LOCAL trainer Rod Bailey produced a $26 upset on his home track at Wyong today – but unlike the majority of punters wasn’t surprised at all.
Bailey’s lightly-raced Dissident four-year-old Let’s Go Johnny, a $3500 weanling purchase, overcame a slow beginning and came from second last on the turn to overpower his rivals in the BENDIGO BANK – CENTRAL COAST FOOTBALL SUPER 4YO&UP MAIDEN PLATE (1200m).
“He really hasn’t been out of form except for his last run when he pulled up ordinary,” Bailey said.
“His first three runs all were good and I put blinkers on him today.
“Coming back to his home track, I thought he was over the odds.
“He’s no superstar, but I think he will win a couple more.”’
Jockey Jenny Duggan switched Let’s Go Johnny wider on the track on straightening and, once into the clear, he sustained a strong burst to swamp joint second placegetters Euromaster ($2.60 favorite) and Red Duster ($5.50).
Winning rider Duggan was adamant about the blinkers contributing to her mount’s performance.
Fellow Wyong trainer Kim Waugh followed Bailey’s victory by scoring with Linguee ($9) in the BROWN FORMAN – CARLTON & UNITED BREWERIES F&M BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1200m).
In posting her sixth win, the six-year-old mare led home a local “girls’ quinella, gamely holding out Steve Schofield’s eight-year-old mare Mosht Up ($12) in the drive to the line.
Nothing could be taken away from Linguee, who did a terrific job to sustain a long run wide on the track and without cover.
She tackled and overhauled the leader She’s Independent on straightening, and then had to pull out all stops to deny the runner-up’s late finish.
Waugh and husband Mark are enjoying a holiday, and winning rider Jay Ford said Linguee had been threatening to win another race, though she had disappointed at her last start when she got too far out of her ground in a similar race at Newcastle when she drew the outside barrier.
Kristen Buchanan had hoped to make it a Wyong TAB quadrella by winning the last two races (after Let’s Go Johnny and Linguee) – but it wasn’t to be.
She had to be content with both Taking The Mikki ($3.60 favorite) and Winning Proposal ($3.20 second favorite) finishing second in respective races.
In defeat however, the Buchanan pair was responsible for excellent performances.
Taking The Mikki raced wide and without cover throughout, whereas the winner Life Coach ($9) enjoyed a rails-hugging ride from Jean Van Overmeire in the WYONG ROOS FOUNDATION CG&E BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1200m).
Buchanan’s five-year-old continues to race consistently and another win is most likely just around the corner.
It’s been a good week for Life Coach’s Kembla Grange trainer Brett Lazzarini, who also won with Bonus Tempus (a winner at Wyong’s Cup carnival last September) on his home track two days ago.
Lazzarini felt Life Coach was well placed back in Benchmark 64 Handicap grade and also was surprised by the generous odds offered about the gelding.
Winning Proposal is a two-year-old who was having only her third start and first after a break, and tackled older horses in the ACCOLADE WINES – REGNIS & SONS REFRIGERATION MIDWAY CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1000m).
Whilst she couldn’t overhaul the pacy Newcastle three-year-old The Escape, who was strongly supported to start $2.25 favorite, she kept coming to the line and will take further improvement from the outing.
Whereas Newcastle finished the day with a good result, that was also the case at the start of the eight-race card on the Wyong Roos Foundation raceday.
Leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees began the day with the quinella in the ANGKASA – SENTOSA MAIDEN PLATE (1600m) – and with the progeny of two mares he trained, both of whom were city winners.
Tigon Princess ($3.50) favorite broke through after seconds at Tamworth at her last two starts, defeating her stablemate So Newchee Thinks ($5.50), whose strong finish suggests she won’t be long hitting a winning note either.
The dams of the quinella pair between them won 11 races – and six were in town.
Tigon Princess is the first foal of Serene Miss, who won six out of her 10 starts, including the 2018 Provincial Championships Final at Royal Randwick.
So Newchee Thinks’ dam Wahng Wah was a five times winner, and three were in the city.
A post-race veterinary examination revealed a small laceration to the filly’s inner left nostril.
He has an unusual name, but there was plenty to like about debutante Kwyjibo’s victory in the ARCADE TRADER – BISHOP COLLINS MAIDEN HANDICAP (1100m).
Trained by husband and wife Lee and Cherie Curtis, the Showtime three-year-old was stylish in comfortably defeating Du Cap ($5) and $2.60 favorite Lily Bobtail.
Kwyjibo had won all four trials (the first at Hawkesbury and then three at his home track at Rosehill Gardens, the latest on May 23), and ran right up to that form.
“We thought earlier on that he might be sold to Hong Kong as he kept trialling so well,” Lee Curtis said.
“But nothing eventuated, and so we decided to kick him off at Wyong in what looked a suitable race.
“He’s a big boy, and a nice horse. I think we’ll have some fun with him.”
Trainer father and jockey son Richard and Jason Collett combined to take the AUBREY BROWN – AUSTBROKERS Benchmark 64 Handicap (2000m) with Whetu ($3.10 favorite).
But the jockey wasn’t supposed to be in the saddle. He deputised for sister Alysha, who sustained an eye injury at Rosehill Gardens last Saturday before the last five races were called off.
“Even though he had 60.5kg topweight, he appreciated the ground and looks set for a good winter with the rain about,” Jason Collet said.
Richard Collett added: “Whetu had two nice lead-up runs over 1500m and 1600m with our apprentice Olivia Dalton to help prepare him for the 2000m.
“And there’s further improvement in him.”
Leading Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup scored with Guzumped at his first start for him at Kembla Grange just over 12 months ago after the four-year-old’s original trainer Mark Newnham relocated to Hong Kong.
And whilst he hadn’t won another race until today, Widdup explained there had been a couple of issues with another son of Dundeel.
“Guzumped had a quarter crack in a foot, and we had to give him time off,” he said.
“He has been consistent in between the two wins (three seconds and a third), and will definitely take further improvement from today’s race as that was only his second start back.”
Jockey Tyler Schiller looked to be in trouble on $1.75 favorite at one stage when shuffled back and caught between other runners, but kept his cool in the HARVEY NORMAN COMMERCIAL – DIAGEO CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1600m).
Once he got Guzumped to the outside in the straight and balanced, the gelding was too good for his rivals and his trainer believes he will handle further as he gets fitter.
GUZUMPED was runner-up twice over 2100m at Hawkesbury and Gosford last winter.
