HAWKESBURY trainer Wendy Haynes created history in 1989 when she became the first female apprentice to win a race at Royal Randwick.
It was not only special but also emotional as her victory on King Knight was for her late father and then Hawkesbury trainer Clive Searle.
Haynes was a long way from NSW racing’s headquarters today, but nonetheless was back in the winning list at Queanbeyan – and again the result was pretty special.
Her victory with Threw ($4.20) – the only horse she has in work – in the Class 1/Maiden Plate (1600m) was her first in more than six years.
Ridden by Jess Taylor, the six-year-old gelding had not been placed in 15 previous starts, but was dropping back to country class after two solid performances last month at home; the latest when sixth to Long Genes (beaten less than three lengths) in a Provincial Maiden Handicap (1500m) on August 17 after taking up the running soon after the start and raced keenly, prompting RacingNSW stewards to question Ellen Hennessy about her riding tactics.
Taylor made a mid-race move on Threw to lead before being headed by eventual third placegetter Up To Me ($5) on straightening, but fought back gamely to hit the front again and then stall off fellow Hawkesbury trainer Claire Lever’s Platinum Asset ($12).
“I ride Threw work at Hawkesbury,” Haynes said this evening as she was just about to arrive home. “Unfortunately that is, because he can be a bit naughty.
“But it was great to get a win with him for his breeder and owner Brian Turton.
“Threw didn’t begin racing until an early four-year-old, and has been a work in progress. I know the breed pretty well.”
Haynes’ previous winner was also for Turton, with the Magic Albert mare Orpentiva (Peter Wells) in a 1600m Maiden Plate at Nowra on February 16, 2017.
That was at her fourth start, and was her sole success in 14 runs before being retired.
An experienced and very competent horsewoman, Hayes met Turton through her work pre-training horses for the late multiple Group 1 winning Sydney trainer Guy Walter, who prepared Threw’s sire Dream Ballad, who won three consecutive races in September 2005, culminating with the Listed Dulcify Quality (1800m) at Randwick.
“Brian asked me to train a grey mare called Silver Albertina (by Canadian Dancer), and I won a Hawkesbury Maiden (1000m) with her in August 2015 at her fourth start,” Haynes, who has been training for more than two decades, said.
Coincidentally, she also started at $26; the same as Orpentiva in her Nowra win in 2017.
Silver Albertiva’s dam Silver Sativa was the first foal of the now deceased mare Sativa, who also produced Threw’s dam Altiva and Orpentiva, which was the last of her foals before she died in October 2013.
Haynes also broke in and pre-trained Group 1 winners such as Belle Du Jour (2000 Golden Slipper), Zagalia (2003 Queensland Oaks) and Tuesday Joy (2007 Coolmore Classic) for John Singleton.
Along with riding her own horse work, she also helps out fellow Hawkesbury trainers, husband and wife Phil and Tara Vigouroux, who kindly lent her their horse float to take Threw to Queanbeyan today.
.Kembla Grange trainer Brett Lazzarini has had an excellent few days.
He added a Queanbeyan winner today to his victory with Bonus Tempus at last Friday’s Wyong Cup Showcase meeting.
Lazzarini landed the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1460m) with well backed Mancconi ($3.30 joint favorite).
His decision to use his apprentice Paul Zerafa provide invaluable as the 4kg claim lessened Mancconi’s weight to 56kg; 4kg less than co-favorite Pink Panther, whom he overhauled to score comfortably.
This was Zerafa’s first winner this season and his career fourth.
*Story John Curtis, September 4, 2023 - Pics supplied*
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