Gerald Ryan isn’t big on statistics but knows that Wyong has always been a happy hunting ground for his stable.
The stats show Ryan has produced more winners at Wyong than any other provincial track and he’s hoping to add to that tally on Thursday.
He saddles up four runners across the seven-race meeting and is confident they will all race well.
He expects I Am Invincible gelding Highbury to have improved following his first up second at Wyong over 1600m on April 16.
He lines up over the same distance in the Metro & Prov Maiden with Mitchell Bell in the saddle.
“He got beaten by a smart horse at Wyong last start. He got to the line well and his work has been good since,” Ryan said.
“The mile again and hopefully a firm track should really suit him.
“He was first up the other day and he’s come on from that and looks well. He’s had a couple of placings at Wyong now and seems to race well there.”
Ryan is also expecting a strong showing from well-bred three-year-old filly Sally’s Day.
The John Singleton owned filly, a $220,000 yearling, resumes in the 1100m Benchmark 64 and Ryan believes he has found the key to her.
“I was only feeling my way with her last preparation. I’d only just got her when she won at Hawkesbury and I’ve learned how to train her better.
“She trialled well, and the distance is ideal.”
“I think she’ll suit Wyong although the wide barrier is a concern. She tends to over race a bit so it could be tricky to get cover so she can relax.”
Christian Reith will partner Sally’s Day, the More Than Ready filly having her seventh start for a win and two placings.
Ryan is hoping Zoustar mare Kiss And Tell can go one better than her last start second at Orange.
The four-year-old, who has been placed twice in her four previous runs, starts in the 1100m Maiden with Lee Magorrian in the saddle.
“She ran a nice race at Orange last start. She drew wide and just got collared on the line.”
“She has definitely improved off that. It’s a step up in grade from Orange but she’s been placed in provincial class.”
“I think she’ll be well suited by both the track and distance.”
Swahili Mai completes Ryan’s runners, the Japanese bred filly, resuming in the 1350m Maiden Plate.
The $80,000 yearling was unplaced in her only two starts at Newcastle and Hawkesbury last preparation.
“She was disappointing last time in, but we gave her a long spell and she’s come back better,” Ryan said.
“She’s trialled good both times leading into this and I expect her to race well.”
“I think eventually she’ll get up around the mile, but we will definitely see improvement on what she showed last time in.”
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 12.55pm: HMA GROUP METRO & PROV MAIDEN (1600m): 1 HIGHBURY, 2 The First King, 3 Carlin Trend, 4 Cuff And Collar.
Race 2 – 1.35pm: WYONGRACECLUB.COM.AU MAIDEN (1350m): 1 LANDO BAY, 2 Great Tye, 3 Daksha, 4 Who Loves The Zou.
Race 3 – 2.10pm: CARLTON & UNITED BREWERIES MAIDEN (1100m): 1 KISS AND TELL, 2 Segosha, 3 Giselle Anne, 4 Gallant Run.
Race 4 – 2.45pm: TAB.COM.AU CLASS 1 (1600m): 1 STOCKMAN, 2 Reinvest, 3 Mubariz, 4 Butch’N’Bugs.
Race 5 – 3.25pm: SKY RACING CLASS 2 (1350m): 1 SKY DIAMONDS, 2 Hildalgo, 3 Serbelloni, 4 Camp Rifle.
Race 6 – 4.05pm: COCA-COLA BENCHMARK 64 (1100m): 1 KEY TO GLORY, 2 Sally’s Day, 3 Ballistica, 4 Catapult.
Race 7 – 4.40pm: WYONG’S NEXT RACE DAY THURSDAY MAY 14 (1300m); 1 ANUBIS, 2 Darleb, 3 Salsa Man, 4 Sky Diamonds.
