WYNEN SHINES WITH HER FIRST CITY WINNER

SOMETIMES things happen for the better when least expected.

A Hunter couple’s decision to take a small interest last year in a so far unraced horse was the catalyst for young Wyong trainer Denim Wynen’s metropolitan breakthrough at Rosehill Gardens yesterday.

Having her first start for her new trainer, lightly-raced four-year-old Sunshine Law ($4.80) clinched a hat-trick in taking the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m).

Ridden by Wyong apprentice Anna Roper, whose 2kg claim decidedly lessened Sunshine Law’s weight to 52kg on the heavy track, the mare defeated Super Norwest ($7) and Pippie Beach ($4), both of whom carried 3.5kg and 5.5kg more respectively.

Wynen today told how Maitland insurance brokers Steve and Amanda Morris (ARMA Insurance) came to join her stable and ultimately purchased Sunshine Law so that they could see one of their horses race.

“I didn’t know Steve and Amanda, but through another owner of mine they bought a 10 per cent share last October in a three-year-old colt who is yet to race,” Wynen said.

“Subsequently I got to meet them, and they went to the Magic Millions yearling sale at the Gold Coast in January and bought a Cool Aza Beel filly (who will race as Magic Storm) for $50,000.

“She has been nominated for next year’s Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill.

“Steve and Amanda also bought two more yearlings at the Inglis Classic sale in Sydney in February.

“They rang me prior to an Inglis Digital online sale in May and asked about some racehorses who were being offered by Yu Long Investments, and wondered if there was anything wrong with them.

“I told them Yu Long had a lot of horses, and simply would be reducing some of their stock.”

The couple purchased two then three-year-old fillies (now four-year-old mares) Sunshine Law ($85,000) and Alabama Blitz ($70,000) – both by Alabama Express – and gave them to Wynen to train.

Coincidentally, they were successive buys as Lots 151 (Sunshine Law) and 152 (Alabama Blitz).

“Steve and Amanda were keen to see one of their horses race, and fortunately I was able to get Sunshine Law to town yesterday and it was such a thrill to win my first city race with her for them,”

Wynen said.

“They are a really lovely couple and very supportive of me.

“I had taken a few older horses to race in Sydney previously without any luck.

“Sunshine Law had won her previous two starts for Annabel and Rob Archibald at Canberra (1600m on February 21) and Hawkesbury (1800m on March 8), and came to me in great order.

“We trialled her at Rosehill on July 15 (third over 1030m) and I was confident she was ready to go back to the races yesterday.

“Sunshine Law has pulled up well, and I will most likely look to take her back to town for another Benchmark 78, even though obviously her benchmark rating will go up after yesterday’s win.

“Alabama Blitz also trailed over 1030m at Rosehill the same day.

“She has had only five starts and won a 1514m Maiden at Yarra Valley in January.”

Sunshine Law was Wynen’s 22^nd career success, having saddled her first runner, the now retired Snitzel gelding Mash ‘N’ Veg, at Scone on August 15, 2016 and her first winner was Dual Escape (Serg Lisnyy) at her home track on September 1, 2019, also on a heavy track as was the case yesterday.

Wynen has been training full-time for two years, and says her breakthrough city triumph was a great result not only for herself, but also her family (her partner and two children).

“I have eight boxes at Wyong, and do it all myself with the horses, but with great support from my family,” she said.

“The kids love the horse as much as I do, and come to the stables and help out each afternoon after I pick them up from school.”

HOOFNOTE: Whilst Sunshine Law’s win was a real watershed moment in Wynen’s career, she also finished second with her other runner, former New Zealander Monkhana ($8.50), also ridden by Roper, in the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m).

Wynen prepared the Mongolian Khan five-year-old mare for a first-up tilt on the back of a Rosehill trial fourth (Sunshine Law was third) on July 15.

“Monkhana was badly hampered just after the start,” Wynen said.

“She would not have beaten Cold Brew (who won easily), but did a terrific job in the circumstances.

“Monkhana won wo races at Hawkesbury earlier in the year, and hopefully we can get a city win with her this preparation.”

Story John Curtis, August 3, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos