raceday review

Kim Waugh was pipped at the post for the Wyong Trainers Premiership with Snowden Racing grabbing the title at the last local meeting of the season. 

The trainers went into the day with 10 winners apiece and three runners each, but while Waugh failed to taste success, the well named Zousain Bolt was a winner for the Snowden’s. 

Waugh doesn’t end the 2023/24 season empty handed, and will take out the her seventh Wyong Premiership, for the most overall winners, next week. 

Tyler Schiller secured the senior Jockey’s title with a winner on the day giving him 11 for the season, while Zac Lloyd claimed the Apprentices Premiership with 11.

Matthew Smith took out the training honours with a double, including Scalextrics who brought up his fourth successive win in the 1600m BM64.

Jaden Lloyd has partnered the So You Think four-year-old to all four wins. 

Smith said a change up in training tactics had seen the gelding turn the corner. 

“He’s a bit of a lazy horse so we changed things up and he’s found very good form.”

Smith’s other win came with Lone Force in the 1300m Super Maiden.

A top Jay Ford ride helped secure victory for Sooboog gelding, 

Ford was able to get on the back of the favourite Spanish Fox throughout, before pulling away in the final stages to hold out his rivals. 

“He’s come back in good shape,” Smith said. “He should get out to seven furlongs and a mile and that will give him more opportunities.”

Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou continued their recent winning run at Wyong with well-bred two-year-old Lone Force taking out the 1300m 3Y0 Maiden.

The stable trained a double last Saturday, Lone Force giving them their third win in five days.

The $180,000 Magic Millions yearling was on debut, having performed well in the latest of his three trials at Rosehill on July 12. 

Tom Sherry partnered the Trapeze Artist colt to victory, with the stable having good expectations of him going forward. 

“It was a nice win,” representative Jason Thompson said. “He did a few things wrong, but that will come with race experience. There was plenty of positives to take out of the win today.”

Snowden Racing’s Zousain Bolt appreciated the drop back to two-year-old grade and was too strong in the second 1300m 2YO Maiden. 

Andrew Adkins, coming off a Wyong treble last Saturday, rode the Zousain colt to victory. 

“He’s starting to switch on that he’s a racehorse,” foreman Matt McCudden said. “It’s good to get the win out of the way and he will continue to improve when he gets over more ground.”

It was a tight three-way finish, with placegetters Cristal Clear and Komodo Dragon not far off a win.

Lonhro filly Waamil is another who looks to have a bright future, the three-year-old winning the 1600m Maiden with Tim Clark in the saddle. 

Waamil joined the Waterhouse Bott stable this preparation and was coming off a fourth at Scone on a heavy 10 track.

“The dry track made the difference today” Neil Paine said. “It was bottomless at Scone, so to come here on a good track over the mile was perfect. She’ll step up to 1900m, 2000m and will improve again.”

The favourite Rampazetto raced greenly in stages and will improve from the run. 

Stephen O’Halloran’s Albe Red is putting together an impressive resume, his latest win in the 1350m Provincial Class 1, his second in just five starts. 
The well-bred son of Autumn Sun was having only his second run for the stable and coming off a second at Goulburn on July 5.

Winning rider Shaun Guymer  is confident there are more wins to come. 

“It was a tough win today. He was wide for the majority of the race and performed exceptionally well. Once he puts it all together he should be able to get a string of wins,” he said.

Godolphin rarely go home from a Wyong meeting without a win and today was no exception, with Equipage too strong in the 1350m Conditional BM68.

Tommy Berry partnered the progressive Lonhro filly to her second career victory from 11 starts, with seven minor placings.

Despite a wide run throughout, Berry was able to get a kick in the straight and run down his rivals to win by a half-length. 

The Pride stable was confident about the chances of Global Empire in the 1200m BM64 and the four-year-old didn’t disappoint with a strong win. 

The son of I Am Invincible hit the front in the straight and was able to hold out fast finishing duo Trapeze Pleasure and Drama Dodger. 

Brave Pride said they were hopeful the win would give the gelding the confidence to win a few more races. 

There was plenty of late support for Global Empire, who started $3 favourite with Regan Bayliss in the saddle. 

The surname Ryan was prominent in the winners list at today’s Wyong meeting, master trainer Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou training a double and Blake Ryan unveiling a smart two-year-old in He’s In Like Flynn.

Blake Ryan has a big opinion of the well-bred Showtime gelding, a $350k Ready To Race purchase by Barlaine Racing.

He considers He’s In Like Flynn to be the best horse he’s had in his stable and plans to run him in a Stakes race if he successful in next start at Wyong on August 4.

Ryan had him primed for a strong debut performance in the 1000m Provincial Maiden after he won a Hawkesbury barrier trial on July 8 by more than five lengths. 

He was sent out $1.50 favourite and the win was never in doubt, Andrew Adkins drawing away in the final stages to post a four-length victory. 

Ryan had been excited to see if He’s In Like Flynn could transfer his trial form to a race and he didn’t disappoint. 

“His trials had been good last time in, and the other day was really good, but you never know what they can do under race pressure,” Ryan said. 

“Once he began well enough today, I knew they wouldn’t get past him. He was an expensive ready to run purchase and I was lucky enough to get him to train.” 

Ryan’s father Gerald and racing partner Alexiou had two Maiden horses break through, Press Statement gelding Incarcerated in the 1200m Super Maiden and Flying Artie three-year-old Contrived in the 1000m 3YO Maiden. 

Contrived, a $150k yearling, broke through at his third start, while stablemate Incarcerated was also having his third career start. 

Brandon Lerena partnered both the stable winners but it as Andrew Adkins who took out the riding honours with a treble. 

Along with He’s In Like Flynn, Adkins scored on Misty Legend, another impressive Maiden winner from the Hawkes racing stable, and Jason Coyle’s Bluff ‘N Bluster in the last. 

It’s been a fruitful month for Adkins with six winners to date including last Wednesday’s Listed Ramornie at Grafton with Ka Bling for the Snowdens.

Rodney Bailey snared a win for the locals, with Dreams Of Thunder taking out the 1200m Class 1 in impressive style. 

Ridden by Jenny Duggan, the Overshare three-year-old brought up his second win in the 1200m Class 1 at just his eighth career start. 

Lee Curtis was the other winner on the day, claiming the first race, the 1600m 2YO & 3YO Maiden with Laspirit Deeler. 

Race by a syndicate including prominent owner breeders Frank and Christine Cook, the three-year-old filly breaking through at just her second career start. 

ON A Domeland-sponsored day, what better than their sole representative getting the money!

Wyong trainer Sara Ryan could have run Aix En Provence at Hawkesbury on Tuesday, but understandably waited a couple of days for the DOMELAND – GAZILLION BUBBLES CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1600m) – and it paid off.

With regular rider Grant Buckley sidelined, Kerrin McEvoy gave Aix En Provence (3.60) a faultless ride, getting him away first from an inside draw, then taking a trail on the fence and having only to go around fellow Wyong representative, Damien Lane’s Externus ($10).

The Shalaa three-year-old, a $160,000 buy at the 2022 Inglis Premier yearling sale in Melbourne, edged away from Externus in the closing stages, with French import Barazin ($12) a luckless third, unable to be fully tested for the majority of the straight.

“He is a very honest boy, who has never been out of a place (seven starts for two wins and five placings),” Ryan said of Aix En Provence.

“The winkers seemed to make him fight that bit harder today.

“This is only his second preparation. I’ll see how he pulls up, but he might go for a spell.”

Ryan is enjoying clearly her best season in only her second full year of training. Aix En Provence was her 24^th winner, double last year’s tally.

Unfortunately for connections and punters who backed $1.75 favorite It’s A Wonder, who was never really a winning prospect and finished fifth, she bled from both nostrils and incurred the mandatory three months’ ban.

GODOLPHIN two-year-old Last Druid’s breakthrough victory in the DOMELAND THANKS STABLEHANDS MAIDEN PLATE (1000m) revived memories of the recently deceased champion Lonhro.

The Brazen Beau colt is the sixth foal of Lonhro’s sister Shannara (by Octagonal), a four-times winner, including the Dark Jewel Classic at Scone in 2011.

Giving gun stable apprentice Zac Lloyd a double (he had scored earlier on hotpot Euromaster), Last Druid ($2.20 favorite) gave away a year’s age but was still good enough to defeat three-year-olds, debutante Patience Is Virtue ($3.60), and well-backed Brokerage ($3).

The trio had the race to themselves in the straight, and it was Last Druid who had the drop on the placegetters and was strongest to the line.

“He’s got a classic look about him,” said Godolphin spokesman, former champion jockey Darren Beadman.

“Last Druid is still learning his craft, but changed stride when he got out into the clear on straightening and charged to the line with purpose.

“We put a tongue tie on him because he was a bit thick in the wind after his last trial at Warwick Farm 10 days ago.

“That was only his third start and first since February.”

ZAC Lloyd’s earlier success on $1.35 favorite Euromaster in the DOMELAND SUPPORTS EQUIMILLIONS MIDWAY MAIDEN PLATE (1350m) ended the lightly-raced four-year-old’s frustrating run of four previous seconds.

And he made no mistake, giving him a perfect ride, getting away from the fence at the right time to enjoy the run of the race and thus allowing him to build momentum.

Euromaster was too strong at the end for Can Expect Greater ($9), who began awkwardly and lost several lengths, and Steve Schofield’s Elusive Mission ($41), who was having her 25^th start and indicated perhaps a win isn’t far away with a stout finish, though beaten clearly.

Warwick Farm trainer Ron Leemon, who won the 2011 Group 1 Golden Rose with Manawanui, secured Euromaster for $20,000 at the 2021 Inglis HTBA sale in Sydney.

Lloyd afterwards had a “tip” for connections. “I think he will benefit from some headgear to switch him on a touch,” he said.

WHEN you’re hot, you’re hot!

Sydney apprentice Molly Bourke came off a Warwick Farm double a day earlier to repeat the feat.

She scored on La Belle Claire ($3 favorite) in the DOMELAND CONGRATULATES LES STARKEY FOR 30 YEARS SUPER MAIDEN PLATE (1600m), and four races later picked up a replacement mount from fellow apprentice Angus Villiers on OSMAN ($4), who landed the DOMELAND RACING BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1350m).

Bourke took La Belle Claire to the front, and was never headed.

The Highland Reel three-year-old filly was strong through the line and easily defeated Dalio ($9.50) and Ample Time ($18) in an all-Warwick Farm result.

“We were a bit concerned La Belle Claire might find the 1600m a shade too far, but Molly took bad luck out of the equation,” co-trainer Martha Cave said.

“That win hopefully will give the filly plenty of confidence.”

Osman, a five-year-old by American Pharoah, has won eight races – and this was his first at the provincials.

“He is a very honest horse, and looked well placed,” said Mudgee trainer Mack Griffith.

“Osman had a few issues last time and trained off, but we sorted them out and he’s really good this time in work.

“With his pedigree, he should be a Sydney Saturday horse, but we’re happy to poke along and take each race as they come.”

Osman, last year’s Parkes Cup winner, defeated recent Wyong winner Bonus Tempus ($8), who would have made matters interesting had he got clear earlier.

Steve Schofield’s nine-times winner Mosht Up was a late withdrawal from this race with a near fetlock injury, and her trainer advised RacingNSW stewards she would be retired.

NEWCASTLE’S star apprentice Dylan Gibbons is becoming something of a front-running specialist.

He has won two races recently at Wyong and Hawkesbury on the Kembla Grange-trained Verbek by leading throughout, and turned in another beauty on Tenniel ($6) in the DOMELAND SUPPORTS THE NATIONAL JOCKEYS TRUST CLASS 1/MAIDEN PLATE (2000m).

The Annabel Neasham-trained three-year-old daughter of Tarzino might have a bright future as a stayer.

She ran second last preparation over 2000m at Queanbeyan, and was never going to lose this race.

Tenniel was having only her fifth start, and followed an excellent first-up fourth over a shorter 1600m at Wyong on June 13.

She had a clear margin to spare at the finish over $3 favorite Lygon Street, who chased hard and didn’t stop trying.

PUNTERS were on the mark early when they backed Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s Mostro ($3) to defeat $2.60 favorite Pink Shalala in the SKY RACING 3YO MAIDEN HANDICAP (1350m).

Jockey Regan Bayliss ensured there was no chance for excuses by taking the three-year-old to the front, and he was never seriously threatened.

Try as Pink Shalala did in the straight, she could not overhaul Mostro, who broke through at his fourth start.

“Mostro has always shown some ability, and ran second to a smart filly (Arctic Glamour) at Rosehill Gardens last September at only his second start,” stable spokesman Neil Paine said.

“I think he’ll get further; his dam (Allaboutus) won up to 1800m at Randwick.”

ICONIC Newcastle trainer Paul Perry and Hawkesbury apprentice Zac Wadick combined to win with favorite Curcl Curl at Newcastle on June 15, and did it again, this time with Cosy Corner in the DOMELAND WISHES PARRY SOUND AN ENJOYABLE RETIREMENT BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1000m).

Whilst Cosy Corner ($4) was crowded for room soon after the start and did a good job to score, Wyong trainer Kristen Buchanan’s runner-up Drama Dodger ($13) caught the eye.

Drama Dodger was slow to begin and came from last on the turn with a determined burst on the inside to go under narrowly.

The heavily-backed $2.50 favorite Morpheus Bragi (Jason Collett), with 62kg topweight, struck trouble on a couple of occasions before finishing seventh.

Stewards reported a veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities other than a small speedy cut to the off-fore cannon.

WYONG has been a happy hunting ground for Kris Lees.  

Aside from his beloved home track at Broadmeadow, Wyong is the leading Newcastle trainer’s second most successful provincial track with 155 winners, including the 2016 Gold Cup (2100m) with import Slow Pace, ridden by Robert Thompson.

Now he is banking on another couple of imports adding to his record there on Thursday at the Domeland sponsored meeting.

Lees will start Lygon Street in the Class 1/Maiden Plate (2100m) and Barazin in the Class 1 Handicap (1600m).

Kerrin McEvoy will ride Lygon Street, and stable apprentice Ben Osmond partners Barazin to lessen his 61.5kg topweight to 58.5kg.

Both horses recently made their debuts for their new stable; Lygon Street when runner-up at Wyong on June 13 in a Provincial Class 1/Maiden Plate (2000m), and Barazin ran fourth in a 1400m Class 1 Handicap at Newcastle on June 1.

Lygon Street, a four-year-old son of 2014 Epsom Derby winner Australia, had his first five starts in Ireland for one placing at Gowran Park over 1911m in June last year.

He hadn’t raced since August when he lined up at Wyong, and stable spokesman Danny Greer says he has taken good improvement from his first run for the stable.

“Kerrin (McEvoy) rode him then, and was happy to stay with him,” Greer said.

“Lygon Street ran well first-up, but found one better (Rico Suave) on the day.

“He gives the impression he will stay all day, and going an extra 100m will suit him, and he is getting fitter.”

Barazin, who raced in the Australian Bloodstock colours, is fronting up for his fourth start after having his first three starts in France.

The four-year-old son of Siyouni won a 3YO Maiden over 1800m on debut in April last year before being placed at Lyon-Parilly (1600m) and Saint-Cloud (2000m).

“Barazin’s first-up run for us was sound enough at 1400m, and Kris has given him three and a half weeks before starting him again,” Greer said.

“On his French form and the fact he has also taken improvement from the June 1 race suggests stepping up to 1600m is definitely more suitable.

“That plus the fact he drops 3kg on the weight he carried at Newcastle are in his favour.”

Locally-trained Aix En Provence will be a tough rival for Barazin to crack.

With Domeland sponsoring, their Wyong trainer Sara Ryan chose to bypass a Hawkesbury engagement on Tuesday with Aix En Provence to oppose Barazin in the Class 1 Handicap.

And whereas Kerrin McEvoy was in the Lees’ camp earlier with Lygon Street, he is in the Domeland corner this time, partnering Aix En Provence.

The three-year-old is a model of consistency, having not missed a placing in his six career starts, including a breakthrough victory in a Kembla Grange Super Maiden Plate (1400m) on May 18.

He subsequently was narrowly beaten by Bonus Tempus in a Midway Class 1 Handicap (1500m) there on June 4.

Whilst Aix En Provence wears ear muffs pre-race, Ryan has decided to add winkers for this assignment.

Star apprentices Dylan Gibbons and Zac Lloyd, with nine wins each, are locked in a tight battle for junior riding honours this season.

Both have already tasted Group 1 success; Gibbons twice on Explosive Jack in last year’s Sydney Cup and Kalapour in the Tancred Stakes at Rosehill Gardens earlier this year, whilst Lloyd won the recent Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm on Stefi Magnetica.

The jockeys and trainers premierships also are evenly poised, with only meetings on July 16 and 25 remaining after Thursday.

Jockey Tyler Schiller (10 wins) lead Keagan Latham and Ash Morgan by two, whilst Wyong’s Kim Waugh and Sydney’s Peter and Paul Snowden currently top the trainers’ table with 10 winners a piece.

A super home track meeting for Tracey Bartley scoring a winning double with Titanium Miss and Villa Tino.

Bartley had been confident of the chances of both runners and that confidence was rewarded in spades, with both impressive winners. 

It was a day of doubles with Peter and Paul Snowden also training two winners, while gun apprentices Zac Lloyd and Dylan Gibbons both bagged doubles. 

Villa Tino was the first of Bartley’s runners to taste success, in a great training effort winning first up after almost a year on the sidelines.  

The son of Supido put more than two lengths on his rivals in the HOODOO GUROOS @TEG 16^TH November Maiden over 1100m. 

It was a rewarding win for the stable, with Bartley putting plenty of work into the four-year-old who was returning from a bleeding attack. 

He last raced in July 2023 but looked strong in two recent trials. 

Partnered by Reece Jones, Villa Tino snuck up the rails in the straight, drawing away to win by more than two lengths much to the delight of his trainer. 

“I told Reece to be kind to him early and let him explode late and that’s exactly what happened,” Bartley said. 

“He didn’t have to do much on him once he went through the gap. He’s a nice horse and the main thing is that he pulls up well.”

Villa Tino was having his 10^th career in the 1200m INDUSTREE GROUP MAIDEN, having been placed in four of his previous runs. 

Titanium Miss was also given a positive ride by Ashley Morgan and despite being headed in the straight fought back to win by two lengths. 

Bartley had been happy with the All Too Hard filly’s Hawkesbury debut and expected her to improve at Wyong and that she did. 

“It was a good tough win today. I thought she’d run well, and she didn’t disappoint. It’s very rewarding to have a home track double.”

The double bringing up 14 wins for season.

 Lygon Street may have some heavy hitters in his ownership but that wasn’t enough to secure victory for the import in his debut Australian run. 

The Kris Lees trained four-year-old is raced by prolific owner Lloyd Williams and media mogul James Packer and was sent out $2.30 favourite on the back of his Great Britain form. 

But that didn’t deter Stephen O’Halloran’s Rico Suave, who stormed home in the straight to win the DE BORTOLI WINES PROVINCIAL CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2000m) by a length, with Mitchell Bell in the saddle. 

O’Halloran purchased the Fastnet Rock gelding in 2022 for just $15,000 and since joining his stable he has brought up two wins and seven minor placings for almost $85,000 in prizemoney.

Lygon Street will definitely improve over more ground, while Kirsten Buchanan’s Opus could be another one to follow.

Snowden Racing’s Evenflow was also sent out favourite in the EVE ELECTRICAL SUPER MAIDEN over 1600m but didn’t disappoint bringing up his first win at start five. 

A two-year-old Super Seth colt, Evenflow ($1.55) was a $260,000 Magic Millions yearling. 

He was narrowly beaten at his last start at Kembla over 1400m and appreciated the extra distance at Wyong courtesy of a great front-running ride by Zac Lloyd. 

Dylan Gibbons followed Lloyd’s lead piloting Verbek to victory in the TASTE OF THE COAST @ TEG 15^THSEPTEMBER BM64.

Gibbons took the Robert and Luke Price trained five-year-old to the front from the barriers in the 1600m race, maintaining lead throughout to score a two and a half length win.

The Turn Me Loose gelding was having his 42^nd start, with three wins and 12 placings to his name. 

It’s rarely a Wyong meeting without a Godolphin galloper greeting the judge and today was no exception. 

Epaulette filly Diamond Firetail was resuming from a spell in the SNEDDON BROS. MAINTENANCE 2&3YO MAIDEN over 1100m.

Zac Lloyd, who brought up a winning double on the two-year-old, came from midfield on the turn and was able to run down the The Grey on the line to win by a length. 

Diamond Firetail was sent out $2.40 favourite one the back of his impressive trial at Hawkesbury on June 3. 

A Snowden double after Mafia proved too strong in the 1100m PLUIM GROUP CLASS 1.

The well-bred son of Written Tycoon was resuming from a spell after two winning trials.

He brought up his maiden win at Wyong in June last year and just over 12 months later scored his second victory at start eighth on the same track with Regan Bayliss in the saddle. 

Dylan Gibbons rode his second winner of the last, booting home the Waller trained Unstopabull to success in the 1200m EVE SECURITY SERVICES BM64.

The Russian Revolution three-year-old is building an impressive resume with two wins and four placings from his nine starts. 

The meeting was marred by an incident in the enclosure in which popular jockey Grant Buckley was thrown from his mount. He suffered a fractured pelvis and will be off the scene for up to six months. 

LOCAL trainer Rod Bailey produced a $26 upset on his home track at Wyong today – but unlike the majority of punters wasn’t surprised at all. 

Bailey’s lightly-raced Dissident four-year-old Let’s Go Johnny, a $3500 weanling purchase, overcame a slow beginning and came from second last on the turn to overpower his rivals in the BENDIGO BANK – CENTRAL COAST FOOTBALL SUPER 4YO&UP MAIDEN PLATE (1200m).

“He really hasn’t been out of form except for his last run when he pulled up ordinary,” Bailey said.

“His first three runs all were good and I put blinkers on him today.

“Coming back to his home track, I thought he was over the odds.

“He’s no superstar, but I think he will win a couple more.”’

Jockey Jenny Duggan switched Let’s Go Johnny wider on the track on straightening and, once into the clear, he sustained a strong burst to swamp joint second placegetters Euromaster ($2.60 favorite) and Red Duster ($5.50).

Winning rider Duggan was adamant about the blinkers contributing to her mount’s performance.

Fellow Wyong trainer Kim Waugh followed Bailey’s victory by scoring with Linguee ($9) in the BROWN FORMAN – CARLTON & UNITED BREWERIES F&M BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1200m).

In posting her sixth win, the six-year-old mare led home a local “girls’ quinella, gamely holding out Steve Schofield’s eight-year-old mare Mosht Up ($12) in the drive to the line.

Nothing could be taken away from Linguee, who did a terrific job to sustain a long run wide on the track and without cover.

She tackled and overhauled the leader She’s Independent on straightening, and then had to pull out all stops to deny the runner-up’s late finish.

Waugh and husband Mark are enjoying a holiday, and winning rider Jay Ford said Linguee had been threatening to win another race, though she had disappointed at her last start when she got too far out of her ground in a similar race at Newcastle when she drew the outside barrier.

Kristen Buchanan had hoped to make it a Wyong TAB quadrella by winning the last two races (after Let’s Go Johnny and Linguee) – but it wasn’t to be.

She had to be content with both Taking The Mikki ($3.60 favorite) and Winning Proposal ($3.20 second favorite) finishing second in respective races.

In defeat however, the Buchanan pair was responsible for excellent performances.

Taking The Mikki raced wide and without cover throughout, whereas the winner Life Coach ($9) enjoyed a rails-hugging ride from Jean Van Overmeire in the WYONG ROOS FOUNDATION CG&E BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1200m).

Buchanan’s five-year-old continues to race consistently and another win is most likely just around the corner.

It’s been a good week for Life Coach’s Kembla Grange trainer Brett Lazzarini, who also won with Bonus Tempus (a winner at Wyong’s Cup carnival last September) on his home track two days ago.

Lazzarini felt Life Coach was well placed back in Benchmark 64 Handicap grade and also was surprised by the generous odds offered about the gelding.

Winning Proposal is a two-year-old who was having only her third start and first after a break, and tackled older horses in the ACCOLADE WINES – REGNIS & SONS REFRIGERATION MIDWAY CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1000m).

Whilst she couldn’t overhaul the pacy Newcastle three-year-old The Escape, who was strongly supported to start $2.25 favorite, she kept coming to the line and will take further improvement from the outing.

Whereas Newcastle finished the day with a good result, that was also the case at the start of the eight-race card on the Wyong Roos Foundation raceday.

Leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees began the day with the quinella in the ANGKASA – SENTOSA MAIDEN PLATE (1600m) – and with the progeny of two mares he trained, both of whom were city winners. 

Tigon Princess ($3.50) favorite broke through after seconds at Tamworth at her last two starts, defeating her stablemate So Newchee Thinks ($5.50), whose strong finish suggests she won’t be long hitting a winning note either.

The dams of the quinella pair between them won 11 races – and six were in town.

Tigon Princess is the first foal of Serene Miss, who won six out of her 10 starts, including the 2018 Provincial Championships Final at Royal Randwick.

So Newchee Thinks’ dam Wahng Wah was a five times winner, and three were in the city.

A post-race veterinary examination revealed a small laceration to the filly’s inner left nostril.

He has an unusual name, but there was plenty to like about debutante Kwyjibo’s victory in the ARCADE TRADER – BISHOP COLLINS MAIDEN HANDICAP (1100m).

Trained by husband and wife Lee and Cherie Curtis, the Showtime three-year-old was stylish in comfortably defeating Du Cap ($5) and $2.60 favorite Lily Bobtail.

Kwyjibo had won all four trials (the first at Hawkesbury and then three at his home track at Rosehill Gardens, the latest on May 23), and ran right up to that form.

“We thought earlier on that he might be sold to Hong Kong as he kept trialling so well,” Lee Curtis said.

“But nothing eventuated, and so we decided to kick him off at Wyong in what looked a suitable race.

“He’s a big boy, and a nice horse. I think we’ll have some fun with him.”

Trainer father and jockey son Richard and Jason Collett combined to take the AUBREY BROWN – AUSTBROKERS Benchmark 64 Handicap (2000m) with Whetu ($3.10 favorite).

But the jockey wasn’t supposed to be in the saddle. He deputised for sister Alysha, who sustained an eye injury at Rosehill Gardens last Saturday before the last five races were called off.

“Even though he had 60.5kg topweight, he appreciated the ground and looks set for a good winter with the rain about,” Jason Collet said.

Richard Collett added: “Whetu had two nice lead-up runs over 1500m and 1600m with our apprentice Olivia Dalton to help prepare him for the 2000m.

“And there’s further improvement in him.”

Leading Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup scored with Guzumped at his first start for him at Kembla Grange just over 12 months ago after the four-year-old’s original trainer Mark Newnham relocated to Hong Kong.

And whilst he hadn’t won another race until today, Widdup explained there had been a couple of issues with another son of Dundeel.

“Guzumped had a quarter crack in a foot, and we had to give him time off,” he said.

“He has been consistent in between the two wins (three seconds and a third), and will definitely take further improvement from today’s race as that was only his second start back.”

Jockey Tyler Schiller looked to be in trouble on $1.75 favorite at one stage when shuffled back and caught between other runners, but kept his cool in the HARVEY NORMAN COMMERCIAL – DIAGEO CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1600m).

Once he got Guzumped to the outside in the straight and balanced, the gelding was too good for his rivals and his trainer believes he will handle further as he gets fitter.

GUZUMPED was runner-up twice over 2100m at Hawkesbury and Gosford last winter.

Wyong trainers Kim Waugh and Tracey Bartley got the job done for the locals at the Club’s NSW Central Coast Men’s Health Charity Race Day. 

Bartley pulled the right rein with his progressive three-year-old Magicon (pictured above), the gelding an impressive winner in the MOUNTIES CLASS over 1600m. 

The trainer had been toying between the home track race and the 3YO Wagga Guineas the following day but opted for the home rack meeting. 

“The owners are from Wagga and wanted to go that way, but I decided to keep him at home. It looked a good race from him, and I was confident he would race well. 

“He’s got the makings of a good horse and I think he’ll get over more ground next preparation.”

Lee Magorrian partnered the son of Prized Icon to his second win at start three, both coming on the Wyong track. 

Unlike Magicon, it had been 16 months between wins for Kim Waugh’s Dimaggio but the seven-year-old was too strong in the ETTALONG BOWLING CLUB MIDWAY BM68 over 1350m.

Waugh had expected the gelding to be in the first three, but the race didn’t pan out as expected and Adam Hyeronimus had to settle him toward the rear. 

He was able to weave a passage in the straight to bring up his sixth win at start 47. 

“I thought we’d missed the boat in the straight, but it was a good effort,” Waugh said. 

“He’s been going well but just hasn’t had much luck this prep. He’s a lovely horse and it’s great to see him come back and win again. He deserved that.”

A mid-race move paid off for Zac Lloyd with John Thompson’s promising stayer Montgomery scoring a six length win in the 2100m BELLA GROUP MAIDEN. 

The Prized Icon three-year-old was narrowly beaten over the 1890m at Newcastle on April 24 and was well placed by Thompson over the extra ground. 

Stable representative Annamarie Mulligan said the race had been the “perfect set-up” for the horse and they were excited to see what he could do in the future. 

Keegan Latham outrode his rivals in the 1300m WYONG LEAGES GROUP SUPER MAIDEN, piloting Street Magic to victory over the two favourites. 

The Per Incanto three-year-old relished the heavy conditions to score a length win, breaking through at his sixth start. 

Well-supported favourites Creek and Make A Call were disappointing, neither appreciating the slow tempo of the race. 

Nathan Doyle saddled up both favourites in the 1350m CLUB TERRIGAL PROVINCIAL MAIDEN, but it was Nick Mitchell’s Smart Serenade who got the job done, posting a three-length victory.

“It was a good confident ride by Robbie (Downey),” Mitchell said. “He over raced at Taree on debut but settled beautifully today. I’m really happy with that.”

The three-year-old son of Smart Missile had no issue with the heavy track and showed a great turn of foot to run down the two favourites in the straight. 

Kim Waugh’s Bertie was second and won’t be far off a win. 

Lizzie’s Gem broke through for her first win in the 1000m ETTALONG DIGGERS MAIDEN, but not without a fight. 

Du Cap went head-to-head with the $1.80 favourite in the final stages of the race, the Widdup trained Lizzie’s Gem getting the nod on the line. 

“It was a good job by the team and Zac (Wadick),” Rosie Gilla, representing the stable said. 

“She had to fight for the win and has shown she has got that toughness in her. She ticked off the heavy track. She needed that win. She’s been close numerous times. We’ll get her home and go from there.”

Paul Perry’s well supported favourite Bodgie was too strong in the TOUKLEY GOLF CLUB CG&E BM64. 

Zac Lloyd gave the son of Epaulette a well rated ride and was able to hold out the second favourite Pisanello on the line. 

The victory giving Lloyd a winning double. 

Epaulette had two previous heavy track wins, before bringing up his fifth career victory at start 34.

Smiling Prophet was last in the winner’s circle at Wyong in November and replicated that victory in the 1100m F&M BM64. 

Trainer Mark Minervini was full of praise for apprentice Braith Nock. 

“It was a brilliant ride,” Minervini said. “An 11 out of 10 ride. Braith rode him well at Muswellbrook last start and I told him he could ride him at Wyong. 

“The heavy 10 was a query here today but he was rock hard and fit and has won here before. I thought he was a good chance.”

A four-year-old Diving Prophet mare, Smiling Prophet has had four wins from 21 starts, with four minor placings.

Wyong trainers enjoyed a successful day on the home track with Kristen Buchanan, Tracey Bartley and Kim Waugh all posting wins.

In a super start to the nine-race program, locals claimed three of the first four races. 

Kristen Buchanan was the first to taste success with her Spieth colt Chevron.

She was full of confidence heading into the race and that confidence was rewarded with the three-year-old winning the 1350m HMA INSTRUMENTATION MIDWAY BM68. 

The win brought up back-to-back victories for Chevron, who broke through for his maiden on the Kensingon track over 1300m on March 27.

Koby Jennings gave him a squeeze out of the gates and led from pillar to post. 

“I’m really happy,” Buchanan said. “Everyone has been patient with him, so it’s nice to see him string a couple together in softer company.”

Buchanan has always had big opinion of Chevron, who was placed fourth on debut at Group 3 level and was a close up eighth in the Group 2 Sires Produce at Eagle Farm last May, just two lengths behind the winner. 

“He’s run in some very strong races and acquitted himself well. He’s such a beautiful horse and we’ll keep him going through the grades now.”

It was a welcome return to the winner’s circle for Tracey Bartley with 

Magicon breaking through in the 1350m HMA POWER GENERATION PROVINCIAL MAIDEN. 

The Prized Icon three-year-old was having his second start, and despite being well beaten at Newcastle on debut, Bartley went into the race with a degree of confidence. 

“He was left in front at Newcastle and that made it tough,” he said. “I was happy to follow Kim’s horse today (Jared). As it turned out they were both rated in front, and we got the edge on the line.”

Magicon ($44) ridden by Lee Magorrian, had to survive a protest to claim his win.

Kim Waugh also has a big opinion of her winner Bellenth who was way too dominant for his rivals in the 1350m HMA MATERIALS HANDLING SUPER MAIDEN. 

“I love him,” Waugh said. “He’s a beautiful horse with a nice future. We had a lot of trouble with him early and it took quite a while get him to the barriers. 

“He’s got the trick now and his last two runs have been fantastic. He has a beautiful turn of foot and he’s going places.” 

Jay Ford partnered the son of Hellbent to his first win at start two. 

Icebreaker made it an easy watch for favourite backers in the HMA GROUP MAIDEN, with the $1.60 pop bringing up his first win over 2100m by more than two lengths.

Dylan Gibbons gave the Pariah three-year-old a well-timed ride, sitting toward the rear throughout before hitting the front on straightening and drawing away over the final stages. 

Describing trainer David Payne as the “master of stayers,” Gibbons said Icebreaker had been very well placed and would take plenty of confidence from the win.

Michael Freedman’s Parisian Rose brought up her second win from just five outings, in the HMA FLOW & INDUSTRIAL CLASS 1 (1350m).

The filly looks to have a bright future with jockey Keagan Latham impressed by the victory. 

“She’s a nice filly and Michael had here prepared perfectly for the race. She’ll get out a bit further as well, to the mile and I think there’s more wins ahead for her.”

Keysborough continued the winning trend for favourites, the I Am Invincible gelding breaking through at start seven in the 1000m HMA GEOTECHNICAL MAIDEN. 

The Hawkes trained four-year-old was sent out $2.50 fav and justified the market confidence with a strong performance..

Winning rider Tyler Schiller said Keysborough had relaxed lovely in the early stages and showed his strength late. 

An exciting three-way finish to the 1100m HMA GTCH CYCLONGES BM64 saw

Bjorn Baker’s progressive filly Time Bandit get the bob on the line, claiming victory by the narrowest margin. 

The Star Turn filly was given a great ride by Josh Parr and brought up her fourth win at start eight, with three minor placings. 

Glen Lobb, representing the stable, said Parr had timed the ride to perfection. 

“She’s got better and better this time in, “he said. “Josh got a nice camp in behind and got there on the line.”

Jake Hull’s consistent four-year Olivia’s Spirit is building an impressive resume, following his latest win in the HMA WEAR SOLUTIONS BM64 ,his fourth in just 11 starts. 

The son of Rubick was resuming from a spell and Gosford based Hull had him primed for a first up victory after a winning trial on the Beaumont track on March 27. 

Keagan Latham, bringing up a winning double, weaved a passage in the straight, storming home to claim victory. 

The Waterhouse/Bott teamed weren’t to be denied rounding out the program with a win in the 1600m HMA CLASS 1. 

Professor Pickles, a Tavistock gelding, appreciated a rise in distance, to bring up his second successive win, with Regan Bayliss in the saddle. 

The three-year-old son of So You Think has had just three career starts, and Bayliss expects him to improve over more ground. 

“He’ll definitely get the mile and a half and should gain even more confidence after this win,” he said. 

Hawkesbury duo Brad Widdup and Edward Cummings dominated the $150k Provincial-Midway Championships Qualifer, with Widdup’s favourite Ausbred Flirt too strong for her opposition & Strait Acer, from the Cummings stable storming home to finish second. 

Both now progress to the $1m April 13 final at Randwick, Ausbred Flirt joining stablemates Short Shorts and Ruby Flyer in the field. 

Widdup’s plan had been to run Ausbred Flirt in the Kembla Qualifier on March 23 but he opted to scratch due to the heavy track. 

The move proved to be a winner, with the Maurice mare primed for a great second up run, four weeks after resuming from a spell in the Group 2 Guy Walter at Randwick on March 2. 

She missed the start in her first-up run but it was a different story at Wyong where everything fell into place courtesy of a great ride by Alysha Collett. 

“It was a bit unfortunate that she missed the kick at Randwick but she still ran super in that first-up run,” stable representative Rosie Jilla said. “It’s been a waiting game to get her back to the races and she’s obviously performed well today.”

Cummings was equally impressed with runner-up Strait Acer.

“I wanted to go back to basics today we were lucky enough to get into the final.  He really savaged the line and it’s great to have him back in form.

“I’m looking forward to two weeks’ time. He’ll be better suited to a big track.” 

In earlier races Damien Lane’s Jameka Money scored a home track win in the 3YO Maiden Plate over 1000m. 

Raced by Lane’s wife Kate, the Press Statement filly was having just her third career start and was second up from a spell. 

She showed a great turn of foot when Grant Buckley took her to the outside in the straight, steaming home to claim a narrow victory. 

Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott took out the training honours with a double, apprentice Amy McLucas combining with the partnership to win on Killcare Beachgirl and Star Blazer. 

Another apprentice kicked off the program with a win, the in-form Zac Wadick taking out the 1600m Midway Maiden for Hawkesbury trainer Edward Cummings with Hippy Dreams. 

The $1.90 favourite dominating the field in only his third race start. 

It was another provincial trainer, Newcastle based Nathan Doyle who took out the 1350m Provincial Class 1, with Gago. The Australian Bloodstock four-year-old was having just his second start for the stable and came from the rear of the field to snatch victory on the line, with Ashley Morgan in the saddle. 

The Zoustar gelding, a $65k purchase, was coming off a last start fourth at Newcastle and sent out $4.40 second favourite. 

Randwick trainers John Sargent and Michael Freedman weren’t to be denied, both training winners. 

Sargent’s Coto De Caza outstayed his rivals in the Class 1 & Maiden, to bring up his debut win at start seven, with Keagan Latham at the reins. 

While Michael Freedman’s consistent Snitzel mare Resistible took out the 1200m Conditional BM68, ridden by Rory Hutchings. 

The four-year-old has had three wins and five minor placings from her 15 starts. 

It was the Chris Waller show at Wyong’s mid-week Metropolitan meeting, the master trainer posting three winners on the day. 

The Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou training partnership bagged a double, while jockeys Tim Clark and James McDonald both rode two winners. 

Tim Clark got the party started early for punters in the opener, the 1350m 2YO, with short-priced favourite Just Party getting the job done. 

Gerald Ryan’s Justify colt was sent out at $1.20 and the win never looked in doubt, with Clark giving him a super ride throughout. 

The $110k yearling, was having his second start having been narrowly beaten at Newcastle on debut, and Ryan has a good opinion of him going forward. 

“He got the job done and is still learning,” he said. “He’s a nice horse out of a G1 winning mare. Whatever he does now he’ll be a lot better as a three-year-old.”

Champion jockey James McDonald had no dramas riding the second favourite of the day, Ravenclaw to victory in the 1100m 3YO Maiden. 

McDonald showed his class sitting off the leader in the early stages before giving the Harry Angel gelding his head in the straight and darting clear for a three-length win.

“It was a painless watch,” McDonald said. “He felt really good and is definitely a nice, progressive horse.”

The Chris Waller trained Ravenclaw ($1.70) had been runner up at three of his six previous runs, including a last start second on the Kensington track.

Double Cherry bucked the trend for the favourites, outstaying his rivals in the 2100m 3YO & UP BM78 returning $21.

Trainer Annabel Neasham had been running out of patience with the five-year-old import, who had been well beaten in all three Australian starts. 

She changed up his training resume, putting him over the jumps and the move did the trick, with the gelding breaking through for his first Australian win ridden by Tom Sherry. 

“We gave him a big cheer today,” Neasham said. “It was like he’d won a Group 1. The owners have been very patient and hopefully he will go on with it. I put him over the jumps, thinking we might head to Warrnambool but that’s changed now.”

Chris Waller brought up a double and trained the quinella in the 1600m 3YO & UP Maiden, when Bright Red stormed down the outside to snatch victory over stablemate Hartman on the line. 

Waller had no qualms about stepping the Pierro filly up to the mile after she resumed over 1200m at Rosehill on February 28. 

Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, the stable believes Bright Red should only get better over more ground. 

“We had an opinion of her early, but it’s taken time for her to switch on,” Chris Harwood said. “It was a nice win today but not a surprise. She’s quite adaptable and can relax well. With that turn of foot, it won’t be the last race she wins.”

Gerald Ryan was confident his filly Pajanti would be hard to beat and that’s how in panned out in the 1350m BM72 F&M 3YO & Up.

The $500k yearling made it back-to-back wins following her last start Rosehill victory, defying a betting drift to bring up her second career win at start five. 

The victory bringing up a double for the Ryan/Alexiou stable and jockey Tim Clark. 

“She worked terrific on Saturday morning, and I thought she’d be hard to beat,” Ryan said. “I was surprised she didn’t win last preparation, but she’s gone onwards and upwards since then.”

Chris Waller’s day out continued with McHale in the 1350m 3YO & Up BM78, the Shooting To Win gelding bringing up the stable’s treble. 

Coming off a Warwick Farm win last start, the three-year-old earned strong support and was sent out second favourite, getting the job done courtesy of a great Tommy Berry ride. 

McHale, who was a $160k yearling, has now posted three wins from just six starts and looks destined for much stronger races. 

It was a rough result in the 1000m 3YO & Up BM78, with apprentice Molly Bourke riding tearaway leader and rank outsider No Statement to a dominant victory. 

The Press Statement five-year-old, trained at Hawkesbury by Mike Van Gestel, was having his 52^nd start and brought up win number 12. 

The gelding pinged the gates and Bourke let him have his head early, leading the field by lengths and holding on to win by a length.

Raced by the Van Gestel family, No Statement returned $61. 

Brett Cavanough’s race favourite Once Again My Girl bled for the second time and will now be retired. 

A confident ride by James McDonald helped secure victory for Godolphin’s promising filly Commemorative in the 1200m BM72. 

The daughter of I Am Invincible was resuming from a spell, having raced in black type races over the Melbourne Spring carnival. 

Darren Beadman said they had been confident the filly would race well. 

“She’s a big filly and has grown into her frame now. It all came a bit quick for her in her first preparation, but she had trialled well coming into this.”

The win brought up a double for James McDonald.