race day preview

Click Here for today’s Racebook. Kim Waugh is on track to better her personal best season and her three runners on Thursday could add to the tally.

With 43 wins for the season to date, Waugh is just three shy of the 46 she trained in 2016/2017 and currently sits 15^th on the NSW Trainers Premiership. 

Her win and place ratios are among the best of any trainer in the State, and she hopes to better those stats with her three home track runners at Wyong.

“We’ve had a good run and hope it can continue,” Waugh said.

“We’ve only got a small team with 35 in work, but we are happy with that number and things have been going well. We’ve got lots of nice horses and some nice young ones coming through also. 

“I’m really happy with the way the horses are going. You can’t win them all but it’s nice when they are racing really consistently.”

Consistency is certainly the key to Hidden Hills (pictured), who has had a win and three placings from his six outings this preparation. 

The All American gelding was badly hampered at his last start at Scone over 1600m on June 1 and Waugh is hoping for better luck come Thursday.

“He had a couple of really bad checks at Scone but came through it okay. He just had no luck at all,” she said.

“He’s been very consistent this prep and I thought he could win that race, but things didn’t go to plan. He just got wiped out.”

Hidden Hills, who starts in the 1600m BM64, will have to overcome a wide barrier but Waugh is hoping some scratching’s might bring him closer in. 

The same applies to Pink Beau, resuming in the 1350m BM 64, and has drawn barrier 10.

“She had a pretty good preparation last time in,” Waugh said. 

“She’s first up but had a trial and I was really happy with her. She’s come back much stronger this prep and a bit more mature. 

“I think she might get over a little bit more ground later on, but this is a nice starting point for her.”

Rounding off Waugh’s trio is Magic Albert mare Toguchi, who lines up in the 1350m Maiden.

The four-year-old mare has been narrowly beaten at her last two starts at Gosford and Waugh is confident she will race well. 

“She got beat a head by a head at Gosford last start and is racing very well without winning. She’s run a lot of seconds and thirds and hopefully this should be a nice race for her.”

The first of eight races gets underway at 11.55am. 

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 11.55am: AINSWORTH GAMING TECHNOLOGY (AGT) MAIDEN (1600m): 1 TANGIER, 2 Angela Sistina, 3 River Tycoon, 4 Coola King.

Race 2 – 12.35pm: CONSULATE FINANCE 4YO&UP MAIDEN (1100m): 1BUCKIN’ RIPPA, 2 Em Cee Gee, 3 Stonesthrow, 4 Stella’s Star.

Race 3 – 1.15pm: THE ARY TOUKLEY 3YO MAIDEN (1100m): 1 DA NANG STAR, 2 Miss Checkoni, 3 Pressita, 4 Sarandos.

Race 4 – 1.55pm: SEVEN STAR VENDING MAIDEN (1350m): 1VOLTERRA, 2 Toguchi, 3 Lucky To Win, 4 Kennedy Choice. 

Race 5 – 2.35pm: SYNERGY FM 4YO&UP CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2100m): OAKFIELD CHEROKEE, 2 Dunlee, 3 Lime And Sugar, 4 Finney.

Race 6 – 3.10pm: THE ENTRANCE LEAGUES CLUB CLASS 1 (1100m): 1 OSAMU, 2 Stormborn, 3 Bat Pad, 4 Prince Invincible. 

Race 7 – 3.45pm: THE RACE TO SHELLY BEACH GOLF CLUB BM64 (1350m): 1 ASSAULT’N’BATHORY, 2 Budhwar, 3 Pink Beau, 4 Templates. 

Race 8 – 4.25pm: GOSFORD RSL CLUB ENCHMARK 64 (1600m): 1 SONIC TYCOON, 2 Dundee Lee, 3 Hidden Hills, 4 Templates. 

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Kristen Buchanan is hoping for an Oakfield double when she saddles up two runners at Thursday’s Wyong meeting. 

Three-year-old filly Oakfield Arrow will have her final run this preparation in the 1350m Fillies and Mares BM64, while stablemate Oakfield Cherokee steps up to the 2100m in the Class 1 and Maiden. 

Buchanan believes both runners will be very competitive and continue a good late season run for the stable. 

The stable has had four winners in May and with 22 wins to date is closing in on last season’s total of 24. 

“It’s been a nice run and hopefully it can continue. Our strike rate is back up where it should be, so I’m pleased about that,” she said.

“My goal is to beat my best strike rate, so I’ll need about 20 percent winners and close to 40 percent placings to do that.

“I always aim for around there because if you are hitting those kinds of goals, you are doing a really good job of placing them.”

Buchanan has her eye on a Provincial Championship campaign with Oakfield Arrow, who finished strongly at her last start at Scone over 1300m on May 14, beaten only half a length.

“Oakfield Arrow is a really nice filly. She will finish out this preparation and come back much stronger next time around.

“I am anticipating her running a really good race on Thursday. I’m looking forward to getting her out to the 1350m, with the home track advantage. 

“I think her last race at Scone was quite a strong field, but I don’t think that’s what got her beaten. 

“She just did a little duck in at the top of the straight and kind of cost herself and then had to sustain a long run. I thought all things considered there was a lot of merit.”

Buchanan believes Press Statement three-year-old will get over more ground next preparation.

“I’ve got her earmarked as a possible Provincial Championship contender next season. She’ll have to join a few dots before then but she’s just ready-made and doesn’t do a lot wrong and is quite versatile.” 

Oakfield Cherokee runs over the 2100m for the first time, but Buchanan believes the Savabeel gelding will have no problem with the distance. 

He hit the line strong when beaten half a length at his last start at Newcastle on May 18 over 1600m. 

“He’s generally a horse I like to have on a big, roomy track because of his running style but Wyong ridden the right way can still work for him,” Buchanan said.

“He’s not a horse you can stir up early to be in a closer position because he’ll over race. You’ve just got to let him get comfortable and do his best work late. 

“I don’t think the trip will be a problem at all. I’m more concerned with the early tempo, which could present a bit of a challenge. 

“I’d love to have some speed on which would be a big help to us. You need to save all his petrol for a last crack at them and you need to chime in at the right time at Wyong.

“I think he’s a really nice horse who is still learning how to race. He’s well-bred and has a lot of potential as a stayer.”

Aaron Bullock will partner both horses, having previously ridden them in trials.

The first of eight races gets underway at 12.10pm.

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 12.10pm: WYONG ROOS FOUNDATION MAIDEN (1000m): 1 WALKIN’ TALKIN, 2 Compassionate, 3 Buckin’ Rippa, 4 Sienna Blaze.

Race 2 – 12.45pm: BELLBIRDS PROV & CTRY MAIDEN (1100m): 1 COMONIC, 2 Nice Water, 3 Minniti, 4 Playful.

Race 3 – 1.20pm: CENTRAL COAST VOLUNTEER RESCUE ASSOCATION MAIDEN (1600m): 1 LIGHT UP MY WORD, 2 Angela Sistina, 3 Magical Angel, 4 Paperscissorsrock.

Race 4 – 1.55pm: WE CARE CONNECT CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2100m): 1 COMME BELLA FILLE, 2 Finney, 3 Oakfield Cherokee, 4 Upscale.

Race 5 – 2.35pm: CENTRAL COAST KIDS IN NEED 4YO&UP MAIDEN (1350m): 1 EXTERMINATE, 2 Neanderthal, 3 Dulcero, 4 Company Line.

Race 6 – 3.10pm: WYONG LEAGUES CLUB GROUP F&M BENCHMARK 64 (1350m): 1 DREAMING OF GOLD, 2 Oakfield Arrow, 3 Leisa Louise, 4 Smart Success.

Race 7 – 3.45pm: WYONG ROOS FOUNDATION CG&E BENCHMARK 64 (1350m): 1EXPLOSIVE TRUTH, 2 Lake Tai, 3 Defeat, 4 Tim’s Principal.

Race 8 – 4.20pm: WYONG BOWLING CLUB CONDITIONAL BENCHMARK 68 (1100m): 1 NO LAUGHING MATTER, 2 Rifles, 3 Dual Escape, 4 Undeniable.

On a high after winning the $200k Tamworth Cup, Jeff Englebrecht hopes his luck can continue on his home track this Thursday.

Englebrecht has The Crimson Idol racing in the 1350m BM64 and believes the consistent mare can be in the finish.

And another winner will be great medicine for the trainer who has been sidelined since late February following tendon surgery. 

“It’s been a very frustrating time recovering and slower than I had thought,” Englebrecht said. 

“I was in hospital for nine days and then wasn’t able to put my foot on the ground for six weeks.

“I’m getting about a little bit better now but still have a long way to go.”

Englebrecht had 28 staples from the hip down after surgery to repair severed tendons around his right hip. 

He has been unable to go the track or races, entrusting his small team to some dedicated workers.

Last Friday he cheered from home as High Court gave him one of his biggest thrills, snatching a late victory in the $200,000 Tamworth Cup.

“I was belting him home from the lounge,” he laughed. “My 85-year-old mother rang me straight after and she was crying.

“It was very exciting. To win any race is great but the Tamworth Cup is prestigious, and the prizemoney certainly helps.

“It was a good boost to me and the family.”

Englebrecht has been making occasional forays to the track and hopes to be back full time in a few weeks. 

“I suppose you could say I’m just approaching the home turn. I know I have to take things slowly because I don’t want to go backwards. It’s pretty frustrating but I am making progress.”

Englebrecht will be watching from home when The Crimson Idol shoots for her sixth win from 28 starts at Wyong. 

The tough Hinchinbrook five-year-old has had 15 starts this preparation for two wins, her latest at Tamworth over 1400m on March 22.

“She’s not a big mare and has been in work for a long time so will probably spell after this.

“She’s done really well and wasn’t beaten that far at Wyong over the same distance last start.

“Unfortunately, she will have to overcome a wide barrier, but Bucko (Grant Buckley) knows her well and will get the best out of her.”

The Crimson Idol takes on another super tough competitive, Wayne Seelin’s Isorich in the BM64.

The 10-year-old, having start 131, lines up from barrier two with apprentice Patrick Scorse in the saddle. 

The first of seven races gets underway at 4.15pm. 

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 1.10pm: HMA GROUP MAIDEN (1200m): 1 LEAVE ME BE, 2 Explosive Truth, 3 Cinque Torri, 4 Berrima Star.

Race 2 – 1.50pm: HMA INSTRUMENTATION 4YO & UP MAIDEN (1350m): 1 ABOVE RESERVE, 2 First Fleet, 3 Fattore Stella, 4 Bobby’s Give Away.

Race 3 – 2.25pm: HMA POWER GENERATION MAIDEN (2100m): 1 BEDFORD SQUARE, 2 La Sagra, 3 Finnman, 4 Do This All Day.

Race 4 – 3.05pm: HMA MATERIALS HANDLING CLASS 1 (1600m): 1 LOVETHEINVASION, 2 Squanto, 3 Atlantic Lite, 4 Zoomerango.

Race 5 – 3.40pm: HMA FLOW & INDUSTRIAL CLASS 1 (1200m): 1 ZOROCAT, 2 Luminoso, 3 Delexo, 4 Long Weekend.

Race 6 – 4.15pm: HMA WEAR SOLUTIONS BM64 (1350m): 1 THE CRIMSON IDOL, 2 Loolwah, 3 Smart Success, 4 Isorich.

Race 7 – HMA GEOTECHNICAL BM64 (1000m): 1 STOLTZ, 2 Rifles, 3 Shadow Colour, 4 Tango Stepz.

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Wayne Seelin is confident of another bold showing from his warhorse Isorich when he lines up for start 129 on his home track this Thursday. 

The 10-year-old was a last start Wyong winner over the same 1350m distance on March 9 and Seelin said he hasn’t put a foot wrong since. 

“He’s had to have a bit of time between runs because of the weather with the big wet and he always puts on weight when that happens. He’s a great doer.

“Those couple of extra kilos won’t affect him. His work has been good and he’s feeling super, so I assume he’ll race well. 

“I’m happy with him and it’s a winnable race.”

Isorich’s latest victory, his seventh on the track, was also in a BM64.

“He drew a good barrier which was beneficial on the day, but he was still a bit better than this kind of grade. 

“When he gets a good barrier on a decent track, he’s always hard to beat. 

“His trackwork rider Nicki Lee knows him and she’s more than happy with the way he’s been working. 

Seelin’s only concern is the predicted rain.

“Even though he won a Listed race on a heavy 10 at Rosehill, his form on the wet isn’t great so if it’s a bit shifty he just doesn’t go at all. 

“He won’t run on anything worse than a soft 5, so it is in the lap of the Gods.”

As far as retirement is concerned, Seelin believes Isorich is still a long way off. 

“There is no reason not to keep him going. If he didn’t seem to be enjoying it or Nicki got off after a couple of gallops saying he doesn’t seem to want to do it, I’d certainly start to ask questions. 

“Nicki just understands how good he feels and like the rest of us can’t believe that he still loves it so much. 

“He just does what he does and there are plenty of humans who love the athletic side of things so he might just be like one of them. 

“While he’s still carrying on like he’s a four-year-old, why wouldn’t he keep going?

“I suppose someday they might tell me he’s got to retire and that’s fine, but someone else is going to have to tell him because I’m not doing it,” he laughed. 

Seelin is on track to have one of his best seasons, with his small team performing well. 

“I’ve never set a target any year, I just try and punch above my weight as much as I can. 

“It has been a good season so far. I’m happy that of the six I have in work, all but one has won between three and 15 races.

“It’s nice to have a team that makes you look good; any coach will tell you that. “

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 1pm: DE BORTOLI WINES MAIDEN (2100m): 1 SASSYSAV, 2 Bedford Square, 3 Oceanic Flash, 4 Red Hot Zone.

Race 2 – 1.35pm: GO ELECTRICAL PROV & CTRY MAIDEN (1350m): 1 BRIGHT EYED GIRL, 2 Circus Bound, 3 First Fleet, 4 Discompose.

Race 3 – 2.10pm: CARLTON DRAUGHT MAIDEN (1350m): 1 OVOID, 2 Klopp, 3 Spicy Restaurant, 4 Wolfburn.

Race 4 – 2.50pm: TAB.COM.AU CLASS 1 (1600m): 1 TECTONICUS, 2 La Cabana, 3 Valiant Lad, 4 Senor Toba.

Race 5 – 3.25pm: MARKETS 2259 AT WYONG RACE CLUB SUNDAY APRIL 11 MAIDEN (1000m): 1CHALEUR BAY, 2 Hard To Excel, 3 Kibosh, 4 Shadow Colour. 

Race 6 – 4.05pm: JIM BEAM CLASS 1 (1350m): 1 SAMMY, 2 Saquon, 3 Zachariah, 4 Hidden Hills.

Race 7 – 4.40pm: GREAT NORTHERN CONDITIONAL BM68 (1350m): 1 ARTIC THUNDER, 2 Isorich, 3 The Crimson Idol, 4 Our Tax Return.

Race 8 – 5.15pm: WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETING THURSDAY APRIL 29 BM64 (1100m): 1 TIME FOR VICTORY, 2 Miss Kono, 3 Ranges, 4 Russbuss.

Damien Lane is confident he will see a much-improved run by Bombasay in Saturday’s $150,000 Polytrack Provincial Qualifier at Wyong. 

The five-year-old was disappointing at his last outing when resuming on February 27 in the Newcastle Qualifier, finishing toward the rear of the field. 

Lane described his performance as a ‘forget run’ and is hopeful the gelding can put his best foot forward on his home track. 

“Everything that could go wrong went wrong that day,” he said. “It was a hard watch to be honest.”

“We expected him to run better than he did. Normally those races are run at a genuine tempo, so we decided to try and ride him with cover first up.

“When Digger (Darryl McLellan) made the decision to go for some cover they just walked, and nothing went right after that. 

“He definitely had excuses and will be better with the extra bit of time we’ve had. 

“He’s a lot fitter in his work and I expect he’ll run well. He’s a class horse and I thought his trial leading into his first run was really good. Nothing went right first up.”

Lane’s only concern is the heavy track, despite Bombasay having recorded a win on a heavy surface. 

“He has won on the wet, but I do think he’s better on top of the ground especially if it’s a heavy 9. 

“He won first up for me at Wyong, and I really think the track will suit him. 

“He will roll forward this time and put himself up on the speed and take the bad luck out of the equation. If everything goes his way and he gets a bit of luck this time he will be in the finish.”

Bombasay, a Rothesay gelding, has posted five wins and six placings from 15 starts, two of those since joining the Lane stable late last year. 

He has drawn barrier nine in the qualifier and will again by ridden by McLellan.

Lane is one of three Wyong trainers hoping to secure a berth in the rich series final via the local qualifier. 

Kristen Buchanan saddles up Ocean Go, who was a close fourth behind the place getters when first up over 1350m at Wyong on March 9. 

Grant Buckley partners the Ocean Park gelding from barrier 8. 

Tracey Bartley, who already has Barossa Rosa through to the April 17 Randwick final, will be relying on scratchings for second emergency Onemore Sapphire to secure a run. 

The Kris Lees stable has seven runners in the field of 16, including the $6 early favourite Safado.

The qualifier will be the last on the eight-race card, to be run at 5.29pm.

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 12.54pm: LAKES PODIATRY CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2100m): 1 LIBRARIAN, 2 Fields Of Honour, 3 Bedford Square, 4 Pop’s Glory.

Race 2 – 1.34pm: PANASONIC NANOEX MAIDEN (1600m): 1 AMULET STREET, 2 Earl Of Sandwich, 3 Belle Espoir, 4 Valiant Lad.

Race 3 – 2.14pm: VIETNAM VETERANS KEITH PAYNE V.C. HOSTEL LIMITED 2YO MAIDEN (1200m): 1 ALL GIRLS, 2 Wolfburn, 3 Sweet Ruby, 4 I Like Big Putts.

Race 4 – 2.54pm: HALEKULANI BOWLING CLUB MAIDEN (1000m): 1 SHADOW COLOUR, 2 Poignant, 3 Beyliks, 4 Drummin.

Race 5 – 3.34pm: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES AIR CONDITIONING AUSTRALIA MAIDEN (1350m): 1 PAROCHIAL, 2 La Sagra, 3 Spectacular Slew, 4 Lady Steps.

Race 6 – 4.14pm: LAKE MACQUARIE SHEET METAL CLASS 1 (1350m): 1 LE VIZIR, 2 Jeronimos, 3 So Far Away, 4 Zachariah.

Race 7 – 4.54pm: JOHN CROSS MEMORIAL CONDITIONAL BENCHMARK 68 (1100m): 1 RANGES, 2 Cool Missile, 3 Egyptian Missile, 4 Miss Twilight.

Race 8 – 5.29pm: POLYTRACK PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS WYONG QUALIFIER (1350m): 1 ZEFTABROOK, 2 Prince Aurelius, 3 Ocean Go, 4 Loch Lomond.

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The Waterhouse/Bott team head to Wyong on Thursday with three nice chances including impressive debutant winner Bojack.

The Snitzel gelding, a $400,000 yearling, blitzed his opposition at Gosford on February 4 with an eye-catching three length win over the 1200m.

He steps up to the 1350m in a Class 1 at Wyong and racing manager Emma Reeves believes he can make it back-to-back wins. 

“He was really impressive winning last time,” she said.

“We had planned to possibly start him at Canterbury Friday night, but this looks like a winnable race and he rates really well.  

“I think Gai, and Adrian are leaning toward Wyong, getting him another nice kill and hopefully letting him win as impressively as he did on debut.”

Reeves said they had high hopes for the three-year-old, who is raced by a syndicate including Waterhouse and Bott. 

“We will probably just keep building him through his grades this preparation and definitely try and get him to town.  

“When he comes back next time, we will have much higher aspirations for him.”

Sebring colt Tea Leaves starts in the 1300m 2YO Maiden and Reeves considers him a good chance.  

“We’ve always had quite a high opinion of him from early on, but he’s looks like more of a miler, 2000m and beyond as he matures physically.

“Kathy O’Hara rode him in his gallop on Saturday and she is enamoured with him. She really thinks he’s a Derby style horse, whether it’s here in Sydney or Queensland, he’s only going to improve as he gets further.”

A $335,000 Magic Millions yearling, Tea Leaves finished toward the rear of the field at his only start over 1000m at Canberra on February 5.

“He was run off his feet at Canberra, but we had to start somewhere. 

“He will appreciate the extra distance on Thursday and beyond that, but we are hopefully his precocity makes him tough to beat over the 1300m, but he will excel over even further. He’s a bright prospect.”

Reeves said Mensa Missile, resuming in the 1100m BM64, goes into the race in really good order. 

 “He’s always shown a lot of ability. The day he broke his maiden at Wyong he did it in very impressive style. 

“Then we sent him down to Victoria chasing races in his own age group before he was spelled. 

“He has returned in really good order. He can be quite a hot horse but has settled down a lot. 

“Now he’s a four-year-old he’s got quite a nice rating to work off and he should be working through his grades really nicely. 

“He trialled really well going into this and is ready to go.”

The first of eight races gets underway at 1.15pm.

SELECTIONS: 

Race 1 – 1.15pm: JIM BEAM CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2100m): 1 JUST A JEDI, 2 Karauna, 3 What A Girl, 4 Seporto.

Race 2 – 1.50pm: SKY RACING METRO & PROV MAIDEN (1350m): 1VANILLA SKY, 2 Le Vizir, 3 Mr Severino, 4 California Cible.

Race 3 – 2.25pm: DE BORTOLI WINES 2YO MAIDEN (1300m): 1 WILSONS PROM, 2 The Bullring, 3 Tea Leaves, 4 Akahata.

Race 4 – 3.05pm: GREAT NORTHERN ON TAP 3YO MAIDEN (1100m): 1 ZAIN’S GIRL, 2 Octagon, 3 Russbuss, 4 Initiation.

Race 5 – 3.40pm: BOOK NOW POLYTRACK PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS WYONG MARCH 27 (1350m): 1 SELEQUE, 2 Rosie Riveter, 3 Jeanne D’Arc, 4 Heart Of Siena.

Race 6 – 4.15pm: CANADIAN CLUB MAIDEN (1200m): 1 IMPRESSIVE LASS, 2 Jadida, 3 Klopp, 4 Hialoa.

Race 7 – 4.50pm: TAB.COM.AU BENCHMARK 64 (1100m): 1 PARACHUTER, 2 Star Magnum, 3 Mensa Missile, 4 In Awe Of Me. 

Race 8 – 5.30pm: WYONG’S NEXT RACEDAY TUESDAY CG&E CLASS 1 (1350m): 1 BOJACK, 2 Tectonicus, 3 Nordicus, 4 Spanish Fighter.