3 minute read
The Wyong Race Club will host its biggest meeting of the year on Friday with the running of the Listed Wyong Cup. The $250k feature has attracted 12 runners with Chris Waller and the O’Shea & Charlton stable having strong hands which should come as no surprise given, they have combined for 10 of the past 14 winners of the race.
The eight races on the card are set to be run under near perfect conditions.
Our thoughts on each race can be found below.
RACE 1 - 12:50PM: SUPER MAIDEN HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
Yoshinobu (6) was outclassed on debut when finishing at the tail in the G2 Silver Slipper Stakes.
The Neasham & Archibald-trained colt was then sent to the paddock and resumes here.
He's turned in two excellent pieces of work, particularly the most recent which he won in good time and looked stylish in doing so.
Kerrin McEvoy can give him a beautiful run on speed from barrier 2.
1 Unit – Yoshinobu (6)
RACE 2 - 1:25PM: MIDWAY 4YO&UP MAIDEN PLATE (1350 METRES)
I'm prepared to forgive Classic Poetry (8) for the disappointing effort she produced last start at Scone.
She's on the quick back-up so we must assume that she came through the run in good order and is ready to return to her best.
The Nathan Doyle-trained mare's form prior to that was very good with back-to-back runner-up finishes at Newcastle over 1200m.
She maps to get a great run just behind the speed for Josh Parr.
1 Unit – Classic Poetry (8)
RACE 3 - 2:05PM: 3&4YO BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
Rip Off (5) broke through for her first win two starts ago when running on strongly to win over 1100m here first-up.
The James Cummings-trained daughter of Ribchester then gave a good account of herself over this distance at Hawkesbury when finishing a length second to the smart True To Form.
She looks ready for a peak performance third-up and will be aided by a strong tempo.
Kerrin McEvoy will settle just off the speed before letting her launch in the straight.
1 Unit – Rip Off (5)
RACE 4 - 2:40PM: BENCHMARK 68 HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
Edited By (2) recently returned to racing as a gelding and he gave a good account of himself at Warwick Farm in a stronger race.
The Michael Freedman-trained four-year-old led over this distance but was run down late to finish 3.5 lengths.
He'll strip fitter second-up and will appreciate the drop in class.
Connections thought enough of him to enter him in the Listed Daybreak Lover during the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival.
1 Unit – Edited By (2)
RACE 5 - 3:20PM: F&M BENCHMARK 68 HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
Lady Superspy (5) was unlucky when resuming over 1400m at Newcastle and should have finished closer if not for being held up.
The Tracey Bartley-trained mare made up for that disappointment last start when finding the line powerfully to win by just under a length over this distance at Kembla Grange.
She'll have taken improvement since then and did win third-up last preparation.
Chelsea Hillier, who claims 3kg, can settle handy and the daughter of Exosphere does boast two wins from three starts at the track.
1 Unit Each Way – Lady Superspy (5)
RACE 6 - 3:55PM: PROVINCIAL BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
Kervette (10) has been racing in great form this preparation.
The Kristen Buchanan-trained daughter of Kermadec settled last after a slow start at Newcastle last start but rocketed home from well back to finish a half-length second.
That clearly indicated that she's crying out for this longer trip and she'll love returning to her home track where she won three starts ago.
Top jockey Jason Collett taking the ride is a big positive.
1 Unit – Kervette (10)
RACE 7 - 4:35PM: LISTED WYONG CUP (2100 METRES)
Etna Rosso (6) has come back this preparation in super form and looks ready to win this year's Wyong Cup.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding worked to the line well when finishing 2.1 lengths third despite being held up over 1800m at Randwick first-up.
He wanted to hang in that day so James McDonald replaced the apprentice second-up over 1900m at Rosehill and it worked a treat as the import couldn't have been more impressive, letting down powerfully to win by 1.8 lengths.
While McDonald isn't at Wyong to ride, we lose very little with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle and as they say, "when J Mac's away, K Mac will play".
The five-year-old will strip fitter third-up and did win his third run back last preparation over a similar distance at Warwick Farm.
2 Units – Etna Rosso (6)
RACE 8 - 5:10PM: CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
Hezdarnhottoo (1) resumes here a gelding which will help in harnessing his abundance of speed.
The Bjorn Baker-trained son of Too Darn Hot was last seen leading and weakening to finish last in the G3 Kindergarten Stakes.
However, the start prior he led them a merry dance to go all the way for a 1.8 length win over 1100m on the Kensington track.
He's drawn wide but has the necessary speed to cross and find the front for Tommy Berry.
1 Unit – Hezdarnhottoo (1)
