Kim Waugh is hoping to continue her success of the 2017-2018 season with two good chances at her home track meeting on Friday.
Waugh, who took out the title of leading Wyong trainer with 46 wins, saddles up Joy For Us and Nuclear Burst at Friday’s Westpac Rescue Helicopter Charity Race Day.
It was a record breaking season for Waugh, who surpassed her previous best season by 11 wins.
It was the first time she has claimed the title as Wyong’s leading trainer, with Allan Denham having trained the most winners for the previous five years.
“I don’t put a lot of emphasis on premierships, but they do mean you are getting results and earning prizemoney for owners and that is the most important thing for me,” Waugh said.
“It was a great season and it would be good to get a win or two at Wyong to get the ball rolling.”
Waugh saddles up Lonhro mare, Joy For Us, in the 1200m Class 1 Handicap.
A recent addition to the stable, the four-year-old is aiming for back to back wins.
She scored her maiden victory in her first start for Waugh at Gosford on July 19, making up ground in the straight to score a narrow win.
Waugh is confident Joy For Us can make it two in a row.
“I took her because I have got other horses for the owners and they wanted to move her on from Bjorn Bakers,” she said.
“We were pretty full up but they are great clients, so I agreed to take her and it worked out really well.
“She trialled well leading into that race and they were over the moon when she won.”
Waugh has kept the mare over the same distance and with the suspension of Blake Shinn, has engaged Jason Collett.
“I think it’s a nice race for her and she has drawn well in three.
“I’m really happy with her. She has done really well since the Gosford win, eating well and working well.
“I’ll keep her around this distance and see how she progresses.”
Waugh’s other runner Nuclear Burst is yet to taste success, but the Smart Missile colt has been knocking on the door, finishing second at his two race starts.
He was runner-up on debut over the 1100m at Gosford on July 3, before being narrowly beaten at the same track over 1200m on July 19.
Shinn had partnered the three-year-old in both starts, with Andrew Atkins taking the reins in the 1350m 3YO Maiden Plate.
Waugh is confident from the good barrier draw, Nuclear Burst will go close again.
“He just keeps improving and is a nice horse,” she said.
“I think the 1350m should suit him, particularly on his home track.
“It would be nice to start the season at home with a win.”
The first of eight races gets underway at 12.15pm.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1- 12.15pm: HALEKULANI 3YO MAIDEN PLATE (1350m): 1 NUCLEAR BURST, 2 Everard, 3 Regal Capital, 4 Republic.
Race 2 – 12.50pm: BISHOP COLLINS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS 4YO & UP MAIDEN HANDICAP (1350m): 1 SUN AND HEIR, 2 Helsonic, 3 Act Of Bravery, 4 Stunned.
Race 3 – 1.25pm: PATTY KENNEDY’S BOYS METRO & PROV MAIDEN HANDICAP (1600m): 1 WAIKEKE, 2 In Lighten Me, 3 Zourhea, 4 Stage Pass.
Race 4 – 2.05pm: NORTHROP CONSULTING ENGINEERS 4YO & UP MAIDEN PLATE (1100m): 1 PRETTY SONG, 2 So Bizarre, 3 Fine Behind, 4 Rosie’s Miracle.
Race 5 – 2.40pm: WIDELINE WINDOWS AND DOORS BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1100m): 1 NOSEY, 2 Texas Tycoon, 3 Mr Grumpy, 4 Magic Arli.
Race 6 – 3.20pm: YOUR LOCAL CLUB BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP (1350m): 1 SPARKLY STAR, 2 Golden Hits, 3 Nai’a, 4 Shadow Flight.
Race 7 – 3.55pm: BONYTHON TOWER CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1600m): 1 MCMAHON, 2 Love Shack Baby, 3 Californiafirebird, 4 Velocano.
Race 8 – 4.35pm: WESTPAC RESCUE HELICOPTER SERVICE CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1200m): 1 JOY FOR US, 2 The Drake, 3 Sparkly Star, 4 Bell Serenade.
