Wyong Race Club

A treble to comeback jockey Jeff Penza and a win for veteran local trainer Stan Thomas were the features of Saturday’s Wyong Race meeting.

Penza, who returned to the saddle two months ago after being sidelined for almost a year, is back to his best and recorded wins on John Sargent’s stayer Tyrrhenian, Godolphin’s promising gelding Suave and on Rabbit Clause for Joe Pride.

Ocean Park gelding Tyrrhenian ($6) removed any questions about his ability to stay, taking out the 2100m WYONG MAGIC MILLIONS DECEMBER 12 CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE by a length and a half.

The four-year-old outstayed his stable mate Prince Camelot ($2.70) courtesy of a well-judged Penza ride.

Campbell, representing the Sargent stable, was complimentary of the ride.

It was a good ride by Jeff, he used his brain. The horse wanted to go forward and he took the race by the scruff of the neck and showed today he can stay.

“It was a race winning move by Jeff at the 600m and he went on with it really well. John thought he would run the trip and he proved him right today.”

Penza’s second win was on the well-bred Suave ($1.55) who brought up back to back wins in the WWW.TAB.COM.AU CLASS 1 HANDICAP over 1350 metres.

The four-year-old won on debut at Hawkesbury on October 24 and was even more convincing bringing up his second victory.

“He’s nice horse going somewhere,” Lee Cundy, representing the stable said.

“He will bob up in a better race somewhere. He comes from a good family and he will go a long way. He’s very casual which will take him a fair way. “We will step him through the grades and see where we end up.”

Penza also has a high opinion of Suave.

“He’s a slow learner and started his career as a colt and wasn’t going anywhere. He had to start from scratch this preparation and has come out and had two wins. I think he’s got a long way to go.”

Suave beat Go Fish Go ($9) from the Newnham stable, with Romalette ($3.30) trained by Joe Pride third.

Penza rounded off his treble riding Rabbit Clause ($4.40) to victory for Pride in the 1000m DE BORTOLI WINES MAIDEN PLATE.

The three-year-old got the nod in a tight finish from Matowatakpe ($3.10fav), from the Baker stable, the pair fighting it out in the final stages of the straight.

Pride was impressed with the performance of the first starter and believes he is in for a good preparation.

“His trial coming into today was good and we came here with plenty of confidence. It was a great ride by Jeff and always good to get the maiden win out of the way.”

Godolphin’s runner Mercury ($3.40), was more than two lengths behind in third.

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The consistent Ondo Pasa ($11) rewarded veteran Wyong trainer Stan Thomas with another win, storming home to take out the 1350m GREAT NORTHERN ON TAP CONDITIONAL BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP.

Ridden by Mikayla Weir, the six-year-old mare brought up her sixth win from 45 starts.

In a well-timed ride, Weir came from the rear of the field at the 600m mark, hitting the front on straightening and pulling away from her rivals to win by almost two lengths.

It was a popular win for the 82-year-old trainer, who has two horses in work on the track.

He was full of praise for the consistent mare, who he owns himself.

“There were excuses last start and I was reasonably confident today,” the 82-year-old trainer said.

“She’s been a great horse for me. She tries hard every time she goes around and that’s all you can ask.”

Ondo Pasa was sixth at her last start at Wyong on October 20 over 1300m but was beaten only just over a length. She last tasted victory in March but has been placed twice since.

“It’s always good to train a winner on the home track and I’m happy today,” he said.

Ondo Pasa beat The Patrician ($18), trained by Robert Pearse, with Godolphins $3 favourite Nindamos, third.

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Rachael Murray recorded her first Wyong win since relocating to the area mid-year on the aptly named Dancing Rachel.

The Declaration Of War filly was purchased by trainer Gilbert Slattery for just $5000 and raised on the family’s property near Gosford.

The three-year-old was having her ninth start in the CHRISTMAS @ THE RACES DECEMBER 19 MAIDEN HANDICAP over 1600m, have been previously placed twice.

Murray took a sit toward the rear of the field, making her move around the 400m mark. She hit the front mid-way down the straight and let down strongly for a strong length and a half win.

“That’s a huge win today, Rachel on Rachel,” Slattery said. “She was unlucky last start at Gosford, and we lost the protest.

“She’s a good filly. She’s by the Melbourne Cup winner and I brought her as a weanling at Scone and we raised her at home.

“My grandson and my son do all the work so it’s a real family affair. “

Murray said Dancing Rachel went “super.”

“I asked Louise (Day) how to ride her and she said make sure her last furlong was the best. That was fantastic advice because the horse went really well. She settled lovely and raced the mile perfect.”

Dancing Rachel ($5) beat the $2.15 race favourite Haunting Spirit, trained by Lauri Parker, with Mick An’ Nick’s ($3.50), from the Robl stable, third.

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Luke Hilton is excited about the prospects of Hinchinbrook gelding Playard ($8.50) after the new stable additions win in the 1000m GOSFORD HOCKEY MENS HCPL PREMIERS 2019 BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP.

Hilton said they had taken their time with five-year-old.

“He had a few issues, so we gave him some time off,” he said. “We knew he had the talent and he’s a big strong horse but has had niggling issues.

“I was really pleased to get him back to the races today.

“I thought he could win today but may of been a little bit vulnerable over the 1000m. Aaron Bullock rode him in the trials the other day and gave him a really good push.

“His work during the week was spot on, so it’s great to get the win with him. I’ll keep him at the shorter trips. He’s got a good turn of foot and it was a great ride by Ashley (Morgan). “

Playard beat Zeta’s Rocket ($8) trained by Craig Carmody by a long neck, with the Waterhouse/Bott trained Dreaming For More ($3.70fav), third.

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South African jockey Brandon Lerena recorded his first Wyong win in his first appearance at the track, booting home the Bjorn Baker trained Axe.

Lerena made the move to Australia in August and Axe was his fifth win.

He rated the Written Tycoon colt well, with a good front-running ride, holding off his challengers to win by a half-length.

“He is a very nice colt, “Lerena said.

“He’s still quite immature and green and does things the wrong way but it was a win full of merit today.

“He shirked the start slightly and I had to chase them up to get to the lead. It enabled him to build up some gears and he kicked away in the straight.”

Axe ($3) won the 1600m CHRISTMAS @ THE RACES DECEMBER 19 MAIDEN HANDICAP by half a length from the Waller trained Samurai ($6.50), with Pitchfork ($15) from the O’Shea stable, third.

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Blake Spriggs was in the winner’s circle, piloting Bollywood to victory for Godolphin, the first leg of a winning double.

The consistent Sepoy filly was having her 11^th career start in the HAPPY 21ST PATRICK DARBIN MAIDEN PLATE (1350m) having previously recorded seven placings.

Spriggs sat just off the pace on the $1.85 favourite, getting a split in the straight and chasing down the leaders to win by a length and a half.

“She deserved the win,” Spriggs said.

“She’s not the best horse in the stable but she tries very hard and that is evident in her form. She keeps running around the placings, but she won well today.

“She had a bit of a job to do getting the 1350m, and I thought that would be her maximum distance wise. She got out and won well.”

Bollywood beat the Snowden trained Maisaa ($4), with the Newnham trained Supercede ($7), third.

Kristen Buchanan’s Open Day was cause for plenty of celebration after the stable scored a race to race double on the Wyong program.

Buchanan had organised the function for owners to start after her three horses had raced but the champagne arrived early for two lots of winning owners after promising stayer Jazzland scored first-up from a spell and Designated (picture Steve Hart), a horse Buchanan has a high opinion of, broke through for his maiden victory in the previous race.

“There is plenty of celebrate now,” an excited Buchanan said. “It’s always great to get a win on the home track, let alone two and it’s timed in so well with the Open Day.

“I’m excited about both these horses going forward.”

Buchanan plans to head Designated toward a Magic Millions race following his impressive win.

The Rubick gelding proved too strong for his opposition to take out the 1000m TWO FLIES PUNTERS CLUB 3YO MAIDEN.

Showing good gate speed, jockey Serg Lisnyy was able to take the three-year-old to an early lead which he maintained throughout, drawing away in the final stages to win by almost a length.

“I think we might have a nice horse on our hands here,” Buchanan said.

“He had a few frustrating runs last preparation and it’s really great to see him get up and do that first up today.

“He is not really at his best yet in his coat, but we’ve been very happy with him in the stable. I think he has really matured. Last preparation we did a fair bit of racing, a fair bit of travelling and I think we will reap the rewards of that this time in.

“He had been running great races for the stable but just needed a bit more time to mature.”

Buchanan said she would now consider a Magic Millions race for Designated.

“I’d love to try and see if we can head in that direction. We will see how he pulls up after today and go from there.”

She said Sydney-based owners Alex and Deidre Illes had bred Designated.

“He is my first horse for them and a I have another lovely filly called Tuuli who is trialling on Wednesday.”

Designated, who won a trial at Gosford on October 8, was sent out $2.50 favourite. He beat the Widdup trained Fornite ($4.80), with Ay Bee Are ($5.50) trained by Stephen Farley, third.

Buchanan believes Jazzland could be up to Melbourne Spring Carnival class next year after his first up win in the MEN OF FOOTBALL CENTRAL COAST MEMBERS CONDITIONAL BM 70 over 1350m.

“He’s come back bigger and stronger, it’s exciting,” Buchanan said.

“The tactic today was to be on the bridle. I thought in the 1350m there would be more speed on, and he would be further back. Josh (Parr) had him on the bridle for the whole race really. I can’t ask for more than that and it’s great that he won.

“We want to be in Melbourne this time next year. I love this horse, he’s just had to have time to grow up. He is a genuine stayer, going through his trade. Long term I just think he’s going to be an exceptional stayer.”

Jazzland ($4.40) beat Gerald Ryan’s $2.80 favourite Beaufort Park by two and a half lengths, with Salsa Man ($14) from the Perry stable, third.

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Wayne Seelin’s veteran galloper Isorich celebrated his birth date in the best possible fashion with a tough win in the 1300m MEN OF FOOTBALL CENTRAL COAST COMMITTEE BM 64.

It’s been more than two years since the Wyong galloper tasted success and Seelin believes there are still more wins to come for the nine-year-old.

The popular horse was greeted by applause from the crowd when he returned to scale.

“He’s just so tough,” he said. “You’d love him in a dog fight.”

Jockey Grant Buckley had Isorich travelling in his normal pattern, just outside the leader and on straightening Silent General headed him before the gelding fought back to record his 11^th career win in a nail-biting finish.

“He never stopped trying and he never does,” Seelin said. “He’s going as good as ever really. We’ve just got to find decent barriers and the right races. They put a length on him then and he came back.”

Seelin said he would probably look at a return to a Metropolitan race for Isorich.

“Now that he’s down a bit in the ratings he is easier to place. He’ll still have to carry a bit of weight, but he’ll show up in town again.”

Having his 104^th career start, Isorich ($4.80), beat the Matthew Smith trained Silent General ($8.50) by a head, with Big Bad Bruce ($3.50), third.

The win brought up a double on the day for Buckley.

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Aaron Bullock has tipped a bright future for Darleb after the colt’s impressive debut win over 1200m.

The Kris Lees trained three-year-old had impressed the stable in his two trials leading up to the Wyong run and was too sharp for his opposition in the MEN OF FOOTBALL CENTRAL COAST MAIDEN, winning by a neck.

Bullock settled Darleb just behind the early leader and favourite Giselle Anne ($1.40) for much of the race, before drawing level on straightening.

The pair were in a head bobbing battle down the straight, with Darleb gaining ascendency on the line.

“I’ve sat on him in track work and in trials and thought he was going well,” Bullock said.

“Today in the race he gave me a really good feel and I think he has bigger things ahead.”

Danny Greer, representing the stable, said Darleb was “very mature” for a horse going into his first race.

“It was good to see him win like that today and I’d say Kris will look for something similar for him or possibly take him to a mid-week metropolitan race.”

Little Rocket Man ($14), trained by Greg McFarlane, was more than four lengths behind in third.

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Godolphin trained Shaibanat ($3.30) scored a narrow win to take out the 1350m MEN OF FOOTBALL CENTRAL COAST MAIDEN.

The Lonhro colt was having his fifth race start, having finished fourth when resuming on the Kensington track on October 2.

Jockey Grant Buckley settled the three-year-old midfield throughout before circling the field before the turn and kicking away in the early stages of the straight.

He raced strongly and was able to fight off late challenges by the fast finishing Stockman and Sky Diamonds.

“It was a very encouraging win,” stable representative Darren Beadman said. “James has given the horse plenty of time and it has paid dividends today.”

He praised the ride by Buckley, saying he had the horse in the “perfect position.”

“Grant gave him a lovely ride early. He’s only had one trial and then had a tough run first up over the 1400m. Today with the nice cushy run he was able to get into a good position. Grant could see the favourite was in a little bit of a predicament on the corner and made an early move, which proved to be the winning move.

“I won’t say the jockey took his foot off the pedal at the end, but I think the horse did. In saying that it was an encouraging win today.”

Shaibanat beat Stockman ($15) from the Pride stable by a head, with the Portelli trained Sky Diamonds ($14) third.

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A well-rated ride by Blake Spriggs secured back to back wins for the Waterhouse/Bott trained Navy Cross in the 1600m MEN OF FOOTBALL CENTRAL COAST RACE DAY BM 64.

The I Am Invincible gelding, a $700,000 yearling purchase, was too strong for his opposition drawing away on the line to score by three and a quarter lengths.

Spriggs, who rode Navy Cross to his debut win at Goulburn on October 8, said there had been more improvement in the three-year-old.

“He’s a nice horse,” he said.

“He’s well related to Sepoy and they’ve spent a bit of money on him. If they stay patient, he is just going to keep getting better and better.

“He is a horse that still doesn’t know what his job is but he’s slowly getting there.

“We had a nice time in front today and were able to come home in just over 33 which makes it hard for anything else and he still felt he had more to give.”

Navy Cross, who started $2.40 favourite, beat the Gary Moore trained Brilliant Mind ($3.80), with Deelbraka ($4.80), from the Maher/Eustace stable, third.

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The Lee Curtis trained Iresign ($3.60) led all the way to take out the PETRO NATIONAL CLASS 1, bringing up back to back wins for the Rosehill galloper.

Rated well by jockey Jay Ford, the All too Hard gelding, is continuing to impress Curtis.

“It probably took me a few runs to get him fit this preparation, but he’s certainly found form now,” Curtis said.

“He’s a solid boy and last start and this start he’s probably found his fitness.

“We have an opinion of him. Jay has ridden him well there, his sectionals were good and the horse stuck on.”

Curtis said Iresign, who was having only his fifth start, hadn’t done a lot of racing and was still maturing.

“He’s certainly looking like he can go on and be a solid racehorse.”

Iresign, coming off a win at Gosford on October 3, has had two wins and two placings from his five starts.

He beat the Joe Pride trained Romalette ($9) by three quarters of a length, from the $2.30 favourite Bring The Ransom, from the Bjorn Baker stable.

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A race to race double for jockey Jay Ford who took out the 1600m MEN OF FOOTBALL METRO & PROV MAIDEN on Marise ($10) for Chris Waller.

Having only his second start, the So You Think filly, was given a gun ride by Ford, who took a rails passage and ran down the leaders in the straight to win by a short half head.

Ford was impressed with the three-year-olds win and said the best is still ahead of her.

“She is a nice filly,” he said. “It’s only her second start and she’s gone straight to the mile. She travelled nicely but is still a bit green. I really like her tenacity because she dug deep in the end.”

Ford said he believed Marisse, raced by Toryburn Stud, would develop into a nice stayer.

“She’s doing everything right at this stage and looks to have a good future.”

Marise beat the $4.60 race favourite Lando Bay, trained by John Thompson, with Premier Rose ($7) from the O’Shea stable, third.

A WINNING WEEK FOR PRIDE

Confidence was the key for Warwick Farm based Joe Pride who took out the training honours with a winning treble.

Pride’s consistent three-year-old Innisbrook brought up his debut win over 1200m, while Is That So proved too strong in 1600m Maiden.

The winning run continued in the last with Eveleigh making it back to back wins in the Class 2 over 1100m.

“I’m a firm believer that you can’t beat raceday confidence and I came here very confident today. You always get a feel for them when you saddle them up,” Pride said.

“I love racing at Wyong. It’s always been a good track for me and certainly was today. That’s five wins in the week for the stable, so things are going really well.”

Hinchinbrook gelding Innisbrook ($5) will earn a well-deserved rest after breaking through for his maiden win.

In a head-bobbing finish to the CABAC-PRYSMIAN-PIERLITE CG&E MAIDEN with the Snowden trained Oslo ($4.20), Innisbrook managed a narrow short half head victory on the line.

Adam Hyeronimus took the gelding to the lead on straightening, with the horse showing plenty of fight to hold out the challengers.

“He showed some real fight there last week and it was there to be seen again today,” Pride said.

“There was a fair bit of pressure in the race. The second horse had every opportunity to pass us. It’s good, I like what he is showing. The early signs are really good for this horse.”

Pride said Innisbrook had improved significantly since an unimpressive debut on August 31.

“His first start was an absolute shocker, he got lost at Hawkesbury, was on one rein and didn’t compete.

“We changed the gear around a bit and his three runs since have been excellent. He will head for the paddock now but a horse with good improvement in him for sure.

“They are really reliable these Hinchinbrook horses. I’m a big fan of them. He unfortunately passed away about a year ago, but his horses have all got that characteristic of being really tenacious.

“I think his best distance will be around the 1200m, he might get to 1400m but around that is about it. “

The $2.40 favourite Spaceboy from the Portelli stable, was a half-length third.

Is That So ($3.20), raced by Proven Thoroughbreds and ridden by Josh Parr, brought up the second win for the stable.

The four-year-old by So You Can Think, won the HAGER- ELECTRA-OMNI 4YO&UP MAIDEN by almost a length over the Anthony Cummings trained Natanya ($8), with Alam Mo Na ($6.50) from the Lees stable, third.

Pride said this was the horse’s first race over the distance and he believed he would get over more ground.

“He’s actually out of a really good mare, La Remlap, who I trained, who was really fast. There is pretty stout sort of pedigree around him and she got out over a trip.

“He’s just going to kick in with a bit of time and is getting better as he gets older. He’s no world beater but if he keeps improving, he might make us a horse.”

A decision by Pride to scratch Eveleigh ($13) from Wednesday’s Metropolitan meeting proved to be a winning one, with the Delago Deluxe mare bringing up her second successive wins since transferring to the stable.

“I was going to start her in Sydney but told the owners I didn’t think she was up to it,” Pride laughed. “She will certainly be heading to town now on the strength of that win.

“It was a great run today and I thought she looked the winner from a long way out.”

The four-year-old mare, ridden by Robbie Dolan, came from behind in the straight to run down the leaders for a three quarter of a length win.

She beat Wyong runner Soul Revival ($81) trained by Johnnie Roberts, with Kosciusko ($9), from the Pat Webster stable, third.

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Brad Widdup has no qualms about heading his filly Akari to the Listed Reginald Allen Stakes on October 19 following her maiden win at Wyong over the 1200m.

It was a big relief for Widdup to see the three-year-old, a million-dollar yearling, break through at her fourth race start in the AUSSIE DUCT- IPD- SAL- PSA F&M MAIDEN.

In two previous runs she had finished second and third behind boom filly Libertini, and at her most recent outing at Wyong on September 24 was narrowly beaten by Regimental Band.

“The quality of horses she’s been racing against I don’t think it would be too big of an ask to start her in the Reginald Allen,” Widdup said.

“I think she will take plenty of confidence after finally breaking through today and she should be suited to the 1400m the way she went through the line today.

“She had to do it tough again today and still got there, so it’s nice to get the win.”

Jockey Nash Rawiller was caught three-wide in stages, but the filly still managed to hit the lead in the straight and hold out the fast finishing Compatriot.

“She lengthened beautifully today. She’s been a bit unlucky as she was again today but that’s why we had Nash on her, it helped a lot,” Widdup said.

“It would be nice to draw a barrier and get a bit of cover, but we will step her up now to 1400m. I think she’s going to be a nicer filly next time in, and it will be good to get her running consistently and getting into a pattern of racing.

“The pedigree suggests she might even get out to a mile. She’s still learning and I’m very relieved to get this win.”

Akari, who was sent out $1.65 favourite, beat the Gerald Ryan trained Compatriot ($41) in a photo finish, with All Star Rocket ($21) from the Waterhouse/Bott stable, a close third.

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Darby Racing look to have a promising stayer on their hands, with Canasta ($1.70fav) impressing in his first preparation.

The Makfi gelding brought up his second win at start six, comfortably handling the step up to 2100m.

Trained by Bjorn Baker and ridden by Tim Clark, the four-year-old put more than three lengths on his opposition to take out the HANECO CLASS 1 & MAIDEN.

Clark said Canasta, who has had six starts for two wins and three placings, was still improving.

“He was always in control and is going really well for a horse in his first preparation. He will be better when he has something to chase down but he’s doing a great job.”

Steve McIvor from Darby Racing said Clark had ridden Canasta to a tee.

“He wanted to get going and get everything off the bit and he did. The rest was history,” he said.

“He has taken improvement with every run and that’s very positive. He’s had two wins from six starts and has only been out of the top three placings once. That says it all.

“He relaxes beautifully, and the best thing is it’s his first preparation so naturally he’s going to learn.

“I’m not sure what Bjorn will do but we’ll take him home and let the dust settle. He might have another start or be tipped out.”

The Lees trained Urbino ($2.35) was second, with Not A Biggie ($12) from the Jim and Greg Lee stable, third.

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A forced change of riding tactics didn’t impede the chances of Aesop’s Fable, with the Foxwedge filly bringing up her third successive win in the LEGRAND AUST CLASS 2 over 1600m.

The three-year-old was coming off successful runs at Canberra and Goulburn where she raced on the pace, but after being caught wide Jean Van Overmiere was forced to settle near the rear of the field.

He took off coming into the turn and charged down the outside to run down the leader, City Of Love, on the line.

Campbell Ashby, representing trainer John Sargent, said Overmiere had done well to adapt.

“We were hoping to be a bit more prominent today but as it’s worked out, we had to go to plan B and she’s hit the line. Maybe that’s the way to ride her,” he said.

“Coming into today with two winners, a filly this time of the year in that sort of form, you’ve got to stay on the right side of them.

“It looks like she may get over more ground, but we will wait and see. Depending on how she pulls up I’d say John will look for another Provincial race.

“It’s hard to tip her out for a spell when she’s racing so well.”

Aesop’s Fable ($7.50) beat the Waugh trained race favourite City Of Love ($2.60) by half a length, with Brigid Of Kildare ($8) from the Matthew Smith stable, third.

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The Waller stable is hoping Kavalmo can live up to the form of his half-brother Paret after his victory in the CLIPSAL BY SCHNEIDER MAIDEN over 1350m.

The Charm Spirit colt, ridden by Glyn Schofield, proved too strong for his opposition winning by a length and a half.

Foreman Glenn Barnes said there had been excuses for the three-year-old at his last start at Hawkesbury.

“It was a good win and hopefully that’s the start for him. I hope he can really switch on after that,” he said.

“He was unlucky last start when he finished fifth at Hawkesbury and was caught wide but didn’t surrender. We were hopeful today and just wanted him to get the win on the board.

“It was a great ride by Glyn. It panned out perfect and he had him exactly where we wanted him to be.”

Barnes said they had a good opinion of the $100,000 yearling and would likely look for another Provincial race.

“He should take plenty of confidence out of this and hopefully go on with it.

“His brother Paret was a very handy horse so it will be good if he can match him on the track.”

Kavalmo ($6) beat the Godolphin runner Katona ($6.50), with the Kim Waugh trained Developed ($6.50) a length and a half behind in third.

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Gabrielle Englebrecht admitted she was surprised when Arrogant Lass ($19) upset some of the more favoured runners to take out the OMEGA- TRADER- MATCHMASTER 4YO&UP BENCHMARK 64 over 1350m.

The Shamus Award mare, having her tenth start, was coming off an eighth at Goulburn on September 13.

“I’m never confident, I’ve been around racing too long,” an excited Englebrecht said.

“In saying that she’s been going very well but her racing has been a bit disappointing. At Goulburn the jockey thought she wouldn’t stretch out on the hard track, but she got the ideal track condition with a good three here.

“I was a little bit on the fence today. Her work and everything had been fantastic, but I didn’t want to get carried away.

“She seemed very comfortable on that surface and it was a good ride by Jay (Ford).

“We’ll just take it step by step with her and work her way through the grades. Everyone is happy to win races wherever they are. It’s a big owner group and they will be very excited today.”

Wyong runner, Isorich ($4) from the Wayne Seelin stable was half length behind in second, with the Donna Griesdale trained Chief In Command ($15) third.