Month: February 2019

WYONG COMMUNITY SERVICES RACEDAY – 28 FEBRUARY 2019

Frances O’Shea

In-form Blake Shinn took out the riding honours at Wyong with a winning double, taking out the first two races for the Snowden and Anthony Cummings stables.

Shinn, who only recently returned from a lengthy stint on the sideline with a serious neck injury, has booted home eight winners for the month despite serving a suspension.

The Snowden camp are hoping their well-bred galloper Sir Owen can progress to higher grades after his impressive win in the 1200m Wyong Provincial Championships March 30 Maiden.

Perfectly ridden by Shinn, the $2 race favourite pulled away in the final stages to score a two and a quarter length victory.

Shinn positioned the Fastnet Rock gelding just behind the leader and second favourite Jaytees ($4) until straightening, hitting the front around the 250m mark.

Sir Owen, who was coming off a second at Gosford last start, is owned and was named after prominent Kiwi Sir Owen Glenn, owner of the successful Go Bloodstock empire.

“It’s good to get a win for Sir Owen, particularly on one named after him,” Shinn said.

“We knew he had ability because he finished nicely behind a handy filly at Gosford the other day.

“He did a great job today and I think he is in store for better things.”

Colum McCullagh, representing the Snowden’s, said hopefully Sir Owen could “go on with it” after claiming his maiden victory.

“It was a nice win for him. Blake gave him a lovely run just behind the speed and it was great to see him lit the line like he did,” McCullagh said.

“We always knew there was untapped ability there so hopefully now he can go on with it.”

The outsider of the field Chapartica ($51) trained by Adam Wadick, was third.

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Anthony Cummings had plenty of reason to celebrate after Blast, who he bred and races in partnership, scored an impressive debut win over the 1350m.

Cummings is enjoying a purple patch, the latest victory the fifth for the stable in a week.

Blast also brought up the early double for Shinn.

By Irish sire Dalakhani, Blast was the well supported $2.70 second favourite in the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service 3YO Maiden, on the back of two good trials, the latest a third over 1045m at Randwick on February 19.

He settled at the rear of the small field and was revved up by Shinn around the 700m.

Despite appearing in trouble coming into the turn, Shinn took him wide into the straight where he knuckled down and was able to rein in the speedy On The White Turf ($4.40), from the Richard Freedman stable.

Blast drew away in the final stages to win by just over a length, from On The White Turf, with the $2.45 favourite, On Canyonero, third.

Shinn said it was a tough win by Blast, who was having only his second start.

“He made it hard work for myself and himself but showed his superiority against his rivals today,” he said.

“He is a nice horse and he’s going to get better when he gets to 1600m and even 2000m.

“Once he gets out in distance he will get into his own.

“I think he could measure up in one of the lesser races in the carnival on the way to bigger things.”

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A dominant win by the short priced favourite Pop Girl who was rewarded for her consistency taking out the COAST SHELTER MAIDEN PLATE over 1600m.

Trained by John O’Shea and ridden by Brenton Avdulla, Pop Girl ($1.55) has been placed in all of her four starts this preparation.

She was second at Canterbury over the 1550m at her last start on February and sent out short priced favourite by punters.

The three-year-old Snitzel filly didn’t disappoint and despite being eased down on the line by Avdulla, still put almost four lengths on her rivals.

Pop Girl, out of Music Review, is raced by Neil Werrett.

John O’Shea said the filly had “deserved the win.”

“It was great to get one for Neil today because he’s been very patient,” he said.

“She’s been crying out for the mile. That, some head gear and a lovely Brenton ride got the job done.

“She’s been racing well and we were very keen to get her here today. It’s a beautiful circumference and a lovely surface here and the opportunity to grab Brenton Avdulla was another plus.”

Pop Girl beat the Godolphin trained Love Seat ($6), with Lady Grande ($12) trained by John Sargent, third.

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A Cummings trifecta in the 1000m COMMUNITY TRANSPORT CENTRAL COAST MAIDEN with Godolphin’s James Cummings training the winner Ariege and runner-up Pindus, while the third placegetter Agassi was trained by his father Anthony.

Ariege, the $1.75 race favourite ridden by Josh Parr, showed plenty of gate speed and was settled just off the speed on the rails.

She was well-rated by Parr, who took her to the lead before the straight, kicking two lengths clear and maintaining the lead to the line.

Darren Beadman, stable representative, described Ariege’s win as ‘very dominant’.

“She jumped straight onto the bridle and gave nothing else a chance,” he said.

“She’s a lovely running type filly and she trialled really well coming into this. She’s a lovely bred filly and it’s good to see her get on the board.

“She’s nice and strong and really developed. James has given her the time to mature and find herself. She’s got a lovely mannerism and hopefully can go on to bigger and better things.”

The Exceed and Excel filly, having her third race start, was coming off a trial win at Warwick Farm on February 14.

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The David Pfieffer trained Crafty Tycoon ($8) upset some of the more favoured runners to take out the 1200m COMMUNITY & BUSINESS WOMEN’S NETWORK CENTRAL COAST NSW BENCHMARK 64.

The Written Tycoon gelding, appreciated a fast tempo in the early part of the race, with Corey Brown taking him to the outside around the 700m mark.

He fought out the final stages of the race with the Waugh trained Mighty Marmalade, gaining ascendency on the line.

“It’s about time, he’s been knocking on the door for a while,” stable representative Sue O’Keefe said.

“He was supposed to go to Brisbane last week but doesn’t like the wet tracks, so we canned that because of the cyclone.

“He’s in fine form and doing everything right at home and he finally got over the line today.”

Brown was also pleased with the win.

“The big weight today he did a good job.

“He was a fraction slow away and I got him a long way out with the big weight. He did a great job.”

Crafty Tycoon beat Mighty Marmalade ($4.20) by just over a length, with Come Along ($7), trained by John Sargent, third.

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The Kris Lees trained Kanavu snatched victory in a thrilling three-way finish in the CENTRAL COAST CENTRE RIDING FOR THE DISABLED BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP over the 1200m.

Under strong riding by Glynn Schofield, the Dream Ahead colt, took out the race by a half head.

He beat the Nick Mitchell trained Radical Impact ($3.80), with Angela Davies $2.85 favourite Queen Ablaze a close third.

Kanavu, a $110,000 two-year-old purchase, was having his second start for the Lees stable having resumed with a second at Gosford on February 12.

Cherie Markham, from the Lees stable said Kanavu keeps on improving with every run.

“It was a very good run at Gosford last start and he rode him perfectly today to finish off. He’s a big nice type, he’s developed more and he’s on his toes keen to race,” she said.

“Glynn had him in the perfect spot in the one, one. He was confident with his race plan before he went out and it worked out perfectly.”

Schofield said there was still plenty of improvement to come with Kanavu.

“He felt like he was going to win comfortably but he’s still a little bit green and didn’t really know how to put the race to sleep when I needed him to,” he said.

“He’s still got a little bit to learn still but it was a comfortable win none the less.

“Mentally he’s got a bit of learning to do, but when it counted, he got his head down and won well.”

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Apprentice Mikayla Weir capped off a great month bringing up her 10^th winner for February in the 1350m VINNIES SHOPS CLASS 2 HANDICAP.

Weir booted home outsider, Tinkermosa ($31) for Randwick trainer John Sargent.

The Singleton based apprentice is proving popular with trainers for their provincial and metropolitan runners, where she still claims two and three kilos respectively.

Weir turned second on straightening on Tinkermosa, after sitting just off the lead for most of the race, and under strong riding was able to run down the leader Oakfield Twilight ($4.40), trained by Damien Lane.

It was the second career win for Tinkermosa, an Alamosa mare, who raced in the 2018 Queensland Oaks.

Sargent, who praised Weir, said a wind operation had made the difference to the mare.

“The wind operation was definitely a big help here,” he said.

“We took her up to the Oaks very confident and she disappointed. After that her two or three runs were very average. We scoped her and found out she had a wind problem. Obviously, the operation worked.

“She’s a lovely horse and now she’s back she’ll probably get up over a trip. It was a nice win today and a lovely ride by the jockey.”

She had a soft run on the leader and got up strong late

Weir said she had to go to plan B when the horse jumped so well.

“I let her travel where she was off the speed and she hit the line beautifully. She is a lovely mare,” Weir said.

China Gale, the $4 equal favourite from the O’Shea stable finished third.

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Another in-form apprentice was in the winner’s circle following the IRIS FOUNDATION BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1600m) after Billy Owen booted home the Waterhouse Bott trained Zepplin ($2.80).

Neil Campton, representing the stable was full of praise for Owen, who is apprenticed to Nick Olive at Canberra.

“He rode him so well,” he said. “He did exactly what we wanted so it was a terrific ride by the boy,” he said.

“He is such a consistent horse this time in which is great for everyone concerned.”

The $500,000 yearling, by Fastnet Rock out of Media, brought up his fifth career win from 20 starts.

He appreciated the drop in class in the Benchmark 64, with Owen content to take a sit just off the leader.

He hit the front on straightening and was able to stave off challengers to win by almost a length.

Owner Charles Kelly from Newhaven Park said Zepplin had had a great preparation and had been very consistent.

“He’s won four races this time in including the Bong Bong Cup,” Kelly said.

“I love this horse. I love his name and it’s great to see him win.”

Sensacova ($8) from the Marc Connors stable was second, with the Jeff Englebrecht trained Hammond Lane ($10), a half- length behind in third.

Kim Waugh is on track to claim another Provincial Championship Final berth with Fuchu resuming from a let up with a dominant trial win.

The All Too Hard gelding put together three successive wins in December and early January, including a metropolitan victory.

Waugh gave him an eight-week let-up before Wednesday’s 1200m trial on the Beaumont track at Newcastle.

The four-year-old took out the trial with Robbie Dolan in the saddle.

The apprentice will partner Fuchu in the Newcastle Qualifier on March 9.

“We decided to head to the Newcastle race because that is the way it worked out best for him,” Waugh said.

“He had a nice freshen up after he won his last race at Randwick.
“Robbie rode him in each of his wins last preparation and was happy to come up for the trial. He will be on him at Newcastle.”

Waugh’s gallopers Safado and Spring Charlie progressed through to the $500,000 April 13 final after finishing first and second in last Sunday’s Hawkesbury qualifier.

Wyong will host the last qualifier of the series on Saturday, March 30.

Kim Waugh is hoping to continue on from a winning weekend with a trio of chances at her home track meeting on Thursday.

Waugh secured spots for two horses in the $500,000 Provincial Championships final at Randwick on April 13, when Safado took out the Hawkesbury qualifier on Sunday narrowly beating stablemate Spring Charlie.

And she hopes the successful run can keep going with Joy For Us, Mighty Marmalade and Holy Reign all looking to be strong chances in their respective races at the club’s Community Services Race Day.

“It was very exciting to get both horses into the final and hopefully we can qualify another one or two,” Waugh said.

And while the race isn’t a part of the immediate plans for talented mare Joy For Us, Waugh hasn’t ruled it out completely.

“At this stage we aren’t considering it but there are a still a couple more qualifiers down the track so you never know,” she said.

The Lonhro mare scored a strong win over the 1350m on her home track last start, and lines up on Thursday in a Class 2 over the same distance.

“She won very well the other day,” Waugh said.

“She hasn’t had much luck in the couple of runs before that. She got interfered with a couple of times in the run at her previous start but she had a lovely run the other day and won the race.

“It showed how well she had been going without having luck. She has drawn barrier seven but does get back a bit so that won’t be of great concern.”

Waugh has booked Josh Parr, who won on the mare at her last start.

Blake Shinn will partner both Holy Reign and Mighty Marmalade.

Waugh is confident about the chances of Holy Reign who is shooting for his third successive win in the 1600m Benchmark 64.

The Manhattan Rain three-year-old has won at Kembla and Newcastle at his last two outings, and has been unplaced in only two of his eight starts.

“He is a nice horse who keeps improving all the time. He is going very well,” she said.

“He is still learning. The first win at Kembla with Blake (Shinn) he floated around a bit when he hit the front and Blake confirmed he’s still got a bit to learn but when he won his next start, he was a bit more focused which was good.

“I’ll keep taking him through his grades, teaching him and giving him confidence at the same time.”

Waugh is hoping for a better start from her consistent mare Mighty Marmalade, who jumps from barrier nine in the 1200m Benchmark 64.

The four-year-old has had four seconds and a win from eight starts, with Waugh concerned about her tardiness at the barriers.

“She has gotten into a habit of missing the start a bit which has been quite costly to her,” she said.

“She’s going well without winning and she does race well at Wyong. Hopefully Blake can get her out of the barriers and running.”

Waugh said she was happy with the way her team was racing at present, having scored a winning double at the last Wyong meeting on February 19.

“We have had some good results lately but they can’t win all the time. As long as they are consistent, we are happy,” she said.

The first of eight races kicks off at 1.15pm.

 

SELECTIONS:

 

Race 1 – 1.15pm: WYONG PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS MARCH 30 MAIDEN HANDICAP (1200m): 1 BUOYANCY, 2 Sir Owen, 3 Jaytees, 4 Live The Moment.

Race 2 – 1.50pm: WESTPAC RESCUE HELICOPTER SERVICE 3YO MAIDEN PLATE (1350m): 1 CANZONET, 2 Canyonero, 3 Blast, 4 Mimi.

Race 3 – 2.25pm: COAST SHELTR MAIDEN PLATE (1600m): 1 POP GIRL, 2 Loveseat, 3 Sound Off, 4 Lady Grande.

Race 4 – 3.05pm: COMMUNITY TRANSPORT CENTRAL COAST MAIDEN PLATE (1000m): 1 VERMONT, 2 Ariege, 3 Pindus, 4 Agassi.

Race 5 – 3.40pm: COMMUNITY & BUSINESS WOMEN’S NETWORK CENTRAL COAST NSW BENCHMARK 64 (1200m): 1 SEGALAS, 2 The Soloist, 3 Mighty Marmalade, 4 Alliterate.

Race 6 – 4.20pm: CENTRAL COAST CENTRE RIDING FOR THE DISABLED BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1200m): 1 QUEEN ABLAZE, 2 Kanavu, 3 Triple Choice, 4 Hubble.

Race 7 – VINNIES SHOPS CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1350m): 1 CHINA GALE, 2 Joy For Us, 3 Oakfield Twilight, 4 Titus.

Race 8 – 5.30pm: IRIS FOUNDATION BENCHMARK 64 H

A quinella in the opening qualifier at Hawkesbury on Sunday has trainer Kim Waugh one step closer to finally lifting the Polytrack Provincial Championships trophy.

Waugh’s promising pair Safado and Spring Charlie fought out the finish of the 1400m Hawkesbury Qualifier with Greg McFarlane’s It’s So Obvious also booking a spot in the $500,000 April 13 final at Royal Randwick.

In the four previous years of the Provincial Championships, Waugh has posted placings with Oxford Poet (2015), His Majesty (2016) and Newsfan (2018).

“They are both so gutsy and very professional,’’ Waugh said on Sky Thoroughbred Central after Safado ran down Spring Charlie near the post.

“I could see they both had beautiful runs. Spring Charlie was on the hot pace first-up and I thought he was going to win still and I thought Safado, ‘please just run third and you’re qualified’.

“But, wow, he’s just powered home, he’s a good horse.’’

Safado, who had been beaten at Canterbury as an odds-on favourite on February 1, was still 12m behind Spring Charlie at the 300m but Punter’s Intelligence data showed he ran his last 200m in 11.79 compared to his stablemate’s 12.44.

Jockey Jason Collett said he was wary of the pace set by Cuban Royale and elected to be patient, convinced the leaders would come back to him. “The speed made it interesting. It got me out of my comfort zone and I didn’t want to chase so I ended up giving them a good head start,’’ Collett said.

“I was confident I was going to run them down, I was more worried about what I was dragging into the race.’’

Waugh said she wouldn’t make any racetrack decisions about the path both horses would take to the final in six weeks.

It was Safado’s third run this preparation while Spring Charlie was first-up. Waugh’s other major contender Fuchu will head to the Newcastle Qualifier on March 9.

 Spring Charlie’s jockey Blake Shinn was rapt with his mount’s effort in defeat. “His run was very brave, being first-up over 1400m,’’ Shinn said. “From the 900m the leader really applied the pressure and until then I was very happy. It took the sprint I had and it was going to leave him vulnerable.’’

Kim Waugh kicks of her quest to claim the rich $500,000 Polytrack Provincial Championship title this Sunday at Hawkesbury.

Waugh is hoping to go one better than last year when Newsfan was narrowly beaten in the final.

She will start both Spring Charlie and Safado in the 1400m Hawkesbury $150,000 Qualifier.

Spring Charlie put together three successive wins including two metropolitan victories before spelling.

He looks to have come back in great condition, with two trial wins leading into this race.

Safado also looks a genuine contender, with the gelding having two wins and two placings to his record, the latest a third at Canterbury on February 1.

Waugh said she is likely to have other runners over the series, including Fuchu who has been given a short freshen up after also notching up three successive wins in December and early January.

Damien Lane is the only other Wyong representative on Sunday, with his last start winner Oakfield Missile a likely starter.

The $150,000 Wyong Qualifier, the last in the series, will be run on Saturday, March 30 over 1350m.

 

The in-form Waugh stable capped off a good day for local trainers with White Boots and Joy For Us both posting wins.

Tracey Bartley and Stephen Schofield also celebrated victories earlier in the program with Commute and Stunned respectively.

It was a race to race double for Waugh’s pair with Joy For Us winning the 1350m OVER THE LINE RACING CLASS 1 and White Boots, the WYONG TRAINERS’ TROPHY CONDITIONAL BM 70.

White Boots added to his impressive record, bringing up his sixth win from 11 starts.

The Animal Kingdom gelding was coming off a third at Kensington when resuming on February 6, and was installed $1.50 favourite.

Apprentice Billy Owen sat just off the lead early in the race, hitting the front before the straight and fighting off a late challenge by the second favourite Invicta ($7).

“He rode him perfectly to instructions,” Waugh said.

“He is a real 2000m horse and we needed genuine pace. I told Billy to get him rolling around the 600m mark or he would be outsprinted.

“He rode him really well.”

Waugh said the horse has a great will to win.

“We tossed up whether to start him here or Kensington tomorrow and this proved to be the right decision.

“It was the perfect second up run and I think he’s in for a good preparation.”

Waugh was equally impressed with Joy For Us, who she said had always shown ability but had been racing without much luck.

“She has been really unlucky in her last two starts. She’s been knocked over and all sorts of things. Everything that could of gone wrong has,” she said.

“But she’s been going very, very well. With a little bit of luck today she’s did what we thought she would do.

“She’s a lovely filly, very brave and very professional and she tries hard. “

Parr said the win would be a real confidence builder for the mare.

“We had a really nice run in transit and they ran at a nice gallop for us,” he said.

“It’s a nice feeling when everything surrounding you is under pressure and your horse is coming up underneath you on the bit and really chiming into the race comfortably, which is what she did today.

“She was quite convincingly albeit by a short margin.

“The second horse is pretty smart and that definitely adds merit to the win. I’m really pleased how she won today, she’s definitely on the way up.”
Joy for Us ($9), beat the Lees trained favourite Lifetime Quest ($3.20), with Godolphin runner Waka ($8.50) a close third.

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Tracey Bartley is confident he has a smart filly on his books after Commute put paid to her opposition with an impressive two and a half length win in the 1100m MEN CARE TOO PROVINCIAL & COUNTRY MAIDEN.

Bartley’s three-year-old Commute, was a $6000 weanling purchase for Andrew Phillips, who races her with members of his family.

The Phillips family also race McCormack with Bartley, who has had two wins from two starts for the stable.

Commute was coming off a debut run at Kensington on February 6 where she finished toward the rear of the field.

“She’s a high-class filly,” Bartley said.

“I gave Tim (Clark) the wrong instructions in Sydney. If she had been on speed, she probably would of run fourth of fifth. It went all pear shaped but it was good to see her bounce back today.

“She’s a massive horse. I was afraid she wouldn’t get around here because she’s never really been on the fence but when she gallops, she gets down nice and low and she’s got a good action.

“She’s pretty good, we’ve got a bit opinion of her.”

Clark said Commute had come out of a pretty strong form race at Kensington.

“She equipped herself pretty well that day. She didn’t have the smoothest of passages but still ran well and was always going to improve off the run.

“She’s a really big filly and hadn’t trialled going into it so she had plenty of improvement to come.

“I think she’s a nice filly who will keep improving, especially as the distances increase. If she gets to 1200m and 1400m rolls up onto the speed and keeps building, she might cause a few issues for the horses trying to chase her down.”

Commute, who started $2.50 favourite, beat fellow Wyong galloper So Very Vein ($2.90) from the Waugh stable, with Pacific Legend ($3.40), trained by Matthew Vella, third.

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A popular local victory with the Stephen ‘Beaver’ Schofield trained Stunned ($5.50) breaking through for his maiden win over 1600m.

The four-year-old Reset gelding was purchased unraced by Schofield for $8000 from Godolphin last year.

He retains a share in the gelding along with a group of locals, who were on course to celebrate the win.

“He’s a good honest horse and it’s really good to see him win so well today,” Schofield said.

“He’s been pretty consistent but this was his first go at a mile and you worry about if he will get the distance. He seemed to run it right out so he should win again somewhere.

“He hit the line well. He was only a cheap buy from Godolphin but he does everything right like all theirs do. He is a nice horse.

“I was confident in the horse’s ability today but a bit guarded as to whether he was going to run the mile.

“He was well weighted with Mikayla’s claim today and that really makes the difference. He carried 59 and 58.5kg at his last few starts and it’s hard for them. He does his best but weight will get everything.”

Schofield said he would look for a mile race in the country next start for Stunned.

Winning jockey Mikayla Weir said Stunned had answered any query there had been about him getting the distance.

“It wasn’t an issue today,” she said.

”Just on the corner he was travelling too well and I had to expose him a bit early but it suited him to keep rolling.

“It was good to see him attack the line. He’s gone super today.”

Milawa ($18) trained by Gwenda Markwell was second in the KIM WAUGH RACING STABLES MAIDEN, a length and a half ahead of the $2.50 race favourite Duchess Of Windsor, trained by Mathew Smith.

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The Josh Parr fan squad had plenty to cheer about with the leading jockey taking out the riding honours with a winning double.

Parr has a group of local men who support him at Wyong and in Sydney and they were on hand to celebrate his two wins.

His ride on the Kim Waugh trained Joy For Us was worth cheering, with Parr coming from the rear of the field and weaving a passage in the straight to score a narrow win.

Earlier a well-planned ride paid dividends for Parr earlier with Bon Equus ($3.10fav) proving the dominant stayer in 2100m ALLAN DENHAM RACING STABLES BM 64.

Parr took the Medagilia d’Oro gelding to the front early before surrendering the lead to Heroic Fighter ($4) in the middle stages.

He got going again before the turn and was able to run down in the favourite in the final stages of the straight to score a narrow win.

“It did look the perfect race for him so I’m glad he’s been able to come here and win,” Parr said.

“He’s been a horse that hasn’t won for some time now. He’s been competitive in some decent races without winning so it’s nice to win on him when the plan goes our way.

“It would have been very disappointing if he’d been beaten today especially given the run we had. I pressed forward quite intently early because I was keen on getting to the fence, to get the shortest way home with the weight, and get on our merry way coming to the corner.

“It all worked out really well and thankfully he stuck his head out.”

Stable representative Hayley Blythe-Devlin-Rorison said coming back in grade had been the key for Bon Equus, a brother to multiple black type winning stayer Destiny’s Kiss.

“He just keeps going and this is his trip today,” she said.

“He was unlucky here two starts back when he was caught off the track. He was out of his grade at Rosehill the other day but coming back here has given him a good confidence win.

“He just keeps on grinding and Josh really earned his money today. He got stuck into him around the 600m and it paid off in the end.

“He can mix his form a little bit but he seems a bit more genuine this time around and he’s enjoying his racing.”

Owned by Nick Moratis, Bon Equus has now had six wins and seven placings from 36 starts.

In a three-way finish Yorkshire Rock ($5.50), trained by Scott Singleton was second ahead of Heroic Fighter.

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Gerald Ryan looks to have unveiled another potential two-year-old star after Fortress Command’s debut victory over 1350m.

The Sebring colt could be targeted toward the Group 1 Champagne Stakes at Randwick on April 13, on the strength of his win.

“I’ve always had an opinion of him and he came here today and did everything right,” Ryan said.

“He’s a nice horse. His trials have all been too short for him and he is a horse who is going to get 1600m to 2000m without any problem.

“That’s why we waited for this race for him and he got the job done.”

Ryan said Fortress Command ($5) could head to the Champagne Stakes or Listed Fernill Handicap if he continued to improve.

“He settled terrific today, a lot better a than his trials. He should improve off that run and will improve over more ground.”

Jockey Brett Prebble settled the colt midfield in the GREAT NORTHERN ON TAP 2YO MAIDEN before taking him wide on the turn.

He hit the lead on straightening and held off challengers to score a strong one and a quarter length win.

Prebble, who is a regular rider for owners Sun Bloodstock, was happy with the win.

“It’s nice for him to come here and get it right the first time,” he said.

“He’s still a bit new and he’s a little bit temperamental. The race will do him the world of good. He’s come back, taken it all in his stride and had a really good look.

“He really gave me a good feel in the last part of the race and it was a nice win.

“I think you will see him over 2000m plus this horse.”

Fortress Command beat Prince Of Arragon ($12) from the John Thompson stable, with Godolphin’s $3.50 race favourite Promotions, third.

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Vinery Stud heavyweights Peter Orton and Adam White were trackside to celebrate their filly Silver Melody’s win in the 1000m DAMIEN LANE RACING STABLES CLASS 2.

The All Too Hard filly was unwanted at the 2017 Gold Coast Magic Millions sale, so Vinery owner Orton, his right-hand man White, and Newcastle businessman Allan Cox decided to race her.

They have been well rewarded with the three-year-old being super consistent in her short career with three wins and two placings from six starts.

Ridden by Brenton Avdulla, she led from barriers to post to record a three and a quarter length win, holding out the fast finishing race favourite Partners.

Trained by Kris Lees, the filly was coming off a let up, her last start at Randwick on December 26.

“She’s a speedy type at the gates and in the running,” stable representative Lucas Miller said.

“Brenton summed it up very well today. He got her to relax which is very important and she was too good in the end.

“She is very consistent. It’s vital she gets that breather during the race and Brenton was able to do that today.”

Miller said Lees would likely look for another race over a similar distance to keep the winning run going.

Winning jockey Brenton Avdulla said the filly had done everything right on the day.

“She’s lightly raced and has been around the mark her whole career and was able to get another win up today.

“She’s a short course horse. If she learns to switch off a bit maybe 1100m and I’m sure she’ll be better if she can relax more.

“At the moment she’s just a bit too quick for them so hopefully she just gets a bit of race sense and she’ll be right.”

Silver Melody ($2.80), beat Partners ($2.45) trained by Scott Singleton, with Crackneck ($13) from the Allan Kehoe stable, third.

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Jarrod Austin had never doubted the ability of his galloper Miss Antares but was frustrated she couldn’t bring that form to the track.

Unplaced in five starts, the Star Witness four-year-old turned the tables yesterday with an impressive length win in the 1000m KRISTEN BUCHANAN RACING STABLES 4YO & UP MAIDEN.

In a well-timed ride by Rachel King, the mare hit the lead around the 400m mark, kicking away to a three-length lead in the straight.

She held out the fast finishing Clara Et Moi, to bring up her first win.

Miss Antares was sent out $2.50 favourite on the strength of two recent trials, her latest a dominant win at Warwick Farm on February 4.

“We’ve had more than a few issues with her over the years, it’s been one thing after the other, so it is great to see her come her and perform like that,” Austin said.

“The key was for Rachel to get her out and into a nice rhythm and finish off strongly and Rachel did that perfectly.

“The most pleasing thing was to see her kick away in the straight.

“Her last couple of preparations she hasn’t been able to do that. She’s had a little wind operation since then and it’s done the trick.”

Austin said Miss Antares was a stable favourite with several of his staff having shares in the mare.

“They would have been cheering back home,” he laughed.

King said Miss Antares was still a “little bit new.”

“When she was in front in the straight she wasn’t quite sure about stretching out, but she’s been doing on half the amount of oxygen last preparation, so this time it was just nice to see her put them away like that.

“We knew she could always gallop but last start she was struggling with the win.

“She will improve further with that win.”

Miss Antares beat Clara Et Moi ($6.50) trained by Donna Griesdale, with Brooke ($6.50) from the Bob Holloway stable, third.

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Veteran trainer Ken Parker will rely on the expertise of his jockey when Invicta attempts to make it back to back wins in the 1600m Benchmark 70 at Wyong on Tuesday.

Parker has had a long association with champion jockey Robert Thompson and believes he gets the best out of the five-year-old Rothesay gelding.

“I’ve had other riders at times, but he always seems to run best for Robert,” Parker said.

“He knows the horse and the horse knows him and goes good for him. I have put others on when Robert couldn’t ride him, and he’s just gone awful. He just seems to go well for Robert, he really can get the best out of him.”

Invicta looks one of the main chances in the field of eight, but Parker believes the Kim Waugh trained White Boots will be the hardest to beat.

“White Boots is pretty smart, and they are claiming on it. If there’s a bit of speed on it will suit us because my bloke, he’ll get back anyway.

“Hopefully he’ll be running fifth or sixth, one off the fence and it will be lovely.

“It gets to the stage now, I say to Robert ‘you know how to ride him.’

“We did discuss it when he won at Newcastle last start because there was absolutely no speed but most times I just say, ‘you know what to do.’

‘It’s no good me telling him. He’s had more rides than I’ve had feeds,” Parker laughed.

Thompson has partnered Invicta in more than half his 29 starts including six of his seven career wins and Parker is confident they can bring up another victory on Tuesday.

“He’s come back in good form. He’s doing everything right and I’m very happy with him.

“I mapped out his program about eight weeks ago and this race fits in perfectly.

“He’s getting a big older now and wants 1400m or a mile minimum, so this looks spot on.”

Sixty-nine-year-old Parker, who has two in work at Gosford, has had a lifelong association with horses and Invicta is the best he has trained.

He was purchased by a friend Robert Gurr as a yearling for $10,000 and with close to $150,000 in prizemoney to date, he has proved to be a good earner.

“Robert rang me up and told me he liked one by Rothesay and asked what I thought,” Parker said.

“I told him to go ahead with him and he bought him sight unseen.

“I knew after his first run in a race he had ability. He’s a nice little horse and he’s been good to me.

“He’s an absolute nob, a lovely horse. He’s got his little quirky things which he puts on nearly daily, but I’m used to that and take no notice.

“Other than that, he’s just a lovely horse to have around the place. He’s quiet, he behaves himself and does everything right.”

Wyong Race Club host an eight race card on Tuesday, with the meeting acknowledging local owners and trainers.

The first race gets underway at 1.20pm.

 

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 1.20pm: GREAT NORTHERN ON TAP 2YO MAIDEN PLATE (1350m): 1 PROMOTIONS, 2 Fortress Command, 3 Manhattan Marvel, 4 Prince Of Arragon.

Race 2 – 1.55pm: DAMIEN LANE RACING STABLES CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1000m); 1 SILVER MELODY, 2 Crackneck, 3 Highly Desired, 4 Partners.

Race 3 – 2.35pm: ALLAN DENHAM RACING STABLES BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (2100m): 1 DYNAMIC DYNASTY, 2 Heroic Fighter, 3 Bon Equus, 4 Magic Over The Bay.

Race 4 – 3.10pm: KIM WAUGH RACING STABLES MAIDEN HANDICAP (1600m): 1 DUCHESS OF WINDSOR, 2 Invidentia, 3 Milawa, 4 Lohan Princess.

Race 5 – 3.45pm: KRISTEN BUCHANAN RACING STABLES 4YO & UPWARD MAIDEN PLATE (1000m): 1 SPICY MO, 2 Miss Antares, 3 Heeby Jeeby, 4 Clara Et Moi.

Race 6 – 4.20pm: MEN CARE TOO PROV & CTRY MAIDEN HANDICAP (1100m): 1 SO VERY VEIN, 2 Collision, 3 Fused Magic, 4 High Flight.

Race 7 – 4.55pm: OVER THE LINE RACING CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1350m): 1 LIFETIME QUEST, 2 Waka, 3 Paulo Pace, 4 Beidi.

Race 8 – 5.30pm: WYONG TRAINERS’ TROPHY CONDITIONAL BENCHMARK 70 (1600m): 1 INVICTA, 2 White Boots, 3 Captain Mannering, 4 Sensacova.