race day preview

It’s going to be a big weekend for Kembla trainer Ross McConville with a runner in the last at Randwick on Saturday and another lining up in the first at Wyong on Sunday. 

But the 77-year-old thinks it could be all worthwhile if his talented mare Either Oar can greet the judge in Sydney along with his two Wyong runners Tell The Future and South Of India

“It will be busy that’s for sure, but all three horses are racing well and hopefully we can get some results.”

It’s been almost two years since McConville took over the stables of his long-term partner Gwenda Markwell following her shock cancer diagnosis in February 2022. 

Sadly, she succumbed to the disease eight months later, but McConville had already been running the operation for some time, so it was a relatively seamless transition. 

He had had a lengthy association with Markwell, having bred and raced horses as part of her team for many years. 

The operation has been paired down to around 26 horses, a manageable number for McConville, who has already trained nine winners this season, one more than last season’s tally. 

He is confident Tell The Future (pictured), a four-year-old Nostradamus gelding, can add to his winners by claiming the 2100m Class 1 Maiden on Sunday. 

He has had 11 starts for three placings but McConville believes he has now found the key that will help Tell The Future break through.

“He used to play up in the gates and wouldn’t jump. So, I sent him to Shane Rose (a triple Olympic medalist in eventing) at Bimbden Park for three weeks. 

“He jumped cleanly at his last start over 2000m at on Saturday and finished third. I think if he can do the same at Wyong and jumps well he will be right in the finish. It looks like a good race for him, and he’s been placed at the track over the same distance.”

McConville has a good opinion of South Of India, who will line up in the 1000m Class 1. 

The Churchill three-year-old is a last start Newcastle winner over 900m on January 11. 

“He’s a very nice up and coming horse. I bred him and have high expectations but want to take my time with him.

“I expect him to race really well.” 

Wyong is honouring departing trainer Stephen “Crusher” Farley on Sunday, naming a race after him. 

Farley, who has trained at the track for more than 23 years, is relocating to Port Macquarie. 

The first on a seven-race card gets underway at 1.35pm. 

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 1.35pm: TAB.COM.AU CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2100m): 1 TELL ME MA, 1 Tell The Future, 3 Bush Girl, 4 Lady Brulee. 

Race 2 – 2.10pm: HUCKEL EXCAVATIONS MIDWAY CLASS 1 (1600m): 1 SOVEREIGN DANE, 2 Devine Outcast, 3 Gardenzio, 4 Outakandy.

Race 3 – 2.45pm: SKY CHANNEL PROVINCIAL MAIDEN (1350m): 1 FUGITIVA, 2 Pluckten, 3 Shigeru, 4 Cup Of Ambition. 

Race 4 – 3.25pm: WYONG LEAGUES CLUB F&M MAIDEN (1200m): 1 KHAZNAH, 2 Countyourblessings, 3 Koby Girl, 4 Our Voice. 

Race 5 – 4.04pm: CARLTON & UNITED BREWERIES CG&E MAIDEN (1200m): 1 NOBLE ONE, 2 Edited By, 3 Khumbila, 9 Merchant Empire. 

Race 6 – 4.45pm: BEST WISHES WRC TRAINER STEPHEN “CRUSHER” FARLEY CLASS 1 (1000m): 1 SHAKO, 2 Pearl’s Treasure, 3 South Of India, 4 Fludway.

Race 7 – 5.21pm: DE BORTOLI WINES BM64 (1300m): 1 MERRY MAC BOY, 2 King’s Duty, 3 Mirra Impact, 4 Selfless Act. 

It’s been a long and frustrating wait for Kylie Gavenlock to get her promising mare Thrill Of Brazil back to the track and now the weather could be against her. 

The five-year-old returns to racing in the 1200m Provincial Maiden at Wyong on Thursday and Gavenlock is expecting her to run a “really nice race.”

But a heavy track could affect her chances, so the Gosford based trainer is hoping predicted showers stay away. 

“She has got a bit of ability and her trial on the Beaumont was good,” she said.” I think if the track is okay, she can run a really lovely race, but we will have to see. 

“It’s been a long time getting her back and we are keen to see what she can do.”

The lightly raced daughter of Irish sire Territories has had just five starts and been placed twice at Provincial grade.

Following a fifth on the Beaumont track in December 2022 Gavenlock decided to give her some time to mature but months stretched into more than year. 

“She was very immature at the time and was picky with her eating. We decided to give her three months off and just three days before she was to come back into work, she split her back foot in half. 

“We had to wait for the foot to grow down and that can be like a piece of string. There was nothing structurally wrong with her just the foot and it took a frustratingly long time to heal.”

Gavenlock said while Thrill To Brazil dominated her trial on a heavy Beaumont track on January 5, she believes the track was more chopped up than rain affected. 

“I just don’t think she goes as well on rain affected ground so it will be good if things dry out. I expect her to get out to the mile later this preparation.”

Thrill To Brazil is raced by long time stable supporter Kim Harding, and she will saddle up Diamond Drummer for another of her major clients Greg and Donna Kolivos. 

The five-year-old resumes in the 1350m CG&E BM64 after having just one start for a win for the stable. 

“Greg and Donna usually pass on their horses to me when they aren’t up to city class and Group or Listed races. 

“He came to me in August last year and won first up over 1850m. Obviously he’s a horse who gets over more ground but his two trials going into this have been quite nice.”

By I Am Invincible, the $120,000 yearling purchase, has had 15 starts for two wins and eight minor placings. 

“I really like him and hopefully he has come up again. This is just a starting point for him, but I do expect him to run a nice race.”

The first of seven races gets underway at 1.10pm with the track currently rated a slow 6. 

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 1.10pm: PBL LAW GROUP MIDWAY MAIDEN (1000m): 1 NIGHTCAPPED, 2 Yukan Rose, 3 Still Alice, 4 Lonhanova.

Race 2 – 1.50pm: DE BORTOLI WINES PROVINCIAL MAIDEN (1200m): 1 NORTON ROAD, 2 Shigeru, 3 Fugitiva, 4 Thrill Of Brazil.

Race 3 – 2.25pm: SKY CHANNEL SUPER MAIDEN (1600m): 1IRISH ANTHEM, 2 Denote, 3 Late Night Talking, 4 Noble Tess.

Race 4 – 3.05pm: TABCORP F&M BENCHMARK 64 (1100m): 1THE BLACK CLOUD, 2 Cosmonova, 3 Diamond Lucy, 4 Tidal Impact.

Race 5 – 3.40pm: CARLTON & UNITED BREWERIES CLASS 1 (1200m): 1 COSTA SMERALDA, 2 Diamond Lucy,  3 Eagledge, 4 Externus.

Race 6 – 4.20pm: GO ELECTRICAL F&M BENCHMARK 64 (1350m): 1 LADY BOSS, 2 Linguee, 3 Lady Soames, 4 Mischief In Dubai.

Race 7 – 4.55pm: WYONG LEAGUES GROUP CG&E BENCHMARK 64 (1350m): 1 KATSUMOTO, 2 Carpaccio, 3 King’s Duty, 4 Accuse. 

WYONG trainer Damien Lane didn’t have to debate too long about weekend plans for dual venue acceptor All That Zatso.

When the All Too Hard three-year-old drew poorly in a capacity Magic Millions Maiden Plate (1100m) field at the Gold Coast on Saturday, he quickly decided she would stay at home to run at Wyong the same day.

And his resolution was helped when she drew much more favorably for the Mercure Kooindah Waters Resort Midway Maiden Plate (1000m).

All Too Zatso will be one of two Lane representatives; Flying Artie filly Finest Art being the other.

Lee Magorrian will ride All Too Zatso, and stable apprentice Anna Roper partners Finest Art.

Lane has taken ear muffs off All Too Zatso, but they will stay on her pre-race, and explained the reason for the change of gear.

“We have done a lot of work teaching her to settle this campaign, but she settled too well in the ear muffs at her last start when beaten just under five lengths in a Maiden Plate at a Canterbury night meeting last month,” he said.

“All Too Zatso has been placed at two of her last four runs, and if she can reproduce her previous run at home when runner-up to the promising Bojangles, she will definitely be a good chance.

“But I don’t think there is much between her and my other runner Finest Art, who debuted when seventh to The Black Cloud in a Gosford Maiden Plate (1100m) last Thursday.

“We rode her quietly from a wide draw and her run was better than it may have appeared as she was the widest runner on the home turn.

“I like this filly and feel she has a bit of a future.

“It will probably come down to which of my pair has the better luck in running.” 

Lane also is likely to have dual representation in the following race, the De Bortoli Wines Provincial Benchmark 68 Handicap (1200m).

He has triple venue acceptor Wealthy Investor and Oakfield Mahogany engaged.

Lane quickly scuppered a Gold Coast trip when Wealthy Investor was made fourth emergency for the Magic Millions Rising Stars 3&4YO Class 4 Plate (1300m).

“He would have had to be floated north today without even knowing if he had gained a start,” Lane said.

It’s now a choice between the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1000m) at Royal Randwick, where three withdrawals have already lessened the field to 12, and the Wyong race.

“I will probably wait until just before the 7.30am scratching deadline on Saturday to make a final decision, but at this stage I’m leaning toward Wyong,” Lane said.

“Wealthy Investor is resuming and won a 1000m trial at Wyong on December 15.

“He can race well whichever way we go.

“Oakfield Mahogany is a big boy weighing 590kg. 

“He has had the one run back and might need another, whereas Wealthy Investor is a tall, lean horse who races well fresh.”

Anna Roper will ride Wealthy Investor (but Ash Morgan has the Randwick mount) if he starts at home, and Andrew Adkins rides Oakfield Mahogany.

Lane and Roper are both approaching important milestones in their respective careers.

Lane, with 289 wins, is edging toward 300, and Roper is only two shy of her maiden century.

“I’ve had 18 winners so far this season and, if we keeping going the way we are, the 300 hopefully will come up before the season ends,” Lane said.

Roper is enjoying another brilliant season, taking over from where she inadvertently left off last season after being injured in an after-race mishap at Muswellbrook in November, 2022.

She had ridden 42 winners in not quite the first four months then, and has tallied 41 since joining Lane’s stable at the beginning of the current season.

“Anna is going great, and working hard,” Lane said. “She deserves every success which comes her way.”

Fellow Wyong trainer Rod Bailey also has dual representation in the 1000m Midway Maiden Plate.

He runs HongKong Harmony (Mitchell Bell) and Fruiting Habit (Jess Taylor).

Spirit Of Boom mare Fruiting Habit, an older half-sister to recent Hawkesbury winner Dubai Empress, will race in a nose roll for the first time.

. The rail is in the TRUE position, and the seven-race program begins at 1.25pm. 

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 1.25pm: CARLTON & UNITED BREWERIES F&M CLASS 1 HCP (1300m): 1 IMPOSANT, 2 Give Me Joy, 3 Ring Me Up, 4 Willingale.

Race 2 – 2.00pm: TABCORP BM 64 HCP (2100m); 1 CALIFORNIA GRASS, 2 Jack Duggan, 3 Four O’Clock Knock, 4 Extrarevz.

Race 3 – 2.35pn: MERCURE KOOINDAH WATERS RESORT MIDWAY MAIDEN PLATE (1000m): 1 BATTLEFIELD, 2 Finest Art, 3 All Too Zatso, 4 Fruiting Habit.

Race 4 – 3.10pm: DE BORTOLI WINS PROVINCIAL BM 68 HCP (1200m); 1 THE EXTREME CAT, 2 General Soho, 3 Wealthy Investor, 4 Oakfield Mahogany. 

Race 5 – 3.45pm: SKY CHANNEL SUPER MAIDEN PLATE (1600m): 1 BEACH PARTY, 2 Blend Of Three, 3 Dunbelievin’, 4 Stratified.

Race 6 – 4.20pm: DIMENSION ONE GLASS FENCING CG&E CLASS 1 HCP (1300m): 1 KADALL, 2 Mirra Impact, 3 Outsmarted, 4 Woodlander.

Race 7 – 5.05pm:  SENPOS MAIDEN HCP (1300m): 1 CAPE BYRON, 2 Princess Thalia, 3 Shebrings Beauty, 4 Watermelon.  

WYONG trainer Damien Lane says the opportunity to run his young horses in both feature Magic Millions races at home tomorrow is “too good to pass up”.

Lane opted to start Bare To Witness on resumption in the $150,000 MM 3 & 4YO Stakes (1200m) instead of a restricted race on the program, along with debutante Sneaky Sophia in the $200,000 MM Wyong 2YO Classic (1100m).

Stable apprentice Anna Roper has been given the mount on Bare To Witness, even though it is a non-claiming race, and Reece Jones rides Sneaky Sophia.

Lane dually accepted with Bare To Witness, who went for a break after two impressive country wins, in the PBL Law Group Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m).

“It would have been an easier race for sure, but we had our sights on the 3 & 4YO Stakes when we gave him a break after winning at Dubbo and Coonamble in late September and early October,” Lane said this morning. 

“Races on our home track worth $150,000 don’t come along very often, and being a Magic Millions purchase, he is eligible, so why not have a crack?

“Obviously, he is going up against a Group 1 winner in the favorite Royal Merchant, but I’m really happy with how Bare To Witness has prepared for this.

“He went super (finishing strongly in the centre of the track) when third in a pretty strong trial at Newcastle on November 30.

“If you take the favorite out, it’s a pretty competitive race.

“Whilst we were teaching Bare To Witness to get back and run on in his two country wins, I’m hoping that from an inside draw, he will be able to position up closer tomorrow and he has a really good turn of foot.”

Lane says Bare To Witness will need to be competitive in the 3 & 4YO Stakes if he is to head north for the Magic Millions carnival at the Gold Coast next month.

“There is a Class 4 Plate (1300m) for colts, geldings and entires worth $250,000 on January 6 for three and four-year-olds,” he said.

A $50,000 purchase at last year’s MM yearling sale, the now three-year-old has won three of his eight starts, and more than recouped his purchase price.

Whilst Lane is yet to taste success in either of his home track MM features, he has been around the mark, finishing fourth with $151 bolter Buckin’ Beauty to Problem Solver in the 2018 3 & 4YO Stakes, and third with Wealthy Investor ($18) to Soaring Ambition in the 2021 2YO Classic.

Merchant Navy filly Sneaky Sophia was an $80,000 buy at this year’s MM sale in January.

“She is a half-sister to Just Field, with whom we won a few races and also was placed many times in Sydney and Brisbane, and that’s why we were keen to buy her,” Lane explained.

“Sneaky Sophia has had the one trial (third to Justice Please, one of her rivals tomorrow, over 800m at Newcastle on November 30), and I would have liked to have been able to give her another trial.

“She is quite a nice filly, and I have no doubt will be better as a three-year-old, but again the race is on your home track, there are only eight runners and it’s worth good money.

“The hot favorite (Spywire) dominates the event, but if Sneaky Sophia can run Top 3 or 4, it will be a pleasing outcome looking ahead to the future.”

Spywire, from the powerful Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable, cost $520,000 as a yearling, and is currently a $6 second favorite for the Gold Coast $3m Magic Millions (1200m) on January 3.

But he isn’t the dearest two-year-old in tomorrow’s race.

A son of 2004 Wyong 2YO Classic winner Snitzel, Highness (Tommy Berry), trained by Michael Freedman, fetched $900,000 at this year’s MM sale, and won an 800m trial against his own age at Newcastle on November 30.

Kristen Buchanan is the only other Wyong trainer with a representative in either of the feature events. She runs Stenson Wallman (Koby Jennings) in the 3 & 4YO Stakes.

The seven-race program begins at 1.45pm.

SELECTIONS:

RACE 1 – 1.45PM STAINLESS FX MAIDEN HANDICAP (1350m): DUNBELIEVIN’, 2 Discover, 3 Figment, 4 Preordain.

RACE 2 – 2.20PM PRIDE EXCAVATIONS BENCHMARK 64 HANDICA (2100m): 1 SCARLET PRINCE, 2 Aunt Roberta, 3 Youthfull, 4 Supertrail.

RACE 3 – 2.55PM GOLD COAST YEARLING SALE 3-16JAN BENCHMARK 64 HCP (1600m): 1 MISTRESS, 2 Ritzytwenties, 3 Silent Russian, 4 Heika.

RACE 4 – 3.30PM MAGIC MILIONS WYONG 3 & 4YO STAKES (1200m): 1 ROYAL MERCHANT, 2 Semana, 3 Fleetwood, 4 Bare To Witness.

RACE 5 – 4.05PM WYONG LEAGUES CLUB PROVINCIAL BENCHMARK 68 HCP (1300m): 1 ANNULUS, 2 Little Beginnings, 3 Big Happiness, 4 The Empire.

RACE 6 – 4.40PM MAGIC MILLIONS WYONG 2YO CLASSIC (1100m): 1 SPYWIRE, 2 Toque, 3 Highness, 4 Justice Please.

RACE 7 – 5.14PM PBL LAW GROUP MIDWAY BENCHMARK 64 HCP (1100m): 1 BOJANGLES, 2 Smiling Prophet, 3 Northumbria, 4 The Extreme Cat.

THERE is arguably no more interesting acceptor than Shuri for Saturday’s Wyong meeting – but trainer Kris Lees is holding off confirming a start.

The leading Newcastle trainer is tossing up whether to run the impressive Taree debut winner in the Gosford Masonic Centre Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m) for her first provincial appearance, or stay in the country for a Benchmark 58 Handicap over the same distance at Scone on Monday.

Andrew Gibbons has been booked for Wyong if Shuri goes there, and his apprentice son Dylan goes aboard if she runs at Scone.

Shuri has 56kg (1kg over the limit) at Wyong, but 60kg staying in a country race if Scone gets the nod.

The beautifully-bred four-year-old mare, a daughter of Japanese stallion Satono Aladdin and New Zealand mare Phoenix Tycoon, didn’t begin racing until October 20 when she outclassed her rivals in a 1400m Maiden by four and a half lengths.

“She beat nothing that day but did it well all the same,” Lees said from Melbourne this afternoon.

“I would expect she can hold her form whichever race she runs in.

“We haven’t made a decision yet where she will go.”

Dylan Gibbons went to Taree to partner Shuri on debut, but has Rosehill Gardens bookings on Saturday, including Regal Lion in the $2m Five Diamonds (1800m).

Lees has two Wyong acceptors, and irrespective of what decision he makes with Shuri, will definitely start Bellascent (Andrew Gibbons) in the Freemasons On The Central Coast Provincial Maiden Handicap (1600m).

He regards the three-year-old filly as a place chance after a nice debut fifth in a Newcastle Provincial Maiden (1300m) against her own age on October 17.

Whilst Lees is uncertain about a target for Shuri, Wyong trainer Damien Lane has confirmed Red Cobra will dodge a 1600m Maiden Handicap at Scone to line up at home in the same race as Bellascent.

Lane’s talented apprentice Anna Roper will claim 3kg, bringing Red Cobra in with 2.5kg under the limit at 53.5kg.

The Sebring four-year-old deserves a change of luck after finishing second (Wyong 1350m), Newcastle 1600m and Grafton 1720m) at his last three starts.

“Red Cobra is racing well and looks to be the best of my chances,” Lane said.

“The only negative might be that he is a get back horse, and thus isn’t necessarily best suited at Wyong.

“But we’re staying at home with him on Saturday, and hopefully we can get a breakthrough.”

Stablemate Zedari (Rentokil Initial Super Maiden Plate, 1300m) won’t run as he is heading to Kempsey for the Cup meeting tomorrow, and Lane says it’s 50-50 whether another of his Wyong acceptors contests the same race or also goes to Kempsey.

Trainers Blake Ryan and Richard Collett have made decisions about their respective dual acceptors Critical Time and Struff.

Critical Time (Christian Reith) will start in the Wideline Windows & Doors Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m) rather than the Wyong Leagues Group – The Roos Foundation Midway Class 1 Handicap (1200m), and Ryan has opted to run him minus visors.

Struff (Andrew Calder) contets the race Critical Time has been withdrawn from, and bypasses the Peter Mac’s Service Centre Class 1 Handicap (1350m).

A lightly-raced daughter of Winning Rupert, Struff hasn’t missed a placing in five starts to date.

She finally shed her maiden status at her last run, in a 1300m Maiden at Hawkesbury on October 19.

. The rail is in the TRUE position, and racing gets underway at 1.20pm.

SELECTIONS: RACE 1 – 1.20pm: GOSFORD MASONIC CENTRE BENCHMARK 64 HCP, 1600m: 1 SHURI, 2 Oakfield Twilight, 3 Vegas Outlaw, 4 Statesville. 

RACE 2 – 1.55pm: GARY TURNER MEMORIAL – ABBEY TIMBER 3YO MAIDEN HCP, 1000m: 1 PRIMA BELLA, 2 Winning Run, 3 Angel Of Spring, 4 Slush Fund. 

RACE 3 – 2.35pm: WYONG LEAGUES CLUB GROUP – THE ROOS FOUNDATION MINDWAY CLASS 1 HCP, 1200m: 1 DECEIVE, 2 Struff, 3 Parisian Rose, 4 Estephania.

RACE 4 – 3.15pm: PETER MAC’S SERVICE CENTRE CLASS 1 HANDICAP, 1350m: 1 EAU DE VIE, 2 Imran, 3 Always In, 4 Happy Saturday.

RACE 5 – 3.55pm: FREEMASONS ON THE CENTRAL COAST MAIDEN HCP, 1600m: 1 RED COBRA, 2 Seasons Of Mist, 3 Bellascent, 4 Razella. 

RACE 6 – 4.35pm: RENTOKIL INITIAL SUPER MAIDEN PLATE, 1300m: 1 JAEX, 2 Aix En Provence, 3 Prairie Legend, 4 Major Look.

RACE 7 – 5.06pm: WIDELINE WINDOWS & DOORS BENCHMARK 64 HCP, 1100m: 1 IRON HAT, 2 One Destiny, 3 One Kind, 4 Pad Thai.

HOME is where the heart is!

Wyong trainer Damien Lane’s local track was his most successful last season, and with 23 wins, isn’t far behind Taree (27) as the winningest overall during his career.

And he takes a bevy of runners to home turf tomorrow, keen to make a further impact.

Lane has seven acceptors on the eight-race program, but is settling for five runners.

He has ruled out starting Oakfield Echidna in the Omni – Hager – Cabac CG&E Maiden Handicap (1100m) and Impact Star (Sharkrack – IPD – Emerald Lighting Benchmark 64 Handicap, 1100m) because of wide barriers.

Oakfield Echidna instead will make his debut at Muswellbrook on Monday, whilst Impact Star heads to Dubbo on Friday.

With the latter a Wyong absentee, Lane will rely on Tidal Impact (pictured) in the Benchmark 64 and is looking forward to wiping the slate from an unsuccessful three-start campaign earlier in the year.

“It was a forget preparation,” he said. “She just didn’t come up, and that can sometimes happen with mares. 

“But I’m really pleased with how she is shaping this time in work.

“Jenny Duggan rides her tomorrow, and never had her off the bit when she was a close second in a 1000m Wyong trial on September 18.

“Tidal Impact won twice first-up earlier in her career, and will give them something to catch.

“I’m expecting her to run well.”

Whilst Duggan, who will have her first Group 1 ride in Saturday’s The Metropolitan at Royal Randwick, partners Tidal Impact, Lane’s apprentice Anna Roper has the mounts on three of his other four runners.

They are La Pelago (Haneco F&M Maiden Handicap, 1100m), Glendenning (Robus Lighting – HPM LeGrand – Electra Cables Provincial 4YO & Up Maiden Plate, 1600m), and Red Cobra (Schneider Super Maiden Plate, 1350m).

Adam Hyeronimus rides Oakfield Twilight in the Klein Tools – Evolt – Prysmian – Brilliant Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap (1350m).

Roper has ridden 13 winners already this season, including a Taree success last Sunday and double on the Beaumont track yesterday, and Lane is delighted with her progress since returning from a long lay-off through injury and joining his stable.

“Anna was out for nine months, and it takes time to get going,” he said. “She is very focused, and is really starting to hit her straps again.

“Glendenning and Red Cobra both have 59kg in the set weights events, so her 3kg claim will be very helpful.”

Lane resumes the lightly-raced La Pelago after the Star Turn three-year-old had two unplaced runs last season.

“She showed enough ability, but was a big heavy two-year-old and wasn’t ready,” he explained.

“This isn’t an easy race, but she trialled nicely when a winner at Wyong last week, and it’s a good starting point for her.

“Glendenning has been thereabouts, and I thought his latest run when placed at Coffs Harbour was good.

“He is fit, has drawn nicely enough and can run well again although he has struck a decent field here.

“Red Cobra has taken improvement from his first-up fourth at Muswellbrook when he made nice ground.

“He is at big odds, but I feel has a better chance than his price suggests.

“Oakfield Twilight will run in spite of his awkward draw.  

“He won a Midway Benchmark 68 over this distance earlier in the year, and had a couple of runs at the Sunshine Coast and Murwillumbah in August when transferred to a Queensland trainer.

“His first run at the Sunshine Coast was good, and is back with me now.

“He lives out at our farm, and loves life at home.

“Oakfield Twilight is a naturally fast horse, and will need to be at his best to feature in another open affair.”

. The rail is in the TRUE position, and racing gets underway at 1.05pm.

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 1.05pm: SAL – MATCHMASTER – OMEGA POWER BENCHMARK 64 HCP (2100): 1 DREAMDEEL, 2 Microna, 3 Myeyesadoreyou, 4 Frank Express.

Race 2 – 1.40pm: HANECO F&M MAIDEN HCP (1100m): 1 PAJANTI, 2 Costa Smerelda, 3 Miss Bayles, 4 Belyaev. 

Race 3 – 2.20pm:  ROBUS LIGHTING – HPM LEGRAND – ELECTRA CABLES PROVINCIAL 4YO & UP MAIDEN PLATE (1600m): 1 SATIRICAL FAN, 2 Daytona Gal, 3 Hellbetta, 4 Glendenning.

Race 4 – 2.55pm: PSA – THORNE LIGHTING – APP BENCHMARK 64 HCP (1600m): 1 MORITZ GIRL, 2 Oakfield Prince, 3 The Seven Seas, 4 Domingo. 

Race 5 – 3.35pm: OMNI – HAGER – CABAC CG&E MAIDEN HCP (1100m): 1 DARK HALO, Keenan, 2 Rhesus, 4 Battle Of Vienna.

Race 6 – 4.10pm: SCHNEIDER SUPER MAIDEN PLATE (1350m): 1 WILD FLASH, 2 Worth Avenue, 3 Let’s Try, 4 Cape Byron.

Race 7 – 4.50pm: SHARKRACK – IPD – EMERALD LIGHTING BENCHMARK 64 HCP (1100m): 1 CARDONE, 2 Big Happiness, 3 Tidal Impact, 4 Solar System.

Race 8 – 5.25pm: KLEIN TOOLS – EVOLT – PRYSMIAN – BRILLIANT MIDWAY BENCHMARK 64 HCP (1350m): 1 WRITE THIS WAY, 2 Oh Golly Gosh, 3 Egyptian Tycoon, 4 Oakfield Twilight.

In just 12 months Sara Ryan has forged a name for herself in racing and this Friday she could go down in history by adding a Carlton Wyong Gold Cup to her growing resume.

At just 29, Ryan would become the youngest trainer to claim the prestigious Cup and the first local to do so in many years. 

Irish import The Mediterranean and Group 3 winner Parry Sound line up for Ryan in the capacity field of 16. 

“They are both going really well, and either is capable of winning the race,” Ryan said. 

“To win a Wyong Cup would mean so much to me, it would be fantastic. We want the Cup to stay in Wyong.”

Ryan said she has always had a very big opinion of The Mediterranean, who was placed third in the Listed Winter Cup over 2400m at Rosehill in June. 

“He’s a very interesting horse. He had very good form overseas but needed a wind operation when he came over here. 

“It has taken ages to get him right and then when he came back from Queensland, he got travel sickness and needed a break.”

Ryan said she decided to take the Wyong and Newcastle Cup paths to see where he would progress. 

“He’s a naturally fit horse and can retain that fitness. He’ll have to do a bit of work early from the barrier but will roll forward.”

Ryan has booked Reagan Bayliss for the ride and said he galloped both The Mediterranean and Parry Sound on Tuesday and was happy with them both. 

Parry sound had been second emergency and Ryan was sweating on him getting a run. 

“I’m really happy Parry Sound got a run because he’s absolutely flying. He was first up in the Rowley Mile and his stats indicate it’s the best he’s ever come back. 

“He gets back so the barrier doesn’t really matter and I’m hoping to engage a senior rider.”

Ryan will have to contend with one of the strongest Cup fields in recent years to see her dream come true. 

A full field of 16 runners have accepted with two emergencies. Chris Waller has three starters as he vies for his ninth Wyong Cup winner in 12 years.

Kris Lees saddles up the early favourite Kalapour, who took out the Group 3 Chairman’s Handicap at Doomben in May. 

Waller’s Olentia, a Group 3 winner in the autumn, is favourite for the Mona Lisa, the $200k Listed racing attracting a strong field of 15. 

Damien Lane saddles up local hope Zorocat.

The Nathan Berry Medal for the leading rider over the two days will be decided following Cup Day, with Adam Hyeronimus the current leader on 11, over Tyler Schiller on 10 and Jean Van Overmeire on seven. 

Nathan’s twin brother Tommy will be on course to present the medal. 

The first of eight races gets underway at 12.45pm. 

SELECTIONS: 

Race 1 – 12.45pm: SENPOS POINT OF SALE PROVINCIAL BM64 (1600m): 1 BROADWAY BOUNCER, 2 Silvakia, 3 Oakfield Prince, 4 Blackcomb.

Race 2 – 1.20pm: WISEBERRY HERITAGE GROUP MIDWAY 4YO&UP MAIDEN (1350m): 1 MONOPOLY GIRL, 2 Drialle, 3 Bold Storm, 4 Miss Artfire. 

Race 3 – 1.55pm: HUNTER PETROLEUM PRODUCTS CLASS 1 (1100m): 1 BETSY’S FLAG, 2 Capital Flag, 3 Jedibeel, 4 Tawfiq Star.

Race 4 – 2.35pm: CENTRAL COAST COOLROOMS DA VINCI – 3&4YO BM64 (1300m): 1 RAZORS, 2 Memoria, 3 Peace Officer, 4 Mercury Rose. 

Race 5 – 3.10pm: BISHOP COLLINS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS SUPER MAIDEN (1200m): 1 BALKANS, 2 Cape Byron, 3 Bolero Belle, 4 Xidaki.

Race 6 – 3.50pm: WYONG LEAGUES GROUP MONA LISA STAKES (1350m): 1 VA VIA, 2 Olentia, 3 Beour Bay, 4 Diamond Dealer. 

Race 7 – 4.25pm: 2023 CARLTON WYONG GOLD CUP (2100m): 1 HOSIER, 2 Kalapour, 3 Spirit Ridge, 4 Military Mission. 

Race 8 – 5.05pm: THE DOYLO SPRINGTIME CONDITIONAL BM68 (1100m): 1 FLYING DESTINY, 2 Chipper, 3 De Poet, 4 Major Murphy.

IT’S no joke!

Hawkesbury husband and wife training partners Mitch and Desiree Kearney have been winless since the couple’s bargain buy Lady Shenanigans was first home at Taree’s April Fool’s Day meeting on April 1.

But they haven’t lost confidence and believe their frustrating drought can be broken with the same horse at Wyong’s opening day of the Gold Cup carnival on Sunday.

The booking of Sydney’s champion apprentice Zac Lloyd for Lady Shenanigans in the Johnnie Roberts Memorial Benchmark 64 Handicap (1350m), named in honour of the late popular Wyong trainer, has boosted their confidence.

Placed four times since that Taree victory, the six-year-old gelding has drawn nicely (barrier two in a field of 10) and the forecast of some more rain – Wyong is currently a “Soft 6” – was music to Team Kearney’s ears.

“Lady Shenanigans is rock-hard fit; we’ve never had him any more ready,” Desiree Kearney said.

“I’m confident he can get us back into the winning list.

“Mitch rang Zac’s father Jeff, who manages his bookings, and he took the ride straight away.

“It’s been a tough time over the last few months, and we’ve had a good cleanout of our stable.

“You get attached to horses, and thus it is never easy to move them on.

“But we have culled five in the last six weeks as they weren’t performing, and we’re down to eight horses.

“Lady Shenanigans can give us a real boost by winning on Sunday.”

There is no doubt the Zoustar gelding has been a wonderful performer for the popular couple’s stable – and they own him themselves.

Ever on the lookout for an online bargain, Desiree Kearney found the then unraced and unusually-named Lady Shenanigans at an April 2021 sale, and bought him for $1750 after he had fetched $300,000 as a Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling in 2019.

The Kearney’s have won five races (along with 12 placings) with Lady Shenanigans, who has earned just over $153,000 prizemoney. 

His wet track prowess is such that all his wins have been on wet ground; three on soft tracks and two on heavy surfaces.

Fellow Hawkesbury trainer Fabio Martino also has a good opportunity for a provincial breakthrough, with the consistent Mr Papera (Alysha Collett), in the Robson Civil Projects Provincial Maiden Plate (1600m).

The Winning Rupert five-year-old has been placed at both starts since resuming, at Newcastle over 1400m and 1600m on July 29 and August 10 respectively, when also ridden by Collett.

One of provincial racing’s newest trainers, Martino clinched his first and only success to date, with Eliseo at Canberra in November last year.

Leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees has pulled the plug on a Doomben start on Saturday with Ventura Ocean, who instead will be a rival in Lady Shenanigans’ race.’

Ventura Ocean drew poorly in a Benchmark 70 Handicap (1350m) in Brisbane, and stable apprentice Ben Osmond, who won on Cheerful Legend midweek on the Kensington track, claims 3kg to lessen the gelding’s 63kg impost.

Experienced Northern Rivers jockey Raymond Spokes will make a rare visit to the provincials to continue a successful association with Wyong trainer Allan Kehoe’s promising filly One Kind in the CBWN Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap (1000m).

Spokes has partnered the lightly-raced Sebring Sun three-year-old’s three wins to date; the latest in a Class 2 Handicap (1000m) at Tuncurry on August 11 when resuming.

The eight-race program begins at 12.30pm, and the rail is out 3m for the entire circuit.

SELECTIONS:

RACE 1: THE AGENCY 3YO MAIDEN PLATE, 1200m: 1 DUCASSE, 2 Solar System, 3 Capzinzi, 4 Countyourblessings

RACE 2: CARE 2 THR MAX 4YO&UP MAIDEN HCP, 1100m: 1 GLOBAL EMPIRE, 2 Wonder Missile, 3 Separatist, 4 Hong Kong Harmony

RACE 3: IRIS FOUNDATION BENCHMARK 68 HCP, 2100m: 1 BULLBARROW, 2 Vincenzo, 3 Mr Bond, 4 Piraeus

RACE 4: ROBSON CIVIL PROJECTS PROVINCIAL MAIDEN PLATE, 1600m: 1 MR PAPERA, 2 Satirical Fan, 3 Stanczyk, 4 Sacred Girl

RACE 5: ODA ADVISORY CLASS 1 HANDICAP, 1600m: 1 GOLDEN PASSPORT, 2 Rise To It, 3 Kingston Charm, 4 Skylon

RACE 6: MAGIC MILLIONS RACING WOMEN F&M BENCHMARK 68 HCP, 1600m: 1 SHOWSUMGRIT, 2 Blackcomb, 3 Obvious Step, 4 Oakfield Redgum

RACE 7: JOHNNIE ROBERTS MEMORIAL BENCHMARK 64 HCP, 1350m: 1 LADY SHENANIGANS, 2 Ventura Ocean, 3 Rockabilly Rebel, 4 Princess Amira

RACE 8: CBWN MIDWAY BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP, 1000m: 1 ONE KIND, 2 Major Murphy, 3 Cable Tie, 4 Queen Of The Mile 

After sealing her first ever Wyong Trainers Premiership Kristen Buchanan is keen to kick off the new season in winning style. 

A season best 37 wins in 2022/23 saw Buchanan share her home track leading trainers title with Kim Waugh, who has taken out the premiership for the previous five years. 

The title came down to the second last day when Buchanan saddled up Stenson Wallman in the 1000m 2YO Maiden at Muswellbrook. The promising Invader colt got the job done in impressive style, much to the relief of his trainer. 

“To win the Wyong Trainers Premiership is a huge deal to me,” Buchanan said. “I’ve had it in my sights for a few years, but Kim is such a good trainer and hard to run down. 

“I put in a fairly concentrated effort over the last few weeks and it paid off. It’s a great result for the stable.”

Buchanan had a nervous wait to see if Stenson Wallman would start at Muswellbrook. Owners Trilogy Racing had accepted a good offer for the colt to race in Hong Kong but found out late Saturday night the deal had fallen through, allowing Buchanan to race him on Sunday. 

“I’ve never been more determined in my life to win a race and it was great to get the job done and in such good fashion.”

Buchanan hopes her trio of runners at Wyong on Thursday can get the new season off to a winning start. 

She is excited to get two-year-old Hell Of A Show to the track after three good trials. 

The Hellbent colt debuts in the 1000m Provincial Maiden with Ashley Morgan in the saddle. He impressed winning two trials at Wyong and Rosehill in May and came home nicely in his latest trial at Gosford on July 26. 

“He had two good trials and then we gave him a bit of a let up. He did everything he had to do at Gosford and finished off nicely. I expect him to race well.”

Buchanan believes her Shamus Award four-year-old Blue Guitar, also to be ridden by Morgan, will appreciate the step up in distance in the 2100m Class 1 & Maiden. 

“I’ve been looking forward to getting up out to the 2100m and just letting him roll forward. He’s been placed at his last two starts and this race should suit. 

“He’s very consistent and we put the blinkers on last start which woke him up a bit. He struggles to change gears but will cover the ground and race well if he can build momentum.”

Three-year-old filly Zara’s Hope lines up in the 1350m Maiden and Buchanan expects her to race well.  She is coming off a fourth at Gosford over 1100m on July 22^nd. 

“She’s a very clean winded filly and the tempo was a bit too slick for her at Gosford. I think the extra ground on Thursday should really suit her. Anna Roper should suit her as well.”

Buchanan is undecided if she will run Gardenzio and Our Gigi Rocks in the 1200m Class 1. 

Four-year-old Menari gelding Garadenzio, was a Wyong winner two starts ago before finishing fifth at his latest outing at Gosford on July 22. 

Lightly raced four-year-old mare Our Gigi Rocks won on debut at Port Macquarie in March and was uplaced at her next start before spelling. 

“I’ll weigh the field up before deciding if either will start,” Buchanan said.

The first of eight races gets underway at 12.25pm. 

SELECTIONS: 

Race 1-12.25pm:  GOOD LUCK ROBIN TAYLOR IN YOUR NEW GOLF CLUB GM ROLE 3YO MAIDEN: 1GOLD BULLION, 2 Fire Star, 3 Rockabilly Rebel, 4 Solar System.

Race 2 – 1.05pm: BOOK YOUR NEXT FUNCTION AT WYONG RACE CLUB CLASS 1 & MAIDEN: 1 DEEP VOYAGE, 2 Blue Guitar, 3 Interventionist, 4 The Professor.

Race 3 – 1.45pm: LADIES DAY – AUGUST 17 MAIDEN (1350m): ! ZARROSE, 2 Zara’s Hope, 3 Sense Of Humour, 4 Rule Of Salex. 

Race 4 – 2.20pm: DE BORTOLI WINES PROVINCIAL MAIDEN (1000m): 1 STAR MAGIC, 2 Hongkong Harmony, 3 Hell Of A Show, 4 Coco Dreaming.

Race 5 – 2.55pm: TAB.COM.AU CLASS 1 (1200m): 1 BOSTON ROCKS, 2 Serene Nic, 3 Gardenzio, 4 Astral Thoughts.

Race 6 – 3.35pm: CARLTON WYONG GOLD CUP FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 1 BM64 (1600m): 1 ALLHALLOWIDE, 2 Martini Crusader, 3 Nitride, 4 Reach Beyond.

Race 7 – 4.10pm: TO THE MOON AND BACK IN MEMORY OF LYN GALE MIDWAY BM64 (1000m): 1 VEGAS RAIDER, 2 Mr Bingo, 3 Bring Glory, 4 Chipper.

Race 8 – 4.50pm; WYONG’S NEXT RACE DAY SUNDAY AUGUST  27 CONDITION BM68 (1350m): ! Princess Amira, 2 Danza In The Dark, 3 Chain Of Gold, 4 Appetite For Risk.