Wayne Wilkies and daughter Shae Wilkes combine to win MNCRA Country Championships Qualifier at Port Macquarie

Trainer Wayne Wilkes was filled with emotion as his daughter Shae rode Sumo Fish to victory at Port Macquarie on Sunday, booking a spot in April’s Country Championships Final at Royal Randwick.

Jockey Shae Wilkes and her father Wayne are off to the Country Championships Final at Randwick with Sumo Fish. Pictures: Bradley Photos, Getty Images

Trainer Wayne Wilkes was filled with emotion as his daughter Shae rode Sumo Fish to victory in Sunday’s MNCRA Country Championships Qualifier (1200m) at Port Macquarie.

The Taree-based conditioner was full of praise for his daughter as victory set up a trip to Royal Randwick in April for the $1m Country Championships Final.

“It was a perfect ride today, she didn’t panic and got him to the outside and he was really strong,” Wilkes said.

“She does all the gallops on him basically and works tirelessly in the stables.

“All this is 110 per cent credit to her for what she’s been doing.

“Proud of her as a father, a boss and everything.”

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Sunday’s win was the second time Wilkes has won the Mid North Coast Qualifier, with Lucciola Belle his previous winner.

While Shae Wilkes had plenty to do with Lucciola Belle, she conceded it was a different feeling winning the race as the jockey on top.

The opening Country Championships Qualifier goes to Sumo Fish for Team Wilkes! 🐟 🙌

Mckeon has also booked her ticket to Randwick!@port_races | @Wilkes_Racing | @racing_nswpic.twitter.com/NhTTdoIXXz

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 16, 2025

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“I had a lot to do with Lucciola Belle in trackwork when she won the qualifier a few years ago and I absolutely balled my eyes out that day,” Wilkes said.

“But this horse has been absolutely phenomenal for me and I can’t thank the owner and dad enough for letting me stick with him.

“He’s just a horse that can keep stepping up every time you ask him for that next effort.

“It’s just something I will never forget.”

"She works tirelessly"

Wayne Wilkes is incredibly proud has his daughter Shae Wilkes after Sumo Fish won the Country Championships Qualifier at @port_races today! 👏@Wilkes_Racingpic.twitter.com/pGQ3MVvLFm

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 16, 2025

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Wilkes admits she thought she was in a bit of trouble after getting back in the run but once she found clear room in the straight, she was confident Sumo Fish would be hard to hold out.

“They went a bit quick and I thought back further than what I expected,” Wilkes said.

“Then I got on the back of dad’s other horse, Laizabout, and he sort of didn’t take me into the run but once my horse got clear running he let down and was too good.

“He’s crying out for 1400 metres now so bring on Randwick.”

"Just something I'll never forget"

Hear from an emotional Shae Wilkes after her victory on Sumo Fish in the @port_races Country Championships Qualifier today! 🩷@Wilkes_Racingpic.twitter.com/Wooecywt1p

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 16, 2025

The Joseph Burgess-trained mare Mckeon finished second to join Sumo Fish in booking her spot in the Final at Randwick.

Originally published as Wayne Wilkies and daughter Shae Wilkes combine to win MNCRA Country Championships Qualifier at Port Macquarie