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By Frances O'Shea

In just 12 months Sara Ryan has forged a name for herself in racing and this Friday she could go down in history by adding a Carlton Wyong Gold Cup to her growing resume.

At just 29, Ryan would become the youngest trainer to claim the prestigious Cup and the first local to do so in many years.

Reece Jones takes The Mediterranean to the barriers at Rosehill. Image by Bradley Photographers

Irish import The Mediterranean ($21 on TAB) and Group 3 winner Parry Sound ($41) line up for Ryan in the capacity field of 16.

“They are both going really well, and either is capable of winning the race,” Ryan said.

“To win a Wyong Cup would mean so much to me, it would be fantastic. We want the Cup to stay in Wyong.”

Ryan said she has always had a very big opinion of The Mediterranean, who was placed third in the Listed-Winter Cup over 2400m at Rosehill in June.

“He’s a very interesting horse. He had very good form overseas but needed a wind operation when he came over here.

“It has taken ages to get him right and then when he came back from Queensland, he got travel sickness and needed a break.”

Ryan said she decided to take the Wyong and Newcastle Cup paths to see where he would progress.

“He’s a naturally fit horse and can retain that fitness. He’ll have to do a bit of work early from the barrier but will roll forward.”

Ryan has booked Reagan Bayliss for the ride and said he galloped both The Mediterranean and Parry Sound on Tuesday and was happy with both.

Parry Sound is second emergency and has gained a run with two scratchings above him already (Bold Mac and Navajo Peak).

“I’m really happy Parry Sound got a run because he’s absolutely flying. He was first-up in the Rowley Mile and his stats indicate it’s the best he’s ever come back.

“He gets back so the barrier doesn’t really matter and I’m hoping to engage a senior rider.”

Ryan will have to contend with one of the strongest Cup fields in recent years to see her dream come true.  A full field of 16 runners have accepted with four emergencies.

Chris Waller has three starters as he vies for his ninth Wyong Cup winner in 12 years. Kris Lees saddles up the equal favourite Kalapour ($5.50), who took out the Group 3-Chairman’s Handicap at Doomben in May. Hosier is the other $5.50 equal favourite.

Waller’s Olentia ($1.80), a Group 3 winner in the autumn, is TAB favourite for the Mona Lisa, the $200k Listed racing attracting a strong field of 15, with Damien Lane saddling up local hope Zorocat ($126).

The Nathan Berry Shield for the leading rider over the two days will be decided following Cup Day, with Adam Hyeronimus the current leader on 11, over Tyler Schiller on 10 and Jean Van Overmeire on seven. The first of eight races gets underway at 12.45pm.

SELECTIONS
Race 1 – 12.45pm: SENPOS POINT OF SALE PROVINCIAL BM64 (1600m): 1 BROADWAY BOUNCER, 2 Silvakia, 3 Oakfield Prince, 4 Blackcomb.
Race 2 – 1.20pm: WISEBERRY HERITAGE GROUP MIDWAY 4YO&UP MAIDEN (1350m): 1 MONOPOLY GIRL, 2 Drialle, 3 Bold Storm, 4 Miss Artfire.
Race 3 – 1.55pm: HUNTER PETROLEUM PRODUCTS CLASS 1 (1100m): 1 BETSY’S FLAG, 2 Jedibeel, 3 Tawfiq Star, 4 The King.
Race 4 – 2.35pm: CENTRAL COAST COOLROOMS DA VINCI – 3&4YO BM64 (1300m): 1 RAZORS, 2 Memoria, 3 Peace Officer, 4 Mercury Rose.
Race 5 – 3.10pm: BISHOP COLLINS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS SUPER MAIDEN (1200m): 1 BALKANS, 2 Cape Byron, 3 Xidaki, 4 Wild Calm.
Race 6 – 3.50pm: WYONG LEAGUES GROUP MONA LISA STAKES (1350m): 1 VA VIA, 2 Olentia, 3 Diamond Dealer, 4 Chassis.
Race 7 – 4.25pm: 2023 CARLTON WYONG GOLD CUP (2100m): 1 HOSIER, 2 Kalapour, 3 Spirit Ridge, 4 Military Mission.
Race 8 – 5.05pm: THE DOYLO SPRINGTIME CONDITIONAL BM68 (1100m): 1 FLYING DESTINY, 2 Chipper, 3 De Poet, 4 Major Murphy.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Wyong here