Command Approval and Speak Now could continue the Waterhouse/Bott stables dominance of the Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic on Wednesday.
The pair are among 21 nominations for the $200,000 race, which includes four interstate raiders.
The Waterhouse/Bott stable has five 2YO Classics to its name, the latest Farnan (pictured) in 2019.
A $170,000 Magic Millions yearling, Command Approval is following the same path as Farnan, who debuted with a Canberra win before claiming the Wyong 2YO feature.
A Spirit Of Boom colt, Command Approval looked strong taking out the 2YO Maiden over 1000m at Canberra on November 26, beating stablemate Speak Now.
Mornington trainer Clayton Douglas has Epic Centre nominated, the Starspangledbanner colt coming off a third in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic at Ballarat on November 20. Fellow Victorian Archie Alexander has nominated Kumicho, who was fifth in the Listed Merson Stakes at Flemington on November 27.
Gold Coast based Michael Kosta’s Perfect Mission is among the nominations, the filly placed second on debut at the Sunshine Coast on December 3, while Better Golightly, trained at Eagle Farm by Danny Bougoure, looked impressive winning two trials.
Local trainers could be represented with Tracey Bartley’s Impounded and Damien Lane’s Wealthy Investor, who was third on debut at Rosehill, nominated.
Lane has Compassionate among the 15 nominations for the $100,000 Magic Millions 3YO & 4YO Stakes, while the Bartley trained Empowerment and Compassionate, Kristen Buchanan’s Oakfield Arrow and Brett Partelle’s Skye Banner, could see a number of local runners in the field.
Last year’s $2million Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner and Golden Slipper runner-up Away Game, from the Maher/Eustace stable is among those nominated, the Snitzel mare having already amassed over $3m in prizemoney from five wins and seven placings off her 18 starts.
Nominations for several races on the program have been extended, with final fields for the seven-race program on Monday.
A double to jockey Tommy Berry and a local winner were among the highlights of the Business Wyong Race Day.
Berry, who was favourite in the jockey’s challenge, partnered On Bail for the Snowden’s and promising filly Petulant for the Hawkes stable.
Allan Kehoe’s Schoona The Better (pictured) continued a good run for the stable, bringing up his fourth career win.
Race 1: COMMUNITY BANK WYONG – BENDIGO BANK MAIDEN (1350m):
Gary Moore’s consistent Stay Wealthy opened the program with a well-deserved win.
The Redoute’s Choice gelding, a $1,075,000 Magic Millions yearling, had been placed in all four previous starts, three of those at Wyong.
Moore had urged Tim Clark to be positive from the start and that’s how it panned out with the four-year-old pinging the gates and leading.
Clark was able to dictate terms throughout and despite a couple of nervous moments before the turn, when he was pressured by runner-up Military Star, the result was never in doubt.
Stay Wealthy pulled away in the final stages to win by three and a half lengths.
“He’s been a pleasure to train,” Moore, who races the gelding in partnership with Newhaven Park, said.
“He’s got a big heart and had been beaten by a couple of handy horses in his previous starts but he’s very consistent and came here today with his best chance to win a race.”
Stay Wealthy was sent out $1.45 favourite in the field of four, beating Karen Outrim’s Military Star ($7), with local galloper Sonic Hollow ($61) from the Stephen Schofield stable, third.
Race 2: PAUL HILLS – THE AGENCY CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2100m):
On BailFirst Of A Winning Double for Tommy Berry
A gun ride by Tommy Berry secured a debut win for On Bail who outstayed his rivals in a grinding victory.
Berry wasn’t content with the mid-race tempo, taking On Bail from last at the 1200m mark to just off the leader Conference.
He hit the front on straightening, holding out the fast-finishing Ironic Miss to post a one length victory.
“The ride won the race,” Snowden’s racing manager Colm McCullough said. “Tommy elected to get up on the speed and take any bad luck out of it. He was always going to be good when he got over a trip and it was great to see him strong to the line.
“It will be interesting to see how he goes as we step him up further.”
On Bail ($5.50), a Turn Me Loose gelding, was having his seventh career start, having finished fourth at Gosford over 1900m on November 20.
Ironic Miss ($6) trained by Rodney Ollerton was second, with Conference ($6.50) from the Gary Nickson stable, third. The $1.90 favourite Lady Redwood appeared to have every chance, finishing fourth.
Race 3: BATTERY WORLD WYONG METRO & PROV MAIDEN (1600m):
The well supported Caboteur went one better than his last start second at Canterbury to claim his first victory and looks set for better races.
The David Payne stable has always had an opinion of the son of, So You Think, who had two Metropolitan placings from his four starts.
“He’s got it all ahead of him, we are in no hurry, and that’s why we have been a bit patient with him,” Payne said.
Caboteur was backed in late, starting $2.25 favourite, with punters confident he would handle both the track and heavy conditions.
He didn’t disappoint and looked the winner a long way from home despite a challenge from runner-up Ba Ai Gei Ni.
It was a pickup ride for Josh Parr after Keagan Latham was unavailable and Payne couldn’t have found a better substitute with Parr a pro around Wyong.
He got an easy run in front with Parr able to dictate terms and pull away in the final stages to win by a length.
The victory denied Snowden’s and Tommy Berry of a race to race double, with Ba Ai Gei Ni ($4) second, over Perfect Match ($31) from the Gary Moore stable.
Race 4: CENTRAL COAST UNITY BANK BM64 (1600m):
A home track win for the Allan Kehoe trained Schoona The Better who brought up his fourth career victory courtesy of a tactical ride by Jason Collett.
There were a few nervous moments for Kehoe, who hadn’t expected the gelding to lead.
But Collett was able to dictate terms throughout, after taking the five-year-old to an easy lead, backing off the tempo in the middle stages.
The tactic proved a winner with Schoona The Better able to kick in the straight.
Tommy Berry had to press forward on the $2 favourite Lord Winston in the early stages after being caught three wide, with the Lees trained gelding tiring late to finish fourth.
All honours were with the winner, who despite coming off a Tamworth victory and third at Goulburn this preparation, was sent out $10.
The five-year-old, by Pellizotti, has really hit his straps in the middle-distance races, all four wins from his 14 starts coming from 1400m at beyond.
“He’s never led before, so I was a bit worried, but they went slow, and it suited him today and showed his versatility,” Kehoe said.
“I’ve always liked this horse, but he’s been a work in progress. He gives me the feeling he’s going to go on and win quite a few races but he’s still learning to be a racehorse. I’ll probably put him over 1800m next start.”
Bak Da Man ($3.10) from the Nathan Doyle stable, was runner up after going astray on the turn, and could be the one to follow. Departing Bullet ($10) trained by Paul Niceforo was third.
Race 5: WYONG RUGBY LEAGUE CLUB GROUP MAIDEN (1000m):
The Hawkes trained Petulant was able to justify her short price with a dominant win in just her second career start.
A Starspangledbanner filly out of a Denman mare, Petulant was coming off a second at Hawkesbury on debut when she was just run down on the line.
Tommy Berry took a sit behind Kristen Buchanan’s speedster One Way Street and was able to overhaul the leader in the final stages to win by a length.
The promising three-year-old could be headed for better races on the strength of her win.
Petulant was the recipient of strong support, starting $1.90, the win bringing up a double for Berry.
Wyong horses featured heavily in the first four with One Way Street, who looks close to a win the runner-up, over Kim Waugh’s Foolish, with the Allan Denham first starter Alucia ($10) fourth.
Race 6: SIGNARAMA TUGGERAH BM64 (1000m):
Veteran Muswellbrook trainer Pat Farrell was in the winner’s circle with his speedy gelding Bengalla Bay proving too quick for his opposition over the 1000m.
The Wandjina five-year-old had been placed fourth in stronger company at Taree on November 21 but wasn’t to be denied at Wyong leading all the way.
Alysha Collett gave the flying Bengalla Bay plenty of rein and he scooted away to lead throughout, tiring in the final stages but holding on to win.
South Coast visitor River Mac ($6) dived on the line but was beaten a neck, with a much-improved performance by the Brett Partelle trained Trust Me ($12) to finish third.
Stephen Schofield’s $3.30 favourite Mosht Up was caught wide and raced keenly, finishing fifth.
The winner has been in good form this preparation, figuring in the finish in most of his seven starts.
Bengalla Bay landed some good bets after starting $3.40 second favourite and has now had five wins and 11 placings from his 40 starts.
Race 7: McDONALD’S FAMILY CHIPS CLASS 1 (1200m):
In a busy four-way finish the Jason Coyle trained Hasty Duchess was able to snatch victory on the line.
The mare, by Hallowed Crown, was resuming after three trials. She looks to have regained the form of her first preparation, where she had a win and second from three starts.
She resumed from a spell with a fourth at Canberra in March this year but was then spelled again, before returning with the three trials.
Coyle had her primed for a strong first up performance and the four-year-old didn’t disappoint, coming from behind to hit the front on the line. Starting at $5.50, Hasty Duchess was ridden by Jess Taylor.
The Chosen One ($4.80), having his first start for Damien Lane, was slow to jump and looked to have the race won before being swamped on the line, with a win not far off.
The Kearney trained Carlisle Bay ($5.50), who was also doing his best work on the line, was third.
Stephen Schofield’s in-form mare Mosht Up is part of a three-pronged attack on his home track this Thursday.
The Wyong based trainer believes the mare is in career best form and primed for another victory.
And he is confident apprentice Maddie Derrick, who has ridden the six-year-old in four of her past five starts, has found the key to Mosht Up.
“She gets on really well with her,” Schofield said. “She rides good, she likes the horse, and they get on really good together.
“She can get her to relax and as a result she races really well for her.
“She’s flying at the moment, jumping out of her skin. I couldn’t get her any better and give her a great chance. “
Derrick partnered Mosht Up to her latest win at Newcastle over 1200m on November 23 and has placed on her three other times.
She lines up in the 1000m BM64 at Wyong in a race Schofield said is ideal.
“She’s a pretty fizzy at times so not having to float her to the races is a real bonus.
“She races well at Wyong and likes the wet, the heavier the better for her and more rain his tipped.”
Since transferring to Schofield mid last year, Mosht Up has had two wins and 15 placings from 38 starts.
“She’s earned over $100,000 since I’ve had her. The owners were going to sack her, but a friend convinced them to give her to me and they’re rapt in the results she’s getting.
“I’ve got her worked out now and know what she likes and doesn’t like, so I keep her happy.
“The key to her is routine. She’s got to be first one on walker, first one on the track, first one home, first one to be fed. Everything’s got to be in a hurry but that keeps her happy.”
Schofield also saddles up Almost Reset in the 1600m Metro and Provincial Maiden and Sonic Hollow in the 1350m Maiden.
“Almost Reset is a good horse,” Schofield said. “He wants a bit of ground and is going to race really well.”
The Reset gelding finished fifth at his last Wyong start over the same distance on November 25.
Sonic Hollow, a Shamus Award gelding, has been unplaced from his three starts.
“He probably wants a little bit further than this race. He’s quite small and does everything right. He’s a lovely horse but needs more ground.
“I’ve got the whole team in at Wyong so I’m saving on the float fees,” he laughed.
The first of seven races at the Business Wyong Race Day, gets underway at 1.50pm.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 1.50pm: COMMUNITY BANK WYONG – BENDIGO BANK MAIDEN (1350m): 1 ESTONIA, 2 Stay Wealthy, 3 Wizard Of Oz, 4 Fear The Truth.
Race 2 – 2.25pm: PAUL HILLS – THE AGENCY CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2100m): 1 IRONIC MISS, 2 Conference, 3 Lady Redwood, 4 On Bail.
Race 3 – 3.05pm: BATTERY WORLD WYONG METRO & PROV MAIDEN (1600m): 1 TAILORING, 2 Aldrin, 3 Chappelli, 4 Single Babe.
Race 4 – 3.40pm: CENTRAL COAST UNITY BANK BM64 (1600m): 1 LORD WINSTON, 2 Bak Da Man, 3 Schoona The Better, 4 Mon Amore.
Race 5 – 4.20pm: WYONG RUGBY LEAGUE CLUB GROUP MAIDEN (1000m): 1 PETULANT, 2 Hamaki, 3 Foolish, 4 One Way Street.
The Matthew Smith stable had plenty of reason to celebrate saddling up the first two winners on the program.
Debutant Per Ivy and Bedford Square didn’t disappoint, both sent out favourites on the strength of their recent from.
Per Ivy had great trial form, while Bedford Square was rewarded for her consistency after running six placings in nine starts.
The well-bred Niffler from the Waller stable looks a handy type and likely to progress to better races
Jason Collett bagged a double with Per Ivy and Glittery.
The predicted rain didn’t eventuate until late in the day, with a storm resulting in the last race to be abandoned.
Race 1: 1800RESPECT MAIDEN (1000m):
Matthew Smith looks to have unveiled a promising filly in Per Ivy who backed up her impressive trial form with a debut win.
The Per Incanto three-year-old looked was under heavy riding and looked to be in trouble on the turn after Kristen Buchanan’s One Way Street kicked away.
But she put her head down in the final stages and overhauled the leaders on the line to win by a long neck.
“She’s a nice progressive filly,” Jason Collett said.
“The speed really suited her, but she did a few things wrong in the middle stages.
“The racing experience is going to help her, but it was a good start to her career.”
Per Ivy was coming off an eye-catching trial win at Rosehill on November 8.
She earned good support in a strong betting race, sent out $2.70 favourite.
She beat the $2.90 second favourite One Way Street, from the Kristen Buchanan yard, who also looked strong in his first start.
The three favourites finished in market order, with the Ryan/Alexiou’s Miss Maz ($3.50), third.
Race 2: MOUNTIES GROUP 4YO & UP MAIDEN (1600m):
A running double to the Matthew Smith stable after Bedford Square brought up a well-deserved win.
The Tavistock mare had been placed in six of her nine starts and was coming off a fourth at Canterbury on November 12.
The stable had considered both the Wyong track and track conditions would be ideal and the plan worked to perfection, with the four-year-old gathering in the leader late to bring up her first win.
Joe Curran, representing the Smith stable, said it was a great start to the day.
“It’s very pleasing to get the first two home and great to see this mare finally break through.
“It was a very good ride by Jay (Ford) because they were walking early and our plan had been to be a bit further back,” he said. “He used his initiative placing her second for most of the trip and she finished strongly.
“The Canterbury run really put the writing on the wall and being by Tavistock she could be even better over more ground.”
Bedford Square ($2fav), a $45,000 Karaka yearling, beat the Anthony Cummings trained Tailoring ($4).
Les Bridge’s second favourite Miss Delia ($2.70) finished strongly in third and will appreciate more ground.
Race 3: #NO EXCUSE FOR ABUSE MAIDEN (1350m):
Well bred filly mare Too Much Lippy continued a super run for the Ryan/Alexiou stable bringing up their seventh winner for the month.
Bred and raced by John Singleton, the four-year-old was having only her second start but looks set to progress through the grades.
She debuted in March with a second at Goulburn and was given a trial heading into the Wyong race.
Nash Rawiller gave Too Much Lippy ($3.10) the perfect ride, holding her together into the straight before letting her down in the final stages.
The win was never in doubt, despite a mid-race move by Tommy Berry who circled the field on John Sargent’s Gin Martini ($3fav), but couldn’t sustain the run, finishing second. Gary Moore’s Stay Wealthy ($3.10), appeared to have every chance finishing third.
Rawiller said the winner, a son of More Than Ready, could progress off the victory.
“She’s been lightly treated for a four-year-old mare but had a few little issues and took a long time to mature. I wanted to hold onto her as long as I could and let her show her dash and she certainly did that.
“She’s got a bit of rating in hand now.”
Race 4: STAND UP AGAINST DOMESTIC AND FAMILY ABUSE CLASS 1(1350m):
Niffler draws away to win ridden by Lee Magorrian
An eye-catching win by the Waller trained Niffler coming from behind in a slowly run race to overhaul her rivals.
The Chris Waller trained mare, another winner on the program by Tavistock, looks headed for better races after bringing up her second win from as many starts.
Niffler came from near last on the turn and chased the three leaders down the straight, rounding them up in the final stages to win by more than a length.
Bred in New Zealand by iconic breeders Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan, the four-year-old was sold at Karaka for $200,000.
She debuted with a win at Kembla on April 3 and was then spelled, resuming with two trials.
Winning rider Lee Magorrian said he believes Niffler will progress to better races.
“She gave me the impression she’ll take the next step,” he said. “Chris and his team did a great job to get her ready to win over 1350m, when ideally she’ll be better suited over the mile plus.
“I always go into the races confident when I’m riding one with the Waller bridle and Debbie Kepitis as the owner.”
Niffler ($3.80fav) beat Cushy ($5.50) from the Pride stable, with Field Wiri ($4.40) trained by the Freedman brothers, third.
Jess Taylor rides Penopera to victory
Race 5: WYONG MAGIC MILLIONS WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 15 4YO & UP MAIDEN (1100m):
Penopera gave Jason Coyle plenty of reason to celebrate, the mare breaking through for her first win.
Coyle bred the four-year-old having trained her mother Ashlee’s Jewel, and now races her.
She had been racing without luck in several of her recent races and was placed fourth at Gosford over 1100m at her last start.
Penopera ($12) was given a great ride by Jess Taylor, who was toward the rear of the field on straightening.
She had plenty of momentum in the straight and found a gap through a wall of horses to post a half length victory.
Taylor returned to scale cheered on by her two young daughters.
“It was exciting to have a win in front of the girls,” she said.
“This mare has been getting better with each run. She is so consistent and there’s not a lot of her.
“I was three wide with cover but I think it helped having a bit of room today.
“I was confident from the top of the straight and had a lovely run through.”
Hypnosis ($6) from the Baker stable, showed plenty of heart fighting on for second, over the local trained and ultra-consistent Mister Ripley ($9) from the Rod Bailey yard.
Race 6: DOMESTIC & FAMILY ABUSE AWARENESS BM64 (1100m):
It was a race in two in the straight with Never Second and Glittery neck and neck before the Godolphin runner got the upper hand on the line.
A half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Bivouac, Glittery ($3.50) was having her sixth career start, having brought up her maiden win at Gosford in June.
She was given a well-timed run by Jason Collett, who fought out the finish with fellow leading rider Tommy Berry, on the Neasham trained $2.50 favourite Never Second.
Joe Pride’s Macomo ($6) was two and a half lengths behind in third.
Darren Beadman, representing the stable, said Glittery had come back better from her spell.
“Her coat was glistening today, and she came into the race today with the right sort of lead up,” he said. “She’s a very well-bred filly and that breeding will hold her in good stead into the future.
“She went well in a very strong trial at Warwick Farm and had a good bit of time between the trial and today’s run. It worked out perfect.”
Click for today’s race book. Port Macquarie trainer Denim Wynen believes her stable star Dual Escape is primed for win number 11 when she lines up in the 1100m BM64 at Wyong on Thursday.
Wynen’s confidence comes not only from the mare’s strong recent form but also from her reuniting with jockey Serg Lisnyy on one of her favourite tracks.
The Lisnyy and Dual Escape combination has been together for all the eight-year-old wins, four of which have come on the Wyong track.
Lisnyy recently returned from suspension and will be hoping Dual Escape can return him to the winner’s circle.
“She’s not the easiest horse to ride and Serg seems to have the key to her,” Wynen said.
“It’s only her pre-race manners that get her in a bit of trouble. She’s thrown Serg in the enclosure a couple of times but once she gets out onto the track, she is fine.
“She really races well on the Wyong track and can handle any track conditions, so if the rain keeps coming it won’t worry her.
“She’s ready to win again.”
Dual Escape resumed from a spell at Port Macquarie on October 8, a race Wynen considered to be more of a barrier trial.
“I didn’t expect much from her that day but her two runs since then have been very good.”
The mare was narrowly beaten at Gosford over 1000m on October 28 and was runner-up again at her subsequent start at Wyong over the same distance on November 6, behind Scott Singleton’s promising filly I’m Not Slew.
“I honestly wasn’t expecting her to race as well as she did in her past two starts because Serg wasn’t on her.
“She surprised me and went really well for both Jenny Duggan and Ashley Morgan.
“With Serg back on her on Thursday there will be no excuse because he can get the best out of her.
“I wanted to get her nice and fit for when he came back.
“She is ready to go and looks the best she has this preparation. There should be no excuses.”
At just 26, and a mother to two young children, Wynen credits Dual Escape and Kristen Buchanan with helping to establish her as a trainer.
She took out her licence while working for Buchanan at Wyong, who also gave her the opportunity to train Dual Escape.
“I leased her initially and she bolted in at Wyong only three weeks after I’d taken over the training. It was the best feeling.
“I brought her last year and she’s won around $70,000 since. She’s a great little pay cheque and a very easy horse to train.
“I moved to Port Macquarie last year and she has really thrived in this environment. She does better in a smaller stable and my partner Reece Partington rides all her work.
“She has helped get my name out there as a trainer and I’ve got a few new owners with some nice young horses coming through.
“She’s got a few niggling issues, but we keep on top of them, and I think she’s got a few wins left in her.”
The first of seven races at the club’s Domestic & Family Abuse Awareness Race Day, gets underway at 1.50pm.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 1.50pm: 1800RESPECT MAIDEN (1000m): 1 ROYAL BALLET, 2 Miss Maz, 3 One Way Street, 4 The Leopard’s Tale.
Race 2 – 2.25pm: MOUNTIES GROUP 4YO & UP MAIDEN (1600m): 1 BEDFORD SQUARE, 2 Miss Delia, 3 Tailoring, 4 Under The Pump.
Race 3 – 3.05pm: #NO EXCUSE FOR ABUSE MAIDEN (1350m): 1 STAY WEALTHY, 2 Rejoiced, 3 Diamond Blush, 4 Too Much Lippy.
Race 4 – 3.40pm: STAND UP AGAINST DOMESTIC AND FAMILY ABUSE CLASS 1(1350m): 1 CUSHY, 2 Niffler, 3 Groover, 4 Zohan.
Race 5 – 4.20pm: WYONG MAGIC MILLIONS WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 15 4YO & UP MAIDEN (1100m): 1 KYALLA, 2 Hypnosis, 3 One Way Street, 4 El Nido.
A successful day for punters, doubles for three jockeys along with two horses who won and look destined for better things.
They were the notable highlights from today’s midweek meeting.
Punters definitely came out on top with favorites winning five of the eight races.
The successful major elects were For Valour ($1.45), Bon Vivant ($1.90), Glamour and Glory ($2.20), Sweet Ruby ($2.50) and Ka Bling ($2.10).
Close second favorite Oceanic Flash ($2.50) also scored, pipping favorite Tea Leaves ($1.95) in the opening event.
Jockeys Mitchell Bell (Oceanic Flash and Proverbial), Hugh Bowman (Bon Vivant and Sweet Ruby), and Tommy Berry (Glamour and Glory and Ka Bling) shared riding honours.
Bon Vivant and Ka Bling, both young horses, are worth following.
Whilst their margins weren’t great, their performances indeed were and they look capable of winning better races.
RACE 1 – WYONG RACE CLUB FUNCTION CENTRE CLASS 1/MAIDEN PLATE (2100m):
CO-TRAINER Gerald Ryan was concerned beforehand that last-start runaway Newcastle winner Oceanic Flash would be as well suited on the tighter circuit – but need not have worried.
The lightly-raced four-year-old made it two wins in a row, but it was nowhere near as comprehensive as his 1850m victory on the spacious Newcastle track on October 30.
Oceanic Flash ($2.50) nosed out the $1.95 favorite Tea Leaves, and the pair had the finish to themselves, leaving third placegetter Seporto ($12) more than five lengths astern.
“He got the job done,” Ryan said afterwards. “I was concerned because he is a big-striding horse and pricked his ears in the straight when he looked to be putting the second horse away easily. He had a bit of a think about it for sure, but he is a big immature horse who is still learning.”
A gear change on Tea Leaves almost brought about a reversal in form, having been beaten 19 lengths at Kembla Grange at his previous start after doing plenty of work in the run. Blinkers replaced winkers and Tim Clark gave him a perfect run. A two-year-old winner at Newcastle in March, the now three-year-old is ready to return to the winning list.
RACE 2: BUSINESS WYONG RACE DAY DECEMBER 9 BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1600m):
TIM Clark and the Waterhouse-Bott team just missed in the opener, but they quickly struck back with hotpot For Valour ($1.45).
Clark took bad luck out of the equation by making the running and the Zoustar four-year-old made it two wins on end, holding off a game Miss Scalini ($5.50), who tried hard to overhaul him.
Mo’s Crown ($14) was third without ever threatening the first pair and can win if he returns to a suitable country event.
For Valour had scored over 1500m on heavy ground at Hawkesbury on November 9, and is taking the next step with every start this campaign.
Stable representative Neil Paine said it was never easy to progress straight from a Maiden to winning a Benchmark race.
“He is the whole package and can certainly get up to city class,” Paine said. “I thought he won with a bit of confidence today and has now won on heavy and good ground.
“We won the race in the first 150m because For Valour has so much gate speed, and then got into a nice rhythm and had more to offer at the finish.”
RACE 3: TAB.COM.AU MAIDEN HANDICAP (1600m):
HUGH Bowman’s class shone through on the $1.90 favorite Bon Vivant, who overcame a wide draw and slow beginning to overhaul Pelennium ($5.50) and Gerardjoseph ($7.50).
“He’s very raw and things didn’t work out in the early stages, and he wasn’t all that comfortable making the home turn,” Bowman said. “But I was confident once he balanced up on straightening, and he didn’t let me down.”
Stable representative Darren Beadman agreed that Bon Vivant was a “big, raw horse” and it was a matter of Bowman keeping him balanced. He also pointed to the run of stablemate Abenaki ($26), who hit the line stylishly to finish fifth and said she could be worth following. Abenaki had done little in four previous runs but looks as though she is going to appreciate a middle distance.
Stewards questioned jockey Glyn Schofield about his riding of Abenaki from the 800m. Schofield agreed with stewards that, in hindsight, the better option would have been to shift outside Gerardjoseph passing the 700m, which would have avoided his mount losing ground at that point.
RACE 4: WYONG LEAGUES GROUP MAIDEN HANDICAP (1000m):
FAVORITE punters struck again when Star Turn filly Glamour and Glory ($2.20) broke through at her fourth start.
Jockey Tommy Berry gave her the run of the race, then pulled her around the heels of the two leaders, London Ruler and The Leopard’s Tale (both $41 chances) on the home turn. She stretched out nicely to beat the latter and former horses into the placings.
Berry had a broad smile returning to scale – and with good reason as his wife Sharnee is a part-owner of the filly, a $200,000 Magic Millions purchase.
“She is raced by a ladies’ syndicate and they have been very patient,” Berry said. “Glamour and Glory has always been a bit temperamental, and is now starting to work it out.
“This is probably the tightest track she has raced on, and didn’t get around it all that well, so it adds merit to her win. She will be better on a bigger track.”
RACE 5: GREAT NORTHERN MAIDEN PLATE (1100m):
Lou Mary’s Proverbial
SCONE trainer Lou Mary clinched his second Provincial success much to the delight of bookmakers, as favorites had won three of the first four races. His $18 chance Proverbial provided Mitchell Bell with his second winner of the day, and Mary’s second in two days. Bell picked up an unexpected booking when illness forced Christian Reith to forego the mount. Mary was excited to win for new clients and said he had been waiting to put blinkers on Proverbial, who had kept improving this preparation. Proverbial led and just held out the late-finishing $61 roughie Miss Lenorr, who showed rapid improvement on her debut failure at Gosford in June. It looked a two-horse race on paper, but Sacred Field ($1.85) and Bartoselli ($2.70) finished fourth and third respectively. Hugh Bowman reported Bartoselli hung in and never travelled comfortably, whilst Tommy Berry said Sacred Field was obliged to race wide and without cover and hung out during the race.
RACE 6: WYONG MAGIC MILLIONS DECEMBER 15 F&M BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1200m):
HUGH Bowman claimed a double when another favorite Sweet Ruby ($2.50) scored – but runner-up My Snow Queen ($3.90) cost herself the race. She made the running but didn’t make the home turn well and veered to the centre of the track. Her waywardness enabled the winner to enjoy a trouble-free run in the straight and she responded gamely to edge out My Snow Queen. Locally-trained Mosht Up ($21) finished third and nearly upset the fancied pair. Winning trainer Kim Waugh described Sweet Ruby as a “nice filly who keeps on improving”. “She looks as though she is looking for 1600m already,” she said. Bowman added: “Sweet Ruby wasn’t comfortable amongst horses, and I’m sure she will be better placed on a bigger track getting over more ground.”
RACE 7: DE BORTOLI WINES CG&E BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1200m):
UNDOUBTEDLY one of the wins of the day! No other way to describe $2.10 favorite Ka Bling’s victory. Not the best away, he continued to make ground to race up near the lead, then found plenty in the straight to defeat Mystic Vein ($11) and Buzz ‘N’ Joe ($20). The Capitalist three-year-old was having only his fourth start and has now won twice. Co-trainer Paul Snowden was full of praise for Ka Bling, explaining he was a late scratching at Gosford recently when also favorite, after pulling a shoe and pricking himself after arriving at the track.
“We’ll be looking to get to town with him soon, but he’s still a preparation away,” Snowden said. Winning rider Tommy Berry echoed Snowden’s comments. “I’m really looking forward to his next preparation as he still has plenty of improvement,” he said. “After he began awkwardly, I went forward on him when the speed slackened as it is hard to win today from back in the field.” Apprentice Tyler Schiller, who rode Land Of Valens (ninth at $6), told stewards his mount received heavy contact from another runner passing the 700m and became under pressure from that point and failed to respond to his riding.
RACE 8: WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETING THURSDAY NOVEMBER 25 CONDITIONAL BENCHMARK 68 HANDICAP (1000m):
Toro Toro
No excuses for the beaten brigade here. Winner Toro Toro ($7.50) gave them a start and a beating. The Scone-trained five-year-old, having his fourth start this preparation, began awkwardly and shortly afterwards was bumped by eventual runner-up Flora ($11). He came from last, made the home turn the widest and still rounded up his seven rivals. Stewards, however, cautioned winning rider Matt Palmer to exercise more care as Flora’s rider Josh Parr had to take hold to avoid the heels of the winner when it shifted in under pressure over the closing stages. Favorite Emilette ($3.50), just nudged out of a minor placing, made contact with the inside running rail near the finish when racing tight inside third placegetter Young Heart ($6.50).
Northern Rivers trained Flora is shooting for her fourth successive win when she lines up in the 1000m BM68 at Wyong on Tuesday.
The Delago Deluxe mare has been in sizzling form this preparation putting together four wins and a placing from five starts.
Her trainer Norm Rogers is hoping a return to his former training base at Wyong, could see the four-year-old breakthrough for her first Provincial win.
“She’s been in great form but because of that has been weighted out of races up here,” Rogers said.
“It was either take her back to the Gold Coast or bring her down to the Provincials, so we decided to go that way.”
Rogers, a licenced real estate agent and hobby trainer, was based out of Wyong for many years before heading north to the Gold Coast.
He spent a couple of years training there before relocating to the small town of Tabulam, where he prepares the only two horses trained on the track.
“It’s a good set up and we get to work them on the grass every day,” Rogers said.
“Flora has been thriving there and the only thing I’m worried about on Tuesday is how she will handle the long trip.”
Rogers will make the seven-hour drive on Sunday and has enlisted the help of old friend Stephen “Beaver” Schofield to house Flora.
“Beaver has a box for her, and he’ll trot her up on Monday morning for me.
“Provided she handles the trip I expect her to race really well.
“She likes to be up on the speed and the Wyong track should really suit her.
“She has done well since her last win at Grafton on October 26, and we’ve got a great jockey in Josh (Parr).”
Rogers has known Parr from more than 30 years and believes he is the perfect rider for Flora.
“He’s a great jockey and rides Wyong as good as anyone, so there will be no issue there.
“His uncle Mark Webb rides him all his work up here.”
Flora has had four wins and a placing from her eight career starts but Rogers believes that record would have been even better if it weren’t for some early setbacks.
“She got a virus on the Gold Coast and after getting over that she got another one. She lost around 40kg, and it really set her back.
“Once she got over that and we moved to Tabulam she started racing really well and has continued to do so.
“She’s no world beater but is very consistent, so we will see how she handles the step up in grade.”
The first of eight races at the clubs De Bortoli Wines Race Day gets underway at 1.15pm.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 1.15pm: WYONG RACE CLUB FUNCTION CENTRE CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2100m): 1 OCEANIC FLASH, 2 Tea Leaves, 3 Willinga Stirling, 4 Pirate Bird.
Race 2 – 1.50pm: BUSINESS WYONG RACE DAY DECEMBER 9 BENCHMARK 64 (1600m): 1 FOR VALOUR, 2 Prasiolite, 3 Miss Scalini, 4 Dhakuri.
Race 3 – 2.25pm: TAB.COM.AU MAIDEN (1600m): 1 AL SAHARA, 2 Zoomurudi, 3 Elarski, 4 Sir Savaluca.
Race 4 – 3.05pm: WYONG LEAGUES GROUP MAIDEN (1000m): 1GLAMOUR AND GLORY, 2 Alegna, 3 Joyzel, 4 Lily Elsie.
Race 5 – 3.45pm: GREAT NORTHERN MADIEN (1100m): 1 DERRY GROVE, 2 Bartoselli, 3 Cool Lad, 4 Hard To Excel.
Race 6 – 4.25pm: WYONG MAGIC MILLIONS DECEMBER 15 F&M BENCHMARK 64 (1200m): 1 SWEET RUBY, 2 My Snow Queen, 3 Passistas, 4 Raay Of Dreams.
Race 7 – 5.05pm: DE BORTOLI WINES CG&E BENCHMARK 64 (1200m): 1 FRENCH MARINE, 2 Land Of Valens, 3 Coal Crusher, 4 Ka Bling.
Race 8 – 5.40PM: WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETING THURSDAY NOVEMBER 25 BENCHMARK 68 (1000m): 1 PICK THE SCORE, 2 Flora, 3 Emilette, 4 Affinity Beyond.
A local win in the $40,000 SKY RACING Summing Provincial Series opening heat was the highlight of the eight-race ‘Back To The Races’ meeting.
Kim Waugh’s Oxford Tycoon was too strong for his rivals in the feature race and now heads to the $150,000 final at Newcastle on December 18.
The six-year-old Written Tycoon gelding will step up to 1600m for the final, having previously placed over 1500m at Rosehill.
Darleb will represent Kris Lees after finishing second, the Lees stable already claiming two of the three series Summer Provincial Series finals run to date.
The Angela Davies trained Momack, who fought on gamely for third, also earned a finals berth, and will also appreciate more ground.
Reece Jones, who took out the Wyong Apprentice Premiership last season, made an impressive return to the track after injury, riding a race to race double.
He shared the riding honours with Louise Day also bagging two winners.
Speedy Scone filly I’m Not Slew looks to have an impressive future, easily making the step up from Country to Provincial grade in the 1000m BM64.
Race 1 – MAGIC MILLIONS – GOLD COAST IN JANUARY MAIDEN (1600m):
Impeccably bred Snitzel colt Vyner broke through for his first win for trainer Mark Newnham and prominent part-owner Alan Jones.
The three-year-old was coming off a second at Kembla over the same distance on October 23 and earned strong late support, starting $2.30 favourite.
Koby Jennings gave Vyner a confident ride, settling just behind the leaders before taking off on the turn.
He kicked three lengths clear on straightening and was never in doubt in the final stages, beating his rivals by half a length.
Newnham has always had an opinion of Vyner, whose mother Vadomoro was runner-up In the VRC Oakes and Vinery Stud Stakes.
“Vyner is a nice horse,” Newnham said. “He was a late foal, so he has taken a while to mature but he has always shown me above average ability.
“We thought he would be effective at the mile to 2000m, and he’s shown that today.”
John Sargent’s Al Sahara, the $2.80 second favourite, was runner-up, over Vitae ($7), from the Matthew Dunn yard.
Back-to-back wins for Louise Day on the Waller trained Black Queen, who justified her short price to record another dominant Wyong win.
The Mongolian Khan mare was ridden to victory by Day at Kembla on October 23, catching the eye of punters who were confident she could replicate her last start win and sent her out $1.30 favourite.
The victory was never in doubt with Day settling the four-year-old just behind the leader in a slowly run race, before taking him to the lead at the 600m mark and drawing away in the straight to win by almost two lengths.
Black Queen was having her eighth start, after beginning her racing career with a second in New Zealand.
She made the switch to Waller’s Sydney stables and has since won two races, with four placings.
Paul Murray’s Kembla-trained Lady Redwood ($6.50) was again runner-up to Black Queen, with Deel Street ($7) from the Waugh stable, third.
Race 3 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY JADE CG&E MAIDEN (1350m):
Joe Pride made the trip to Wyong to see his gelding Cushy win before heading back to Sydney to saddle up his Golden Gift favourite Shalatin.
And while Shalatin was narrowly beaten he also tasted success at Rosehill with Zoushack.
Pride has a share in the ownership of Cushy, a Super Easy gelding having his fourth career start. He was in a battle for favouritism with Gary Moore’s Stay Wealthy and the pair were in a race of their own in the final stages, with Andrew Gibbons getting the most out of Cushy on the line.
The three-year-old appreciated the step up in distance and firmer track, after a last start third over 1200m at Kembla in the heavy on October 23.
Cushy ($3.20), out of New Zealand mare Our Solaris, beat Stay Wealthy ($2.90fav) by a nose, with the tiring Marvelous ($7.50), from the Lee and Cherie Curtis yard, third.
Race 4 – WELCOME BACK TO RACING WRC MEMBERS F&M MAIDEN (1350m):
Louise Day brought up a double in an upset win on the Maher Eustace first starter Pono Kitoro.
The Reliable Man filly was the outsider in the field, with Day giving him a soft run toward the rear of in the early stages.
She made a sweeping run from last to first just before the turn, and from then on, the win was never in doubt.
Pono Kitoro drew away in the final stages to win by almost three lengths.
The three-year-old was coming off two moderate Metropolitan trials, the latest on October 19 when he was beaten more than six lengths over the 1045m.
He relished the race day conditions, giving Day a double and win for her former boss Maher.
The $2.45 favourite Estonia was second for Richard and Michael Freedman, with Drummin ($5.50) trained by Lee and Cherie Curtis, third.
Race 5 – GREAT NORTHERN ON TAP MAIDEN (1000m):
Leading apprentice Reece Jones didn’t take long to return to the winner’s circle in his second meeting back after being sidelined with injury.
Jones spent almost two months recovering from a wrist injury, resuming at Muswellbrook on Melbourne Cup Day without tasting success.
At only his second meeting back he piloted speedy Goulburn sprinter Girl Mania to a four-length win.
The Jean Dubois trained filly was sent out $3.40 second favourite on the back of her fourth at Hawkesbury when resuming on October 26.
It was another race in two in the final stages, with Girl Mania running down Brad Widdup’s $2.45 favourite Mareeba early in the straight, and then drawing away for a dominant win.
Matthew Smith’s Rubigal ($7) was a length behind in third.
A Capitalist filly, Girl Mania has now had a win and two placings from her seven starts.
Race 6 – WYONG MAGIC MILLIONS RACE DAY 15 DEC CLASS 1 (1350m):
A race to race double for the returning Reece Jones, coming from last on the turn to steer Artero to victory.
The Flying Artie colt, trained by Matthew Dunn, was back in grade after finishing last in the Listed Brian Crowley at Randwick on October 23.
He was unfancied by punters drifting in the betting to $6.80 but seems to have returned to the form that saw him take out the Inglis Challenge at Scone in May.
Jones settled Artero at the rear of the field, coming from behind on the turn with a sustained run to win by a length and a half.
The $10,000 Inglis yearling, has now amassed more than $155,000 in prizemoney with more wins in store.
He beat Dale Riley’s The Defiant One ($21) who fought on strongly in the straight, with Irish Kisses ($2.25fav) from the Tracey Bartley yard, third.
Race 7 – SKY RACING SUMMER PROVINCIAL SERIES HEAT 1 – CLASS 5 (1350m):
A home track win in the opening heat of the Sky Racing Summer Provincial Series with Kim Waugh’s Oxford Tycoon too strong for his rivals.
The six-year-old earned a spot in the $150,000 final with a half-length win over the Kris Lees race favourite Darleb.
Oxford Tycoon was coming off a second in the Midway over 1300m on August 28 and was the recipient of strong late support.
He started $3 second favourite and didn’t disappoint, courtesy of a confident ride by Jeff Penza.
He stalked the leaders prior to the turn before hitting the front on straightening.
Oxford Tycoon put two lengths on his rivals in the straight and was able to hold out the fast-finishing Darleb.
They put a gap between the rest of the field, with the Angela Davies trained Momack fighting on strongly in the final stages to finish more than three lengths behind in third.
Waugh had been confident of the chances of Oxford Tycoon leading into the $40,000 heat.
“I’ve been really happy with him leading into this,” Waugh said.
“He galloped the other morning and worked really well.
“It’s the perfect distance for him and he’s won here before so there was plenty in his favour today.”
Race 8 – WYONG’S NEXT MEETING TUESDAY NOVEMBER 16 BM64 (1000m):
The Scott Singleton trained I’m Not Slew looks set for bigger things on the strength of her dominant win in stronger grade.
The speedy Sooboog filly was stepping up from a Scone win over the 1100m on October 22 but had no problem with the rise to Provincial grade.
Christian Reith drove the three-year-old to the lead from the barriers and maintained the front throughout, drawing away in the straight to win by more than a length.
Punters were confident I’m Not Slew could put together successive wins, sending her out $.190 favourite on the strength of his Scone win.
The victory was never in doubt, with the filly showing an abundance of speed throughout.
She beat Denim Wynen’s Dual Escape ($12), who always saves her best runs for the Wyong track, with Allan Denham’s Adios Steve ($19) third.
Angela Davies is hopeful Momack can return a winner when he resumes in Saturday’s Sky Racing Summer Provincial Series Heat at Wyong.
The gelding is one of 11 acceptors for the $40,000 race, the first in a five-heat series for Provincial trainers offering a total of $350,000 in prizemoney.
The final at Newcastle on December 18, run over the 16000m, carries a purse of $150,000.
Davies said the heat is an ideal starting point for her five-year-old Uncle Mo gelding Momack.
“He looks super, and his coat is really sparkling,” Davies said. “It has taken quite a while to bring him to hand, but he seems right to go now.
“The 1350m should really suit him first up. He was a Wyong winner over the 1600m before we spelled him, so the track won’t present any problems.”
In only his first preparation with Davies, Momack put together two wins and a second from just four runs.
He was strong to the line in his last start win at Wyong on May 13, the victory adding to his overall record of four wins and three placings from just 11 starts.
“It was a really good preparation, but he needed a break. It has taken a bit longer than we hoped to get him back,” she said.
“He’s had two trials and I think he’s finally right to go. His best form is over more ground, so if he can get through to the final it would really suit him.”
Davies was approached by well-known owner Phillip Pollicina to take over the training of Momack.
“It’s the first horse I’ve had for him and good to get results in his first preparation with us.
“Phillip was looking to place the horse with a Provincial trainer and said he had been watching me and liked what he saw.
“It will be great if we can keep rewarding him with more wins, particularly this series with some good prizemoney on offer.”
Davies’ fellow Gosford trainer Kylie Gavenlock is also expecting her runner Highjacker to perform well first up.
The seven-year-old, by High Chaparral, is a first up winner and Gavenlock hopes he can repeat that performance.
“He’s won when resuming over 1300m and pulled up really well after his 1200m trial at Newcastle last week,” Gavenlock said.
“This looks like a nice race for him and fits in really well with his preparation. He’s got good form over the 1600m, so if he qualifies for the final it will work out well.”
Kris Lees, who took out both the 2019 and 2020 series finals, with Occupy and Itz Lily respectively, saddles up Darleb and Azarmin.
The first of eight races gets underway at 1.20pm.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 1.20pm: MAGIC MILLIONS – GOLD COAST IN JANUARY MAIDEN (1600m): 1 VITAE, 2 Vyner, 3 Al Sahara, 4 Tiva Bay.
Race 2 – 2.00pm: WWW.TAB.COM.AU CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2100m): 1 BLACK QUEEN, 2 Deel Street, 3 Amore, 4 Willinga Stirling.
Race 3 – 2.40pm: HAPPY BIRTHDAY JADE CG&E MAIDEN (1350m): 1 ISLAND LEGEND, 2 Stay Wealthy, 3 Cushy, 4 Marvelous.
Race 4 – 3.20pm: WELCOME BACK TO RACING WRC MEMBERS F&M MAIDEN (1350m): 1 DRUMMIN, 2 Estonia, 3 All Too Scottish, 4 Pono Kitoro.
Race 5 – 3.55pm: GREAT NORTHERN ON TAP MAIDEN (1000m): 1 MISS CAN DO, 2 Diamond Blush, 3 Airstrike, 4 Girl Mania.
Race 6 – 4.35pm: WYONG MAGIC MILLIONS RACE DAY 15 DEC CLASS 1 (1350m): 1 IRISH KISSES, 2 Seven Twenty, 3 Trinity Missile, 4 Lovetheinvasion.
Race 7 – 5.15pm: SKY RACING SUMMER PROVINCIAL SERIES HEAT 1 CLASS 5 (1350m): 1 OXFORD TYCOON, 2 Greek Hero, 3 Darleb, 4 Departing Bullet.
Race 8 – 5.55pm: WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETNG TUESDAY NOVEMBER 16 BM64 (1000m): 1 I’M NOT SLEW, 2 Perlant, 3 Bring Glory, 4 Murungal.
Another super Provincial meeting saw plenty of progressive winners across the eight races, as the club recognised Police Remembrance Day.
Three-year-old trio Ka Bling, Garmish and Riduna all look set for bigger things, while Les Bridge’s The Denzel will also head to town on the strength of his dominant six length victory.
Grace Bay and Dom Tycoon stamped themselves as Four Pillars candidates with strong wins, while Tim Clark and Regan Bayliss shared the riding honours with doubles.
Damien Lane showcased two of his aspiring Four Pillars runners, Zorocat and Too Good To Be True, who looked impressive in a gallop between races.
Race 1 – GREAT NORTHERN CG&E MAIDEN (1200m):
It didn’t take long for leading jockey Tommy Berry to return to the winner’s circle steering Ka Bling to a nice victory in the first.
Berry, who has been sidelined from suspension for a month, came from behind in the straight to win by a length.
It had looked a race in two when the favourites The Poacher ($2.40) and Hold On Honey ($2.60) headed into the straight, but the back markers had other ideas, running down the leaders on the line.
“It’s always the start you want to come back on with a win,” Berry said.
“I was glad to get on this bloke today because I’d done a bit of work on him at home and ridden him in a couple of trials.
“I always thought he could progress well off his first run, and he was really good today.
“He got a bit lost in front but he’s a beautiful big horse and will take plenty of
Improvement out of that.”
The well-bred Ka Bling ($6), a son of Capitalist, was a $200,000 yearling raced in partnership by trainers Peter and Paul Snowden.
He beat Greg Hickman’s Unwritten ($14), with Podium ($17) from the Waller stable, an eye-catching run in third.
Race 2 – CANADIAN CLUB F&M MAIDEN (1200m):
Riduna
The Waterhouse/Bott trained Riduna lived up to stable expectations with a tough maiden win.
Regan Bayliss rode the Fastnet Rock filly to victory, crossing from the wide barrier and giving her a mid-race breather.
She hit the lead on straightening and was able to hold out the fast-finishing Mystic Mermaid ($4.60) to win by a half-length.
“She looked so good in the coat and was bouncing around before the race. Just on that she looked the winner,” stable representative Neil Paine said.
“Regan rode her exactly to Gai and Adrian’s instruction, bouncing her out and crossing over. When they attacked her, she showed a lot of heart to win the race.
“She’s not overly big but she’s got a big heart. As long as they’ve got a heart it doesn’t matter how big or small, they are.”
Riduna, a $120,000 Magic Millions yearling, was sent out $2.90 second favourite on the strength of her last start third at Hawkesbury.
The Snowden trained Mirra View ($26) was third.
RACE 3 – CHOOSE TO DRINK WISE MAIDEN (1350m):
Garmish made a promising return to racing, proving too strong for his opposition first up.
The Snitzel colt had been impressive in his first preparation, having placed fourth at Metropolitan grade and second at Newcastle.
Tim Clark settled the three-year-old just behind the leader and hit the front on straightening.
He held out Dubai Showgirl ($16) and the fast-finishing Danzette ($7), both from the Snowden yard, to win by a half-length.
The Ryan/Alexiou trained Garmish was a $450,000 Magic Millions yearling.
Clark said the colt had the right form leading into the race.
“It looked like his race, but he had to get out there and execute and that’s what he did,” Clark said.
“He travelled well throughout but was waiting for something to come at him.
“He hit the front and waited a bit but when challenged he had plenty to give.”
Race 4 – IN MEMORY OF S/C CHRISTOPHER JOHN THORNTON 4YO&UP MAIDEN (1600m):
The Denzel was in a class of his own bringing up his first win by almost six lengths.
The Adelaide gelding, trained by Les Bridge, shook off his bridesmaid tag in fine fashion, blitzing the field.
Kerrin McEvoy took the four-year-old to the lead, dictating terms in front, before pinching three lengths on the turn and drawing away in the straight.
“That’s how we thought he’d win, “McEvoy said.
“He’s been bumping into a few handy horses of late but has done well since his last run.
“He backed up lovely today and is heading in the right direction. Les will find a race for him in the coming weeks. I think he can go a bit further in trip as well.”
The Denzel, who started $1.10 favourite, had been placed in five of his last six starts.
He beat the Gwenda Markwell trained Blackall ($13), with Anthony Cummings’ Guard ($31), third.
Race 5 – IN MEMORY OF S/C DAVID JOHN MANSFIELD CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2100m):
A great staying performance saw Godolphin’s Silhouette bring up her second career win assisted by of a super Tim Clark ride.
The Teofilo mare had been placed second at her past two starts on the Kensington and Newcastle tracks.
She was sent out $2.25 favourite on the strength of those placings and didn’t disappoint despite missing the start.
Clark, who brought up a winning double, was able to settle Silhouette toward the rear, before circling the field on the turn and running down her rivals on the line.
“She put the writing on the wall last start,” Clark said.
“Things didn’t go to plan today but she showed she had a bit of class. She stood a bit flat footed, but I rode her quiet and was able to pick through the field and she was soft to the line.”
Zudin ($4) from the Waller stable was runner-up, with Anthony Cumming’s Believe So ($9.50), third.
Race 6 – TAB.COM.AU BENCHMARK 64 (1350m):
A great first up victory by Writing Unexpected who earned strong late support to start $5.50 second favourite.
Backed in from $12 earlier in the day, John Steinmetz’s Choistar gelding had good first up-form and didn’t disappoint with a strong win.
Regan Bayliss, who brought up a winning double, positioned the six-year-old toward the rear, circling the field on straightening and running down the leaders on the line to win by a long neck.
“It was a good performance from him,” Bayliss said. “He’s a horse that gets up over a bit further.
“He tracked wide today but felt comfortable and got into a good rhythm. “The key to him is we were able to get going when we wanted to get going. “He’s not a stop start horse and built good momentum and was able to fend them off and win first up. He’s in for a good prep.”
Writing Unexpected, who is raced by the Steinmetz family, brought up his sixth career win beating Tony Newing’s Camp Rifle ($3.40), with the Perry trained She’s Independent ($21) third.
Grace Bay
Race 7 – POLICE REMEMBRANCE DAY BENCHMARK 64 (1350m):
A super training performance by Claire Lever saw Grace Bay catch the eye of Four Pillars slot holders, bringing up her fifth win when resuming.
The five-year-old last started in the Provincial Championship Final at Randwick on April 17 where she finished 2.9 lengths behind the winner.
She was subsequently spelled and looks to have returned in great form.
Starting at $5, Grace Bay earned good support and didn’t let punters down, with a sustained run in the straight giving her a three quarters of a length victory.
“I rode her when she first came back in and thought she’d come back stronger and bigger and improved further on last preparation,” Lever said.
“She had three jump outs coming into today and we knew she was going well.
“She races well fresh and is easy to read. You know when she’s ready.
“She is honest and just tries. It turned out perfect today.”
Collett described it as a “pretty professional performance.”
“He was the class runner coming into this and was fantastic first up. I think they will be aiming for something higher now.”
Andrew MacDonald’s Major Murphy ($21) put in an improved performance to finish second, ahead of the Stephen Jones trained Toro Toro ($9), who was strong under the big weight.
Race 8 – WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETING SATURDAY NOVEMBER 6 BENCHMARK 64 (1600m):
An upset in the last with the Peter Robl’s consistent galloper Dom Tycoon bringing up his third win this preparation.
The Written Tycoon gelding, beat the Annabel Neasham’s short-priced favourite Jesse James, who seemed to baulk in the final stages.
Robl said the four-year-old would be an ideal Four Pillars runner.
“He has won three out of his last four starts and won over the journey, so they could do a lot worse,” Robl said.
“His benchmark will be ideal, and I think he would go really well in a race like that.
“He’s been a good little money spinner for the owners. They brought him cheap and he’s getting better with age. They are great customers of mine and it’s good to be able to reward them with this type of consistency.”
Clipperton agreed Dom Tycoon was in good form.
“He’s racing with a lot of confidence and going through his grades nicely,” he said.
“I needed an out at the top of the straight and had a lot of horse. Once I got into the clear he dug deep and knuckled down.”
In the closest finishes of the day, Dom Tycoon beat Jesse James ($1.60) by a head, with Damien Lane’s Oakfield Captain ($17) third.
