ATTARD TICKS OFF THE GOSFORD BOX

SUNDAY: April 26, 2026: THE ups and downs of racing!

Jason Attard was thrilled to win a race at Gosford yesterday for a number of reasons.

Not only was it the first time the Hawkesbury trainer had won a race at the track after many placings, but also on the 15^th anniversary of his first winner; Reiby Grand at Bathurst on Anzac Day 2011.

But the good news was tempered with the subsequent breakdown at Royal Randwick of his four-times winner Nesrine, who suffered a career ending injury.

“Nesrine got a bump on the turn in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m) against her own sex, and her rider Tom Sherry was concerned with her action,” Attard said today.

“So much so that he eased her right out of the race.

“Nesrine was transported to Randwick Equine Centre, and has severed her near fore tendon.

“She is being cared for there, and won’t race again.”

Nesrine, a daughter of Denman, had raced only seven times prior to yesterday and her four wins arose from three at her home track last year and another at Warwick Farm in March on resumption.

Attard broke his “duck” at Gosford when Charlina ($2.80) led throughout in the Provincial Class 1 Handicap (1000m).

Under apprentice Olivia Chambers, she began brilliantly and led throughout, defeating Wyong pair, Kim Waugh’s Bondasong ($5) and Sara Ryan’s Ima Capri ($17).

Charlina has now won twice (her first was also over 1000m at Kembla Grange on February 7) and been placed five times from 11 starts.

“I have won races at pretty well every track I have raced at, but not at Gosford until yesterday,” Attard said.

“It was the only provincial track I had never been successful at, and it was getting frustrating.

“I’ve had placings at Gosford, including a close dead-heat third with Kellyville Flyer in the Group 3 Belle Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) in 2016 when she led and four horses went across the line with little between.

“It was great to tick that box yesterday, especially as my first winner was on Anzac Day 11 years ago.”

Charlina, a three-year-old daughter of Flying Artie, was bred by Bob Hannon, who leased her to the trainer and stayed in the syndicate group to race her.

Attard, who has trained 13 winners so far this season, has sent Oui Oui Oui, who also races in Kate Nivison’s Etak Thoroughbreds colours, for a spell.

He has won five races with the Yes Yes Yes mare, who ran seventh to Lord Of Biscay in the recent $1m Provincial-Midway Championships Final (1400m) at Randwick.

. Lucky Star had been a seven times placegetter without breaking through from 18 starts until fellow Hawkesbury trainer Claire Lever decided to introduce blinkers earlier this month.

Not only did the gear change bring an instant result, but now the five-year-old gelding has won two in a row – and Amy McLucas has been his rider on both occasions.

Lucky Star shed his maiden status in a Class 1/Maiden Plate (1600m) at Goulburn on April 11, and followed up by scoring again at Bathurst yesterday.

The gelded son of American Pharoah was a $3.30 favorite when he defeated Special Prophet ($7.50) and Crown Legend ($8.50) in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1800m) t the Anzac Day meeting.

There was merit in Lucky Star’s victory as well. McLucas stayed on the inside in the straight and had to wait until a run appeared, and the gelding was good enough to take the gap and finish the race off.