Gary Harley – Wrap – 15.01.26
Newcastle trainer Kris Lees successful festive season on the racetrack continued ta the Beaumont track on Tuesday when his winning double took his tally of winners since Boxing Day to ten. Two of his winners in that period were the feature races-n Tavi Time in the Group 3 Randwick Summer Cup and Kind Words in the Group 3 Gosford Belle Of The Turf. On Tuesday on the Beaumont track Lees double included 3-year-old Herman Said in the 1250 metre Spartan Race Central Coast 21 Feb Provincial Class 1 Handicap and Miss Busslinger in the 1350 metre The Prince Of Merewether Benchmark 64 Handicap.
Herman Said had disappointed in three country class events this preparation, so Lees applied blinkers on Tuesday, and the trainers former star apprentice Dylan Gibbons had his first sit on the gelding. Gibbons sent Herman Said forward to lead after 50 metres and he travelled nicely until he was revved up and raced three lengths clear 200 metres from home. The challengers were coming quick in the last 50 metres, however Herman Said hung on to win by a head.
Miss Busslinger took her racetrack prize money to more than $158,000 with an easy win in the final event, the Prince Of Merewether Fillies & Mares Benchmark 64 Handicap. The mare was heavily backed into $2.60 second favourite and she was on her bets form clearly the best credentialled galloper in the race. Miss Busslinger was originally handicapped to carry 61.5 kilograms however apprentice William Stanley was abroad and he claimed 2 kilograms. The former Orange apprentice settled the 4-year-old on the rail behind the leaders, and he drove her up along the rail in the straight and she raced away to won by more than two lengths.
While champion trainer Chris Waller was at the Magic Millions sales at the Gold Coast his well-bred Wooten Bassett filly Asilah landed a sizeable plunge in her first start int eh 1350 metre Horsepower Feeds & Supplements Super Maiden. Chad Schofield was in the saddle and after racing worse than midfield the jockey decided to make a move nearing the home turn. The $2.30 chance raced away to win by 2.5 lengths. Schofield was also successful int eh Adviser Collective Midway Maiden Handicap (1150m) on the $2 favourite Embrace The Wind. The latter dropped sharply in class after making up many lengths in a Randwick Maiden on Boxing Day. Trainer John Thompson applied the blinkers on Tuesday, and the colt unwound from the back of the field to win by 2.5 lengths.
Lightly raced Gosford 4-year-old Ferinzo made a successful return to the racetrack when he outclassed his opponents in the 1150 metre NZB 100 Years Karaka 25-29 Jan Class 1 Handicap. There were two late scratching at the barrier which led to Ferinzo firming to $1.70. Former jockey Jake Hull trains the gelding which was ridden by Josh Parr. Ferinzo had not raced since an easy win in a Grafton Maiden in July 2024.
Apprentice Anna Ropa produced a daring front running rise aboard the Paul Perry trained Angara int eh 1350 metre Highlander Central Coast 18-19 April Benchmark 64 Handicap. The $13 chance led by 8 lengths midrace before holding off the challengers to win by less than half a lengths.
The Newcastle Jockey Clubs next race meeting is the Legends Day Race meeting.