![WET AND WIDE: Jockey Mitchell Bell riding Rare Episode to a win at Kembla Grange. Photo: Adam McLean. WET AND WIDE: Jockey Mitchell Bell riding Rare Episode to a win at Kembla Grange. Photo: Adam McLean.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc72szkxlx8tt20gxyovy.jpg/r0_176_3444_2120_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Gwenda Markwell reclaimed her title as the undisputed Queen of Kembla Grange last season and the trainer looks to be making sure her stable holds onto the crown in 2018-19.
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Markwell won both the Kembla and Overall Trainers’ premierships last season after missing out on latter title in a shock loss twelve months earlier.
She has started the new season in strong fashion again and had her best day of 2018 so far at her home track on Saturday afternoon.
Markwell’s memorable day out saw the leading horsewoman train four winners, including three of the last four races on the card.
Angel Of Truth (race two), Juaphikoa (race five), Bolord (race seven) and Miss Jenny (race eight) all saluted at Kembla Grange.
Angel Of Truth is already building a promising record for Markwell after just three career starts as he made it back-to-back victories at the Illawarra Turf Club.
The Animal Kingdom three-year-old wore down Chris Waller’s Smiling Manolito in the straight to prevail by a neck in the Lawrence Hargrave Private Hospital Class 2 Handicap (1600m).
“He is going good,” Markwell said.
“He isn’t a flash worker on track and only really does what he has to do so that’s why we went straight to a mile.
“He will get over further than that but is still very immature.”
Shortly after heavy rain lashed Kembla, Markwell had her second on the card when Juaphikoa lapped up the rain-affected track to win his first race in more than a year.
Regular jockey Chad Lever had his second on the card after guiding home Bolord before Miss Jenny broke her maiden tag under the urging of Keagan Latham.
- STRONG DISPLAY
Talented prospect Stronger is poised to target the $500,000 Inglis Nursey next month after impressing on debut at Kembla Grange on Saturday.
A $1.05 million yearling purchase, Stronger was a class above under a confident ride from Koby Jennings in the Rotary Phillipines Project 2YO Maiden Plate (900m).
The son of Not A Single Doubt settled in the box seat before extending 1-¼ lengths clear of Kurt Goldman’s Outta Reach. Theresa Bateup’s Freaky Freckles was third.
"I am really pleased with that actually," Bloodstock agent James Harron said.
"He was very relaxed and paraded beautifully. [Trainers Peter and Paul Snowden] have him really nice and professional. He took it all in and it was a really nice polished display.”
Stronger was purchased at the 2018 Australian Easter Inglis Yearling Sale, making him eligible to contest the Nursey race for two-year-olds at Royal Randwick.
"That's the plan," Harron said.
"We still have to work out if we will give him a run in the meantime. He might go to the Max Lees Classic or just trial again.
"The ultimate plan though is that Inglis race provided he goes well.
"He is still a baby but definitely going places.”