Three wins on home turf on Saturday and a fourth at Kembla Grange last Sunday made it another good weekend for local trainers.
Terry Croft, Noel Mayfield-Smith and Scott Singleton were successful in consecutive races at the Hawkesbury twilight meeting, and Garry Frazer continued his winning surge with a Kembla Grange triumph.
Improving apprentice Brock Ryan teamed with Croft and Mayfield-Smith to notch a double, scoring on Colonial Reign ($15) for the former and $2.30 favorite Addicticraft for the latter.
Colonial Reign, a five-year-old by Strada, clinched only the second win of his career, leading throughout in the Winston Express Haulage Class 1 Handicap (1600m).
The gelding’s previous win was at the Forbes Cup meeting on August 1 in a 1300m Maiden.
Ryan’s ride on the promising Addicticraft was in complete contrast. The lightly-raced four-year-old settled at the rear of the field in the Board Express Maiden Plate (1800m).
The young jockey went inside one horse on Addicticraft approaching the home turn, then looped the field and won as he liked by nearly three lengths.
The manner of Addicticraft’s victory suggests he has better races ahead.
Singleton made it two wins in just over a week with Haradasun filly Cambage ($8.50), who made light of a jump to Class 2 company in the JSJ Roofing Handicap (2100m).
Cambage (Jess Taylor) had broken through last Friday week – also at Hawkesbury –in an 1800m Maiden, and again showed staying ability to defeat Dr Kimble ($9) and odds -on favorite Spanish Stride.
Frazer produced hot favourite Eminence first-up at Kembla Grange on Sunday.
Ridden by Jay Ford, the Bernardini four-year-old controlled the Provincial & Country Maiden Handicap (1300m) virtually from the outset, stalking the leader in second place.
She took charge after straightening and scored decisively.
Frazer put blinkers back on the mare and took winkers off for her resumption.
Raced by George Altomonte’s Corumbene Stud, Eminence was confidently supported on the strength of two recent Hawkesbury barrier trials.
Meanwhile, the latest addition to the trainers ranks, Hawkesbury’ Brooke Somers, broke through with roughie I Am Magnificent’s to record her first Warwick Farm success last Wednesday.
Somers changed I Am Magnificent’s work on the Monday prior to the race and altered his gear by adding ear plugs and a Norton bit and pacifiers, in what turned out to be a winning move, following his disappointing effort the start prior.
With two Sundays to go, this Sunday and Sunday week, coinciding with the Hong Kong International race meeting on the 11th December, racegoers have the chance to finish off the year on a winning note by getting to the track for what will be a host of Christmas parties and Festivities in our last couple of meetings.
Greg Rudolph is the Hawkesbury Race Club chief executive officer.
