Gwenda Markwell has effectively wrapped up another Kembla Grange overall trainers premiership after a successful day on her home track, finishing with three placings and a winner
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Charm Offensive fell short in his late bid for horse of the year, running fifth in a BenchMark 64 to remain third in the standings behind leader Canyonero.
The results saw Markwell pull clear of nearest rivals Peter and Paul Snowden while the trainer also unearthed a handful of promising types in the process.
A meeting was scheduled for Saturday July 31, the final day of the season. It is, however, set to be moved to Sunday August 1 as a result of COVID restrictions.
Comeback Star led the charge with an impressive victory in a 1200 metres maiden handicap.
The gelding finished ahead of Robert and Luke Price's Uncle Al Pal and stablemate Miss Tulip, the filly recently arriving at Kembla Grange from Clare Cunningham.
Markwell will progress Comeback Star through the grades, while the trainer's confident a win is not far away for Miss Tulip.
A pair of late two-year-olds also impressed for the stable, Fear Index unlucky in a 1000m maiden while filly Flying Squad was second in a separate 1000m maiden.
Jockey Glen Boss was impressed with the filly's showing, the veteran confident she can eventually claim a race in town.
"She just wants a little bit of a sit, just off them," Boss said. "I think she can conserve a bit more energy and she'll be a better chaser.
"All in all, she just tries and she'll win her next start."
Fear Index was seventh behind Queen Of Dubai, the $500,000 yearling prevailing in a blanket finish.
The filly defeated a crop of promising soon-to-be three-year-olds including Vesuvio and Air Command.
Apprentice Brock Ryan rode the Markwell gelding and while he endured a tough run, the jockey tipped a bright future for the horse.
"He's very green and raw, he's gone enormous," Ryan said. "He's a horse that needs a bit of galloping room, he's a big striding horse.
"He was just getting into his stride and I just got chopped. From the 100, they just shut the gate on me and I had to check him. We didn't really get to see what he could have done, he wasn't fully tested.
"He's a nice horse, just things didn't go our way."
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Cameron Mee
Sports reporter at the Canberra Times
Sports reporter at the Canberra Times
