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RYAN SETS NEW BENCHMARK AT HOME

  • Provincial Racing NSW
  • Jun 26
  • 3 min read

BLAKE Ryan’s season got even better at home at Hawkesbury today as he hopes to define a potential black type target with Lady Extreme at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Ryan’s victory with Heaven Bound ($6) in the Clarendon Tavern Benchmark 64 Handicap (1500m) was his 14th this season in only his fourth full year of training, bettering his benchmark 13 last season.

And he’s hoping there are more winners to come before the curtain falls on the 2024-25 racing year on July 31.

Ryan’s success with Heaven Bound – part-owned by now Hong Kong-based trainer Mark Newnham’s wife Donna – was also the 150th for the Hawkesbury training base since August 1.

“I’m pretty proud of what the stable has achieved, and it was also very pleasing to set a new benchmark on our home track,” Ryan said this evening.

“Hawkesbury is a terrific place to train, and the club is very helpful by providing excellent facilities.

“The new course manager Digby Nuthall is doing a great job.”

Ryan is chasing another city victory with Lady Extreme in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m) on Saturday, and says her performance as she goes up in class will determine where she is placed.


“She has already won twice in town, and another would boost her value as a broodmare, especially as her owner Luke Wilkinson is a breeder.

“If she can win, I have the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton next month in the back of my mind,” he said.

“But she would need to win well and get enough benchmark points to be a chance of making the field.

“I haven’t had a runner at Grafton, but feel she is the type of mare who would be very competitive if she gets there.”

Grafton’s feature sprint, the $200,000 Ramornie (1200m), carries Listed status and will be run on July 16.

Alysha Collett partnered Lady Extreme in a first-up Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1100m) victory on May 31, and sticks with her on Saturday.

“I accepted with the mare a fortnight ago back at Rosehill, but wasn’t 100 per cent happy with her as she hadn’t trialled before resuming,” Ryan explained.

“I’m sure it was the correct move giving her more time.

“She is in great order, and has come up with the inside barrier this weekend.”

As with Lady Extreme, Ryan also is on a mission with his Hawkesbury winner Heaven Bound.

He is the third trainer of the four-year-old mare and has now won twice with her.

“I’d like to win a midweek in town or even a Saturday Midway with Heaven Bound,” Ryan said.

“She is a quirky mare, and tossed me off twice this week.

“Getting back on to a firmer track today made the difference.”

Winning rider Josh Parr took full advantage of Heaven Bound’s favorable draw to hustle her through and eventually take up the running.

She gave a good ‘kick’ in the straight and held off Wyong trainer Sara Ryan’s $2.70 favorite Kyeema, who stood flatfooted at barrier rise and was a clear last on settling down.


Fellow Hawkesbury trainer Tommy Wong won his first race this season when Desi Emperor ($10) took the Blakes Marine Provincial Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m).

Ridden by Keagan Latham, the five-year-old recorded his sixth win from 32 starts.

A $3000 online purchase in 2021, Desi Emperor has also been placed on seven occasions.

. Leading Kembla Grange trainers Rob and Luke Price won the Super Maiden Plate (1500m) with Jamarni ($6.50), ridden by Jason Collett.

The three-year-old gelding had been placed at his previous two starts, and was withdrawn from a home track engagement last Saturday to be saved for the Hawkesbury assignment.

. New Zealand jockey Wiremu Pinn pleaded guilty to an improper conduct charge following the running of the first race.

RacingNSW stewards reported he directed inappropriate comments to fellow jockey Louis Beuzelin.

Pinn was fined $800, with half of the penalty suspended for two years on the basis he does not breach a conduct-related rule.

Story John Curtis, June 26, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos

 
 
 

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