raceday review

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. 

It took until late in the program for local trainers to make it to the winner’s circle at Wyong today, with Kristen Buchanan’s Gardenzio getting the job done in the 1600m BM68. 

In a great afternoon of racing, in front of a healthy mid-week crowd, Randwick trainers dominated the program, while Tyler Schiller took out the riding honours with a double. 

Buchanan has a good opinion of four-year-old Gardenzio, who’s win made it back-to-back victories on his home track. 

Local apprentice Anna Roper partnered Gardenzio, giving him a super front running ride to bring up his third career win, all three on the Wyong track. 

“It was a real master stroke ride by Anna, “a happy Buchanan said. “The wide gate was a concern and there looked to be a lot of speed in the race, but Anna got to the front quite comfortably and dictated terms. 

“This horse has taken the next step and that is what you want to see from these progressive gallopers.”

Wyong’s Damien Lane was denied a win earlier in the program in the 1200m CG&E BM64, when his gelding Wealthy Investor was run down on the line. 

Tommy Berry, aboard the favourite Panic, put in a well-timed ride, storming down the outside to snatch a narrow victory. 

Panic, trained at Randwick by Michael Freedman, is putting together an impressive resume, with three wins from just five starts. 

John Thompson’s classy filly Hellbent On You broke through for a well-deserved win in the 1300m Midway Maiden. 

The Randwick trained three-year-old had been placed in three of her seven previous runs but had been racing without luck. 

That changed with the help of a great ride by Chad Schofield, Hellbent On You pulling way for an effortless five length win. 

Anne Maree Mulligan, representing the Thompson stable, said it was great to see the filly put it all together.

“She’ll likely head to the city now and hopefully get more wins up.” 

John O’Shea continued a winning afternoon for Randwick based trainers, when Cross Your Heart dominated the 1200 F&M BM64.  The three-year-old was a $280,000 Magic Millions yearling purchase and is living up to her expensive price tag with two wins and a second from her three starts, all on the Wyong track.

She was a last start Wyong winner and was again ridden by jockey Tyler Schiller.

Forewoman Sophie Johnson said the three-year-old had been given a three week break since her last start and come back in really good form. 

“We were excited to see what she could do today, and she got the job done well,” Johnson said.

It was a three-way photo in the 1350m BM64, with Hawkesbury trained Navios getting the nod on the line to post his second career win. 

Apprentice Zac Wadick, who recently moved to Hawkesbury teaming with leading trainer Brad Widdup, partnered the four-year-old to victory.

Trainer Ed Cummings had been confident Navios would race well, in only his second win for the stable. 

“He was well rated in this race, looked good and had worked well at home.”

Two races later Widdup was in the winner’s circle with his colt High Dandy, who made short work of his opponents in the 1600m Super Maiden. 

The colt by Ace High brought up a double for Tyler Schiller. Having only his second race start, High Dandy was coming off a fourth at Kembla on February 29. 

He was well supported by punters and was able to put almost five lengths on his rivals on the line. 

Fellow Hawkesbury trainer Stephen O’Halloran also bagged a winner, with Jaex too strong in the 1000m BM64. 

Mitch Bell partnered the four-year-old mare who was resuming from a spell. 

Jaex has been in great form since joining the O’Halloran stable with two wins and three placings from her six starts. 

Randwick based Peter and Paul Snowden’s debutant Cassiel continued a winning week for their stable which included the Listed Canberra Guineas and Group 3 Black Opal. 

The three-year-old colt was well favoured by punters on the strength of four previous trials. 

Kerrin McEvoy gave Cassiel a confident ride on speed ride, managing to hold out one of the outsiders of the field, Moncarolia on the line. 

Randwick based Snowden’s continuing a super afternoon for the training base. 

Kristen Buchanan celebrataed a win at yesterday’s BJ Howes Race Day and very nearly a race to race double, while several runners are Metro bound after impressing with their Wyong wins.

It was a #teamwyong victory in the 1600m LINCOLN ELECTRIC CLASS 1 that had us cheering with Kristen Buchanan’s Gardenzio getting the job done courtesy of a great front running ride by Anna Roper. 

Roper showed why she is one of the State’s leading apprentices, rating Gardenzio perfectly in front, before kicking clear in the straight to score a two length win.

The stable was almost celebrating a quinella after stable mate Silent Russian, having his first start for Buchanan, finished third. 

An improvement in racing manners paved the way for Gardenzio’s return to the winner’s circle. 

“He was very calm, cool and relaxed today. He can be a bit wayward but put it all together and got the job done. He’s a nice horse who keeps improving.”

The win was Buchanan’s 14th for the current season.

Richard Litt denied Buchanan of a race to race double when Bo Katan ran down Kervette on the line to take out the LEVELMASTER MAIDEN over 1300m.

Litt has a good opinion of the Impending gelding, who brought up his debut win at start four, with two minor placings. 

“We’ll take him to town now and I expect him to be very competitive. He’ll get out to the mile and further and just get better and better.”

Litt congratulated owners Monarch Racing Syndications, a relative newcomer to the game, on their second winner.

Nathan Doyle’s Rush Hour is another talented horse who will likely target the metropolitan circuit following his dominant win in the COREGAS MIDWAY CLASS 1 over 1200m.

A $130k Magic Millions yearling, the son of Russian Revolution scored his second victory from just four starts. 

Apprentice Ben Osmond rated the colt well on the speed, giving him a mid-race breather, before putting paid to his rivals in the straight. 

“He was too classy for them today,” Doyle said.  “He has showed us a lot from day dot and has plenty of ability. He has better things in store than a class 1 at Wyong but it was good to see him back.”

Rush Hour’s other win came in the $500k Magic Millions 2Y0 Debut in January last year. 

Kim Waugh’s last start winner River Pat ran a credible second. 

It was one way traffic in the opener, the 1100m INSURANCE HOUSE F&M MAIDEN, with John O’Shea’s promising filly Cross Your Heart going one better than her last start Wyong second. 

The Deep Field three-year-old, a $280k Magic Millions yearling, was given a strong ride by Tyler Schiller, who took her to the outside on straightening and sped away for a convincing win. 

Cross Your Heart is raced by an all-female syndicate a number from Torryburn Stud, many who were trackside to cheer her home. 

The runner-up My Kee finished strongly and looks to be wanting more ground. 

It wasn’t as cut and dried for Detundu who looked to have broken through for his first win in the 1100m COMMSYS CG&E MAIDEN before Joe Pride’s Eastern Front had other ideas. 

The $1.50 favourite Detundu shook off Luna Field in the final 200m and looked to have the race run won before Eastern Front stormed home to claim victory. 

Even the trainer had doubts when the Russian Revolution was lengths behind the leaders on straightening. 

Under strong riding by Sam Clipperton he snatched victory on the line, with Pride believing there is more improvement to come. 

“I thought he had a real task ahead coming around the corner, but he got the job done,” he said. “He’ll have a break now and when he comes back, I think we’ll have a really nice horse.”

Kerry Parker’s Tom Cruising was a well-deserved winner in the INFRABUILD PROVINCIAL MAIDEN over 1600m.

A strong ride by Lee Magorrian helped secure success for the American Pharoah three-year-old who was having his fifth start and earned strong support to start a $3.30 favourite.

“He knuckled down really good today,” Parker said. “He’s been racing terrific and was in the right race today. He still needed luck in running but with the help of Lee was able to pick himself up when the gap appeared and hit the line. 

“He’s a relaxed customer and I think he will get over more ground.”

The fast-finishing Piplup, who had a chequered run to the line, is worth following. 

It was a case of catch me if you can for Barry’s Lawrence’s Take The Jackpot and nobody could, with the Casino Prince five-year-old too strong in the 1350m BJ HOWES METALAND CONDITIONAL BM68.

Kacie Adams gave the gelding a great front running ride and was able to hold out the challengers giving Take The Jackpot his second win at start nine. 

Annabel Neasham’s $3.10 favourite Mickey’s Medal had to wait for a split in the straight and stormed home to finish second, a half-length behind the winner. 

Angara’s win looked never in doubt in the MECHPRO SOLUTIONS AU BM 64 over 1100m.

Trained by Paul Perry, the Frankel gelding brought up his third win, courtesy of a clever ride by Andrew Adkins.

He took full advantage of the inside gate, saving ground throughout, before kicking away in the final stages to win by two lengths. 

“We knew he would appreciate the drying track and that’s how things worked out,” Nathan Perry said. “He’s been racing very consistently and deserves another win.”

A $150k Magic Millions yearling, Angara is raced in partnership by Christine Cook, giving the prolific owner her second win on the program, after Cross Your Heart’s earler victory.

Runner up Lohnraki looks to have come back well from a spell. 

A home track double to Kim Waugh, a double for Bjorn Baker and riding double to Ashley Morgan were the highlights of Wyong’s February 8 race meeting. 

Waugh’s duo River Pat and Selfless Act both causing upsets in their respective races and giving Wyong’s premier trainer four wins in a week and 25 for the current season.

Waugh’s Headwater filly River Pat, who was sent out at the juicy odds of $51, burst through a gap in the straight to win the 1100m MAGIC MILLIONS ADELAIDE YEARLING SALE 18-19 MARCH F&M MAIDEN. 

The three-year-old, raced by Werrett Bloodstock, had been trialled twice leading into her first start. 

She placed in both trials, the latest a second at Wyong on January 31 but received no market support.

Ash Morgan settled River Pat midfield, finding a gap at the top of the straight and storming away to win by a length. 

It was dead heat for the minor placegetters, Cross Your Heart ($4) and Russian Snitzel ($5.50). 

Apprentice Jake Barrett partnered Waugh’s second winner Selfless Act ($10) to victory in the 1350m CENTRAL COAST COOLROOMS MIDWAY BM64.

The consistent Panzer Divison mare, raced by Pepper Tree Bloodstock, brought up her third win at start 13 with four minor placings. 

Barrett came from behind to circle the field on the turn, bursting down the centre of the track to overhaul the $3 favourite Navy Blood in the final stages. 

Barrett, now apprenticed to Barbara Jones, began his riding career as a 15-year-old for the Waugh stable.

It wasn’t all good news for Barrett, who earned the wrath of the stewards and was disqualified for careless riding from February 19 to March 3. 

The closest finish of the day brought up a double for the Bjorn Baker stable, with O’Tycoon ($3fav) getting the nod on the line in the TAB.COM.AU BM64.

The Written Tycoon four-year-old, a $180,000 yearling raced by Australian Bloodstock, brought up his third win at start 15. 

In a perfectly timed ride Dylan Gibbons stormed home in the final stages to snatch victory over The Swooper ($3.70), with Suprina ($8.50), who led for most of the race, holding on for third. 

The first leg of Morgan’s double came via the Maher trained Negotiations ($14) who showed an impressive turn of foot to win the 1000m SKY CHANNEL CLASS 1. 

The impeccably bred son of I Am Invincible, a $750,000 yearling, kept his record intact bringing up his second win from as many starts. 

The four-year-old broke through for his maiden win at Eucha in July last year but had been unimpressive in two recent trials. 

In a slowly run race, Ashley Morgan settled the gelding toward the rear, taking him to the lead on straightening and drawing away to win by a length. 

Godolphin’s Shako ($3.30) finished strongly in second, while the $2.90 favourite Fludway was third, was unsuited by the slow tempo. 

The Snowden trained Densetsu ($10) put his best foot forward at start two taking out the 1100m DE BORTOLI WINES CG&E MAIDEN in impressive style.

The son of Lonhro was coming off a last start failure at Kembla on debut but was suited by the quicker tempo second up. 

“It was a good turnaround of form from last start, “stable representative Colm McCullogh said. “Josh (Parr) rode him well, but the deciding factor was the was speed being on today. He likes to flow into races like that. 

“The horse has definitely got talent. He’s better than a Wyong maiden but it’s good to get the monkey off his back and hopefully he can kick on through his grades.”

Joe Pride’s Bottler ($21) stormed home for an eye catching second, with the $.190 favourite Bo Katan third. 

Lonhro’s progeny scored again in the CARLTON & UNITED BREWERIES PROVINCIAL MAIDEN over 1600m, with the Widdup trained Noble Tess a dominant winner. 

Chad Schofield was able to get the best out of the three-year-old filly following a battle with the $1.85 favourite Irish Anthem in the straight. 

Noble Tess, having her sixth career start, was coming off a fifth at Wyong over the same distance on January 18. 

Having her fourth run this preparation she had fitness on her side and was strong to the line. 

Warwick Farm trainer Amanda Turner was all smiles after her stayer, So Sneeky ($9) was able to stave off his opposition to take out the WYONG LEAGUES GROUP BM64 over 2100m. 

It was a breakthrough Wyong win for former New Zealand hoop Andrew Calder, who relocated to New South Wales last year. 

By NZ sire Falkirk, So Sneeky brought up win number five with a super staying performance, putting more than a length on the fast-finishing Doraskaya ($3.90) from the Waugh stable, with the $2.90 favourite Counter, not suited by the slow pace. 

Starmae started as short priced favourite in the 1350m PBL LAW GROUP SUPER MAIDEN and didn’t disappoint with Zac Lloyd giving the filly a perfect front running ride.

The Bjorn Baker stable had been confident the Zoustar filly, who was coming off a second at Gosford, would perform well and the win never looked in doubt. 

“She’s not the biggest filly going around but she makes up for it in speed,” stable representative Luke Hilton. 

“She’s very genuine and I don’t think we’ll see the best of her until a few more months.”

A $325,000 Magic Millions yearling, Starmae ($1.85) brought up her second win at six and was coming off a second at Gosford on January 24. 

She beat Hooligan Tommy, who made up good ground in the straight, with Waller’s Hartman ($7), third. 

The Wyong track earned plenty of praise from jockeys, with kudos 

A large crowd, a win for the locals, a double to talented apprentice Anna Roper and competitive racing paved the way for a super afternoon at Wyong’s final Summerdayz meeting. 

Damien Lane’s Pluckten scored the local win and while he started at longer odds than the more fancied runners, the victory was no surprise to the trainer. 

The three-year-old Pluck gelding was having just his third start in the 1350m SKY CHANNEL PROVINCIAL MAIDEN and Lane expected him to race well. 

“He’s a progressive horse and I was surprised at the odds,” he said. “He has come such a long way and I think the owners have one who will go on with the job. He is still working out what it’s all about and I think he will keep improving after a break and come back a nice horse.”

Lane was full of praise for his apprentice Anna Roper who brought up a winning double on Pluckten ($6.50). 

“Anna got caught three wide early but opted to go forward which proved to be a winning move. She is a big part of our stable now and has a bright future.”

Price Racing’s short priced favourite Fugitiva ($1.70) looked like he would dash clear turning in the straight, but Pluckten held him out on the line to win by a long neck, with the Perry trained Cup Of Ambition ($13) fighting on well for third. 

Roper’s first winner came via an upset in the staying race with Kylie Gavenlock’s Tina’s Rock ($10) too strong in the final stages over the 2100m. 

A great ride by Roper helped secure the Pierro mare’s first victory in the TAB.COM.AU CLASS 1 & MAIDEN, beating Ross McConville’s $2 favourite Tell The Future. 

“It’s just a wonderful win,” Gavenlock said. “This mare had double colic surgery before this preparation, and we thought we’d lose her. Owners Greg and Donna Kolivos stuck their necks out and hung in with her. They deserve this win and so does the mare.

“It was a really good ride by Anna. I thought if we were in touch with them on the turn, we were a good chance.”

There were excuses for Tell The Future who didn’t handle the turn but still fought on gamely. 

Ben Smith’s progressive gelding Outakandy justified his short price with a dominant win in the HUCKEL EXCAVATIONS MIDWAY CLASS 1 over 1600m.

The three-year-old was coming off a last start victory at Kembla and punters were confident he could do it again, backing him into $1.45. 

Zac Lloyd took a sit behind the leader and eventual runner-up Gardenzio, before hitting the front in the straight and drawing away to win by two and a half lengths. 

“I was on the best horse, and he proved himself, “Lloyd said. “He is still a fair bit underdeveloped with a bit of growing and maturing to do. He could step out over further as he progresses.”

Kristen Buchanan’s Gardenzio ($3.80), getting out to the mile for the first time fought on gamely, but may not of appreciated the rise in distance.

It was a nail-biting finish in the 1200m WYONG LEAGUES GROUP F&M MAIDEN with the Waterhouse/Bott trained Koby Girl ($2.50fav) getting the bob on the line denying Kristen Buchanan’s Kervette ($11).

And while the judge went Koby Girl’s way, the Written By filly had to survive a protest before correct weight was declared. 

It had been a race in two in the straight, with winning jockey Regan Bayliss and Lee Magorrian going head-to-head to the line. 

Neil Paine, representing the Waterhouse/Bott stable, said they had taken their time with Koby Girl, who sported the colours made famous by Gai’s father Tommy Smith. 

“They’ve always had an opinion of this filly, but she needed time, and the connections were patient. The stable thinks she will get over further in time, she’s got a lot of improvement to come.”

An excited group of owners cheered on Richard and Will Freedman’s Merchant Empire ($4.20) who caused another boil over winning the 1200m CARLTON & UNITED BREWERIES CG&E MAIDEN, by holding out the fast-finishing Edited By ($3.30). 

The Merchant Navy three-year-old bred by John Cornish at Torryburn Stud, was on debut and the stable expected him to need the run. 

But under great riding by Ashley Morgan, he held the lead for most of the race, before being giving a mid-race breather, then fighting on to the line to win by a long neck. 

“I told the owners he would probably get beat by inexperience, but he proved me wrong,” Will Freedman said. “He was inexperienced on the turn and when he gets to a bigger track and learns more he will keep improving.”

There were no excuses for the beaten brigade with Joe Pride’s $2.40 favourite Eastern Front having every opportunity.

Ross McConville made the trip from Kembla to Wyong worthwhile after his promising sprinter South Of India ($7) dominated the BEST WISHES WRC TRAINER STEPHEN “CRUSHER” FARLEY CLASS 1 over 1000m.

The Snowden trained Fire Star ($1.35) was sent out shortest favourite of the day, but Sean Guymer had other ideas leading from barrier to post. 

Fire Star was slightly slow to begin, and Josh Parr had to make a long circling run into the straight, but South Of India was too strong on the line.

The winner, a three-year-old son of Irish sire Churchill, is bred and raced by McConville and was coming off a last start victory at Newcastle over 900m.

“He’s a very nice up and coming horse and I had expected him to race really well,” he said. “I have high expectations for him but want to take him time.”

Rounding off the program was Tyrone Coyle’s injured plagued Prince Aurelius ($16), who dominated the DE BORTOLI WINES BENCHMARK 64 over 1300m.

The Kembla trained seven-year-old had been out of the winner’s circle for almost three years but was able to claim the main prize courtesy of a great ride by apprentice Olivia Chamber. 

“All credit to Olivia,” Coyle said. “She has ridden him from day one since he came back into work. She rode him on Tuesday and said he was back to his old self. She said if he’s right on the day he will win.

“I’m over the moon. He’s a day-to-day proposition but it’s great to get him back.”

Snowden’s $2.60 favourite Mirra Impact, finished two and a half lengths behind in second, but doesn’t look far off a win. 

A bit of homework and plenty of patience paid off for Rodney Bailey yesterday when his promising four-year-old Norton Road was a dominant winner on debut at his home track.

Bailey purchased the son of Stratum Star from an Inglis online sale in March 2021 for the bargain price of $7500. 

He had been impressed with the bloodlines on the mare Ransack’s side, who was sired by Lonhro. 

“I did a fair bit of homework on him when I saw him listed for sale and was impressed with the breeding, particularly on the mare’s side. I knew they had picked a well-bred mare to put to the stallion, to get him going along a bit. He was a good type and definitely a bargain buy,” Bailey said. 

“He was very immature when we got him home and I knew he would take time. Then he kept going shin sore, so we had to give him a few preparations before we got him right.”

Bailey unveiled Norton Road at a trial at Rosehill on December 29, instructing jockey Reece Jones to give him a quite trial. 

“Reece said he jumped out of the barriers and just sped away. I knew he was a speedy type and he really showed it that day.”

Bailey opted to start him in the 1200m DE BORTOLI WINES PROVINCIAL MAIDEN at Wyong and he was sent out $2.45fav on the strength of his eye-catching trial. 

He didn’t disappoint, apprentice Anna Roper taking him to the lead and maintaining it throughout, kicking away in the straight to win by more than two lengths. 

“He’s got a fair bit of ability and hopefully he might go on with it. It was exciting today and I’ll give him three or four weeks off now before deciding where we will go.

“He’s got a high cruising speed and big, long stride, so I’m sure he will get over more ground.”

Norton Road’s win was celebrated by the entire Bailey family, with his daughter Bridget the official owner, in her first foray into horse ownership. 

Favourites dominated the first five races on the program with Lee and Cherie Curtis’ Still Alice ($2.40) setting the tone in the first race, the 1000m PBL LAW GROUP MIDWAY MAIDEN.

Jay Ford gave the Epaulette filly, a $300k yearling, a perfect front running ride to bring up her first win at start two. 

Curtis said he expects the filly to get up to city grade and over more ground, 

“She’s got a bit of class, I think she’s a nice filly and we’ve always thought a lot of her, but she was always a bit behind and needed a bit of time,” he said. “I think she’ll keep improving and get up to at least city grade.”

Another well rated ride saw Up And Comer ($5EF) win the 1600m SKY CHANNEL SUPER MAIDEN for Annabel Neasham and Chad Schofield. 

Up And Comer came from mid-field on the turn, Schofield circling the field and hitting the front on straightening, holding off his rivals to win by a half-length. 

Riley Loy, representing the stable, said they had been confident the Press Statement filly would run a good race. 

“We’d been happy with her work out and pretty confident today she’d run a nice race. She definitely suits a mile and could look to go a bit further.”

The fast-finishing Morton Pier looks like one to follow. 

Joe Pride is excited about the prospects of his filly Cosmanova ($2.70fav), who made it back-to-back wins in the 1100m TABCORP F&M BENCHMARK 64.

“She’s a filly with a stack of improvement to come,” he said. “She’ll head to the paddock now but over time as she gets older, she’ll get better as her pedigree comes through.

“There’s a bit to look forward to, with two wins on the bounce. We’ll give her a little break to strengthen up more and then see her at the end of the season.”

New Zealand bred mare Dawla bucked the favourite trend when she came from behind to win the CARLTON & UNITED BREWERIES CLASS 1 over 1200m.

Apprentice Zac Wadick took advantage of the slow tempo, coming from the rear on the turn and storming home to win by three quarters of a lengths. 

It was Wadick’s second win for his boss Brad Widdup, since joining the stable in December. 

Scone visitor Innervoice returned double figure odds ($13), upsetting the more favoured runners in the 1350m GO ELECTRICAL F&M BENCHMARK 64.

The six-year-old Poet’s Voice mare, trained by Lyle Chandler, scored her third career win at start 32. 

Winning rider Mitchell Bell said there were excuses for her last start performance at Scone. 

“We weren’t afforded the runs we needed at Scone, going up the inside didn’t suit her. There was good speed today and from the wide draw we were able to get momentum up around the 600m and keep it. She’s a different horse again once she gets to the outside of them, a lot more confident and she hit the line well.”

Mark Minervini’s Star Impact $5, fought on strongly for second, while there appeared to be no excuses for the Maher/Eustace favorite Lady boss ($3.60) who finished third. 

Another upset in the last with the short priced favourite Katsumoto ($1.55) well beaten by the Con Karakatsanis trained Black Duke ($11).

The Fiorente six-year-old, brought up his fourth win at start 40, with the stable believing the addition of blinkers and 3kg claim for Zac Wadick helped get the job done. 

The dominant victory in the 1350m WYONG LEAGUES GROUP CG&E BENCHMARK 64 bringing up a double for Wadick & the riding honours for the day.

Stewards reporting Katsumoto had pulled up lame in the near-fore fetlock, requiring a vet certificate before resuming racing. 

Damien Lane completed a successful week with a home track victory, Oakfield Mahogany giving him his third win in just seven days and 19^th for the current season. 
Lane is enjoying one of his best runs in recent years and it was fitting the latest win came from one of his biggest supporters Bruce McKenzie.

The Capitalist gelding was second up from a spell and while Lane gave him a chance of breaking through for win number four, he felt he may have needed another run. 

He preferred the chances of stablemate Wealthy Investor in the 1200m DE BORTOLI WINES PROVINCIAL BM68 but Oakfield Mahogany ($9) and jockey Andrew Atkins had other ideas. 

Atkins let the speed go out of the race, popping off the fence on the turn and racing away in the straight to win by over a length. Stablemate Wealthy Investor ($3.80) finishing fourth.

“He’s a big gross boy and I thought me might need another run, but he proved me wrong,” Lane said. 

“He resumed on a wet track at Gosford and knocked up over 1100m. It was great to see him get the job done today.”

Super ($12) looked sharp storming home to finish second, also appreciating the better ground, while the $2.35 favorite Extreme Cat appeared to have every chance, finishing third. 

It was an Irishman stole the show in the riding ranks with Darragh Keenan bagging a double and bringing up his 200^thcareer win. 

Keenan was having only his second ride at Wyong when he lifted Dunbelievin’($3.60) to victory in the SKY CHANNEL SUPER MAIDEN (1600m).

And it didn’t stop there, the 23-year-old bringing up a double on another Maher runner, Cape Byron ($3.40fav) in the last. 

Keenan relocated to Australia from the UK in early December linking with the Maher stable.  

He had posted two wins since relocating before Saturday, Dunbelievin’ the first at Wyong. It wasn’t an easy task, the well-bred Dundeel three-year-old beating Beach Party in the smallest of margins. 

The judge found it difficult to split the two after Keenan lifted the gelding on the line, with the result eventually going his way. 

Keenan came from behind again in the last, running down the leaders to win the 1300m SENPOS MAIDEN HCP on the well supported Cape Byron.

The Capitalist gelding resuming from a spell to bring up his first win at start three.

It wasn’t all celebrations with Keenan earning the wrath of the stewards for his ride on Cape Byron, copping a four-day suspension for careless riding.  

Tim Martin was very confident heading into the 1300m CARLTON & UNITED BREWERIES F&M CLASS 1, and that confidence was rewarded with Give Me Joy ($2.20) bringing up her second career win. 

It was back-to-back victories on the Wyong track, with the four-year-old daughter of Caravaggio having broken her maiden with a five length win on December 23. 

She took up where she left off, with apprentice Hannah Williams piloting her to a front running victory. 

The race wasn’t without controversy, Andrew Gibbons, riding the Lees trained second favorite Imposant protesting alleging interference in the final stages. 

The protest was dismissed with a relieved Martin, a co-owner of Give Me Joy, banking the winner’s cheque.

“I thought she should win and that’s how it panned out,” Martin said. “She’s a big, scopey mare and when she starts putting things together, she should be pretty good.”

At a subsequent inquiry, Williams pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding and was suspended for four days. 

Class prevailed in the TABCORP BM 64 HCP with John’s Thompson’s well bred mare California Grass ($2.35fav) returning to the winner’s circle after a run of placings. 

Keegan Latham put in a well-timed ride to chase down the leader Supertrail and score a half length win. 

A lightly raced Al Maher mare, California Grass was coming off a second at Warwick Farm on December 23. 

She was given a great run off the speed in the early stages, Latham circling the field before the turn and going head-to-head with Supertrail in the straight, getting the better of the Brett Cavanough trained second favorite, Supertrail on the line. 

There was an eventful finish to the 1000m MERCURE KOOINDAH WATERS RESORT MIDWAY MAIDEN with the short priced favorite Russian Snitzel running off on the turn after looking the winner. 

The Russian Revolution filly was sent out a $1.90 on the strength of two impressive  trial wins, but things didn’t go according to plan when she ran off the track, taking second favorite Ballet D’Esprit ($3.70) with her. 

This enabled Maddie Owen on Parmenio ($15) to rail through and kick away in the straight, holding out the fast-finishing Battlefield to win by a half head. 

Trained by Anthony Cummings, the winner was resuming from a spell having been gelded. 

“He has come back this time in as a gelding and I think that has made a big difference to him,” Cummings said.

Ballet D’Esprit was impressive, storming home to finish third, while stewards sent Russian Snitzel back to the trials. 

The Snowden trained Kadall ($4.40) was given a great ride by Alysha Collett to bring up his second win in just five starts in the 1300m DIMENSION ONE GLASS FENCING CG&E CLASS 1.

Collett sat just behind the leader throughout, drawing clear in the straight and holding out the fast-finishing Canadian Ruler ($7) to win by a long neck. 

An $80,000 yearling, Kadall raced by Triple Crown Syndications, was coming off a second at Hawkesbury in the same grade. 

Stephen Farley’s $3.90 favorite Lease was ridden toward the rear and failed to make up ground in the straight. 

With Christmas fast approaching Wyong’s Denim Wynen would love to celebrate with a home track win or two. 

The young trainer, and mother to two, has three good chances heading into the club’s Saturday meeting.

“I’m probably most excited to see Emphatic Bel back at the track,” Wynen said. 

“She had an operation to remove chips from her knees after her Wyong win in June and she seems to have come back a lot stronger.”

The Belardo mare starts in the Class 1over 1000m, coming off an impressive trial at Wyong on December 15. She blitzed her opposition by more than five lengths in good time. 

“I expected her to trial well but not as well as she did and against pretty good opposition. She’s a funny sort of horse and see’s ghosts when she’s working on her own, shying at nothing.

“Put her with a mate or in a race and she really gets her mind on the job.”

Wynen said she would step Emphatic Bel up to 1350m this preparation. 

“When she was with David Payne, they were trying to get her to stay but she likes to go forward, and I think she’s more of a sprinter. 

“She has a high cruising speed but if we can get her to settle, she will hopefully run up to 1350m. 

“Anna Roper has been riding her work and she will ride her on Saturday.”

Roper is also aboard Obvious Step, raced by the same ownership group. 

The six-year-old daughter of Sidestep drops back in grade, lining up in the 1600m Provincial BM64. 

“She got smashed at Warwick Farm last start, but it was still a pretty good run. That was over 1400m, and I think she will appreciate getting over more ground. 

“She has won over a mile before she came to me and the way she worked on Tuesday I think she’s in for a good run.”

And while Wynen’s owners will be on track on Saturday, she probably feels the most pressure from her third runner Magic Stella.

“She’s owned by my partner Reece Partington,” Wynen said. “If she can win it will be a nice Christmas present for us.

“She is up to 1350m on Saturday, and I can’t wait to see her over more ground. We will hold her up and hopefully she can find the line. The sting out of the ground will also help.”

The three-year-old Grunt filly will be ridden by Lee McGorrian in the 1350m Class 1. 

“It’s been flat out lately with the kids, Eli 10 and Indi, seven on holidays, along with the horses and Christmas. It will be all worthwhile if we can get a winner.”

The first of seven races gets underway at 1.25pm.

SELECTIONS: 

Race 1 –  1.25pm: WYONG EQUINE CLINIC CONDITIONAL BM68 (1200m): 1 THE KING, 2 Akaka Falls, 3 Don Pedro, 4 Surfers Royale.

Race 2 – 2.00pm:  DE BORTOLI WINES PROVINCIAL BM64 (1600m): 1 BOOMINARTIE, 2 Bak Da Man, 3 Socrates, 4 Dresden.

Race 3 – 2.35pm: CARLTON & UNITED BREWERIES 4YO & UP MIADEN (1300m): 1 GIVE ME JOY, 2 Beach Party, 3 Bobby’s Fling, 4 Beauty Bound.

Race 4 – 3.10pm: TABCORP CLASS 1 (1000m): 1 EMPHATIC BEL, 2 Coco Dreaming, 3 Ringdembells, 4 Willingale.

Race 5 – 3.45pm: SKY CHANNEL SUPER 4YO & UP MAIDEN (1100m): 1 ZARAGOZA, 2 Hawkwind, 3 Ausbred Mimosa, 4 Fruiting Habit.

Race 6 – 4.25pm: RYAN’S METAL ROOFING MIDWAY 3YO MAIDEN (1100m): 1 TOYGER, 2 Edited By, 3 Taxpayer, 4 Dayu.

Race 7 – 5.05pm: WYONG LEAGUES GROUP CLASS 1 (1350m): 1 LADY BOSS, 2 Pogacar, 3 Turbulent, 4 Little Cointreau.