TINY AIR KISS RAKES IN THE DOLLARS WITH MAIDEN SUCCESS

IT’S not the size of the dog in the fight, rather the size of the fight in the dog!

That old adage certainly rang true at Newcastle yesterday when Gosford filly Air Kiss ($8) dug deep to win her first race at her sixth start.

Ridden by apprentice Mollie Fitzgerald, the three-year-old homebred daughter of Supido and the unraced mare Schmoozing foiled a plunge on $1.70 favorite Dollars in the Midway 3YO Maiden Handicap (1400m).

Fitzgerald’s 2kg claim proved invaluable as Air Kiss carried 53kg, 4.5kg less than the runner-up, who began only fairly at his first start for Newcastle trainer Jason Deamer after four previous provincial outings for a leading stable, which yielded a sole Kembla Grange placing.

Trainer Kylie Gavenlock says Air Kiss there’s not a lot of the filly, but she is all heart.

“She wouldn’t even stand 16 hands, and doesn’t weigh more than 380kg (much less than the average weight of a racehorse),” Gavenlock said today.

“So it was great to get a win with her and for her owner Kim Harding, who is one of our stable’s staunchest supporters.”

Kim Harding was the first woman to be appointed to the Board of RacingNSW, and largely responsible for the introduction of the BOBS scheme in this State.

Despite Air Kiss’ initial success, Gavenlock isn’t sure when she will be able to start the filly next.

“Air Kiss likes the wet tracks, and I would like to keep her going during winter,” Gavenlock said.

“But because she is so small, it’s hard to keep condition on her.

“I’m hoping she does okay after this race, and we don’t have to put her out for a break.”

The experienced Gosford trainer has her smart mare Audette in work, and looking forward to another preparation with the six-year-old, who also races in Harding’s familiar red and white colours.

Audette (by The Factor) won her first three starts at Muswellbrook (twice) and on the Beaumont track in early 2022, and has now greeted the judge at seven of her 19 starts.

She won first-up over 1000m at Royal Randwick on Boxing Day last before finishing second to Bonita Queen in a Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m) at Wyong’s inaugural Saturday stand-alone metropolitan meeting on January 11.

“Audette pulled a hamstring not long after that race, and had to be spelled,” Gavenlock said.

“She is coming along nicely, and is only two to three weeks from trialling.”

. Gavenlock was the first of three provincial trainers to win races at Newcastle yesterday.

Local pair Nathan Doyle and Kris Lees followed in consecutive events.

Mornington Pier ($4.40), ridden by Andrew Gibbons, came from last to take the Class 1 Handicap (1400m) at his first start for Doyle, and also first since late November.

Well supported $2.60 favorite Oakfield Duke (Aaron Bullock) won the Provincial Benchmark 68 Handicap (1250m) for Lees.

It was the six-year-old grey gelding’s seventh victory, and came on top of owner Bruce MacKenzie’s wins at Muswellbrook the previous day with Oakfield Earth (trained by Kristen Buchanan) and Oakfield Echidna (Damien Lane).

RacingNSW stewards suspended jockey Deanne Panya for improper use of the whip after she had finished second on Dalio ($14) to Mornington Pier.

Panya pleaded guilty to a charge that she used the whip on nine occasions (four more than the permitted number) prior to the 100m, and 19 times in total.

Her suspension takes effect on June 23, and she can resume riding on June 27.

Story John Curtis, June 15, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos