Wyong stayer Apache Belle outstayed short priced favourite Silvakia to win the TAB Cessnock Cup (2100m) at the Newcastle Jockey Club race meeting on the Beaumont track on Monday. Silvakia, the $2.25 favourite dashed to the lead at the top of the straight and looked certain to win however Apache Belle ($11.00) with 5.5 kilograms more weight to carry ran the favourite down to win by .38 of a length.
The winner is trained at Wyong by Wayne Seelin and it was the trainers second Cessnock Cup win. It was Apache Bells fifty seventh start for 9 wins and 14 placings for prizemoney of $254,895. It was the eight-year-old mares first start on the Beaumont track however, she won a 2300 metre Benchmark on the Newcastle course proper five starts back.
Seelin who is a quiet achiever with a small team came to prominence as the trainer of iron horse Isorick. The latter now 13 years of age had 155 starts for 116 wins and 37 placings for prizemoney of $816,525.
Kris Lees landed a double at the meeting with two promising 3-year-old fillies both ridden by stable apprentice Dylan Gibbons. The latter produced a gun ride on the Australian Bloodstock raced Solutionist a 2.6 length winner of The New Era Technology Maiden Plate (1150m). The filly a $4 chance drew barrier 9, but Gibbons got her across to be one off the fence in fourth place and she raced away from the opposition late in the race. It was Solutionists third start but her first after a seven-month spell. The famous Widden Stud is part of the ownership group.
The second of the Lees winners Bangetta a Hellbent filly was first up since June, but she had outstanding form last preparation. It was The Prince Of Merewether Maiden Plate (1150m) and the filly was heavily backed into $1.90 despite starting from barrier 12. Gibbons allowed Bangetta to settle near the tail of the field and she was third last near the home turn. Steered to the outside of the field on straightening Bangetta made a long-sustained run to reach the lead in the concluding stages.
The winner only recently returned to Lees Newcastle stable being in Queensland since May. She finished third in the Muswellbrook Miss Finland on debut in April and while in Queensland Bangetta was beaten .33 of a length by boom filly Miracle Of Love in a Doomben Maiden. The ownership group includes breeder Bob Hannon a long-time client of Max Lees and now Kris. The other owners include former top jockey Hilton Cope and well-known racing identity Evan Sperling and their wives. Kris Lees mother Vicki and Lees Racing are also in the ownership.
Aaron Bullocks great run of success continued as he rode two winners taking his season tally after three mounts to 37. He was aboard the Matthew Smith trained World Alliance the $2.80 favourite and winner of The Coastline Pools & Spa Class 1 Handicap (1150m). Bullock rode the winner of the Ken Maher Memorial (1200m) Due Diligence for Port Macquarie trainer Paul Shailer.
Paul Perry continued his run of success when Barkerloo came from back in the feild to win the Horsepower Feeds & Supplements Benchmark 58 (1850m). The winner was ridden by Reece Jones .