WYONG “YOUNGSTER” DOING IT IN STYLE

KRISTEN Buchanan has given some consideration to striking while the iron’s hot with yesterday’s impressive Warwick Farm Stylebender.

Bot most likely the Wyong trainer will stick to her original plan and wait for another week.

Stylebender ($8.50) ensured his 50^th start was one to remember when he outstayed his rivals to land the Benchmark 72 Handicap (2140m).

It was the Tavistock gelding’s seventh victory – and six have been under Buchanan’s banner.

Stylebender is rising nine years of age, but don’t refer to him as old.

Certainly not when you are discussing him with his trainer.

“Stylebender is like a three-year-old; he is very spritely,” Buchanan said today.

“He’s a very tough horse, and when nominations for next Wednesday’s 2400m Benchmark 78 Handicap at Rosehill Gardens were extended, I decided to put in an entry.

“But at this stage I will keep him an extra week for another Benchmark 72 Handicap (2100m) back at Warwick Farm on March 4.

“Stylebender has pulled up well from yesterday’s race, and Mollie Fitzgerald gave him a textbook ride.”

Stylebender began his career in a Sydney stable, and broke through in a 2000m Maiden Plate at Kembla Grange in June 2021 on a heavy track at his 13th start.

He joined Buchanan’s yard in 2023, but needed a lengthy spell and didn’t begin racing for her until

September the following year.

Whilst he has been ridden by senior jockeys Aaron Bullock and Jay Ford in two of those six wins for Buchanan, it’s clear she has a particular affinity with the “girls”.

The late apprentice Bronte Simpson won twice on Stylebender, including her first ever victory when resuming over 1500m at Muswellbrook in May last year.

“Bronte loved Stylebender, and he loved her,” Buchanan said.

“Mollie (Fitzgerald) has also won twice on him.

“Stylebender is a bit quirky, and seems to appreciate the girls being kind to him,” Buchanan explained to him.

“That obviously goes a long way, and he does the rest.”

. Fellow Wyong trainer Wayne Seelin followed Buchanan’s win with Stylebender by scoring at Hawkesbury today with Monty Be Quick ($11).

In an ironic twist, the former Australian Bloodstock six-year-old defeated the Australian Bloodstock raced Golden Smile ($5.50) in the Provincial Benchmark 64 Handicap (2000m).

Monty Be Quick is the first horse Seelin’s son Joel has raced after buying him online for $4750 last October.

The former UK gelding, under apprentice Mitch Stapleford, produced a superb front-running display to leave his rivals with no excuses, and gave his new owner his second win with him.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, FEBRUARY 19, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS