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By Tony Megahey

Winona Costin revived a career defining memory riding a winning double at last Monday’s Sapphire TAB meet and with an increased workload, she’s the value at Monday’s Tuncurry-Forster TAB race day.

Extended travel has never fazed now Hawkesbury based Winona with four rides at Friday’s Mudgee meeting, two at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, five more at Hawkesbury Sunday into Monday.

She’s big value on Kylie Gavenlock, Gosford, stablemates Humpty Doo and Alfred at Tuncurry.

In early 2014, as a fledgling apprentice Winona (pictured) rode an astounding five winners from seven races at Sapphire, a record to stand for the ages and led to an apprenticeship with Gai Waterhouse. Then at Moruya in late 2016 Winona rode four winners and became the Club’s racing ambassador.

Her Monday rides, at lengthy odds Humpty Doo with 59kg contests a Tuncurry Beach Bowling Club Mdn 1600m and Alfred 57kg in a South Pacific Palm Motel Mdn 1300m.

Humpty Doo, after a tidy fourth first-up in a tougher Scone Mdn, will be fitter.

So too Alfred who is resuming but readied with a recent Wyong trial and he too ran a handy fourth at Scone last prep before failing at Wyong.

Winona, returned from extended time in Melbourne and limited opportunities, has relocated and linked again with her original agent Tony Haining.

“She’s happy based at Hawkesbury, riding as well and confident as I’ve seen her, more opportunities and has that association with Gai (Waterhouse) 100%,” Haining said.

Tthe trainer invariably to be relied upon is Taree’s Tony Ball, the veteran decade long Godolphin foreman who has Xtra Approval attempting a third successive win and last start winner Where’s the Fire.

Ball has Xtra Approval contesting a Bellevue Golden Mile BM 82, 1600m with 57kg less the 2gk claim for rising apprentice Siena Grima.

“He’s just grown a leg this prep, rising seven but just about wins again,” Ball enthused.

“Well weighed with the claim, this race is no harder and he can get over the top of them again.

“The little girl (Siena) rode him a pearler in the Kempsey Cup and they relate. She’s four wins from six for me, the next top apprentice from this area.”

All the fields, form and replays for Monday's Tuncurry meeting