TRIFECTA OF WINS FOR WYONG 

TRIFECTA OF WINS FOR WYONG  1

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. 

WAUGH ON TRACK FOR WINS

WAUGH ON TRACK FOR WINS 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SELECTIONS: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

HAWKESBURY PAIR RANDWICK BOUND

HAWKESBURY PAIR RANDWICK BOUND 3

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.” 

HAWKESBURY PAIR RANDWICK BOUND 5

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. 

LOCALS VYING FOR BERTH IN $1M FINAL 

LOCALS VYING FOR BERTH IN $1M FINAL  7

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SELELCTIONS:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WALLER DOMINATES WYONG 

WALLER DOMINATES WYONG  8

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 52nd 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. 

KERVETTE STRIVNG FOR HOME TRACK WIN 

KERVETTE STRIVNG FOR HOME TRACK WIN  9

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SELELCTIONS:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BUCHANAN SCORES A WIN FOR THE LOCALS 

BUCHANAN SCORES A WIN FOR THE LOCALS  10

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. 

LANE BANKING ON BULLOCK

LANE BANKING ON BULLOCK 11

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SELECTIONS:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WELCOME WIN FOR BUCHANAN 

WELCOME WIN FOR BUCHANAN  12

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. 

WAGSTAFF’S BARGAIN GETTING THE JOB DONE

WAGSTAFF’S BARGAIN GETTING THE JOB DONE 13

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SELECTIONS: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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