2 days ago
Wyong race day tips, inside mail and preview for Sunday, August 17, 2025
Trainer Lee Curtis is eager for the return of their stable star Bauhinia and he's looking to add some black type to her resume in the near future.
The four-year-old daughter of Hellbent already has a feature-race win at Wyong having taken out the Wyong Magic Millions Stakes in December last year.
Curtis, who trains in partnership with his wife Cherie, said the stable have their eye firmly on another local feature with Wyong's $200,000 Mona Lisa Stakes later this month circled on the calendar.
The duo are hoping her preparation gets off to a flyer when she resumes at Wyong on Sunday in the Mona Lisa Stakes Prelude Plate over 1200m.
'She's certainly come back bigger and stronger as a four-year-old mare and it's exciting to have her back and at the races,' Curtis said.
'Nothing went right for her up on the Gold Coast but she's had a nice spell and it's done her a world of good.
'Her two trials have been good. Jeff (Penza) rode her in the first one and he's aboard on race day.
'Both her first-up runs have been good and she obviously won when resuming last time in so hopefully it's the same on Sunday.'
With Penza in the saddle, Bauhinia has drawn a perfect gate in barrier three of the seven horse field.
Almost every horse in the field will have an advantage of race fitness over Bauhinia but Curtis is hoping her class can shine through.
The likes of Regimental Colours, Dollar Magic and Lulumon have been up and running throughout the winter period while Countyourblessings returns off a let up from the Brisbane carnival.
'The market says she's the horse to beat but the field has come up pretty strong,' Curtis said.
'A lot of those mares have form throughout the off season period and will be looking to catch us first-up.
'But hopefully she shows her class and with the improvement we expect from her, hopefully she gets it done.'
Bookmakers posted Bauhinia as the $2 favourite to make her return to racing as a winner.
A few races later will see Still Alice also make her return to racing in the Mounties Group Benchmark 64 over 1100m.
A full sister to the Curtis' former stakes winner Meryl, Still Alice took a bit of time to mature but went to another level during her most recent preparation.
The stable had Meryl up and early as a two-year-old having run in the Gimcrack Stakes on debut before returning in the summer to win the BJ McLachlan Stakes and contest the 2018 Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
'She's a full sister to Meryl and Meryl was up as an early two-year-old and won a BJ McLachlan,' Curtis said.
'This girl is a bit different because she took but I liked the way she returned going into last preparation and I've got similar thoughts now.
'I think she was just a very immature girl early on but she's going super now and you're seeing that in her performances on race day.
'She won first-up over this track and distance last time in so hopefully she can do the same this time around.'
Bookies posted Still Alice as a double-figure chance to return as a winner with Peter Snowden's debut winner Johnny heading the market as a $3.50 favourite.
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WYONG TIPS
BEST BET
Race 7 No.9: ROYAL SUPREMACY
The best placed horse I've seen for a long time. Only bad luck can beat him.
NEXT BEST
Race 4 No.5: BAUHINIA
Talented mare that is stakes class. Winner at the track and should be able to chalk up another here on her way to the Mona Lisa.
VALUE BET
Race 6 No.10: STILL ALICE
A winner first-up over the same track and trip last time in and judging by her trials, she's returned even better.
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
BRAITH NOCK has a super book of rides across the card, highlighted by Royal Supremacy in the last.
QUADDIE
Race 4: 5
Race 5: 1, 3, 5
Race 6: 2, 10, 11, 14
Race 7: 9
WYONG INSIDE MAIL
RACE 1: CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1600m)
ZELJKO (3) enjoyed the heavy conditions last time out at Kembla Grange and maps to get a super run in transit. Throughout five career starts, he's never missed a place and looks likely to continue that trend here. NKOSI (1) adds plenty of intrigue into this race as a former Kiwi that's won over the staying trips. Has had two good trials and while he's likely to improve for the run, I think he's got a bit of class. TESSY TEE (5) next best.
BET: ZELJKO to win.
RACE 2: 4YO&UP MAIDEN HANDICAP (1100m)
KARMARDO (2) comes out of a strong race at Kembla. Sat up on the speed before tiring and finishing in a midfield position. Drawn out wide but has the speed to cross and lead and with the fitness benefit, he can break through for a maiden victory. CHILLI CRAB (3) looks to be the only conceivable danger. Two strong trials ahead of his return has him primed for a forward showing.
BET: KARMADO to win.
RACE 3: 3YO MAIDEN PLATE (1200m)
ARTISTIC VENTURE (9) returns off two strong trials. Finished third in the Inglis Millennium earlier this year and a repeat of that will see her win this by a long way. Just needs luck from barrier 12. THE MAGIC MAN (6) hasn't won in seven starts but has run some ripping races. Had no luck last time out at Rosehill when trapped wide without cover but should get every chance here from barrier one.
BET: ARTISTIC VENTURE to win.
BAUHINA's (5) best career performance came at this track and trip when taking out the Magic Millions Wyong Stakes earlier this year. Had excuses at her next subsequent start on the Gold Coast. Has been prepared for this with two trials and is drawn well in gate three. COUNTYOURBLESSINGS (1) gets here off a freshen up after running second to Kin in the Gai Waterhouse Classic. Gives them all weight but has class. DOLLAR MAGIC (3) is a prolific placegetter. Hasn't won in a while but continues to race well.
BET: BAUHINIA to win.
RACE 5: MIDWAY BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1350m)
FLYING ORCHID (3) looks to be a horse of some promise following a dominant win on debut at Newcastle. Has had a short spell since and resumes off a few trials. FLYING ARGYLE (1) is steadily improving with each run. Has the top weight to carry but should be at his peak fourth-up into the campaign.
BET: FLYING ORCHID to win.
RACE 6: BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1100m)
STILL ALICE (10) has turned in two strong trials ahead of her return. Shaped up in some strong races last time in. Two for three at the track and also a strong first-up performer. HYDROMETER (1) bled last time out so you can forgive him of the effort. Has looked sharp at the trials ahead of his return and is also a winner around Wyong. SHIRVINGTON (2) won two for three last campaign and resumes off two trials. Has a big win at this track and distance and that came first-up from a spell.
BET: STILL ALICE each-way.
ROYAL SUPREMACY (9) is a weighted certainty. Perfectly placed here in a Class 6 as a horse with a rating of 94 following his last start victory at Randwick. Maps to get a good run from barrier three with Braith Nock in the saddle. AGE OF SAIL (4) is first-up off a Sydney Cup preparation. Should only improve for the run but he's got a bit of class about him. EL JASOR (5) was solid first-up from a break at Randwick when running on behind Travolta. Likely to be back and running on late.
