race day preview

Brett Partelle is banking on a change of luck for his two runners at Thursday’s SYSCON Race Day.

He saddles up Aytobe and new stable addition Head Spins and considers the consistent Aytobe, who lines up in the 1600m Benchmark 64 as his best chance.

“We could really do with a bit of luck and hopefully that will come at Wyong,” he said. 

“The horses have been racing well but without any luck and that gets pretty frustrating.”

Bullet Train gelding Aytobe has been placed third at his three starts this preparation, his latest outing over the 1350m at Wyong on November 26.

Partelle expects him to appreciate a step up in distance and be very competitive if he can run out the 1600m.

“He’s definitely got a good chance on exposed form, but it will depend if he can run the mile,” he said. 

“He’s given every indication that he can and Rachel (King), who rode him last start, thinks he should.

“We’ve given him a traditional campaign, stepping him up from the 1000m to 1350m in his three starts.

“He’s had the grounding to run the solid mile.”

Partelle said the five-year-old had not been getting beat far among some strong competition. 

“There’s been some good form around him. He was beaten by Mo’s Crown at Newcastle last preparation and he’s franked that form. 

“He’s been sparingly raced and taken a long time to mature.

“He’s racing well, has won one and run eight placings and I’m looking forward to seeing how he can go over the mile.”

Head Spins, a newcomer to the stable, starts in the 1000m Benchmark 64.

The lightly raced five-year-old is coming off two trials, the latest at Gosford on November 25.

“He trialled well first up and was still quite burly and took further improvement for his next trial,” Partelle said.

“I reckon this race will bring him to his peak. 

“We are having a look at him and whatever he does I’m looking forward to moving on with him through the campaign.

“He should run quite nice.

“He has won first up but, in a lot, lesser grade but he’s a happy horse and when you get them happy, they tend to try harder.”

The meeting sees the final round of the Magic Millions Wyong Provincial Trainers Series and Partelle could swoop in for a last-minute victory if both his runners were to greet the judge.

He is one of 19 Provincial trainers with runners across the seven races.

The series has been run over three meetings, with Provincial trainers allocated points for winning or placing in individual races, with a double points bonus race each meeting.

The winner at each meeting receives flights, transfers and accommodation to the Magic Millions Sale of their choice, and the overall winner, decided on Thursday, also bags a $5000 MM Sales credit. 

Race 6, the Benchmark 64 over 1600m, will carry double points.

The first race gets underway at 1.35pm.

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 1.35pm: SICAME AUSTRALIA MAIDEN PLATE (1350m): 1 BIG LION, 2 Saint Of Katowice, 3 Resilient Star, 4 Just A Jedi.

Race 2 – 2.10pm: LAWRENCE & HANSON MAIDEN PLATE (1000m): 1 THAT’S BETTER, 2 Pacific Ocean, 3 Perlant, 4 French Bonnet.

Race 3 – 2.45pm: THE ENERGY NETWORKS METRO & PROV MAIDEN PLATE (1600m): 1 TERONITO, 2 The Fringe, 3 Prince Six, 4 Chenin Blanc.

Race 4 – 3.20pm: INTERNATIONAL POLES CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (2100m): 1 HARPO MARX, 2 Kippax, 3 Persian Front, 4 Every Effort.

Race 5 – 3.55 pm: FIRE & GENERAL CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1200m): 1 NELSPRUIT, 2 Stoltz, 3 Bravio, 4 Yangarra Rose.

Race 6 – 4.35pm: FULTONS FLYING FETLOCKS BM64 HANDICAP (1600m): 1 SHAMANI, 2 Fill Of Fun, 3 Aytobe, 4 Savvy Valentino.

Race 7 – 5.10pm: SYSCON BM64 HANDICAP (1000m): 1 MISS DIOR, 2 Mr Polar, 3 Kyo, 4 Head Spins.

Robert and Luke Price have a three-pronged attack in Thursday’s second heat of the Sky Racing Summer Provincial Series. 

The father and son duo already have Accoy headed to the January 2 final at Wyong following her narrow defeat in the series opener at Hawkesbury on November 19. 

The stable saddles up last start winner Against The Tide, El Magnificence and Mohican, and consider Against The Tide the best of the three.

 “We usually have a little bit of luck when we come to Wyong, so let’s hope it’s our day on Thursday,” Luke Price said.

“We are really happy with Against The Tide. He’s the best chance of our three. 

“He won here (Nowra) the other day and Keagan Latham is sticking with him, plus he has good form around that distance.”

Price said the five-year-old Dane Shadow gelding had taken time to hit form. 

“He’s always shown us that he has ability, but he can just do things wrong. 

“He comes into this in good form, looks sensational and it’s a nice race for him.”

Price said it was ideal with the final being run at Wyong, the horses will have had a hit out on the track.

“It’s good to know the final is there and he will have had a go around the tighter track. 

“I don’t think it will be a problem for him. He’ll put himself on the speed and as long as he’s on the speed and rolling at a nice tempo, he’ll be hard to beat.”

Price expects seven-year-old Mohican could put in a good performance first up. 

“He got beat in a photo finish first up last preparation over the 1350m at Wyong.

“He went to the paddock in really good form and even though he’s first up he’ll run a cheeky race.”

The Authorized gelding will be ridden by Brock Ryan. 

Magnus six-year-old El Magnificence has drawn wide in 12 and Price is uncertain if he will start. 

“I might have to save him for another day but I’m undecided at this stage. 

“It’s his first time out over this trip in a while, he’s only ever had one start at it.

“He’s had a bit of a gear change and is pretty speedy so could easily lead them.”

The Price’s also saddle up Stays On Tour in the 1100m 4YO and Up Maiden.

The four-year-old is having only his second race start and Price is hoping for an improved showing.

“His trials were super going into his first up run, but he just raced terrible. 

“Brock rides him and he knows him really well. We’ll be more positive with him out the gates. 

“He’s a horse who’s taken his time. He’s shown us enough at home but needs to take it to the track.”

The first of seven races gets underway at 1.25pm. 

SELECTIONS: 

Race 1 – 1.45pm: WYONG EQUINE CLINIC 4YO & UP MAIDEN HANDICAP (1100m): 1 NELSPRUIT, 2 Jaytees, 3 Glock, 4 Rubielie.

Race 2 – 2pm: VALE JOHN MCDERMOTT CHAMPION CALLER AND CHAMPION BLOKE MAIDEN HANDICAP (1350m): 1 BIG LION, 2 Chateaux Park, 3 Black Sage, 4 Dizzy Dawn.

Race 3 – 2.35pm: WYONG EQUINE CLINIC 4YO & UP MAIDEN PLATE (1600m): 1 SUPER WALLY, 2 Aunty, 3 Yes No Maybe So, 4 Mister Ripley.

Race 4 – 3.10pm: WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETING THURSDAY DECEMBER 10 MAIDEN PLATE (1000m): 1 STOLTZ, 2 Arctic Rover, 3 Zouly, 4 Pacific Ocean.

Race 5 – 3.50pm: NO EXCUSE FOR ABUSE – DOMESTIC & FAMILY VIOLENCE AWARENESS WEEK CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1350m): 1 EDMOND, 2 Mollycoddle, 3 Titanium Power, 4 Shadow Chaser.

Race 6 – 4.30pm: SKY RACING SUMMER PROVINCIAL SERIES – HEAT 2 – CLASS 5 PLATE (1350m): 1 AGAINST THE TIDE, 2 Great Danger, 3 Trajection, 4 Sapphires Son.

Race 7 – 5.10pm: WYONG EQUINE CLINIC 4YO & UP BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1600m): 1 BUBA, 2 My Desire, 3 Fill Of Fun, 4 All Things.

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Kristen Buchanan is excited about the prospects of her three-year-old Eyewitness who debuts at this Wednesday’s Wyong meeting. 

The Star Witness filly has been impressive in her three trials and Buchanan is keen to see how she can perform under race conditions. 

“She’s a very nice filly and it’s great to finally be going to the races with her,” she said. 

“She is still very immature but in my eyes she has a lot of ability. 

“If she wins, I’ll probably tip her out. I think she has plenty of upside and I want to be patient with her. 

“She is lightly framed and all legs, so she’s got plenty of growing still to come.”

Eyewitness had two nice trials in the winter before being spelled and resumed with a winning trial at Gosford on November 4. 

“Her trials have been good but it’s different on race day in a more pressured situation,” Buchanan said. 

“Her owners, who are new clients to the stable bred her, and are very excited to be going to the races for the first time. 

“I’m confident she will race well for them.”

Eyewitness has drawn favourably in barrier two in the 1000m Maiden and will be ridden by Koby Jennings. 

He also partners Buchanan’s other runners on the day, Upper East Side and Margie Bee. 

Upper East Side resumes in the 1000m BM68 following a nice trial win at Gosford on November 4.

The Manhattan Rain four-year-old has clocked up five wins from his 18 starts, and Buchanan is hoping to add to that tally come Wednesday.

“This is a nice starting point for him,” she said. 

“He’s been a tricky horse. He’s won five races, but he should have won a lot more. 

“He’s matured a lot and this time around he will get the 1200m a bit more comfortably.

“Hopefully there will be enough speed in this race and that should stop him doing anything wrong.”

Buchanan is confident the addition of a Norton bit will help Margie Bee, who starts in the 1200m BM64. 

“She won first up at Wyong but sometimes that’s not such a good thing.

“I think she is a genuine Benchmark 65 horse, so she has a win goes up in grade, carries weight, then we keep racing her in town to drop her benchmark back down and she wins again.

“That’s reality for her, she’s not a superstar but she will continue to win races on her terms.

“She’s been a little bit fierce in her racing, so the Norton has gone on in this race. 

“I’m a bit tired of her going as hard as she can for as long as she can and then tiring.

“I’m hoping it will make a difference to her racing pattern. She will still be up there but just that notch off.”

The first of seven races, on day two of the Magic Millions Wyong Provincial Trainers Series, gets underway at 2pm.

SELECTIONS: 

Race 1 – 2pm:  BOOK YOUR CHRISTMAS PARTY AT WYONG RACE CLUB MAIDEN (1000m): 1 THAT’S BETTER, 2 Screebe, 3 Eyewitness, 4 Urban Warrioir.

Race 2 – 2.35pm: DE BORTOLI WINES MAIDEN (1600m): 1 DUNLEE, 2 Can Do It, 3 Lincoln Park, 4 Somova.

Race 3 – 3.10pm: 1 BELIEBER, 2 Screebe, 3 Escape Artist, 4 Natanya.

Race 4 – 3.45pm; 1 CATHAY, 2 She’s Independent, 3 Margie Bee, 4 Running Four Bub.

Race 5 – 4.20pm: 1 ASPECT RATIO, 2 One Pound, 3 Broadside Armour, 4 Mo The Great.

Race 6 – 4.55pm: 1 MISS CANADA, 2 Trust Me, 3 Emilette, 4 Invincible Lad. 

Race 7 – 5.30pm: 1 BIG BAD BRUCE, 2 Sanctioned, 3 Sedona, 4 Thiswilldous

18 November Race Book – with scratchings.

Click here to download the racebook for 7th November meeting

Damien Lane is hoping for a change of luck when he saddles up four runners at Saturday’s Wyong’s Carlton Draught Spring Race Day.

The stable is going through a run of placings, but Lane is confident things will turn around. 

“We seem to have a period every year when our horses are consistently running placings,” he said. 

“All we can do is ride it out, but it does get frustrating. 

“We’ve also been going through a bit of a transition, moving quite a few horses on and bringing through some young ones.

“It’s a work in progress but we are getting towards where we want to be.”

Lane finds it hard to split his runners on Saturday, considering all four could figure in the finish.

“They’ll all be in the market and I’d like to think they are all good each way chances.”

Stables mates Obscene and Oakfield Target line up in the 1350m Benchmark 68. 

Lane is keen to see Not A Single Doubt mare, Obscene return to form after a disappointing run over 1400m at Newcastle on October 13.

“She’s been a bit plain to be honest. She was caught wide in her first up run and didn’t have a lot of luck but was terrible second up at Newcastle. 

“We had her vetted, checked right over but there was nothing wrong with her. 

“Her work has been good since so I’m putting it down to a bad day and I think she will run an improved race. 

“The 1350m might be a bit sharp and I do want to get her to the mile, but with a few things going wrong I’ve had to back off. “

Lane said there wasn’t a lot between the mare and Oakfield Target. 

“He won really well at Tuncurry three starts back and in both his subsequent runs, when he finished fourth at both Newcastle and Scone, he hasn’t been beaten far. 

“I think he is better on a tighter track and he’s won at Wyong, so this race should really suit him.”

Lane believes the addition of earmuffs will help settle three-year-old, Girls Kick On, in the 1000m Benchmark 64. 

The Scissor Kick filly over raced in her last start at Kensington on October 28, but Lane thinks the step back in class, and distance combined with the gear change will see a much-improved run. 

“She missed the kick slightly in town, got fired up when she had to cross them and just went too hard. 

“Taking that run out, her form has been good, so I expect her to go well.”

Lane is hoping a change of environment will see Oakfield Romance breakthrough for her first win in the 1350m Fillies and Mares Maiden. 

The six-year-old has been placed 13 times from 20 starts and is coming off a second at Scone over 1300m on October 23.

“Her three runs since joining our stable have been good. Kristen (Buchanan) had her but she’s a cranky mare and didn’t do well in the stables, so she suggested I take her so she can be on the farm. 

“She has her own paddock and does seem happier. It was a good run at Scone, and she can improve on that. 

“The 1350m is as far as she wants to go, but it’s a soft 1350m at Wyong and should suit her.”

The first of eight races gets underway at 12.29pm. 

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 12.29pm: RYAN’S METAL ROOFING CG&E MAIDEN (1350m): 1 PRINCE INVINCIBLE, 2 Finally Realise, 3 Ralph’s Folly, 4 Grazie. 

Race 2 – 1.04pm: BOOK YOUR CHRISTMAS PARTY AT WYONG RACE CLUB MAIDEN (1600m): 1MISTER RIPLEY, 2 Winston Blues, 3 Poetry In Motion, 4 Dhakuri.

Race 3 – 1.39pm: 2 FLIES PUNTERS CLUB NSW CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2100m): 1 PROSPERO, 2 Kikikapow, 3 Gunaluva, 4 La Sagra.

Race 4 – 2.19pm: 2 FLIES CHAMPION RYAN MARTIN F&M MAIDEN (1350m): 1 MOLLYCODDLE, 2 Don’t Recall, 3 Divine Intavention, 4 Oakfield Romance.

Race 5 – 2.59pm: 2 FLIES RUNNER-UP GABE RIVETT MAIDEN (1000m): 1 JAYTEES, 2 Black Jacamar, 3 Stoical, 4 Invincible Ninja. 

Race 6 – 2 FLIES QUEENSLAND CREW BENCHMARK 64 (1000m): 1 BAT PAD, 2 Girls Kick On, 3 Invincible Kiss, 4 Pearl Roan. 

Race 7 – 2 FLIES LIFE MEMBERS CONDITIONAL BENCHMARK 68 (1350m): 1 ATHERTON, 2 Foxborough, 3 My Blue Jeans, 4 Oakfield Target.

Race 8 – LJ HOOKER BUDGEWOI CLASS 1 (1350m): 1 FAETHM, 2 General Dubai, 3 Pink Beau, 4 Rose Sauvage. 

Rachel King is enjoying one of her best starts to a season and is hopeful of continuing a winning run at Wyong’s Go Electrical Race Day on Thursday.

King currently ranks fourth in the State Jockey’s Premiership with 21 winners, 11 of those on Provincial tracks.

She took out the feature double on Wyong Gold Cup day and was a winner again at the club’s latest meeting on September 22.

“I better say it’s my favourite track,” King joked. “I have had some success there of late and it would be nice for that to continue.

“Things have been going well for me and it helps riding nice horses and getting good support from the trainers.”

She partners two runners for the John O’Shea stable on Thursday, Class Act and Prince Invincible.

Not A Single Doubt mare, Class Act, was fourth when resuming at Hawkesbury over 1100m on September 10 with King in the saddle. 

The four-year-old starts in the Fillies and Mares Maiden over 1200m and King expects improvement.

“She’s a filly that’s taken a little bit of time to get her right mentally. She had a couple of barrier issues earlier in her career,” King said.

“Everything went well for her at Hawkesbury and that was the main aim, to make sure she had a good experience.

“I thought she ran a good race. The track was quite soft that day and she will appreciate a better track. I think she will take quite a bit of improvement off that first up run.”

King teams with Prince Invincible, in the 1200m Colts, Geldings and Entires Maiden, his second career start.

The three-year-old by  I Am Invincible is coming off a sixth at Wyong over the 1200m on September 4.

“He’s one that I’ve had quite a bit to do with and I’ve ridden him in a lot of his trackwork,” she said. 

“He’s a really nice little horse. Things didn’t go quite right for him last start, and he was a bit unlucky. His trackwork has been good and I think he is suited to Wyong.” 

King links with Richard and Michael Freedman in the 1600m Benchmark 64, riding Unamerican.

She partnered the Americain gelding in his first up effort at Kembla on September 17, where he finished fourth. 

 “It was a really good run first up over the 1500m,” King said.

“It was a good effort and he ran really well. He will take a fitness edge from that first up run and the extra distance will really help him.”

King believes the Gary Portelli trained Long Weekend is capable of defying the odds and putting together back to back wins, when he starts in the 1100m Benchmark 64.

She rode the Pride Of Dubai colt to his debut win at Kembla over 1000m on September 17.

“He’s a lovely horse and Gary’s done the right thing by him and taken him along quite slowly,” she said.

 “He was impressive that first run. We expected him to do that, but it’s still nice when they can perform well at their first start. 

“He didn’t have everything go right for him and got a bump at the start and was up on the speed the whole way. 

“It was quite a tough win with a bit of merit to it. By all accounts he’s done well since. 

“Only six percent of horses get a win next start after their maiden but he could be one who could definitely give it a good shot. He’s going the right way.”

SELECTIONS: 

Race 1 – 1.10pm: ELECTRA CABLES 4YO&UP MAIDEN (1600m): 1 ZARZOU, 2 Alumna, 3 Kutayha, 4 Oconee. 

Race 2 – 1.45pm: HANECO LIGHTING MAIDEN (1350m): 1 WRITE ON, 2 Fields Of Honour, 3 Nyami, 4 Lanu Moana.

Race 3 – 2.20pm: SUNNY LIGHTING F&M MAIDEN (1200m): 1 ONLY MINE, 2 Alloro, 3 Class Act, 4 Calgary Queen.

Race 4 – 2.55pm: BRILLIANT LIGHTING CG&E MAIDEN (1200m): 1 Maccomo, 2 Colonel, 3 Mix, 4 Faethm.

Race 5 – 3.35pm: GO ELECTRICAL LONG JETTY CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2100m): 1 LUNAR RAIN, 2 Avalene, 3 Black Star Bowie, 4 Under The Pump. 

Race 6 – 4.10pm: GO ELECTRICAL THORNLEIGH BENCHMARK 64 (1600m): 1 UNAMERICAN, 2 New Tycoon, 3 Discombe, 4 Dance Away.

Race 7 – 4.45pm: MAGIC MILLIONS 2YO’S IN TRAINING SALE – NOV 10 – GOLD COAST BENCHMARK 64 (1350m): 1 BLAZING MAC, 2 Commanding Missile, 3 Chanting, 4 Bethencourt. 

Race 8 – 5.25pm: GO ELECTRICAL CHARMHAVEN BENCHMARK 64 (1100m): 1 OCEAN EMPEROR, 2 Long Weekend, 3 Knight, 4 Zeftabrook.