Wyong preview: Kylie Gavenlock’s youngsters Thebes and Alfred are aiming to cause upsets

A pair Kylie Gavenlock-trained two-year-olds are ready to spring a surprise on their rivals when they head to Wyong.

Trainer Kylie Gavenlock expects her improving two-year-olds Thebes and Alfred to be very competitive again when they head to Wyong. Picture: Grant Guy

Gosford trainer Kylie Gavenlock has been pleasantly surprised by the improvement of her juvenile pair Thebes and Alfred who are coming off solid performances and are ready to take another step forward again.

It wasn’t that long ago that Gavenlock thought the pair wouldn’t even make it to the races as two-year-olds let alone prove very competitive in their first few starts.

“They have both started their racing careers in good fashion. Early on, I didn’t think I would get them to the races this season but is just shows how they are progressing,” Gavenlock said.

Thebes finished fifth behind Titanium Miss on debut at Wyong but his run was better than it reads after sitting three-wide throughout.

Bartolf (So You Think x Lesley’s Choice) wins on his debut down at scone!👌🔥

This was a special win for the stable as it was the first win under the new training partnership🙌

Congratulations to all connections! pic.twitter.com/fgQkR0cL1b

— O'Shea & Charlton Racing (@JohnOSheaRacing) July 2, 2024

He then sat behind the leader and took an inside run when third to Bartolf over 1200m on a Heavy 10 track at Scone beaten just over a length and a half.

The Kim Harding-owned and bred son of American Pharoah continues to please Gavenlock ahead of his assignment in the Forbes Site Services 2YO Maiden Handicap (1300m).

“I was very happy with his run at Scone last start, especially as he is a horse who will be better next time in,” she said.

“He is a big horse and early on, I never thought he would get to the races as a two-year-old but he has come a long way in a short time.

“I think he is the type who will be better when he gets up in distance to a mile as well.

“He was doing everything right heading into that last run at Scone and he has continued to do very well.

“Unluckily, he has drawn a poor barrier again. I would have loved for him to have drawn in closer where he could box seat in the run but we will just have to hope for some luck from out there.”

Alfred, another bred and owned by Harding, sat a couple of lengths behind the leader and looked to be struggling after straightening on debut at Scone but picked up late to finish fourth behind Photograph over 1200m on a Heavy 10.

The son of Saxon Warrior steps out in the second of the juvenile races, the Quickcoat Waterproofing 2YO Maiden Handicap (1300m).

It's a first up win for Photograph! 📷@ZacLloydx and @JamesCummings88 combine to take out the first at @sconeraceclub! pic.twitter.com/l50jmt8seD

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 2, 2024

“He is another time in horse too,” Gavenlock said.

“He has come a long way from a horse who never looked like he would race at all as a two-year-old. He was very immature and still is with great big, long legs.

“He did a nice job on debut. He looked gone half way down the straight but he picked himself up rallied nicely. He kept fighting to the line.

“He will be another nice horse. These couple of runs have basically been education for him to teach him what racing is about.

“He will also be better when he gets out over a mile or further.”

Gavenlock’s third runner for the day is Fomorian in the Abcoe Central Coast Maiden Handicap (1600m).

The three-year-old has finished down the track in his three starts but Gavenlock feels a step up in trip and a better track rating can see the gelding run an improved race.

“He’s a massive horse with feet like dinner plates so those heavy tracks don’t help him,” she said.

“I think going to the mile and then getting up to 1850m and 2000m at his next couple of runs is what he is looking for.

“He has trialled okay for me so hopefully it is a case of the heavy tracks which have been hindering him and we can see an improved run from him this week.

BARTLEY BACKING WOODLANDER TO PROVE HARD TO BEAT

Trainer Tracey Bartley was left flabbergasted by the disappointing runs of Woodlander to start his campaign but a much improved effort last start gives him confidence the gelding will be hard to beat on his home track.

The four-year-old was working well according to Bartley but just didn’t perform to expectations which he put down to very wet tracks.

Getting back on a Soft 5 at Newcastle last start, Woodlander sat three-wide without cover and fought on gamely to finish a length second to Denman Star.

On that performance, Bartley feels he can win the Provincial Class 1 Handicap (1350m).

“I was really pleased with his run at Newcastle the other day. He had no luck whatsoever and still ran second.

First start for a win with new trainer Angela Davies ..

Denman Star perfectly ridden by Andrew Gibbon for a victory in the last at Newcastle.

Credit to Angela for presenting him in excellent order .. #🌶️ pic.twitter.com/84yn9WXZa1

— Capri Racing & Syndications (@capri_racing) July 16, 2024

“Zac (Wadick) has had that ride on him now and on his home track, he looks terribly hard to beat.

“He is definitely my best chance for the day.

“Even going into those other runs, I couldn’t fault his work at home and I was flabbergasted how bad he went.

“He is on a 10 day back up but seems to have come through the run really well.”

Bartley was disappointed with Dresden in his past two campaigns but is hoping can kick off his latest campaign with a bold showing in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m).

His best effort in those two preparations was a fourth behind Oakfield Wallaby at Wyong in December.

Before that, however, he won three of his last starts.

“His last two campaigns have been awful,” Bartley said.

“I have changed riders and changed his work a bit which will hopefully help him get back to his best. Mikayla knows him; she’s won on him before.

“The 1200m is short of his best but from barrier 2, he will lob just behind the speed and they will go quick enough that he won’t get a chance to fight (the rider).

“He’s definitely got the ability and hopefully we see him hitting the line strongly and getting some confidence back.”

Three-year-old gelding Jed has placed just two of his 13 starts but has been just behind the placegetters on a few occasions including a handy fifth to In Iso at Newcastle last week and can run a cheeky race in the Maiden Handicap (1600m).

“I thought he ran quite well at Newcastle,” he said.

“He’s on his home track and has drawn a good barrier so he will go forward and sit up on the speed somewhere.”

Originally published as Wyong preview: Kylie Gavenlock’s youngsters Thebes and Alfred are aiming to cause upsets