It took until late in the program for local trainers to make it to the winner’s circle at Wyong today, with Kristen Buchanan’s Gardenzio getting the job done in the 1600m BM68.
In a great afternoon of racing, in front of a healthy mid-week crowd, Randwick trainers dominated the program, while Tyler Schiller took out the riding honours with a double.
Buchanan has a good opinion of four-year-old Gardenzio, who’s win made it back-to-back victories on his home track.
Local apprentice Anna Roper partnered Gardenzio, giving him a super front running ride to bring up his third career win, all three on the Wyong track.
“It was a real master stroke ride by Anna, “a happy Buchanan said. “The wide gate was a concern and there looked to be a lot of speed in the race, but Anna got to the front quite comfortably and dictated terms.
“This horse has taken the next step and that is what you want to see from these progressive gallopers.”
Wyong’s Damien Lane was denied a win earlier in the program in the 1200m CG&E BM64, when his gelding Wealthy Investor was run down on the line.
Tommy Berry, aboard the favourite Panic, put in a well-timed ride, storming down the outside to snatch a narrow victory.
Panic, trained at Randwick by Michael Freedman, is putting together an impressive resume, with three wins from just five starts.
John Thompson’s classy filly Hellbent On You broke through for a well-deserved win in the 1300m Midway Maiden.
The Randwick trained three-year-old had been placed in three of her seven previous runs but had been racing without luck.
That changed with the help of a great ride by Chad Schofield, Hellbent On You pulling way for an effortless five length win.
Anne Maree Mulligan, representing the Thompson stable, said it was great to see the filly put it all together.
“She’ll likely head to the city now and hopefully get more wins up.”
John O’Shea continued a winning afternoon for Randwick based trainers, when Cross Your Heart dominated the 1200 F&M BM64. The three-year-old was a $280,000 Magic Millions yearling purchase and is living up to her expensive price tag with two wins and a second from her three starts, all on the Wyong track.
She was a last start Wyong winner and was again ridden by jockey Tyler Schiller.
Forewoman Sophie Johnson said the three-year-old had been given a three week break since her last start and come back in really good form.
“We were excited to see what she could do today, and she got the job done well,” Johnson said.
It was a three-way photo in the 1350m BM64, with Hawkesbury trained Navios getting the nod on the line to post his second career win.
Apprentice Zac Wadick, who recently moved to Hawkesbury teaming with leading trainer Brad Widdup, partnered the four-year-old to victory.
Trainer Ed Cummings had been confident Navios would race well, in only his second win for the stable.
“He was well rated in this race, looked good and had worked well at home.”
Two races later Widdup was in the winner’s circle with his colt High Dandy, who made short work of his opponents in the 1600m Super Maiden.
The colt by Ace High brought up a double for Tyler Schiller. Having only his second race start, High Dandy was coming off a fourth at Kembla on February 29.
He was well supported by punters and was able to put almost five lengths on his rivals on the line.
Fellow Hawkesbury trainer Stephen O’Halloran also bagged a winner, with Jaex too strong in the 1000m BM64.
Mitch Bell partnered the four-year-old mare who was resuming from a spell.
Jaex has been in great form since joining the O’Halloran stable with two wins and three placings from her six starts.
Randwick based Peter and Paul Snowden’s debutant Cassiel continued a winning week for their stable which included the Listed Canberra Guineas and Group 3 Black Opal.
The three-year-old colt was well favoured by punters on the strength of four previous trials.
Kerrin McEvoy gave Cassiel a confident ride on speed ride, managing to hold out one of the outsiders of the field, Moncarolia on the line.
Randwick based Snowden’s continuing a super afternoon for the training base.
