Bowery Breeze has delivered on his potential by securing a debut win at Kembla Grange on Saturday.
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The Paul Cave-trained filly ($7), ridden by Grant Buckley, overcame a slow start to win the F&M Maiden Plate over 1000m from Piping Roller, Van Giz and favourite Bollywood on a heavy track.
Bowery Breeze grabbed attention by winning an open trial at Warwick Farm on September 5. Five weeks later, she won on debut.
Jockey Grant Buckley said Saturday's race "did not go to plan whatsoever" but the three-year-old showed promising form.
"I had to throw a few rules out of the book when I jumped... I sort of got caught in a bad position," he said.
"[But] she sort of brought herself out of it and I had to wait. I counted to 10 and waited for the run and she did the best.
"Paul Cave said she had some talent and he is not wrong. I think she is heading in the right direction. It's obviously up to Paul to decide what's next, but he's definitely got a nice horse there."
A strong contingent of Sydney-trained horses were expected to dominated the Illawarra Turf Club's Disability Trust Race for Kids Day, which was held in wet and overcast conditions.
The visitors did not disappoint, with Sydney trainers boasting seven winners out of the eight races.
David Pfieffer had two successful runners. Cape Wickham, ridden by Jean Van Overmeire, won the final race, the Benchmark 64 Handicap over 1600m.
Earlier in the day, Pfieffer's Coolgardie, ridden by Christian Reith, pipped the highly fancied Shadow Colour to win the CG&E Maiden Plate over 1000m.
"Things went to plan and we were able to get a good ride in behind the field. All he [Coolgardie] had to was finish off and he was able to do so," Reith said.
"He felt great... it's all just about getting him to relax and breathe properly, and we were able to do that.
"He [jockey Koby Jennings on Shadow Colour] was always going to get to me, it just took a bit to hit top gear. Once Coolgardie was in, he was strong."
It was a delightful double for trainer James Cummings.
Golwen, ridden by Jeff Penza, won the CG&E Maiden Handicap over 1400m while the Cummings-trained Asiago, ridden by James Buckley, saluted in the Benchmark 64 over 1200m.
Malthouse, trained by Sydney's Jason Coyle and ridden by Jess Taylor, won the Class 1 Handicap over 1200m.
And jockey Travis Wolfgram guided the Gerald-Ryan trained Buba to victory in the F&M Maiden Handicap over 1400m.
Flying the flag for Kembla Grange were trainers Robert and Luke Price when Cuban Royale saluted in the Bruce Tener Memorial over 1000m.
The five-year-old gelding ($3.40), ridden by Louise Day, secured victory from Ariege, Legislation and Sweetest Eyes.
"I thought he [Cuban Royale] was really good," Luke Price said.
"I didn't like to see that rain we got last night, but I knew he was the best horse in the race. He's got a bit of quality about him."
Day said Cuban Royale felt a "million dollars" despite racing on a "very testing" track.
"He jumped good and, with the big weight, I didn't want to have to be dragging him back or him to cross too much," she said.
"But we just stayed where we were and came out nice and wide for the better ground. They reckon he's not as effective on the wet ground, but his class prevailed today and he fought hard.
"He didn't feel like he hated it [the track], but I'm sure he can go even better on a firm track. He came home strongly, especially his last few strides."
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