MONA LISA SHIFT AT WYONG BRINGS ITS REWARDS

Kristen Buchanan & Stylebender nominated for Friday's Wyong Gold Cup

WYONG Race Club’s decision to shift its feature fillies and mares event back to Gold Cup Day has had a triple effect.

Again sponsored by Domeland, the Mona Lisa Stakes (1350m) has been boosted by $50,000 to $250,000 and attained Group 3 status for the first time.

And the proof is in the pudding. Thirty “girls” have been nominated for Friday’s race, which serves as an important back-up to the Listed Wyong Leagues Group Wyong Gold Cup (2100m), which also boasts a $250,000 purse and carries Big Dance eligibility.

The Mona Lisa was always run on Cup day until being moved last year to the second Sunday of the three-day carnival to coincide with Ladies’ Day.

“The Board was keen to move the race back to Cup Day to strengthen our program,” Wyong general manager Greg Purcell said today.

“With such a strong list of entries, it certainly appears to have been the right move.

“The Mona Lisa is a great guide to Newcastle’s Group 3 Tibbie Stakes (1400m) in a fortnight.

”The first (Mirra View), second (Sanstoc) and fourth (Banana Queen) placegetters in the 2023 Mona Lisa ran at Newcastle, and Banana Queen defeated Sanstoc and Mirra View.

“Warwick Farm mare Terra Mater (ridden by Nash Rawiller) won the Mona Lisa  - Tibbie double last year, and ran favorite in both races.”

Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle has nominated both Churchill’s Choice and Overriding for this year’s Mona Lisa, Gosford’s Kylie Gavenlock has Zip On By and Kembla Grange’s Paul Murray entered Harry’s Bar.

Meanwhile, classy stayers Alalcance and Circle OF Fire head the weights for Friday’s Wyong Gold Cup, which has drawn 19 nominations.

Alalcance, who won three races in a row in Sydney during the autumn carnival, is topweight with 61kg, and last year’s Group 1 Sydney Cup winner Circle Of Fire has 60.5kg.

TAB.com.au this afternoon installed the Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott-trained Alalcance as an early $3 favorite, ahead of Wyong Cup Prelude winner Royal Supremacy (Ciaron Maher) and Chris Waller’s Saltcoats at $5.

Leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees entered Cleveland (57.5kg) and Cup Prelude third placegetter Age Of Sail (54kg), and fellow Newcastle trainer Paul Perry has Sky Lab (54kg).

Wyong trainers Nacim Dilmi and Kristen Buchanan have nominated Salt Lake City and Stylebender (pictured above) respectively, and each has 54kg.

Co-trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton won last year’s Gold Cup with Lion’s Roar (Jason Collett), who defeated Newcastle’s Luncies and Victoria Derby winner Manzoice.

Greg Purcell said the quality of fields for both the Cup Prelude and Mona Lisa Prelude augured well for Friday’s two features.

“We’re looking forward to a terrific meeting,” he said.

“The weather forecast is brilliant, and the track is in fantastic order.

“Our course manager Phill Robinson and his team are doing a great job.”

HOOFNOTE: Wyong is looking for a major sponsor for its second metropolitan Saturday stand-alone meeting, featuring the $500,000 The Lakes (1600m), in January.

“Our date on January 10 next year avoids a clash with the Magic Millions raceday at the Gold Coast, which is a week later,” Purcell said.

Popular Wyong trainer Rodney Bailey made a quick return to the winning list at his home meeting yesterday with his first runner in nearly two months.

Bailey landed the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m) with $26 chance Norton Road, ridden by Grant Buckley.

Norton Road edged out another roughie, Hawkesbury co-trainers Mitch and Desiree Kearney’s Lady Shenanigans ($31).

Norton Road was having his first start since February and clinched his fourth victory – and three of them have been on his home track.

Story John Curtis, September 1, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos