race day preview

Allthehills is aiming for back-to-back victories after giving Ben Hill his first win in almost two years when he broke through at Wyong last start.

The Love Conquers All gelding didn’t have the best record heading into the April 7 race over 1350m on his home track and surprised many with the win.

He had been unplaced in all of his nine previous starts, but Hill kept the faith.

He had seen continued improvement in the four-year-old and was confident he could bring out the best in him. 

‘I’d been expecting a nice run but not expecting him to run out of the ground the way he did,” Hill said. 

“Hopefully the penny might have started to drop, and he will keep improving. 

“He has been a bit coltish, so we have taken our time and not rushed him.

“I think if we’d have pushed him, he could have turned into a lunatic, so we’ve done things slowly and hopefully he can reward us with a few wins.”

Allthehills steps up to the 1600m in the Class 1on Thursday and Hill believes he will appreciate the extra ground. 

“Grant Buckley rode him at the end of his last preparation and said he thought he’d get up to 1800m.

“This will be a test on Thursday over the mile but if he can handle that and further, we could have some good options with him going forward. 

“We know he can handle a heavy track and he races well at Wyong, so there are a few things going for him.

“Pat Scorse will ride him again and with his claim we will only carry 54kg.”

There is added pressure for Hill with his mother Deidre a 40% shareholder in Allthehills.

“We brought him for $40,000 as a two-year-old at the ready to run sales with Mum happy to buy in along with Gavin Potter, who’s been a long-time client and a couple of mates.

“It was Mum’s first winner on the home track the other day and she was very excited.”

Hill, a former jockey who trainers three horses from his Wyong base, also saddles up Nomorebourbons in the 1350m Maiden.

He is hoping to see some improvement by the filly before she is spelled. 

“She has been showing us more at home but needs to take it to the races. “Hopefully I’ll see a better run on Thursday to give us some confidence for the future. 

“She’s got plenty of maturing to do so will most likely go out after this run.”

The first of eight races gets underway at 12.20pm.

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 12.20pm: HMA GROUP MAIDEN (1350m): 1 OXFORD VISION, 2 African Daisy, 3 Gracious Gracie, 4 Australian Citizen.

Race 2 – 12.55pm: HMA INSTRUMENTATION MAIDEN (1200m): 1PROMISE THE MOON, 2 Red Cobra, 3 Bergkamp, 4 All Beans.

Race 3 – 1.35pm: HMA POWER GENERATION MAIDEN (2000m): 1BAY OF KIEL, 2 All About Ollie, 3 Love Rules, 4 Whoopti Fizz.

Race 4 – 2.10pm: HMA MATERIEALS MAIDEN (1600m): 1 NAVAL SEAL, 2 Sneaky Island, 3 Calm Down, 4 By Nine.

Race 5 – 2.50pm: HMA FLOW & INDUSTRIAL CLASS 1 (1600m): 1 DUKE OF GORDON, 2 Gwan So, 3 Shorebreak, 4 Allthehills.

Race 6 – 3.25pm: HMA GEOTECHNICAL BM64 (1350m): 1 PUBLICIST, 2 Miss Scalini, 3 Crazy Train, 4 Mascherata.

Race 7 – 4.05pm: HMA WEAR SOLUTIONS CLASS 1 (1200m): 1 MISSION VALUE, 2 Sabino, 3 Daichi, 4 The Bullring.

Race 8 – 4.40pm: HMA GTECH CYCLONES BM64 (1000m): 1 SELHURST PARK, 2 Crimson Rock, 3 Harlem Grove, 4 Mr Polar.

John Cooper saddles up half of his small team at Thursday’s Wyong meeting, the owner/trainer confident at least one of the three is a winning chance. 

Cooper believes last start winner Arabolini can make it back-to-back victories when he starts up in the 2100m BM64. 

The six-year-old German import has been a great money spinner for Cooper, with almost $175,000 in prizemoney from his six wins and 10 placings. 

He brought up win number six at Scone on March 22 over the 2200m, at a Provincial meeting transferred from Gosford. 

He lines up in the same class over a similar distance on Thursday and Cooper is quietly confident.

“He’s won at Wyong before and he’s in good form,” he said. “He pulled up well from the Scone and has had a two-week break leading into this. 

“I’m quietly confident about his chances. There is no reason why he can’t win again. He seems to like the tighter tracks and it won’t worry him if it is rain affected.”

Cooper said apprentice Ellen Hennessy will continue her association with Arabolini, having previously partnered him in two of his wins. 

“She’s got a good relationship with him and will claim two kilos and that all helps.”

Spill The Beans four-year-old Alastor resumes in the 1300m BM64 after a successful first preparation with the stable. 

The gelding has had four wins and six placings from 18 starts, his latest victory over 2100m at Wyong in January this year.

Jess Taylor, who partnered him in the win, rides him again on Thursday. 

While Cooper does consider the 1300m a bit short, he wouldn’t be surprised to see the gelding race well first up. 

“I didn’t trial him, but he’s been going well and is hopefully in for a good preparation. He has filled out more and grown up in the head.

“Now he just has to put it all together on the track.”

Cooper is hoping for an improved performance by his third runner, recent stable addition Bergkamp in the 1200m 3YO Maiden.

The Written Tycoon three-year-old was disappointing on debut at Newcastle over 900m on March 22.

“I hope to see an improvement on that performance and a bit more ground should help,” he said. “There were no excuses for his run, but I think the penny hasn’t dropped for him yet. 

“He will take a lot education wise out of his first start and I’ve got a good strong jockey in Grant Buckley, which will also help. 

“He’s a nice big striding horse but he’s a work in progress and I expect he may get over more ground later on.”

The first of eight races gets underway at 1pm.

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 1pm: TAB.COM.AU BENCHMARK 64 (2000m): 1 ARABOLINI, 2 Sacramento Joe, 3 Essential Sky, 4 Bastida.

Race 2 – 1.35pm: WYONG RACE CLUB FUNCTION CENTRE MAIDEN (1600m): 1DUKE OF GORDON, 2 Poetic Drama, 3 Down Every Road, 4 Blackall.

Race 3 – 2.10pm: DE BORTOLI WINES 2YO MAIDEN (1000m): 1 LUNA ROCKS, 2 Diamond City, 3 Sidenay, 4 Red Cobra.

Race 4 – 2.45pm: HUCKEL EXCAVATIONS 3YO MAIDEN (1200m): 1 AIRRAID, 2 Aircraftman, 3 Fearnought, 4 Echo’s Arrow.

Race 5 – 3.20pm: PBL LAW GROUP MAIDEN (1300m): 1 OXFORD VISION, 2 Australian Citizen, 3 Island Lass, 4 Starboard Light.

Race 6 – 3.55pm: GO ELECTRICAL BENCHMARK 64 (1300m): 1BRILLAR, 2 Norman, 3 Mo The Great, 4 Never Cry.

Race 7 – 4.30pm: CARLTON DRAUGHT BENCHMARK 64 (1000m): 1 SUPRINA, 2 Native Rock, 3 Coal Crusher, 4 AKASAKI.

Race 8 – 5.05pm: WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETING THURSDAY APRIL 28 PROVINCIAL CUP-CONDITIONAL CLASS 4 (1600m): 1 HIGHBALLER, 2 Peekays Legacy, 3 Iverson, 4 Vicky’s One.

On the back of a successful trip north, Kristen Buchanan is hoping for continued luck when she saddles up two runners on her home track this Thursday.

Buchanan made the long haul to Brisbane on Saturday but returned a winner after Delexo proved too strong in the 1000m Class 6 Plate at Eagle Farm.

She was chasing drying tracks in Queensland and would prefer the same surface for both her Wyong runners. 

“It was great to get the winner at Eagle Farm. It had been on my mind for a while to head up there because Delexo doesn’t handle the heavy tracks,” she said. 

“I had to scratch him three or four times which isn’t ideal, so we made the decision to race up there. 

“Even then there was uncertainty because with all the rain we didn’t know until Thursday night if we could get through.”

Buchanan returned to Wyong on Sunday and hopes the predicted rain holds off on Thursday for her fillies Tikitiboo and Raging Climax.

She is keen to finally get to the track with Starspangledbanner filly Tikitiboo, who has looked impressive in her two recent trials.

The three-year-old debuts in the 1000m Maiden and will be ridden by stable apprentice Maddi Derrick.

“She has had lots of trials but the main reason for that is the timing just hasn’t been right, and I’ve been trying to dodge the wet tracks. 

“I think she’s a really nice filly. She’s hot to trot and ready to get on with it. I don’t know if she’s a 1000m horse, but it will be a lovely starting point for her. 

“Educationally she does everything right, so she’s definitely ready to go to the races and I give her a chance although the wide barrier isn’t great.

“Her trials have been good and while 1000m is an ideal starting point for her, it’s not where she’ll end up.”

Buchanan is also keen to see Tosen Stardom two-year-old Raging Climax get over more ground in the 1350m Maiden.

She had her first start at Newcastle on March 17 over 1200m with Buchanan describing her effort as “lack lustre.”

“She’s still a baby and just got lost that day. I think eventually she’ll be a 2000m horse, but she’ll have a run over the 1350m. 

‘I think she’s a really nice filly, but her first start was a little underwhelming, so I’ll be hoping for improvement.”

Kim Waugh also heads into the meeting with two chances in previous Midway winner Different Strokes and three-year-old Oxford Vision.

Different Strokes starts in the 1350m BM68 after coming off an unplaced run in a Newcastle heat of the Provincial Midway Championship, while Oxford Vision will be aiming to break through at his third start in the 1350 Provincial and Country Maiden.

The first of eight races gets underway at 12.55pm.

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 12.555pm: CANADIAN CLUB MAIDEN (1350m): 1 SHOHEI, 2 Definitely Maybe, 3 Mirra View, 4 Gwan So

Race 2 – 1.35pm: GREAT NORTHERN PROV & CTRY MAIDEN (1350m): 1 OXFORD VISION, 2 Isla, 3 Fromdustwemust, 4 Pep

Race 3 – 2.10pm: VALE CAM McBRIEN MAIDEN (1000m): 1 PREFER TO BE READY, 2 Tempestas, 3 Dona Antonia, 4 Tikitiboo.

Race 4 – 2.50pm: TAB.COM.AU MAIDEN (2000m): 1 SKY ACE, 2 Sonic The Hedgehog, 3 Aphroditti, 4 Essential Sky

Race 5 – 3.25pm: COCA-COLA CLASS 1 (1600m): PUBLICIST, 2 Thousand Years, 3 Champions League, 4 Vanilla Sky

Race 6 – 4.05pm: GO ELECTRICAL CLASS 1 (1350m): 1 BRILLAR, 2 Decadent Tale, 3 Spats Pav Bowie, 4 Every Effort

Race 7 – 4.40pm: WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETING THURSDAY APRIL 14 CONDITIONAL BM68 (1350m): 1 DIFFERENT STROKES, 2 Ticket To Anywhere, 3 Never Cry, 4 Visceral

Race 8 – 5.15pm: CARLTON DRAUGHT BM64 (1100m): 1 COAL CRUSHER, 2 Way To The Stars, 3 Cassy’s Sister, 4 Velorum.

With a strong hand in Saturday’s home track qualifier Wyong trainers are confident they can add to the two local runners already through to the Polytrack Provincial-Midway Final.

Locally trained horses make up half of Saturday’s field of 16, with Kim Waugh saddling up French Bonnet and Different Strokes in the $150,000 race, while Barossa Rosa and Mabel represent Tracey Bartley.

Oakfield Arrow, Pandora Blue and Fumiko complete a trio for Kristen Buchanan, while Zorocat lines up for Damien Lane. 

Victorella trained by Louise Munce and Bartley’s Sebrenco are among the four emergencies.

Waugh and Bartley have already qualified Great News and Kiss Sum, respectively for the $500,000 final on April 9, both among the top five chances in early betting. 

French Bonnet resumes in the 1350m Qualifier and Waugh is pleased with her form leading into the race. 

“Her two trials have been really good and I’m very pleased with her. She’s absolutely flying,” she said. 

French Bonnet has put together four wins and a placing from her 10 starts, including a Warwick Farm victory over 1400m last preparation. 

The stables other runner, Different Strokes also resumes after two trials. 

He has three wins and three placings from just seven starts, including a Midway win over 1400m on October 9 before being unplaced in the Four Pillars. 

“His trials have been very good as well,” Waugh said. “I’m very happy with both of them.”

Bartley is equally enthused with his duo Barossa Rosa, a Midway winner who finished a close fourth in the Four Pillars and progressive filly Mabel.

“Barossa Rosa’s barrier trial was good the other day and she makes her own luck up on the speed. She’s probably the better of my two only because she has a bit more maturity than the filly at this stage, but Mabel’s been working really well this week.”

The Buchanan stable saddles up two previous Midway winners in Oakfield Arrow (pictured) and Pandora Blue, with the trainer believing both are good chances.

“I’ve been really pleased with Pandora and her first up run this prep was good. My only concern is she could be a bit vulnerable over the 1350m,” she said. 

“Oakfield Arrow’s last run in the Newcastle Qualifier looked plain on paper but she came back with irregular blood work after the race. She’s a lovely free-rolling mare, who can handle the wet if the rain comes, and she gets her chance.”

Buchanan said she “couldn’t be happier” with Fumiko, who backs up from the Newcastle Qualifier on March 5. 

Lane’s Zorocat ran without luck in the Gosford Qualifier on March 12 and will put in an improved performance off a more favourable barrier.

The first of eight races gets underway at 1.10pm.

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 1.10pm: TWIN LAKES AIR PTY OLTD 3YO MAIDEN (1000m): 1 SELHURST PARK, 2 Ottilie, 3 Ultra, 4 Adelinda.

Race 2 – 1.45pm: LAKES PODIATARY 2YO MAIDEN (1200m): 1 PRETTY SHAMROCK, 2 Atoine, 3 Nobel, 4 Perpignan.

Race 3 – 2.20pm: PANASALES PTY LTD MAIDEN (1600m): 1 TIEMPE PASSATE, 2 Silent Thunder, 3 Afewchoicewords, 4 Our Belle Fille.

Race 4 – 3.00pm: VIETMAN VETERANS KEITH PAYNE VC HOSTEL CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2100m): 1 SEA TREASURES, 2 Monfelicity, 3 Credit Crunch, 4 Caribeean Stud.

Race 5 – 3.40pm: KAREN ANSEN CONSULTING MAIDEN (1350m): 1 AMATHUBA, 2 Mojo Classic, 3 Salizada, 4 By Nine.

Race 6 – 4.20pm: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES AIR CONDITIONERS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD CLASS 1 (1350m): 1 GHOSTWRITER, 2 Jimmy’s Dream, 3 Aspen Chase, 4 Coppersonic.

Race 7 – 5.00pm: HALEKULANI BOWLING CLUB CONDITIONAL BM68 (1100m): 1 PLEADING, 2 Land Of Valens, 3 Comeback Star, 4 Magic On Ice.

Race 8 – 5.40pm: POLYTRACK PROVINCIAL-MIDWAY CHAMPIONSHIPS QUALIFIER (1350m): 1 FRENCH BONNET, 2 Divine Breath, 3 Noble Soldier, 4 Pandora Blue.

Click here for today’s race book. On a day when William Pike will dominate the limelight at Wyong, Jeff Englebrecht is confident The Crimson Idol can steal a bit of his thunder. 

The Wizard from the west has relocated to Sydney and his two rides on Tuesday will be his first in NSW since the move. 

Pike kicks off his local campaign on Choix De La Mer for the Snowden’s in race three and Heavenly Prophet for Hawkes racing in the fourth.

There’s little doubt Pike will be a great drawcard for the meeting, the 35-year-old a fan favourite, with 2889 wins to his name including 15 Group 1’s.

Strict vaccine mandates in WA are thought to be behind Pike’s move, but he will be a well-received addition to the already strong jockey ranks. 

Local trainer Englebrecht will rely on apprentice Pat Scorse to guide his mare in the 1350m F&M Benchmark 64 but would have no qualms engaging Pike in the future.

“He’s a very good rider and adds another talented jockey to an already strong pool,” Englebrecht said. 

“In saying that I’m hoping Pat can get the job done for me on Tuesday. The mare has to carry 61.5kg so his three-kilo claim will be a big advantage.” 

The Crimson Idol has been a consistent earner for the stable and connections, with six wins and nine placings from 38 starts. 

She lines up on her home track coming into the race with a hard luck tale at her most recent outing.

“Last run she drew the outside and got way back which is not her normal racing position. He was a bit conservative out the gates and he was trapped three and four wide all the way. 

“That’s not her. She’s got to be up with the leaders but she ran on late in the straight to her credit. Probably the last furlong was the best part of her race. 

“Some of her runs in Sydney have been good, she’s not that far away. 

“I see this as a winnable race if she brings her best game.”

Englebrecht said he preferred the mare to either lead of be just off the speed. 

“She can drop in behind if there are any speedy ones or lead if there’s not. She seems to be able to do her own thing then. 

“She’s got no sprint, so you’ve her got to get her out and get her going and push the leaders into doing it a bit early. Then she can grind way. 

“She’s very casual at home and doesn’t need much work so we are better off racing her and keeping her fit that way.”

Tuesday will see a rare appearance at the races for Englebrecht who has been suffering from health issues for several years.

“I’ve had a bad run and haven’t been able to go to the races for a long time. I’ve got some good people helping me out but being just across the road I’ll be there at Wyong.”

The first of eight races gets underway at 1.15pm.

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 1.15pm: STRAMIT MAIDEN (1300m): 1 VICTORINE, 2 Ever Upward, 3 Mumbai Jewel, 4 Bessmati.

Race 2 – 1.50pm: INSURANCE HOUSE 4YO&UP MAIDEN (1100m): 1 UNA GREW ROSES, 2 Mentalism, 3 Hasalake, 4 Mister Ripley.

Race 3 – 2.25pm: KLINGSPOR 3YO MAIDEN (1100m): 1CHOIX DE LA MER, 2 Why Doubt, 3 Oakfield Storm, 4 Captain George. 

Race 4 – 3.05pm: PRO ALI MAIDEN (1350m): 1 DEFINITELY MAYBE, 2 Sacred Stream, 3 Gwan So, 4 Wolfburn.

Race 5 – 3.40pm: KINCROME F&M BM64 (1350m): 1 PONO KITORO, 2 Alexeyeva, 3 The Crimson Idol, 4 Divine Future. 

Race 6 – 4.15pm: INFRABUILD CLASS 1 (1000m): 1 DARK HERRING, 2 No Statement, 3 Barney Rabble, 4 Prudish.

Race 7 – 4.50pm: COREGAS CG&E BM64 (1350m): 1FENECH, 2 Rebel County, 3 Onehelvason, 4 Rumpshaker.

Race 8 – 5.30pm: BJ HOWES METALAND CLASS 1 HANDICAP – RISING STAR (1200m): 1 FIRST PEOPLES, 2 Amortal, 3 Silver City, 4 Camplin.

Click here for today’s racebook. Horror barrier draws haven’t dented the confidence of Gary Moore for his three runners at Wyong’s meeting this Sunday. 

Kalahari Heart and last start winner Perfect Match have drawn one off the outer barrier, while Harapan will start from the extreme outside. 

“It’s been the trend over the past month drawing bad barriers, we’ve had no luck from the draws, but we’ve been able to overcome it,” Moore said.

The outside barrier didn’t affect the chances of blueblood Chief Conductor, who was impressive breaking through for his debut win for the stable at Wyong on Tuesday, and Moore hopes the luck continues. 

He considers Perfect Match, who won his last outing at Wyong on January 8, the best of his trio. 

The Brazen Beau three-year-old has had a win and placing from four starts, the placing coming at Wyong over the 1600m on December 9, when Moore said he had no luck.

He starts from barrier 11 in the BM64 on Sunday over the same distance.  

“He drew wide when he won his maiden at Wyong, so he should be able to cope with that and he’s probably the best of my three,” he said. 

“I like to take them back to Wyong if they handle the track. The day he ran third there he got interfered with around the 400m, bounced off the rail and lost his stride but finished on nicely and that set him up for the win the other day. 

“He looks well. His gallop on Tuesday over six furlongs was very good and I expect him to go close to winning.”

Moore is expecting improvement from Dissident gelding Harapan, who lines up in the 1600m Maiden. The four-year-old finished toward the rear in his last start, a Wyong maiden over 1350m on January 8, having previously been placed over the same track and distance on December 15.

“I do expect a better performance than last start. The jockey came back and said he found it too short and couldn’t get near the lead. 

“He handles soft ground, and the mile won’t be problem. He’s very fit, working well and I’ve been waiting to get him fit to be able to step up from the 1350m to the mile. 

“He’s had plenty of grounding for this, has good gate speed so should be able to cross them and lead.” 

Show A Heart mare, Kalahari Heart rounds off Moore’s trio, starting in the 1350m Maiden. 

She debuted with a seventh at Canterbury over 1100m On January 7 and the trainer believes she will need more ground. 

“She looks really well. Whatever she does on Sunday she will improve on. She’s bred to get over ground but the 1350m is a good steppingstone to get her up to a mile third up.”

Keagan Latham will partner all three Moore runners. The first of seven races gets underway at 1.15pm. 

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 1.15pm: CANADIAN CLUB CLASS 1 (1100m): 1 PETULANT, 2 Per Ivy, 3 She’s Contrary, 4 Ilzoomya.

Race 2 – 1.50pm: TAB.COM.AU 4YO & MAIDEN (1100m): 1 AMORTAL, 2 Legend Rules, 3 Suprina, 4 Fragore.

Race 3 – 2.25pm: CARLTON DRAUGHT MAIDEN (1600m): 1 REGAL POM, 2 Circling, 3 Gulf Of Sidra, 4 Harapan.

Race 4 – 3.00pm: WYONG RACE CLUB FUNCTION CENTRE MAIDEN (1350m): 1 CAPTAIN VLADIMIR, 2 Sky Ace, 3 Dresden, 4 Rosovo.

Race 5 – 3.40pm: GREAT NORTHERN BM64 (1000m): 1RITA MAY, 2 Turning, 3 Clifton Springs, 4 Dual Escape.

Race 6 – 4.16pm: GO ELECTRICAL BM64 (2100m): 1 PRIVATE DETECTIVE, 2 Sandastan, 3 Miss Delia, 4 Schoona The Better.

Race 7 – 5.00pm: WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETING FEBRUARY 15 BM64 (1600m): 1 TWICE ON SUNDAY, 2 Perfect Match, 3 Tornado Light, 4 Crystal Waters.

Click here for today’s race book. Tracey Bartley’s two runners at Tuesday’s Wyong meeting are certainly the cause of frustration for the trainer. 

Bartley saddles up progressive filly Mabel and four-year-old Higgins at his home track meeting, a day recognising the club’s owners and trainers. 

He expects a good performance from last start winner Mabel (pictured) in the 1100m F&M BM64 but is frustrated by the impost given to her by handicappers. 

“She’s gone to a BM64 after just two country wins,” Bartley said. “I’ve questioned the big rise because it just seems unfair. She will have to lug a fair bit of weight, but I’ve engaged apprentice Jackson Searle to take a bit off her.”

Mabel, a three-year-old Dream Ahead filly, has had two wins and four placings from her seven starts. The only time she was unplaced was at the end of her last preparation when she finished fourth on the Kensington track. 

She resumed with a strong win over 1000m Muswellbrook on January 4, coming from behind with a sustained win to overhaul the leader on the line. 

Bartley believes she’s ready for Provincial grade with the 1100m an ideal distance. 

“She’s a nice filly and I’ve always had an opinion of her. We brought her online and were impressed from the day she showed up. The form around her is good. The horse that beat her in her first start was runner-up in a Listed race.

“We’ll ride her quite on Tuesday and I think the track and distance will suit her. She’s got a bit of wind problem and might need an operation at some stage but she’s holding it together at the moment and will race well.”

Bartley’s frustration with Written Tycoon gelding Higgins, stems from his poor performance first up at Newcastle over 1250m on December 18. 

The four-year-old had a Provincial win and three placings in his first preparation and Bartley had been expecting him to return in good form. 

After his mediocre Newcastle run, the four-year-old was ordered to trial by stewards, finishing third in a Warwick Farm trial on December  

“I was disappointed in the trial to be honest,” Bartley said. “I just don’t know whether he’s come back. I’ve run bloods, I’ve given him ulcer shield, backed him off for a month but I just don’t know. 

“His first preparation was enormous, but he didn’t spell well. He does look a bit better now and I’ve whacked the blinkers on him so and am hoping for a sharp improvement. 

“We are just going to run him and hope with the blinkers on and if he does nothing he’ll be straight out.”

The first of seven races at the club’s Owners and Trainers Race Day, gets underway at 1.50pm. 

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 1.50pm: ALLAN KEHOE RACING F&M MAIDEN (1100m): 1 ICING ON THE CAKE, 2 Hollow Dollar, 3 Verzenay, 4 Sirius Girl.

Race 2 – 2.25pm: TRACEY BARTLEY RACING CG&E MAIDEN (1100m): 1 REATEROS, 2 Beatbox, 3 Reach For Gold, 4 Just A Tiff.

Race 3 – 3.05pm: DAMIEN LANE 4YO & UP MAIDEN (1600m): 1 CURRENCY QUEEN, 2 A Real Riot, 3 Belleplaine, 4 Amber One.

Race 4 – 3.40pm: HAPPY RETIRMENT LES TILLEY AND EVAN HOLLAND (REV) CG&E BM64 (1350m): 1 REJOICED, 2 Fenech, 3 Acoustix, 4 Buzz.

Race 5 – 4.15pm: KRISTEN BUCHANAN RACING F&M BM64 (1350m): 1 TANZIMAT, 2 Confessed, 3 Kung Fu Mushu, 4 Hit The High Note.

Race 6 – 4.50pm: KIM WAUGH RACING F&M BM64 (1100m): 1 TELLURIDE, 2 Stormborn, 3 Mabel, 4 Superstasia.

Race 7 – 5.30pm: WYONG’S NEXT MEETING JANUARY 23 CLASS 1 (1200m): 1 FLUCTUATE, 2 Starboreta, 3 Hot Press, 4 Per Ivy. 

Click here for Race Book WYONG trainer Brett Partelle takes two horses to his home track meeting tomorrow – and has made an interesting analogy about the pair.

Previewing their chances in the Ryans Metal Roofing Conditional Benchmark 68 Handicap (1200m), he described Rifles as a “noise hater” and Trust Me as an “ornament to the stable”.

Aaron Bullock renews a successful association with Rifles, whilst Winona Costin will partner Trust Me for the first time in his 55-start career.

Partelle has won 11 races with the stablemates. Lightly-raced Rifles has won three and eight-year-old Trust Me has been successful on eight occasions.

The Partelle pair won’t be strangers at the barrier either, having drawn the inside two gates.

Six-year-old Rifles didn’t begin racing until late into his three-year-old season, and Bullock rode him at his first two starts when placed at Scone in June and July, 2019.

He has ridden the Smart Missile gelding only once since, winning a 900m Benchmark 64 Handicap on him with 60kg at Newcastle in May last year.

“Rifles had injured a back foot as a young horse and spent six months locked in a box before he came to me,” Partelle said.

“He hates noise and that probably had much to do with him being in confinement with music playing.

“He is a beautiful horse around the stables at home, and we’ve been training him a bit differently this time by putting ear muffs on him when he goes to the track.

“That has helped settle him in his work as he has been a horse who has liked to rock along.

“Rifles on his day is good enough to win a Saturday race in town, and I’m sure he will be very competitive in an open affair.

“But this race will really bring him to his peak, and he will maintain that for his next three or four runs.

“Rifles ran really well first-up at Gosford with 62kg, and drops 2kg. And he won’t carry much dead weight with Aaron being a heavyweight jockey.”

Trust Me joined Partelle’s team from a Sydney trainer after his first four starts, which included two placings at Hawkesbury as a late two-year-old.

“He has been a real ornament to the stable; a great bread and butter horse,” Partelle said.

“Trust Me has won some nice races, including the Kirby Handicap (1000m) at the Grafton carnival last year.

“He is getting on in years, but wasn’t far away at his last start at Gosford on New Year’s Eve and isn’t without a chance.

“We don’t do a lot with him between races. He trots and canters and swims in the river.”

Like Partelle, fellow Wyong trainer Damien Lane also has two representatives in the one race at the meeting, the 1000m Great Northern On Tap Maiden over 1000m.

Five-year-old Stays On Tour (Bullock) and first starter Fielding (Darryl McLellan) go head to head and their trainer has made gear changes on them.

Stays On Tour, who is yet to win in 11 starts and is a new addition to the Lane stable, will race in a near side bubble cheeker.

Fielding, a three-year-old son of Deep Field, will race in both a lugging bit and stallion chain, and also will wear ear muffs to the barrier, where they will be removed.

Fielding, an $80,000 purchase at the 2020 Inglis Melbourne Premier yearling sale, beat six rivals in an 845m trial on his home track on December 20.

The rail is in the TRUE position, and an improving “Soft 7” rating was posted this morning.

SELECTIONS:

RACE 1: 1.50PM: TAB.COM.AU CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1350m): TICK TOCK BOOM 1, Bon Vivant 2, Sherringford 3.

RACE 2: 2.25PM: CANADIAN CLUB MAIDEN HANDICAP (1350m): REGAL POM 1, Always Praying 2, Auzstar 3.

RACE 3: 3.00PM: GREAT NORTHERN ON TAP MAIDEN PLATE (1600m): DIJON 1, Just Strolling 2, Fielding 3.

RACE 4: 3.40PM: JARRAD THE MODEL BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (2100m): BARELLAN BANDIT 1, Miss Delia 2, Lava 3.

RACE 5: 4.20PM: MAGIC MILLIONS MAIDEN PLATE (1600m): INUWASHI 1, Turgenev 2, Aurora Florentina 3.

RACE 6: 5.00PM: RYAN’S METAL ROOFING CONDITIONAL BENCHMARK 68 HANDICAP (1200m): MORALIST 1, Two up 2, Rifles 3.

RACE 7: 5.40PM: WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETING JANUARY 18 F&M CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1350m): BLACK ON BEAUTY 1, Kung Fu Mushu 2, Shameless Miss 3.

Click Here for today’s racebook. The Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic has attracted a strong field with local trainer Damien Lane under no illusions his colt Wealthy Investor will have to bring his A game to claim victory. 

The Waterhouse/Bott stable, who has dominated the race in previous years with five wins, saddle up two runners last start Canberra winner Command Approved and Speak Now, who was second in the same race.

Their last winner came with Farnan in 2019 (pictured), who went on to take out the Golden Slipper the following year.

Annabel Neasham also has a two-pronged attack on Wednesday with debutantes Soaring Ambition and Man In The Mirror, while the Maher/Eustace stable will start Fly Nice, an Impending filly who was unplaced in the Magic Millions Ballarat 2Y0 Classic on November 20. 

Lane’s Wealthy Investor is one of two locals in the field of 14, with Tracey Bartley running first starter Impounded, as they vie to become the first Wyong trainer to win the Classic.

“I think he’s a nice horse and he has improved off his last start at Rosehill,” Lane said. “I’m expecting him to run really well.”

A $75,000 yearling, Wealthy Investor debuted at Rosehill on November 27, finishing third on a very heavy track. 

“I’d only given him one soft trial leading into that race, so he was always going to improve off that. 

“Ideally, I think he would be suited by a bigger track than Wyong and maybe 1200m, but you have to have a go at these sorts of races when you are eligible.

“He has drawn really nicely in three which will help and I’m confident he will run well.”

Lane has engaged Josh Parr to partner Wealthy Investor, while Digger McLellan will ride Impact Star, his runner in the Magic Millions 3YO and 4YO Stakes. 

“It’s good to have runners in both feature races and I expect Impact Star to also go well.

“He hasn’t had a lot of luck in his last couple of runs and I think the small field will suit him.” 

The Star Turn three-year-old, raced by Impact Racing, the same connections as Wealthy Investor, has had nine starts for two wins and two placings. 

He is one of eight acceptances in the field, two of which Empowerment and Compassionate, are from the Bartley stable. 

The Waterhouse/Bott stable has a smart runner in early favourite Snitzonfire, who strung together three successive wins last preparation, while Matthew Dunn’s Head Legislator has had two wins and six minor placing from his 10 starts. 

The first of seven races gets underway at 1.45pm.

SELECTIONS:

Race 1 – 1.45pm: MAINSTREAM FINANCE SERVICES PTY LTD CONDITIONAL BM 68 (1600m): 1 HIGHLY DESIRED, 2 Dodecanese, 3 Alastor, 4 Do This All Day.

Race 2 – 2.20pm: MAINSTREAM TAXATION & ACCOUNTACY SERVICES BM 64 (2100m): 1 VIREN, 2 Apache Belle, 3 Dalgarno, 4 Reposition.

Race 3 – 2.55pm: MAGIC MILLIONS 2022 GOLD COAST YEARLING SALE 11-17 JANUARY 4YO & UP MAIDEN (1350m): 1 HARAPAN, 2 Midnight Oasis, 3 Auzstar, 4 Diorissima.

Race 4 – 3.30pm: MAGIC MILLIONS WYONG 3YO & 4YO STAKES (1200m): 1 SNITZONFIRE, 2 Head Legislator, 2 Tanker, 3 Empowerment.

Race 5 – 4.05pm: EXALTED CONSTRUCTIONS CLASS 1 (1600m): 1 EL PARMY, 2 Rock The Bells, 3 King Of Spades, 4 Bedford Square.

Race 6 – 4.40pm: MAGIC MILLIONS WYONG 2YO CLASSIC (1100m): 1 HELL I AM, 2 Impounded, 3 Miss Hellfire, 4 Gendarmerie.

Race 7 – 5.15pm: WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETING SATURDAY JANUARY 8 BM64 (1100m): 1 LONGBOTTOM, 2 Toto, 3 Passistas, 4 Rita May. 

Command Approval and Speak Now could continue the Waterhouse/Bott stables dominance of the Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic on Wednesday. 

The pair are among 21 nominations for the $200,000 race, which includes four interstate raiders.

The Waterhouse/Bott stable has five 2YO Classics to its name, the latest Farnan (pictured) in 2019. 

A $170,000 Magic Millions yearling, Command Approval is following the same path as Farnan, who debuted with a Canberra win before claiming the Wyong 2YO feature. 

A Spirit Of Boom colt, Command Approval looked strong taking out the 2YO Maiden over 1000m at Canberra on November 26, beating stablemate Speak Now. 

Mornington trainer Clayton Douglas has Epic Centre nominated, the Starspangledbanner colt coming off a third in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic at Ballarat on November 20. Fellow Victorian Archie Alexander has nominated Kumicho, who was fifth in the Listed Merson Stakes at Flemington on November 27.

Gold Coast based Michael Kosta’s Perfect Mission is among the nominations, the filly placed second on debut at the Sunshine Coast on December 3, while Better Golightly, trained at Eagle Farm by Danny Bougoure, looked impressive winning two trials. 

Local trainers could be represented with Tracey Bartley’s Impounded and Damien Lane’s Wealthy Investor, who was third on debut at Rosehill, nominated. 

Lane has Compassionate among the 15 nominations for the $100,000 Magic Millions 3YO & 4YO Stakes, while the Bartley trained Empowerment and Compassionate, Kristen Buchanan’s Oakfield Arrow and Brett Partelle’s Skye Banner, could see a number of local runners in the field. 

Last year’s $2million Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner and Golden Slipper runner-up Away Game, from the Maher/Eustace stable is among those nominated, the Snitzel mare having already amassed over $3m in prizemoney from five wins and seven placings off her 18 starts.

Nominations for several races on the program have been extended, with final fields for the seven-race program on Monday.