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WARD A WINNER AGAIN WITH HIS SOLE HORSE

Provincial Racing NSW



THE days of Group 1 winners might be long gone, but Neil Ward can still teach the young’uns a thing or two about training.

At 77 years of age, Gosford’s oldest current trainer was back in the winning list at Wyong yesterday with the only horse he has in work.

Ward landed the Midway 3YO Maiden Plate (1100m) with Stratum Star filly Stratafy ($8), having only her third start and first since August.

Fittingly, she was ridden by apprentice Mitch Stapleford, grandson of Gosford’s now retired legendary trainer Albert Stapleford.

Stratafy began well from her inside barrier, trailed the leader Fly Scotty Fly ($4.20) and overhauled him in the shadows of the post.

The $2.30 favorite The Eyes Have It, resuming from a spell like the winner, was just under two lengths away third.

Ward began training at Canterbury when he was 21 before subsequently relocating to Gosford, and says he has been there around 45 years.

He won two Group 1 1600m features in 1984 – the Epsom Handicap at Royal Randwick and George Adams Handicap (now Cantala Stakes) at Flemington – with Riverdale, and also the then Group 2 1986 1400m Warwick Stakes (now Group 1 Winx Stakes) at Warwick Farm.




But it is his association with the progeny of a mare he used to train which has kept him in the industry.

He won four races – all at Gosford – with the now 17-year-old Buriton mare War Empress, and Stratafy is the latest of her progeny to race.

“Shane Lear manages the syndicate which has raced all of War Empress’ foals,” Ward said.

“I won five races with Emperor Harada (by Haradasun) and two with Noble Empress (by Adelaide), but was disappointed I didn’t get that pair’s half-sister Rapid Velocity (by Supido) to the track.

“Rapid Velocity is only four years of age and was going to be good, but blew a tendon and was retired without having a start.”

Whilst Noble Empress was his previous winner in January this year at Gosford at $11 (she also won her previous start at home on December 22 at $15) – both were over 1600m – he has had only a dozen starters since.

“It wasn’t the strongest race at Wyong, and I thought Stratafy would run well,” Ward said.

“Her trial when she ran a close third on the Beaumont track on December 4 was outstanding.

“Stratafy is a big filly, and definitely has more improvement in her.

“I feel she can eventually win at least a midweek race in town.”

War Empress’ latest foal, a full sister to Rapid Velocity, was foaled in late August last year.

“It’s a while off yet of course before she is ready to go into work, and I will train her, as well,” Ward said.

“But that will just about see me out.”

. Wyong’s Kristen Buchanan was the other provincial trainer to enjoy success at her home meeting just before Christmas.




She said beforehand she needed a good ride from Keagan Latham to win the Provincial Benchmark 64 Handicap (1625m) on $6.50 chance Rennata.

He not only did that – even riding 0.5kg overweight - but produced the ride of the day to bring the mare from last on settling from her outside draw to nab Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle’s Irish Bliss ($2.70 favorite) near the post.

A beautifully-bred daughter of I Am Invincible, Rennata has now twice since joining Buchanan’s team.

She scored at Scone in October in a 1200m Super Maiden, and on her Wyong performance, definitely looks capable of going to town and adding to Buchanan’s list of Midway winners.

Story John Curtis, December 22, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos

 

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