raceday review

Damien Lane completed a successful week with a home track victory, Oakfield Mahogany giving him his third win in just seven days and 19^th for the current season. 
Lane is enjoying one of his best runs in recent years and it was fitting the latest win came from one of his biggest supporters Bruce McKenzie.

The Capitalist gelding was second up from a spell and while Lane gave him a chance of breaking through for win number four, he felt he may have needed another run. 

He preferred the chances of stablemate Wealthy Investor in the 1200m DE BORTOLI WINES PROVINCIAL BM68 but Oakfield Mahogany ($9) and jockey Andrew Atkins had other ideas. 

Atkins let the speed go out of the race, popping off the fence on the turn and racing away in the straight to win by over a length. Stablemate Wealthy Investor ($3.80) finishing fourth.

“He’s a big gross boy and I thought me might need another run, but he proved me wrong,” Lane said. 

“He resumed on a wet track at Gosford and knocked up over 1100m. It was great to see him get the job done today.”

Super ($12) looked sharp storming home to finish second, also appreciating the better ground, while the $2.35 favorite Extreme Cat appeared to have every chance, finishing third. 

It was an Irishman stole the show in the riding ranks with Darragh Keenan bagging a double and bringing up his 200^thcareer win. 

Keenan was having only his second ride at Wyong when he lifted Dunbelievin’($3.60) to victory in the SKY CHANNEL SUPER MAIDEN (1600m).

And it didn’t stop there, the 23-year-old bringing up a double on another Maher runner, Cape Byron ($3.40fav) in the last. 

Keenan relocated to Australia from the UK in early December linking with the Maher stable.  

He had posted two wins since relocating before Saturday, Dunbelievin’ the first at Wyong. It wasn’t an easy task, the well-bred Dundeel three-year-old beating Beach Party in the smallest of margins. 

The judge found it difficult to split the two after Keenan lifted the gelding on the line, with the result eventually going his way. 

Keenan came from behind again in the last, running down the leaders to win the 1300m SENPOS MAIDEN HCP on the well supported Cape Byron.

The Capitalist gelding resuming from a spell to bring up his first win at start three.

It wasn’t all celebrations with Keenan earning the wrath of the stewards for his ride on Cape Byron, copping a four-day suspension for careless riding.  

Tim Martin was very confident heading into the 1300m CARLTON & UNITED BREWERIES F&M CLASS 1, and that confidence was rewarded with Give Me Joy ($2.20) bringing up her second career win. 

It was back-to-back victories on the Wyong track, with the four-year-old daughter of Caravaggio having broken her maiden with a five length win on December 23. 

She took up where she left off, with apprentice Hannah Williams piloting her to a front running victory. 

The race wasn’t without controversy, Andrew Gibbons, riding the Lees trained second favorite Imposant protesting alleging interference in the final stages. 

The protest was dismissed with a relieved Martin, a co-owner of Give Me Joy, banking the winner’s cheque.

“I thought she should win and that’s how it panned out,” Martin said. “She’s a big, scopey mare and when she starts putting things together, she should be pretty good.”

At a subsequent inquiry, Williams pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding and was suspended for four days. 

Class prevailed in the TABCORP BM 64 HCP with John’s Thompson’s well bred mare California Grass ($2.35fav) returning to the winner’s circle after a run of placings. 

Keegan Latham put in a well-timed ride to chase down the leader Supertrail and score a half length win. 

A lightly raced Al Maher mare, California Grass was coming off a second at Warwick Farm on December 23. 

She was given a great run off the speed in the early stages, Latham circling the field before the turn and going head-to-head with Supertrail in the straight, getting the better of the Brett Cavanough trained second favorite, Supertrail on the line. 

There was an eventful finish to the 1000m MERCURE KOOINDAH WATERS RESORT MIDWAY MAIDEN with the short priced favorite Russian Snitzel running off on the turn after looking the winner. 

The Russian Revolution filly was sent out a $1.90 on the strength of two impressive  trial wins, but things didn’t go according to plan when she ran off the track, taking second favorite Ballet D’Esprit ($3.70) with her. 

This enabled Maddie Owen on Parmenio ($15) to rail through and kick away in the straight, holding out the fast-finishing Battlefield to win by a half head. 

Trained by Anthony Cummings, the winner was resuming from a spell having been gelded. 

“He has come back this time in as a gelding and I think that has made a big difference to him,” Cummings said.

Ballet D’Esprit was impressive, storming home to finish third, while stewards sent Russian Snitzel back to the trials. 

The Snowden trained Kadall ($4.40) was given a great ride by Alysha Collett to bring up his second win in just five starts in the 1300m DIMENSION ONE GLASS FENCING CG&E CLASS 1.

Collett sat just behind the leader throughout, drawing clear in the straight and holding out the fast-finishing Canadian Ruler ($7) to win by a long neck. 

An $80,000 yearling, Kadall raced by Triple Crown Syndications, was coming off a second at Hawkesbury in the same grade. 

Stephen Farley’s $3.90 favorite Lease was ridden toward the rear and failed to make up ground in the straight. 

With Christmas fast approaching Wyong’s Denim Wynen would love to celebrate with a home track win or two. 

The young trainer, and mother to two, has three good chances heading into the club’s Saturday meeting.

“I’m probably most excited to see Emphatic Bel back at the track,” Wynen said. 

“She had an operation to remove chips from her knees after her Wyong win in June and she seems to have come back a lot stronger.”

The Belardo mare starts in the Class 1over 1000m, coming off an impressive trial at Wyong on December 15. She blitzed her opposition by more than five lengths in good time. 

“I expected her to trial well but not as well as she did and against pretty good opposition. She’s a funny sort of horse and see’s ghosts when she’s working on her own, shying at nothing.

“Put her with a mate or in a race and she really gets her mind on the job.”

Wynen said she would step Emphatic Bel up to 1350m this preparation. 

“When she was with David Payne, they were trying to get her to stay but she likes to go forward, and I think she’s more of a sprinter. 

“She has a high cruising speed but if we can get her to settle, she will hopefully run up to 1350m. 

“Anna Roper has been riding her work and she will ride her on Saturday.”

Roper is also aboard Obvious Step, raced by the same ownership group. 

The six-year-old daughter of Sidestep drops back in grade, lining up in the 1600m Provincial BM64. 

“She got smashed at Warwick Farm last start, but it was still a pretty good run. That was over 1400m, and I think she will appreciate getting over more ground. 

“She has won over a mile before she came to me and the way she worked on Tuesday I think she’s in for a good run.”

And while Wynen’s owners will be on track on Saturday, she probably feels the most pressure from her third runner Magic Stella.

“She’s owned by my partner Reece Partington,” Wynen said. “If she can win it will be a nice Christmas present for us.

“She is up to 1350m on Saturday, and I can’t wait to see her over more ground. We will hold her up and hopefully she can find the line. The sting out of the ground will also help.”

The three-year-old Grunt filly will be ridden by Lee McGorrian in the 1350m Class 1. 

“It’s been flat out lately with the kids, Eli 10 and Indi, seven on holidays, along with the horses and Christmas. It will be all worthwhile if we can get a winner.”

The first of seven races gets underway at 1.25pm.

SELECTIONS: 

Race 1 –  1.25pm: WYONG EQUINE CLINIC CONDITIONAL BM68 (1200m): 1 THE KING, 2 Akaka Falls, 3 Don Pedro, 4 Surfers Royale.

Race 2 – 2.00pm:  DE BORTOLI WINES PROVINCIAL BM64 (1600m): 1 BOOMINARTIE, 2 Bak Da Man, 3 Socrates, 4 Dresden.

Race 3 – 2.35pm: CARLTON & UNITED BREWERIES 4YO & UP MIADEN (1300m): 1 GIVE ME JOY, 2 Beach Party, 3 Bobby’s Fling, 4 Beauty Bound.

Race 4 – 3.10pm: TABCORP CLASS 1 (1000m): 1 EMPHATIC BEL, 2 Coco Dreaming, 3 Ringdembells, 4 Willingale.

Race 5 – 3.45pm: SKY CHANNEL SUPER 4YO & UP MAIDEN (1100m): 1 ZARAGOZA, 2 Hawkwind, 3 Ausbred Mimosa, 4 Fruiting Habit.

Race 6 – 4.25pm: RYAN’S METAL ROOFING MIDWAY 3YO MAIDEN (1100m): 1 TOYGER, 2 Edited By, 3 Taxpayer, 4 Dayu.

Race 7 – 5.05pm: WYONG LEAGUES GROUP CLASS 1 (1350m): 1 LADY BOSS, 2 Pogacar, 3 Turbulent, 4 Little Cointreau.

Favorite backers were in the queue, but Tommy Berry had other ideas, his mount Highness running down favourite Spywire in the straight to take out the 2023 Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic. 

The impeccably bred colt, a son of Snitzel from Diana’s Star and a $900k yearling, went into the $200,000 feature as $4.40 chance. 

As the 1100m race evolved it looked like the Maher/Eustace stable had bagged a feature double, before Highness stormed home in the final stages to claim a narrow victory in a thrilling finish.

Trainer Michael Freedman was delighted with the win, believing the colt still has plenty to offer. 

“He’s such a laid-back character, a bit showy in condition and still learning to be a racehorse,” Freedman said. “He did a lot of that today on raw ability and if he comes out if it well, we have ticket to the Gold Coast. 

“He ran a good time which is a great indication with two-year-olds. He’ll need a trial between now and the Gold Coast race to keep him up to the mark.”

Berry said Highness was as “underdone as you’re going to see him” and has plenty more to give. 

“The Gold Coast is going to suit him a bit better and winning this should switch him on.”

The winner sported the same colours as champion colt Capitalist and will be hoping to emulate his success taking out the 2YO Magic Millions Classic in January.

Runner up Spywire ($2.05) is also likely to push onto the Gold Coast, with Waterhouse/Bott runner Toque ($3.10) finishing third. Highness is now a $8 bet for the Gold Coast Classic on January 13. 

The race wasn’t without controversy, Racing NSW stewards questioning Spywire’s jockey Tyler Schiller about his riding out his mount in the final 100m, before giving him the benefit of the doubt due to the margin but warning him about such actions in the future.

Spywire returned lame upon examination will require a veterinary clearance before any future trial or race.

While Maher/Eustace may have been denied a feature double, they trained the quinella in the $150,000 Magic Millions 3YO & 4YO Stakes with classy mare Royal Merchant staving off her fast-finishing stablemate Semana on the line. 

Jason Collett partnered the winner, a $160,000 MM yearling, who has now amassed $725,970 in prizemoney. 

He had the four-year-old mare perfectly positioned throughout, hitting the front in the straight and holding out a late challenge by Semana. 

The Wyong win was Royal Merchant’s fifth from just 17 starts, including a Group 1 victory in The Goodwood at Morphetville in May before going out for spell. 

The Wyong race looked a perfect starting point, and the mare didn’t disappoint pleasing both her stable and rider. 

Assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord said class had prevailed. 

“She had blinkers for the first time, ended up in the perfect spot, travelled well and was good late,” he said. ‘Semana shows us nothing at trials or in trackwork but is a different horse on race day. 

“They will both head to the Magic Millions now.”

Collett said Royal Merchant was “very sharp.”

“She’s had a let up and a trial and the set weights really suited her. She was well placed in this race.”

Royal Merchant was sent out $1.40 favorite, with Semana ($12) and Silentsar ($8.50) who was doing his best work late, third. 

Kim Waugh had a memorable day training a double with Linguee ($26) taking out the 1300m WYONG LEAGUES CLUB GROUP PROVINCIAL BM68 & Bojangles ($3.50) the PBL LAW GROUP Midway BM64 over 1100m, the latter giving Berry a race to race double. 

Waugh had been frustrated with Linguee continually drawing wide barriers but despite drawing wide in nine she decided to start her. 

“She’s a lovely filly but she always draws terrible, it all worked out for her today. Tom (Sherry) rode her a treat. The owners deserve every winner they get. They put a lot of money into racing and it’s a nice Xmas present.” 

She was equally impressed with progressive three-year-old Bojangles, who showed a super turn of foot in the final stages to grab victory on the line. 

 “She’s a good little horse. We bred him, my owners John Stewart & Robert Roulston, and I’m so happy they got a good horse.

 “I don’t know how good he is yet, he’s impressive. Going from a maiden to a BM64 didn’t worry him, he’s a cool little cat.”

Waugh continued a great run with nine winners in just over a month and 14 for the season.

Sara Ryan kicked off the Magic Millions program with a winner in the first, her debutant How Much Better ($7.50) taking out the 1350m STAINLESS FX MAIDEN. 

The All Too Hard colt is a half-brother to Ryan’s six-year-old Much Much Better, who has amassed more than $558,000 in his 32 starts. 

“I only hope he’s as good as his brother,” Ryan said after the victory. “It was a gritty win today and there is still plenty of improvement to come. He’s a good horse and I’m excited about his future.”

The $220,000 yearling giving Ryan her 13^th win for the season.

Rachel King put on a masterclass in the 2100m PRIDE EXCAVATIONS BM64 on the Brett Cavanough trained Supertrail ($10). 

King rated the So You Think four-year-old perfectly, pinching a gap on her rivals around the 1000m mark, before going to the line strongly to win by a length. 

Cavananaugh describing Supertrail after the race as a “progressive stayer.”

The $2.15 favorite Youthful finished strongly in second and is not far off another win. 

More Than Ready mare Mistress dominated the 1600m GOLD COAST YEARLING SALE 3 – 16 JAN BM64 courtesy of a cool ride by Tyler Schiller. 

Schiller struck a wall of horses as he turned into the straight but waited patiently until a gap appeared, the four-year-old showing a great turn of foot to speed away and win by two lengths. 

“She’s a really good progressive filly, and hopefully she can get going now,” Schiller said. 

Trained by John O’Shea, Mistress brought up her second win at start eight.

The $300,000 Magic Millions yearling, is raced by Milburn Creek’s John and Trish Muir, 

There was plenty of praise for the condition of the track, with credit due to Phil Robinson & his team.

MARK Minervini rued he could have had an even bigger celebration had a storm not cost him the chance to clinch a Wyong double today.

Whilst the Newcastle trainer was naturally delighted to win a race on his birthday – for the second time in three years – with Smiling Prophet ($8.50) in the NO EXCUSE FOR ABUSE F&M BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1100m), he didn’t get the chance to also win the DIMENSION ONE GLASS FENCING CG&E BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1100m) with Soobooco.

RacingNSW stewards called off the last two races due to ongoing storm activity, with lightning present and no imminent signs of improvement in the conditions. 

“It was bad luck because Soobooco has started twice previously at Wyong for a win and a second,” Minervini said.

“He likes soft ground, and there was enough give in the trackafter the storm hit to suit him.

“I thought he was the better chance of my two runners.”

Minervini’s success with Smiling Prophet rekindled a successful association with the mare’s jockey Kerrin McEvoy. Both are expatriate South Australians, and the trainer recalled McEvoy winning a race for him on John’s Brother ($7) in an Open Handicap (1050m) at Morphettville on April 20, 2002.

McEvoy went even further back. “Minners put me on a horse at Morphettville when I was a kid and apprenticed to Russell Cameron on loan,” he said.

“I’ve had a few rides for Mark without getting the money since he relocated to New South Wales, so it was good to get that win for him on his birthday.

“The mare did a good job after being a bit steady into stride.”

Minervini also won a race with Quick Tempo (a 1000m Benchmark 66 Handicap) at Taree on his birthday two years ago.

He paid $35,000 for Smiling Prophet at the 2021 Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association yearling sale, and the now four-year-old mare has more than recouped her purchase price.

Today’s win was her third, following earlier victories at Newcastle and Scone, and she has earned nearly $100,000 (including a BOBS bonus).

“Smiling Prophet is built like a quarter horse, but is a really good mare on her day,” Minervini said.

“She has been a little bit in and out, but appreciated the fast pace up front and it was good to see her do it.”

Fancied pair Chilli Filly ($2 favorite) and Flying Rani ($3) took each other on in front, and were sitting shots in the straight.

After being last settling down on Smiling Prophet, McEvoy saved ground near the inside before switching her around the three horses in front after straightening.

Just as runner-up Maz Kanata ($8) burst through on the inside and was being hailed the winner, Smiling Prophet swooped and won convincingly.

Punters had crashed in the first three races when the favoritesall bit the dust.

Newcastle three-year-old Uncle Harry ($1.80) was never a winning factor when third in the MERCURE KOOINDAH WATERS CLASS 1/MAIDEN PLATE (2100m).

Gun apprentice Dylan Gibbons, who won the recent Four Pillars at Rosehill Gardens for Sydney trainer David Payne, again produced the goods to score on $13 chance Mist Of Battle.

Payne had wanted Mist Of Battle to be ridden more forward, and Gibbons did exactly that and produced a comprehensive victory over Shemran ($7.50).

Things didn’t go Uncle Harry’s way, and he didn’t get into the clear until it was too late, so his third placing should be forgiven.

Coincidentally, Mist Of Battle also started at $13 in his only previous win – in a Gosford Maiden (1900m) 12 months ago, when Gibbons also had the mount.

Locally-trained Red Cobra ($2.80 favorite) couldn’t reproduce his home track breakthrough on November 11, and both he and second favorite Avonview ($3.20) never got into the picture in the STOP ABUSE AT THE START MIDWAY CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1600m), finishing seventh and fifth respectively.

Jockey Jay Ford “stole” the race, getting his own way out in front on Kembla Grange mare Justela ($8), who easily defeated Really Motivated ($14) and Flying Step ($7.50).

The first three placegetters raced in those positions virtually throughout, so it was little wonder backmarkers weren’t able to make their presence felt.

Winning trainer Kerry Parker said the plan was to quicken from the 600m, but Ford was able to control the race and everything worked out well.

“Justela has been going well but her last couple of runs were in slowly run races and she wasn’t able to outsprint them,” he said.

Purchased online in September last year as an unraced early four-year-old for only $1250, Justela has won two races under Parker’s care and earned nearly $58,000.

Racing’s unkindest cut of all seemingly has done the trick for Vomo Island, who broke through in the 1800 RESPECT SUPER 3YO MAIDEN PLATE (1200m).

Returning as a gelding, he justified his $1.70 favorite quote by defeating Mathkhoora ($4.40) and One Last Shot ($6.50).

“The stallion dream is over,” said Snowden Racing’s Colum McCullagh. “He is a racehorse now, and looks a lot more genuine.

“Vomo Island had trialled up pretty well, and we were pretty confident he could win his first race.”

Kerrin McEvoy, who won the previous race on Smiling Prophet, said he had hoped to settle closer on Vomo Island, going on how he had shaped in his recent trials.

“His best work was the last part of the race, and I’m sure he is open to going a bit further in distance,” he added.

A son of Dundeel, Vomo Island had raced five times as a colt for four placings. His sole unplaced run was when unplaced in the Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens in early September, after which he was gelded.

Trainer Jarrod Austin says the best is yet to come from Look At Moi Kim ($3.30 favorite) in the CONGRATULATIONS TEAM WYONG EQUIMILLIONS 4YO & UP MAIDEN HANDICAP (1350m).

“She has always shown some ability, and there’s a fair bit more to come,” Austin said after the daughter of Smart Missile broke through at her sixth start, relegating Princess Thalia ($4.60) and Meerut ($3.40) into the minor placings in a close finish.

“Look At Moi Kim wobbled around at her first two runs back at Kembla Grange and wasn’t beaten all that far, and then ran off the track at Bathurst when runner-up.

“Once she has filled out and matured, I feel she will be a very nice horse in 12 months’ time.”

Stewards dismissed a protest lodged by Princess Thalia’s rider Jason Collett against the winner, alleging interference over the concluding stages.

Third placegetter Meerut was game after being forced to race wide throughout, and deserves a change of luck.

There was no more impressive winner than Bojangles in the WELCOME KINGSTON INGLIS PROVINCIAL MAIDENPLATE (1100m); the last race run before the storm arrived.

The lightly-raced three-year-old, prepared locally by Kim Waugh, was having only his third start and first since July, and justified his short quote ($1.40 favorite).

Held up for clear running rounding the home turn, Bojangles sprinted quickly once Tommy Berry got him into the clear and his win was “soft” at the end over another local, Damien Lane’s All Too Zatso ($11), who also was held up for clear running at a similar stage, and Rum Diary ($4.80).

“He is only a little fella, and we tipped him out after his first two runs,” Waugh said. “He had a setback after one nice trial (third on the Beaumont track on October 24), but had a jumpout last week and showed he was back on track.”

There was extra significance for Waugh getting Bojangles’ maiden victory out of the way. He is a son of her former good mare Hetty Heights, who won a heat of the Provincial Championships at home in 2016 and was black type placed.

“Bojangles has a very similar personality to Hetty Heights, and I’m sure he will end up as good as her,” she said.

TALENTED Wyong apprentice Anna Roper will always remember her maiden home track success. 

The 21-year-old rode the 82^nd winner of her blossoming career, not only on her master Damien Lane’s horse Red Cobra, but also in front of a special cheer squad. 

Riding to a plan devised beforehand on the backmarker, Roper got going early to clinch the gelding’s first win in the 1600m FREEMASONS ON THE CENTRAL COAST PROVINCIAL MAIDEN HANDICAP.

At his 14^th start and following six minor placings, the Sebring four-year-old broke through after sustaining a determined run from the 700m.

“Anna hadn’t previously ridden a winner at Wyong, and said it was better than winning her first race in town (Lady Redwood at Warwick Farm early last month),” a delighted Lane said.

“She had family at the track to watch her, including her grandparents and a relative visiting from Canada.

“Anna rides Red Cobra work every morning, and really likes him, so it was a pretty special moment for her all round.”

Roper, who rode 42 winners in just under the first four months of last season until an after-race accident at Muswellbrook a year ago sidelined her for seven months, has hit the ground running since resuming her career.

She has ridden 25 winners (equal with Newcastle’s Dylan Gibbons) since August 1, and is only a half-win behind Zac Wadick in the NSW apprentices’ premiership.

A $30,000 yearling purchase, Red Cobra has overcome issues and is now starting to realise his earlier potential.

The manner of his performance suggests this first win won’t be his last.

Red Cobra was too strong over the closing stages for a gallant favorite Razella, who would have given her Hawkesbury trainer Steve O’Halloran the biggest day of his training career had she held out the local.

O’Halloran scored at Goulburn with Feel The Magic, and made it a double when Jaex took the RENTOKIL INITIAL SUPER MAIDEN PLATE (1300m).

The four-year-old daughter of Exosphere joined O’Halloran’s team earlier this year and was placed at her first three starts for him before shedding her maiden status with a win which never really looked in doubt once she took up the running.

Jaex beat local Aix En Provence, who ran on well, and heavily backed favorite Major Look, whose rider Keagan Latham afterwards told RacingNSW stewards the colt was making an abnormal respiratory noise throughout the race.

Whilst a post-race examination did not reveal anything, a veterinary clearance will need to be produced before Major Look can trial or race again.

Lane and The Big Dance winning trainer Sara Ryan kept the Wyong flag flying high with victories at one of the club’s few Saturday meetings of the racing year.

Ryan followed her $2m Big Dance triumph at Royal Randwick last Tuesday with Attractable by taking the opener, the GOSFORD MASONIC CENTRE BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1600m) with Vegas Outlaw (Grant Buckley).

A lightly-raced seven-year-old who is thriving under Ryan’s care, Vegas Outlaw left his rivals with no excuses. He steamrolled his opposition, clearing out in the last 150m to score by nearly five lengths.

Vegas Outlaw has started only 12 times, and has now won two in a row, following on from an easy Provincial Class 1 Handicap (1600m) success at Kembla Grange late last month.

Three-year-old filly Prima Bella (Ash Morgan) got her career off to the best possible start when she won the GARY TURNER MEMORIAL – ABBEY TIMBER 3YO MAIDEN HANDICAP (1000m).

The Per Incanto filly quickly mustered speed to take up the running, gave a good kick in the straight and held on gamely over the concluding stages.

Damien Lane’s All Too Hard filly All Too Zatso came from last at the 600m to gain her first placing from only four starts.

Jockey Deanne Panya pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge on Winning Run (last of eight starters) in this race, and was suspended from November 20 until 25, on which day she can resume riding.

Alysha Collett notched a double on Eau De Vie (PETER MAC’S SERVICE CENTRE CLASS 1 HANDICAP, 1350m) and One Destiny (WIDELINE WINDOWS & DOORS BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP, 1100m).

Collett took full advantage of Eau De Vie’s inside draw to give her the run of the race, and she moved up menacingly to join the tearaway leader Chesteray on the home turn.

After hitting the front on straightening, she responded gamely to hold out runner-up Emmadella’s late thrust.

One Destiny completed a successful day for his trainer Gary Nickson by running his rivals off their legs to post his fourth victory.

He never looked seriously threatened at his second run back and coming off a first-up fourth in town on the Kensington track.

Nickson also scored at Rosehill Gardens with Felix Majestic, who has now won three of his last four outings.

Critical Time was resuming for trainer Blake Ryan, and his strong finish into second placing behind One Destiny showed he is close to another win.

Only four horses contested the WYONG LEAGUES GROUP – THE ROOS FOUNDATION MIDWAY HANDICAP (1200m), but it developed into a thrilling two-horse contest.

Favorite Deceive (Keagan Latham) was seriously challenged by Struff (Andrew Calder) in the straight and it was a battle right to the line, with the former just nudging out her game rival.

Deceive did not help her chances by laying out from the 500m and also in the home straight, and stewards delayed posting correct weight to view the patrol films before deciding there were insufficient grounds to lodge a protest on behalf of the runner-up.

Dark Halo could be the horse to follow from Wyong’s GO Electrical Race Day following an impressive debut over 1100m. 

The flashy son of Zoustar hit the ground running in the OMNI – HAGER – CABAC CG&E MAIDEN and despite maintaining a high cruising speed, was able to quicken in the straight and win by four lengths.

The $280k Magic Millions yearling had won his previous two trials for the Maher/Eustace stable, the latest at Rosehill by almost 10 lengths. 

But he wasn’t without fault, stable representative Liam Ruddy describing Dark Halo ($2.25fav) as a “work in progress.”

“He’s been scratched at the barriers a few times, so it was good to see him stand there and do everything properly today. He’s here now and it was a really nice debut. Off the back of that you couldn’t be anything but excited.”

Dark Halo’s win brought up a double for Maher/Eustace and Jason Collett, with Costa Smeralda scoring earlier in the day. 

It was a family affair in the 2100m SAL – MATCHMASTER – OMEGA POWER BM64, father and daughter Richard and Alysha Collett combining for victory with Whetu.

The late money was spot on for the Dundeel six-year-old who was backed in from $3.80 to $2.50. 

He put paid to his opposition in the final stages, romping home by over eight lengths, to bring up his 4^th career win. 

“I probably slaughtered him last start, so I’m surprised I got back on,” Collett laughed. “There were five leaders in the race today and that worked out well. I was able to keep him in his rhythm, keep him in the open and go through the gears.”

The family connection continued in the HANECO F&M MAIDEN with Jason Collett piloting Maher Eustace’s well bred filly Costa Smeralda ($3.50) to victory. 

There had been plenty of confidence from both the stable and Collett, who trialled the Exceed and Excel filly, that she would perform well on debut. 

She didn’t disappoint winning the1100m race by a length after showing plenty of early speed. 

“It’s good when a filly has got natural gate speed and takes luck out the equation,”  Liam Ruddy said. “She quickened nicely in the straight, giving the impression she might do something as the spring continues.”

It may have taken Kris Lees’ Satirical Fan eight starts to break his maiden, but he certainly did it in great fashion, winning the ROBUS LIGHTING – HPM LEGRAND – ELECTRA CABLES PROVINCIAL 4YO & UP MAIDEN over 1600m by almost nine lengths. 

Dylan Gibbons gave the So You Think gelding the perfect front running ride and was able to slip away in the straight for a very dominant win.

“He was beaten by a good horse last start, so we were confident today,” Danny Greer, representing the Lees stable, said. “I’d like to think he will go on improving as he steps up in distance.”

It was a race-to-race Lees/Gibbons double when consistent gelding Oakfield Prince ($2.05fav) took out the PSA – THORNE LIGHTING – APP BM64 over 1600m.

The So You Think six-year-old, raced by Bruce McKenzie, had been runner-up at his past two starts, but atoned for the losses with a three-length win. 

“It’s onwards and upwards for him now,” Gibbons said. “It’s a good sign when they can put them away like he did today.”

Mark Cross’s locally trained Sian ($7) stormed home to finish third.  

Gerald Ryan described the win by his All Too Hard gelding Let’s Try ($3.10) in the 1350m SCHNEIDER SUPER MAIDEN as “well deserved.”

The four-year-old brought up his first win at start six, with Brandon Lerena in the saddle.  

“He’s come a long way this time in,” Ryan said. “He did heaps wrong early but this time around after a nice spell, he’s much more settled and manageable. Brandon rated him good today. He’s no star but will win a couple more races.”

Damien Lane’s Red Cobra, the $101 outsider of the field, flashed home for second. 

Tim Clark made a successful return to Wyong at just his second meeting back after suffering an injury on Cup Day. 

Clark rode the David Pfieffer trained Beneficio ($8) to victory in the 1100m SHARKRACK – IPD – EMERALD LIGHTING BM64.

The Magnus mare was having only her second start for the stable having previously raced in Victoria and brought up her second career win. 

“It’s good to be back and in the winner’s stall,” Clark said. “This mare filled me with confidence in the run that she’d be in the finish a long way out. She fought it out really well.”

Kristen Buchanan’s Big Happiness could be in for a good preparation after finishing third, just a length behind the winner. 

A long shot winner in the last, the 1350m KLEIN TOOLS – EVOLT – PRYSMIAN – BRILLIANT MIDWAY BM64 with Brett Lazzarini’s Mancconi ($37) upsetting the more favoured riders with Brock Ryan in the saddle. 

There were some nervous moments for Lazzarini after a truck accident on the freeway delayed their arrival. 

“I didn’t think we were going to get here at one stage, but we made it. He’s no world beater this horse but every time you put him down, he does his best. My wife owns 80% so it keeps her happy, “he laughed. 

Like his famous namesake the John O’Shea trained Benaud has written himself into the record books claiming the 2023 Listed Carlton Wyong Gold Cup. 

And it was rising star Dylan Gibbons who rode the five-year-old to victory giving the son of Reliable Man his first black type win. 

The Cup was marred by a dramatic mid-race fall around the 800m, with front runner The Mediterranean faltering causing a ricochet effect, which resulted in three jockeys being dislodged and six runners pulled out of the race. 

Fortunately, riders Regan Bayliss, Tim Clark and Brett Prebble escaped serious injuries. 

Gibbons had settled Benaud mid field and was able to avoid the trouble caused by the fall, storming down the outside in the straight to claim victory from fellow grey and race favorite Bois D’Argent. 

The win was the result of a well thought out plan by O’Shea, who took Benaud to Wyong for a 2100m Class 1 in July, hoping for a confidence boosting win and run on the track.

The plan worked with the gelding posting a six-length victory, before returning to Wyong after a failed run in the Grafton Cup and freshen up, to claim the club’s biggest prize.

“He’s been going good and had a lovely draw to get an economical run in the race. He was well weighted, and we thought it was a great opportunity for him” 

While the win was only the third for Benaud, he has had three previous Group placings to his name, including a second to Hitotsu in the G1 ATC Australian Derby. 

It’s O’Shea’s second Wyong Cup win in as many years after claiming victory in 2021 with another grey Berdibek.

The Annabel Neasham pair Bois D’Argent ($4.60fav) and Spirit Ridge ($13) filled the minor placings.

O’Shea’s victory in the Cup atoned for a second in the day’s other feature the Mona Lisa, where he trained runner-up Sanstoc.

The Mona Lisa can turn up a long shot and this year was no exception with Peter and Paul Snowden’s Mirra View taking out the $200k Listed race returning $26. 

The More Than Ready five-year-old was given the perfect ride by Chad Schofield, who came from midfield with a sustained run in the straight to grab victory. 

In a huge result for the Snowden’s the well supported Wollombi finished third, behind Sanstoc ($21), who protested unsuccessfully against the winner. 

A delighted Peter Snowden described Mirra View as a “very genuine, honest filly.”

“This is the level she’s been looking for and it’s great to see her get black type to her name. She’s been the victim of too good a barrier in the past but today it worked out beautifully from the gate and they went quick enough for her to get back and go through her revs.

“Chad got her out in plenty of time and it was good to see her get the job done. The owners are great supporters of the stable and I’m very happy for them.”  

Snowden said he was also thrilled with the performance of the well supported Wollombi ($4.40), who despite being caught wide throughout finished third.

 It was an effortless win by the Godolphin trained Balkans ($2.70) to take out the inaugural running of the $60,000 Super Maiden over 1200m.

Zac Lloyd box seated on the Lonhro colt before angling him to the outside in the final stages steering him to an easy victory.

It was a pickup ride for Lloyd, replacing the injured McDonald.  

Darren Beadman said they had expected the three-year-old colt to race well. 

“He’s a lovely horse, a big scoping horse and we expected him to get around Wyong pretty well. He had no luck at Canterbury on debut, but it taught him to race and laid a nice foundation for this race.”

Clarry Conners Peace Officer ($3.50) was a dominant winner of the 1300m Da Vinci 3&4YO BM64, but all eyes were on champion jockey James McDonald who fell at the start. 

Godolphin’s $1.70 favorite Razors appeared to blunder after jumping, sending McDonald into the turf, the champion jockey suffering a foot injury and being stood down for the rest of the meeting. 

Kris Lees looked to have another race in the bag when Memoria ($5) kicked in the straight, but Nash Rawiller had other ideas, coming from behind to run down the winner and post an easy win on the line. 

The four-year-old is putting together a strong resume with two wins and three placings from his nine starts. 

Lees had started the day well with a quinella in the first, Blackcomb ($4.20) overhauling stable mate and $3 favorite Oakfield Prince on the line in the 1600m BM64.

The five-year-old daughter of Vancouver, having her first start for the stable, came from behind in the straight in a well-timed ride by Dylan Gibbons, the first leg of a winning double.

It was no surprise for trainer Brett Lazzarini when his gelding Bonus Tempus beat some of the more favored runners in the 1350m 4YO & Up Maiden.

The Impending four-year-old appreciated a step up in distance and Lazzarini believes there’s more improvement to come. 

“He still wants more ground, but I thought he could be there when the whips were cracking today,” he said. 

Brad Widdup was thrilled with the win of his consistent mare Jedibeel ($2.80fav) who was given a super, rails run by Jean Van Overmeire to win the 1100m Class 1.  

Widdup said Van Overmeire had defied his one instruction. 

“I told him not to go to the fence and he did,” Widdup laughed. “It worked out that way and he had too, but he got the job done. She’s still learning. 

“She’s run against a couple smart horses where she’s done a lot wrong. Today she did a lot right and it was a terrific effort.”

Runner up The King ($4) will have plenty of improvement to come, while Los Padres ($16) put in an eye-catching run for third. 

Keagan Latham brought up a double in the last riding Michael Freedman’s $2.10 favorite Flying Destiny to victory. 

Darby Racing’s Flying Artie four-year-old made it back-to-back wins after a last start victory at Hawkesbury. 

A third placing to Tyler Schiller saw him draw equal with Adam Hyeronimus to tie for the Nathan Berry Shield. Tommy Berry and his family were on track to present the prestigious shield.

It surely had to be an obvious tip!

How fitting that today’s feature race on our opening day of the Cup carnival should be won by a local – and on Ladies’ Day to boot!

Denim Wynen landed the Johnnie Roberts Memorial, named after the popular Wyong trainer who passed away in May 2020 after battling cancer, with her underrated mare Obvious Step ($6.50).

Ridden by Ashley Morgan, who scored on Newcastle sprinter Hard To Say in the Doomben opener yesterday, the six-year-old mare overcame a slow getaway and a troublesome run in the straight to prevail in a tight finish to the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1350m).

Wynen has now won three races with Obvious Step, who began her career in Sydney and also was a thrice winner for her original trainer David Payne.

She dually accepted with Obvious Step, and pulled the right rein in withdrawing her from the Magic Millions Racing Women Benchmark 68 Handicap (1600m) against her own sex to stay at the shorter distance.

An overweight Morgan forfeited his two other bookings at the meeting, and was fined $100 by Racing NSW stewards.

Jockey Adam Hyeronimus made the most of a late pick-up mount to take the riding honours with a treble.

Hyeronimus won the first two races on Solar System and Global before replacing an overweight Aaron Bullock on local mare Oakfield Redgum in the sixth race, and was rewarded with the easiest of his three successes.

Bullock had four mounts at the meeting, and did not ride. Stewards will interview him about being overweight at a date to be fixed.

There was also a nice reward for Wyong trainer Damien Lane, who celebrated his birthday by winning with Oakfield Redgum.

Hyeronimus had Oakfield Redgum away smartly, and she never gave him – nor her backers – the slightest cause for concern, romping away in the straight to score by more than five lengths.

A plunge on debutante Countyourblessings went astray in the opening event, The Agency 3YO Maiden Plate (1200m).

Backed from odds against to start a dominant $1.80 favorite, the I Am Invincible filly, a $250,000 Magic Millions yearling buy at the Gold Coast last year, couldn’t overhaul another MM purchase SOLAR SYSTEM ($4.60), who cost more at $530,000.

The winner, a member of the Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott team, quickly gathered pace after jumping, took up the running on the rails and gave plenty to maintain a good break in the straight all the way to the post.

Countyourblessings was inclined to veer to the centre of the track over the last 100m, and never looked likely to reach the winner, but no doubt will take improvement from her first start.

Winning rider Adam Hyeronimus considers SOLAR SYSTEM is trending in the right direction after the Deep Field gelding had finished third at Wyong on August 3 when making his debut.

“He has improved every time he has been to the trials and races, and was good today,” Hyeronimus said.

Yarraville ($41), another making her debut, though beaten clearly, finished well to grab third placing, just ahead of Kristen Buchanan’s Team America ($14).

Sydney trainer Joe Pride was both delighted and relieved to see GLOBAL EMPIRE ($1.95 favorite) shed his maiden status in the Care 2 The Max 4YO&Up Maiden Handicap (1100m).

“He has been a bit frustrating, but has been slow maturing,” Pride said.

“That’s not to say he won’t get to where we hope he will, and it was good to see him do that today.”

Jockey Adam Hyeronimus, who clinched a double in the open two races, said “it was a good strong win”.

“He travelled nice and strong, and stretched out nicely when I asked him to go after straightening.”

Having his seventh start (he had been placed four times), GLOBAL EMPIRE didn’t have things his own way, being pressured by both Rinzai (4^th) and KongKong Harmony (last) up front.

He shook them off making the home turn, and was never threatened thereafter in defeating Let’s Try ($6.50) by two and a half lengths, with a further one and a half lengths to third placegetter, Louise Munce’s Ranhita ($18).

GLOBAL EMPIRE trialled six times, starting early last year, before making his debut when placed later that year at Hawkesbury in October over 1000m behind the talented and subsequent Listed winner Red Card.

THE third leader in a row won when Sara Ryan struck a blow for Wyong trainers with lightly-raced FRANK EXPRESS ($15).

Sydney’s champion apprentice Zac Lloyd, at his first ride returning from a suspension, bounced straight back to the winning list, leading throughout in the Iris Foundation Benchmark 68 Handicap (2100m).

A four-year-old son of European champion Frankel, FRANK EXPRESS made it two victories on end, following a 1600m breakthrough in a Newcastle Midway Maiden on August 10.

“I always thought he would get a middle distance,” Ryan said afterwards.

“Zac rode him a treat, getting away with cheap sectionals around the back.”

FRANK EXPRESS was having only his fifth start and beat a game Mr Bond ($5), who lost his off fore plate in running and showed a return to form.

Hat-trick seeker Vincenzo ($3.60), who fluffed the start by jumping in the air when the gates opened, and cost himself any chance of achieving that.

Disappointment of the race was another recent Newcastle winner Bulbarrow ($3.10 favorite). He was also chasing a hat-trick, but was under pressure on the home turn and dropped out to finish last of the eight runners.

A subsequent veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities.

JOCKEY Jean Van Overmeire continued his brilliant start to the new season, clinching his 16^th winner on Hawkesbury mare SACRED GIRL ($11) in the Robson Civil Projects Provincial Maiden Plate (1600m).

Such has been his form that he shares the lead in the NSW premiership with Sydney’s champion jockey James McDonald.

Van Overmeire gave the Sacred Falls mare, a $65,000 New Zealand buy two years ago, a perfect run behind fellow Hawkesbury representative Mr Papera, a well-backed $2.35 favorite, and finished best to beat him narrowly.

He had the mare away quickly at the jump and then took a trail behind Mr Papera, who had worked across from his outside barrier to take up the running, but lost his near fore plate during the race. 

Tracey Bartley’s Stanczyk ($2.50) was given every chance and wound up a close third.

SACRED GIRL had five trials without racing for a leading Sydney stable, and has now raced four times since being transferred to leading Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup.

“I’m really happy she won for Tricolours Racing and a large group of owners,” Widdup said.

“She has shown enough ability to win a race, but has been a bit laidback in her races.

“I tried blinkers, but they didn’t work, so we put a nose roll on her today, and we were able to ride her more positively, and she did the job for us.”

Four-year-old mare KINGSTON CHARM ($4.40) has a real affinity with Wyong as her jockey Tyler Schiller pointed out after her win in the ODA Advisory Class 1 Handicap (1600m).

“She seems to like the track as both her wins have been here,” Schiller said.

“KINGSTON CHARM won her Maiden earlier in July when Reece Jones rode her.”

Schiller had the mount on the daughter of Exosphere for the first time at her last run when third in a Class 1 Handicap (1600m) at Hawkesbury on August 8.

“She isn’t a mare you can bustle, so I was happy to be patient on her and she travelled comfortably throughout,” he said.

“I thought she put them away pretty comfortably too.”

Once Schiller got a gap on KINGSTON CHARM in the straight, she dashed quickly and was too good for Golden Passport ($4) and roughie Muckabout ($51).

Forget the $2.90 favorite Rise To It’s defeat. He had no luck at all in the run, was widest on the home turn and kept battling right to the post to just miss third placing. He can soon make amends for hat defeat.

WYONG trainer Damien Lane celebrated a birthday with a winner – and there was never any doubt about it.

He was confident beforehand OAKFIELD REDGUM ($2.60 favorite) could do the job in the Magic Millions Racing Women F&M Benchmark 68 Handicap (1600m, and didn’t have a moment’s worry.

With Aaron Bullock an absentee, Adam Hyeronimus was the replacement rider and rode the easiest of his three winners at the meeting.

Hyeronimus quickly had OAKFIELD REDGUM into stride and she travelled smoothly in front.

It was obvious on the home turn that the five-year-old daughter of Dundeel was going to be hard to run down.

She scored by more than five lengths from Lyrical Lady ($11), who ran on gamely, and Tornado Light ($31) was third.

OAKLFIELD REDGUM was Lane’s second winner of the season (All Too Sneaky was his first at Dubbo on August 13, and he has also had five minor placings).

“The map looked really good for her today,” he said. “She is better if she can find the front and get a couple of cheap sectionals, then roll along from the 500m.

“OAKFIELD REDGUM Is better ridden that way rather than sit and sprint, also likes soft ground.

“Whilst she hasn’t won out of turn, she has matured into a nice mare and seems to be putting it all together.”

Jockey Ashley Morgan has had a busy weekend – but well worth it.

He won the opening race at Doomben yesterday on Newcastle-trained Hard To Say, and landed the Johnnie Roberts Memorial Benchmark 64 Handicap (1350m) here on local OBVIOUS STEP ($6.50), who was slow to jump and didn’t have the clearest of passages either in the straight.

Morgan eventually got her around the heels of $2.90 favorite Rockabilly Rebel, and she drove hard to take the major prize.

In a close finish where any of several horses could have won in the closing stages, OBVIOUS STEP got there in time to edge out Rockabilly Rebel and $41 roughie She’s Independent, who made the running.

Well-backed Lady Shenanigans ($4.40) was a close fourth.

Wyong trainer Denim Wynen has done a terrific job with OBVIOUS STEP since taking over her preparation last year.

She has won three races with the daughter of Sidestep, who has also been placed on seven occasions in her care.

WRITTEN Tycoon three-year-old QUEEN OF THE MILE made it two wins from three starts since joining the Michael Freedman stable, and could not have been more impressive in doing so.

Ridden by Tom Sherry, QUEEN OF THE MILE ($4) was resuming, having also easily won the Gold Nugget 2YO Handicap (1100m) at Bathurst in April.

She loomed up menacingly to tackle front-runner Nonshalant ($7.50), and swept away to beat her convincingly.

The $26 outsider Proud Image was third, with Allan Kehoe’s $3.70 favorite One Kind fourth after appearing to have every chance.

A $180,000 Magic Millions yearling buy last year, Queen Of The Mile looks destined to make the grade in town.

Once You Were ($6.50) ran fifth, but had absolutely no luck in the straight, and is worth another chance next time out.

Locals finished the program strongly at our Winter Race Day with Allan Kehoe and Kim Waugh both saddling up their first winners of the new season.

It was a meeting dominated by favourites, who were successful in six of the eight races, with doubles to Matthew Smith, the Peter and Paul Snowden and Jason Collett.

Kehoe kicked off the season with his consistent galloper Dreamdeel ($2.90fav) taking out the 1600m BM64, while Waugh’s Chipper broke through for a well-deserved win in the 1000m Midway BM64. 

The 2022/23 season was one the best on record for Kehoe with 17 wins and he was confident his Dundeel gelding could start the new one with a victory.

Jason Collett took him to the lead around the 1200m mark stringing out the field before giving him a breather mid race. He held out the fast-finishing Oakfield Redgum to win by a head. 

Kehoe said he had made the decision to start Dreamdeel in preference to a gallop leading into a Midway on Saturday week. 

“We thought it would be better for him to go around today and it paid off,” he said. “I thought his class was a bit better than the rest of the field and that’s how it worked out.”

It was a Wyong trifecta with Brett Partelle’s Commander Bell ($21) putting in an improved performance to finish third.

Waugh kicked off the defense of her Wyong Trainers Premiership with Chipper ($2.40fav) bringing up his second win at start 13, with six minor placings. 

The No Nay Never four-year-old had proved hard to work out in recent starts but Waugh’s decision to add blinkers and Jay Ford ‘s to take the sit in running, proved to be a winning combination. 

“He’s going really well and had been there abouts in his runs this preparation without winning. We’ve moved him around in distance to see what works best and the addition of blinkers kept him more focused.”

Vegas Raider ($7.10) stormed home for second and isn’t far off a while, while Rodney Bailey’s Mr Bingo ($3.70).

Angela Davies Coco Dreaming ($6.50) may have bucked the trend for favorites but attracted the biggest cheer of the afternoon from her excited connections. 

Davies has had to be patient with the four-year-old Pariah mare who was having her first start in the 1000m Provincial Maiden. 

It was an impressive win by Coco Dreaming with Andrew Gibbons circling the field on the turn before drawing away in the straight to win by a length.

Nathan Doyle’s Boston Rocks ($1.65) attracted plenty of attention from punters sent out $1.65 favourite. The Hellbent three-year-old didn’t disappoint putting almost three lengths on his rivals, with Ashley Morgan in the saddle.

Doyle has a good opinion of Boston Rocks, who made it back-to-back wins with the Wyong victory. 

“He’s shown us that he has a lot of talent to date. He’s got a bit to learn so we will take him through his grades,” Doyle said.

There was plenty of support for Snowden first starter Fire Star ($1.40) in the 1200m 3Y0 Maiden and the Deep Field colt got the job done but not without a late scare for punters.

Tom Sherry was positive from the gates and held the lead throughout, the result looking beyond doubt before Gold Bullion ($6) stormed home in the final stages to come within a short head of Fire Star.

The win was impressive, with a good watch on Waterhouse/Bott trained Gold Bullion when he gets over more ground. 

Snowden’s made it a winning double when Zarrose ($2.60) defied a late betting drift to take out the 1350m Maiden.

The Exosphere filly looked impressive when finishing second on debut at Hawkesbury on July 9 over the 1300m and brought that form to Wyong to break through for her first win.

Andrew Atkins came from the clouds in the final stages after being placed awkwardly behind tiring runners and beat the Freedman trained Sense Of Humour ($14) by a half-length. 

Matthew Smith relied on Wyong expert Tim Clark to get the job done on promising stayer Deep Voyage ($2.90) and he didn’t disappoint steering the four-year-old to victory in the 2100m Class 1 & Maiden.

Clark settled the Darby Racing gelding midfield and was able to angle clear from a tricky spot in the straight and find fresh air late to score by a length. 

Smith was complimentary of Deep Voyage considering there is still plenty of improvement to come.

“He is doing a really good job for a horse in his first preparation,” Smith said.

“He is in no way seasoned just yet so it’s a bit hard for him in these races at this stage of his career and I think next time in, he will be a nice horse.”

Kristen Buchanan’s Blue Guitar ($26) battled on well to finish second after leading for much of the race. 

Matthew Smith’s Chain Of Gold ($2.50) continued the trend of favourites greeting the judge, the Sooboog four-year-old’s second win in the 1350m BM68 giving both Smith and Jason Collett a winning double.

Smith had expected the gelding to improve on his last start at Taree, where he finished well back in the field. 

“Everything went south that day, but I was confident if he could get back to his form two runs back, he would be competitive. It’s a big step up from a class 2 to a BM68 and I don’t do it very often,” Smith said.

Kristen Buchanan had a dream start to her Saturday taking out the Midway at Randwick and posting a home track victory, all within 20 minutes. 

Bruce McKenzie’s Oakfield Waratah scored in the Midway, the consistent four-year-old bringing up his second Midway win and fourth victory from just 10 starts. 

Minutes later Gardenzio ($15) was too strong in the Best Wishes On Your Retirement Kevin Miller Maiden, over 1100m with Kody Nestor in the saddle.
The son of Menari was having just his second career start, the addition of blinkers and a great front running ride by Kody Nestor securing his first victory.

Gardenzio had raced greenly on debut at Kembla over 1200m but going back in distance and sporting blinkers gave him plenty of confidence to post his debut win. 

Nestor took him to the lead from the start and in a perfectly rated ride, kicked on the turn and drew away in the straight to win by almost three lengths. 

The Midway victory was Buchanan’s 10^th in the race, earning her the nickname Midway Queen, with her two Saturday wins taking her season tally to 34, equaling last season’s tally with two weeks remaining.

In a great start to the day for local trainers Allan Kehoe made it back-to-back Wyong winners with his consistent gelding Lord Bob ($8) taking out the Germany WWC Welcome To Wyong Maiden.

The Office Bearer gelding had been placed third at Wyong in his two previous starts since resuming from a spell, so there was plenty of confidence from the stable that he could be in the finish. 

In another strong front running ride, Grant Buckley took Lord Bob to the lead before drawing away in the straight to post a half-length win. 

Former trainer Nicole Hudson is in the ownership of Lord Bob, who has now posted a win and three placings from his six starts. 

The Waller trained Gago finished strongly in third and looks like he would be better suited on a bigger track. 

“It was a good tough win, and we are really happy with how he’s going,” Kehoe said. 

Both the Kris Lees and Jarrod Austin stable trained doubles. 

Darryl McLellan lifted Lees first winner Ideel Hero ($4.80) to victory in the1600m Kimberly Burke Celebration Provincial Maiden.

The Dundeel gelding looked certain to be beaten after being headed by Killer Kerr in the final stages, but the veteran jockey was able to lift the three-year-old on the line. 

Hellavadancer ($3.50fav) was Lees second winner taking out the Happy 50^th Birthday Darin F&M BM64 (1350m), with Andrew Gibbons in the saddle. 

Australian Bloodstock’s Hellbent three-year-old brought up her third win from 14 starts with three minor placings. 

Stable representative Danny Greer said they had expected the filly to appreciate the race well. 

“The drop back in grade suited her and we wanted her to be ridden more positively. She’s a much better filly when she leads, and it was good to get her back to the winner’s circle.”

Jarrod Austin trained a race to race double with Deep Field gelding Vindication ($1.85fav) and Remus ($5.50), who posted his first win in more than two years. 

The five-year-old son of Vancouver had last tasted success at Hawkesbury in June 21, with yesterday’s victory in the Drew Chivas Memorial BM64 (1600m) a welcome return to the winner’s circle. 

Jess Taylor chased the leaders down in the straight, bursting through on the line for a narrow win. 

Four-year-old Vindication completed Austin’s double, justifiying his short price with an impressive two length win in the Go Matildas 2023 – FIFA Women’s World Cup Midway Class 1 (1200m).

The gelding was resuming from a spell following two trials. Keagan Latham took Vindication to the front on straightening and put paid to the opposition with a dominant win. 

Godolphin two-year-old Razors ($2.50fav) looked a class above his rivals bringing up his debut win in the Wyong Cup Carnival August 27 & September 1 2YO Maiden (1200m) ridden by Christian Reith.

The son of Sidestep was resuming from a spell and brought up his first win at start five. 

A freshen up seemed to do the trick for Bjorn Baker’s Hollywood Hero ($4.40) who was given a great ride by apprentice Jett Stanley to score his second win in the Get Well Soon Gary Harley CG&E BM64 (1350m).

Stanley gave the three-year-old a rails-hugging ride, before taking a gap in the straight and drawing away to win by a length. 

There were excuses for the  $3.50 favorite Smooth Flight hung in badly in the final stages.

There was plenty of praise for the track, a credit to Phil Robinson and his team.