Murwillumbah trainer Matthew Dunn claimed his 45th win in the TAB Highway series when Neil took out last Saturday’s edition, a 1000-metre Class 3 handicap at Gosford. 
Nash Rawiller sent the $2.25 favourite straight to the front and was never headed, winning by a short neck from the late-charging Exit Fee, with Sunrise Ridge a further three-quarters of a length away in third place. 
It was a fourth win from 10 starts for the four-year-old Neil, whose dam is Diamond Fund. 
“Matt does a wonderful job with his horses and places them well,” Rawiller said. “When he brings them down here, they’re set for the race. 
“He (Neil) always begins well and to his credit he’s got a high cruising speed, so when he jumped cleanly there was no real urgency.”
Shades aid Smashing
In the previous race, the benchmark 72 Midway Handicap, Kembla Grange gelding Smashing Time did just that, leading all the way to set a new course record for 1200 metres as a $6.50 chance.
Rob Price, who trains Smashing Time in partnership with son Luke, said the four-year-old son of Brave Smash could have had a better record than 20 starts for four wins and $232,775. 
“He’s never really aimed up to what his true potential was and is the sort of horse that you’ll get two good runs out of every preparation so we’re mindful of that these days,” Price said. 
“He could probably win better races than he’s just won, but at the same time, everything was made to suit today. 
“It was a good run at Kembla the other day (second in a benchmark 64) but he switched off and was looking at the winning post and the horse that went past him … there was plenty in the tank. 
“Today, with the blinkers on, he was totally committed and we got the result.”
The winner, ridden by Adam Hyeronimus scored by a length from Spice Baby in 1:08.80.
Another Kembla stable to have a good day was that of Mitchell Beer and George Carpenter, who had a winning double on their home track.
They won the 1400-metre benchmark 68 with $2.50 favourite Magical Moments and two races later the 1600-metre benchmark 64 with McAdam ($3.80). 
Both were ridden by Jean Van Overmeire and both won by 2¼ lengths.
Another local trainer to lead in a winner at the Kembla meeting was Kerry Parker, who took out the 1000-metre Class 1 with All The Way Mae ($7), ridden by Brock Ryan. 
The winner, a three-year-old filly having her sixth race start, was impressive in winning by 2¾ lengths from The Pacific.
Mak attack pays off
Punters were on the ball at Moruya last Sunday with four favourites successful on the seven-race card.
One of them was well backed Canberra three-year-old Makhachev ($2.45), who took the $50,000 Super Maiden (1200m) by a length and three-quarters.
 The winner is trained by Anthony Warren and completed a double for apprentice Coriah Keatings. 
The feature Ulladulla Cup, a bencmark 66 over 1425 metres, went to another Canberra trainee, Missile Leader ($7.50), who scored by a length and a half under Nick Heywood for the stable of Keith Dryden and Libby Snowden.
The benchmark 58 Mothers Day Cup went to the day’s longest-priced winner, Exceed Success ($13), ridden by Louise Day for Moruya’s Jamie Stewart.
Jam-packed with quality
All eyes will be on the Hunter this weekend for Scone’s two-day carnival, with the listed Scone Cup (1600m) highlighting Friday’s day one. The cup is a Big Dance eligibility race. 
Also on the eight-race program is a $50,000 Super Maiden over 1300 metres. 
Feature of Saturday’s metro-class program is the $250,000 Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) for fillies and mares, supported by four listed races each offering $200,000 in prizemoney. 
In the state’s north west, the Brewarrina Jockey Club will race on the same afternoon, with the Brewarrina Cup to be run over 1200 metres. 
On Sunday in the central west, the Parkes Jockey Club holds its Country Showcase meeting, featuring the $40,000 Parkes Cup (1600m) and a $50,000 Super Maiden (1400m). 
Canberra’s Sunday meeting also includes a $50,000 Super Maiden, this one over 1460 metres.