Month: June 2024

ON A Domeland-sponsored day, what better than their sole representative getting the money!

Wyong trainer Sara Ryan could have run Aix En Provence at Hawkesbury on Tuesday, but understandably waited a couple of days for the DOMELAND – GAZILLION BUBBLES CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1600m) – and it paid off.

With regular rider Grant Buckley sidelined, Kerrin McEvoy gave Aix En Provence (3.60) a faultless ride, getting him away first from an inside draw, then taking a trail on the fence and having only to go around fellow Wyong representative, Damien Lane’s Externus ($10).

The Shalaa three-year-old, a $160,000 buy at the 2022 Inglis Premier yearling sale in Melbourne, edged away from Externus in the closing stages, with French import Barazin ($12) a luckless third, unable to be fully tested for the majority of the straight.

“He is a very honest boy, who has never been out of a place (seven starts for two wins and five placings),” Ryan said of Aix En Provence.

“The winkers seemed to make him fight that bit harder today.

“This is only his second preparation. I’ll see how he pulls up, but he might go for a spell.”

Ryan is enjoying clearly her best season in only her second full year of training. Aix En Provence was her 24^th winner, double last year’s tally.

Unfortunately for connections and punters who backed $1.75 favorite It’s A Wonder, who was never really a winning prospect and finished fifth, she bled from both nostrils and incurred the mandatory three months’ ban.

GODOLPHIN two-year-old Last Druid’s breakthrough victory in the DOMELAND THANKS STABLEHANDS MAIDEN PLATE (1000m) revived memories of the recently deceased champion Lonhro.

The Brazen Beau colt is the sixth foal of Lonhro’s sister Shannara (by Octagonal), a four-times winner, including the Dark Jewel Classic at Scone in 2011.

Giving gun stable apprentice Zac Lloyd a double (he had scored earlier on hotpot Euromaster), Last Druid ($2.20 favorite) gave away a year’s age but was still good enough to defeat three-year-olds, debutante Patience Is Virtue ($3.60), and well-backed Brokerage ($3).

The trio had the race to themselves in the straight, and it was Last Druid who had the drop on the placegetters and was strongest to the line.

“He’s got a classic look about him,” said Godolphin spokesman, former champion jockey Darren Beadman.

“Last Druid is still learning his craft, but changed stride when he got out into the clear on straightening and charged to the line with purpose.

“We put a tongue tie on him because he was a bit thick in the wind after his last trial at Warwick Farm 10 days ago.

“That was only his third start and first since February.”

ZAC Lloyd’s earlier success on $1.35 favorite Euromaster in the DOMELAND SUPPORTS EQUIMILLIONS MIDWAY MAIDEN PLATE (1350m) ended the lightly-raced four-year-old’s frustrating run of four previous seconds.

And he made no mistake, giving him a perfect ride, getting away from the fence at the right time to enjoy the run of the race and thus allowing him to build momentum.

Euromaster was too strong at the end for Can Expect Greater ($9), who began awkwardly and lost several lengths, and Steve Schofield’s Elusive Mission ($41), who was having her 25^th start and indicated perhaps a win isn’t far away with a stout finish, though beaten clearly.

Warwick Farm trainer Ron Leemon, who won the 2011 Group 1 Golden Rose with Manawanui, secured Euromaster for $20,000 at the 2021 Inglis HTBA sale in Sydney.

Lloyd afterwards had a “tip” for connections. “I think he will benefit from some headgear to switch him on a touch,” he said.

WHEN you’re hot, you’re hot!

Sydney apprentice Molly Bourke came off a Warwick Farm double a day earlier to repeat the feat.

She scored on La Belle Claire ($3 favorite) in the DOMELAND CONGRATULATES LES STARKEY FOR 30 YEARS SUPER MAIDEN PLATE (1600m), and four races later picked up a replacement mount from fellow apprentice Angus Villiers on OSMAN ($4), who landed the DOMELAND RACING BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1350m).

Bourke took La Belle Claire to the front, and was never headed.

The Highland Reel three-year-old filly was strong through the line and easily defeated Dalio ($9.50) and Ample Time ($18) in an all-Warwick Farm result.

“We were a bit concerned La Belle Claire might find the 1600m a shade too far, but Molly took bad luck out of the equation,” co-trainer Martha Cave said.

“That win hopefully will give the filly plenty of confidence.”

Osman, a five-year-old by American Pharoah, has won eight races – and this was his first at the provincials.

“He is a very honest horse, and looked well placed,” said Mudgee trainer Mack Griffith.

“Osman had a few issues last time and trained off, but we sorted them out and he’s really good this time in work.

“With his pedigree, he should be a Sydney Saturday horse, but we’re happy to poke along and take each race as they come.”

Osman, last year’s Parkes Cup winner, defeated recent Wyong winner Bonus Tempus ($8), who would have made matters interesting had he got clear earlier.

Steve Schofield’s nine-times winner Mosht Up was a late withdrawal from this race with a near fetlock injury, and her trainer advised RacingNSW stewards she would be retired.

NEWCASTLE’S star apprentice Dylan Gibbons is becoming something of a front-running specialist.

He has won two races recently at Wyong and Hawkesbury on the Kembla Grange-trained Verbek by leading throughout, and turned in another beauty on Tenniel ($6) in the DOMELAND SUPPORTS THE NATIONAL JOCKEYS TRUST CLASS 1/MAIDEN PLATE (2000m).

The Annabel Neasham-trained three-year-old daughter of Tarzino might have a bright future as a stayer.

She ran second last preparation over 2000m at Queanbeyan, and was never going to lose this race.

Tenniel was having only her fifth start, and followed an excellent first-up fourth over a shorter 1600m at Wyong on June 13.

She had a clear margin to spare at the finish over $3 favorite Lygon Street, who chased hard and didn’t stop trying.

PUNTERS were on the mark early when they backed Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s Mostro ($3) to defeat $2.60 favorite Pink Shalala in the SKY RACING 3YO MAIDEN HANDICAP (1350m).

Jockey Regan Bayliss ensured there was no chance for excuses by taking the three-year-old to the front, and he was never seriously threatened.

Try as Pink Shalala did in the straight, she could not overhaul Mostro, who broke through at his fourth start.

“Mostro has always shown some ability, and ran second to a smart filly (Arctic Glamour) at Rosehill Gardens last September at only his second start,” stable spokesman Neil Paine said.

“I think he’ll get further; his dam (Allaboutus) won up to 1800m at Randwick.”

ICONIC Newcastle trainer Paul Perry and Hawkesbury apprentice Zac Wadick combined to win with favorite Curcl Curl at Newcastle on June 15, and did it again, this time with Cosy Corner in the DOMELAND WISHES PARRY SOUND AN ENJOYABLE RETIREMENT BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1000m).

Whilst Cosy Corner ($4) was crowded for room soon after the start and did a good job to score, Wyong trainer Kristen Buchanan’s runner-up Drama Dodger ($13) caught the eye.

Drama Dodger was slow to begin and came from last on the turn with a determined burst on the inside to go under narrowly.

The heavily-backed $2.50 favorite Morpheus Bragi (Jason Collett), with 62kg topweight, struck trouble on a couple of occasions before finishing seventh.

Stewards reported a veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities other than a small speedy cut to the off-fore cannon.

WYONG has been a happy hunting ground for Kris Lees.  

Aside from his beloved home track at Broadmeadow, Wyong is the leading Newcastle trainer’s second most successful provincial track with 155 winners, including the 2016 Gold Cup (2100m) with import Slow Pace, ridden by Robert Thompson.

Now he is banking on another couple of imports adding to his record there on Thursday at the Domeland sponsored meeting.

Lees will start Lygon Street in the Class 1/Maiden Plate (2100m) and Barazin in the Class 1 Handicap (1600m).

Kerrin McEvoy will ride Lygon Street, and stable apprentice Ben Osmond partners Barazin to lessen his 61.5kg topweight to 58.5kg.

Both horses recently made their debuts for their new stable; Lygon Street when runner-up at Wyong on June 13 in a Provincial Class 1/Maiden Plate (2000m), and Barazin ran fourth in a 1400m Class 1 Handicap at Newcastle on June 1.

Lygon Street, a four-year-old son of 2014 Epsom Derby winner Australia, had his first five starts in Ireland for one placing at Gowran Park over 1911m in June last year.

He hadn’t raced since August when he lined up at Wyong, and stable spokesman Danny Greer says he has taken good improvement from his first run for the stable.

“Kerrin (McEvoy) rode him then, and was happy to stay with him,” Greer said.

“Lygon Street ran well first-up, but found one better (Rico Suave) on the day.

“He gives the impression he will stay all day, and going an extra 100m will suit him, and he is getting fitter.”

Barazin, who raced in the Australian Bloodstock colours, is fronting up for his fourth start after having his first three starts in France.

The four-year-old son of Siyouni won a 3YO Maiden over 1800m on debut in April last year before being placed at Lyon-Parilly (1600m) and Saint-Cloud (2000m).

“Barazin’s first-up run for us was sound enough at 1400m, and Kris has given him three and a half weeks before starting him again,” Greer said.

“On his French form and the fact he has also taken improvement from the June 1 race suggests stepping up to 1600m is definitely more suitable.

“That plus the fact he drops 3kg on the weight he carried at Newcastle are in his favour.”

Locally-trained Aix En Provence will be a tough rival for Barazin to crack.

With Domeland sponsoring, their Wyong trainer Sara Ryan chose to bypass a Hawkesbury engagement on Tuesday with Aix En Provence to oppose Barazin in the Class 1 Handicap.

And whereas Kerrin McEvoy was in the Lees’ camp earlier with Lygon Street, he is in the Domeland corner this time, partnering Aix En Provence.

The three-year-old is a model of consistency, having not missed a placing in his six career starts, including a breakthrough victory in a Kembla Grange Super Maiden Plate (1400m) on May 18.

He subsequently was narrowly beaten by Bonus Tempus in a Midway Class 1 Handicap (1500m) there on June 4.

Whilst Aix En Provence wears ear muffs pre-race, Ryan has decided to add winkers for this assignment.

Star apprentices Dylan Gibbons and Zac Lloyd, with nine wins each, are locked in a tight battle for junior riding honours this season.

Both have already tasted Group 1 success; Gibbons twice on Explosive Jack in last year’s Sydney Cup and Kalapour in the Tancred Stakes at Rosehill Gardens earlier this year, whilst Lloyd won the recent Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm on Stefi Magnetica.

The jockeys and trainers premierships also are evenly poised, with only meetings on July 16 and 25 remaining after Thursday.

Jockey Tyler Schiller (10 wins) lead Keagan Latham and Ash Morgan by two, whilst Wyong’s Kim Waugh and Sydney’s Peter and Paul Snowden currently top the trainers’ table with 10 winners a piece.

A super home track meeting for Tracey Bartley scoring a winning double with Titanium Miss and Villa Tino.

Bartley had been confident of the chances of both runners and that confidence was rewarded in spades, with both impressive winners. 

It was a day of doubles with Peter and Paul Snowden also training two winners, while gun apprentices Zac Lloyd and Dylan Gibbons both bagged doubles. 

Villa Tino was the first of Bartley’s runners to taste success, in a great training effort winning first up after almost a year on the sidelines.  

The son of Supido put more than two lengths on his rivals in the HOODOO GUROOS @TEG 16^TH November Maiden over 1100m. 

It was a rewarding win for the stable, with Bartley putting plenty of work into the four-year-old who was returning from a bleeding attack. 

He last raced in July 2023 but looked strong in two recent trials. 

Partnered by Reece Jones, Villa Tino snuck up the rails in the straight, drawing away to win by more than two lengths much to the delight of his trainer. 

“I told Reece to be kind to him early and let him explode late and that’s exactly what happened,” Bartley said. 

“He didn’t have to do much on him once he went through the gap. He’s a nice horse and the main thing is that he pulls up well.”

Villa Tino was having his 10^th career in the 1200m INDUSTREE GROUP MAIDEN, having been placed in four of his previous runs. 

Titanium Miss was also given a positive ride by Ashley Morgan and despite being headed in the straight fought back to win by two lengths. 

Bartley had been happy with the All Too Hard filly’s Hawkesbury debut and expected her to improve at Wyong and that she did. 

“It was a good tough win today. I thought she’d run well, and she didn’t disappoint. It’s very rewarding to have a home track double.”

The double bringing up 14 wins for season.

 Lygon Street may have some heavy hitters in his ownership but that wasn’t enough to secure victory for the import in his debut Australian run. 

The Kris Lees trained four-year-old is raced by prolific owner Lloyd Williams and media mogul James Packer and was sent out $2.30 favourite on the back of his Great Britain form. 

But that didn’t deter Stephen O’Halloran’s Rico Suave, who stormed home in the straight to win the DE BORTOLI WINES PROVINCIAL CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2000m) by a length, with Mitchell Bell in the saddle. 

O’Halloran purchased the Fastnet Rock gelding in 2022 for just $15,000 and since joining his stable he has brought up two wins and seven minor placings for almost $85,000 in prizemoney.

Lygon Street will definitely improve over more ground, while Kirsten Buchanan’s Opus could be another one to follow.

Snowden Racing’s Evenflow was also sent out favourite in the EVE ELECTRICAL SUPER MAIDEN over 1600m but didn’t disappoint bringing up his first win at start five. 

A two-year-old Super Seth colt, Evenflow ($1.55) was a $260,000 Magic Millions yearling. 

He was narrowly beaten at his last start at Kembla over 1400m and appreciated the extra distance at Wyong courtesy of a great front-running ride by Zac Lloyd. 

Dylan Gibbons followed Lloyd’s lead piloting Verbek to victory in the TASTE OF THE COAST @ TEG 15^THSEPTEMBER BM64.

Gibbons took the Robert and Luke Price trained five-year-old to the front from the barriers in the 1600m race, maintaining lead throughout to score a two and a half length win.

The Turn Me Loose gelding was having his 42^nd start, with three wins and 12 placings to his name. 

It’s rarely a Wyong meeting without a Godolphin galloper greeting the judge and today was no exception. 

Epaulette filly Diamond Firetail was resuming from a spell in the SNEDDON BROS. MAINTENANCE 2&3YO MAIDEN over 1100m.

Zac Lloyd, who brought up a winning double on the two-year-old, came from midfield on the turn and was able to run down the The Grey on the line to win by a length. 

Diamond Firetail was sent out $2.40 favourite one the back of his impressive trial at Hawkesbury on June 3. 

A Snowden double after Mafia proved too strong in the 1100m PLUIM GROUP CLASS 1.

The well-bred son of Written Tycoon was resuming from a spell after two winning trials.

He brought up his maiden win at Wyong in June last year and just over 12 months later scored his second victory at start eighth on the same track with Regan Bayliss in the saddle. 

Dylan Gibbons rode his second winner of the last, booting home the Waller trained Unstopabull to success in the 1200m EVE SECURITY SERVICES BM64.

The Russian Revolution three-year-old is building an impressive resume with two wins and four placings from his nine starts. 

The meeting was marred by an incident in the enclosure in which popular jockey Grant Buckley was thrown from his mount. He suffered a fractured pelvis and will be off the scene for up to six months. 

LOCAL trainer Rod Bailey produced a $26 upset on his home track at Wyong today – but unlike the majority of punters wasn’t surprised at all. 

Bailey’s lightly-raced Dissident four-year-old Let’s Go Johnny, a $3500 weanling purchase, overcame a slow beginning and came from second last on the turn to overpower his rivals in the BENDIGO BANK – CENTRAL COAST FOOTBALL SUPER 4YO&UP MAIDEN PLATE (1200m).

“He really hasn’t been out of form except for his last run when he pulled up ordinary,” Bailey said.

“His first three runs all were good and I put blinkers on him today.

“Coming back to his home track, I thought he was over the odds.

“He’s no superstar, but I think he will win a couple more.”’

Jockey Jenny Duggan switched Let’s Go Johnny wider on the track on straightening and, once into the clear, he sustained a strong burst to swamp joint second placegetters Euromaster ($2.60 favorite) and Red Duster ($5.50).

Winning rider Duggan was adamant about the blinkers contributing to her mount’s performance.

Fellow Wyong trainer Kim Waugh followed Bailey’s victory by scoring with Linguee ($9) in the BROWN FORMAN – CARLTON & UNITED BREWERIES F&M BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1200m).

In posting her sixth win, the six-year-old mare led home a local “girls’ quinella, gamely holding out Steve Schofield’s eight-year-old mare Mosht Up ($12) in the drive to the line.

Nothing could be taken away from Linguee, who did a terrific job to sustain a long run wide on the track and without cover.

She tackled and overhauled the leader She’s Independent on straightening, and then had to pull out all stops to deny the runner-up’s late finish.

Waugh and husband Mark are enjoying a holiday, and winning rider Jay Ford said Linguee had been threatening to win another race, though she had disappointed at her last start when she got too far out of her ground in a similar race at Newcastle when she drew the outside barrier.

Kristen Buchanan had hoped to make it a Wyong TAB quadrella by winning the last two races (after Let’s Go Johnny and Linguee) – but it wasn’t to be.

She had to be content with both Taking The Mikki ($3.60 favorite) and Winning Proposal ($3.20 second favorite) finishing second in respective races.

In defeat however, the Buchanan pair was responsible for excellent performances.

Taking The Mikki raced wide and without cover throughout, whereas the winner Life Coach ($9) enjoyed a rails-hugging ride from Jean Van Overmeire in the WYONG ROOS FOUNDATION CG&E BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1200m).

Buchanan’s five-year-old continues to race consistently and another win is most likely just around the corner.

It’s been a good week for Life Coach’s Kembla Grange trainer Brett Lazzarini, who also won with Bonus Tempus (a winner at Wyong’s Cup carnival last September) on his home track two days ago.

Lazzarini felt Life Coach was well placed back in Benchmark 64 Handicap grade and also was surprised by the generous odds offered about the gelding.

Winning Proposal is a two-year-old who was having only her third start and first after a break, and tackled older horses in the ACCOLADE WINES – REGNIS & SONS REFRIGERATION MIDWAY CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1000m).

Whilst she couldn’t overhaul the pacy Newcastle three-year-old The Escape, who was strongly supported to start $2.25 favorite, she kept coming to the line and will take further improvement from the outing.

Whereas Newcastle finished the day with a good result, that was also the case at the start of the eight-race card on the Wyong Roos Foundation raceday.

Leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees began the day with the quinella in the ANGKASA – SENTOSA MAIDEN PLATE (1600m) – and with the progeny of two mares he trained, both of whom were city winners. 

Tigon Princess ($3.50) favorite broke through after seconds at Tamworth at her last two starts, defeating her stablemate So Newchee Thinks ($5.50), whose strong finish suggests she won’t be long hitting a winning note either.

The dams of the quinella pair between them won 11 races – and six were in town.

Tigon Princess is the first foal of Serene Miss, who won six out of her 10 starts, including the 2018 Provincial Championships Final at Royal Randwick.

So Newchee Thinks’ dam Wahng Wah was a five times winner, and three were in the city.

A post-race veterinary examination revealed a small laceration to the filly’s inner left nostril.

He has an unusual name, but there was plenty to like about debutante Kwyjibo’s victory in the ARCADE TRADER – BISHOP COLLINS MAIDEN HANDICAP (1100m).

Trained by husband and wife Lee and Cherie Curtis, the Showtime three-year-old was stylish in comfortably defeating Du Cap ($5) and $2.60 favorite Lily Bobtail.

Kwyjibo had won all four trials (the first at Hawkesbury and then three at his home track at Rosehill Gardens, the latest on May 23), and ran right up to that form.

“We thought earlier on that he might be sold to Hong Kong as he kept trialling so well,” Lee Curtis said.

“But nothing eventuated, and so we decided to kick him off at Wyong in what looked a suitable race.

“He’s a big boy, and a nice horse. I think we’ll have some fun with him.”

Trainer father and jockey son Richard and Jason Collett combined to take the AUBREY BROWN – AUSTBROKERS Benchmark 64 Handicap (2000m) with Whetu ($3.10 favorite).

But the jockey wasn’t supposed to be in the saddle. He deputised for sister Alysha, who sustained an eye injury at Rosehill Gardens last Saturday before the last five races were called off.

“Even though he had 60.5kg topweight, he appreciated the ground and looks set for a good winter with the rain about,” Jason Collet said.

Richard Collett added: “Whetu had two nice lead-up runs over 1500m and 1600m with our apprentice Olivia Dalton to help prepare him for the 2000m.

“And there’s further improvement in him.”

Leading Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup scored with Guzumped at his first start for him at Kembla Grange just over 12 months ago after the four-year-old’s original trainer Mark Newnham relocated to Hong Kong.

And whilst he hadn’t won another race until today, Widdup explained there had been a couple of issues with another son of Dundeel.

“Guzumped had a quarter crack in a foot, and we had to give him time off,” he said.

“He has been consistent in between the two wins (three seconds and a third), and will definitely take further improvement from today’s race as that was only his second start back.”

Jockey Tyler Schiller looked to be in trouble on $1.75 favorite at one stage when shuffled back and caught between other runners, but kept his cool in the HARVEY NORMAN COMMERCIAL – DIAGEO CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1600m).

Once he got Guzumped to the outside in the straight and balanced, the gelding was too good for his rivals and his trainer believes he will handle further as he gets fitter.

GUZUMPED was runner-up twice over 2100m at Hawkesbury and Gosford last winter.