HORSE BUNDLE MEMBERS HOPING FOR AN "AFFAIR" TO REMEMBER
Wyong-based Ryan, along with Kristen Buchanan and Kim Waugh, is one of three local trainers preparing young horses for Wyong Race Club’s innovation, which offers micro-shares at $137 each to race the trio.
Her so far unraced three-year-old filly Red Affairs is an acceptor for the HRC Motel Super Maiden Plate (1000m), and Regan Bayliss is booked to ride.
Ryan, who now also has a Victorian base at the superb Macedon Lodge facility in Victoria, says Home Affairs filly Red Affairs is “90 per cent” certain to make her debut at Hawkesbury against seven rivals.
“I love her,” she said from Macedon Lodge, where she will produce her first Victorian runner Girl With A Pearl at Geelong today.
“Red Affairs is quality on quality.
“She does everything so easily, and is Saturday class without doubt.
“Red Affairs races in the red and white colours of major owner Torryburn Stud, and the Wyong Horse Bundle has a small share.”
Red Affairs has trialled twice for Ryan against her own age, partnered both times by Newcastle’s Aaron Bullock.
She ran third in an 800m heat on a heavy track at Gosford on August 18, and then won an 845m heat at Wyong on September 10 on a good surface.
Hawkesbury Race Club has come to the party by providing all Horse Bundle members attending with complimentary admission into the members’ area at tomorrow’s meeting.
“We’re very appreciative of Hawkesbury’s gesture,” Wyong Race Club chief executive Greg Purcell said.
“There are still shares available in the Horse Bundle, and we are looking forward to seeing Red Affairs kick off tomorrow.
“A first-up win would obviously be fantastic, but to finish in the first three also would be a great start.”
Red Affairs this morning was a $3.60 second favorite with TAB.com.au for her debut, with the most experienced runner in the field, the Ciaron Maher-trained Artemex (Zac Lloyd), the $2.40 favorite.
He has raced five times, the latest at Hawkesbury when fifth to Flight Of Power in a Super 3YO Maiden (1000m) on September 5.
Artemex began awkwardly, was crowded for room soon after, and then was shifted behind runners in the early stages.
Other rivals Lions Eyes (apprentice Mollie Fitzgerald), Shanghai Sprint (apprentice Matt Kirk) and Laughing Moons (Chad Schofield) all have gear changes.
Lions Eyes will race in ear muffs and a lugging bit and also wear a barrier blanket, Hawkesbury trainer Tommy Wong’s Shanghai Sprint will race in a tongue tie, and Laughing Moons will wear ear muffs to the barrier, where they will be removed.
Hawkesbury Race Club will farewell racecourse manager Digby Nuthall tomorrow, and has named the 5.25pm closer, the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m) after him.
He will shortly take up a new position based in Sydney with national company Greenway Turf Solutions, looking after the spraying and fertilizer group.
“Tomorrow is my last day at Hawkesbury, and I will go back to Perth to spend a week with the family before starting my new job,” Nuthall said.
“I didn’t expect the club to be naming a race after me, and I am very appreciative.
“I have really enjoyed my time here, and hope to be back involved in racecourse management sometime in the future.”
Whilst Nuthall was reluctant to offer a tip for his race, he did mention The Biv ($19) because of a local flavour.
“The Biv is prepared by Hawkesbury’s leading trainer Brad Widdup, and the club’s former chief executive James Heddo is a part-owner,” he said.
“The Biv won first-up at Wyong last month, and hopefully can run well again for all concerned.”
. Nuthall at 8.40am today posted a ‘Good 4’ rating for the seven-race program, but says 2m to 10mm of rain is forecast today.
“There has been only 1.5mm of rain recorded in the previous 24 hours.
“We have put 19mm of irrigation on the course proper in the past seven days, but nil in the previous 24 hours.”
