Fran

IT wasn’t a feature meeting by any means – but it is one RACHEL KING won’t easily forget.

The expatriate English woman, who has made an outstanding success of her Australian riding career, reached a milestone when she hit a century of winners for the first time in a season.

And she produced a typically brilliant performance to post her 100^th winner when she scored on favourite TANGIER in the opening event.

King began riding in her adopted country only in March, 2015 when she rode her first winner Run Cannon Run at Tamworth, and her previous best season performance had been 88 winners in 2016-17.

Now a Group 1 winner, she is firmly entrenched in Sydney’s riding ranks. 

This was CLUBSNSW Central Coast Itty Bitty Charity Race Day, held to raise important funds to brighten the lives of sick and disadvantaged children on the Central Coast.

There was no shortage of excitement with the day’s shortest-priced favourite, Kristen Buchanan’s OAKFIELD CHEROKEE scraping home in a tricky photo-finish which had many thinking he had gone under, and two races later the judge this time was unable to separate favourite BUDHWAR, from the Damien Lane stable, and second favourite GENERAL DUBAI in another enthralling battle to the post.

While not one trainer or jockey dominated the program, Sam Clipperton did best by winning the second race on Stonesthrow for Wyong’s Tracey Bartley and then dead-heated on GENERAL DUBAI for Peter Robl. 

RACE 1 – AINSWORTH GAMING TECHNOLOGY (AGT) MAIDEN HCP (1600m)

THE betting ring action was mirrored on the track though at the end it really wasn’t a two-horse race at all.  James Cummings’ TANGIER ($2fav) and Mark Newnham’s ANGEL SISTINA ($2.60) clearly dominated discussions pre-post, and it was the former who proved too good for her main rival. TANGIER enjoyed a perfect run cruising along on the inside under Rachel King and the breaks went her way at exactly the right time when she got into the clear and eased around the heels of the two leaders, MANDALONG FLAG ($61) and ANGEL SISTINA, on the home turn. Once she gained her momentum, TANGIER had no trouble overhauling ANGEL SISTINA and was strong through the line without being pressured. The Medaglia D’Oro filly was having only her third start and looks capable of stretching out over more ground. A daughter of Exceed and Excel mare ESSAOUIRA (who raced only twice and won at Moonee Valley as a two-year-old), TANGIER is a sister to the Group 1 winner ASTERN, who now stands at stud for Darley. ANGEL SISTINA was game after doing work from her outside barrier in the field of seven, and MANDALONG FLAG battled on well. RIVER TYCOON ($8) ran last after being slow out and stewards are waiting to hear an update on the gelding’s progress from trainer Mark Cross before deciding any further action.

RACE 2 – CONSULATE FINANCE 4YO&UP MAIDEN PLATE (1100m)

IF the first was for the “out of towners”, this was definitely one for the locals. Wyong trainers Tracey Bartley and Damien Lane saddled the two favourites – and they fought out the finish. Bartley’s heavily-backed favourite STONESTHROW ($2) was cleverly ridden by Sam Clipperton, bouncing well from her outside draw and then being restrained to sit off Lane’s BUCKIN RIPPA ($3.10) and MISTER RIPLEY ($5). When the pace surprisingly eased mid-race, Clipperton took the bit between his teeth and raced his mount to the front. STONESTHROW responded by comfortably holding out BUCKIN RIPPA, who notched his 10^th placing from 22 starts – and connections must be wondering when a breakthrough will come? MISTER RIPLEY hung on for third for another local Rod Bailey, making it an all-Wyong result. STONESTHROW, a four-year-old daughter of 2013 Royal Randwick Listed Dulcify Quality, 1600m winner Rock Hero (by Fastnet Rock), was having only her third start, as with the opening winner, and her trainer was confident she would be hard to beat first-up on the back of two recent good trials and believes she will probably manage further later. “I expect she is in for a really good preparation,” Bartley said. BUCKIN RIPPA’S rider Aaron Bullock, when queried afterwards by stewards, agreed he should have allowed his mount to set a more genuine tempo in the early stages.

RACE 3 – THE ARY TOUKLEY 3YO MAIDEN HANDICAP (1100m)

THE Bartley stable played up its winnings with an attempted long-priced coup on first-upper EMPOWERMENT ($19 to $5.50), but fourth was the best the filly could do. Gosford trainer Adam Duggan took the honours, producing debutant SYZYGY STARS ($8.50) to kick off her career in the best possible manner. Rider Josh Parr had the three-year-old daughter of 2015 Golden Slipper winner VANCOUVER (beaten only once in five career starts) in touch with the leading group throughout and brought her to the centre of the track on straightening. She finished with real determination to overhaul SARANDOS ($7.50) right on the post. The runner-up almost gave his dam, Doomben Cup winner Streama, two Provincial wins within a week as his older half-sister PENSERA scored at Newcastle last Saturday. SYZYGY STARS was a $65,000 buy at the 2019 Australian Easter yearling sale; a fair bit cheaper than $400,000 2019 Magic Millions buy SARANDOS. Duggan, a smart man with a horse, was concerned beforehand the 1100m on the tight track might be a bit short for his filly, so she should be worth following. Another first starter DA NANG STAR went to the post a $2.50 favourite and had his chance, weakening in the run home to finish fifth. His rider Rachel King suggested the addition of blinkers and a step up in distance may lead to a better showing next time.

RACE 4 – SEVEN STAR VENDING MAIDEN PLATE (1350m)

TRAINER Gary Moore devised front-running tactics to upset odds-on favourite VOLTERRA – and who better to carry them out than Tim Clark, who has no peer when it comes to dictating pace up front. Clark had no trouble assuming the front on Moore’s LUCKY TO WIN ($5.50), who broke through at his 10^th start. He was never really in any danger, holding out LEKVARTE ($8) and CONTAMINATION ($5.50). Moore, recovering from a recent knee operation, was convinced his horse couldn’t stay and told Clark to lead and “go for home at the 400m”. “I have made some adjustments with his feeding, and his work indicated he was in great order and ready to go,” Moore explained. LUCKY TO WIN when third had finished a decent way behind VOLTERRA (2^nd) in a recent 1400m race at Warwick Farm, but Clark’s tactics enabled him to turn the tables – and how! The winner was pinhooked for $33,000 as a weanling and later fetched $210,000 when offered at a 2yo’s in training sale at the Gold Coast in 2019. Punters won’t easily forgive VOLTERRA ($1.80), who went back to last from his outside draw in the small line-up of six and never looked likely to raise his backers’ hopes, finishing fourth. A $1.3m yearling buy, he has a long way to go to recoup such an outlay. Stewards questioned rider Brenton Avdulla, who said he had been instructed to ride the gelding conservatively and anticipated settling last. He added VOLTERRA raced keenly and, in his opinion, was not suited by the moderate tempo and as a result didn’t finish the race off as expected.

RACE 5 – SYNERGY FM 4YO&UP CLASS 1/MAIDEN PLATE (2100m)

PHEW! Thrill seekers who dived in to take the prohibitive odds about hotpot OAKFIELD CHEROKEE ($1.35) must have been shaking in their boots, especially when race caller Mitch Manners intimated $12 chance ZAK might have kicked back and won the day. Thankfully, there was a narrow margin for the favourite, a younger brother to now retired multiple Group 1 winner LUCIA VALENTINA, in a finish which virtually fooled everyone. Trainer Kristen Buchanan said it took an astute ride to win at Wyong and stressed upon rider Aaron Bullock “not to miss the boat”. A $155,000 yearling buy, the lightly-raced four-year-old is starting to hit his straps after overcoming heart arrythmia issues earlier. A trip to the Grafton July carnival for a 2200m Rural Plate is now on the cards for the gelding.

RACE 6 – THE ENTRANCE LEAGUES CLUB CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1100m)

IN his first season, Newcastle apprentice Dylan Gibbons keeps kicking goals. This was his first ride for trainer Annabel Neasham and he took full advantage of $2.60 favourite OSAMU’S inside draw to boot through and lead. OSAMU had garnered a “loser” tag with eight minor placings before breaking through at Newcastle on May 1 for senior jockey Rory Hutchings, and Gibbons made sure another placing didn’t arise by booting the gelding clear on straightening and then holding off BEAUCHAMP ($7). Gibbons’ 3kg claim proved invaluable lessening the gelding’s 62.5kg, and the youngster chalked up his 67^th winner; an outstanding effort in any circumstances given his relative inexperience. Second only to Scone’s Reece Jones (86.5 wins) in the State’s junior riding premiership, he is obviously a star of the future. It wasn’t the best of days for another rising star, Neasham, who was fined $7000 by stewards in Sydney and had Cox Plate favourite ZAAKI disqualified from his second placing in the Group 3 JRA Plate at Royal Randwick in April, having presented him to race with a prohibited substance analysed in his pre-race blood sample. OKAY OKAY was a late withdrawal at the barrier when found to be lame in the off-hind leg. 

RACE 7 – THE RACE TO SHELLY BEACH GOLF CLUB BENCHMARK 64  (1350m)

The judge couldn’t separate favourite BUDHWAR ($1.75) and PRINCE OF DUBAI ($6), who had stalked him throughout and switched around his heels on straightening to issue a challenge. Jason Collett tried hard to squeak home on heavily-backed BUDHWAR for local trainer Damien Lane, but it wasn’t to be. GENERAL DUBAI’s rider Sam Clipperton had won earlier on STONESTHROW for Tracey Bartley and this time got Peter Robl a share of the major spoils. In a bustling finish, evergreen local sprinter ISORICH ($7.50) was a close third at his 134^th start. The rising 11-year-old continues to beat time and has earned his connections more than three quarters of a million dollars in prizemoney.

RACE 8 – GOSFORD RSL CLUB BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1600m)

BRENTON Avdulla could not have produced a better ride to send favourite backers’ home on a happy note. DUNDEE LEE ($3.10 after $4 was offered earlier in the day) became the fifth favourite to score, and of course another, BUDHWAR, dead-heated. On a day where it was important to be up on the pace (the rail was 3m out), Avdulla put the Newcastle mare in a winning position from the outset, then got a split on straightening. Vigorously ridden, DUNDEE LEE held on to defeat ACHI BABA ($12 to $7.50) and SALSA MAN ($8.50), who invariably races well at Wyong. The five-year-old daughter of DUNDEEL has now won six races for her connections, and added to a couple of good days for Newcastle’s KRIS LEES, who also won races at Doomben and on the Kensington track yesterday.

Kristen Buchanan carried the flag for the locals on a day of competitive racing at the Wyong Roos Foundation Race Day. 

Buchanan has her eye on a Provincial Championships campaign for her progressive filly Oakfield Arrow, who brought up her second career win from start six in the 1350m Fillies & Mares BM64.

The track held up well under consistent drizzle and there were several impressive winners with Gary Moore’s Light Up My World scoring a dominant five length victory over 1600m.

John O’Shea’s New Zealand import Comme Bella Fille also looks like a progressive stayer in the making taking out the 2100m race.

Race 1 – WYONG ROOS FOUNDATION MAIDEN PLATE (1000 METRES)

Gary Portelli’s long and successful association with Elite Thoroughbreds continued with Walkin’Talkin’ breaking through for his debut win. 

Portelli trained the gelding’s sire, I’m All The Talk, a winner of the Group 3 Skyline in 2013 and has four of his progeny currently in his stable. 

Elite Thoroughbreds purchased Walkin’Talkin’ for $45,000 at the Perth Magic Millions sales and look to have made a good investment.

Portelli said I’m All The Talk, who stands in Western Australia, is one of the leading second season sires in Australia.

“I really liked him when I trained him, and he seems to be doing very well as a sire,” he said. 

“I was pretty confident coming here today. He was coming out of a very strong race last start.”

Walkin’Talkin’ debuted at Scone on May 14, finishing fourth over 1000m.

“He got the wobbles when he got to the front that day. He was three deep most of the way and wasn’t quite there on the day. 

“I was impressed with the turn of foot he showed today. I was little concerned with the slow tempo but when Rachel (King) asked him to quicken she had some horse there. 

“I liked the way he went through the line and think he will be better when he gets up to 1100m to 1200m. He’s got a motor and he’s got ability and it’s great to get another winner for Elite.”

King settled Walkin’Talkin,’ the $1.95 favourite, just behind the leader hugging the rails, taking the lead on straightening, and drawing away to win by almost two lengths. 

Tracey Bartley’s Compassionate ($3.50), who had a wide run throughout, was second, with the fast finishing Buckin’ Rippa ($11), from the Damien Lane stable, third.

Race 2 – BELLBIRDS PROV & CTRY MAIDEN HANDICAP (1100 METRES)

Comonic continued a winning week for Scott Singleton and Jay Ford, the Nicconi gelding bringing up win three for the combination.

Singleton and Ford scored a double at Scone on Monday and continued the run 

three days later at Wyong with Comonic, a three-year-old having his third race start. 

Ford took luck out the equation, leading on Comonic throughout. He looked to be 

cruising coming to the turn and drew away to win by a length. 

Ford was full of praise for Comonic, believing he will go on to win better races. 

“His future is pretty bright long term and it’s good to knock the maiden out of the way today,” he said.  

 “This fellow is only lightly raced but going really well. He ran a good second the other day at Gosford and today was his day to break through.

 “He’s very natural in what he’s doing but at the same time he’s pretty green.”

Comonic was the second favourite of the day to win, having started at $2.40. 

He beat Nick Mitchell’s Miss Checkoni ($31) who was eye-catching on debut, with 

Minniti ($4.20) from the Sam Kavanagh stable, third. 

Race 3 – CENTRAL COAST VOLUNTEER RESCUE ASSOCIATION MAIDEN HANDICAP (1600 METRES)

Gary Moore had Queensland Oaks aspirations for his filly Light Up My World who was a dominant five length winner over the 1600m.

The Toronado filly, a $42,500 yearling, was having her third start for the stable and her fourth career run. 

Moore had intended on targeting the Queensland Oaks but ran out of time and decided to keep the three-year-old racing in NSW. 

She was second at her last start at Hawkesbury over 1500m on May 20 and really hit her straps at Wyong, blitzing her opposition in the final stages. 

Tim Clark had positioned Light Up My World just behind the leader, hitting the front on the point of the turn and drawing away to the line.

James Moore, representing the stable, said it was good to see the filly put it all together. 

“We were initially aiming her towards the Oaks at Queensland but probably got her a little late to rush her into that target.

“She put it all together today. She’s a lovely filly, great to do anything with, very relaxed and bred to get 2000m to 2400m so there will be bigger plans for her.” 

Light Up My World earned strong late support and was sent out $2.35 favourite. She beat Mark Newnham’s Angela Sistina ($2.40), with $101 longshot Minneapolis, trained by Colin Besters, putting in a much-improved run to finish third. 

 Race 4 – WE CARE CONNECT CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (2100 METRES)

John O’Shea looks to have a promising stayer on his hands with Comme Bella Fille ($1.90) who continued a good day for favourites. 

The daughter of Complacent made short work of her opposition, courtesy of a confident ride by Tommy Berry.

He settled the three-year-old mid-field, taking off just before the turn and hitting the lead on straightening. 

He was able to ease up in the final stages and still record a convincing win.

Comme Bella Fille did her early racing in New Zealand where she recorded a win at Matamata, before being purchased by OTI Racing and transferred to O’Shea. 

She has had two starts for the new stable, with a sixth at Wyong over 1350m on April 29 and was runner-up over 1600m at Newcastle on May 18.

Stable foreman Tom Charlton said they had a good opinion of the filly. 

“She’s going for a break now and will come back in the spring. I think she will have a lot to offer in the future,” he said.

“She could be a promising stayer. She will take a lot out of today’s win and the confidence will do her good.”

Berry agreed the filly had potential. 

“She’s a nice filly going through her preparation. I still think she’s a preparation away and is still a bit raw and a bit new.”

Kristen Buchanan’s Oakfield Cherokee ($6.50) finished strongly into second, with Upscale ($7) trained by John Sargent, third.

Race 5 – CENTRAL COAST KIDS IN NEED 4YO&UP MAIDEN PLATE (1350 METRES)

It was a welcome return to the winner’s circle for Scone based Sam Kavanagh after Dulcero’s tough breakthrough victory over 1350m. 

The Dawn Approach mare, a $180,000 yearling previously raced by Godolphin, had been racing consistenly leading up to the win and was coming off a second at Muswellbrook over 1500m on May 23. 

Kavanagh said it had looked like another “horror story” after Andrew Gibbons was caught three wide from the outside draw.

“I was a little concerned, but Gibbo knows her well and produced her at the right time. 

“These owners have been brilliant, and we’ve been waiting a whole year to get a win with them. 

“She was one of the first horses we brought but had a lot of feet issues and problems so it’s rewarding to finally win for them. 

“Our horses are running terrific but just haven’t been getting to the line first, so I’m tickled pink for them.”

Dulcero ($4.80) was produced late in the straight but managed to run down the locally trained River Tycoon ($4.60) from the Mark Cross stable. 

The $2.30 favourite Exterminate, from the Tim McIntosh yard, looked to have every chance and finished third, a length behind the winner. 

Race 6 – WYONG LEAGUES CLUB GROUP F&M BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1350 METRES)

A win for the locals with Kristen Buchanan’s promising filly Oakfield Arrow bringing up her second win from six starts.

It was heart on the sleeve stuff for Buchanan with the three-year-old having to sustain a long run in the straight before scoring a narrow win. 

She now plans to spell the Press Statement filly and will bring her back for a tilt at the Provincial Championship Series in 2022. 

“I’m really happy but I didn’t think she was going to get there,” a relieved Buchanan said. 

“She had a bit of a hard time behind the slow tempo but got there in the end. 

“It was a really good ride by Aaron (Bullock) and he got job done. 

“I think she’s got a really bright future, so I’ll spell her now and bring her back for the spring. 

“She’s tenacious enough and genuine enough to run in the Provincials and I’d like to have a go at it.” 

Bullock described it as a “good win.”

“When I got cover, she relaxed good and when I got clear air and running, she got the job done. 

“It was a good win. You get a good feel for horses going to the barriers and she gave me a great feel and all credit to Kristen.” 

Runner-up, Matthew Smith’s Latina Beauty ($7.50) was the hard luck story of the race, having been caught wide throughout. 

Oakfield Arrow, a $170,000 Magic Millions yearling, eased in the betting late, still starting $2.20 favourite. 

Hard Faith ($10) from the Nathan Doyle stable, was third.

Race 7 – WYONG ROOS FOUNDATION CG&E BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1350 METRES)

The Jeremy Gask trained Tim’s Principal got the nod in an exciting finish, bringing up back-to-back wins for the seven-year-old.

It was a patient ride by in-form apprentice Reece Jones, who had to weave a passage in the final stages bursting through on the line to win by a neck.

Gask said it was great to see the gelding return to winning form. 

“It was three years between wins and then he goes back-to-back. It terrific he’s in good form,” he said.

“He had a few hiccups during the drought and fires and had real trouble respiratory wise, so he had a long time off.

“He came back, and things didn’t go right but he’s in really good form now. 

“It was a great ride by Reece. He gets on really well with the horse – he’s a good lad.“

In the closest finish of the day, seven horses finished within a length of the post, with Tim’s Principal ($4.60) getting the nod over Damien Lane’s $2.80 favourite Budhwar. 

Lake Tai ($12) from the Bjorn Baker stable, was third. 

Race 8 – WYONG BOWLING CLUB CONDITIONAL BENCHMARK 68 HANDICAP (1100 METRES)

A downgraded track didn’t affect the chances of the Stephen Jones trained Toro Toro despite the concerns of the stable. 

The Time For War four-year-old proved he has no problem with rain affected tracks, relishing in the conditions to overhaul his rivals on the line for a strong win. 

Tracy Rodger, representing the stable, said the horse’s only other experience in the wet was on a heavy track at a Muswellbrook trial. 

“He did win the trial that day but was too good for them so we didn’t think that gave us a good guide as to whether he would handle it,” she said.

“He’s always been handy and has done super in the last two weeks and we thought we had a good chance until we saw the rain.

“He got through it well and it was a good win. It’s great to have Matty (Palmer) at Scone and riding our horses.”

Palmer said he also been surprised how well Toro Toro handled the track.

“It took me by surprise. He’s a huge horse and is pretty heavy so I thought he might just sink but he kicked away and was too good.” 

Toro Toro ($7.50) beat Matthew Smith’s undeniable ($15), with Tamworth galloper Cassy’s Sister ($11) from the Troy O’Neile stable, third.

. 

TALK about keeping it in the family!

They didn’t have to oppose one another, and emerged as the starring act at Wyong today.

Leading Newcastle jockey Andrew Gibbons and his talented apprentice son Dylan had only one ride each on the seven-race program, and came away celebrating a special double.

Gibbons led throughout on locally-trained VIBRANT ($2.80) in the opening event, the Former Members of NSW Parliament F&M Maiden Handicap (1100m).

The younger Gibbons had to wait another six races, then turned in a repeat performance, also making the running and getting the cash on topweight MOMACK ($4.20) in the closer, the Central Coast Coolrooms Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m).

Popular Sydney trainer Bob Pearse was back in the winning list for the first time since November, 2019 when CURTIS ISLAND ($4.80) shed his maiden status in the Real + CG&E Maiden Handicap (1100m).

Pearse has trained at Randwick since 1985, and has wound back his team in the last few years and now has only two horses in work.

“The most I ever had was 17 horses and generally averaged around 12 in work,” Pearse said.

CURTIS ISLAND, raced by New Zealander John Thompson, who splits his time between Queenstown and Sydney, is a son of 2015 Doncaster Mile winner KERMADEC; hence his name.

Curtis Island is a volcanic island in the South-West Pacific, and belongs to the Kermadec Islands, an outlying island group located halfway between New Zealand and Tonga.

Course curator Phil Roberts earned plenty of plaudits for the manner in which the track played, starting out as a “Soft 7” after rain fell yesterday and being upgraded to a “Soft 6” midway through the meeting.

RACE 1 (FORMER MEMBERS OF NSW PARLIAMENT F&M MAIDEN HCP, 1100m): 

PUNTERS weren’t roaring with delight after heavily backed odds-on favourite PRESSITA ($1.85) couldn’t run down trainer Allan Denham’s filly VIBRANT, who eased to start at $2.80 as a result of the support for the former. This was her first win at her sixth start, and she keeps improving. PRESSITA was diagnosed as a “roarer” and underwent tie back surgery to correct the problem. She had been placed at four of her previous five runs and began awkwardly at her resumption. She will take improvement from today’s run. The winner is owned by George Altomonte’s Corumbene Stud, and is a daughter of twice Sydney winner, the Galileo mare Brightest, who was prepared by the late Guy Walter.

RACE 2 (MY LOCAL BROKER 3YO MAIDEN HCP, 1350m): 

PUNTERS again were on the wrong end of the stick when the Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott debutant CROSSCUBE ($9.50) upset his more fancied stablemate JIMMY’S DREAM ($2.25 favourite). A $320,000 yearling purchase at the Gold Coast in 2019, the winner was always in control under apprentice Campbell Rawiller and was never in danger once he shot clear on straightening. Ironically, JIMMY’S DREAM was bumped by his stablemate on jumping away and was inclined to lay in under pressure in the home straight. A post-race vet examination of $4.40 chance HIGH TRIBUTE, who finished last of the eight runners, revealed she was coughing, and Racing NSW stewards will follow up on her post-race condition.

RACE 3 (REAL + CG&E MAIDEN HCP, 1100m):

RANDWICK trainer Bob Pearse had an interesting tale to relate after CURTIS ISLAND broke through at his seventh start. Pearse took his 1998 Newcastle Gold Cup winner JOSS STICKS to Brisbane for the Group 1 Doomben Cup the following year when he ran third to INTERGAZE and LAHAR (later a dead-heat third in that year’s Melbourne Cup). 

“John Thompson raced LAZAR and rang me out of the blue after the Doomben Cup, and offered me a horse,” Pearce said. “He has had a horse with me pretty well every year since, so it was nice to win another race for him today. CURTIS ISLAND is still raw and improving with every run.” The winner’s dam POLYGAMIST is a daughter of Thompson’s 2000 Caulfield Cup winner DIATRIBE. Rachel King had CURTIS ISLAND up on the pace and he was too good for $2 favourite SELHURST PARK and SLEIPNER ($5).

RACE 4 (SWANSEA SMASH REPAIRS 2YO MAIDEN PLATE, 1100m):

PATRICK Scorse’s return to Wyong – where he won at his first ride at the track three years ago and is now apprenticed to local trainer Tracey Bartley – didn’t end well. He rode second favourite KISS SUM ($3.80), who began awkwardly and lost ground, and settled further back than anticipated. Scorse later pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for allowing his mount to shift in near the 150m when not sufficiently clear of ROYALZEL (8^th at $5.50), which had to be steadied and lost its rightful running. KISS SUM finished fifth and can be given another chance. PARK AVENUE ($11) made a successful debut, diving through near the inside in the straight and narrowly holding out another first starter DEFICIT ($3.50 favourite). DECISIVE MOVE ($6.50) was always in contention and battled on well for a close third. The winner fetched $220,000 as a yearling at the Gold Coast last year and would have been unlucky not to win as he was held up momentarily at a crucial stage near the 100m.

RACE 5 (WYONG RUGBY LEAGUE CLUB GROUP CLASS 1 HCP, 1200m):

GOSFORD trainer Kylie Gavenlock has a smart horse on her hands in CREAM RISES ($2.90 favourite), who made it two wins from as many starts. The John Singleton-owned beautifully-bred three-year-old (Fastnet Rock – More Strawberries) won on debut over 1100m on his home track on Anzac Day and turned in another excellent performance to overpower DUCHESS ($4.40) and BEAUCHAMP ($18). Gavenlock described him as “not the sharpest tool in the shed”, but said the three-year-old was continuing to learn and getting better all the time. A hat-trick is definitely not beyond him, and he gives the impression of being even better suited on bigger tracks.

RACE 6 (THE BOBBI JO DILLON BENCHMARK 64 HCP, 1350m): 

A confident long-priced plunge on runner-up WILD CHAP ($26 to $6) almost came off. The Kembla Grange-trained four-year-old had won at Wyong last August and finished second at the same track in November. He had no luck at his previous run when unplaced on his home track on April 17 and gave his backers a great sight when he made the running, but couldn’t quite hold off Chris Waller’s three-year-old filly CENTIMENTAL ($9), who began awkwardly but was still good enough to overcome that. Rider Josh Parr could offer no tangible explanation for the disappointing performance of favourite VANDERLAND (8^th at $4.40). Stewards will follow up the gelding’s post-race condition in coming days. 

RACE 7 (CENTRAL COAST COOLROOMS BENCHMARK 64 HCP, 1600m): 

DYLAN Gibbons took bad luck out of the equation by taking MOMACK ($4.20) straight to the from his outside draw and dictated terms. Despite his 59kg after the lad’s 3kg claim, he found plenty when challenged approaching the home turn by runner-up LADIES’ GEM ($10). 

“I didn’t think he had much left when the second horse poured the pressure, but he found a bit,” Gibbons said. “I thought we were in a bit of strife, but he changed legs and found again.” Gosford trainer Angela Davies missed MOMACK’S victory as she woke up this morning with severe toothache and wasn’t well enough to attend the races.

Damien Lane’s filly Zorocat was rewarded for her consistency scoring a tough win over 1200m on her home track. 

The three-year-old had been narrowly beaten at her past two starts at Newcastle over the same distance. 

The win is the stable’s fourth in two weeks, taking Lane to 28 for the season to date.

Lane had always believed the Zorocat would be better suited at Wyong and was proved right when she brought up her second win at start eight in the HMA FLOW & INDUSTRIAL CLASS 1.

The only concern had been the wide barrier, but Jason Collett was able to ease the Toronado filly over from barrier 10 to take the lead. 

He maintained the front throughout and was able to hold out the fast-finishing Mix, from the Widdup stable, to win by almost a length.  

“I think she’s a filly with better races in store for her,” Lane said.

“She’s been a work in progress. She’s a bit hot headed but has shown us ability from day one. 

“When she can harness that energy and we get up to 1400m she’ll be quite a nice filly.”

Lane said Zorocat had been primed for the win. 

“She’s been a bit stiff in both runs at Newcastle and was nabbed late by a couple of smart horses.

“Wyong was always going to suit her better if she got the right run.

“She was probably spot on today and Jason did a great job. 

“Lustre Lodge paid around $150,000 for her and it’s good to get a filly of that quality in our stable.” 

The win brought up a double for Collett, who said the filly gave him a “good feel.”

Zorocat ($3.30), beat the $2.90 favourite Mix, with Pia Sofia ($31) from the Quinton stable, a close third. 

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Paul Perry’s consistent three-year-old Saquon could be headed for better things on the strength of his win in the 1350m HMA WEAR SOLUTIONS BENCHMARK 64.

The No Nay Never gelding, a $150,000 yearling, brought up his second win at start six, with three seconds to his name. 

Saquon didn’t have it all his own way, with The Crimson Idol, from the Jeff Englebrecht stable, going head-to-head in the final stages of the race. 

Jockey Tim Clark described it as a “tough win.” 

“Full credit to the horse. He had to dig in with a big weight. For a young horse that bodes well for the future,” he said.

“He was there to be beaten at the furlong, but he really dug in and got the job done. 

“He’s quite a nice three-year-old and is going to progress to some better races than Wyong on a Thursday.

“He’s got a racing style about him as well and that’s going to take him a long way.”

Saquon, the $1.70 race favourite, beat The Crimson Idol by a short half head, with Waller’s Canadian Spice ($11), third.

Wayne Seelin’s ten-year-old Isorich ($21) was fourth in his 131^st start.  

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Wyong specialist Stoltz continued his winning association with the track bringing up his third victory from three starts in them 1000m HMA GEOTECHNICAL BENCHMARK 64.

Annabel Neasham’s speedy More Than Ready gelding proved way too strong for his opposition, drawing away to win by almost two lengths. 

It was a well rated ride by apprentice Louise Day, who sat just off the speed, bringing the three-year-old to the outside on straightening and drawing away in the final stages. 

Day described it as Stotz’s most convincing win. 

“He obviously loves it around this track, its three from three now and Annabel has done a great job with him.

“To make him fire first up for probably his most convincing win is a great effort.

“When I asked him to go when we came around the bend he just picked up and it was a really class win.

“I would say he will be quite competitive come the winter.”

A $200,000 Magic Millions yearling, Stoltz was having his seventh career start, with three wins and two placings to his name. 

He was sent out $4.60 second favourite and beat Brett Partelle’s Perfect Style ($4.60), with Rahini Factor, trained by Greg McFarlane ($11) third. 

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Leave Me Be impressed jockey Lee Magorrian with her strong win in the HMA GROUP MAIDEN over 1200m.

The NIcconi filly, having her third career start, drew away from her opposition in the final stages to win by half a length. 

Magorrian believes the Chris Waller trained three-year-old has better wins in store. 

“I think she should get a city win this preparation,” he said. 

“She raced well the whole way today and knuckled down well over the last bit.

“I got on the back of the favourite from the 500m onwards and I knew she was going to be hard to beat.”

Magorrian said Leave Me Be would get over more ground, possibly up to 1600m. 

The winner defied a late betting drift, with Dehorned Unicorn earning strong support to start $2.80 favourite. 

The Joe Pride trained colt looked the winner in the straight, before being run down.

Leave Me Be was bred by former trainer Bob Haire, who retains a share in the ownership.

Dehorned Unicorn was runner-up, with the Bjorn Baker trained Cinque Torri ($3.10) third.

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Jarrod Austin’s confidence in Fattore Stella paid off with the mare breaking through for her debut win in the 1350m HMA INSTRUMENTATION 4YO & UP MAIDEN.

Jess Taylor gave the four-year-old a great rails run in the straight, drawing away on the line to win by more than a length. 

Austin had been confident Fattore Stella would be at her best. 

“It’s the first time in a long time that I’ve come to the races with her ticking every box,” he said. 

“She’s been working good and travelling better with the blinkers on.

“It certainly looked like an attractive race for her on paper and panned out that way.

“It wasn’t the strongest race, but you’ve got to be there and be in good order to win and she did just that.”

Austin praised the ride by Taylor.

“You rarely see Jess make a mistake. She rides a bit of work for us and it good to see her get a winner for us.”

Fattore Stella ($6.50) beat Company Line ($14) from the Nick Mitchell stable, with Above Reserve ($5) trained by Jim and Greg Lee, third.

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Do This All Day put in a superior staying performance to beat some of his more fancied rivals in the 2100m HMA POWER GENERATION MAIDEN.

The Clare Cunningham trained three-year-old was having his fourth career start and coming off a 2200m at Nowra on April 20 where he finished just two lengths behind the winner. 

Jason Collett gave the gelding a great ride, patiently sitting midfield before taking a rails run on straightening, bursting through in the final stages to win by a length. 

“I’ve always liked this horse from the first time I saw him in the paddock,” Cunningham said. 

“I had the pick of a couple of horses at Domeland and chose him. 

“He’s a really tough character and showed that today. He was on a ten day back up but showed us no reason not to run him. 

“He continues to relish his training and it was only his fourth start today.

“It is so good to get the job done and I think he has a bit more under his belt.”

A $540,000 Inglis yearling, Do This All Day beat Matthew Smith’s Bedford Square ($2.45), with Red Hot Zone ($12) almost four lengths behind in third. 

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The well supported Squanto kept punters happy with a convincing win in the HMA MATERIALS HANDLING CLASS 1 over 1600m. 

The Sebring gelding was given a gun ride by Brenton Avdulla, who waited patiently for a gap to open in the straight, before steering the three-year-old to a two and a half length win. 

The Gary Portelli trained Squanto, raced by Max Whitby and Neil Wherrett, was having his 10^th career start, resuming at Newcastle on April 10 for a third over 1200m.

Avdulla said Squanto should be able to progress through his grades. 

“It was a good training effort by Gaz. It’s never easy stepping up from 1200m to a mile and he went well. 

“With the quick tempo I had to back off and take my medicine and sit there behind them and be patient. 

“He quickened well when the gap came. It was a soft win in the end and there’s no reason why he can’t go through his grades.”

Squanto earned significant late support and was sent out $3.30 second favourite, beating Upscale ($10) from the John Sargent stable, with Peter Green’s Spanish Fighter ($3.70) a close third. 

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