SEELIN RAISES THE BAT AT HOME FOR A CENTURY

IT was meant to be!

Wyong trainer Wayne Seelin’s 100^th career winner came up yesterday at the same home track where he prepared his first winner.

More than two decades have elapsed since he broke the ice in his training career with $21 chance Sky Can Hurri, ridden by Dale Spriggs, in a Class 1 Handicap (1350m) on February 25, 2003.

Seelin raised his “bat” for a century with a newcomer to his stable when Capital Jicinta – also at double figures ($11) – ran home strongly to take the Provincial Maiden Plate (1200m) at only her third start.

“It’s been a while coming (100 winners),” he said today.

“I’ve been in the nervous 90s now for a while.

“But I’m pretty proud to have got 100 winners, especially both my first and the 100^th being on my home track.”

Seelin keeps only a small team – he currently has four horses in work – and justifiably should be proud of his achievements.

Even more so to reach the century with a three-year-old filly he has had to do plenty of work with just to get her to the races.

Capital Jicinta was a $77.500 purchase at the 2023 Magic Millions National yearling sale at the Gold Coast, but has been a late starter.

She had barrier issues when trained at Port Macquarie and twice had embargoes placed on her by RacingNSW stewards for refusing to load.

“The filly’s owner Anthony O’Donoghue is one of my older clients, and because of health issues, decided to sell her to me for a very reasonable figure.

“I now race her with my father Brian.”

Seelin paid tribute to the barrier staff, who he said had been of great assistance in getting Capital Jicinta cleared to begin her racing career.

“We’ve been putting a blindfold on her, and that has been a big help to keep her calm and get her into the barriers,” he said.

“Capital Jicinta had been placed at her first two starts at home, and was unlucky last time in a similar race over 1100m on June 24.

“On both occasions she finished off well and appreciated getting to 1200m yesterday.”

Capital Jicinta (Keagan Latham) was wide on the home turn, but sustained a strong run in the straight and pulled clear over the closing stages to easily defeat Kembla Grange trainer Kerry Parker’s Penalties ($13) and Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup’s Initiate ($21).

Meanwhile, Seelin reports his great old-stager Isorich is doing well in retirement.

Rising 15 years of age, Isorich raced 155 times for 16 wins and 37 placings and earned $826,000.

Isorich was placed at his last two starts at home in April 2023 as a sprightly 12-year-old before being retired.

“He pokes around at home and often chases the kangaroos,” Seelin said. “He is a happy and healthy horse.

Fellow Wyong trainer Sara Ryan and her apprentice Bronte Simpson were both successful yesterday – but at different tracks.

Ryan scored with two-year-old filly Anders ($2.45 favorite), ridden by Robbie Downey, against her own age in the Maiden Handicap (1300m), posting her 22^nd winner of the season (and career 59^th).Simpson followed a win at Tamworth on Friday on Justice Warrior ($3.30) for Wyong trainer Kristen Buchanan by doubling up at Mungindi yesterday on Chicken Legs ($2.50 favorite) for Bendemeer trainer Jane Clement.Ryan scored with two-year-old filly Anders ($2.45 favorite), ridden by Robbie Downey, against her own age in the Maiden Handicap (1300m) at Wyong, posting her 22^nd winner of the season (and career 59^th).Simpson followed a win at Tamworth on Friday on Justice Warrior ($3.30) for Wyong trainer Kristen Buchanan by doubling up at Mungindi yesterday on Chicken Legs ($2.50 favorite) for Bendemeer trainer Jane Clement.

Simpson began her career only in early May, and scored on Buchanan’s Stylebender at Muswellbrook on May 2.

She has now ridden seven winners, and quickly reduced her country allowance from 4 to 3kg, and in Ryan’s words “is flying”.

Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle claimed his 48^th winner of the season when Malabar ($4.40), ridden by his apprentice Shannen Llewellyn, took a Benchmark 64 Handicap (1350m) at Wyong at his first run since joining the stable.

Story John Curtis, July 6, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos