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By Frances O'Shea

On a raceday paying tribute to Wyong’s talented training pool, it would be fitting if the longest serving local Rodney Bailey could taste success.

Bailey saddles up two runners at Thursday’s Wyong Trainers Raceday, last start winner Aussie Lindberg ($26 on TAB) and progressive four-year-old Mr Bingo ($18) and expects both to race well.

With only a small team in work, Bailey is enjoying one of his better seasons and is confident both his runners on Thursday will go on to win more races.

Aussie Lindbergh (Grant Buckley) scores at Gosford. Image by Bradley Photographers

Aussie Lindberg broke through for his maiden victory over the 1600m at Gosford on March 16 in his 17th start for the stable, with three previous placings.

Bailey said he had been “a work in progress” and needed time to improve his racing style.

“I always knew he had ability, but he was over-racing badly in his runs. We had to be patient and take him back in races to teach him not to pull too hard,” he said.

“He’s in his second prep for me now and is finally getting it together. We brought him online in 2021 and he’s owned by family and friends.

"Fortunately, they’ve allowed me to take my time with him and that paid off when he won last start. They were very excited on the day.”

The Proisir five-year-old, originally with the Bjorn Baker stable, has had 22 starts for a win and his three placings.

Bailey paid $6000 for the gelding and is hoping to add to the $40,000 plus prizemoney he has pocketed for connections when he starts in Thursday’s 16000m Class 1.

“He certainly hasn’t gone backwards since his Gosford win. A wet track won’t worry him if the rain keeps coming and Grant Buckley will ride him again.”

Bailey is also keen on the chances of Mr Bingo, who has had two wins and two placings since joining the stable in September last year.

The Hong Kong based-owner George Ma, who has been a client of Bailey’s since 2004, bred the Deep Field four-year-old.

“He won first-up for me and has been racing really well ever since. His last run at Hawkesbury was good finishing second over the 1100m.

“He’s in the same grade and over the same distance at Wyong which will suit, and I don’t think a rain-affected train will worry him either. Maddi Derrick has ridden him well in his last two starts and she’s on him again.”

Bailey, who recently turned 60, has around six horses in his name and works side by side with his son Callum, who has a pre-training and breaking-in business, from the family property just five minutes from the Wyong track.

“He does a great job and I’m proud of him. He helps me out and a lot of the Wyong trainers. I’m the third generation of my family involved in racing so it’s no surprise Callum went down the same path.”

Fellow Wyong trainers Amanda Davis, Damien Lane, Brett Partelle, Allan Kehoe, Kristen Buchanan, Kim Waugh, John Cooper and the Tracey Bartley all saddle up runners at the meeting.

The first of eight races gets underway at 12.50pm, with the track currently rated a Heavy 8.

SELECTIONS
Race 1 – 12.50pm: WYONG TRAINERS-CONTRIBUTING MORE THAN JUST WINNERS MAIDEN (1000M): 1 GILMORE, 2 Sumo Star, 3 Provencal, 4 Alegna.
Race 2 – 1.25pm: SARA RYAN RACING MAIDEN (1350m): 1 TWILIGHT ROCK, 2 Fiancetto, 3 Gulf Of Panama, 4 Star Legacy.
Race 3 – 2.05pm: ALLAN KEHOE RACING PROVINCIAL MAIDEN (1350m): 1 BEETSON, 2 Single Shot, 3 Yamba’s Award, 4 United Front.
Race 4 – 2.40pm: TRACEY BARTLEY RACING MAIDEN (2100m): 1 AUNT ROBERTA, 2 Rapid Impact, 3 Iberian Ruler, 4 The Golden Rule.
Race 5 – 3.20pm: DAMIEN LANE RACING CLASS 1 (1600m): 1 QUEENMAKER, 2 Xtrarevz, 3 By Nine, 4 Aussie Lindbergh.
Race 6 – 3.55pm: KRISTEN BUCHANAN OWNERS LOUNGE CLASS 1 (1350m): 1 FLYING DESTINY, 2 Warby, 3 Jovita, 4 King Adviso.
Race 7 – 4.35pm: KIM WAUGH RACING MIDWAY BM68 (1350m): 1 WRATHFUL, 2 Surfers Royale, 3 The Empire, 4 Starstruck Barbie.
Race 8 – 5.10pm: WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETING – THURSDAY APRIL 20 BM64 (1100m): 1 CAPPELLETTI , 2 Passistas, 3 Time For Victory, 4 The Storm in Me.

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