WAGSTAFF’S BACK-UPS PROVE SUCCESSFUL

DALE Wagstaff obviously has the key to backing up horses.

The Newcastle trainer had no qualms about saddling up his seven-year-old mare Ellenmac at Goulburn yesterday after being beaten at Mudgee three days earlier.

And his move paid off for a second time in less than a week when she won her first race in three and a half years.

At her 52^nd start – and 27^th for Wagstaff – Ellenmac ($19), ridden by Shaun Guymer, broke through in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1600m).

Wagstaff, based at Dyrring near Singleton, makes occasional visits to Broadmeadow for trackwork, and purchased Ellenmac online through Inglis Digital for $1750 in August last year after finishing last of 13 runners in a 2000m Benchmark 64 Handicap at Kembla Grange when trained by Ciaron Maher.

The daughter of former international star Maurice had been a $60,000 buy at the 2020 Inglis Classic yearling sale, and won twice at Newcastle in January (1400m) and February (1600m) 2022 at two of her first three starts under Sydney trainer Matt Smith’s banner.

Ellenmac placed five times (at Tamworth, Nowra, Scone, Coonabarabran and Goulburn) for Wagstaff prior to getting back into the winning list yesterday.

With 60.5kg, she ran sixth of nine in a Benchmark 50 Handicap (1850m) on a “Firm 2” track at the non-TAB meeting at Mudgee last Saturday, won by her stablemate Zartamay ($8), who also backed up after contesting a stronger Class 1 Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle only two days before.

“The distance proved too far for Ellenmac under the big weight,” Wagstaff said this morning.

“I didn’t do anything with her in the interim other than canter her yesterday morning.

“She felt well enough to back up, and coming back to 1600m was more suitable.

“Ellenmac was vetted before the race at Goulburn and given the all clear, and it wasn’t the strongest event either.

“She was the fittest horse in the race, and really that was the difference.”

Ellenmac raced in second place and, with 4kg less than at Mudgee, defeated Obviously Albert ($20) and Hurricane Coni ($4.80).

Provincial trainers won four of the seven races at yesterday’s Newcastle meeting.

Locals Nathan Doyle (two wins) and Kris Lees (one) were joined by Gosford’s Adam Duggan.

Doyle scored with three-year-old filly Emalyn ($9) in the Provincial Maiden Plate (1300m), and debutante Lightning Glory ($4.20), who was impressive in bolting home with the 4YO & Up Maiden Handicap (1250m).

Jean Van Overmeire rode Emalyn, a younger half-sister to stablemate and Group 2 placegetter Churchill’s Choice, and Ash Morgan had the mount on Hallowed Crown four-year-old Lightning Glory, who trounced $2.35 favorite Micro Magic.

Lees’ Power Of The Brave ($2.10 co-favorite), ridden by stable apprentice Will Stanley, was excellent on resumption in the Conditional Benchmark 68 Handicap (900m), keeping in touch with the other joint favorite No Statement, and scored convincingly, even conceding the runner-up 2kg.

Duggan produced former Hong Kong gelding All Hunky Dory ($7), also on resumption, to land the 5YO & Up Benchmark 64 Handicap (1500m).

The nine-year-old gelding was taken to the front at the 1200m by apprentice Mollie Fitzgerald, and never surrendered.

He defeated Orthie’s Boy ($4.80 co-favorite) and Run Rory Run ($19).

Duggan has done a superb joy with All Hunky Dory, who has won four races and been placed three times from his eight Australian starts.

His only unplaced run certainly wasn’t disappointing either when fourth in a Benchmark 78 Handicap (2100m) at Gosford’s Saturday metropolitan meeting in May.

Story John Curtis, October 8, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos