade Ground, 4 O’So Demanding.

Race 7 – 5.00pm: $150,000 POLYTRACK PROVINCIAL-MIDWAY CHAMPIONSHIPS QUALIFIER (1350m): 1 AUSBRED FLIRT, 2 Willinga Freefall, 3 Karedada, 4 True Crime. 

Race 8 – 5.40pm: LAKES PODIATRY CONDITIONAL BM68 (1200m): 1 REIGNING KING, 2 Queen Bess, 3 Resistible, 4 Reggie’s Boy.  

Kristen Buchanan has ended a frustrating run of placings with four winners in the past eight days. 

She hopes to build on that success when her consistent filly Kervette lines up in the 1600m 3YO & Up Maiden on her home track on Wednesday. 

Wyong host the mid-week metro meeting and the lure of increased prizemoney has attracted top class fields across the eight races. 

Buchanan considers the daughter of Kermedec a strong chance of finally breaking through after close finishes in her past two starts. 

She was third over the mile at her last start in metropolitan grade at Warwick Farm on March 6, her first attempt at the distance, and was narrowly beaten at Wyong over 1300m the previous start. 

She has been runner-up in both her outings on the home track and Buchanan would love nothing more than to see her win on Wednesday. 

“I love racing at Wyong and it’s great to have a metropolitan meeting here,” she said. 

“Kervette has been pretty unlucky in her races. I think she should have won two or three races by now. She’s been knocking on the door. 

“The step up to the mile last start was experimental but she’s seasoned at that distance now and it looks like an ideal race.”

Anna Roper will ride the three-year-old, the apprentice having partnered two of the stable’s recent winners. 

“I have no qualms about putting Anna on, regardless of whether she can claim or not. The three kilos off is definitely an advantage but I regard her as a very talented, levelheaded rider.”

Buchanan is hoping the wins will continue this week with runners at Hawkesbury, Scone, Kembla and Rosehill.

“We’ve turned the corner and hopefully the wins will continue to come. We definitely hit a flat spot, it happens every year, but it’s tough when you’re going through it and makes you question yourself. 

“It was great to get the four winners last week and I’m hoping we can finish the season strongly.”

Buchanan has 18 wins for 2023/24, with Kim Waugh leading the local premiership with 32. 

She saddle up three runners at the Wyong meeting, Selfless Act in the 1350m 3YO & Up BM72, True Crime in the 1350m 3YO & Up BM78 and the ultra-consistent Doraskaya in the 2100m 3YO & Up BM78. 

The Russian Revolution mare has had two wins and four placings from her eight starts this preparation and was third at the same track and distance in February.

The first of eight races gets underway at 1.45pm, with the track currently rated a soft 5. 

SELELCTIONS:

Race 1 – 1.45pm: ENVU HANDICAP (1350m): 1 JUST PARTY, 2 Media World, 3 Irregularity, 4 Bengal. 

Race 2 – 2.20pm: ADAMA QUALI-PRO PLATE (1100m): 1 EMPRESS OF WONDER, 2 Ravenclaw, 3 Khaznah, 4 Reemyya.

Race 3 – 2.55pm; DLF TURF – FRONT RUNNERS CUP (2100m): 1 PIRAEUS, 2 Sky Out, 3 Double Cherry, 4 Doraskaya. 

Race 4 – 3.30pm: TURF CULTURE TRIBECA FUNGICIDE HANDICAP (1600m): 1 AUTUMNMATION, 2 Eclipsion, 3 Kervette, 4 December Sky. 

Race 5 – 4.05pm: SYNGENTA POSTERITY HANDICAP (1350m): 1 TYCOON JENNY, 2 Selfless Act, 3 Pajanti, 4 Vadamos Queen. 

Race 6 – 4.40pm; FLORATINE TURF PRODUCTS HANDICAP (1350m): 1 STARMAN, 2 Windshadow, 3 Ebony King, 4 Sir Artie.

Race 7 – 5.15pm: TURFCARE AUSTRALIA HANDICAP (1000m): 1 ZOUKERINO, 2 Stanislaus, 3 Once Again My Girl, 4 Sir Ravanelli. 

Race 8 – 5.50pm: BRANDT FERTILISERS HANDICAP (1200m): 1 SILVANITO, 2 Rhythm Of Love, 3 Lovero, 4 Yiska. 

Damien Lane has called on the State’s leading rider Aaron Bullock to get the job done on three of his five runners lining up at the home track meeting on Thursday. 

Bullock has a dominant lead in the NSW Jockey’s Premiership with 94 winners and along with Lane’s trio, has three further rides on the eight race Wyong program. 

He will partner Lane’s debutant Oakfield Peewee, Wealthy Investor and Oakfield Redgum, while stable apprentice Anna Roper rides Red Cobra and Jenny Duggan partners Impact Star. 

“Aaron is owner Bruce McKenzie’s go to jockey for his Oakfield team. He’s a strong rider and it’s always good to have him on. He certainly gives you confidence,” Lane said. 

Press Statement three-year-old Oakfield Peewee kicks off his career in the 1300m Maiden, after placing third in two recent trials. 

“He’s trialed up really nicely and this is a good starting point for him. The draw is a bit sticky, but he’s shown good natural speed in his trials and should be able to roll across and find a spot. 

“He’s well educated, and while I think the mile will be his best go, I do think he will race well.”

Lane has reinstated the blinkers on Wealthy Investor and changed his training regime in an effort to help him settle in the 1200m CG&E Benchmark 64. 

“His first two runs this time in were good but he didn’t relax when we got him up to the mile. 

“I’ve put the blinkers back on and we’ve been training him from the farm. He trialed up really good and with Bullock on, from the soft draw and back to the 1200m, I expect him to go well.”

He believes Impact Star, in the same race, will likely need the run. 

“She’s a big gross horse who also trialed well but I think she will be better second up over more ground.”

Sebring four-year-old Red Cobra resumes in the 1350m Provincial BM64 and Lane expects him to be doing his best work late. 

“He was good last prep but got well back and out of his ground in his last start and couldn’t sprint with them. He has had a good break and has drawn a soft gate. 

“With Anna’s claim he should run a nice race and be strong late.”

Lane believes his Dundeel mare Oakfield Redgum can figure in the finish of the 1600m BM68 if the race is run to suit. 

“She’s drawn a little tricky but that will hopefully be negated by her good early speed. She likes to roll along but there looks to be a lot of speed in the race, so he may have to slot in behind the leaders. 

“She has great form on the Wyong track (six runs for two wins and two placings) and this is the right trip for her.”

Kim Waugh’s Star Turn gelding is shooting for his fourth successive win in the same race, with stable apprentice Millie Thompson again partnering the four-year-old, having ridden her to all three wins. 

The first of eight races gets underway at 1.15pm, the the track currently a good 4. 

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 1.15pm: SKY CHANNEL MIDWAY MAIDEN (1300m): 1 HELLBENT ON YOU, 2 King Carlos, 3 Oakfield Peewee, 4 Scorpion Jack.

Race 2 – 1.50pm: KIM WILLIAMS APPRECIATION CG&E BM64 (1200m): 1 PANIC, 2 Reggie’s Boy, 3 Weatlhy Investor, 4 Densetsu. 

Race 3 – 2.25pm: TREVOR WARD APPRECIATION F&M BM64 (1200m):  CROSS YOUR HEART, 2 Parisian Rose, 3 Queen Bess, 4 Allapercanto.

Race 4 – 3.05pm: 1 NAVIOS, 2 Prince Aurelius, 3 Elleves, 4 Israelite Bay. 

Race 5 – 3.40pm: 1 CASSIEL, 2 Keysborough, 3 Ragga Ragga, 4 Bethsheba.

Race 6 – 4.20pm: 1 HIGH DANDY, 2 Spanish Fox, 3 Cheerful Cat, 4 Cranberries. 

Race 7 – 4.55pm: 1 SIDE SHOW, 2 Kiptanui, 3 Gardenzio, 4 Oakfield Redgum. 

Race 8 – 5.35pm: 1 DAGON, 2 Dreaming Of Vegas, 3 Opal Fields, 4 Upstopabull. 

Bargain buy Obelius has turned a $1000 online purchase into a $140,000 return for Newcastle based hobby trainer Dale Wagstaff and he believes there are more wins to come.

He brought the son of Nicconi in October 2022 and the now six-year-old has put together five wins and multiple placings since being under Wagstaff’s care.

He shoots for win number six in the 1350m BM68 at Wyong on Tuesday and Wagstaff is confident he will run well. 

“We have been targeting the tried horses for a while, sometimes you get lucky and other times it doesn’t work out,” he said. 

“With Obelius I think the change in environment was a big factor in turning his form around. Mal and Rodney Ollerton, both helped me riding him in the early days at Newcastle. When I first got on him, he bucked but they were able to settle him down. 

“I own a riding school on the outskirts of Sydney with my partner Rachelle Bolton and while I still train from Newcastle, I don’t take them to the track much. We have a treadmill, track and outdoor arena so they do most of their work here. 

“Obelius has really responded to not having to be floated to the track every day. He’s a different horse.”
Jenny Duggan rides Obelius at Wyong and it was her suggestion to bring him back in distance to the 1350m. 

“She rode him for a third at Canterbury over 1550m on February 9 but said he pulls harder over more distance, so we’ve dropped him back. She knows how to ride him now with plenty of room in the straight. 

“He’s a horse who responds to the quick back up. He eats up a lot better after a race than a track gallop, so we keep racing him and he’s a happy horse.

“He thrives on racing and the distance should be ideal. I think he’ll be right in the finish.”

Wagstaff said it’s more a learning experience for him with his latest online buy Patrika Gold, who lines up in the 1100m BM64 in her first start for the stable.

He paid $4500 for the lightly raced six-year-old Puissance De Lune mare who has had four wins from just 12 starts. 

“I’ve put Aaron Bullock on because he’s such a great judge and can tell me what he thinks going forward. 

“She’s settled in really well with us, is fit and has every possible chance of winning. If not I’ll appreciate Aaron’s feedback. “

The first of eight races gets underway at 1.15pm with the track currently a soft 7.

SELECTIONS: 

Race 1 – 1.15pm: INSURANCE HOUSE F&M MAIDEN (1100m): 1 SUMMER SOIREE, 2 Tautou, 3 Cross Your Heart, 4 Miss Bayles.

Race 2 – 1.05PM: COMMSYS CG&E MAIDEN (1100m): 1 DETENDU, 2 Luna Field, 3 The New Sinatra, 4 Never Joking.

Race 3 – 2.25pm: INFRABUILD PROVINCIAL MAIDEN (1600m): 1 HIMEROS, 2 Bling’s Empire, 3 Piplup, 4 Mars Rover.

Race 4 – 3.05pm: LINCOLN ELECTRIC CLASS 1 (1600m): 1 STANCZYK, 2 Noble Tess, 3 Gardenzio, 4 Twelfth Knight. 

Race 5 – 3.40pm: LEVELMASTER MAIDEN (1300m): 1 KHAZNAH, 2 BO KATAN, 3 Kervette, 4 Paruna.

Race 6 – 4.15pm: BJ HOWES METALAND CONDITIONAL BM68 (1350m): 1 MICKEY’S MEDAL, 2 Scalextrics, 3 Innervoice, 4 Obvious Step.

Race 7 – 4.50pm: COREGAS MIDWAY CLASS 1 (1200m): 1 Rush Hour, 2 River Pat, 3 Fludway, 4 Oakfield Triumph.

Race 8 – 5.30pm: MECHPRO SOLUTIONS AU BM64 (1100m): 1 TRISKELION, 2 Lohnraki, 3 Patrika Gold, 4 Azayaka.

A frustrating time for Mark Minervini both on and off the track has the Newcastle based trainer desperate for a change of luck. 

Minervini’s team hasn’t tasted success since Smiling Prophet’s win at Wyong on November 29 and he is hoping a return to the track on Thursday could be the start of a winning run. 

“We are more than due for a winner. We’ve had a frustrating run of placings so it would be good to break through,” he said. 

“Racing is so competitive at the moment. I enjoy the challenge and it has made me a better trainer.”

Minervini’s hopes lie with stable newcomber Mysweetmoses in the 1100m BM64 and veteran Super in the 1350m BM64.

Mysweetmoses, a Vancouver four-year-old, joined the stable following a stint in Victoria under Nick Ryan.

Minervini had previously trained his dam, Splash Of Moet and with Mysweetmoses owners keen to relocate him to New South Wales for better opportunites, the ex-South Australian was the natural choice. 

“They were struggling to place him down there so offered him to me. He ran at Muswellbrook the other day first up but was a bit green and had to carry a big weight. 

“He will be more suited over the 1100m at Wyong and Jean Van Overmiere will ride him. He has worked well since his last start, and I think he should run a really nice race.”

Minervini is also expecting improvement from his eight-year-old Super, a seven-time winner from his 54 starts.

“I had stepped him up to the 1500m and mile, but I’m not convinced he wants that now as he gets older.

“I think the 1350m will suit him at Wyong. He ran a second there in January, so the tighter track won’t present any difficulties. 

“He is still doing well but needs galloping room in his races, so hopefully Zac Wadick can get him to the outside and his three-kilo claim will definitely help.”

And while Minervini is confident both his runners should be “around the mark” he is unlikely to be trackside to cheer them home.

“I’ve had some health issues in recent weeks. I haven’t been well at all but I am under good hands with my cardiologist and he’s is confident he can get me right.”

The first of eight races at Wyong on Thursday gets underway at 1.15pm. 

SELECTIONS: 

Race 1 – 1.15pm: DE BORTOLI WINES CG&E MAIDEN (1100m): 1 GOOD ONCE, 2 Gogmagog, 3 Bo Katan, 4 Bottler. 

Race 2 – 1.50pm: CARLTON & UNITED BREWERIES PROVINCIAL MAIDEN (1600m): 1 IRISH ANTHEM, 2 All Above, 3 Oakfield Zena, 4 Platinum Asset.

Race 3 – 2.25pm: WYONG LEAGUES GROUP BM64 (2100m): 1 DORASKAYA, 2 Wilshire Boulevard, 3 Counter, 4 Caring Lass. 

Race 4 – 3.05pm: SKY CHANNEL CLASS 1 (1000m): 1 SHAKO, 2 Pearls Treasure, 3 Impulsivity, 4 Lara’s Laulet. 

Race 5 – 3.40pm: PBL LAW GROUP SUPER MAIDEN (1350m): 1 STARMAE, 2 Jack Of Aces, 3 Wellerman, 4 Hartman. 

Race 6 – 4.20pm: MAGIC MILLIONS ADELAIDE YEARLING SALE 18-19 MARCH F&M MAIDEN (1100m): ART VOLANT, 2 Cross Your Heart, 3 Weeping Woman, 4 Russian Snitzel.

Race 7 – 4.55pm: CENTRAL COAST COOLROOMS MIDWAY BM64 (1350m): 1 NAVY BLOOD, 2 Battlefield, 3 Selfless Act, 4 Super. 

Race 8 – 5.35pm:  TAB.COM.AU B64 (1100m): 1 O’TYCOON, 2 The Swooper, 4 Triskelion, 4 Oakfield Triumph. 

It’s going to be a big weekend for Kembla trainer Ross McConville with a runner in the last at Randwick on Saturday and another lining up in the first at Wyong on Sunday. 

But the 77-year-old thinks it could be all worthwhile if his talented mare Either Oar can greet the judge in Sydney along with his two Wyong runners Tell The Future and South Of India

“It will be busy that’s for sure, but all three horses are racing well and hopefully we can get some results.”

It’s been almost two years since McConville took over the stables of his long-term partner Gwenda Markwell following her shock cancer diagnosis in February 2022. 

Sadly, she succumbed to the disease eight months later, but McConville had already been running the operation for some time, so it was a relatively seamless transition. 

He had had a lengthy association with Markwell, having bred and raced horses as part of her team for many years. 

The operation has been paired down to around 26 horses, a manageable number for McConville, who has already trained nine winners this season, one more than last season’s tally. 

He is confident Tell The Future (pictured), a four-year-old Nostradamus gelding, can add to his winners by claiming the 2100m Class 1 Maiden on Sunday. 

He has had 11 starts for three placings but McConville believes he has now found the key that will help Tell The Future break through.

“He used to play up in the gates and wouldn’t jump. So, I sent him to Shane Rose (a triple Olympic medalist in eventing) at Bimbden Park for three weeks. 

“He jumped cleanly at his last start over 2000m at on Saturday and finished third. I think if he can do the same at Wyong and jumps well he will be right in the finish. It looks like a good race for him, and he’s been placed at the track over the same distance.”

McConville has a good opinion of South Of India, who will line up in the 1000m Class 1. 

The Churchill three-year-old is a last start Newcastle winner over 900m on January 11. 

“He’s a very nice up and coming horse. I bred him and have high expectations but want to take my time with him.

“I expect him to race really well.” 

Wyong is honouring departing trainer Stephen “Crusher” Farley on Sunday, naming a race after him. 

Farley, who has trained at the track for more than 23 years, is relocating to Port Macquarie. 

The first on a seven-race card gets underway at 1.35pm. 

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 1.35pm: TAB.COM.AU CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2100m): 1 TELL ME MA, 1 Tell The Future, 3 Bush Girl, 4 Lady Brulee. 

Race 2 – 2.10pm: HUCKEL EXCAVATIONS MIDWAY CLASS 1 (1600m): 1 SOVEREIGN DANE, 2 Devine Outcast, 3 Gardenzio, 4 Outakandy.

Race 3 – 2.45pm: SKY CHANNEL PROVINCIAL MAIDEN (1350m): 1 FUGITIVA, 2 Pluckten, 3 Shigeru, 4 Cup Of Ambition. 

Race 4 – 3.25pm: WYONG LEAGUES CLUB F&M MAIDEN (1200m): 1 KHAZNAH, 2 Countyourblessings, 3 Koby Girl, 4 Our Voice. 

Race 5 – 4.04pm: CARLTON & UNITED BREWERIES CG&E MAIDEN (1200m): 1 NOBLE ONE, 2 Edited By, 3 Khumbila, 9 Merchant Empire. 

Race 6 – 4.45pm: BEST WISHES WRC TRAINER STEPHEN “CRUSHER” FARLEY CLASS 1 (1000m): 1 SHAKO, 2 Pearl’s Treasure, 3 South Of India, 4 Fludway.

Race 7 – 5.21pm: DE BORTOLI WINES BM64 (1300m): 1 MERRY MAC BOY, 2 King’s Duty, 3 Mirra Impact, 4 Selfless Act. 

It’s been a long and frustrating wait for Kylie Gavenlock to get her promising mare Thrill Of Brazil back to the track and now the weather could be against her. 

The five-year-old returns to racing in the 1200m Provincial Maiden at Wyong on Thursday and Gavenlock is expecting her to run a “really nice race.”

But a heavy track could affect her chances, so the Gosford based trainer is hoping predicted showers stay away. 

“She has got a bit of ability and her trial on the Beaumont was good,” she said.” I think if the track is okay, she can run a really lovely race, but we will have to see. 

“It’s been a long time getting her back and we are keen to see what she can do.”

The lightly raced daughter of Irish sire Territories has had just five starts and been placed twice at Provincial grade.

Following a fifth on the Beaumont track in December 2022 Gavenlock decided to give her some time to mature but months stretched into more than year. 

“She was very immature at the time and was picky with her eating. We decided to give her three months off and just three days before she was to come back into work, she split her back foot in half. 

“We had to wait for the foot to grow down and that can be like a piece of string. There was nothing structurally wrong with her just the foot and it took a frustratingly long time to heal.”

Gavenlock said while Thrill To Brazil dominated her trial on a heavy Beaumont track on January 5, she believes the track was more chopped up than rain affected. 

“I just don’t think she goes as well on rain affected ground so it will be good if things dry out. I expect her to get out to the mile later this preparation.”

Thrill To Brazil is raced by long time stable supporter Kim Harding, and she will saddle up Diamond Drummer for another of her major clients Greg and Donna Kolivos. 

The five-year-old resumes in the 1350m CG&E BM64 after having just one start for a win for the stable. 

“Greg and Donna usually pass on their horses to me when they aren’t up to city class and Group or Listed races. 

“He came to me in August last year and won first up over 1850m. Obviously he’s a horse who gets over more ground but his two trials going into this have been quite nice.”

By I Am Invincible, the $120,000 yearling purchase, has had 15 starts for two wins and eight minor placings. 

“I really like him and hopefully he has come up again. This is just a starting point for him, but I do expect him to run a nice race.”

The first of seven races gets underway at 1.10pm with the track currently rated a slow 6. 

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 1.10pm: PBL LAW GROUP MIDWAY MAIDEN (1000m): 1 NIGHTCAPPED, 2 Yukan Rose, 3 Still Alice, 4 Lonhanova.

Race 2 – 1.50pm: DE BORTOLI WINES PROVINCIAL MAIDEN (1200m): 1 NORTON ROAD, 2 Shigeru, 3 Fugitiva, 4 Thrill Of Brazil.

Race 3 – 2.25pm: SKY CHANNEL SUPER MAIDEN (1600m): 1IRISH ANTHEM, 2 Denote, 3 Late Night Talking, 4 Noble Tess.

Race 4 – 3.05pm: TABCORP F&M BENCHMARK 64 (1100m): 1THE BLACK CLOUD, 2 Cosmonova, 3 Diamond Lucy, 4 Tidal Impact.

Race 5 – 3.40pm: CARLTON & UNITED BREWERIES CLASS 1 (1200m): 1 COSTA SMERALDA, 2 Diamond Lucy,  3 Eagledge, 4 Externus.

Race 6 – 4.20pm: GO ELECTRICAL F&M BENCHMARK 64 (1350m): 1 LADY BOSS, 2 Linguee, 3 Lady Soames, 4 Mischief In Dubai.

Race 7 – 4.55pm: WYONG LEAGUES GROUP CG&E BENCHMARK 64 (1350m): 1 KATSUMOTO, 2 Carpaccio, 3 King’s Duty, 4 Accuse. 

WYONG trainer Damien Lane didn’t have to debate too long about weekend plans for dual venue acceptor All That Zatso.

When the All Too Hard three-year-old drew poorly in a capacity Magic Millions Maiden Plate (1100m) field at the Gold Coast on Saturday, he quickly decided she would stay at home to run at Wyong the same day.

And his resolution was helped when she drew much more favorably for the Mercure Kooindah Waters Resort Midway Maiden Plate (1000m).

All Too Zatso will be one of two Lane representatives; Flying Artie filly Finest Art being the other.

Lee Magorrian will ride All Too Zatso, and stable apprentice Anna Roper partners Finest Art.

Lane has taken ear muffs off All Too Zatso, but they will stay on her pre-race, and explained the reason for the change of gear.

“We have done a lot of work teaching her to settle this campaign, but she settled too well in the ear muffs at her last start when beaten just under five lengths in a Maiden Plate at a Canterbury night meeting last month,” he said.

“All Too Zatso has been placed at two of her last four runs, and if she can reproduce her previous run at home when runner-up to the promising Bojangles, she will definitely be a good chance.

“But I don’t think there is much between her and my other runner Finest Art, who debuted when seventh to The Black Cloud in a Gosford Maiden Plate (1100m) last Thursday.

“We rode her quietly from a wide draw and her run was better than it may have appeared as she was the widest runner on the home turn.

“I like this filly and feel she has a bit of a future.

“It will probably come down to which of my pair has the better luck in running.” 

Lane also is likely to have dual representation in the following race, the De Bortoli Wines Provincial Benchmark 68 Handicap (1200m).

He has triple venue acceptor Wealthy Investor and Oakfield Mahogany engaged.

Lane quickly scuppered a Gold Coast trip when Wealthy Investor was made fourth emergency for the Magic Millions Rising Stars 3&4YO Class 4 Plate (1300m).

“He would have had to be floated north today without even knowing if he had gained a start,” Lane said.

It’s now a choice between the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1000m) at Royal Randwick, where three withdrawals have already lessened the field to 12, and the Wyong race.

“I will probably wait until just before the 7.30am scratching deadline on Saturday to make a final decision, but at this stage I’m leaning toward Wyong,” Lane said.

“Wealthy Investor is resuming and won a 1000m trial at Wyong on December 15.

“He can race well whichever way we go.

“Oakfield Mahogany is a big boy weighing 590kg. 

“He has had the one run back and might need another, whereas Wealthy Investor is a tall, lean horse who races well fresh.”

Anna Roper will ride Wealthy Investor (but Ash Morgan has the Randwick mount) if he starts at home, and Andrew Adkins rides Oakfield Mahogany.

Lane and Roper are both approaching important milestones in their respective careers.

Lane, with 289 wins, is edging toward 300, and Roper is only two shy of her maiden century.

“I’ve had 18 winners so far this season and, if we keeping going the way we are, the 300 hopefully will come up before the season ends,” Lane said.

Roper is enjoying another brilliant season, taking over from where she inadvertently left off last season after being injured in an after-race mishap at Muswellbrook in November, 2022.

She had ridden 42 winners in not quite the first four months then, and has tallied 41 since joining Lane’s stable at the beginning of the current season.

“Anna is going great, and working hard,” Lane said. “She deserves every success which comes her way.”

Fellow Wyong trainer Rod Bailey also has dual representation in the 1000m Midway Maiden Plate.

He runs HongKong Harmony (Mitchell Bell) and Fruiting Habit (Jess Taylor).

Spirit Of Boom mare Fruiting Habit, an older half-sister to recent Hawkesbury winner Dubai Empress, will race in a nose roll for the first time.

. The rail is in the TRUE position, and the seven-race program begins at 1.25pm. 

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 1.25pm: CARLTON & UNITED BREWERIES F&M CLASS 1 HCP (1300m): 1 IMPOSANT, 2 Give Me Joy, 3 Ring Me Up, 4 Willingale.

Race 2 – 2.00pm: TABCORP BM 64 HCP (2100m); 1 CALIFORNIA GRASS, 2 Jack Duggan, 3 Four O’Clock Knock, 4 Extrarevz.

Race 3 – 2.35pn: MERCURE KOOINDAH WATERS RESORT MIDWAY MAIDEN PLATE (1000m): 1 BATTLEFIELD, 2 Finest Art, 3 All Too Zatso, 4 Fruiting Habit.

Race 4 – 3.10pm: DE BORTOLI WINS PROVINCIAL BM 68 HCP (1200m); 1 THE EXTREME CAT, 2 General Soho, 3 Wealthy Investor, 4 Oakfield Mahogany. 

Race 5 – 3.45pm: SKY CHANNEL SUPER MAIDEN PLATE (1600m): 1 BEACH PARTY, 2 Blend Of Three, 3 Dunbelievin’, 4 Stratified.

Race 6 – 4.20pm: DIMENSION ONE GLASS FENCING CG&E CLASS 1 HCP (1300m): 1 KADALL, 2 Mirra Impact, 3 Outsmarted, 4 Woodlander.

Race 7 – 5.05pm:  SENPOS MAIDEN HCP (1300m): 1 CAPE BYRON, 2 Princess Thalia, 3 Shebrings Beauty, 4 Watermelon.  

WYONG trainer Damien Lane says the opportunity to run his young horses in both feature Magic Millions races at home tomorrow is “too good to pass up”.

Lane opted to start Bare To Witness on resumption in the $150,000 MM 3 & 4YO Stakes (1200m) instead of a restricted race on the program, along with debutante Sneaky Sophia in the $200,000 MM Wyong 2YO Classic (1100m).

Stable apprentice Anna Roper has been given the mount on Bare To Witness, even though it is a non-claiming race, and Reece Jones rides Sneaky Sophia.

Lane dually accepted with Bare To Witness, who went for a break after two impressive country wins, in the PBL Law Group Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m).

“It would have been an easier race for sure, but we had our sights on the 3 & 4YO Stakes when we gave him a break after winning at Dubbo and Coonamble in late September and early October,” Lane said this morning. 

“Races on our home track worth $150,000 don’t come along very often, and being a Magic Millions purchase, he is eligible, so why not have a crack?

“Obviously, he is going up against a Group 1 winner in the favorite Royal Merchant, but I’m really happy with how Bare To Witness has prepared for this.

“He went super (finishing strongly in the centre of the track) when third in a pretty strong trial at Newcastle on November 30.

“If you take the favorite out, it’s a pretty competitive race.

“Whilst we were teaching Bare To Witness to get back and run on in his two country wins, I’m hoping that from an inside draw, he will be able to position up closer tomorrow and he has a really good turn of foot.”

Lane says Bare To Witness will need to be competitive in the 3 & 4YO Stakes if he is to head north for the Magic Millions carnival at the Gold Coast next month.

“There is a Class 4 Plate (1300m) for colts, geldings and entires worth $250,000 on January 6 for three and four-year-olds,” he said.

A $50,000 purchase at last year’s MM yearling sale, the now three-year-old has won three of his eight starts, and more than recouped his purchase price.

Whilst Lane is yet to taste success in either of his home track MM features, he has been around the mark, finishing fourth with $151 bolter Buckin’ Beauty to Problem Solver in the 2018 3 & 4YO Stakes, and third with Wealthy Investor ($18) to Soaring Ambition in the 2021 2YO Classic.

Merchant Navy filly Sneaky Sophia was an $80,000 buy at this year’s MM sale in January.

“She is a half-sister to Just Field, with whom we won a few races and also was placed many times in Sydney and Brisbane, and that’s why we were keen to buy her,” Lane explained.

“Sneaky Sophia has had the one trial (third to Justice Please, one of her rivals tomorrow, over 800m at Newcastle on November 30), and I would have liked to have been able to give her another trial.

“She is quite a nice filly, and I have no doubt will be better as a three-year-old, but again the race is on your home track, there are only eight runners and it’s worth good money.

“The hot favorite (Spywire) dominates the event, but if Sneaky Sophia can run Top 3 or 4, it will be a pleasing outcome looking ahead to the future.”

Spywire, from the powerful Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable, cost $520,000 as a yearling, and is currently a $6 second favorite for the Gold Coast $3m Magic Millions (1200m) on January 3.

But he isn’t the dearest two-year-old in tomorrow’s race.

A son of 2004 Wyong 2YO Classic winner Snitzel, Highness (Tommy Berry), trained by Michael Freedman, fetched $900,000 at this year’s MM sale, and won an 800m trial against his own age at Newcastle on November 30.

Kristen Buchanan is the only other Wyong trainer with a representative in either of the feature events. She runs Stenson Wallman (Koby Jennings) in the 3 & 4YO Stakes.

The seven-race program begins at 1.45pm.

SELECTIONS:

RACE 1 – 1.45PM STAINLESS FX MAIDEN HANDICAP (1350m): DUNBELIEVIN’, 2 Discover, 3 Figment, 4 Preordain.

RACE 2 – 2.20PM PRIDE EXCAVATIONS BENCHMARK 64 HANDICA (2100m): 1 SCARLET PRINCE, 2 Aunt Roberta, 3 Youthfull, 4 Supertrail.

RACE 3 – 2.55PM GOLD COAST YEARLING SALE 3-16JAN BENCHMARK 64 HCP (1600m): 1 MISTRESS, 2 Ritzytwenties, 3 Silent Russian, 4 Heika.

RACE 4 – 3.30PM MAGIC MILIONS WYONG 3 & 4YO STAKES (1200m): 1 ROYAL MERCHANT, 2 Semana, 3 Fleetwood, 4 Bare To Witness.

RACE 5 – 4.05PM WYONG LEAGUES CLUB PROVINCIAL BENCHMARK 68 HCP (1300m): 1 ANNULUS, 2 Little Beginnings, 3 Big Happiness, 4 The Empire.

RACE 6 – 4.40PM MAGIC MILLIONS WYONG 2YO CLASSIC (1100m): 1 SPYWIRE, 2 Toque, 3 Highness, 4 Justice Please.

RACE 7 – 5.14PM PBL LAW GROUP MIDWAY BENCHMARK 64 HCP (1100m): 1 BOJANGLES, 2 Smiling Prophet, 3 Northumbria, 4 The Extreme Cat.