Sara Ryan admits she is sick of running third and is confident her runners at Tuesday’s Wyong meeting can buck the trend and see her back in the winner’s stall.
Ryan, 28, is in her first full season as a trainer and to date has posted four wins and nine placings from her 51 runners.
The experienced horsewoman took over as Domeland’s head trainer in June last year and has been on somewhat of a learning curve since.
“It’s taken a while to get all the systems in place, but everything is running really smoothly now,” she said. “The horses are racing well and I’m confident the results will come. It all takes time but we are ticking over nicely now.”
Ryan trains a team of 31 horses from Domeland’s Central Coast base, including Group 3 winner Parry Sound, who lined up in yesterday’s Listed Parramatta Cup at Rosehill.
She saddles up two runners at Tuesday’s home track meeting and is pinning her hopes on her own horse Vegas Outlaw.
“I’m sick of running third, that’s for sure,” Ryan laughed. “It would be so good if I could get a win and I am pretty confident.”
Four of Ryan’s past eight runners have finished third including Chief Conductor at Gosford on Saturday. The well-bred son of I Am Invincible, who was a dual acceptor a Gosford and Wyong, finished third when Ryan opted to start him there.
She now has her hopes pinned on her own horse, six-year-old gelding Vegas Outlaw, and is confident he can put his best foot forward in the 1600m Provincial Maiden.
She paid just $400 for the lightly raced son of Casino Prince and said the six-year-old is “a work in progress.”
“I suppose you would describe him as a pet project for me. I brought him so I could get my trainers licence initially and it’s taken a long time for the penny to drop. He definitely has ability and has been racing well.
“He ran a nice race at Port last start finishing third over 1506m, but they ran very fast up front and he didn’t get a chance to get his momentum going. We will press forward with him on Tuesday and let him be comfortable and I expect a much better performance. It will be exciting if he can break his maiden.”
Vegas Outlaw has had six starts to date and was placed third at Wyong over 1600m in his first preparation. He will be ridden by apprentice Madeline Owen, who has partnered him in his last two starts.
Ryan other runner is $120,000 Magic Millions yearling Iconic Icon, who debuts in the 1100m CG&E Maiden.
Ryan said the Extreme Choice colt is a “work in progress” but believes he is also an exciting prospect.
“His trials haven’t been good on paper, but we’ll ride him quite on Tuesday and give him a chance to find his feet.
“He’s shown us a lot more at home than what he does in the trials. If he gets his head right, he could be a very handy horse.”
The first of eight races on our BJ Howes Race Day gets underway at 1.15pm.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 1.15pm: INSURANCE HOUSE CLASS 1 (1600m): 1SILVAKIA, 2 Condrieu, 3 Street Candi, 4 Maralago.
Race 2 – 1.50pm: AMTOTE CG&E MAIDEN (1100m): 1 GRAND CRUSADER, 2 Cool Jakey, 3 Free Enterprise, 4 Mission Ridge.
Race 3 – 2.25pm: MECHPRO SOLUTIONS AU F&M MAIDEN (1100m): 1 DAYTONA GAL, 2 Royal Empress, 3 Choose Your Words, 4 Sacred Girl.
Race 4 – 3.05pm: LINCOLN ELECTRIC MAIDEN (1300m): 1 AMBASSADORS, 2Mindspace, 3 Regal Inheritance.
Race 5 – 3.40pm: SITE INNOVATION PROVINCIAL MAIDEN (1600m): 1 OWARI, 2 Higher Hand, 3 Steam Clock, 4 Vegas Outlaw.
Allan Kehoe is confident his locally trained duo Dragon Dream and Lord Bob can both figure in the finish in their respective races at Sunday’s Wyong Family Fun Day meeting.
Kehoe is enjoying a good season, having trained six winners to date, just two short of his total in 2021/22, with an impressive place ratio of 42 percent.
His latest win came on Monday when promising three-year-old Bring The Rabble, brought up his third successive win from just four starts.
Following a period of self doubt 18 months go having moved back to Wyong from Port Macquarie, Kehoe has now rebuilt his team and is reaping the rewards.
“It got the point not long after we moved back that I wasn’t sure if I wanted to train anymore,” he said. “My head wasn’t in the game and I got rid of all the horses bar about four. I went to work for Tim Boland breaking in horses and just raced a couple but after four months I decided to give it another go.”
Kehoe now has around 40 horses on his books, 18 in work and rotates them between his boxes at Wyong and his property, just five minutes from the track.
He has new clients on his books and is excited about the prospects of several of his younger brigade.
“It took me a while to get it right, swapping them out between the track and the farm. Some thrive at the farm and others just come out for a few days after they have raced.
“It seems to be working. As well as the six winners we’ve had 21 placings, so things are ticking over nicely.”
Lord Bob is one of the team who has responded well to the farm and Kehoe believes he is a strong chance in Sunday’s 1350m Midway Maiden.
The Office Bearer four-year-old has had just two starts, having proved a handful for his previous trainer and part-owner Nicole Hudson.
“He was more interested in bucking than racing and Nicole gave him to me to try and straighten out. It was a challenge but he’s changed his ways and is in a good space now. I think this is a winnable race for him.
“He’s been at the farm since his last start in Port and has grown a leg. I’ve put the winkers on and his work has been great. He’s never looked better and I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t figure in the finish.
“The extra distance will also suit. I’ll give him a few weeks off after this and I think he’s the type of horse who can come back and win two or three in a row.”
Kehoe’s stable stalwart Dragon Dream is a likely starter in the 2100m BM64, weather dependant, and he gives the five-year-old a strong chance.
“I really think he’s ready to win. He didn’t tough it out over the 1900m at Canterbury on New Years Day, but he’s been working well since.
“He’s drawn well and I think Mitch Bell will really suit him. I am toying with starting him at Canterbury Friday night because he likes to get his toe into the ground. Hopefully they can both run at their best if he starts at Wyong and finish top three.”
The first of seven races gets underway at 1pm, with the track currently rate a good 4 and the rail in the true position.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 1pm: BOOK YOUR NET FUNCTION AT WYONG RACE CLUB CLASS 1 (1100m): 1 CHIPPER, 2 Zanzibar Gem, 3 Oxford Vision, 4 Justina.
“DRIVE for show, putt for dough” is one of golf’s familiar sayings.
Whilst Hawkesbury trainer Mick Attard isn’t picking up a golf club, he won’t mind the car drive from home to Wyong at all on Wednesday if his recent acquisition Putt For Dough can sink his rivals.
The lightly-raced Winning Rupert four-year-old has his second start for Attard in the Save The Date – Northlakes Toukley Rotary Race Day Saturday March 25 Provincial Maiden Handicap (1200m).
Having ridden winners at Wyong when apprenticed to Paul Cave in Sydney, he is keen to not only breakthrough for his first winner at the track as a trainer, but even more so to repay owner Bernie Young’s faith.
“I had never trained for Bernie, who has carnival rides and he followed me closely when I was training in Central Queensland,” Attard said. “He promised to buy me a horse after I moved back to New South Wales and settled at Hawkesbury. That was before I got hurt (Attard sustained life-threatening injuries when double-barrelled by one of his horses West Elk on the first morning of a new season, August 1, 2021, and has made a remarkable recovery after undergoing a number of operations).
“Bernie kept his word and bought this horse online for $5000 through Bloodstockauction.com last October after he had raced only once earlier that month and finished sixth of eight runners at Tamworth. He didn’t like the horse’s original name Vermeulen and changed it to Putt For Dough.
“I got him going and won an 800m trial with him at home (Hawkesbury) in December.
“Reece Jones rode him and suggested we should have a crack at a midweek race in town first-up.
“Putt For Dough loomed up strongly in the straight in a 1200m Maiden and only got tired the last bit when fourth to Mad Darcey, beaten less than two lengths. He has trained on well since that race, and hopefully we have found a nice race for him, going back to provincial company at Wyong.
“I’m sure he will be very competitive. Reece is suspended, so Winona Costin (who rode the last two winners at the last Wyong meeting on January 7) takes over.”
Putt For Dough fetched $30,000 when sold as a yearling at the2020 Inglis Classic sale and has a winning pedigree. His sire Winning Rupert was unbeaten at his first five starts and retired to stud after finishing fourth in the 2017 Magic Millions 3YO Guineas as an odds-on favourite, while his dam, the now deceased Encosta De Lago mare Margham, won four races (including two at Rosehill Gardens and another at Sandown).
Attard’s gelding is one of four Hawkesbury representatives in a field of eight at Wyong and is disputing early favouritismwith Wayne Austin’s Jabali Belle.
Terry Croft’s I’m A Shaker (Tyler Schiller) is next favoured in latest TAB.com.au betting.
Jabali Belle was a beaten favourite at only her third start when fifth to Galactic Angel in a 1300m Maiden at Wyong on December 24 following two placings on her home track, whilst I’m A Shaker has raced only twice since joining Croft’s stable and was third to Chipper in a 3YO Maiden (1100m) at that same meeting.
Fellow Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup has booked Brett Prebble for both his Wyong runners; Justina in Wyong Race Club’s Half Year Membership $30 F&M Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m) and The Halo (Wyong’s Family Fun Day This Sunday January 22, 2023 F&M Benchmark 64 Handicap, 1350m).
Prebble rode Widdup’s Group 1 winning mare Icebath in a Warwick Farm trial this morning, and will partner her for the first time in a race when she resumes in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on February 11.
Racing NSW stewards have given Keagan Latham permission to ride Shiffrin 0.5kg over in the Sky Racing Midway Maiden Handicap (1000m) where Bryce Heys’ Dancing Alone is a dominant pre-post favourite.
There will be no more interesting runner than the I Am Invincible three-year-old, who fetched a cool $1.4m at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter yearling sale. She goes to Wyong on the back of an 805m Warwick Farm trial success on January 3.
Dancing Alone is one of five rides for Alysha Collett on the seven-race card.
The rail is out 3m for the entire circuit, and a “Good 4” rating has been posted. Racing begins at 1.45pm.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 1.45pm: GREAT NORTHERN 4YO & UP MAIDEN HANDICAP, 1600m: 1 STREET CANDI, 2 Maralago, 3 Julimar, 4 Hillbilly Pickin’.
Race 2 – 2.20pm: SAVE THE DATE – NORTHLAKES TOUKLEY ROTARY RACE DAY SAT MARCH 25 PROVINCIAL MAIDEN HCP, 1200m: 1 PUTT FOR DOUGH, 2 Jabali Belle, 3 I’m A Shaker, 4 Meet Me InBondi.
Race 3 – 2.55pm: TAB CLASS 1 HANDICAP, 1200m: 1 MAD DARCEY, 2 Hamaki, 3 Vindication, 4 Par Five.
Race 4 – 3.30pm: SKY RACING MIDWAY MAIDEN HANDICAP, 1000m: 1 DANCING ALONE, 2 Mr Kennedy, 3 Royal Empress, 4 Fourth Spargo.
Lou Mary has been a fan of Wyong since his talented mare Proverbial broke through for her maiden win just over a year ago. And while he doesn’t get the opportunity to race there too often, he comes to Saturday’s Connect Social race meeting with two strong chances. Scone based Mary saddles up Piccinni in the 2100m BM64 and Kaisa in the 1600m Maiden and believes both are capable of winning. “They are both doing really well, and I am confident,” Mary said. “When you come to these Provincial tracks with good surfaces and good jockeys, you give your horses the best opportunity to perform at their best.” Well-bred four-year-old Piccinni, a daughter of Pierro, is primed for a strong performance stepping up to her ideal distance over the 2100m. She put together back-to-back wins over similar ground at Tamworth and Scone last preparation and has had two runs this time in which pleased her trainer. “I’ve been taking my time with her, and this looks like an ideal race. Her run at Rosehill when resuming was good. She made up plenty of ground in the final stages. “Second up I put her in a BM78 at Randwick. She did a bit too much work early and was a bit flat footed around the 450m but still battled on well. “Back in grade at Wyong and over this distance she should be right in it. She looks amazing, all dappled up and she worked a treat on Wednesday. I’ve got a good opinion of her and think in time she’ll get out over the mile and a half, if not further.” Mary is hoping his mare Kaisa can go one better than her last start second at Wyong on December 8. The lightly raced four-year-old has had two placings from just four starts, both since joining the Mary stable. “There were excuses for her last start. She’s a real winning chance on Saturday over the same distance. “She was to run at Gosford last Saturday, but I was concerned the track may have been downgraded. I’m hoping it’s a blessing in disguise, and she can get the job done. “She spent a long time in the paddock before she came to me, and the owners have been very patient. I think she’s a genuine Provincial horse.” Mary’s attentions will be divided on Saturday, with Proverbial lining up in the Highway at Rosehill, but he’ll be trackside at Wyong and hopeful of saddling up a double. The first of seven races gets underway at 1.15pm.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 1.15pm: DE BORTOLI WINES MAIDEN (1600m): 1 ASVA, 2 Beauty Crusade, 3 Gleefilly, 4 Kaisa. Race 2 – 1.50pm: BISHOP COLLINS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS BM64 (2100m): 1 CLASSIC DEEL, 2 Brave Angel, 3 Portnoy, 4 Celestial Fury. Race 3 – 2,25pm: PRIORITY BUSINESS LAWYERS MIDWAY MAIDEN (1000m): 1 CLOVELLY, 2 Super Freds, 3 Mr Kennedy, 4 First Class Holley. Race 4 – 3.05pm: WYONG ROOS FOUNDAION F&M CLASS 1 (1350m): 1 OVERRIDING, 2 Beirut Miss, 3 Fairway Star, 4 Galactic Angel. Race 5 – 3.45pm: GO ELECTRICAL CG&E CLASS 1 (1350m): 1 WILD IRISH ROVER, 2 Sealion, 3 Global Encounter, 4 Watch The Clock. Race 6 – 4.25pm: CARLTON & UNITED BREWERIES MAIDEN (1350m): 1 MISTER HEMSWORTH, 2 Bucks Party, 3 Ranhita, 4 Eau De Vie. Race 7 – 5.05pm: WYONG’S NEXT RACES JANUARY 18TH AND 22ND PROVINCIAL BM68 (1200m): 1 CHIPPER, 2 True Crime, 3 Isorich, 4 Fleet Air Arm.
Can Wyong’s very own “iron horse” Isorich bring up yet another win on Saturday, furthering his remarkable home track stats?
Certainly, according to trainer Wayne Seelin, who said the rising 13-year-old is “feeling good and really happy” and ready to race well in the 1200m BM68 at the club’s Christmas Eve meeting.
“He’s got an amazing record at Wyong and there’s no reason why he can’t bring up another win on Saturday,” Seelin said. “He just loves the track and has only been out of the placings in seven of his 21 starts there.”
In fact, eight of those starts were winning outings, making up half of the geldings 16 career wins.
His latest Wyong victory was on November 24 when he saluted the judge in the same grade and distance.
As in most of his 147 career starts, he was sent out at big odds, returning $61 for the Isorich faithful, many who were on track to cheer him home.
“It was a fantastic win that day and we’re hoping he can do it again. It would be nice if he can get another result before he finishes up. There were excuses for him at Wyong last start when he finished well back over the 1300m. He was wide the whole way and if he doesn’t win the speed battle early, he doesn’t try so hard.”
Isorich was beaten more than six lengths in the Wyong race on December 14, having finished not far behind the winner at his previous start at Newcastle on December 3.
“He’s never really loved Newcastle. He led that day and only really got grabbed in the last 50m. The straight there is the extra 100m longer than Wyong and the tempo of the races is always solid over the 1200m.
“So, it’s never really suited him. You can’t just go to Wyong all the time, so we had to run him there but he’s back at this favourite track this time and ready to go.”
Isorich was a $7500 yearling who has returned his connections, including Seelin and Paul Watson, more than $800,000 in prizemoney.
He has been part of Seelin’s stable for more than half of his training career and he admits he’ll be sad to see him retire at the end of 2022/23 racing season.
“That’s racing. I knew life before him, and I’ll know life after him and he won’t be far away. He’ll have a home here in the top paddock.
“It’s been a buzz training him and I’ll keep looking for another one to replace him.”
The first race gets underway at 12.40pm.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1- 12.40pm: THANK YOU TO ALL RACE DAY STAFF 4YO & UP MAIDEN (1300m):1 JABALI BELLE, 2 Oakfield Blue Bell, 3 Galactic Angel, Ranhita.
Race 2 – 1.15pm: GIVE THE GIFT OF MEMBERSHIP – MID YEAR SPECIAL JUST $30 CLASS 1 (1000m): 1Flying Shelly, 2 Command Approved, 3 Rotorua, 4 Meod.
Race 3 – 1.50pm: TAB.COM.AU MIDWAY 3YO MAIDEN (1100m): 1 CHIPPER, 2 Adore The Rush, 3 Coolex, 4 I’m A Shaker.
Race 4 – 2.25pm: MAGIC MILLIONS YEARLING SALES 10-16 JANUARY MAIDEN (1100m):1WINDSHADOW, 2 Hot Sundae, 3 Our Lady Stardust, 4 Rubicks Choice.
Race 5 – 3.05pm: MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM WYONG RACE CLUB CLASS 1 (1350m): 1 IRONBARK ARTIE, 2 Sirens Star, 3 Pinky, 4 Karuta King.
When it comes to feature races Damien Lane would like nothing more than to see his colt Bare To Witness win Wednesday’s 2YO Magic Millions Classic on his home track.
Lane came close to taking out the $200,000 feature last year with Wealthy Investor, who rocketed home in the final stages to finish third, beaten by a long neck.
He has taken a similar path with Bare To Witness, giving him a trial, then a Metropolitan start in the lead up to the Wyong Magic Millions.
The 20th running of the 2Y0 Classic has attracted a strong field of 12, with many of the top Sydney stables represented.
Lane is confident his $50k yearling by Star Witness has the ability to match it with some of the more fancied runners, provided he gets the right run in the race.
“I would have preferred to have drawn a little closer, but he has definitely come on since his Sydney run, he’ll just have to be a bit sharper early,” Lane said.
Bare To Witness couldn’t muster early speed in his only start at Rosehill over the 1100m on November 22 but made up plenty of ground in the final stages to finish fifth.
“He can’t afford to do that at Wyong, but he’s definitely improved since that run. Kerrin McEvoy will ride him, and he got a sit on him in an exhibition gallop at Wyong last week. It was a nice piece of work.
“I think he has similar ability to Wealthy Investor but might be a bit new, that could be his only downfall.”
Bare To Witness has some classy opposition to overcome, with $1.2m Exceed And Excel yearling Mach Ten resuming in the race.
Michael Freedman’s colt looked impressive winning a trial at Canterbury on November 29, after finishing third in the Group 3 Breeders Plate at Randwick in October.
Gai Waterhouse has dominated the race with five victories and the Waterhouse/Bott stable look to have another strong contender with Summer Loving, who will get every favour from barrier 1.
They have a big opinion of the $425,000 Exceed And Excel filly, who finished third in Golden Gift at Rosehill in November after being sent out favourite, and looked smart in her recent Canterbury trial.
Another local Tracey Bartley believes his mare Compassionate is primed to go one better than her second in last year’s $100,000 3YO & 4YO Stakes.
The Into Mischief mare was narrowly beaten by Annabel Neasham’s Wisdom Of Water, having been caught wide throughout from an outside barrier.
She has had better luck this year starting from three and will be ridden by Kathy O’Hara.
“She’s right at the top of her game and there’s nothing stopping her winning,” Bartley said. “I’ve set her for this race. She had a track gallop last week and I’m really happy with her.”
Mark Newnham’s Sneaky Paige will be one of the hardest to beat, the Deep Field mare has four wins to her name, including a Wyong victory, and was placed third at Listed level at Flemington on October 29.
The club hosts a seven-race card on Wednesday, the first getting underway at 1.45pm.
With stable star Kiss Sum in the paddock Tracey Bartley is relying on some of his other up and comers to get the job done on his home track this Thursday.
Bartley saddles up promising three-year-old Frosbie and consistent mare Lady Superspy at the club’s Go Electrical Race Day, and believes they are both primed to win.
“It was a frustrating preparation with Kiss Sum, so we’ve put him out for a spell. The preparation went a bit pear shaped with him being balloted out of a few races and because of that having too many trials,” Bartley said.
“We’ll bring him back for the Autumn. I haven’t got anything specific in mind but there are plenty of races and he’s good enough to measure up.”
So, with Kiss Sum taking a well-earned rest, Bartley’s focus is now on the rest of his team and he’s confident both his runners at Wyong can get the job done. Frosbie, a three-year-old by Scissor Kick was a bargain buy at just $8000 and has surprised Bartley with his ability.
He debuted at Port Macquarie on November 10 over 1200m and although finishing fourth, was only half a length off the winner.
He followed that run up with a third over 1350m at Wyong on November 24 and again wasn’t far off the winner.
He has drawn favourably in barrier five for the Midway Maiden and will be ridden by Serg Lisnyy.
“His run was terrific the other day and he’s ready to win. He’s going really well,” Bartley said.
“He’s drawn better this time and Serg has been on him both starts so knows him well. He probably needs a bit further, 1400m on a bigger track, but I couldn’t find a suitable race.
“He wasn’t an expensive horse and he’s got potential. I think his two runs have been really good and he’s quite surprised us actually.”
Bartley is equally impressed with his stable mate Lady Superspy and considers the mare a strong winning chance.
He will be hoping to book end the meeting, with the five-year-old lining up in the last race, the Provincial BM64 over 1600m.
With two wins and six placings from just 14 starts, Lady Superspy continues to impress her trainer.
“She’s on a bit of a backup from Gosford the other day and I’ve gone back to a senior rider with Kerrin (McEvoy). I’m just going to get him to put her more up on the speed rather than getting back on her.
“She got back too far last start and she’s got the speed to be up there somewhere. She’s a nice mare and I think she will win in town.”
The first of seven races gets underway at 1.50pm.
SELECTIONS: RACE 1 – 1.50pm: LEDVANCE – HPM – LEGRAND – PRYSMIAN – MAGER MIDWAY MAIDEN (1350m): 1 SIR GODRIC, 2 Frosbie, 3 Semper Invictus, 4 Ahead Of The GameRACE 2 – 2.25pm: SHARKRACK CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2100m): 1VINCENZO, 2 Who’s In Winny, 3 Mum’s The Boss, 4 Tina’s Rock RACE 3 – 3.05pm: THORN – OMEGA POWER – PSA – SCHNEIDER MAIDEN (1600m): 1 JAMROCK, 2 Tekapo, 3 Apache Jewel, 4 Kaisa RACE 4 – 3.40pm: RED SMOKE ALARMS – OMNI – LEVY AGENCIES – IPD MAIDEN (1000m): 1 ANAVINCI, 2 Cardone, 3 Ishani, 4 Fangoria RACE 5 – 4.20pm: MATCHMASTER – EVOLT – TRADER – APP CLASS 1 (1200m): 1 SHINES, 2 California Press, 3 Captain George, 4 Ponca RACE 6 – 4.55pm: HANECO BM64 HANDICAP (1000m): 1 MEOD, 2 Tsarina Sophia, 3 Midnight Oasis, 4 Boomsong RACE 7 – 5.30pm: GENERAL TRADE SUPPLIERS PROVINCIAL BM64 (1600m): 1DA NANG STAR, 2 Lady Superspy, 3 Oakfield Warpaint, 4 Mussenphere
ONE trainer has had a solitary Wyong starter for a win so far this season, and the other is yet to have a runner at the track in the opening months of the racing year.
But both are keen to make their mark at tomorrow’s second last meeting before the $200,000 Magic Millions 2YO Classic grabs the national spotlight on Wednesday, December 14.
Newcastle’s Jason Deamer scored with Hard To Say at Wyong on November 5 and is back there with him and lightly-raced Miss Shalaa, while Royal Randwick’s multiple Group 1 winning trainer Ron Quinton makes his debut at the track this season with newcomers Beauty Crusade and Biographer.
Tim Clark will ride both Hard To Say in the 1100m Ettalong Bowling Club Benchmark 64, and Miss Shalaa in the 1600m Stop Abuse At The Start 4YO & Up Maiden, while Andrew Adkins partners the Quinton pair Beauty Crusade in the 1350m Raise Respect Midway Maiden, and Biographer in the 1000m Elimination Against Violence Maiden.
Hard To Say and Miss Shalaa are raced by Deamer’s major client Dynamic Syndications, and the former is bypassing a Warwick Farm engagement today to focus on Wyong.
“We discussed both races and decided to go to Wyong as it is only his second run back,” Deamer said.
“Hard To Say resumed as a gelding when he won a 1000m Midway Maiden here earlier in the month at his first start since being placed at Eagle Farm in August.
“Although it was a narrow margin, he did a good job as he drew the outside barrier and went flat out all the way.
“The first two had a decent margin on the third placegetter. Hard To Say had only one trial going into that race, so fitness wise he will be improved and I’ve been very happy with him since.”
An Exceed And Excel three-year-old, Hard To Say was a $160,000 MM Gold Coast yearling purchase last year for Dynamic, and has returned just over $76,000 so far from only six starts.
Dynamic also purchased Miss Shalaa for half that amount at the Gold Coast, but at the previous year’s MM sale, and she has raced only four times in the country for three seconds.
“She came to me from a Sydney stable without trialling,” Deamer said. “She has settled in well and is pretty honest.
“Shalaa Miss ran fourth and second at Gunnedah and Port Macquarie earlier in the year, and her two recent runs this preparation at Taree and Scone this month have been good.
“It looks the right race to try her at the provincials, and I’m confident she will handle the 1600m at her first attempt.”
Hard To Say was a $4 second favourite with TAB.com.au in early markets behind local trainer Tracey Bartley’s first-up winner Mabel ($3.30), and another local, Kristen Buchanan’s $6 third favourite Oakfield Triumph.
Miss Shalaa was also second favorite, but at $4.40, behind Diamond Drummer ($2.30), who has blinkers back on.
Ron Quinton’s three-year-olds Beauty Crusade and Biographer last year were $375,000 Inglis Classic yearling sale and $500,000 Magic Millions yearling sale buys respectively.
But the latter, a I Am Invincible colt and the first foal of dual WA winner Precious Memories, was subsequently resold online to his breeder Ray Gall for $95,000 in April, after three starts, two in South Australia and the other in country Victoria, for seconds at Morphettville Parks and Terang.
“Ray bought Biographer back when he wasn’t considered a likely stallion prospect and put on the market,” Quinton said. “The Gall family has been a wonderful supporter of mine, and it’s my job now to try to get the best out of the colt.
“Obviously he has ability, and the Wyong race is a good starting point and it’s the same with Beauty Crusade, who is raced in Hong Kong interests.
“He was a bit of a handful earlier, but has been gelded and has had the benefit of two recent trials at home. I’m not going there expecting to win, but looking forward to hopefully seeing him run well all the same.”
Quinton has made important gear changes on the stablemates. He has taken blinkers and a tongue tie off Biographer, and will substitute a cross-over nose band.
Beauty Crusade has been gelded, and also will race in a cross-over nose band and wear ear muffs, which will be removed at the barrier.
Biographer was installed as $5 fourth favourite when markets opened, in an open race behind $4 top elect Surrenders, and Beauty Crusade was $4.80 second favourite, with topweight Edge Of Reward holding clear sway at $2.30.
The rail is in the true position, and a Good 4 rating has been posted for the eight race program getting away at 1.15pm.
SELECTIONS:
RACE 1 – 1.15pm: STOP ABUSE AT THE START 4YO & UP MAIDEN PLATE, 1600m: 1 DIAMOND DRUMMER, 2 Miss Shalaa, 3 Rangitikei, 4 Zimtopia.
RACE 2 – 1.50pm: #NO EXCUSE FOR ABUSE 4YO & UP MAIDEN HCP, 1100m: 1 EXPENSIBLE, 2 Oakfield Blue Bell, 3 Oakfield Paperbark, 4 Ma’s Dream.
Showtime Star is headed for the $150,000 final of the SKY RACING Summer ProvincialSeries after taking out the first heat at Wyong on Saturday.
The Brad Widdup trained mare led throughout the 1350m feature race and was able to hold out her challengers to win by almost a length.
The victory was one of several strong performances on the program, with highlights including riding doubles to Andrew Atkins and Lee Magorrian.
A large crowd enjoyed the sunshine and great Provincial racing, while raising funds for the Central Coast Kids In Need.
Andrew Atkins rated Showtime Star perfectly in the Class 5 feature, leading throughout off the back of a great start.
She was sent out $2 favourite following two previous Metropolitan placings at Warwick Farm and will now progress to the series final at Hawkesbury on December 15, along with placegetters Dream Eclipse ($26) trained by Brooke Somers and La Jolie Fillie ($9) from the Perry stable.
A daughter of Showcasing, Showtime Lady was a $50,000 Magic Millions purchase for James Harron.
Widdup has always had a good opinion of the five-year-old who has had five wins and five placings from her 18 starts.
“She’s done a good job for us,” he said. “We had a throw at the stumps with her at the Flemington last year and she didn’t disgrace. She is really racing well this preparation.”
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KOVALICA
The Waller stable was confident about the chances of Kovalica in the 1600m GOSFORD MASONIC CENTRE MAIDEN and the son of Ocean Park didn’t disappoint.
The four-year-old caught the eye of punters in his only start where he finished fourth over the 1300m at Newcastle on October 15.
He was sent out $2.05 favourite and the win was never in doubt after Lee Magorrian settled him midfield in the early stages, patiently waiting until the 400m when began circling the field, hitting the front in the straight before drawing away to win by more than three lengths.
Robert Quinn’s Thoughtful Woman ($6.50) was second over the Craig Carmody trained Fireman ($21), who put in a much-improved performance for third.
“He was doing his best work late in the Newcastle race and we thought he would appreciate the step up in distance to the mile today,” stable representative Adam Stewart said. “We thought he’d go pretty close, and he did.”
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OAKFIELD WARATAH
Another impressive winner in the GARY TURNER MEMORIAL – ABBEY TIMBER CG&E MAIDEN with Kristen Buchanan’s Oakfield Waratah ($3.80) blitzing his rivals over the 1350m.
Having his fourth career start, the Dissendent four-year-old showed good gate speed to enable Koby Jennings to place him in a gun spot, just behind the leader.
He hit the front on straightening and was able to put more than three lengths on his opposition on the line, despite Jennings losing his whip near the 100m when the result was beyond doubt.
Buchanan had been keen on the chances of Oakfield Waratah.
“He finally drew a good barrier and that was the difference today,” she said.
“I really like this horse. He’s raced well at Wyong in the past and it was great to see him win today.”
The Newnham trained Just An Upstart ($4.40) was second, head of Shihab ($2.70) from the Waller yard.
Oakfield Waratah is raced by Bruce McKenzie, who gave Buchanan one of her biggest wins the previous Saturday, with Oakfield Arrow taking out the $500,000 Four Pillars at Rosehill.
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KOBENHAVN
It was a closer finish in the 1350m THE ROOS FOUNDATION F&M MAIDEN with the Snowden trained Kobenhavn diving on the line to snatch a narrow victory.
The I Am Invincible filly, a $400,000 Magic Millions yearling, was having her fourth career start, resuming this preparation with a 12th at Hawkesbury on October 20.
After an awkward start, she was ridden off the pace by Mitchell Bell, before a sustained run on the turn saw her pounce on the leaders in final stages, beating the $2.80 favourite Concordia, trained by Les Bridge by a neck.
Miss Faberge ($3.40) from the Sargent stable was third.
It was the fourth start for Kobenhavn, who had to overcome the widest barrier to bring up her first win.
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KINGDOM OF GOLD
Nathan Doyle’s Kingdom Of Gold put on a superior staying display to take out the 2100m PETER MAC AUTOMOTIVE CLASS 1 & MAIDEN.
Despite being caught wide mid-race, the Animal Kingdom four-year-old was able to put in a sustained run in the straight before drawing away to win by almost two lengths.
Kingdom Of Gold, an Animal Kingdom four-year-old, was having his 10th career start, his latest outing a second at Newcastle on October 15 over the 2350m.
The victory brought up a double for Lee Magorrian, who settled the gelding just off the speed in the early stages. He found himself three deep around the 800m and began a run, which he sustained into the straight, drawing away to win by almost two lengths.
The James Ponsonby trained Raffish ($11) was second, over Brad Widdup’s $3.20 favourite Brave Boy.
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FIELD MARSHAL
Promising prospect Field Marshal kept his unbeaten record intact winning the FREEMASONS ON THE CENTRAL COAST CLASS 1 over 1350m.
The three-year-old colt, by prominent Great Britain sire Kingman, debuted with a strong win over 1200m at Canberra on October 21.
Trainer John Thompson stepped him up in distance at Wyong and courtesy of a great ride by Blake Spriggs, he posted his second successive win.
Spriggs didn’t have it all his own way, having to contend with the horse over racing in the early and middle stages and was then being held up for a run in the straight.
When he found clear running, he showed a good turn of foot to run down the leaders and win by a length.
Spriggs, who teamed with Field Marshal’s owner Paul Fudge to take out a Group 1 on Sir John Hawkwood, has a very good opinion of the colt going forward and believes he will improve further over more ground.
Despite a tough run, Superargo ($21) put in a much-improved performance to finish second for Stephen O’Halloran, with the $2.90 favourite Principessa trained by Joe Pride, third.
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HARD TO SAY
There were a few nervous moments for the connections of Hard To Say who looked to have the 1000m CENTRAL COAST UNITY BANK MIDWAY MAIDEN won before a late challenge by Terra Mater.
The Exceed And Excel gelding, trained by Jason Deamer, was sent out as $1.60 favourite on the strength of two previous Eagle Farm placings.
Andrew Atkins pinged the gates and looked like the winner a long way from home before Jarrod Austin’s Terra Mater emerged from the pack.
The filly dived on the line but just missed, the race going too Hard To Say by the smallest possible margin.
The winner, a $160,000 Magic Millions yearling, is raced by Dynamic Syndications.
Oakfield Blue Bell ($3.70) trained by Damien Lane finished third, but will take plenty of improvement from the run, having missed the start.
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SUPRINA
Jarrod Austin didn’t go home empty handed, with his Super One mare Suprina outsprinting her opposition in the WIDELINE WINDOWS AND DOORS BM64 over 1000m.
The five-year-old was taken to an early lead by Jess Taylor after jumping well and maintained it throughout, posting a two-length victory.
Suprina ($12) has proved to be a bargain buy for Austin and connections, who purchased her in January last year for $25,000.
She has since gone on to win four races and run multiple placings, taking her overall prizemoney to $118,200.
Three of the four wins came with Jess Taylor in the saddle.
In her latest win she beat O’Tycoon ($4.80) trained by Bjorn Baker, with Stephen Jones’ Ranuncula ($9) third.
Coming off one of the biggest highlights in her 17-year training career, Kristen Buchanan saddles up a large team of home track runners at this Saturday’s Central Coast Kids In Need Charity Race Day.
Buchanan admits she is still on a high after Oakfield Arrow’s win in the Four Pillars at Rosehill last Saturday but will be switching to business mode when she saddles up eight runners across the eight Wyong races.
And she is targeting another feature race, the 2022 Sky Racing Provincial Series with Ready’s Girl, a six-year-old Better Than Ready mare who she hopes can regain her winning form.
“It’s been a big week and it was such a thrill to win the Four Pillars. Oakfield Arrow is such a beautiful mare, and we will target the Provincial Series after a spell,” she said. “I think at her best Ready’s Girl is more than capable of winning a race like this on Saturday. I’ve freshened her right up and she has drawn nicely. She really gels with the girls, so Louise Day takes the ride.
“To be honest she’s been a little disappointing, but I think returning to her home track and on a good surface, will hopefully bring out the best of her.”
Buchanan is very excited about the prospects of Oakfield Triumph, currently the second emergency in the 1000m BM64.
The Capitalist four-year-old went out a winner at his only start and looked good trialling at Rosehill on October 21.
“I really love this horse and I just hope he gets a run. He’s got a lot of ability and his trial was pretty impressive. I really think he’ll be in the finish if he runs.”
She hopes the addition of blinkers on Tikitiboo will improve her chances in the 1350m Fillies & Mares Maiden.
“She’s a beautifully moving filly and I’ve put the blinkers on to help her focus. She’s got a high cruising speed and hopefully the blinkers will help her stick on.”
Geldings Penfold Park and Oakfield Waratah line up in the 1350m CGE Maiden.
“Penfold Park is a lovely horse on debut and whatever he does on Saturday he will improve on. We’ve been taking our time with Oakfield Waratah, and he’s finally drawn a good gate. The tight track is a query, but he’s raced well at Wyong in the past.”
Rounding out Buchanan’s runners are first starters Andiamo Luce, Bilquis and Zara’s Hope in the 1000m Maiden.
“Andiamo Luce is a lovely filly but has a horror draw. Bilquis has had a lot of trials and improved in her latest. She’s still a baby and switching on, so we’ve had to be a bit patient with her. The good surface is vital, and I think she’ll be running home.
“Zara’s Hope is a really nice filly, quite small but she’s trialled really well in Sydney. I expect her to race well but she will also be better later on.”
The first of eight races gets underway at 1.20pm.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 1.20pm: GOSFORD MASONIC CENTRE MAIDEN (1600m): 1 EMRYS, 2 Kovalica, 3 Bader, 4 Astral Thoughts
Race 2 – 1.55pm: GARY TURNER MEMORIAL – ABBEY TIMBER CG&E MAIDEN (1350m): 1 SHIHAB, 2 Cosmic Legend, 3 Bobby’s Fling, 4 Just An Upstart
Race 3 – 2.35pm: THE ROOS FOUNDATION F&M MAIDEN (1350m): 1 GLOWING GOLD, 2 Concordia, 3 Rangitikei, 4 Classic Deel
Race 4 – 3.15pm: PETER MACE AUTOMOTIVE CLASS 1 & MAIDEN: 1 RAFFISH, 2 Summit Special, 3 Kingdom Of Gold, 4 Brave Boy
Race 5 – 3.55pm: FREEMASONS ON THE CENTRAL COAST CLASS 1 (1350m): 1 PRINCIPESSA, 2 Field Marshall, 3 Bionic, 4 Dreamdeel
Race 6 – 4.35pm: CENTRAL COAS UNITY BANK MIDWAY MAIDEN (1000m): 1 OAKFIELD BLUE BELL, 2 Hard To Say, 3 Zara’s Hope, 4 Charity Joy
Race 7 – 5.05pm: SKY RACING SUMMER PROVINCIAL SERIES HEAT 1 – CLASS 5 PLATE (1350m): 1 SHOWTIME LADY, 2 Dream Eclipse, 3 La Jolie Fille, 4 Bethencourt
Race 8 – 5.45pm: WIDELINE WINDOWS AND DOORS BM64 (1000m): 1 OAKFIELD TRIUMPH, 2 Spinosaurus, 3 Sussu, 4 Flying Tyrol
