GIBBONS READY FOR YOU WAHNG IN GOSFORD FEATURE

ATC Australian Oaks placegetter You Wahng could be a surprise runner in Saturday’s $500,000 The Coast (1600m) at Gosford’s metropolitan stand-alone meeting.

And her trainer Kris Lees’ most successful jockey Andrew Gibbons is on standby to ride the three-year-old filly in the highlight of the 10-race card.

Gibbons’ double for Lees (on Golden Smile and First Person) at Newcastle yesterday took his tally to 474 for the leading Newcastle trainer, more than 250 ahead of nearest rival Aaron Bullock (215).

Lees is aiming So You Think filly You Wahng for the $700,000 Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm on June 7 as he chases a third win in the fillies’ classic, having already scored with Vitesse Dane (2005) and Amokura (2023).

“There’s a good chance I will run her at Gosford en route to the Brisbane carnival,” Lees said today.

“I’ll also nominate her for the Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) on Saturday, but at this stage I’m favoring The Coast and Andrew will ride her.

“He knows You Wahng well as he rode her in her first two wins (both at Scone over 1400m, firstly in a 1400m Maiden Plate last September and then on resumption a Class 1 Handicap over the same distance on February 17).

“You Wahng can then go to the Group 2 The Roses (2000m) at Doomben on May 24 before the Oaks a fortnight later.”

Gibbons, understandably, is looking forward to riding You Wahng in The Coast, which is for three and four-year-olds.

“Some might think coming back from the 2400m of the Australian Oaks (when a close third to star Melbourne filly Treasurethe Moment at Royal Randwick on April 12) seems a bit strange, but she is a pretty versatile filly,” he said.

“I rode her in a course proper gallop at Broadmeadow yesterday morning, and she has freshened up nicely.”

You Wahng has raced only six times, and followed a third placing in the Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on April 5 with a gutsy third in the Oaks a week later.

Melbourne’s Craig Williams rode the filly in both those races.

Gibbons rode Newcastle’s heavy track to perfection yesterday, leading throughout on both Golden Smile ($3.90 favorite in the Maiden Plate, 1890m) and First Person ($3.80 in the Provincial Benchmark 68 Handicap, 1280m).

Golden Smile was never in danger and had more than lengths to spare over his closest rival Tempranillo ($4.40) at the end, whilst First Person just held off $3.40 favorite Nosey Parker in a tense finish.

Lees is looking to start both Brudenell and Infancy in the $250,000 Listed Takeover Target Stakes (1200m) at Gosford.

He withdrew Brudenell from the XXXX Gold Rush (1100m) at yesterday’s Hawkesbury meeting because of the heavy track, whilst Infancy is coming off a brilliant first-up victory against her own sex in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 12.

The Central Coast’s richest raceday is back at Gosford, with top-class racing, hospitality packages, punters’ podium, and an epic after-party featuring DJ Havana Brown and Natalie Sax.

Gosford Race Club invites racegoers to indulge in premium hospitality from the De Bortoli Rose Garden adjacent to the winning post to an all-inclusive experience in Lakeview with panoramic racecourse views.

Free shuttle buses will run to and from Gosford Station and surrounding areas, making it easier for racegoers to get to and from the track.

Gates will open at 10.15 am for members, and 15 minutes later for the public.

Along with the $500,000 The Coast, the annual meeting features the $300,000 Gosford Gold Cup (2100m) and De Bortoli Wines Takeover Target.

Entries for all races close with Racing Australia at 11am Monday.

Story John Curtis, May 4, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos