PARTNERSHIP GAINS FURTHER MOMENTUM

WEDNESDAY: November 30, 2022: HAWKESBURY trainer Blake Ryan and Ravenswood Bloodstock’s Phil Pollicina have formed a successful partnership.

That partnership gained further momentum at Gosford today when I Am Brazen ($8) comfortably won the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m) against her own sex.

“Phil’s support is such a tremendous boost to my stable, and it’s terrific to win another race for him,” Ryan said this evening.

“I’ve got seven horses for him. Five have raced and we have won with four of them.

“Phil gave me my first city winner (Momack) at Rosehill in May and the same horse was my first stakes runner when he was just beaten by Kirwan’s Lane in the Listed Ladies Day Cup at Hawkesbury on November 3.

“This mare (I Am Brazen) has good ability and was just beaten at the Newcastle carnival over 900m in September at her first run for me.

“Wet tracks and abandoned meetings have hindered her preparation since, so it was great to see her bounce back today.

“I was confident she could run well at 1100m, especially with a 3kg claim bringing her weight back to 56.5kg.

“I feel she is up to winning midweek in town. If there’s a suitable race at a Friday night meeting at Canterbury in a few weeks, that’s where we will go with her.”

I Am Brazen, a $130,000 weanling purchase, has now won three of her 11 starts after scoring twice at Goulburn earlier in the year for previous trainer John Thompson.

Ryan had apprentice Anna Roper booked for today’s mount, and fortunately was able to secure another 3kg claimer Amy McLucas when the former was injured in an incident at Muswellbrook last Friday.

I Am Brazen raced outside the leader and favorite Lovero ($3.40), and was strong to the line to defeat Alibi Dot Com ($13).

Ryan is looking forward to saddling stablemate Momack in the $150,000 Sky Racing Summer Provincial Final (1600m) at Hawkesbury on December 15.

The gelding qualified for the Final by finishing third to Bethencourt in the 1600m Gosford heat on November 19.

“Momack goes back to the 1600m at home where he almost won the Ladies Day Cup,” Ryan said.

“He goes up 5kg but is back to a Class 5. He has had four runs this campaign and is fit, so there’s no reason why he can’t run well.”

. Ryan’s victory with I Am Brazen following Brad Widdup’s success with Youthfull in the opener at Gosford resulted in Hawkesbury trainers preparing 22 winners during November.