By Frances O'Shea
An impressive debut win by Haysiri ($6.50 into $4.40 on TAB) has given Scone-based trainer Lou Mary the confidence to step the three-year-old up to Provincial grade at Wyong on Thursday.
The Dawn Approach gelding had his first start in a 1300m Maiden on May 12, Scone Cup Day, bringing up an eye-catching win after storming home over the final 200m.
He steps up to the 1350m CG&E BM 64 at Wyong, but Mary is confident he can handle the task.
“He pulled up very well from the Scone win. It was a beautiful first-up run and always good to win on the home track.
“He is still a bit immature and raw, and I don’t even think he knew what happened when he won,” Mary laughed.
“I’m very mindful that it was only a country maiden, but it was the way he won that we were taken by.
"Wyong is a very different track, but he has a good cruising speed, showed a good turn of foot at Scone and has done everything right since.
“You have to bring you’re A game to these Provincial meetings and I think he’s the horse to do it.”
French-born Mary, who has only been licensed for 2½ years, trains Haysiri for local breeder Greg White, the two having formed a connection after Mary purchased Nitride from White in an online auction.
The now seven-year-old went on to become one of the best horses in Mary’s stable and he was grateful when White approached him to train Haysiri.
“He had one preparation for me as a two-year-old but just wasn’t there mentally, so we turned him out.
"He developed foot abscess problems in the paddock so needed a decent amount of time to get over that. I was very happy when Greg rang and asked if I’d take him back.
“I’ve always had a good opinion of him and think he will be even better next preparation and could even get out to the mile.”
Chad Schofield, who partnered Haysiri to victory at Scone, will ride him again at Wyong. The form from the Scone maiden has been strong, with two subsequent winners and a number of placings from the beaten brigade.
Haysiri will have to contend with Kristen Buchanan’s last start Wyong winner Oakfield Waratah ($3.90) who lines up in the field of 10 and Mark Minervini’s Media Man ($6) chasing it’s third successive win.
The first of eight races gets underway at 12.10pm.
SELECTIONS
Race 1 – 12.10pm: THE IRIS FOUNDATION – WRC CHARITY PARTNER MAIDEN (1000m): 1 SATIN AND SILK, 2 Mafia, 3 World Alliance, 4 Orlabent.
Race 2 – 12.45pm: TICKETS ON SALE – WYONG’S NEXT COCKTAIL PARTY – SATURDAY JULY 15 4YO&UP MAIDEN (1350m): NOTABADONE, 2 Sir SMity, 3 Skyhawk, 4 Oakfield Opal.
Race 3 – 1.20pm: THE WYONG ROOS FOUNDATION – WRC CHARITY PARTNER MAIDEN (1600m): 1 DISHIN ‘N’ DANCIN, 2 Royal Promise, 3 Beach Party, 4 She Sends Kisses.
Race 4 – 1.55pm: NORTHLAKES TOUKLEY ROTARY – WRC CHARITY PARTNER CLASS 1 & MAIDEN (2100m): 1CALIFORNIA GRASS, 2 Four O’Clock Knock, 3 Viadelamore, 4 Perfection Man.
Race 5 – 2.35pm: WRC IS A PROUD SUPPORTER OF POLICE LEGACY F&M BM64 (1350m): 1 LEANDRA, 2 Golden Gate, 3 Star Impact, 4 Beirut Miss.
Race 6 – 3.10pm: WRC PROUDLY SUPPORTING THE PROSTATE CANCER FOUNDATION PROVINCIAL MAIDEN (1100m): 1 MISTY DREAMS, 2 Highway Patrol, 3 Orlabent, 4 Emphatic Bell.
Race 7 – 3.50pm: WYONG CUP CARNIVAL – SUNDAY AUGUST 27 & FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 1 CG&E BM64 (1350m): 1HAYSIRI, 2 Oakfield Waratah, 3 Trust The Process, 4 Windshadow.
Race 8 – 4.25pm: CLUBS NSW CENTRAL COAST MEN’S HEALTH CHARITY RACE DAY – THURSDAY JUNE 15 MIDWAY BM68 (1100m): 1 TOCOMAH, 2 Eyewitness, 3 Fire And Ice, 4 Mr Bingo.
View the final fields with full form & race replays for Wyong here