SILK LACE MADE OF THE RIGHT MATERIAL
- John Curtis
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
It wasn’t a $200,000 Listed race like Blake Ryan clinched with his first stakes winner (Queen Regent) at the Scone metropolitan meeting last Saturday, but it was still a nice result at Newcastle today.
The Hawkesbury trainer posted his ninth winner of the season when lightly-raced filly Silk Lace ($3.10) made it back-to-back victories at the track, in the Midway Class 1 Handicap (900m).
Silk Lace’s assignment was made easier when the favorite Close To Midnight was withdrawn at the barrier, but the manner of the filly’s performance suggested she would have taken some beating anyway.
Ryan took advantage of his apprentice Emma Ly’s 3kg claim, which meant Silk Lace carried only 53kg, and she cleared out to score by a widening five lengths.
Newcastle trainer Rod Ollerton’s pair Go Russian ($11) and Bent As Hell ($5) chased in vain, and filled the minor placings.
Unfortunately, Silk Lace’s managing part-owner Michael Atkins, who works for Ryan, has now missed seeing her win both races.
“Michael was away when she won a 900m Maiden last month, and wasn’t feeling 100 per cent and stayed home today,” Ryan said this evening.
“But members of his family were at Newcastle to see her win.
“Michael bought Silk Lace online last October after she had won a 900m trial at Scone.”
When you’re on a good thing, stick to it – and Ryan is planning to head back to familiar ground at Newcastle with Silk Lace in search of a hat-trick.
“There is a Benchmark 64 Handicap, also over 900m, on June 13, so why not have a crack at it,” he said.
Silk Lace has now raced only four times for the two wins and a placing – she is unbeaten this preparation – and has quickly more than recouped her purchase price.
Meanwhile, Ryan didn’t waste time sending his $151 Woodlands Stakes winner Queen Regent for a spell.
“She went to the paddock yesterday,” he said.
“It was always the plan to spell her irrespective of what happened at Scone last Saturday.
“If you keep them hanging around the stable, you can change your mind, and I wasn’t going to do that.”
. Long-time Hawkesbury trainer Colin Besters has passed away.
Mr Besters, 76, kept only one or two horses in work at a time and his last winner was Zanshin, a $1750 purchase, at Orange in February 2023.
His last runner was three-year-old filly Courage’N’ Power at his home track on February 19.
A celebration of Colin’s life will be held on Friday, commencing at 11am on the family property (91 Rickaby Street, Clarendon).
