race day preview

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. 

The racing community at Wyong and beyond is saddened by news that one of the industry’s true gentlemen, Stan Thomas passed away on Monday.

Stan had a life-long association with racing and was still training winners at the age of 83.

In his latter training career Stan enjoyed great success with his mare Ondo Pasa, who had eight wins and 16 placings from 65 starts. It was quite fitting the mare celebrated her last win at Wyong in June 2020.

Stan also enjoyed great success with gelding Swift Express, who won 13 races and was placed 15 times in the late 70’s early 80’s, and Lord Neptune a winner of eight races around the same period.

Despite reluctantly having to give up his passion due to ill-health, Stan remained connected with the Club and the industry, regularly dropping into the Club to share news and racing insights. 

Wyong Race Club extends its condolences to Stan’s wife Evelyn and his many friends.  He will be sorely missed. Stan was 85.

There are no plans for a public funeral at this time.

Mark Minervini is hoping it’s a case of deja vu for his Hellbent colt Fire And Ice. 

The two-year-old is the grandson of Vormista, a Group 2 winning mare Minervini believes is one of the best horses he has trained. 

Hell And Ice, an $80,000 yearling who resumes at Wyong on Tuesday, has reunited the syndicate that raced Vormista more than 12 years ago. 

“Brian Cannon, Paul Inlander and Jeff Halsall, owned Vormista and when I saw her grandson was the in the Inglis sale, I contacted Brian to see if he was interested,” Minervini said.

“He agreed and Paul and Jeff were keen. He’s the first horse they’ve had together since Vormista and hopefully they’ve got a handy one on their hands.”

Certainly, leading jockey Hugh Bowman is impressed by Fire And Ice, having partnered him in two recent Sydney trials, his latest at Randwick on July 8 when he won by almost three lengths. 

He will ride him at Wyong where he has drawn barrier 1 in the 1000m Canadian Club 2YO Maiden.

“Hugh has given us some great feedback and we were keen to have him ride him in the race. 

“He showed us good form in quality Metropolitan races in his first preparation and there is no reason to believe he hasn’t improved. 

“We are hoping he can go to Wyong and win his maiden. He’s an exciting prospect for the stable. 

“We’ve paid up for the Golden Rose, so that’s the short-term plan. He’s still a colt and I haven’t raced a colt with this sort of ability and temperament for a long time. “

Minervini is also keen on the chances of Exo Angel, an Exosphere filly, who lines up for her third race start in the 1350m Coombs Family Maiden. 

“She’s a lovely filly and is going really well. She drew the outside barrier in her first start at Gosford and it was too short for her.

“At her next start at Scone she also drew wide and had to go back. She peeled out and ran home strong for fourth. 

“I think this is the right trip for her and she comes into the race in good order.”

The first of eight races gets underway at 12.15pm.

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 12.15pm: HAPPY RETIREMENT JEFF ENGELBRECHT CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2000m): 1ROCCAFORTE, 2 King Kikau, 3 Sneaky Island, 4 Gracious Gracie.

Race 2 – 12.50pm: ALLAN DENHAM RACING 3YO MAIDEN (1600m): 1 REGAL POM, 2 Flyway, 3 Coudreau, 4 Party Stop.

Race 3 – 1.25pm: COOMBS FAMILY MAIDEN (1350m): 1 ROMA AVENUE, 2 Cairdeas, 3 Exo Angel, 4 Rovers Pepper.

Race 4 – 2.05pm: TAB.COM.AU PROV & CTRY MAIDEN (1200m): 1 DIAMOND TIPPED, 2 Verzenay, 3 Meerut, 4 My Naughty Boy.

Race 5 – 2.40pm: CANADIAN CLUB 2YO MAIDEN (1000m): 1 FIRE AND ICE, 2 Cruizingdafield, 3 Perpignan, 4 Amberina.

Race 6 – 3.20pm: WYONG RACE CLUB FUNCITON CENTRE CLASS 1 (1100m): SNEAKY PAIGE, 2 Keikoku, 3 Allusionist, 4 Notifies.

Race 7 – 3.55pm: GREAT NORTHERN CLASS 1 (1600m): 1 SOVERIGN EXPRESS, 2 Brynner, 3 Styke ‘Em Onesie, 4 Equivada.

Race 8 – 4.35pm: WYONG’S NEXT RACEDAY THURSDAY JULY 28 BM64 (1300m): 1 TERRAMEADES, 2 Perfect Match, 3 Budhwar, 4 Hollywood Gossip.

Kim Waugh is on her way to claiming another Wyong Trainers Premiership and could add to her winning tally on her home track on Thursday. 

Waugh has enjoyed a great run over the past month, posting five winners, including a Rosehill double, to take her to 35 to date for the 2021/2022 season. 

She saddles up two runners at Thursday’s Clubs NSW Central Coast Men’s Health Charity Race Day and believes the track will be perfect for both Rose Of Mahtoum and The Bullring. 

“We should get a very favourable track and that will suit both of mine,” Waugh said. “It’s been frustrating with these heavy tracks, but everyone’s been in the same boat. 

“When you have horses that don’t handle it your better off tipping them out because it doesn’t do their confidence any good going around. Hopefully the tracks are finally drying out.

“We’ve been going well this season, particularly over the past month and the Rosehill double was great. Hopefully it will continue.”

Waugh believes her Rubick gelding The Bullring has been a victim of the tracks and should put his best foot forward in the 1100m Class 1 on Thursday.

The three-year-old, a $120,000 yearling, has had nine starts for a win and three placings.

He resumed with a third at Hawkesbury in early May on a soft track over the 1100m, but then had to contend with two heavy tracks and was placed 10^th at Newcastle on June 4 over 1200m, and seventh at Hawkesbury on May 22 over 1300.

“We’ve just been trying to find the right track and distance for him and hopefully we have that on Thursday. He should be up on the pace from the good draw. 

“He’s won at Wyong previously, so that’s also in his favour.”

Waugh’s other runner, Rose Of Mahtoum is having her second career start in the 1350m Maiden. 

The Capitalist filly debuted at Newcastle on June 4 over 1200m. 

“We are taking her along slowly because she’s bred to get over more ground,” Waugh said. 

“She drew wide at her first start on a very heavy track and Serg (Lisnyy) had to take her back.

“With the advantage of a much better track and good draw, we will get a better idea of how she’s going.”

The first of eight races gets underway at 12.10pm.

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 12.20pm: THE ENTRANCE LEAGUES CLUB 4YO&UP CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2000m): 1 BATTENBURG, 2 Launch Attack, 3 Dobbin, 4 Lover Girl.

Race 2 – 12.45pm: MINGARA RECREATION CLUB MAIDEN (1350m): 1 TWELVE HOURS, 2 Bullet Wing, 3 Feirme Prince, 4 Starboard Light.

Race 3 – 1.20pm: AINSWORTH LEISURE GROUP 4YO&UP MAIDEN (1100m): 1 POKERJACK, 2 Ma’s Dream, 3 Oakfield Blossom, 4 Harapan.

Race 4 – 1.55pm: GOSFORD RSL CLUB 3YO MAIDEN (1100m): 1 VALORIA, 2 Fielding, 3 Misty Dreams, 4 The Halo.

Race 5 – 2.35pm: STAR FM 104.5 MAIDEN (1600m): 1 COUNT ON ME, 2 The Milkybar Kid, 3 Metaphysics, 4 Sulmaher.

Race 6 – 3.10pm: THE ROOS FOUNDATION BM64 (1600m): 1 DENARAU, 2 Oakfield Storm, 3 The Maxinator, 4 Cupid’s Kiss.

Race 7 – 3.45pm: THE BELLA GROUP BM64 (1350m): 1 HARLEM GROOVE, 2 One Way Street, 3 Adios Steve, 4 Lady Patricia.

Race 8 – 4.20pm: DOYALSON RSL CLASS 1 (1100m): 1 HIGHLY AMBITIOUS, 2 Military Parade, 3 Divine Okay, 4 The Bullring.

Mark Stewart has mixed feelings about Wyong, with three of his previous four runners at the track all finishing second. 

The Taree based trainer returns for Thursday’s KFC meeting, hoping to breakthrough for a win. 

“I haven’t had a lot of Provincial runners and certainly Wyong has been good for me with three of them running second,” he said. “I’ve had good and back luck I suppose because it would have been nice to win, but hopefully we can go one better on Thursday. I know all three race well at the track and can handle heavy conditions, so that’s a bonus.”

Stewart’s trio Gracious Gracie, All Beans and Preferred Choice all finished second at Wyong in their current preparations, giving him plenty of confidence heading into the meeting. Alysha Collett will partner all three.

All Beans, a three-year-old son of Spill The Beans, starts in the 1100m Provincial & Country Maiden over 1100m. He has been runner-up in three of his eight starts, including a second at Wyong over 1200m on April 28.

“He was second at Moree last start but really should have won. He over raced badly that day and got on the back of heels. We’ve taken the blinkers off for this race, just to see if we can get him to settle a bit more, and hopefully he’ll finish off even stronger.

“I’ve had him since he was a weanling, and I think he could turn out to be a pretty handy horse.”

Choisir mare Preferred Choice lines up in 2000m Class 1 and Maiden, with Stewart confident she’s ready for the step up in distance. 

The four-year-old has had a win and two placings from five starts since joining Stewart’s stable and should relish the track conditions. 

“I think she’s a dead set wet track horse. We took her to Moree the other day, it was a soft track, and she didn’t like it. She’d won in the heavy at Taree the start before and was second at Wyong. 

“I don’t think she liked travelling to Moree. It took her a few days to get over it and Wyong is just down the road. If she comes to the races like she did when she won, she’ll be there at the end.”

Stewart’s Dream Ahead mare Gracious Gracie is a dual acceptor in the 1350m 4YO & Up Maiden and 1600m Maiden.

“I’ll try and work out the best race for her. She’s been a bit frustrating running plenty of seconds and I think she’s looking for a mile now. 

“The 1350m looks an easier race but she’s drawn wider in it. I’ve had her for four starts now. She came to me with a few feet issues but she’s about 90% sound now. Once she’s fully sound I think she’ll be a pretty handy horse.”

The first of eight races gets underway at 12.15pm. 

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 12.15pm: WYONG RACE CLUB FUNCTION CENTRE 4YO & UP MAIDEN (1350m): 1 NOMORETAWQ, 2 Cataratas, 3 Gracious Gracie, 4 Jaxon’s Day.

Race 2 – 12.50pm: THE ZING ON PROV & CTRY MAIDEN (1100m): 1OAKFIELD DUKE, 2 The Halo, 3 Razeta, 4 Elusive Bride.

Race 3 – 1.25pm: FINGER LICKIN GOOD MAIDEN (1000m): 1ROCK CHANT, 2 Shirshov, 3 Nickelback, 4 Oakfield Blossom.

Race 4 – 2.15pm: KYLE OLIVER MAIDEN (1600m): 1 CALM DOWN, 2 Tiva Bay, 3 Denarau, 4 The Wanderer.

Race 5 – 2.40pm: THE STACK BURGER CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2000m): 1 LOVE RULES, 2 Vyner, 3 Launch Attack, 4 Miss Laquetta.

Race 6 – 3.15pm: COLONEL SANDERS CONDITIONAL BM68 (1100m): 1 TUCSON VALLEY, 2 Black Jacamar, 3 Sausalito, 4 Monemademefamous.

Race 7 – 3.50pm: THE RAYMOND FAMILY F&M BM64 (1350m): NARUMI, 2 Sebring’s Rose, 3 Buba, 3 Darci Diva.

Race 8 – 4.25pm: WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETING THURSDAY JUNE 16 BM64 (1350m): 1 THINK HIGH, 2 Mobstar, 3 Do Well Legend, 4 Harlem Grove.

Moneymadefamous ground out a tough win at Gosford last start and Brett Partelle is confident the gelding is capable of back-to-back wins. 

The five-year-old is one of three runners Partelle takes to his home track meeting this Thursday and he believes at least two could figure in the finish. 

Moneymademefamous and Skye Banner start in the 1200m Class 1, while Nomoretawq lines up in the 1100m CG&E Maiden. 

Partelle said Moneymademefamous had improved since his maiden win on a heavy track.

“He hasn’t gone backwards since then. He goes up in class but I’m sure he’s ready to run a nice race and put his best food forward again,” he said.

The Fast ‘N’ Famous gelding came to Partelle via a stint with Gordon Yorke in Albury.

“He’s been a bit of a work in progress, but he keeps improving. He came up here pretty new and pretty raw. 

“Yorkey and I had a discussion and we thought he’d improve with better training facilities here, which he has.

“First up for me at Gosford he got too far back and in his next run at Wyong he was wide and ran fifth. Then he came out the other day and won, so he’s getting better with each run. 

“He’s maturing and his confidence is quite high, so I’m expecting another good performance.”

Partelle also expects a good showing from another recent stable addition Nomoretawq, who is coming off a third at Gosford over 1100m on April 22. 

The six-year-old, by Onemorenomore, was previously in the care of recently retired trainer Peter Eggleston.

“Peter sent him down in good order. He’s settled in well and enjoys the environment. We have him in the water a lot which is pretty therapeutic. He seems to appreciate that and is responding to it. 

“His last couple of runs have been really good and he will handle the track. 

“In saying that I’d like to see him on top of the ground but that’s not an option at the moment. 

“He’s improved since his last run, and I expect him to race well.”

Wet tracks have been an issue for Sky Banner, who also starts in the 1200m Class 1.

“I’ve been hanging around try to find the right race and right track for him, but it hasn’t happened so I’m starting him under sufferance. 

“He needs firm footing but we’ll send him around. He needs to race otherwise you are just going backwards.” 

The first of nine races gets underway at 11.40am.

SELECTIONS

Race 1 – 11.40am: WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETING THURSDAY JUNE 2 3YO MAIDEN (1350m): 1 CITRIC, 2 Willinga Rufio, 3 Ms Nefertiti, 4 Dubai Showgirl.

Race 2 – 12.15pm: THE BELLBIRDS & CENTRAL COAST VOLUNTEER RESCUE ASSOCIATION 2YO MAIDEN (1100m): 1 CAPTAIN BOND, 2 Secret Revolution, 3 Economics, 4 Ahoy.

Race 3 – 12.50pm: WE CARE CONNECTION & CENTRAL COAST KIDS IN NEED 2YO MAIDEN (1100m): 1 SILENTSAR, 2 Bernasconi, 3 Controlocracy, 4 Sylvia Belle.

Race 4 – 1.25pm: ACCOLADE WINES F&M MAIDEN (1100m): 1GLACIER QUEEN, 2 Not That Easy, 3 Kimura, 4 Arale.

Race 5 – 2.05pm: NESTLE PROFESSIONAL CG&E MAIDEN (1100m): 1 CONSPIRACIST, 2 Easily Offended, 3 Fielding, 4 Laos Fortune.

Race 6 – 2.40pm: COCO-COLA EUROPACIFIC PARTNERS & ARCADE TRADER CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2000m): 1AWESOME WONDER, 2 Vandelay Style, 3 Thailand, 4 Overthink.

Race 7 – 3.20pm: DAILY PRESS & CARLTON & UNITED BREWERIES BM64 (1600m): 1 DUKE OF GORDON, 2 Star Sparks, 3 O’Not A Doubt, 4 Alastor.

Race 8 – 3.55pm: REGNIS REFRIGERATION & SONS BM64 (1350m): 1 PODIUM, 2 O’Not A Doubt, 3 Royale Return, 4 River Snitty.

Race 9 – 4.35pm: WYONG ROOS FOUNDATION CLASS 1 (1200m): 1 HURIWAI, 2 One Way Street, 3 Xpresso, 4 Moneymademefamous.

Allthehills is aiming for back-to-back victories after giving Ben Hill his first win in almost two years when he broke through at Wyong last start.

The Love Conquers All gelding didn’t have the best record heading into the April 7 race over 1350m on his home track and surprised many with the win.

He had been unplaced in all of his nine previous starts, but Hill kept the faith.

He had seen continued improvement in the four-year-old and was confident he could bring out the best in him. 

‘I’d been expecting a nice run but not expecting him to run out of the ground the way he did,” Hill said. 

“Hopefully the penny might have started to drop, and he will keep improving. 

“He has been a bit coltish, so we have taken our time and not rushed him.

“I think if we’d have pushed him, he could have turned into a lunatic, so we’ve done things slowly and hopefully he can reward us with a few wins.”

Allthehills steps up to the 1600m in the Class 1on Thursday and Hill believes he will appreciate the extra ground. 

“Grant Buckley rode him at the end of his last preparation and said he thought he’d get up to 1800m.

“This will be a test on Thursday over the mile but if he can handle that and further, we could have some good options with him going forward. 

“We know he can handle a heavy track and he races well at Wyong, so there are a few things going for him.

“Pat Scorse will ride him again and with his claim we will only carry 54kg.”

There is added pressure for Hill with his mother Deidre a 40% shareholder in Allthehills.

“We brought him for $40,000 as a two-year-old at the ready to run sales with Mum happy to buy in along with Gavin Potter, who’s been a long-time client and a couple of mates.

“It was Mum’s first winner on the home track the other day and she was very excited.”

Hill, a former jockey who trainers three horses from his Wyong base, also saddles up Nomorebourbons in the 1350m Maiden.

He is hoping to see some improvement by the filly before she is spelled. 

“She has been showing us more at home but needs to take it to the races. “Hopefully I’ll see a better run on Thursday to give us some confidence for the future. 

“She’s got plenty of maturing to do so will most likely go out after this run.”

The first of eight races gets underway at 12.20pm.

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 12.20pm: HMA GROUP MAIDEN (1350m): 1 OXFORD VISION, 2 African Daisy, 3 Gracious Gracie, 4 Australian Citizen.

Race 2 – 12.55pm: HMA INSTRUMENTATION MAIDEN (1200m): 1PROMISE THE MOON, 2 Red Cobra, 3 Bergkamp, 4 All Beans.

Race 3 – 1.35pm: HMA POWER GENERATION MAIDEN (2000m): 1BAY OF KIEL, 2 All About Ollie, 3 Love Rules, 4 Whoopti Fizz.

Race 4 – 2.10pm: HMA MATERIEALS MAIDEN (1600m): 1 NAVAL SEAL, 2 Sneaky Island, 3 Calm Down, 4 By Nine.

Race 5 – 2.50pm: HMA FLOW & INDUSTRIAL CLASS 1 (1600m): 1 DUKE OF GORDON, 2 Gwan So, 3 Shorebreak, 4 Allthehills.

Race 6 – 3.25pm: HMA GEOTECHNICAL BM64 (1350m): 1 PUBLICIST, 2 Miss Scalini, 3 Crazy Train, 4 Mascherata.

Race 7 – 4.05pm: HMA WEAR SOLUTIONS CLASS 1 (1200m): 1 MISSION VALUE, 2 Sabino, 3 Daichi, 4 The Bullring.

Race 8 – 4.40pm: HMA GTECH CYCLONES BM64 (1000m): 1 SELHURST PARK, 2 Crimson Rock, 3 Harlem Grove, 4 Mr Polar.

John Cooper saddles up half of his small team at Thursday’s Wyong meeting, the owner/trainer confident at least one of the three is a winning chance. 

Cooper believes last start winner Arabolini can make it back-to-back victories when he starts up in the 2100m BM64. 

The six-year-old German import has been a great money spinner for Cooper, with almost $175,000 in prizemoney from his six wins and 10 placings. 

He brought up win number six at Scone on March 22 over the 2200m, at a Provincial meeting transferred from Gosford. 

He lines up in the same class over a similar distance on Thursday and Cooper is quietly confident.

“He’s won at Wyong before and he’s in good form,” he said. “He pulled up well from the Scone and has had a two-week break leading into this. 

“I’m quietly confident about his chances. There is no reason why he can’t win again. He seems to like the tighter tracks and it won’t worry him if it is rain affected.”

Cooper said apprentice Ellen Hennessy will continue her association with Arabolini, having previously partnered him in two of his wins. 

“She’s got a good relationship with him and will claim two kilos and that all helps.”

Spill The Beans four-year-old Alastor resumes in the 1300m BM64 after a successful first preparation with the stable. 

The gelding has had four wins and six placings from 18 starts, his latest victory over 2100m at Wyong in January this year.

Jess Taylor, who partnered him in the win, rides him again on Thursday. 

While Cooper does consider the 1300m a bit short, he wouldn’t be surprised to see the gelding race well first up. 

“I didn’t trial him, but he’s been going well and is hopefully in for a good preparation. He has filled out more and grown up in the head.

“Now he just has to put it all together on the track.”

Cooper is hoping for an improved performance by his third runner, recent stable addition Bergkamp in the 1200m 3YO Maiden.

The Written Tycoon three-year-old was disappointing on debut at Newcastle over 900m on March 22.

“I hope to see an improvement on that performance and a bit more ground should help,” he said. “There were no excuses for his run, but I think the penny hasn’t dropped for him yet. 

“He will take a lot education wise out of his first start and I’ve got a good strong jockey in Grant Buckley, which will also help. 

“He’s a nice big striding horse but he’s a work in progress and I expect he may get over more ground later on.”

The first of eight races gets underway at 1pm.

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 1pm: TAB.COM.AU BENCHMARK 64 (2000m): 1 ARABOLINI, 2 Sacramento Joe, 3 Essential Sky, 4 Bastida.

Race 2 – 1.35pm: WYONG RACE CLUB FUNCTION CENTRE MAIDEN (1600m): 1DUKE OF GORDON, 2 Poetic Drama, 3 Down Every Road, 4 Blackall.

Race 3 – 2.10pm: DE BORTOLI WINES 2YO MAIDEN (1000m): 1 LUNA ROCKS, 2 Diamond City, 3 Sidenay, 4 Red Cobra.

Race 4 – 2.45pm: HUCKEL EXCAVATIONS 3YO MAIDEN (1200m): 1 AIRRAID, 2 Aircraftman, 3 Fearnought, 4 Echo’s Arrow.

Race 5 – 3.20pm: PBL LAW GROUP MAIDEN (1300m): 1 OXFORD VISION, 2 Australian Citizen, 3 Island Lass, 4 Starboard Light.

Race 6 – 3.55pm: GO ELECTRICAL BENCHMARK 64 (1300m): 1BRILLAR, 2 Norman, 3 Mo The Great, 4 Never Cry.

Race 7 – 4.30pm: CARLTON DRAUGHT BENCHMARK 64 (1000m): 1 SUPRINA, 2 Native Rock, 3 Coal Crusher, 4 AKASAKI.

Race 8 – 5.05pm: WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETING THURSDAY APRIL 28 PROVINCIAL CUP-CONDITIONAL CLASS 4 (1600m): 1 HIGHBALLER, 2 Peekays Legacy, 3 Iverson, 4 Vicky’s One.

On the back of a successful trip north, Kristen Buchanan is hoping for continued luck when she saddles up two runners on her home track this Thursday.

Buchanan made the long haul to Brisbane on Saturday but returned a winner after Delexo proved too strong in the 1000m Class 6 Plate at Eagle Farm.

She was chasing drying tracks in Queensland and would prefer the same surface for both her Wyong runners. 

“It was great to get the winner at Eagle Farm. It had been on my mind for a while to head up there because Delexo doesn’t handle the heavy tracks,” she said. 

“I had to scratch him three or four times which isn’t ideal, so we made the decision to race up there. 

“Even then there was uncertainty because with all the rain we didn’t know until Thursday night if we could get through.”

Buchanan returned to Wyong on Sunday and hopes the predicted rain holds off on Thursday for her fillies Tikitiboo and Raging Climax.

She is keen to finally get to the track with Starspangledbanner filly Tikitiboo, who has looked impressive in her two recent trials.

The three-year-old debuts in the 1000m Maiden and will be ridden by stable apprentice Maddi Derrick.

“She has had lots of trials but the main reason for that is the timing just hasn’t been right, and I’ve been trying to dodge the wet tracks. 

“I think she’s a really nice filly. She’s hot to trot and ready to get on with it. I don’t know if she’s a 1000m horse, but it will be a lovely starting point for her. 

“Educationally she does everything right, so she’s definitely ready to go to the races and I give her a chance although the wide barrier isn’t great.

“Her trials have been good and while 1000m is an ideal starting point for her, it’s not where she’ll end up.”

Buchanan is also keen to see Tosen Stardom two-year-old Raging Climax get over more ground in the 1350m Maiden.

She had her first start at Newcastle on March 17 over 1200m with Buchanan describing her effort as “lack lustre.”

“She’s still a baby and just got lost that day. I think eventually she’ll be a 2000m horse, but she’ll have a run over the 1350m. 

‘I think she’s a really nice filly, but her first start was a little underwhelming, so I’ll be hoping for improvement.”

Kim Waugh also heads into the meeting with two chances in previous Midway winner Different Strokes and three-year-old Oxford Vision.

Different Strokes starts in the 1350m BM68 after coming off an unplaced run in a Newcastle heat of the Provincial Midway Championship, while Oxford Vision will be aiming to break through at his third start in the 1350 Provincial and Country Maiden.

The first of eight races gets underway at 12.55pm.

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 12.555pm: CANADIAN CLUB MAIDEN (1350m): 1 SHOHEI, 2 Definitely Maybe, 3 Mirra View, 4 Gwan So

Race 2 – 1.35pm: GREAT NORTHERN PROV & CTRY MAIDEN (1350m): 1 OXFORD VISION, 2 Isla, 3 Fromdustwemust, 4 Pep

Race 3 – 2.10pm: VALE CAM McBRIEN MAIDEN (1000m): 1 PREFER TO BE READY, 2 Tempestas, 3 Dona Antonia, 4 Tikitiboo.

Race 4 – 2.50pm: TAB.COM.AU MAIDEN (2000m): 1 SKY ACE, 2 Sonic The Hedgehog, 3 Aphroditti, 4 Essential Sky

Race 5 – 3.25pm: COCA-COLA CLASS 1 (1600m): PUBLICIST, 2 Thousand Years, 3 Champions League, 4 Vanilla Sky

Race 6 – 4.05pm: GO ELECTRICAL CLASS 1 (1350m): 1 BRILLAR, 2 Decadent Tale, 3 Spats Pav Bowie, 4 Every Effort

Race 7 – 4.40pm: WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETING THURSDAY APRIL 14 CONDITIONAL BM68 (1350m): 1 DIFFERENT STROKES, 2 Ticket To Anywhere, 3 Never Cry, 4 Visceral

Race 8 – 5.15pm: CARLTON DRAUGHT BM64 (1100m): 1 COAL CRUSHER, 2 Way To The Stars, 3 Cassy’s Sister, 4 Velorum.