BUCHANAN’S “STYLE” WORKING A TREAT WITH FORM GELDING

KRISTEN Buchanan certainly has the “secret” to ageless eight-year-old Stylebender.

The rising nine-year-old is indeed a credit to his Wyong trainer, and is clearly in best ever form.

Stylebender’s Warwick Farm victory today was his third city success from his last four starts.

Superbly ridden by Newcastle apprentice Shannen Llewellyn, who posted her second city win (both have been at Warwick Farm), Stylebender ($16) outstayed his rivals in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (2200m), defeating Cormac T ($4.80) and De Louviere ($6) to register the ninth win of his 53-start career.

Buchanan gave deserved credit to the young Newcastle jockey.

“I didn’t tie Shannen down with any instructions, other than to get away from the inside in the straight as the going was better out wider,” she said.

“Stylebender usually races up on the pace, but Shannen dropped her hands on him when they jumped away, and let him settle in a nice spot in midfield.

“But she got rolling on him from the 800m and put him into the race, and got the right result.

“Stylebender is a quirky horse, and I’m sure he would not have been easy to train earlier in his career before he came to me.

“He is a good stayer, is very competitive and very sound.

“He really enjoys racing and obviously has a lot of confidence at present.”

Buchanan said she doesn’t train Stylebender like a normal stayer.

“I mainly trot and canter him, and he has only one grass gallop between races,” she said.

“He is quirky allright, and I always have to be on guard to make sure he doesn’t throw me at the track.

“Thankfully, he is on his best behaviour when he goes to the races.”

Stylebender’s form surge has Buchanan thinking deeply about what to do next.

“He has to have a break at some stage, and I will have a good look at the programs to see what is coming up.

“A race such as the Grafton Cup (2350m) in July is something I feel would be a nice target.”

Buchanan followed her Rosehill Gardens triumph with Annie’s Rose at Rosehill Gardens last Saturday by scoring with Stylebender, who was her 336^th career winner today.

Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle missed out early at Warwick Farm when a concerted plunge on debutante Switch On misfired.

The Hellbent filly went to the post as a $3.40 second favorite in the 2YO Maiden Handicap (1300m), but finished ninth to favorite Seraphox ($1.90).

Switch On’s rider Ash Morgan told RacingNSW stewards that the filly raced too keenly early because of inexperience, and was left without a finishing effort.

However, Doyle had better fortune two races later when Australian Bloodstock-raced Mornington Pier (Jason Collett) swept home to grab the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1600m).

A $4.60 chance, Mornington Pier defeated $2.50 favorite Oso Spirited and Scalextrics ($3,.40).

STORY JOHN CURTIS, APRIL 1, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS