PROVINCIAL TRAINERS ON TOP AT GOSFORD

PROVINCIAL trainers dominated today’s meeting at Gosford, snaring five of the eight races.

Hawkesbury’s leading trainer Brad Widdup led the way with a double, and was joined by leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees, Gosford’s Kylie Gavenlock and Wyong’s Tracey Bartley.

Widdup sent two horses to Gosford, and the lightly-raced three-year-olds gave him a 100 per cent result.  

His successes in consecutive races were with a pair of homebreds, Mind Ya Bizz and Satono Jasmine.

Mind Ya Bizz (Tommy Berry) as a $1.70 favorite broke through in the 3YO Maiden Handicap (1200m), and Satono Jasmine (Chad Schofield) did the same at $3.30 in the Provincial Maiden Plate (1600m).

The double lifted Widdup’s number of winners so far this season to 56, only seven short of last season’s 63.

Mind Ya Bizz, a daughter of Heroic Valour, was bred by Ralph Tierney, and John Clancy bred Satono Aladdin filly Satono Jasmine from the High Chaparral mare High Spin.

Mind Ya Bizz was having her sixth start and Satono Jasmine her fifth, and both fillies won in manners suggesting it won’t be the last time they greet the judge out in front.

Against only four rivals, Berry made sure he kept in touch with main rival Rising Revolution ($2.80) and had her covered in the straight.

“Mind Ya Bizz has kept improving, and that win will give her confidence,” Widdup said this evening.

“She ran well first-up when runner-up at Hawkesbury a fortnight ago, and got the job done today.”

Satono Jasmine, aided by a freakish ride from Schofield, blitzed her rivals.

After being last at the 600m, Schofield thought about trying to loop the field, but decided against it.

He went back inside the tiring $101 outsider Madam Makwela, and the filly took advantage of clear running thereafter to charge away in the straight.

Satono Jasmine scored by more than four lengths from Sirius Moss ($3.10), with fellow Hawkesbury trainer Steve O’Halloran’s $3 favorite Copartner Pegasus third.

“It was a great ride,” Widdup said.

“Satono Jasmine didn’t have things go her way at Wyong last start, and she was ready after three runs back.

“The way she won suggest she will get over a distance, as her breeding indicates.”

Widdup intends sending Hyperbolic back north next week in an endeavour to secure a feature Brisbane winter carnival success with her.

He brought the mare home after her third in the $500,000 Magic Millions National Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 6.

She had been beaten narrowly a fortnight earlier in the Group 3 Fillies & Mares Mile at Doomben.

“I’m keen to try her at 2100m against her own sex in the Listed Tattersall’s Gold Crown,” Widdup said.

“But we’ll also have a look at the Listed Tattersall’s Mile (1600m).”

Lees no doubt would have been thrilled to win with Frankely Sublime ($3.40 pictured) at her first start for him in the 4YO & Up Maiden Handicap (1200m).

The Snitzel mare is the first foal of Frankely Awesome, whom Lees trained for Group 1 placings in the 2019 Vinery Stud Stakes and ATC Oaks and a victory the following year in the Listed McKell Cup (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens.

After 11 starts with Chris Waller for four placings, Frankely Sublime’s breeder Cressfield transferred her to Lees, who trialled her twice in preparation for her first-up tilt at Gosford.

Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, she rounded up her rivals and easily defeated Nulkaba Star ($14) and Kuwait ($7.50).

Gavenlock and Bartley are enjoying great success with their winners Murphilly and Last Druid.

Each has won two from three starts this time in work – with seemingly more to come.

Gavenlock praised Grant Buckley’s ride after four-year-old Churchill mare Murphilly ($3.10 favorite) took the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m) against her own sex.

And she won’t mind at all if she can find another race for the mare at home in the coming weeks.

“Murphilly is not the most wonderful traveller,” she said.

“But she is starting to furnish into a racehorse, and will be even better next time in work.”

Bartley paid only $3500 online for ex-Godolphin four-year-old Last Druid online in April last year.

“Whilst he’s classified as a Grade 4 roarer (wind infirmity), he scopes as a 3,” Bartley said.

“I’ve tried a few things with him, and I think we’ve got his confidence now and he’s got ours.

“He won first-up at Hawkesbury last month, and was too close next time when sixth at Warwick Farm.

“Last Druid got back today, built up his revs and let down good.

“I think he is going to make a nice horse for us.”

Ridden by Alysha Collett, Last Druid defeated Wack Attack ($11) and Ivy Diva ($26) in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m).

He has an outstanding pedigree, being by dual Group 1 winner Brazen Beau from dual Listed winner and Group 2 placegetter Shannara.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, JUNE 18, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS