John O’Shea is making the WYONG LEAGUES GROUP WYONG CUP his own, claiming his third feature in just four years.
Lion’s Roar was the latest of O’Shea’s protégé to claim the prestigious Listed race and the first since linking with training partner Tom Charlton.
Jason Collett gave the seven-year-old a super ride, getting the gelding into the perfect rhythm in the early stages of the 2100m race, before hitting the front in the straight and holding out his rivals on the line.
Lion’s Roar showing his supreme staying prowess to take out the $250,000 race, taking his prizemoney to more than $2.3million.
He has now won six of his 36 starts with 10 minor placings for owners Champion Thoroughbreds, including the G1 Randwick Guineas in 2021.
“It was a really rewarding win for the team,” O’Shea said. “We had a plan to go into the Rowley Mile and come here and got the job done.
“He was really strong and gallant. He has been a tremendous horse for Champion Thoroughbreds and our stable.
“He won his first race as a two-year-old and is seven now and it’s not over yet. Where do we find more of them?”
O’Shea was also complimentary of the ride by Collett, who brought up a race to race double with Lion’s Roar.
“He is riding in sensational form. He’s grown a leg, and we are lucky to be associated with him.”
O’Shea’s winning Wyong Cup run began in 2021 with Berdibek, followed by Benaud last year. Chris Waller still holds the record with eight cup wins but the O’Shea/Charlton stable has dominated in the past few years.
The Cup win brought up a winning double for the O’Shea/Carlton combo, Aunty Rene taking out an earlier race.
Birthday girl Kristen Buchanan got the job done for the locals in the CARLTON DRAUGHT PROVINCIAL BM64 (1600m) with her consistent mare Kervette.
A daughter of Kermadec, the four-year-old has now had two wins and eight placings from her 14 race starts.
It was a perfectly timed ride by Jason Collet, coming from the rear of the field to claim victory. Kim Waugh’s Doraskaya finished third.
Short priced favourite Yoshinobu got the job done in the opening race, READY’S @ THE DOYLO SUPER MAIDEN (1200m) justifying his favouritism.
The Neasham/Archibald colt, a $550,000 Magic Millions yearling, had been impressive in his two trials before resuming. He was ridden by Kerrin McEvoy.
Carrying the name of former champion Show County, the modern-day namesake claimed his first win in the 1350m WYONG LEAGUES GROUP MIDWAY 4YO&UP MAIDEN.
A son of Showtime, the four-year-old was having his fourth start, with trainer Alexandre Lemarie confident he could win.
And that he did, beating the short priced favourite Classic Poetry, with Mark Cross’s locally trained Hoo Haa third. Brazilian born Louis Beuzelin the winning rider.
As is often the case the outsider in a small field wins and that’s exactly how it panned out in the CENTRAL COAST COOLROOMS DA VINCE – 3&4YO BM64 over 1300m.
Gary Portelli’s Debello was given a great front running ride by apprentice Mollie Bourke and was able to hold out his fast-finishing rivals to win.
It was the third win from 18 starts for the son of Deep Field.
Dual acceptor Edited By looked well placed by trainer Michael Freedman in the 1200m BISHOP COLLINS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS’ SPRINGTIME CONDITIONAL BM64 (1200m).
The Written By gelding had impressed last preparation with back-to-back Newcastle wins and raced well when finishing fourth on resuming at Warwick Farm on August 21.
He stormed home down the outside with Rory Hutchings in the saddle to bring up his third career win at start nine with two minor placings.
Aunty Rene held on to win the HUNTER PETROLEUM PRODUCTS F&M BM66 over 1600m in a tough victory.
The So You Think mare making it back-to-back wins following her last start first at Kembla. She brought up win number three for Andrew Adkins and trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton.
Wyong trainers filling the minor placings, with Tracey Bartley’s Lady Superspy second over Allan Kehoe’s Moonlight Grace.
Race favourite Hezdarnhottoo claimed the last, the SENPOS POINT OF SALE CLASS 1 (1100m) for Bjorn Baker and Tommy Berry.
The Too Darn Hot three-year-old now has two wins and a placing his name from just four starts.
Josh Parr was the winner of the prestigious Nathan Berry Medal for the most successful jockey over the three-day carnival. Parr finishing on 14 points.
