The Championships Day 2: Sara Ryan’s patience pays off as Matcha Latte caps comeback in Provincial Midway Championships Final at Randwick

Trainer Sara Ryan’s perseverance with injury-plagued galloper Matcha Latte was rewarded with success in the Provincial Midway Championships Final at Randwick.

Matcha Latte capped his comeback from injury with victory in the Provincial-Midway Championships Final at Randwick. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

From injury-plagued, heartbreak horse to a $1m feature race Royal Randwick win.

This has been the road to success for comeback galloper Matcha Latte, winner of the rich Provincial Midway Championships Final (1400m).

Sara Ryan took over the training of Matcha Latte two years ago this month but during this period, the gelding has only raced five times due to leg injuries.

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

But Ryan’s patience and perseverance was rewarded when Matcha Latte held off Lord Of Biscay in a thrilling finish.

“Matcha Latte’s broken my heart more times than once but we love him,’’ Ryan said.

“I’ve always known his ability, and for him to go and do that, it’s just fantastic. A big thanks to my team to get a horse like him back to perform at his absolute top.

“As a provincial trainer, this is our championship so to come out here and win it with a horse like him after so many issues is fantastic.’’

Matcha Latte ($4.20), ridden by Ashley Morgan, responded the challenge of Lord Of Biscay ($2.70 favourite), holding off his rival to win by a long head.

Trainer Kris Lees had to settle for second and third in the Final with Imposant ($31) two lengths away third.

🍵 Sipping victory!
Matcha Latte takes the Provincial-Midway Championships Final, another win to @AshMorgan6 for @sara_r_racing! 🎉 @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/wyRneoNKAh

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 12, 2025

• What the jockeys said: Day 2 of The Championships

Ryan secured her second feature race win at Royal Randwick after her $3m Big Dance success with Attractable two years ago.

It was a terrific training effort by Ryan to get Matcha Latte back to top form but she deflected the praise to the five-year-old gelding.

“It’s honestly him, he’s such an obliging animal,’’ Ryan said.

“Horses can lose confidence when they hurt themselves but he just wants to be here.”

Matcha Latte also continued the breakout season for Morgan who rode his first Group 1 winner on unbeaten Private Harry in The Galaxy and also partnered that sprinter to win The Sunlight.

Morgan said Ryan deserves a lot of the credit for Matcha Latte’s win.

“A great job by Sara because the horse had his issues and she’s done a great job to rehab him and bring him back,’’ Morgan said.

“His form as a three-year-old was top class, and he ran second in the Cameron behind a Group 1 winner (Here To Shock).

“It was clear standout form, and the horse was just coming right.’’

Matcha Latte’s win gave Sara Ryan great delight. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Morgan was able to give Matcha Latte the run of the race in fourth spot with cover although he knew Lord Of Biscay (James McDonald) was following his every move.

“The barrier helped, I was happy to take the sit, then Matcha Latte actually quickened better than I thought he would,’’ Morgan said.

“We sort of lobbed there a bit too soon and Kris’ horse (Lord Of Biscay) had his chance to get us, but he really dug in late.”

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Unbeaten filly goes from bush to Listed win in three runs

Spicy Lu had already created a piece of racing history before she won the opener on day two of The Championships at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

The Nick Olive-trained two-year-old Spicy Lu had won her first two starts at Cowra and Albury against older horses, which is believed to be a first by a juvenile in Australian racing.

But Spicy Lu proved that her bush victories were no fluke when she led throughout to win the Listed $200,000 Fernhill Mile (1600m).

Queanbeyan-based Olive said Spicy Lu had always shown “good ability” so he was expecting the filly to run a competitive race.

“When you win a country race it is a big step up to a stakes race,’’ Olive said.

“But this filly just keeps getting the job done.’’

Spicy Lu leads all the way to remain unbeaten and win the Listed Fernhill Mile with @RachelK11 in the saddle for @nickoliveracing! 🎉@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/4QD6IG6bp6

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 12, 2025

Spicy Lu ($6) was superbly rated in front by Rachel King and she safely held the pack to win by almost two lengths from Tupakara ($3.90) with Lady Pankhurst ($6) a nose away third.

Michelangelo ($3.20 favourite) wasn’t suited by the slow early tempo and finished fifth.

Spicy Lu was bought by Olive for just $30,000 at the Magic Millions sale last year and has now amassed nearly $140,000 from her three wins.

Olive said Racing And Sports form expert Simon Dinopoulos, who does some of the form and ratings for his stable, convinced the trainer to run Spicy Lu in the Fernhill Mile.

“After the filly won at Albury, Simon told me we had to go to the Fernhill so I owe him for that,’’ he said.

“Before the race, I said to Rachel that they might underestimate this filly so try to go to the front and dictate terms because if they leave you alone she would be hard to run down.’’

Olive is considering giving Spicy Lu her chance in the Group 1 $1m Champagne Stakes (1600m) next weekend.

Originally published as The Championships Day 2: Sara Ryan’s patience pays off as Matcha Latte caps comeback in Provincial Midway Championships Final at Randwick