SAM Kavanagh’s “lady” ended a frustrating run of minor placings and kick-started a brilliant day for provincial stables at Newcastle on Tuesday.
The Newcastle trainer’s victory with favorite Lady Ichikawa ($1.95) in the Provincial Maiden Plate (1250m) was the first of six provincial winners.
After placings at her previous five starts, Lady Ichikawa got the job done – and in style.
Patiently ridden and the first of a Jason Collett treble, she was held up for a while on straightening before unleashing a powerful burst to turn what appeared certain defeat into an overdue success.
Even though she conceded a big start in the straight, it was soft at the end as she scored by more than a length from Wyong trainer Kim Waugh’s Jared ($6.50), with Hawkesbury trainer Peter Green’s $41 roughie Epic Statement third.
A five-year-old mare by No Nay Never, Lady Ichikawa did not begin racing until 12 months ago.
“Lady Ichikawa is another homebred of my partner Kelly Fawcett’s in a partnership which includes long-time owners Robert Canceri and Alan Thomson,” Kavanagh said on Tuesday evening.
“We purchased her dam Hamiko (by Snitzel) as a yearling, but unfortunately she had a barrier accident and didn’t fulfil her potential.
“Lady Ichikawa is her first foal, and has taken time but always shown good ability.
“We are still learning about her (this was only her eighth start), and have always been optimistic she would end up in the city.
“Lady Ichikawa will go to a Midway Class 1 Handicap (1200m) at Newcastle on October 19, and hopefully continue to improve now that she has got her confidence.”
Lady Ichikawa was Kavanagh’s 93rd career winner, and second this season.
Hawkesbury’s Michael Vella, Ciaron Maher’s Newcastle base, Kembla Grange’s Theresa Bateup, Newcastle’s Nathan Doyle, and Wyong’s Tracey Bartley followed on to make it a “fab six”.
Vella’s Cosmeena ($11) won another heat of the Provincial Maiden Plate (1250m), and Maher’s Force Red ($2.20 favorite), having his first start in 12 months in the Maiden Plate (900m), were both sired by Cosmic Force.
Theresa Bateup made the trip north to clinch another Newcastle victory with Master Riley ($4).
Ridden by Jess Taylor, Master Riley had won a Provincial Maiden Plate (1300m) on August 29.
This time it was a Midway Class 1 Handicap (1500m) as Hellbent’s four-year-old son defeated Outlander ($4.20) and Dunaloce ($10) at only his sixth start.
Dunaloce is a member of Nathan Doyle’s team, and he was quickly in the winner’s stall instead when Hellfire Express (Keagan Latham) won the Conditional Benchmark 68 Handicap (1500m) at
$6.
This was another all-provincial result, Hellfire Express defeating Hawkesbury pair, Jason Attard and Lucy Keegan-Attard’s Oh Golly Gosh ($5.50) and Brad Widdup’s luckless Be Real ($3.20 favorite).
Tracey Bartley rounded out a terrific day for the provincials by winning the F&M Benchmark 64 Handicap (1250m) with Titanium Miss ($3), the final leg of Collett’s treble.
Alysha Collett was suspended by RacingNSW stewards on an alleged careless riding charge, arising from Master Riley’s race.
Collett’s good record in relation to careless riding was taken into account in suspending her for a brief period, which begins on October 9 and ends two days later when she can resume riding.
Story John Curtis, October 2, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
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