By Frances O'Shea
Lou Mary has been a fan of Wyong since his talented mare Proverbial broke through for her maiden win just over a year ago.
And while he doesn’t get the opportunity to race there too often, he comes to Saturday’s Connect Social race meeting with two strong chances.
Scone-based Mary saddles up Piccinni ($10 on TAB) in the 2100m BM64 and Kaisa ($13) in the 1600m Maiden and believes both are capable of winning.
“They are both doing really well, and I am confident,” Mary said.
“When you come to these Provincial tracks with good surfaces and good jockeys, you give your horses the best opportunity to perform at their best.”
Well-bred four-year-old Piccinni, a daughter of Pierro, is primed for a strong performance stepping up to her ideal distance over the 2100m.
She put together back-to-back wins over similar ground at Tamworth and Scone last preparation and has had two runs this time in which pleased her trainer.
“I’ve been taking my time with her, and this looks like an ideal race.
"Her run at Rosehill when resuming was good.
"She made up plenty of ground in the final stages.
“Second up I put her in a BM78 at Randwick. She did a bit too much work early and was a bit flat footed around the 450m but still battled on well.
“Back in grade at Wyong and over this distance she should be right in it. She looks amazing, all dappled up and she worked a treat on Wednesday. I’ve got a good opinion of her and think in time she’ll get out over the mile and a half, if not further.”
Mary is hoping his mare Kaisa can go one better than her last start second at Wyong on December 8. The lightly raced four-year-old has had two placings from just four starts, both since joining the Mary stable.
“There were excuses for her last start. She’s a real winning chance on Saturday over the same distance.
“She was to run at Gosford last Saturday, but I was concerned the track may have been downgraded. I’m hoping it’s a blessing in disguise, and she can get the job done.
“She spent a long time in the paddock before she came to me, and the owners have been very patient. I think she’s a genuine Provincial horse.”
Mary’s attentions will be divided on Saturday, with Proverbial lining up in the Highway at Rosehill, but he’ll be trackside at Wyong and hopeful of saddling up a double.
The first of seven races gets underway at 1.15pm.
SELECTIONS
Race 1 – 1.15pm: DE BORTOLI WINES MAIDEN (1600m): 1 ASVA, 2 Beauty Crusade, 3 Gleefilly, 4 Kaisa.
Race 2 – 1.50pm: BISHOP COLLINS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS BM64 (2100m): 1 CLASSIC DEEL, 2 Brave Angel, 3 Portnoy, 4 Celestial Fury.
Race 3 – 2,25pm: PRIORITY BUSINESS LAWYERS MIDWAY MAIDEN (1000m): 1 CLOVELLY, 2 Super Freds, 3 Mr Kennedy, 4 First Class Holley.
Race 4 – 3.05pm: WYONG ROOS FOUNDAION F&M CLASS 1 (1350m): 1 OVERRIDING, 2 Beirut Miss, 3 Fairway Star, 4 Galactic Angel.
Race 5 – 3.45pm: GO ELECTRICAL CG&E CLASS 1 (1350m): 1 WILD IRISH ROVER, 2 Sealion, 3 Global Encounter, 4 Watch The Clock.
Race 6 – 4.25pm: CARLTON & UNITED BREWERIES MAIDEN (1350m): 1 MISTER HEMSWORTH, 2 Bucks Party, 3 Ranhita, 4 Eau De Vie.
Race 7 – 5.05pm: WYONG’S NEXT RACES JANUARY 18TH AND 22ND PROVINCIAL BM68 (1200m): 1 CHIPPER, 2 True Crime, 3 Isorich, 4 Fleet Air Arm.
View the final fields with full form & race replays for Wyong here