Month: March 2020

By Frances O’Shea, Photos Steve Hart

Disappointment for trainers with the Wyong Polytrack Provincial Championship Qualifier called off due to heavy rain late in the day.

The $150,000 heat was to be the last race on the program but a deluge resulted in the race being postponed due to visibility concerns.

Racing officials will likely add the race to the Newcastle program on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day Chris Waller and Lee Magorrian combined to take out two races, the first with promising prospect Kinane.

The stable looks to have another smart stayer on their books after Kinane’s impressive win in the TWIN LAKES AIR AND SOLAR MAIDEN over 1600m.

The Reliable Man gelding was having his second start for the stable, after a luckless second on debut over 1400m at Warwick Farm on March 11.

The three-year-old was previously been trained by Mick Kent and had been nominated for feature staying races by that stable.

Punters installed him as the $1.45 favourite and he didn’t disappoint, drawing away in the straight to score by more than two lengths.

Jockey Lee Magorrian settled the three-year-old off the speed, and despite hitting a flat spot on the turn, he drew away for a convincing win.

Damien Fitton, representing the Waller stable, praised the ride.

“It was a very good ride by Lee. They put the pace on early and he was run off his feet, but Lee was patient and let him work through his gears before he put them away.

“It’s good to get the maiden out of the way. I think we’ve got a pretty promising horse on our hands.”

The Anthony Cummings trained Dame Margot ($5) was second from Urbino ($3.90) from the Lees stable.

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An exciting finish in the 1350m PANASONIC AUSTRALIA CLASS 1 with Earth Song ($8) bringing up a double for the Waller/Magorrian combination.

The Nicconi filly, a $105,000 yearling purchase, came from the rear of the field, with Magorrian weaving a passage mid-race before hitting the lead close to the line.

The three-year-old, resuming from a spell, brought up her second win from seven starts.

She beat the fast finishing Lady Tavista ($11) from the Widdup stable by a head, with the Pride trained Big Bad Bruce ($5) third.

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A beautifully rated ride by Andrew Gibbons brought out the best in Elisa Carolina ($5) who scored her first win for the Lees stable with a strong staying performance.

Raced by the same connections as champion mare Lucia Valentina, the Makfi filly proved too strong for her opponents in the MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES AIR CONDITIONING AUSTRALIA CLASS 1 & MAIDEN, posting a three-quarter length win.

Gibbons was able to lead throughout, dictating terms in the small field.

He managed to stave off his opposition in an exciting four-way battle in the straight, to bring up the filly’s second career win from seven starts.

Stable representative Danny Greer said Elisa Carolina was an improving type.

“Gibbo showed his hand in the early stages and dictated the pace. It was a nice ride,” Greer said.

“She’s only been in the stable for a short time but is a nice horse to have in the stable. She’ll stay all day too which is good.”

The Godolphin trained Tahuna ($4.40) was second, from the $1.85 favourite Sciconic, from the Freedman stable.

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A dominant win by speedy Godolphin galloper Emanate ($1.90) to take out the LAKE MACQUARIE SHEET METAL MAIDEN over 1000m.

The impeccably bred Lonhro filly showed her class leading from the outset and letting down in the final stages to win by almost two lengths.

The three-year-old was runner-up on debut at Hawkesbury on March 7 and started $1.90 favourite.

She beat the well-supported Mark Newnham filly Zanzidance ($3.30), with Princess Ariana ($9.50), from the Kristen Buchanan yard, third.

Kent Wade, representing James Cummings, said they were confident coming into the race.

“She had to work hard from a bad alley at her first start,” he said. “She’s had a good week leading into this and we thought she’d be hard to beat.

“It was a great, controlled ride by Jeff and her breeding came through.

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Irish apprentice Louise Day posted a victory for her former boss Ciaron Maher, with Major Murphy ($11) causing an upset in the VIETNAM VETERANS HOSTEL 2YO MAIDEN over 1200m.

In an action-packed race, Day came from the rear of the field in the straight to upset some of the more favoured runners and post a half-length win.

Princess Betty ($7.50), from the Waugh stable, looked to have the race won before Day swooped in the final stages.

O’Tartan Lass ($7) trained by Bjorn Baker was third.

Day worked for Maher in Melbourne for almost two years before being apprenticed to Kris Lees.

The Maher/Eustace trained Major Murphy, a $130,000 yearling, had been unplaced in two Randwick barrier trials leading into the race.

The Waterhouse/Bott $3 favourite Only Mine tapered off from the start and failed to finish, while Spin That Wheel was scratched at the barriers.

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Estroverto broke through for a well-deserved win in the 1200m VIETNAM VETERANS HOSTEL 2YO MAIDEN.

The Pierro gelding, trained by Kylie Gavenlock and ridden by Digger McLellan, had eight placings from 17 starts leading into the race.

He was installed as $5.00 second favourite on the strength of his last start third at Hawkesbury.

McLellan settled the four-year-old midfield, circling the field around the 600m mark and hitting the front on straightening.

He was able to hold off his rivals to score a length and a half win.

Estroverto is raced by the well-known Kolivos family.

He beat the Stephen Schofield trained Quick Snip ($21), with the $3.30 favourite Derbari, from the Pride stable third.

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The Brad Widdup trained Night Flyer ($3.60) stormed home in the straight to snatch a narrow win the 1100m NORTHLAKES TOUKLEY ROTARY CLUB CONDITIONAL BENCHMARK 70.

Ridden by Christian Reith, the All Too Hard filly, relished the heavy conditions to bring up her second win from eight starts.

The three-year-old scored her first career win on a heavy track and with rain falling punters were keen to support her, with the filly starting $3.40 favourite.

She ran down the race leader Iconic Star ($7.50) in the closing stages, showing a great turn of foot to beat the Portelli trained Moccasin Miss ($10) on the line.

“It was great to get the rain late, that really helped her,” Widdup said.

“She’s a very honest little filly but she doesn’t win out of turn.

“I was expecting her to run well in this type of grade.”

By Frances O’Shea, Photos Steve Hart

Brett Partelle took out the training honours at Wyong’s Turf Care Australia Race Day, bringing a welcome change of luck to the stable.

For the past four months he has been plagued with adversity, suffering from the effects of fire and flood at his South Tacoma property.

At one stage the horses were sidelined for 10 days and Partelle was unsure if they were short of a run heading into the Wyong meeting.

That proved to be the opposite with Rifles and Aytobe both greeting the judge.

“It’s great to see things finally turning around,” Partelle said, “and I think both horses have a future.”

He intends to target the Brisbane Winter Carnival with Rifles after his dominant first up win.

The four-year-old, who was previously placed twice from three starts, was sent out $1.75 favourite in the ICL SIERRAFORM GT MAIDEN over 1000m.

Rifles was gelded following his first preparation and Partelle believes it has improved him significantly.

“His manners were a lot better and that’s what we were looking for,” he said.

“He wasn’t screwed right down today with no official trial. Keegan (Latham) rode him a treat and he really settled down.

“We knew he would run well but to win like that is very encouraging.

“If he’d have trialled, I think he could have put another four lengths on them.

“At this stage I would say we will head to Brisbane and the trip away will do him good. He’s a nice horse and I’ve always had an opinion of him.

“I think he will develop into a really nice racehorse capable of winning a good race throughout his career. “

Rifles jumped well in the ICL SIERRAFORM GT MAIDEN over 1000 metres with Latham settling him just off the speed.

He took him to the front on straightening, dashing away from his rivals to win by more than four lengths.

Latham was also full of praise for the victory.

“He’s got a bright future,” he said.

Partelle’s partner Lani Pritchard has a share in the Smart Missile gelding, who was a $30,000 yearling purchase.

He beat the Damien Lane trained Buckin’ Rippa ($9.50), with Honey Elyees ($14) from the Jeremy Sylvester stable.

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Aytobe made it a stable double, also putting upward of four lengths on his opposition to take out the 1200m FLORATINE FOLIARS PROV & CTRY MAIDEN.

The win, in class record time, brought up a double for Keagan Latham.

“He’s been promising to do that for a while,” he said.

“He was a tragedy beaten at Scone and he’s a very good rider this boy. I left it up to him as to where he would be.

“He’s broken the class record and has enough ability to be a nice horse in town on a Saturday.

“It’s good to see him get the monkey off his back because he’s had a few excuses and it’s been a bit disappointing for his owners so far in a couple of his races, but he made amends today.”

Aytobe ($5), a four-year-old Bullet Train gelding, beat Uprise ($3) from the Widdup stable, with Just Like Jessie ($41) from the Attard/Keegan stable, third.

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Kristen Buchanan will consider a shot at the Wyong Provincial Championship Qualifier with Maggie Bee after the mares’ strong win in the 1200m SPORTS TURF SOLUTIONS CLASS 2.

The four-year-old was given a soft, front running ride by Jenny Duggan and was able to sustain the lead to the line, winning by a length and a quarter.

“I’ll have a good talk to Jenny, but we may head to the Wyong Qualifier. I think she deserves a shot,” Buchanan said.

“Her last run at Newcastle was good but she burned a bit of petrol, so we just decided to change a bit of gear and be a little more gentle, and not try and drive her to be anywhere.

“The alley made it possible because if you draw an outside alley or an inside alley you’ve got your hands full. We drew a nice gate today and she got the job done.

“She always tries really hard and it was perfect today.”

A large crowd of excited connections were on hand to celebrate the win.

The Tim McIntosh trained Absolute Trust ($3.40) was second, with Titus ($12) from the Perry stable, a length behind in third.

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The Hawkes trained Pink Beau ($3.30) overcame a slow start to bring up her debut win in the SYNGENTA POSTERITY 2YO MAIDEN over 1200m.

The Brazen Beau filly was sent out $3.30 favourite on the strength of her first start on February 19, when she finished fifth behind Black Opal winner Barbaric.

Andrew Atkins didn’t panic when the filly reared at the start, missing the kick by a length.

He settled her just off the pace and then ran down the opposition in the straight to record a three quarter of a length win.

Trainer Michael Hawkes said he would access the next run for the filly over coming days.

“She jumped a bit awkward but to Andrew’s credit he didn’t panic and just let it all sort of unfold. He wanted to push her out on the corner, but the gap disappeared, so he had to wait and when he let her go, she knuckled down to the task and got the job done.

“She did everything right in her first start, the gap just probably closed that day as well, so with her two runs she hasn’t had much like.

“In saying that I do like her, she knuckles down and really wants to get the job done.”

The Kim Waugh trained Princess Betty ($4) was impressive on debut finishing second, over Princess Glamour ($19) from the Gary Portelli stable.

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Mensa Missile is headed for a midweek metropolitan race after his dominant win in the TURFCULTURE THUMPER MITICIDE MAIDEN over 1350m.

It was another good result for favourite backers, with the Smart Missile gelding sent out at the skinny odds of $1.45 following his fourth on debut at Kensington on February 19.

He put paid to his opposition in impressive style, winning by almost five lengths.

Stable foreman Ronnie Nunn said the three-year-old was good at his first start and had improved after a subsequent trial.

“We were pretty confident today and he won as the price would suggest,” he said.

“Everything went to plan. He relaxed nice and easy in front and was impressive.

“He travelled well throughout the run. There was a bit of merit in the win. He got left in front a long way out, and for a lightly raced horse, he’s heading in the right direction.

“He will most likely go to a midweek race next start.”

Adam Hyeronimus said Mensa Missile relaxed well and once asked to pick up and find the line he did so.

“It was the perfect race for him today. He’s a real seven-furlong horse so it’s good to get him up to the distance.”

Unloch The Rock ($13) trained by Gary Portelli was second, with Craig Carmody’s galloper Red Hot ($5.50), third.OHot Hot

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A well rated ride by Louise Day saw the speedy Vinci Lady ($8.50) upset some of the more favoured runners to take out the BAYER INDEMNIFY CLASS 1.

The I Am Invincible mare hit the ground running and let throughout the 1000m dash.

Trainer Gary Portelli was complimentary of the ride and Vinci Lady.

“Louise has been down to ride her work a few times and I think that makes a difference she knows what’s she’s capable of doing.” he said.

“It was a great ride. She just controlled her, let her go through her gears and the fastest horse won.

“We were pretty keen on her chances. If she turned up, I thought she’d win.

“I heard a few people say there was a lot of speed in the race, but I don’t think there would be too many lead this girl when she’s on song.

“She travels better in front now. Last preparation she was going to the front and over racing. At Newcastle in a 900m she went helter skelter but just blew out late and I think she was favourite that day. I hope the punters got something back today.”

Cameron Crockett’s $2.40 favourite Fox Spirit was a length behind in second, over Crimson Ticket ($20) from the Jim and Greg Lee yard.

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A last-minute decision proved to be a winning one for Clare Cunningham after Ready’s Girl ($8.50) put paid to her opposition to take out the TURFCARE AUSTRALIA CONDITIONAL BENCHMARK 70 over 1600m.

The Better Than Ready filly was coming off a good run at Canterbury over the 1900m and Cunningham had intended to step her up to the 2000m.

“To be honest there wasn’t much around for her over that distance, so we decided to bring her here,” she said.

“I was as confident as you can be going back in distance. She drew nicely and it looked like a suitable race.

“We will take her out to the 2000m now.

“She’s a ripping little filly and it was a wonderful ride by Rachel (King).

“This filly has come such a long way. She really had to knuckle down and tough it out.

“She’s very fit and tough and looks like she’s got a good wind capacity so I wouldn’t be too worried about the 10 furlongs.”

Ready’s Girl beat the Paul Perry trained Opinions ($7.50) by half a length, with the Deamer trained Time Raid ($8) third.

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A long-time friendship paid dividends for Luke Thomas and Aaron Bullock when the pair combined to win the ECO BUNKER AUSTRALIA BENCHMARK 64 over 1350m with Asudem.

The Duporth gelding brought up his fifth win from 18 starts and is now likely to target the Country Championship Wild Card at Muswellbrook on March 22.

“I want to really thank Aaron,” Thomas said after the race. “He and I have been friends for a long time. He has been struggling with his weight but gave me his word he’d ride for me today.

“This horse is really tough. To win like that with the 60kg was a really big effort, particularly when the winners have been leading here today.

“He has been super consistent, and I think he deserves a chance in the Wild Card.”

Bullock said it was great to win for Thomas.

“We went to school together so have been mates for a long time. I really wanted to ride for him today and it was good to see him get another win.

“He’s a tough, consistent horse.”

In a nail-biting finish, Asudem, the $2.80 race favourite, beat Mohican ($61) from the Robert and Luke Price stable by a short half head, with Salsa Man ($8.50) from the Perry stable, a close third.