Friday, 29 June 2012: Taree based Matthew McGuren extended his lead in the Rising Star Series for NSW apprentices with his win in the eighth heat at Wyong on June 28.
 | Mack Griffith
Photo by Racing and Sports | |
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Now certain to claim his first Rising Star Series Cup, McGuren (88 points ) sits well clear of rivals Blake Spriggs (69) with Shaun Guymer (57), Sam Clipperton (56), Adam Hyeronimus (54), Alison Threadwell (50), Chad Schofield (44), Serg Lisnyy (40), Lauri Wray (33) and Jenny Duggan (33) making up the top 10.
McGuren reached unbeatable lead in the series with his fighting win on Sutton Brave at Wyong for Muswellbrook trainer Mack Griffith, the first leg of a winning double for the apprentice.
“He is a horse that does not mind a fight but Matthew's 3kg claim made a big difference," Griffith said.
“That brought him into the race on 57kg which is a good weight for a horse that had already won seven races."
McGuren rode his first winner for Wyong trainer Stephen Farley when Wishwyn led all the way to win the Mega Save Chemist BM 65 (1350m).
It was Wishwyn's second win in eight starts after the horse was switched to Farley last year.
“Matthew rode him well. I thought I may as well use his 3kg claim.
“I have been watching him ride and have been impressed with him.
“I would not be afraid to give him more rides.”
Farley may take Wishwyn to the Grafton carnival with stablemates Gazza Guru and Little Vicki.
* RANDWICK father and son training team Neville and Christopher Voigt won their first winner for prominent owner Nick Moraitis when Angel's Destiny won a 2YO maiden at Wyong.
Angel's Destiny was having only his second start after running third on debut at Wyong two weeks earlier.
“The horse has finished his apprenticeship and we will give him his chance against city company,” Neville Voigt said.
“This is the first horse we have trained for Nick but there is another one due to arrive.”
* JAIPIUR PRINCESS, a $550,000 yearling buy, took her first step towards what the John O'Shea stable hopes will be an illustrious staying career when she won her maiden over 2100m at Wyong on June 28.
The O'Shea stable believes that in 12 months time Jaipur Princess could be winning top class stakes races.
“We had hoped to be winning some of the three year old staying races this season but she had a setback just before Christmas and that is why we are here,” said stable foreman Bryce Heys.
“She is a gorgeous filly, beautifully bred and very expensive and she is still learning.
“This win will do her confidence the world of good."
* APPRENTICE Adam Hyeronimus lost his provincial claim when he guided the Gai Waterhouse trained So Symbolic to an easy win in The Block C1 (1600m).
“That makes it a bit harder here on the provincial tracks but I still have a 2kg claim in town and I will have to make the most of that,” Hyeronimus said.
“Gai gave me a chance when I joined her stable and it has really worked well and i am indebted to her for opportunities like this.”
So Symbolic, a four year old, has won his only two starts on heavy tracks at Gosford and now Wyong and is now headed for the city.
