Stephen Schofield’s in-form mare Mosht Up is part of a three-pronged attack on his home track this Thursday.
The Wyong based trainer believes the mare is in career best form and primed for another victory.
And he is confident apprentice Maddie Derrick, who has ridden the six-year-old in four of her past five starts, has found the key to Mosht Up.
“She gets on really well with her,” Schofield said. “She rides good, she likes the horse, and they get on really good together.
“She can get her to relax and as a result she races really well for her.
“She’s flying at the moment, jumping out of her skin. I couldn’t get her any better and give her a great chance. “
Derrick partnered Mosht Up to her latest win at Newcastle over 1200m on November 23 and has placed on her three other times.
She lines up in the 1000m BM64 at Wyong in a race Schofield said is ideal.
“She’s a pretty fizzy at times so not having to float her to the races is a real bonus.
“She races well at Wyong and likes the wet, the heavier the better for her and more rain his tipped.”
Since transferring to Schofield mid last year, Mosht Up has had two wins and 15 placings from 38 starts.
“She’s earned over $100,000 since I’ve had her. The owners were going to sack her, but a friend convinced them to give her to me and they’re rapt in the results she’s getting.
“I’ve got her worked out now and know what she likes and doesn’t like, so I keep her happy.
“The key to her is routine. She’s got to be first one on walker, first one on the track, first one home, first one to be fed. Everything’s got to be in a hurry but that keeps her happy.”
Schofield also saddles up Almost Reset in the 1600m Metro and Provincial Maiden and Sonic Hollow in the 1350m Maiden.
“Almost Reset is a good horse,” Schofield said. “He wants a bit of ground and is going to race really well.”
The Reset gelding finished fifth at his last Wyong start over the same distance on November 25.
Sonic Hollow, a Shamus Award gelding, has been unplaced from his three starts.
“He probably wants a little bit further than this race. He’s quite small and does everything right. He’s a lovely horse but needs more ground.
“I’ve got the whole team in at Wyong so I’m saving on the float fees,” he laughed.
The first of seven races at the Business Wyong Race Day, gets underway at 1.50pm.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 1.50pm: COMMUNITY BANK WYONG – BENDIGO BANK MAIDEN (1350m): 1 ESTONIA, 2 Stay Wealthy, 3 Wizard Of Oz, 4 Fear The Truth.
Race 2 – 2.25pm: PAUL HILLS – THE AGENCY CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2100m): 1 IRONIC MISS, 2 Conference, 3 Lady Redwood, 4 On Bail.
Race 3 – 3.05pm: BATTERY WORLD WYONG METRO & PROV MAIDEN (1600m): 1 TAILORING, 2 Aldrin, 3 Chappelli, 4 Single Babe.
Race 4 – 3.40pm: CENTRAL COAST UNITY BANK BM64 (1600m): 1 LORD WINSTON, 2 Bak Da Man, 3 Schoona The Better, 4 Mon Amore.
Race 5 – 4.20pm: WYONG RUGBY LEAGUE CLUB GROUP MAIDEN (1000m): 1 PETULANT, 2 Hamaki, 3 Foolish, 4 One Way Street.
Click for today’s race book. Port Macquarie trainer Denim Wynen believes her stable star Dual Escape is primed for win number 11 when she lines up in the 1100m BM64 at Wyong on Thursday.
Wynen’s confidence comes not only from the mare’s strong recent form but also from her reuniting with jockey Serg Lisnyy on one of her favourite tracks.
The Lisnyy and Dual Escape combination has been together for all the eight-year-old wins, four of which have come on the Wyong track.
Lisnyy recently returned from suspension and will be hoping Dual Escape can return him to the winner’s circle.
“She’s not the easiest horse to ride and Serg seems to have the key to her,” Wynen said.
“It’s only her pre-race manners that get her in a bit of trouble. She’s thrown Serg in the enclosure a couple of times but once she gets out onto the track, she is fine.
“She really races well on the Wyong track and can handle any track conditions, so if the rain keeps coming it won’t worry her.
“She’s ready to win again.”
Dual Escape resumed from a spell at Port Macquarie on October 8, a race Wynen considered to be more of a barrier trial.
“I didn’t expect much from her that day but her two runs since then have been very good.”
The mare was narrowly beaten at Gosford over 1000m on October 28 and was runner-up again at her subsequent start at Wyong over the same distance on November 6, behind Scott Singleton’s promising filly I’m Not Slew.
“I honestly wasn’t expecting her to race as well as she did in her past two starts because Serg wasn’t on her.
“She surprised me and went really well for both Jenny Duggan and Ashley Morgan.
“With Serg back on her on Thursday there will be no excuse because he can get the best out of her.
“I wanted to get her nice and fit for when he came back.
“She is ready to go and looks the best she has this preparation. There should be no excuses.”
At just 26, and a mother to two young children, Wynen credits Dual Escape and Kristen Buchanan with helping to establish her as a trainer.
She took out her licence while working for Buchanan at Wyong, who also gave her the opportunity to train Dual Escape.
“I leased her initially and she bolted in at Wyong only three weeks after I’d taken over the training. It was the best feeling.
“I brought her last year and she’s won around $70,000 since. She’s a great little pay cheque and a very easy horse to train.
“I moved to Port Macquarie last year and she has really thrived in this environment. She does better in a smaller stable and my partner Reece Partington rides all her work.
“She has helped get my name out there as a trainer and I’ve got a few new owners with some nice young horses coming through.
“She’s got a few niggling issues, but we keep on top of them, and I think she’s got a few wins left in her.”
The first of seven races at the club’s Domestic & Family Abuse Awareness Race Day, gets underway at 1.50pm.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 1.50pm: 1800RESPECT MAIDEN (1000m): 1 ROYAL BALLET, 2 Miss Maz, 3 One Way Street, 4 The Leopard’s Tale.
Race 2 – 2.25pm: MOUNTIES GROUP 4YO & UP MAIDEN (1600m): 1 BEDFORD SQUARE, 2 Miss Delia, 3 Tailoring, 4 Under The Pump.
Race 3 – 3.05pm: #NO EXCUSE FOR ABUSE MAIDEN (1350m): 1 STAY WEALTHY, 2 Rejoiced, 3 Diamond Blush, 4 Too Much Lippy.
Race 4 – 3.40pm: STAND UP AGAINST DOMESTIC AND FAMILY ABUSE CLASS 1(1350m): 1 CUSHY, 2 Niffler, 3 Groover, 4 Zohan.
Race 5 – 4.20pm: WYONG MAGIC MILLIONS WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 15 4YO & UP MAIDEN (1100m): 1 KYALLA, 2 Hypnosis, 3 One Way Street, 4 El Nido.
Northern Rivers trained Flora is shooting for her fourth successive win when she lines up in the 1000m BM68 at Wyong on Tuesday.
The Delago Deluxe mare has been in sizzling form this preparation putting together four wins and a placing from five starts.
Her trainer Norm Rogers is hoping a return to his former training base at Wyong, could see the four-year-old breakthrough for her first Provincial win.
“She’s been in great form but because of that has been weighted out of races up here,” Rogers said.
“It was either take her back to the Gold Coast or bring her down to the Provincials, so we decided to go that way.”
Rogers, a licenced real estate agent and hobby trainer, was based out of Wyong for many years before heading north to the Gold Coast.
He spent a couple of years training there before relocating to the small town of Tabulam, where he prepares the only two horses trained on the track.
“It’s a good set up and we get to work them on the grass every day,” Rogers said.
“Flora has been thriving there and the only thing I’m worried about on Tuesday is how she will handle the long trip.”
Rogers will make the seven-hour drive on Sunday and has enlisted the help of old friend Stephen “Beaver” Schofield to house Flora.
“Beaver has a box for her, and he’ll trot her up on Monday morning for me.
“Provided she handles the trip I expect her to race really well.
“She likes to be up on the speed and the Wyong track should really suit her.
“She has done well since her last win at Grafton on October 26, and we’ve got a great jockey in Josh (Parr).”
Rogers has known Parr from more than 30 years and believes he is the perfect rider for Flora.
“He’s a great jockey and rides Wyong as good as anyone, so there will be no issue there.
“His uncle Mark Webb rides him all his work up here.”
Flora has had four wins and a placing from her eight career starts but Rogers believes that record would have been even better if it weren’t for some early setbacks.
“She got a virus on the Gold Coast and after getting over that she got another one. She lost around 40kg, and it really set her back.
“Once she got over that and we moved to Tabulam she started racing really well and has continued to do so.
“She’s no world beater but is very consistent, so we will see how she handles the step up in grade.”
The first of eight races at the clubs De Bortoli Wines Race Day gets underway at 1.15pm.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 1.15pm: WYONG RACE CLUB FUNCTION CENTRE CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2100m): 1 OCEANIC FLASH, 2 Tea Leaves, 3 Willinga Stirling, 4 Pirate Bird.
Race 2 – 1.50pm: BUSINESS WYONG RACE DAY DECEMBER 9 BENCHMARK 64 (1600m): 1 FOR VALOUR, 2 Prasiolite, 3 Miss Scalini, 4 Dhakuri.
Race 3 – 2.25pm: TAB.COM.AU MAIDEN (1600m): 1 AL SAHARA, 2 Zoomurudi, 3 Elarski, 4 Sir Savaluca.
Race 4 – 3.05pm: WYONG LEAGUES GROUP MAIDEN (1000m): 1GLAMOUR AND GLORY, 2 Alegna, 3 Joyzel, 4 Lily Elsie.
Race 5 – 3.45pm: GREAT NORTHERN MADIEN (1100m): 1 DERRY GROVE, 2 Bartoselli, 3 Cool Lad, 4 Hard To Excel.
Race 6 – 4.25pm: WYONG MAGIC MILLIONS DECEMBER 15 F&M BENCHMARK 64 (1200m): 1 SWEET RUBY, 2 My Snow Queen, 3 Passistas, 4 Raay Of Dreams.
Race 7 – 5.05pm: DE BORTOLI WINES CG&E BENCHMARK 64 (1200m): 1 FRENCH MARINE, 2 Land Of Valens, 3 Coal Crusher, 4 Ka Bling.
Race 8 – 5.40PM: WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETING THURSDAY NOVEMBER 25 BENCHMARK 68 (1000m): 1 PICK THE SCORE, 2 Flora, 3 Emilette, 4 Affinity Beyond.
Angela Davies is hopeful Momack can return a winner when he resumes in Saturday’s Sky Racing Summer Provincial Series Heat at Wyong.
The gelding is one of 11 acceptors for the $40,000 race, the first in a five-heat series for Provincial trainers offering a total of $350,000 in prizemoney.
The final at Newcastle on December 18, run over the 16000m, carries a purse of $150,000.
Davies said the heat is an ideal starting point for her five-year-old Uncle Mo gelding Momack.
“He looks super, and his coat is really sparkling,” Davies said. “It has taken quite a while to bring him to hand, but he seems right to go now.
“The 1350m should really suit him first up. He was a Wyong winner over the 1600m before we spelled him, so the track won’t present any problems.”
In only his first preparation with Davies, Momack put together two wins and a second from just four runs.
He was strong to the line in his last start win at Wyong on May 13, the victory adding to his overall record of four wins and three placings from just 11 starts.
“It was a really good preparation, but he needed a break. It has taken a bit longer than we hoped to get him back,” she said.
“He’s had two trials and I think he’s finally right to go. His best form is over more ground, so if he can get through to the final it would really suit him.”
Davies was approached by well-known owner Phillip Pollicina to take over the training of Momack.
“It’s the first horse I’ve had for him and good to get results in his first preparation with us.
“Phillip was looking to place the horse with a Provincial trainer and said he had been watching me and liked what he saw.
“It will be great if we can keep rewarding him with more wins, particularly this series with some good prizemoney on offer.”
Davies’ fellow Gosford trainer Kylie Gavenlock is also expecting her runner Highjacker to perform well first up.
The seven-year-old, by High Chaparral, is a first up winner and Gavenlock hopes he can repeat that performance.
“He’s won when resuming over 1300m and pulled up really well after his 1200m trial at Newcastle last week,” Gavenlock said.
“This looks like a nice race for him and fits in really well with his preparation. He’s got good form over the 1600m, so if he qualifies for the final it will work out well.”
Kris Lees, who took out both the 2019 and 2020 series finals, with Occupy and Itz Lily respectively, saddles up Darleb and Azarmin.
The first of eight races gets underway at 1.20pm.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 1.20pm: MAGIC MILLIONS – GOLD COAST IN JANUARY MAIDEN (1600m): 1 VITAE, 2 Vyner, 3 Al Sahara, 4 Tiva Bay.
Race 2 – 2.00pm: WWW.TAB.COM.AU CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2100m): 1 BLACK QUEEN, 2 Deel Street, 3 Amore, 4 Willinga Stirling.
Race 3 – 2.40pm: HAPPY BIRTHDAY JADE CG&E MAIDEN (1350m): 1 ISLAND LEGEND, 2 Stay Wealthy, 3 Cushy, 4 Marvelous.
Race 4 – 3.20pm: WELCOME BACK TO RACING WRC MEMBERS F&M MAIDEN (1350m): 1 DRUMMIN, 2 Estonia, 3 All Too Scottish, 4 Pono Kitoro.
Race 5 – 3.55pm: GREAT NORTHERN ON TAP MAIDEN (1000m): 1 MISS CAN DO, 2 Diamond Blush, 3 Airstrike, 4 Girl Mania.
Race 6 – 4.35pm: WYONG MAGIC MILLIONS RACE DAY 15 DEC CLASS 1 (1350m): 1 IRISH KISSES, 2 Seven Twenty, 3 Trinity Missile, 4 Lovetheinvasion.
Race 7 – 5.15pm: SKY RACING SUMMER PROVINCIAL SERIES HEAT 1 CLASS 5 (1350m): 1 OXFORD TYCOON, 2 Greek Hero, 3 Darleb, 4 Departing Bullet.
Race 8 – 5.55pm: WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETNG TUESDAY NOVEMBER 16 BM64 (1000m): 1 I’M NOT SLEW, 2 Perlant, 3 Bring Glory, 4 Murungal.
Stephen Jones is banking on the performance of his gun sprinter Toro Toro to catch the remaining Kosciusko slot holders.
He believes the five-year-old will “do the talking” when he resumes in the 1100m BM64 at Wyong on Thursday.
Jones considers the race to be the ideal leadup to the Kosciusko on October 16.
The Time For War gelding, who has five wins and two placings from his 18 starts, looked impressive winning a trial at Scone on September 16 and his trainer is expecting a bold showing first up.
“He trialled really good,” Jones said. “He’s a good fresh horse so we’ll see what happens.
“There was a bit of interest in him last year but in the end, we didn’t get a slot.
“I sort of went the wrong way with him last time and tried to get him to run 1400m which was a mistake.
“He’s a dead set sprinter and that’s the way it is.”
This year Jones has mapped out a plan for Toro Toro which will see him resume on Thursday and hopefully go into the Kosciusko second up.
“The plan was to get him in the face of the remaining slot holders and if he wins on Thursday, he will do that.
“He’s won at Wyong and his front running style suits the track, he should be right there.
“If he can get a slot, I’ll just freshen him up and he’ll go in second up.”
Regan Bayliss partners Toro Toro who has drawn well in three but has to carry 63kg.
“I’m not worried about the weight. It doesn’t matter as much over a short distance.
“He’s obviously better than the rest and that’s why he’s carrying the weight.”
Jones is confident if Toro Toro were to obtain one of the three remaining slots he wouldn’t disappoint.
“He won’t let them down that’s for sure. He’s a lot better than a lot of the horses who are in there already. He’d be right in the thick of things, don’t worry about that.”
Jones has already qualified Nadaraja for the Kosciusko and would love to have another runner in the $1.3m race.
“To have two good chances would be great, so we’ll see what happens.”
Leading jockey Tommy Berry resumes riding at the meeting, his first day back after a month’s suspension.
The first of eight races on Police Remembrance Day gets underway at 1.10pm.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 1.10pm: GREAT NORTHERN CG&E MAIDEN (1200m): 1 THE POACHER, 2 Legend I Am, 3 Hold On Honey, 4 Ka Bling.
Race 2 – 1.45pm: CANADIAN CLUB F&M MAIDEN (1200m): 1 POIGNANT, 2 Mystic Mermaid, 3 Riduna, 4 Bella Rouge.
Race 3 – 2.20pm: CHOOSE TO DRINK WISE MAIDEN (1350m): 1 DANZETTE, 2 Myeyesadoryou, 3 Our Lancette, 4 Garmish.
Race 4 – 2.55pm: IN MEMORY OF S/C CHRISTOPHER JOHN THORNTON 4YO&UP MAIDEN (1600m): 1 THE DENZEL, 2 Coreei Lass, 3 Blackall, 4 Kamea.
Race 5 – 3.35pm: IN MEMORY OF S/C DAVID JOHN MANSFIELD CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2100m): 1 ZUDIN, 2 Coogee Bay, 3 Believe So, 4 Calaveras.
Kristen Buchanan is confident her flying mare Eyewitness can make it back-to-back home track wins at Wyong on Tuesday and continue a super run for the season.
Buchanan is enjoying her best start to a season, with seven winners to date and an impressive win ratio of 27% already seeing her reassess her goals for the year.
“It’s such a good feeling to start so well,” she said. “We had a goal of 40 winners and the foreman has already crossed that out and written 50.
“We have a lot of nice young horses coming through and the older ones are racing really well.
“We’ve increased our numbers slightly but it’s more to do with our horses racing so well and that gets everyone associated with a stable excited.
” I’m just hoping it can continue.”
Buchanan believes she has found another nice race for Eyewitness, who was impressive winning at Wyong on September 3 over the 1100m.
The Star Witness mare, who has three wins from six starts, will line-up in another BM68 over the same distance with trainer expecting another strong performance.
“She’s done really well since her last win. She came through the run well and we put her out for a few days in the nice weather.
“For her it’s a matter of getting away cleanly and when she does it takes a good horse to catch her, especially around Wyong.
“Jason (Collett) rode her so well the other day and he has stuck with her.”
Buchanan believes Eyewitness could get over more distance in time.
“She’s a bit loose at the moment so we will keep her over these shorter distances, but I think down the track when she matures, she could get over further.”
The stable’s other runner Street Candi lines up for her second career start in the 1350m Maiden.
Buchanan was impressed with the Pride of Dubai filly in her debut run at Port Macquarie and believes she will appreciate the extra distance.
“I was really happy with the Port run, she finished off the race really strongly.
“I gave Mikayla (Weir) an open book on how to ride her and she came hard to the post.
“She’s shown me a little bit at home, and I know she will improve as she gets over more ground.
“My only concern is the short straight at Wyong, but Jason is riding her as well and I know he’ll have her in the right place.”
The club host’s an eight-race Go Electrical meeting, with the first getting underway at 1.10pm.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 1.10pm: SAL – LEGRAND – ELECTRA MAIDEN (2100m): 1 RAGING BULL, 2 So Incisive, 3 Kistos, 4 John Of Lancaster.
Race 2 – 1.45pm: BOVARA MAIDEN (1350m): 1 ISLAND LEGEND, 2 How Do You Sleep, 3 Street Candi, 4 Cochet.
Rachel King rode herself into the history books last year when she became the first female to win the Carlton Wyong Gold Cup.
The victory on Paths Of Glory completed a super day for King, who had claimed the feature double, with Asiago in the Mona Lisa.
The English import is determined to emulate last year’s clean sweep and believes she is on the horses to do it.
King is coming off a career best season in 20/21, finishing third in the Metropolitan Jockey’s Premiership with 113 winners.
“Winning the Cup and Mona Lisa at Wyong was the start of what ended up being a great season for me and I’d love to do it again,” she said.
“It is always good to be riding in these feature races and to win them both last year was fantastic.
“Naturally it would be great to have that same success this year and I think I’ve got two good chances.”
King partners Spencer, from the in-form Bjorn Baker stable, in the Cup and La Lude for John Thompson in the Mona Lisa.
She has ridden Spencer previously and is confident the seven-year-old is coming into the Cup in top condition.
The Pierro gelding is coming off a fourth over 2400m at Randwick on August 7 and was a winner at Rosehill over the same distance on July 3.
He was sixth in last year’s Wyong Cup, finishing less than three lengths behind the winner.
“He’s been racing pretty consistently this preparation and wasn’t too far off the winner in the same race last year,” King said.
“His last start finishing fourth behind Harpo Marx was over the 2400m, so he will be really fit going into this.
“All Bjorn’s horses are in good form so he should be right in it.”
King has a similar opinion of La Lude in the Mona Lisa, the six-year-old mare resumed in the Group 3 Show County on August 21.
“I’ve ridden her quite a lot and I really like her.
“She’s second up on Friday. First up she wasn’t quite ready for a high-pressure Group race.
“I had to ride her a little bit forward because we drew awkwardly, which isn’t really her go and she just got tired late. Hopefully she will take a lot of improvement out of it.
“She’s the type of mare who was knocking on the door for a black type race all last prep. She was running really good races in Group 3, so hopefully she can make that next step into Group company.”
The $200,000 Listed Wyong Gold Cup has attracted a full field of 16 with two locals Onemore Sapphire from the Bartley stable and Brett Partelle’s Commander Bell the emergencies.
The Damien Lane trained Oakfield Missile is in the field but unlikely to start after drawing wide in 17.
Chris Waller, chasing his eighth Cup victory since 2010, has a strong line up of four runners Dashing Willoughby, Mohican Heights, Criminal Code and Mubariz.
The $140,000 Listed Mona Lisa sees a classy lot of 15 fillies and mares. Kim Waugh’s Great News, one of the favoured runners, will have to overcome a wide barrier to claim a hometown feature.
The first of eight races gets underway at 12.50pm:
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 12.50pm: PRIORITY BUSINESS LAWYERS 4YO&UP MAIDEN (1350m): 1DIFFERENT STROKES, 2 Stay Wealthy, 3 Beholder, 4 Silver Scissors.
The Waterhouse/Bott stable plan to start Perfect Radiance in Friday’s $200,000 Carlton Wyong Gold Cup following her dominant victory in the Cup Prelude.
The four-year-old Snitzel mare earned automatic entry to the Cup by claiming the Prelude and the stable will have no hesitation backing her up if she comes through the run well.
“She’ll be back up here Friday provided she pulls up well,” racing manager Neil Paine said.
It was a big day for the stable, who took out back-to-back races with Perfect Radiance and Anotherthinkcomin’.
Sam Clipperton dominated the riding ranks with a treble, while James Cummings bookended the meeting, with winners in the first and last.
Race 1 – COAST SHELTER CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1600m):
A perfect Wyong ride by Sam Clipperton secured victory for the Godolphin trained Iolanthe.
The impeccably bred daughter of Vancouver, out of a Domesday mare, was a $950,000 Inglis yearling.
She was coming off a second over 1500m at Goulburn on August 14 and well fancied in the betting, sent out $2.35 favourite.
Clipperton took a stalking role in the small field, settling Iolanthe toward the rear, before taking off before the turn and hitting the lead on straightening.
She drew away to win by a length over Speedzone ($3.40) from the John Thompson stable, with the roughie of the field, Dale Riley’s Muwarad ($61) third.
Darren Beadman, representing the stable, praised efforts of Clipperton.
“It was a good ride by Sammy, he judges the pace well. It was a nicely run race for her and she was able to sit back and get the last shot at them.
“She’s always shown nice promise and James has given her time and let her build into her frame.”
Race 2 – THANK YOU BARRIER STAFF PROV & CTRY MAIDEN PLATE (1600m):
Hugh Bowman had to work hard in the final stages to claim victory for the short priced favourite Amore.
The well-bred Savabeel mare, from the Brad Widdup stable, was held up for a run in the straight before Bowman found a passage on the rails.
She sped to the line and looked to have the race won before a late challenge by the fast-finishing Grecian Lass ($5.50), from the Lees stable.
The judge was called to separate the pair with Amore ($1.55) getting the nod.
The Adam Duggan trained Gold Invest ($21) was a length and a half behind in third.
The winner, a $270,000 Magic Million yearling, was bred by Gerry Harvey and is raced by George Altomonte from Corumbene Stud.
She was having her fifth career start, having been unplaced in her previous four.
Race 3 – BUSINESS WYONG 4YO&UP MAIDEN (1100m):
Lady Of Luxury continued a great weekend for the Bjorn Baker stable, breaking through for her first win at start 11.
It was a well-deserved win for the Criterion mare, who had been runner-up on four occasions last preparation.
She resumed with a narrow win after coming from behind in the straight to run down Snowden’s $2.80 favourite Warmth in the final stages.
Andrew Atkins had settled the Criterion mare midfield, before taking off just before the turn with a sustained run and claiming victory on the line.
Lady Of Luxury, a $180,000 Magic Millions Yearling sale graduate, drifted in the betting late to start $4 second favourite.
She was coming off an impressive trial win at Warwick Farm on August 17 and looks to be in for a strong preparation.
Torinda ($11) from the Joe Pride stable, was third.
The in-form Baker stable claimed the Group 3 Premiers Cup at Kembla on Saturday with Harpo Marx.
Race 4 – THANK YOU TO ALL ESSENTIAL STAFF IN NSW 3YO MAIDEN (1200m):
John O’Shea’s Arthur Francis resumed a winner, proving too strong in the final stages of a strong 3YO Maiden, with Regan Bayliss in the saddle.
The Foxwedge gelding, a $60,000 yearling, is raced by the O’Shea family.
While unplaced at his two Metropolitan starts last preparation, he finished fifth in the $2million Inglis Millennium before spelling.
Both his trials since resuming were impressive, his latest an eye-catching win over 1045m at Randwick on August 20.
He looked well placed in the Wyong maiden and was sent out $4 favourite.
Bayliss was happy to sit off the speed, before circling the field on straightening and drawing away to win by a length.
He beat Deep Snow ($8) from the Ryan/Alexiou stable, with Dalchini ($5.50) trained by Lee and Cherie Curtis, third.
The hard luck story was the Godolphin trained Testimonial, who was finishing strongly along the rails before clipping the heels of tiring Sterny Bear, and almost falling. Definitely one to follow.
Race 5 – DREW CHIVAS MEMORIAL BM 64 HANDICAP (1350m):
Gai Waterhouse considers Anotherthinkcomin’ to have a bright future after he brought up his second win in impressive style.
The Vancouver gelding got the upper hand in the final stages of the race and was able to record a half head win.
It was a race in two in the straight with Anotherthinkcomin’ ($6.50) and the Portelli trained Mystic Vein ($6.50), fighting it out to the line.
The win brought up a race to race double for Regan Bayliss.
Neil Paine said Gai had been “over the moon” with the win.
“She believes the horse has got a bright future. She was really impressed how he attacked the line,” Paine said.
“He didn’t give up and that’s just how we like our horses to be. We are rapt.
“He didn’t handle the heavy 8 at Goulburn last start but it’s a much better surface at Wyong, the track is racing beautifully.”
Both Anotherthinkcomin’s wins have been at Wyong and Paine said they would be looking for another 1350m race at the track.
American Salute ($4.80) from the Matthew Smith yard, finished strongly in third, with Tracey Bartley’s $4.60 favourite Defeat finishing fifth.
Perfect Radiance could back up in next Friday’s Carlton Wyong Gold Cup following her dominant win in the Prelude.
Jean Van Overmire led from start to finish on the Snitzel mare, who was able to hold out the Matt Dunn trained favourite Deadly Impact ($4), to record a half-length win.
It was the four-year-old’s first hit out over the 2100m and she had no problem with the distance and was strong to the line.
Neil Paine said he expected the stable would now push on to the Cup, with Perfect Radiance earning automatic entry.
“Gai’s over the moon,” he said. “This horse has gone from strength to strength, and she really showed some fortitude today.
“Providing she pulls up well she will be back up here next Friday over the 2100m.
“Gai and Adrian have improved this horse out of sight. They seem to have the knack with Goree horses. They love her training.
“Jean rode her a treat. He rated her so well in front, kept her in her rhythm and was quite strong over the last furlong.”
Overmire said the stable had done a fantastic job with Perfect Radiance.
“She just keeps thriving,” he said. “She was travelling beautifully from the 800m when I started to increase the tempo, and again from the 400m.
“She showed a great turn of foot and is going really well.”
Perfect Radiance, coming off a win over 1850m at Newcastle on August 11, was sent out the $6 second favourite.
Wayne Seelin’s consistent mare Apache Belle ($10) put in another strong run to finish third.
The win brought up a race to race double for the Waterhouse/Bott stable.
Race 7 – WYONG RACE CLUB LA GIOCONDA – F&M BM 68 (1600m):
Matt Dunn’s consistent mare Crazy Train put in another convincing performance to bring up her third career win.
The Bull Point four-year-old, has been in great form since transferring to the Dunn stable, with two wins and a placing from just four starts.
Another great ride by Sam Clipperton, helped secure victory for Crazy Train who was sent out $4.80 favourite.
After settling midfield, Clipperton took off on the turn and was able to draw away in the final stages to win by two lengths.
Dunn said it was great to see the mare perform so well.
“It was really nice to see her turn up and do what she did today – full credit to her,” he said.
“She’s got really good ability to quicken if she’s given a soft time and that’s what happened today.
“Sam rode her perfectly and gave her every opportunity to get to her top speed late.
“I’d like to have a few more like her.”
Buba ($6) from the Ryan/Alexiou stable was second, with John Sargent’s fast finishing Land Ahoy ($7.50), the one to follow.
Race 8 – CARLTON WYONG GOLD CUP FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 3 BM 64 (1000m):
Virgo continued the trend of the day for close finishes, snatching victory on the line to bookend the meeting for Godolphin.
The Zoustar mare brought up a treble for Sam Clipperton, who came from behind in the straight to secure victory by the shortest margin.
Virgo was coming off a fourth at Goulburn last start, and well supported starting at $5.50.
Darren Beadman said they had been pretty confident coming into the race.
“She’s been in good form and was a city class winner last preparation.
“On that past form I thought she’d be pretty hard to beat and that’s the way it panned out.”
Longbottom ($4) from the Lees stable was second, with Brett Partelle’s Perfect Style, putting in a strong home track performance to finish third.
German import Arabolini could provide John Cooper with the biggest thrill of his brief training career if he is successful in Sunday’s Carlton Draught Wyong Cup Prelude.
The six-year-old has been racing in career best form with back-to-back Gosford wins over the 2100m this preparation and has previously tasted success over the same distance on his home track.
The Prelude winner gains automatic entry to Friday’s $200,000 Carlton Draught Wyong Gold Cup and Cooper would have no hesitation pushing on to the Listed race.
“He’s having his best preparation to date, and I really expect a strong performance on Sunday, “he said.
“He’s had a couple of Provincial wins this time in and was placed at Rosehill two starts back. He’s going really well.
“He’s a German horse and was born in the May, so it has taken him longer to mature.
“He didn’t show much early but has continued to improve. think he will be an even better horse next year.”
Cooper, who comes from a strong equestrian background, has been training for three years and owns the half dozen horses he has in work.
He rides all his horses, floating them the 25 minutes to Wyong from his property at Central Mangrove.
He considers Arabolini, who has had 29 starts for five wins and seven placings, the best horse he has trained to date.
“Coolaminyah Kid has won more races but not of the same quality. Arabolini is the best horse we’ve had,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how he will go in the Prelude and all being well we will try him in the Wyong Cup.
“The track suits him, the bit of rain suits him, the short straight, he’s got plenty on his side.
“It would be very exciting to have a runner in the Cup, our biggest race to date, especially being on our home track.”
Cooper has engaged apprentice Ellen Hennessy to ride Arabolini.
“She has ridden him in his last three starts and he seems to go well for her. He enjoys her 3kg claims as well, which is helpful.”
Cooper is also confident of the chances of Hay John in the 1000m BM64.
The Magic Albert four-year-old has had two wins and a placing from nine starts.
“He’s had a bit of bad luck in his last couple of races. In his last start he got bumped at the barriers and then ran on well but ran up the back of a couple of other horses.
“He finished strongly, so I was pretty happy with him.
“Ellen will ride him for the first time, and I expect him to go well.”
The Cup Prelude has attracted a field of 11, with last start winners Deadly Impact trained by Matthew Dunn and Perfect Radiance from the Waterhouse/Bott stable among the runners.
The first of eight races gets underway at 12.20pm.
Wyong trainer Mark Cross regrets he took blinkers off Victorian purchase River Tycoon at his last start when he failed on his home track on June 17 after an encouraging second there a fortnight earlier.
But he won’t make the same mistake on Thursday when the lightly-raced four-year-old lines up in the Sky Racing 4YO & Up Maiden Handicap (1350m) – and with a new rider.
Cross has booked Rachel King to partner the Written Tycoon gelding, and is confident he can break through at his eighth start, and fourth for him.
“We bought him earlier in the year (he had been placed over 1400m at Bendigo in February), and I took a fair bit of gear off him but put blinkers on when he led and ran fourth at Newcastle in May at his first start for us,” Cross said today.
“I made an error and took the blinkers off him after he ran second over 1350m at Wyong on June 3, and it backfired when he ran last of seven over 1600m there a fortnight later.
“The blinkers go back on this time, and his recent work in them has been better than ever.
“He has topweight (58.5kg) to carry, but I’m confident he will be hard to beat.”
River Tycoon was an early $3 second favourite with TAB.com.au behind fellow Wyong trainer Rod Bailey’s Mister Ripley ($2.80).
Cross also runs another recent purchase Sian (Louise Day) in the Wyong’s Next Race Meeting Sunday August 29 Benchmark 64 Handicap (1350m).
Previously prepared by Kris Lees at Newcastle, Cross secured the Pride Of Dubai three-year-old online after he had won over 1600m on his former home track on May 18.
At his first start for his new trainer, he finished seventh to dead-heaters Budhwar and General Dubai in a Benchmark 64 Handicap (1350m) at Wyong on June 17.
“I have put blinkers back on him and also ear muffs,” Cross said.
“The ear muffs help keep him calm, and I have been happy with his work since he has been galloping in them.
“I feel he can run a nice race, but it won’t be easy to win with 60kg topweight.
“River Tycoon is definitely the pick of our pair.”
Cross is one of Australia’s “unique” trainers as, apart from preparing racehorses, he also trains detector dogs under he and his wife Alison’s aptly-named Unique K9 Protective Services business, acknowledged as Australia’s leading bomb detection dog outfit.
He has been involved in security for more than four decades, and his reputation saw him called on by the USA not long after the infamous 9/11 terrorist attacks which killed nearly 3000 people and injured more than 6000 others.
Cross took a number of detector dogs to New York, and stayed there for a couple of months, helping them settle in to the work required.
Understandably, the trip left a lasting impression. “It was just horrific,” he said. “Words can’t describe the scene and how I felt.”
Thursday’s meeting winds up the season at Wyong, but Jockeys’ Premiership pacesetters Jason Collett (13 wins) and Brenton Avdulla (12 wins) are absentees from the eight-race card.
Nonetheless, Rachel King, Tommy Berry and Tim Clark – each currently on 10 wins – will be hard pressed to tie with Collett, let alone overhaul him.
King and Clark have six rides apiece, and Berry has five mounts.
Aside from River Tycoon, King rides Contamination ($6), On Her Word ($4.40), Gidgee Guy ($8), Ocean Go ($11), and Thailand ($15).
Clark partners Who Fancies You ($6), Spicy Restaurant ($12), Day Performer ($8), Prince Invincible ($9.50), Silent Agenda ($5.50), and Anotherthinkcomin ($12), whilst Berry’s rides are Amber One $7.50), Barrichello ($2.70), Moralist ($19), Go Gazza ($6.50), and Vanilla Sky ($10).
Godolphin’s James Cummings enters the season closer on 10 wins, and with a two-win lead over Chris Waller and Bjorn Baker.
Cummings has only one runner, Contamination, which King rides in the Ryan’s Metal Roofing Maiden Handicap (1600m).
Sydney’s premier trainer Waller has three representatives – Berry’s mount Barrichello, Apollate (Lee Magorrian) and Cat D’Oro (Josh Parr) – all contesting the De Bortoli Wines 3YO Maiden Plate (1350m).
Baker runs Into The Fire (Parr) in the Carlton Wyong Gold Cup Friday September 3 Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m), along with Deel With Me (Jay Ford) and Lake Tai (Parr) in the Happy Birthday Grant Pidgeon Conditional Benchmark 68 Handicap (1600m).
SELECTIONS:
RACE 1 – 12.25PM: TAB.COM.AU 4YO & UP MAIDEN PLATE (1100m): RUBIELLE 1, Rockamo 2, Em Cee Gee 3.
RACE 2 – 1.00PM: SKY RACING 4YO & UP MAIDEN HANDICAP (1350m): RIVER TYCOON 1, Mister Ripley 2, Sombre Prize 3.
RACE 3 – 1.35PM: RYAN’S METAL ROOFING MAIDEN HANDICAP (1600m): KOUKLARA 1, Carlisle Bay 2, Contamination 3.
RACE 4 – 2.10PM: DE BORTOLI WINES 3YO MAIDEN PLATE (1350m): CAT D’ORO 1, Barrichello 2, Whatever I Say 3.
RACE 5 – 2.45PM: GREAT NORTHERN CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1200m): ON HER WORD 1, Sepoy Star 2, Day Performer 3.
RACE 6 – 3.25PM: CARLTON WYONG GOLD CUP FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 3 BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1100m): AGRUM 1, Sniper Legend 2, Gidgee Guy 3.
