The racing community at Wyong and beyond is saddened by news that one of the industry’s true gentlemen, Stan Thomas passed away on Monday.
Stan had a life-long association with racing and was still training winners at the age of 83.
In his latter training career Stan enjoyed great success with his mare Ondo Pasa, who had eight wins and 16 placings from 65 starts. It was quite fitting the mare celebrated her last win at Wyong in June 2020.
Stan also enjoyed great success with gelding Swift Express, who won 13 races and was placed 15 times in the late 70’s early 80’s, and Lord Neptune a winner of eight races around the same period.
Despite reluctantly having to give up his passion due to ill-health, Stan remained connected with the Club and the industry, regularly dropping into the Club to share news and racing insights.
Wyong Race Club extends its condolences to Stan’s wife Evelyn and his many friends. He will be sorely missed. Stan was 85.
There are no plans for a public funeral at this time.
In a day of many highlights local trainer Sara Ryan had an afternoon she will never forget, saddling up her first winner, Prefect Match, just her 17th runner.
Mark Newnham took out the training honours in a competitive day of racing, with Sneaky Paige and Roma Avenue taking out their respective races.
Mark Minervini’s Fire And Ice broke through in the 2YO Maiden and looks to have a bright future, while Annabel Neisham’s Regal Pom claimed his maiden in impressive style, winning by more than eight lengths.
Check out all the highlights below.
ROCCAFORTE
A good training effort by Richard LItt saw Snitzel gelding Roccaforte victorious at his first attempt over the 2000m.
It was a month between runs for the three-year-old, but he fought on strongly in the straight to take out the HAPPY RETIREMENT JEFF ENGELBRECHT CLASS 1 & MAIDEN.
Brenton Avdulla was keen to be on pace from the outset and was able to cross and settle Roccaforte behind the leader from the outside gate.
He sat just off the leaders throughout and was able to hold out the $2.20 favourite Queenmaker in the final stages to win by a half-length.
It was the second victory for the winner from 12 starts, his latest outing a second over the 1800m at Hawkesbury, seeing him sent out as $2.50 second favourite at Wyong.
There were excuses for Edward Cumming’s Queenmaker, who failed to settle in the early stages, with Willie Pike forced three wide in the back straight.
The Wayne Wilkes trained King Kidau ($7) was third.
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REGAL POM
A frustrating run of placings came to an impressive end for Annabel Neasham and connections of Regal Pom after the gelding blitzed his opposition in the ALLAN DENHAM RACING 3YO MAIDEN over 1600m.
The stable had always had a good opinion of Regal Pom, a $60,000 Magic Millions yearling by Press Statement.
But he had been unable to break through in his previous 11 starts, where he was placed on seven occasions.
All that became a distant memory after stable apprentice Ellen Hennessey pinged the gates and dominated throughout to win by more than eight lengths.
“He has had plenty of chances, but we were confident today was his day,” Hennessey said.
“We thought the conditions would suit with the soft track, him being up to the mile and in peak condition. He’s a bit of a grinder and we thought being at Wyong we would get going early and it worked out.”
Edward Cumming’s $2.45 favourite Flyaway was runner-up and seemed to have every opportunity, while Stephen Farley’s Party Stop ($8) put in another honest performance to finish third.
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ROMA AVENUE
Mark Newnham’s Roma Avenue justifies his $1.80 favouritism taking out the 1350m COOMBS FAMILY MAIDEN.
The Star Witness three-year-old earned strong support, after two third placings at Canterbury in his past two starts.
Newnham had been confident leading into the race.
“I think he’s at his right distance today. He handles the wet ground and has drawn inside. I’d be disappointed if he didn’t win.”
Tom Sherry positioned the winner just off the leader and eventual runner-up Waller’s I Am Geronimo ($19) in the early stages, before hitting the front in the straight.
It was a race in two from the 600m, with Roma Avenue’s class showing out in the final stages, posted a length and a half win.
Inuwashi ($9), also from the Waller stable, was third, with the both the placegetters not far off a win.
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VERZENAY
A confident ride by Jean Van Overmeire helped secure victory for Verzenay in the 1200m TAB.COM.AU PROV & CTRY MAIDEN.
Trainer Brad Widdup had been confident the All Too Hard filly, a $75,000 Magic Millions purchase, would put her best foot forward after a second at Newcastle last start.
“She’s a very honest filly and has drawn well today. It looks like a nice race for her, and I think she gets her chance,” he said.
Van Overmeire angled the three-year-old off the fence from the 600m, taking her to the outside on straightening.
Verzenay ($3) showed a great turn of foot to hit the front in the final stages and win by half a length, at her seventh career start.
Martini Crusader ($26) trained by Stephen O’Halloran rattled home for second and will be one to follow, while there were no excuses for Blake Ryan’s $2.50 favourite Separatist, who finished third.
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FIRE AND ICE
Mark Minervini looks to have a talented colt on his hands after Fire And Ice ($2.40fav) out classed his rivals to breakthrough for his first win.
Hugh Bowman partnered the son of Hellbent in the 1000m CANADIAN CLUB 2YO MAIDEN, after riding him in two recent metropolitan trials.
The win was never in doubt after Bowman settled him in front on the rails, pulling away in the final stages to put almost five lengths on his rivals.
Fire And Ice had three starts in strong Sydney grade in his first preparation before spelling.
Minervini has always had a good opinion of the colt and now plans to target the $1m Golden Rose at Rosehill in September.
“He’s an exciting prospect for the stable and we’ve paid up for the Golden Rose,” he said. “I haven’t raced a colt with this sort of ability and temperament for a long time.”
The Gary Portelli stable filled with the minor placings with Nonshalaant ($5) and Millybella ($6.50).
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SNEAKY PAIGE
Deep Field filly Sneaky Paige ($3.70) bounced back to form to bring up a double for Mark Newnham and Tyler Schiller.
The three-year-old filly had been disappointing at her last start, finishing ninth on the Kensington track over 1150m, but put that form behind her to bring up win number two in the WYONG RACE CLUB FUNCITON CENTRE CLASS 1 over 1100m.
Sherry took Sneaky Paige to lead from the start and was able to dictate terms in front, staving off the challenges in the final stages to win by a long neck.
Newnham said there had been no apparent reason for the filly’s last start failure and her work since had been good.
“We thought she would be able to put herself right up on the pace and being a Canterbury winner on wet ground wouldn’t hurt her chances,” he said.
Runner-up Critical Time ($26) looks the one to follow, with the Freedman trained race favourite Allusionist ($2.90) third.
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SOVEREIGN EXPRESS
Jason Attard was full of praise for Sovereign Express after he made it back-to-back wins in the GREAT NORTHERN CLASS 1 over 1600m.
The Bullet Train four-year-old was coming off a Newcastle win over the 1400m on June 25 and Attard had been concerned he might be a bit fresh.
“I was worried, but he settled nicely coming to the turn,” he said. “He was off the bridle in the straight and is still learning to race but loomed up on the outside and was too good.
“We weren’t sure he’d handle the track and it’s good that he’s tractable. It was a beaut win.”
Rory Hutchings had Sovereign Express on the rails and just off the pace, pulling to the outside in the straight and running down the leader in the final stages.
He was sent out $3.20 second favourite and beat the Anthony Cummings trained favourite Believe So ($2.40), with Beenvane ($4.40) from the Jason Coyle stable, third.
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PREFECT MATCH
A super finish to the program with local trainer Sara Ryan saddling up her first winner after Prefect Match took out the 1300m WYONG’S NEXT RACEDAY THURSDAY JULY 28 BM64.
Ryan has only been licenced for the past year and has had 17 starters after recently taking over as trainer for Domeland.
Prefect Match was having his first start for the stable and was resuming after two trials.
Wet track specialist Jason Collett came from near the rear of the field, storming down the outside to win by a length.
It was the second win from seven starts for the progressive Brazen Beau gelding, a $400,000 Magic Millions yearling.
Prefect Match ($9.50) beat the Lees trained $2.60 favourite Terrameades, with Real Key ($7.50) from the Bateup stable, third.
Mark Minervini is hoping it’s a case of deja vu for his Hellbent colt Fire And Ice.
The two-year-old is the grandson of Vormista, a Group 2 winning mare Minervini believes is one of the best horses he has trained.
Hell And Ice, an $80,000 yearling who resumes at Wyong on Tuesday, has reunited the syndicate that raced Vormista more than 12 years ago.
“Brian Cannon, Paul Inlander and Jeff Halsall, owned Vormista and when I saw her grandson was the in the Inglis sale, I contacted Brian to see if he was interested,” Minervini said.
“He agreed and Paul and Jeff were keen. He’s the first horse they’ve had together since Vormista and hopefully they’ve got a handy one on their hands.”
Certainly, leading jockey Hugh Bowman is impressed by Fire And Ice, having partnered him in two recent Sydney trials, his latest at Randwick on July 8 when he won by almost three lengths.
He will ride him at Wyong where he has drawn barrier 1 in the 1000m Canadian Club 2YO Maiden.
“Hugh has given us some great feedback and we were keen to have him ride him in the race.
“He showed us good form in quality Metropolitan races in his first preparation and there is no reason to believe he hasn’t improved.
“We are hoping he can go to Wyong and win his maiden. He’s an exciting prospect for the stable.
“We’ve paid up for the Golden Rose, so that’s the short-term plan. He’s still a colt and I haven’t raced a colt with this sort of ability and temperament for a long time. “
Minervini is also keen on the chances of Exo Angel, an Exosphere filly, who lines up for her third race start in the 1350m Coombs Family Maiden.
“She’s a lovely filly and is going really well. She drew the outside barrier in her first start at Gosford and it was too short for her.
“At her next start at Scone she also drew wide and had to go back. She peeled out and ran home strong for fourth.
“I think this is the right trip for her and she comes into the race in good order.”
The first of eight races gets underway at 12.15pm.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 12.15pm: HAPPY RETIREMENT JEFF ENGELBRECHT CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2000m): 1ROCCAFORTE, 2 King Kikau, 3 Sneaky Island, 4 Gracious Gracie.
Race 2 – 12.50pm: ALLAN DENHAM RACING 3YO MAIDEN (1600m): 1 REGAL POM, 2 Flyway, 3 Coudreau, 4 Party Stop.
Race 3 – 1.25pm: COOMBS FAMILY MAIDEN (1350m): 1 ROMA AVENUE, 2 Cairdeas, 3 Exo Angel, 4 Rovers Pepper.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation Of Australia silks were prominent on Clubs NSW Men’s Health Charity Race Day greeting the judge twice.
It was two local runners that carried the flag for the charity, with Kristen Buchanan’s impressive debutant Bullet Wing and Damien Lane’s Fielding (pictured above) winning their respective races.
Jan Bowen’s progressive mare Running Bear was an eye-catching winner, along with the Waterhouse/Bott The Milkybar Kid.
Check out the full review below.
ALLOWAY
The James Ponsonby trained Alloway opened the program with a dominant win in the THE ENTRANCE LEAGUES CLUB 4YO&UP CLASS 1 & MAIDEN, out staying his rivals over the 2000m.
The $120,000 Magic Millions yearling, was having only his third start for the stable, having previously been trained in Victoria where he was placed second in the Listed Tasmanian Derby over 2200m.
He was coming off a third at Cowra and Ponsonby wasn’t surprised to see him improve over more ground.
Winona Costin settled the Wandjina four-year-old just off the speed, before hitting the front in the straight and drawing away for a three-length victory.
Ponsonby had expected a nice performance by Alloway and wasn’t disappointed.
“I thought today’s run might have been a fraction short of his best, but knew he was going to get a good chance from the nice draw,” he said.
“He’s a lovely horse to train.”
Alloway ($6.50) beat Karen Outrim’s Mr Luke ($10) who fought on in the straight, with Dunlee trained by Nikki Pollock ($41) third.
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BULLET WING
An impressive win by Kristen Buchanan’s Bullet Wing, taking out the 1350m MINGARA RECREATION CLUB MAIDEN on debut, giving the stable a winning start for new owners Trilogy.
Buchanan made the right decision choosing the home track option, after scratching the three-year-old from a 1300m race at Scone on Tuesday.
Koby Jennings was able to cross the field and lead from barrier nine, and despite the early effort Bullet Wing was able to hold out his rivals on the line to win by almost a length.
“He’s a really lovely horse and it’s great to get the win today,” Buchanan said.
“We’ve been patient with him and had to scratch him a couple of times due to wide barriers. He drew wide again today but we decided to send him around. Koby just let him roll to the front and dictate terms and he had plenty in the tank to finish it off.
“It’s exciting to have my first winner for Trilogy. I have numerous yearlings coming to me from them and this was our first runner today. It was also their first runner that wasn’t a tried horse, so it’s exciting all-round.”
Bullet Wing was coming off two nice trials at Randwick and Scone.
The Joe Pride trained $2.25 favourite The Replicant ran on fairly to finish second and could be looking for more ground, over Feirme Prince ($8) from the Matthew Dunn yard.
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POKERJACK
Pokerjack was sent out $1.80 favourite in the AINSWORTH LEISURE GROUP 4YO&UP MAIDEN (1100m) and didn’t disappoint with the win never in doubt.
Apprentice Amy McLucas put in a well-rated ride to help secure victory for the four-year-old, who had been runner-up in three of his previous six starts.
Pokerjack, a four-year-old Casino Prince gelding, was coming off a second at Hawkesbury on May 22 over the 1000m.
The rise in distance and firm track were in his favour and McLucas sat just outside the leader before drawing away close to the line to win by half a length.
Gary Moore’s Harapan ($5.50) hit the line well in second, with the Buchanan trained Oakfield Blossom ($6.50) holding on for third.
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FIELDING
Damien Lane stamped his three-year-old Fielding as a horse with a future after his breakthrough win in the 1100m GOSFORD RSL CLUB 3YO MAIDEN.
It had been a frustrating run for Lane with the son of Deep Field, who had been placed in all his five previous starts.
“It was a relief today for sure,” Lane said. “It’s been frustrating to say the least. “We’ve had all sorts of problems with him early and drawn some bad barriers, but he has raced in good company.
“His whole attitude has changed, and he’s grown into a lovely horse with plenty of ability.
“He pricked his ears late today and it was quite soft in the end. He’s definitely going in the right direction.”
Fielding, raced by a syndicate including Lane and his wife Kate, was sent out $2.40 favourite and given a well rated ride by apprentice Jackson Searle.
He beat the Ron Quinton trained Miss Mya ($8) who isn’t far off a win, with the Waterhouse/Bott All Too Scottish ($14), third.
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THE MILKYBAR KID
The addition of blinkers made the difference to the Waterhouse/Bott trained The Milkybar Kid ($2fav), who atoned from his last start defeat to win the STAR FM 104.5 MAIDEN over 1600m.
The Reliable Man gelding looked to have the race won at Gosford on May 26 before running off the track in the final stages.
He was trialled in blinkers and the stable was confident he could break though.
Tim Clark settled the three-year-old midfield, gaining ground from the 600m and hitting the front on straightening.
He was able to find the fence in the straight and sped away to score by more than four lengths.
“He trialled well with the blinkers on, and this looked like the right race for him today,” stable representative Neil Paine said.
“It’s a good steppingstone for him. Gai and Adrian have started a lot of horse’s careers around here and this could be another.”
The winner is co-owned by former AJC Chairman Bob Charley.
The O’Shea trained Count On Me ($3.40) was second, over Dash Dash Dash prepared by Ian Finn ($14).
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DOM TYCOON
A super ride by Sam Clipperton secured victory for the well supported Dom Tycoon in the 1600m THE ROOS FOUNDATION BM64.
Clipperton took an early lead on the four-year-old and was able to get some cheap sectionals in the middle stages.
He fought on strong to the line, able to hold out the fast-finishing Oakfield Storm ($4.40) from the Buchanan yard, with the O’Shea trained favourite Denarau ($2.70fav) third.
Robl said Dom Tycoon had come off his last start fourth at Hawkesbury in good form.
“He’s normally genuine when he finds form. Sam has won on him here previously and I had expected him to be near the lead.
“He prefers the firmer tracks and everything going well I expected him to be hard to beat today.”
The four-year-old by Written Tycoon, brought up his fifth win at start 23.
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RUNNING BEAR
Progressive Muswellbrook mare Running Bear brought up win number three in impressive style beating a strong field in the THE BELLA GROUP BM64.
Trained by Jan Bowen and ridden by Ashley Morgan, the daughter of Your Song, is amassing a good record with three wins and five placings from just 13 starts.
She was coming off a second in the Highway at Randwick on May 28 and kept firm in the betting starting at $6.50.
Morgan placed her just behind the speed in the early stages, before circling the leaders on the turn and drawing away in the straight to win by almost two lengths.
“We threw her in the deep end last start at Randwick and she handled herself brilliantly,” Justin Bowen, representing the stable said.
“We thought if she could repeat that performance she’d be in the finish and that’s what happened.
“We don’t come this way often, unless we think we’ve got a chance, and it worked out today.”
Gary Moore’s Stay Wealthy ($26) finished strongly in second, with The Chosen One ($10), trained by Damien Lane, making up ground in the straight for third.
Stewards adjourned an inquiry into Rachel King’s riding out of Adios Steve in the final stages.
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DIVINE OKAY
The favourite salutes in the last with the Bjorn Baker trained Divine Okay ($2.50) too strong for his opposition in a competitive Class 1.
The Capitalist gelding brought up his second win at start four in the 1100m DOYALSON RSL CLASS 1, courtesy of a great ride by Josh Parr.
He pinched what proved to be a winning break on the turn and sped away in the straight, able to hold out the fast-finishing import Siyata from the O’Shea stable, with the luckless Tocomah ($4.60), trained by Gary Frazer, third.
“We were pretty keen on him today. It looked an ideal race,” Glen Lobb said.
“He was a bit unlucky last start and didn’t get beat that far. I thought if he landed in the first four or five, he’d be hard to hold out.”
Kim Waugh is on her way to claiming another Wyong Trainers Premiership and could add to her winning tally on her home track on Thursday.
Waugh has enjoyed a great run over the past month, posting five winners, including a Rosehill double, to take her to 35 to date for the 2021/2022 season.
She saddles up two runners at Thursday’s Clubs NSW Central Coast Men’s Health Charity Race Day and believes the track will be perfect for both Rose Of Mahtoum and The Bullring.
“We should get a very favourable track and that will suit both of mine,” Waugh said. “It’s been frustrating with these heavy tracks, but everyone’s been in the same boat.
“When you have horses that don’t handle it your better off tipping them out because it doesn’t do their confidence any good going around. Hopefully the tracks are finally drying out.
“We’ve been going well this season, particularly over the past month and the Rosehill double was great. Hopefully it will continue.”
Waugh believes her Rubick gelding The Bullring has been a victim of the tracks and should put his best foot forward in the 1100m Class 1 on Thursday.
The three-year-old, a $120,000 yearling, has had nine starts for a win and three placings.
He resumed with a third at Hawkesbury in early May on a soft track over the 1100m, but then had to contend with two heavy tracks and was placed 10th at Newcastle on June 4 over 1200m, and seventh at Hawkesbury on May 22 over 1300.
“We’ve just been trying to find the right track and distance for him and hopefully we have that on Thursday. He should be up on the pace from the good draw.
“He’s won at Wyong previously, so that’s also in his favour.”
Waugh’s other runner, Rose Of Mahtoum is having her second career start in the 1350m Maiden.
The Capitalist filly debuted at Newcastle on June 4 over 1200m.
“We are taking her along slowly because she’s bred to get over more ground,” Waugh said.
“She drew wide at her first start on a very heavy track and Serg (Lisnyy) had to take her back.
“With the advantage of a much better track and good draw, we will get a better idea of how she’s going.”
The first of eight races gets underway at 12.10pm.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 12.20pm: THE ENTRANCE LEAGUES CLUB 4YO&UP CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2000m): 1 BATTENBURG, 2 Launch Attack, 3 Dobbin, 4 Lover Girl.
A super start to the day saw the Brett Partelle trained Nomoretawq breakthrough for a well-deserved win.
He was the first of two locals to greet the judge, with Kristen Buchanan’s Ready’s Girl winning later in the day.
Partelle’s Onemorenowmore gelding was having his 19th start in the WYONG RACE CLUB FUNCTION CENTRE 4YO & UP MAIDEN (1350m) and his third for the stable. Long-time friend Peter Eggleston, who recently retired from the training ranks, gave the six-year-old to Partelle and he has run a fourth and third this preparation.
Nomoretawq was sent out $3.60 favourite on the strength of those runs and the win was never in doubt after Hugh Bowman took him to an early lead.
He rated him well in front, drawing away in the final stages to win by almost two lengths over Cataratas ($4.80) trained by Peter Robl, with Jaxon’s Day ($5.50) from the Michael Rinkin stable third.
Partelle, who was ill and unable to attend, had expected a nice home track run from Nomoretawq and paid tribute to Eggleston.
“Peter sent him down in good order. He’s settled in well and enjoys the environment. We have him in the water a lot which is therapeutic. He seems to appreciate that and is responding to it.
“He’s improved since his last run, and I expected him to race well.”
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RAZETA
A luckless run for the Damien Lane trained Fielding paved the way for Kris Lee’s debutant Razeta to storm down the outside and claim victory in the 1100m THE ZING ON PROV & CTRY MAIDEN.
Lane’s three-year-old had been placed in all four starts leading into the race and was the $3 favourite despite a wide draw.
When jockey Darryl McLellan was unable to gain cover in the early stages, it was always going to be a hard task for Fielding.
Kerrin McKevoy had the sit on the leaders and was able to run down Fielding in the final stages to win by a long neck.
Razeta ($10.60), a daughter of Deep Field, was coming off three trials and is raced by long time Lees clients Bob and Sue Hannon.
“She was impressive and it’s nice to have another youngster coming through. Hopefully she’ll keep going now,” stable representative Danny Greer said.
Kristen Buchanan’s Oakfield Duke ($4) ran on strongly to finish third, while the The Halo from the Widdup stable wasn’t far off the placegetters.
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A race to race double for Kerrin McEvoy after the Godolphin trained favourite Shirshov ($2) proved too strong in the FINGER LICKIN GOOD MAIDEN over 1000m.
The Exosphere gelding was having his seventh career start and coming off a second at Hawkesbury over 1100m on May 19.
Despite racing fiercely in the middle stages, the three-year-old was able to hold off the fast-finishing Nickelback to win by a long neck.
Stable representative Darren Beadman said hopefully the penny has dropped for Shirshov, who had run three previous placings.
“Sometimes a maiden is the hardest race to win and once they get the monkey of their back they can go on and be good. Hopefully that’s the case here,” he said.
“He sprung the gates today and Kerrin was able to dictate, and the horse fought on strongly.”
The Hawkes trained Nickelback ($3.20) looks close to a win, while Secret Hunter ($19), trained by Michael Freedman, put in a much-improved run finishing third.
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DENARAU
A big plunge paid off in the KYLE OLIVER MAIDEN with the John O’Shea trainedDenarua blitzing his opposition over the 1600m to win by more than two lengths.
A $140,000 So You Think yearling, Denarau was having his third career start, finishing a close second at Hawkesbury over 1500m on May 19.
He caught the eye of punters who backed him in from $5 to $2.60 in the final stages and they weren’t disappointed.
It was a patient ride by Tommy Berry, who settled off the pace, making his run around the 400m and coming down the outside to win by two lengths.
“It was a good win today,” Berry said. “She’s got a bit of ability and I don’t think she’ll have any trouble making it to mid-week Metropolitan grade.”
Avian Crescent ($13) trained by Jarrod Austin was second, over the $4.60 second favourite Calm Down, from the Quinton stable, who appeared to have every chance.
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SOROKIN
An upset in the 2000m THE STACK BURGER CLASS 1 & MAIDEN with Goulburn visitor Sorokin outstaying his opposition.
Trained by Jean Dubois, the Star Witness gelding was having just his third career start and could have a bright future as a stayer.
He had been unplaced in his two previous runs at Kembla and Canberra but put on a great staying performance at Wyong to beat the more favoured runners.
Dylan Gibbons took on the short priced favourite Vyner ($1.55) in the straight, the pair going head-to-head in the final stages with Sorokin getting the better on the line.
“It was only his third start, and he was up to 2000. He copped pressure and won his first race, so it’s onwards and upwards for him,” Gibbons said.
The winner had been $41 in early betting but earned some support to start $14.
The Karen Outrim trained Mr Luke ($31) put in an improved performance to finish third.
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Speedy Scone mare Tucson Valley was one of the more impressive winners on the day, bringing up her fifth win from just 10 starts in the 1100m COLONEL SANDERS CONDITIONAL BM68.
The daughter of Swiss Ace, trained by Stephen Jones, was able to lead throughout, fending off an early challenge from Trust Me, to fight on for a strong win.
Tucson Valley owned and raced by Gerry Harvey, is by his NZ sire Swiss Ace, out of his classy Flemington 1400m winner Sabino Canyon.
She had been impressive winning in the country beating her opponents at Wellington by more than seven lengths and handled the step up to Provincial grade in style.
Starting at $3.50 favourite, Tuscon Valley beat the Partelle trained Trust Me ($14) by a length, with Jenny Graham’s The Drake ($6) third.
There was drama at the start with Kim Waugh’s second favourite Black Jacamar rearing in the barriers and jumping some 10 lengths behind the other runners.
After deliberating stewards declared Black Jacamar a runner.
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Kristen Buchanan’s new stable acquisition Ready’s Girl ($19) wasted no time making it to the winner’s circle, taking out the THE RAYMOND FAMILY F&M BM64 over 1350m.
The Better Than Ready mare was given a perfect front-running ride by Rachel King to bring up her fifth career win.
Previously trained by Chris Anderson in Queensland, Ready’s Girl was having her 29th start.
It was a super effort by Buchanan to have her ready first up, with her last start on the Sunshine Coast in early December.
Ready’s Girl was given a Randwick trial leading into the race and was able to win by almost a length over the Kim Waugh trained favourite Buba ($2.10).
My Snow Queen ($3.80) from the John Sargent yard, was third.
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Kris Lees and Dylan Gibbons brought up a double in the final race of the day, after Mobstar showed an impressive turn of foot to take out the 1350m WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETING THURSDAY JUNE 16 BM64.
The Shalaa three-year-old pulled away in the final stages to bring up his second win from start five, giving the stable plenty of confidence going forward.
“It was a really good run at Scone last start, and he has continued to please at home,” stable representative Danny Greer said.
“It was good to see him dominate like that today. Dylan had him in a nice stalking position and when he asked him to improve, he certainly did that.
“Australian Bloodstock have found another nice one. It will be interesting to see how far he goes.”
Starting $3.80 favourite, Mobstar beat the Ryan/Alexiou trained Mihocek ($6), with the Perry trained Harlem Groove ($5.50) third.
Mark Stewart has mixed feelings about Wyong, with three of his previous four runners at the track all finishing second.
The Taree based trainer returns for Thursday’s KFC meeting, hoping to breakthrough for a win.
“I haven’t had a lot of Provincial runners and certainly Wyong has been good for me with three of them running second,” he said. “I’ve had good and back luck I suppose because it would have been nice to win, but hopefully we can go one better on Thursday. I know all three race well at the track and can handle heavy conditions, so that’s a bonus.”
Stewart’s trio Gracious Gracie, All Beans and Preferred Choice all finished second at Wyong in their current preparations, giving him plenty of confidence heading into the meeting. Alysha Collett will partner all three.
All Beans, a three-year-old son of Spill The Beans, starts in the 1100m Provincial & Country Maiden over 1100m. He has been runner-up in three of his eight starts, including a second at Wyong over 1200m on April 28.
“He was second at Moree last start but really should have won. He over raced badly that day and got on the back of heels. We’ve taken the blinkers off for this race, just to see if we can get him to settle a bit more, and hopefully he’ll finish off even stronger.
“I’ve had him since he was a weanling, and I think he could turn out to be a pretty handy horse.”
Choisir mare Preferred Choice lines up in 2000m Class 1 and Maiden, with Stewart confident she’s ready for the step up in distance.
The four-year-old has had a win and two placings from five starts since joining Stewart’s stable and should relish the track conditions.
“I think she’s a dead set wet track horse. We took her to Moree the other day, it was a soft track, and she didn’t like it. She’d won in the heavy at Taree the start before and was second at Wyong.
“I don’t think she liked travelling to Moree. It took her a few days to get over it and Wyong is just down the road. If she comes to the races like she did when she won, she’ll be there at the end.”
Stewart’s Dream Ahead mare Gracious Gracie is a dual acceptor in the 1350m 4YO & Up Maiden and 1600m Maiden.
“I’ll try and work out the best race for her. She’s been a bit frustrating running plenty of seconds and I think she’s looking for a mile now.
“The 1350m looks an easier race but she’s drawn wider in it. I’ve had her for four starts now. She came to me with a few feet issues but she’s about 90% sound now. Once she’s fully sound I think she’ll be a pretty handy horse.”
The first of eight races gets underway at 12.15pm.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 12.15pm: WYONG RACE CLUB FUNCTION CENTRE 4YO & UP MAIDEN (1350m): 1 NOMORETAWQ, 2 Cataratas, 3 Gracious Gracie, 4 Jaxon’s Day.
Race 2 – 12.50pm: THE ZING ON PROV & CTRY MAIDEN (1100m): 1OAKFIELD DUKE, 2 The Halo, 3 Razeta, 4 Elusive Bride.
Race 3 – 1.25pm: FINGER LICKIN GOOD MAIDEN (1000m): 1ROCK CHANT, 2 Shirshov, 3 Nickelback, 4 Oakfield Blossom.
Race 4 – 2.15pm: KYLE OLIVER MAIDEN (1600m): 1 CALM DOWN, 2 Tiva Bay, 3 Denarau, 4 The Wanderer.
Race 5 – 2.40pm: THE STACK BURGER CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2000m): 1 LOVE RULES, 2 Vyner, 3 Launch Attack, 4 Miss Laquetta.
Race 6 – 3.15pm: COLONEL SANDERS CONDITIONAL BM68 (1100m): 1 TUCSON VALLEY, 2 Black Jacamar, 3 Sausalito, 4 Monemademefamous.
Race 7 – 3.50pm: THE RAYMOND FAMILY F&M BM64 (1350m): NARUMI, 2 Sebring’s Rose, 3 Buba, 3 Darci Diva.
Race 8 – 4.25pm: WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETING THURSDAY JUNE 16 BM64 (1350m): 1 THINK HIGH, 2 Mobstar, 3 Do Well Legend, 4 Harlem Grove.
Moneymadefamous ground out a tough win at Gosford last start and Brett Partelle is confident the gelding is capable of back-to-back wins.
The five-year-old is one of three runners Partelle takes to his home track meeting this Thursday and he believes at least two could figure in the finish.
Moneymademefamous and Skye Banner start in the 1200m Class 1, while Nomoretawq lines up in the 1100m CG&E Maiden.
Partelle said Moneymademefamous had improved since his maiden win on a heavy track.
“He hasn’t gone backwards since then. He goes up in class but I’m sure he’s ready to run a nice race and put his best food forward again,” he said.
The Fast ‘N’ Famous gelding came to Partelle via a stint with Gordon Yorke in Albury.
“He’s been a bit of a work in progress, but he keeps improving. He came up here pretty new and pretty raw.
“Yorkey and I had a discussion and we thought he’d improve with better training facilities here, which he has.
“First up for me at Gosford he got too far back and in his next run at Wyong he was wide and ran fifth. Then he came out the other day and won, so he’s getting better with each run.
“He’s maturing and his confidence is quite high, so I’m expecting another good performance.”
Partelle also expects a good showing from another recent stable addition Nomoretawq, who is coming off a third at Gosford over 1100m on April 22.
The six-year-old, by Onemorenomore, was previously in the care of recently retired trainer Peter Eggleston.
“Peter sent him down in good order. He’s settled in well and enjoys the environment. We have him in the water a lot which is pretty therapeutic. He seems to appreciate that and is responding to it.
“His last couple of runs have been really good and he will handle the track.
“In saying that I’d like to see him on top of the ground but that’s not an option at the moment.
“He’s improved since his last run, and I expect him to race well.”
Wet tracks have been an issue for Sky Banner, who also starts in the 1200m Class 1.
“I’ve been hanging around try to find the right race and right track for him, but it hasn’t happened so I’m starting him under sufferance.
“He needs firm footing but we’ll send him around. He needs to race otherwise you are just going backwards.”
The first of nine races gets underway at 11.40am.
SELECTIONS
Race 1 – 11.40am: WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETING THURSDAY JUNE 2 3YO MAIDEN (1350m): 1 CITRIC, 2 Willinga Rufio, 3 Ms Nefertiti, 4 Dubai Showgirl.
Race 2 – 12.15pm: THE BELLBIRDS & CENTRAL COAST VOLUNTEER RESCUE ASSOCIATION 2YO MAIDEN (1100m): 1 CAPTAIN BOND, 2 Secret Revolution, 3 Economics, 4 Ahoy.
Race 3 – 12.50pm: WE CARE CONNECTION & CENTRAL COAST KIDS IN NEED 2YO MAIDEN (1100m): 1 SILENTSAR, 2 Bernasconi, 3 Controlocracy, 4 Sylvia Belle.
Race 4 – 1.25pm: ACCOLADE WINES F&M MAIDEN (1100m): 1GLACIER QUEEN, 2 Not That Easy, 3 Kimura, 4 Arale.
Race 5 – 2.05pm: NESTLE PROFESSIONAL CG&E MAIDEN (1100m): 1 CONSPIRACIST, 2 Easily Offended, 3 Fielding, 4 Laos Fortune.
It was the John O’Shea and Willie Pike show at a rain affected Wyong meeting, the pair teaming for a race to race double.
Pike piloted the O’Shea duo Duke Of Gordon and Awesome Wonder to victory, the latter being targeted towards the Queensland Oaks.
The locals weren’t to be denied with Kristen Buchanan’s One Way Street returning to form to take out the 1200m Maiden.
The last two races on the card were abandoned after heavy showers continued throughout the afternoon.
HMA GROUP MAIDEN PLATE (1350m):
AFRICAN DAISY – Brodie Loy
The result was never in double for the Annabel Neasham trained African Daisy who justified her short price with an effortless win.
The American Pharoah filly was resuming from a spell and Neasham had her primed for victory, with two impressive Warwick Farm trials.
It was an easy watch for punters, with Brodie Loy taking an early sit behind the leader, easing to the front mid-race, before sprinting away to win by more than five lengths.
Raphael Marchelli, representing the stable, said they had been confident leading into the race.
“She had two nice trials and looked very sharp,” he said. “She likes heavy tracks too so we knew that wouldn’t be a problem. She looked like a winner a long way out and we were happy with that.
“Her coat wasn’t perfect, and she was green late, so there is still plenty of improvement to come.”
African Daisy ($1.20fav), beat Gracious Gracie ($7.50) from the Mark Stewart stable, with Karen Outrim’s Australian Citizen ($31) third.
A change in tactics proved to be a winning move for Kristen Buchanan’s One Way Street.
The Super One gelding was taken to the lead by Hugh Bowman, who maintained the front throughout and despite tiring in the final stages, held on to win.
It was Bowman’s only ride for the day and Buchanan was full of praise for the jockey.
“He was the perfect rider for this horse, and I wanted to get his perspective on him,” she said.
“Clearly, he’s going to be one paced. We’ve tried to hold him up at his past two starts and it hasn’t worked, so we did things differently today.
“It was fantastic to see him win.”
One Way Street was sent out $2.40 favourite, based on his two placings on his home track in rain affected conditions in his first preparation.
It was another runner-up for Taree trainer Mark Stewart, with All Beans ($14) finishing strongly and not far off a win.
Damien Lane’s Red Cobra ($3.50) was also doing his best work late coming from well back, to finish third.
HMA POWERGENERATION MAIDEN (2000m)
LOVE RULES – Reece Jones
A perfectly executed plan saw Rod Northam’s Love Rules breakthrough for her debut win over the 2000m.
The daughter of Pierro was given a great ride by Reece Jones, who followed his boss’s instructions to a tee, settling the filly just behind the leaders.
She hit the front on straightening, sprinting away in the final stages to record her first win at start six.
The three-year-old was coming off a third at Newcastle over 1890m on April 9 on a heavy track.
Northam was impressed by the filly’s late turn of foot and pleased with the ride.
“I was pretty happy with that. She hasn’t figured out how to race properly and is the type of filly who the older she gets the better she’ll get.
“She showed a nice turn of foot, and it was good to see her kicking away at the end of 2000m. It was a really good ride from Reece. He hasn’t had a lot of luck with the barriers on this filly, but the owners have stuck with him, and he repaid them today.
“I trained her mother, Myamira and she was a super mare, so I’m hoping this filly will keep improving.”
Love Rules earned late support to start $2.60 second favourite, over the Maher/Eustace runner-up Bay Of Kiel ($2.40), who despite being momentarily held up in the straight, appeared to have every chance.
All About Ollie ($12) trained by Bruce Cross, was third.
HMA MATERIALS HANDLING MAIDEN HANDICAP (1600m)
Irish import Awesome Wonder wasted no time making her impact on Australian racing, winning at her first start.
The well-bred Galileo filly was unplaced at her three starts in Ireland before her move to the John O’Shea stables.
She had three trials leading into the Wyong race and earned some support in the betting, sent out $4 third favourite.
Willie Pike settled her at the rear of the field and looked to have a task ahead of him before setting sail around the turn and storming down the outside to score a narrow victory.
He ran down Ron Quinton’s Calm Down ($3.70) in the final stages, with the Widdup trained favourite Sneaky Island ($3) driving through on the line to secure second.
O’Shea has a good opinion of Awesome Wonder and is targeting the Queensland Oaks.
“It was a really good performance today. It’s difficult to make up ground and she came from last. She’s got a really bright future and is a real delight to train.
“She’s a full sister to a horse who was quite effective over the mile and half, and I didn’t think the distance would be a problem.”
The filly was purchased from Ireland by well-known owner/breeder Jason Abrahams who bred her mother, a Flemington Coolmore Stud Group 1 winner Nechita, who was sold on to Ireland.
HMA FLOW & INDUSTRIAL CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1600m)
A race to race double for John O’Shea and William Pike with Duke Of Gordon ($1.70) justifying his short price favouritism with a dominant win.
The Dissident gelding made it back-to-back Wyong victories relishing both the heavy track and distance.
Pike placed the three-year-old just off the early pace, drawing level with the leader before the turn and drawing away in the straight to win by more than four lengths.
O’Shea had been confident leading into the race, with Duke Of Gordon having improved since his Wyong win on April 14.
“He had improved at home, was fit and adept on the ground so I was reasonably confident,” he said.
“He relaxed a lot better today. It’s great for his ownership group, Go Racing, to have a progressive, young staying horse with a future. “
Ben Hill’s Allthehills ($11) put in another nice run finishing second, over another local runner, Launch Attack ($16) from the Damien Lane stable.
HMA GEOTECHNICAL BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1350m)
Clarry Connors was surprised when his mare Segrill got the nod in the closest finish of the day.
The five-year-old dived at the line to snatch victory over the short priced favourite Crazy Train to bring up her fifth career win.
“I thought she was in front a stride before and for a stride after but wasn’t sure she got there on the line,” Connors said. “Winners are grinners, so we’ll take it. She’s a pretty honest mare who has put together a string of placings.”
Connors had been dodging heavy tracks with Segrill but decided to run at Wyong.
“She’s not a heavy track horse and I scratched her the other day to come here. She needed to go around and has handled it well.”
Winning rider Tom Sherry agreed the heavy conditions had been a concern.
“She’s got a bad record on heavy tracks but couldn’t avoid that today and Mr Connors had her in great order.
“I thought as I turned into the straight, she still had a lot to offer, and she went on with it. There’s still a bit of improvement to come.”
Segrill ($7) beat the Dunn trained favourite Crazy Train ($1.80) who looked to have every chance, with the Perry trained Tupou ($16) putting in an improved performance for third.
Allthehills is aiming for back-to-back victories after giving Ben Hill his first win in almost two years when he broke through at Wyong last start.
The Love Conquers All gelding didn’t have the best record heading into the April 7 race over 1350m on his home track and surprised many with the win.
He had been unplaced in all of his nine previous starts, but Hill kept the faith.
He had seen continued improvement in the four-year-old and was confident he could bring out the best in him.
‘I’d been expecting a nice run but not expecting him to run out of the ground the way he did,” Hill said.
“Hopefully the penny might have started to drop, and he will keep improving.
“He has been a bit coltish, so we have taken our time and not rushed him.
“I think if we’d have pushed him, he could have turned into a lunatic, so we’ve done things slowly and hopefully he can reward us with a few wins.”
ALLTHEHILLS WINNING AT WYONG
Allthehills steps up to the 1600m in the Class 1on Thursday and Hill believes he will appreciate the extra ground.
“Grant Buckley rode him at the end of his last preparation and said he thought he’d get up to 1800m.
“This will be a test on Thursday over the mile but if he can handle that and further, we could have some good options with him going forward.
“We know he can handle a heavy track and he races well at Wyong, so there are a few things going for him.
“Pat Scorse will ride him again and with his claim we will only carry 54kg.”
There is added pressure for Hill with his mother Deidre a 40% shareholder in Allthehills.
“We brought him for $40,000 as a two-year-old at the ready to run sales with Mum happy to buy in along with Gavin Potter, who’s been a long-time client and a couple of mates.
“It was Mum’s first winner on the home track the other day and she was very excited.”
Hill, a former jockey who trainers three horses from his Wyong base, also saddles up Nomorebourbons in the 1350m Maiden.
He is hoping to see some improvement by the filly before she is spelled.
“She has been showing us more at home but needs to take it to the races. “Hopefully I’ll see a better run on Thursday to give us some confidence for the future.
“She’s got plenty of maturing to do so will most likely go out after this run.”
The first of eight races gets underway at 12.20pm.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 12.20pm: HMA GROUP MAIDEN (1350m): 1 OXFORD VISION, 2 African Daisy, 3 Gracious Gracie, 4 Australian Citizen.
Race 2 – 12.55pm: HMA INSTRUMENTATION MAIDEN (1200m): 1PROMISE THE MOON, 2 Red Cobra, 3 Bergkamp, 4 All Beans.
Race 3 – 1.35pm: HMA POWER GENERATION MAIDEN (2000m): 1BAY OF KIEL, 2 All About Ollie, 3 Love Rules, 4 Whoopti Fizz.
Race 4 – 2.10pm: HMA MATERIEALS MAIDEN (1600m): 1 NAVAL SEAL, 2 Sneaky Island, 3 Calm Down, 4 By Nine.
Race 5 – 2.50pm: HMA FLOW & INDUSTRIAL CLASS 1 (1600m): 1 DUKE OF GORDON, 2 Gwan So, 3 Shorebreak, 4 Allthehills.
