RYAN BOUND FOR A “THROW AT THE STUMPS”

BLAKE Ryan says there is no alternative but to “have a throw at the stumps” with his first-up home track winner Heaven Bound.

Thus the Hawkesbury trainer will give the five-year-old daughter of Pierro the opportunity to chase black type in Sunday’s $300,000 Group 3 Belle of the Turf Stakes (1600m) at Gosford.

Heaven Bound returned in fine style by winning a Provincial Benchmark 64 Handicap (1500m) at Hawkesbury on December 14 at her first start since late July when runner-up over 1600m at Warwick Farm.

“I set her for the home race first-up, and she was good enough to win it,” Ryan said this evening.

“But there was nothing else suitable for her next run en route to a Warwick Farm assignment next month.

“So we’re having a crack at the Belle of the Turf Stakes, but not with any confidence.

“Heaven Bound is probably out of her depth, but it’s not the strongest Group 3 and she’s in good order and against her own sex.

“It’s worth a throw at the stumps to see if she can pick up some black type.”

Whilst Ryan’s apprentice Emma Ly partnered Heaven Bound in her recent success, the Gosford feature is a non-claiming event and Jay Ford takes over.

Whilst Ford hasn’t been aboard Heaven Bound in a race, he rides regularly for Ryan and rode her in a 1000m Hawkesbury trial on November 17.

Unfortunately, Ly is sidelined for several weeks following a trackwork accident the morning after she was successful on Heaven Bound.

“Emma fractured a couple of ribs, and had to forego four rides at Orange later that day,” Ryan said.

“The first of her rides (Doutelle for fellow Hawkesbury trainer Fabio Martino) won.

“Emma is very keen and I’m sure she will bounce back in the new year.”

Gosford Race Club received 15 entries for the Belle of the Turf, 14 for the $200,000 Listed Elite Sand & Soil RYAGosford Guineas (1200m), and 19 for the Malcolm Cusick Stakes (1200m); a Class 4 Handicap.

Entries for the Guineas have been extended until 11 am tomorrow (Tuesday).

There are four provincial entries for the Belle of the Turf (Heaven Bound and fellow Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup’s Hpyerbolic, Newcastle trainer Kris Lees’ Kind Words, and Wyong trainer Shaun Harvey’s Invasive Dreams.

Two provincial horses are amongst the current 14 nominated for the Guineas.

They are Gosford trainer Adam Duggan’s unbeaten Brown Sugar, and Wyong trainer Tracey Bartley’s Cuban Cigar.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, DECEMBE R 22, 2025 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS