Stephen Jones is banking on the performance of his gun sprinter Toro Toro to catch the remaining Kosciusko slot holders.
He believes the five-year-old will “do the talking” when he resumes in the 1100m BM64 at Wyong on Thursday.
Jones considers the race to be the ideal leadup to the Kosciusko on October 16.
The Time For War gelding, who has five wins and two placings from his 18 starts, looked impressive winning a trial at Scone on September 16 and his trainer is expecting a bold showing first up.
“He trialled really good,” Jones said. “He’s a good fresh horse so we’ll see what happens.
“There was a bit of interest in him last year but in the end, we didn’t get a slot.
“I sort of went the wrong way with him last time and tried to get him to run 1400m which was a mistake.
“He’s a dead set sprinter and that’s the way it is.”
This year Jones has mapped out a plan for Toro Toro which will see him resume on Thursday and hopefully go into the Kosciusko second up.
“The plan was to get him in the face of the remaining slot holders and if he wins on Thursday, he will do that.
“He’s won at Wyong and his front running style suits the track, he should be right there.
“If he can get a slot, I’ll just freshen him up and he’ll go in second up.”
Regan Bayliss partners Toro Toro who has drawn well in three but has to carry 63kg.
“I’m not worried about the weight. It doesn’t matter as much over a short distance.
“He’s obviously better than the rest and that’s why he’s carrying the weight.”
Jones is confident if Toro Toro were to obtain one of the three remaining slots he wouldn’t disappoint.
“He won’t let them down that’s for sure. He’s a lot better than a lot of the horses who are in there already. He’d be right in the thick of things, don’t worry about that.”
Jones has already qualified Nadaraja for the Kosciusko and would love to have another runner in the $1.3m race.
“To have two good chances would be great, so we’ll see what happens.”
Leading jockey Tommy Berry resumes riding at the meeting, his first day back after a month’s suspension.
The first of eight races on Police Remembrance Day gets underway at 1.10pm.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 1.10pm: GREAT NORTHERN CG&E MAIDEN (1200m): 1 THE POACHER, 2 Legend I Am, 3 Hold On Honey, 4 Ka Bling.
Race 2 – 1.45pm: CANADIAN CLUB F&M MAIDEN (1200m): 1 POIGNANT, 2 Mystic Mermaid, 3 Riduna, 4 Bella Rouge.
Race 3 – 2.20pm: CHOOSE TO DRINK WISE MAIDEN (1350m): 1 DANZETTE, 2 Myeyesadoryou, 3 Our Lancette, 4 Garmish.
Race 4 – 2.55pm: IN MEMORY OF S/C CHRISTOPHER JOHN THORNTON 4YO&UP MAIDEN (1600m): 1 THE DENZEL, 2 Coreei Lass, 3 Blackall, 4 Kamea.
Race 5 – 3.35pm: IN MEMORY OF S/C DAVID JOHN MANSFIELD CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2100m): 1 ZUDIN, 2 Coogee Bay, 3 Believe So, 4 Calaveras.
A Super Tuesday meeting unveiled several potential Spring Carnival candidates and two exciting Four Pillars prospects for Tracey Bartley and Kim Waugh.
Favourites dominated the program, taking out five of the eight races, while Tim Clark and Jason Collett shared the riding honours, both claiming a double.
Race 1 – SAL – LEGRAND – ELECTRA MAIDEN PLATE (2100m):
A berth in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes could be on the cards for Raging Bull following his dominant staying performance.
The Bull Point gelding was sent out $1.24 favourite and didn’t disappoint winning by more than three lengths.
Tim Clark opted to take the sit just off the leader before hitting the front on straightening and drawing away in the final stages.
Trainer David Payne had expected the three-year-old to perform well, having already targeted the Spring Stakes over 2000m at Randwick on October 9.
“He’ll go from strength to strength now,” stable foreman Stuart Rankin said.
“He was way too good this afternoon. When he came past the post the first time, I had the feeling it was race over.”
Clark agreed it was a strong win.
“He looked well suited in this race and David spoke highly of him as a staying prospect,” Clark said.
“It was his first time over the trip. He was well suited and showed his dominance.”
Raging Bull was placed twice at Metropolitan level as a two-year-old, before given a freshen up prior to the Wyong start.
So Incisive ($8) trained by Clarry Connors was runner-up, ahead of the Nathan Doyle trained Kintos ($41).
Race 2 – BOVARA MAIDEN HANDICAP (1350m):
The Anthony Cummings trained Lease hit back from a disappointing last start Hawkesbury run to bring up his debut win at start six.
The Choisir colt was beaten more than 20 lengths when first up over 1100m at Hawkesbury on September 9.
He was able to atone for that performance with a good win, aided by a great Josh Parr ride.
Leased met with late support in the betting starting at $8.50.
Parr said he had been confident the three-year-old would win from a long way out.
“He floated his way to the start but appreciated a squeeze out of the gates and got up and travelling,” he said.
“I was quite confident a long way from home.”
A $75,000 Magic Millions yearling, Leased beat the fast finishing How Do You Sleep ($6) from the Joe Pride stable, with the Waller trained Hollywood North ($6.50), third.
The short priced favourite Island Legend, from the Ryan/Alexiou yard, appeared to have every opportunity, finishing third.
Promising four-year-old Ma And Pa brought up back to wins courtesy of a well rated Nash Rawiller ride. The Redoute’s Choice gelding out of Oaks winning mare Dear Demi, was sent out $1.60 favourite on the strength of his last start Hawkesbury win.
Rawiller took Ma and Pa to an early lead and dictated terms in front.
He led into the straight and looked to have the race won but had to dig deep in the final stages after a late challenge by the second favourite The Denzel ($2.90).
“He gave me a nice feel,” Rawiller said. “He just tended to track a bit funny around the corner.
“He felt vulnerable about 100m out but dug in to win.
“He is still quite raw and green but did a good job and will get over further for sure.”
Clare Hewson, representing the Waller stable, said she expected they would now target a metropolitan race with Ma And Pa.
“He’s heading in the right direction, and I’d say we will go to town next. It was a good win today and a lovely ride.”
Ma And Pa is bred and is raced by John Singleton.
It was the third successive second for Les Bridges’ The Denzel, with The Mediator ($17) trained by Mark Newnham, third.
Capitalist filly Shihonka was a class above her rivals scoring an impressive six length win as she heads to town for black type races.
Tim Clark brought up a winning double on the three-year-old, who was resuming from a spell.
She finished third in the Listed Woodlands in May and looked to have returned in great style winning a trial at Gosford on August 30.
She was sent out $1.12 favourite and the win never looked in doubt after Clark was able to cross from the wide barrier and lead throughout.
She hit her straps in the straight pulling away from her rivals and easing down on the line.
Neil Paine, representing the Waterhouse/Bott stable, said it is likely they will target black type races.
“It was terrific and great to get that first win off her back,” he said.
“I think she will progress from here and Gai and Adrian will have a look and see what is for her over the carnival.
“She’s already stakes placed and if she can win a stakes race along the way it will be good for her.”
Clark said Shihonka, a $220,000 Magic Millions yearling, had come back from her spell more switched on.
“She knows what her job is now. She’s come back in good enough order to get to stakes level and can hopefully take out one of those races over the carnival.”
Yumi ($13) from the Snowden stable was runner-up, from Drummin ($21) from the Curtis stable.
Race 6 – CLIPSAL BY SCHNEIDER CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1000m):
Kiss Sum looks to have a big future on the back of his super home track win.
Tracey Bartley will now target a midweek metro race for the three-year-old Shamus Award gelding, he believes would be an ideal candidate for the $700,000 Four Pillars.
“We’ve got a very nice horse on our hands,” Bartley said.
“I think he’s definitely a Provincial Championships horse and if he can win in town, he’d be putting his hand up for the Four Pillars.
“I’m very excited about him.”
Jason Collett, who brought up a winning double on the $1.85 favourite, was also impressed with the win.
“He’s pretty electric at the moment, with a really good turn of foot and is definitely a mid-weeker.
“He began fine today but didn’t have a hell of a lot of speed. Once I got him in his rhythm, I was able to manoeuvre a way out and make sure he got clear air.”
In a super ride, Collett came from a long last, making ground from the 500m before sweeping wide on the turn and drawing away to win by almost two lengths.
He beat Sky Castle ($8) from the Ryan/Alexiou stable, with Gregory McFarlane’s Rahni Factor ($14), third.
A race in two in the final stages of the 1100m BM68, with the Matthew Smith trained Undeniable getting the bob on the line.
The Not A Single Doubt mare brought up her fifth career win, coming off a successful Brisbane campaign.
It was a patient ride by apprentice Ellen Hennessey, who had to wait for a gap in the straight and then run down the leader Cassy’s Sister at the post.
The runner-up was brave in defeat and likely to have caught the eye of remaining Kosciusko slot holders.
Hennessey was full of praise for Undeniable.
“She chased really strongly and ended off the race well, “she said.
“I was sitting just behind the speed, and she was comfortable there. We waited for the gap to appear and when it did, she extended really well. “
Undeniable ($5.50) beat Cassy’s Sister by a head, with Lady Of Luxury ($3.10) from the Bjorn Baker stable, more than two lengths behind in third.
Different Strokes stamped his credentials as a Four Pillars candidate with a dominant win for Kim Waugh and Hugh Bowman.
The Hinchinbrook gelding was a on the quick back up from Kembla last Saturday where he finished second, in an unsuitably run race.
Back on his home track and with Bowman in the saddle he didn’t disappoint, coming from behind on the turn and drawing away in the final stages to win by two lengths.
“I was pretty confident from a long way out,” Bowman said.
“He seemed to thrive on the quick back up. I’ve had a few horses mentioned to me regarding the Four Pillars and this is the most interesting one.”
Waugh agreed Different Strokes should appeal to slot holders for the $700,000 race.
“He’s the perfect Four Pillars horse and will love the 1500m,” Waugh said.
“He’s a lovely horse and is still learning but he’s catching on quick which is fantastic.
“As he gets more experience he will get even better.”
Different Strokes ($2.10fav) beat the Portelli trained Long Weekend ($15), with the Lees trained False Step ($16) third
Kristen Buchanan is confident her flying mare Eyewitness can make it back-to-back home track wins at Wyong on Tuesday and continue a super run for the season.
Buchanan is enjoying her best start to a season, with seven winners to date and an impressive win ratio of 27% already seeing her reassess her goals for the year.
“It’s such a good feeling to start so well,” she said. “We had a goal of 40 winners and the foreman has already crossed that out and written 50.
“We have a lot of nice young horses coming through and the older ones are racing really well.
“We’ve increased our numbers slightly but it’s more to do with our horses racing so well and that gets everyone associated with a stable excited.
” I’m just hoping it can continue.”
Buchanan believes she has found another nice race for Eyewitness, who was impressive winning at Wyong on September 3 over the 1100m.
The Star Witness mare, who has three wins from six starts, will line-up in another BM68 over the same distance with trainer expecting another strong performance.
“She’s done really well since her last win. She came through the run well and we put her out for a few days in the nice weather.
“For her it’s a matter of getting away cleanly and when she does it takes a good horse to catch her, especially around Wyong.
“Jason (Collett) rode her so well the other day and he has stuck with her.”
Buchanan believes Eyewitness could get over more distance in time.
“She’s a bit loose at the moment so we will keep her over these shorter distances, but I think down the track when she matures, she could get over further.”
The stable’s other runner Street Candi lines up for her second career start in the 1350m Maiden.
Buchanan was impressed with the Pride of Dubai filly in her debut run at Port Macquarie and believes she will appreciate the extra distance.
“I was really happy with the Port run, she finished off the race really strongly.
“I gave Mikayla (Weir) an open book on how to ride her and she came hard to the post.
“She’s shown me a little bit at home, and I know she will improve as she gets over more ground.
“My only concern is the short straight at Wyong, but Jason is riding her as well and I know he’ll have her in the right place.”
The club host’s an eight-race Go Electrical meeting, with the first getting underway at 1.10pm.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 1.10pm: SAL – LEGRAND – ELECTRA MAIDEN (2100m): 1 RAGING BULL, 2 So Incisive, 3 Kistos, 4 John Of Lancaster.
Race 2 – 1.45pm: BOVARA MAIDEN (1350m): 1 ISLAND LEGEND, 2 How Do You Sleep, 3 Street Candi, 4 Cochet.
The 2021 Carlton Wyong Gold Cup Day may have been devoid of crowds for the first time in history but there was no shortage of action of the track with John O’Shea claiming his first Wyong Cup and James McDonald bagging four winners.
Imposing grey Berdibek put in a supreme staying display to sprint away in the final stages and claim victory in the Cup, courtesy of a super Hugh Bowman ride.
The unstoppable James McDonald brought up winner number four on John Thompson’s More Prophets in the Wyong Leagues Group Mona Lisa.
Kristen Buchanan carried the flag for the locals with Fumiko and Eyewitness both greeting the judge, while Kim Waugh was also in the winner’s circle with Different Strokes.
New dad Jason Collett bagged a double, rounding off a fantastic day!
Race 1 – PRIORITY BUSINESS LAWYERS 4YO & UP MAIDEN (1350m):
A super start to the day for the Kim Waugh stable, with Different Strokes an impressive winner.
Waugh believes the Hinchinbrook gelding is headed for bigger things after bringing up his debut win at start three.
“He’s a lovely horse and is still learning,” she said.
“He’s a very casual, laid-back horse, who hasn’t had a lot of luck in his last two races.
“I’ve got a good opinion of him. He’s had a lot of issues, eye operations all sorts of things that have held him back.
“We’ve waited a long time to get to this stage and will keep him going now.”
James McDonald, who partnered the $40,000 yearling, agreed with Waugh.
“He’s very progressive. He’s still a raw talent but once the penny drops, he will develop into a really nice horse.”
Different Strokes looked to be a class ahead of his rivals and was sent out $1.40 favourite. He beat the Gary Moore trained Stay Wealthy ($10) who boxed on in the straight, by more than a length, with Coppersonic ($11) from the Attard yard, third.
Race 2 – WINNING COMMERCIAL MAIDEN (1200m):
A great training effort by the Waterhouse/Bott stable with five-year-old Invincible Vision winning on debut.
The I Am Invincible gelding, a $1.05m Inglis yearling, was having his first start after an original trial three years ago.
Ongoing issues prevented him from racing in the subsequent two years and he went into the race with two Randwick trial wins indicating he would race well.
Tim Clark gave Invincible Vision the perfect Wyong ride, leading from start to finish and considers the gelding has plenty of improvement to come.
Neil Paine, representing the stable, said the horse had been “a work in progress.”
“It was great to get the win today and a credit to the staff who put a lot of work into this horse over the years.
“We were fairly confident coming here today. We knew the horse had ability and he handled everything really well. He’s a really nice horse going forward.”
Invincible Vision was sent out $3.20 in a strong maiden field, beating the Freedman Brothers trained Amathuba ($7.50) by more than a length, with John O’Shea’s $3 favourite Ruinart, storming down the outside to finish third.
Race 3 – CENTRAL COAST COOLROOMS DA VINCI – 3YO & 4YO BM64 (1300m):
Gary Portelli was full of praise for James McDonald, who brought up a double on his Maurice colt Akihiro.
McDonald had to revert to plan B after the three-year-old was slow to begin. He came from the rear before the turn, circling the field and drawing away to win by half a length.
“This bloke’s a top rider for a reason and he showed it out there,” Portelli said.
“He was going to go forward but the horse wasn’t there for him, so he switched tactics.
“When he realised he had to get going he put the foot down and I don’t know if there are too many jockeys who would have had the courage to do that.
“He’s a nice, neat little horse and we might be able to sneak him into a nice race over the carnival.”
Akihiro ($6.50), an $80,000 Magic Millions yearling, brought up his second win at start seven.
He beat Peregrination ($8) from the Richard Litt yard, with country galloper Previso ($12), trained at Guyra by Ian Cook, running a nice race to finish third.
Race 4 – BISHOP COLLINS BM64 (1600m):
Jason Collett wasted no time getting back into the winner’s circle following the birth of his first child, booting home Ita for Bjorn Baker.
The new dad has been sidelined for a week after his partner Clare Cunningham gave birth to a daughter Scarlett.
Collett gave the All Too Hard mare a great ride, settling her back toward the rear of the field.
He took off before the turn, circling the field and hitting the front on straightening, before drawing away in the final stages to win by two lengths.
“There’s a bit of class about her,” Collett said. “She’s progressive and doing really well and I think she can make the step up to city grade after today.”
Baker agreed with Collett, describing the four-year-old as “really professional.”
“She is a good, honest mare and has come back much better. It’s amazing what time can do. I think she’s city grade for sure.”
It was the third win from nine starts for Ita ($4.80), who was coming off a Bathurst victory on August 23.
She beat the O’Shea trained Socrates ($5), with Jason Coyle’s Chateaux Park ($4.40), third.
Race 5 – HUNTER PETROLEUM PRODUCTS CLASS 1 (1100m):
The in-form Kristen Buchanan stable struck again with her Flying Artie filly Fumiko an impressive winner.
Resuming from a spell, the three-year-old was given a super ride by James McDonald, who brought up a winning treble.
“I’m really pleased with her,” Buchanan said.
“She’s a lovely filly, lightly framed with a bit of physical growing to do, but mentally she’s a beautiful horse to take to the races who puts her best foot forward.
“She’s in for a good preparation and will get to a decent trip as we get along.
“I gave James an open book today as to where he had her in the run and it was perfect.”
McDonald also spoke highly of the filly.
“She’s a lovely filly, very speedy with great enthusiasm. She’s very well handled and educated here to win today and did a great job.”
Fumiko was sent out $3.70 favourite and beat Deepour ($7) from the Freedman Brothers stable, with Matthew Smith’s Agrum ($7.50) third.
Race 6 – WYONG LEAGUES GROUP MONA LISA STAKES (1350m):
Another perfect James McDonald ride secured victory for the John Thompson trained More Prophets, earning the mare her first black type race.
McDonald again bucked the trend of the day by coming from the rear, making significant ground around the turn and running down the leaders to win by a long neck.
The Smart Missile mare, sent out at $5.50 second favourite, let down beautifully on the line, to bring up back-to-back wins.
She is now likely to contest the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes at Newcastle on September 17.
Danielle Podlowski, representing Thompson, described it as a “terrific win.”
“She went super today and needed every inch of that track to get there.
“It was a great ride by James. He put her in a good spot. There is always plenty of confidence when he’s on board.
“She’s been a bit frustrating, but John’s always had faith in her and it’s lovely to see her get the wins.”
McDonald was full of praise for More Prophets.
“I love how she chimed in and hit the line well,” he said.
“I thought the only thing that could of beat her today was the Wyong circuit because of her racing style.
“She felt much more relaxed today and the way she executed the 1350m was much, much better.
“She’ll head to the Tibbie now and be a good ride for someone.”
Bring The Ransom ($18) ran a nice race to finish second, with the Kim Waugh’s luckless Great News ($2fav), boxing on for third after being caught wide throughout.
Race 7 – 2021 CARLTON WYONG GOLD CUP (2100m):
A hot tempo played into the hands of the John O’Shea trained Berdibek, paving the way for the trainer to claim his first Wyong Gold Cup.
Hugh Bowman partnered the eight-year-old gelding to victory, his fourth Cup win.
With a strong early tempo, Bowman was content to sit back off the pace before looping the field on the turn.
The eight-year-old Dark Angel gelding raced away in the final stages of the straight to win by almost two lengths.
“I knew we had him in great form but obviously he needed a bit of luck,” O’Shea said.
“Hugh put him to sleep down the side and when he relaxes, he’s got a wonderful ton of speed.
“It was probably one of his best efforts today.
“Wyong winners have got a good record in the Newcastle Cup so we will likely head up there.”
O’Shea paid tribute to injured jockey Brenton Avdulla, a regular rider of Berdibek.
Bowman said it was a nostalgic win for him, having claimed his first black type race on Pecan Pie in the 2000 Wyong Cup.
“It was great to win for John O’Shea and the team. The horse had great credentials coming into this race,” he said.
“He always carries a lot of weight and I thought he was well in it today with the 56.5.
“He was well prepared, and everything fell into place. I was able to get a trouble-free run and once I decided to inject myself into the race he delivered in spades and gobbled them up in a twinkling of the eye.”
Berdibek ($5.50) beat the Waller pair Criminal Code ($5.50), and Mubariz ($5.50).
Race 8 – THE DOYLO SPRINGTIME CONDITIONAL BM68 (1100m):
Kristen Buchan completed a super Wyong Cup Day, with speedy mare Eyewitness bringing up her third win.
Jason Collett partnered the Star Witness four-year-old, bringing up a double.
“She’s a little flying machine,” Buchanan said.
“I had other options in mind because this race was quite strong, but I really wanted to keep Jason on.
“He’s got a handle on her, and he rode her a treat. It’s a very pleasing result and the owners will be over the moon.
“I think there is plenty of ability there, but I’ll take her along steady through the grades and let her learn the ropes.”
Eyewitness ($6) has now had three wins from six starts.
Neretva ($15) from the Grant Allard stable was second, with Jenny Graham’s The Drake ($4.20) third.
Rachel King rode herself into the history books last year when she became the first female to win the Carlton Wyong Gold Cup.
The victory on Paths Of Glory completed a super day for King, who had claimed the feature double, with Asiago in the Mona Lisa.
The English import is determined to emulate last year’s clean sweep and believes she is on the horses to do it.
King is coming off a career best season in 20/21, finishing third in the Metropolitan Jockey’s Premiership with 113 winners.
“Winning the Cup and Mona Lisa at Wyong was the start of what ended up being a great season for me and I’d love to do it again,” she said.
“It is always good to be riding in these feature races and to win them both last year was fantastic.
“Naturally it would be great to have that same success this year and I think I’ve got two good chances.”
King partners Spencer, from the in-form Bjorn Baker stable, in the Cup and La Lude for John Thompson in the Mona Lisa.
She has ridden Spencer previously and is confident the seven-year-old is coming into the Cup in top condition.
The Pierro gelding is coming off a fourth over 2400m at Randwick on August 7 and was a winner at Rosehill over the same distance on July 3.
He was sixth in last year’s Wyong Cup, finishing less than three lengths behind the winner.
“He’s been racing pretty consistently this preparation and wasn’t too far off the winner in the same race last year,” King said.
“His last start finishing fourth behind Harpo Marx was over the 2400m, so he will be really fit going into this.
“All Bjorn’s horses are in good form so he should be right in it.”
King has a similar opinion of La Lude in the Mona Lisa, the six-year-old mare resumed in the Group 3 Show County on August 21.
“I’ve ridden her quite a lot and I really like her.
“She’s second up on Friday. First up she wasn’t quite ready for a high-pressure Group race.
“I had to ride her a little bit forward because we drew awkwardly, which isn’t really her go and she just got tired late. Hopefully she will take a lot of improvement out of it.
“She’s the type of mare who was knocking on the door for a black type race all last prep. She was running really good races in Group 3, so hopefully she can make that next step into Group company.”
The $200,000 Listed Wyong Gold Cup has attracted a full field of 16 with two locals Onemore Sapphire from the Bartley stable and Brett Partelle’s Commander Bell the emergencies.
The Damien Lane trained Oakfield Missile is in the field but unlikely to start after drawing wide in 17.
Chris Waller, chasing his eighth Cup victory since 2010, has a strong line up of four runners Dashing Willoughby, Mohican Heights, Criminal Code and Mubariz.
The $140,000 Listed Mona Lisa sees a classy lot of 15 fillies and mares. Kim Waugh’s Great News, one of the favoured runners, will have to overcome a wide barrier to claim a hometown feature.
The first of eight races gets underway at 12.50pm:
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 12.50pm: PRIORITY BUSINESS LAWYERS 4YO&UP MAIDEN (1350m): 1DIFFERENT STROKES, 2 Stay Wealthy, 3 Beholder, 4 Silver Scissors.
