TRAINERS STRIKE EARLY AT BATHURST

FRIDAY: October 27, 2023: WENDY Haynes made sure she didn’t wait six years for another win, and James Ponsonby got a quick return on a recent online purchase.

The Hawkesbury trainers didn’t waste any time getting on the scoreboard at Bathurst today, winning the first two races.

Haynes landed the Benchmark 58 Handicap (2000m) with Threw ($7), the only horse in her stable, whilst Ponsonby won the Class 1/Maiden Plate (1800m) with former English horse Grenoble ($3.20).

Haynes’ success with Threw in a Queanbeyan Class 1/Maiden Plate (1600m) on September 4 was her first in more than six years, so she didn’t need to wait anywhere near as long to taste victory again.

A six-year-old gelding by Dream Ballad, Threw didn’t begin racing until he was an early four-year-old just over two years ago and broke through at Queanbeyan at his 16th start.

Haynes’ gelding relished tackling 2000m for the first time, defeating Kyanite ($11) and $2.90 favorite Buff In Disguise, and she was especially pleased for his breeder-owner Brian Turton and apprentice Julia Presits.

Before Threw scored at Queanbeyan, her previous winner was the Turton-owned Orpentiva at Nowra in February, 2017.

“Julia has been coming out to Hawkesbury to ride some work for Phil and Tara Vigouroux, and won on their horse Zouologist at our home track last month,” Haynes said.

“I have got to know Julia, and decided to give her the mount on Threw for the first time.

“Julia’s 1.5kg claim certainly helped, and she rode him well.”

A very experienced horsewoman, Haynes was the first female apprentice to win a race at Royal Randwick in 1989 when successful on King Knight for her late father and then Hawkesbury trainer Clive Searle.

. Ponsonby was equally pleased to wipe the slate with five-year-old Grenoble, who was having only his second start for him and easily downed $2.25 favorite Boy Loves To Run.

“He has already paid for himself,” Ponsonby said. “I bought him online last month through Inglis Digital for $13,000 (today’s first prize was $13,950).

“After beginning his career in the UK, he was purchased for around A$250,000 to come out here.

“The handicapping system in Victoria probably didn’t suit him as he carried between 59kg and 61kg in his four unplaced runs there this year for the Hayes family.

“There’s not a lot to like about Grenoble on type as he is built like an East Timor pony, but is a very well-bred horse out of a Giant’s Causeway mare.

“We were able to drop him back from a Provincial Class 1 Handicap (1600m) at Kembla Grange to a country Class 1/Maiden Plate.

“He won nicely, and his rider Mathew Cahill felt he can keep improving, particularly as this was only his 13th start.”

Grenoble’s first success was at his second start as a two-year-old at Nottingham over 1678m in October two years ago when ridden by “Aussie Tom” Marquand.

He was narrowly and unluckily beaten over 2027m as a three-year-old at the Epsom Derby meeting in June last year.

Grenoble gave Ponsonby his fourth win of the season – and he is on the road again tomorrow, this time to Mudgee.

“I’m taking Walk Up Start (1400m Benchmark 50 Handicap) and Knowitall Jack (1600m Benchmark 50 Handicap), and both horses are up for sale,” he said.