A Thursday meeting at Hawkesbury, 19th May 2022 saw Willinga Ruffio (Dundeel NZ/Sylvaner NZ) take out race one, The HRC Motel Maiden Handicap over 1500m.

This 3-year-old bay gelding jumped only fairly from barrier 5 but soon found himself in second position, tailing the race favourite in Uncaged (Bobby’s Kitten/Sense And Reason). Ridden brilliantly by in-form Apprentice Jockey Tyler Schiller, he patiently waited to join the leader at the turn. Responding in the straight to Tyler’s urgings he shifted gears to come away with a well-deserved victory. All in all, he was too good on debut with Denaru (So you Think/Full Sun) coming second and Powerbeel (Savabeel/Posy) in third.

Congratulations to the Owners, Willinga Park and their connections. May it be the first of many more winners to come.

Picture courtesy of Bradleys Photography