WYONG MARE’S WIN PUTS COONAMBLE BACK IN THE SPOTLIGHT

WINNING any race is always special, but Wyong trainer Damien Lane’s victory

in the closer at Scone yesterday bore an extra special touch.

The reason being “family horse” Canamble was named after his home town of Coonamble in the NSW Central West.

“I tried to get Coonamble, but had to settle for Canamble,” Lane explained today.

“Irrespective, it’s always great to win a race with the mare.”

Whilst Lane wasn’t surprised that Canamble got home in the Class 3 Benchmark 66 Handicap

(1000m), he was indeed surprised by her starting price.

“She was $8 and got out to $61,” he said today.

“I’m not a punter and didn’t have a bet but thought she had a good each-way hope and was no better than a $15 chance. She wasn’t beaten far at Taree last time, and had taken further improvement from that run.”

Ridden by Lee Magorrian, Cananmble gamely defeated Scone locals Thrilling Venture ($6) and Kantishna ($10) to post her third win.

Canamble’s performance followed Lane’s success with favorite Oakfield Saturn at the Magic Millions meeting at his home track the previous day.

Lane went to the 2023 Inglis HTBA yearling sale in Sydney and secured two fillies for a total of $21,000. He paid $7000 for Singing Star (Lot 203) and $14,000 for Canamble (Lot 250).

“We own them ourselves, and they have won three races each so far, so they have been good buys,” Lane said.

Meanwhile, Lane reported Oakfield Saturn has pulled up well after her determined home victory in a Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m) under 59.5kg, and he is likely to give her the chance to win again in town tomorrow week.

“Provided she continues to do well, there’s a Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1600m) at Randwick next Saturday,” Lane said.

Hawkesbury trainer Jason Attard isn’t being put off by his smart mare Oui Oui Oui’s wide draw in the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1200m) at Randwick tomorrow.

“Oui Oui Oui is in a good space and, with rain around, it might not be such a disadvantage to draw out,” Attard said today.

“She gets back anyway. I would have preferred 1300m or even 1400m second up, but the big track at Randwick will suit her, especially if they run along.”

Attard has always held a good opinion of Oui Oui Oui, a four-year-old daughter of The Everest winner Yes Yes Yes, and has won three of her seven starts.

She made an excellent return to racing at Newcastle on November 20, taking a Provincial Benchmark 64 Handicap (1250m).

“Oui Oui Oui has had just over three weeks since Newcastle, and it’s time to go back to the races in search of a city success,” Attard said.

Fellow Hawkesbury trainer Ed O’Rourke was back in the winning list at Kembla Grange yesterday.

O’Rourke’s Channelling (Tyler Schiller) was a $2.10 favorite and defeated Kembla Grange trainer Kerry Parker’s Bush Girl ($11) and leading Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup’s Pro Velocity ($8.50) in the Provincial Class 1 Handicap (1600m).

O’Rourke paid $60,000 for the daughter of Impending at the 2023 Inglis Classic yearling sale Highway session, and this was her second win, along with three placings.

Story by John Curtis, 12 December, 2025. Photo by Bradley Photos