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By Frances O'Shea

Denim Wynen is confident she can saddle up a home track winner at Saturday’s final Wyong meeting of the season.

Obvious Step ($5.50 on TAB) lines up in the Happy 50th Birthday Darin F&M Benchmark 64 Hcp, 1350m and Wynen believes the consistent mare is primed to bring up win number six.

Obvious Step (Serg Lisnyy) scoring at Newcastle. Image by Bradley Photographers

The five-year-old daughter of Sidestep was narrowly beaten at her last start at Gosford over 1200m on July 6, finishing less than a length behind the winner.

Wynen has opted to back her up 10 days later knowing she is race fit and ready to win.

“I really think she’ll be hard to beat. I thought she should have won last start at Gosford, but she didn’t get any clear running in the straight.

“Her first two runs this time in were in a lot tougher company and then she had no luck at her past two starts at Gosford and Newcastle.

“She meets the top two horses on Saturday with some weight relief and plenty of race fitness.”

It will be the first time Obvious Step has raced on her home track and Wynen is hoping it won’t be an issue.

“She’s a bit of a hot head but really quiet when she gets to the races. I’m not sure how she will cope with just walking down the road to the race day stalls but if she handles that okay I think she can win.”

Wynen has opted for a rider change in Heavelon Van Der Hoven, on the recommendation of one of her owners.

“He comes from the same place as one of the owners, naturally he’s a bit of a fan, so we decided to go with him. He rides well and I was happy to get him on.”

Wynen is shooting for her fifth winner for the season and happy with how things are ticking along for her small stable.

“I’ve got two young children and do everything myself, so having just six in work is a good number. We’ve had a pretty good season and I’m excited about the prospects of several of the horses in the stable.”

It could by a big day for the Wyong trainers, who saddle up 16 runners across the eight races.

The meeting will be last for General Manager Robin Taylor, who leaves at the end of July to take up a position as General Manager of Forster Tuncurry Golf Club.

The first of eight races gets underway at 12.05pm, with the track currently rated a soft 5, with the rail in the true position.

SELECTIONS
Race 1 – 12.05pm: BEST WISHES ON YOUR RETIREMENT KEVIN MILLER MAIDEN (1100m): 1 PUDACIOUS, 2 Condordia, 3 Gardenzio, 4 Desert Safari.
Race 2 – 12.40PM: GERMANY – WWC 2023 – WELCOME TO WYONG MAIDEN (1350m): 1 PRINCESS RAYAA, 2 Encroachment, 3 Gago, 4 Lod Bob.
Race 3 – 1.15pm: WYONG CUP CARNIVAL AUGUST 27 & SEPTEMBER 1 2YO MAIDEN (1200m): 1 HIGH KING, 2 Broadway Bouncer, 3 Global Pivot, 4 Bucareli Bay.
Race 4 – 1.5opm: THE KIMBERLEY BURK CELEBRATION PROVINCIAL MAIDEN (1600m): 1 COMMUNITY, 2 Ideel Hero, 3 Killer Kerr, 4 Penfold Park.
Race 5 – 2.25pm: DREW CHIVAS MEMORIAL BM64 (1600m): 1KOKOSHNIK,2 Scat’s Surfer Girl, 3 Nyika, 4 Badda Boom Baby.
Race 6 – 3.05pm: GO MATILDAS 2023 – FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP MIDWAY CLASS 1 (1200m): 1 C’MON MATE, 2 Lady Harlem, 3 Chipper, 4 Vindication.
Race 7 – 3.45pm: HAPPY 50TH DARIN F&M BM64 (1350m): 1 SHIFFRIN, 2 Hinchinjive, 3 Hallavadancer, 4 Obvious Step.
Race 8 – 4.20pm: GET WELL SOON GARY HARLEY CG&E BM64 (1350m): 1 SKYLIGHT SON, 2 Smooth Flight, 3 Royal Charge, 4 Hollywood Hero.

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