18/10/2026
Racing
from Colin Hodges.
Bred and owned by the Ryan family from Bathurst and trained by Andrew Ryan, Orchid Boy was an impressive winner on Friday at Bathurst.
A big three year old chestnut gelding, Orchid Boy was given plenty of time to settle by Chad Lever and in the straight looked powerful when overhauling the leaders to win the 1200 metres Newmarket Saddlery Maiden Handicap by a length from De Razilly (Deon Le Roux, $4.40) and Souline (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $41).
In early morning betting markets Orchid Boy was quoted at $11 however started a heavily backed $2.80 second favourite behind the unplaced Mi Piace ($2.30).
Ave, the dam of Orchid Boy, was a good race mare trained at Bathurst in partnership by Andrew Ryan and his late father, master trainer Don Ryan.
Ridden a great race by Winona Costin, the Jason Attard, Hawkesbury trained Prefer Diamonds ($4.20) came from the back of the field with an inside run to win the 2,000 metres Benchmark 66 Handicap by nearly a length from Godwits (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $7) and Kosuke (Clayton Gallagher, $5.50).
Godwits from the Todd Smith stable at Dubbo has been racing well this campaign and made a bold bid to lead all the way only to be overhauled in the closing stages.
There was a win for another Dubbo stable when the Connie Greig trained Miss Capricorn (Mikayla Weir, $8.50) reached the lead in the straight and held out Abstruse (Brodie Loy, $5.50) by a nose with Hanuman (Winona Costin, $3.30 favourite) a length away third in the Dean Mirfin Trainer Of The Year Benchmark 66 Handicap.
Mikayla Weir led throughout to win the 1200 metres Class 1 Handicap on the Sharon Jeffries, Parkes trained Written Gold ($16) while the other leg of a treble for Mikayla Weir was the Gary Portelli, Warwick Farm trained Strollin’ By ($2.45 favourite) in the 1200 metres fillies and mares Class 1 Handicap.
The day before he won The Everest at Randwick, Warwick Farm trainer Ciaron Maher won the 1100 metres Maiden Plate at Bathurst with Apiarist ($7.50) ridden by Louise Day.
Leading Randwick trainer Peter Snowden had a win with King Julian (Deon Le Roux, $6) while trainer Anthony Warren from Moss Vale won with Brutal Elegance (Brodie Loy, $6.50).
Racing at Mudgee on Saturday and Coonabarabran Cup on Sunday.
