Warrnambool trainer Symon Wilde was full of praise for Coleraine’s annual jumps meeting last Sunday after taking the training honours with a double on the seven-race program.
Wilde bookended the card, taking a maiden hurdle with Embezzler ($4) and a benchmark 56 staying highweight with Sadlers Symphony ($4.80).
Dean Parker rode both Wilde’s winners, sharing the riding honours with Tom Ryan. 
Embezzler, a New Zealand-bred son of Contributer, only joined Wilde’s stable after this year’s Warrnambool May carnival, where he ran fourth in a maiden hurdle on the Tueday and fifth in the Champion Novice Hurdle on the Thursday.
He’d had two starts on the flat for Wilde prior to last Sunday, finishing unplaced and well beaten both times.
“I thought Embezzler ran a huge race in the maiden hurdle on the first day of the carnival,” Wilde said. “The form from that race is very strong. 
“We gave him two flat starts to have him ready. I thought he went to the line strongly on Sunday and he looks to have a bright future as a jumper. 
“We might go to Sandown (August 2) for a restricted hurdle next start. I’m sure he’ll measure up to that class.”
Sadlers Symphony, whose win last Sunday was over 2250 metres, was picked out of the paddock by Wilde as an unraced youngster.
Now rising four, he’s had nine starts for two wins and three minor placings.
“I really liked what I saw (in the paddock) and he still impresses me,” Wilde said of the Royal Symphony gelding. 
“He’s still learning. With time I think he’ll develop into a nice stayer. 
“He’s shown he’s got a liking for wet tracks, which is a real bonus over the winter.”
Wilde says jockey Parker is “a very important part of our stable”. 
“Dean puts in a lot of work behind the scenes riding trackwork. 
“I’d say he doesn’t get the opportunities that he deserves from other trainers and owners, but that suits our stable as he’s there to ride our horses.”
The three-time Grand Annual Steeplechase-winning trainer said he loves going to the winter jumps meetings at Casterton and Coleraine.
“They’re wonderful days — great country race meetings with a wonderful atmosphere,” he said. “It’s a shame Coleraine only have the one jumps meeting a year. 
“Volunteers are the backbone of country racing and Casterton and Coleraine are lucky to have great volunteers there helping out at each meeting.”
Casterton Racing Club hosts three jumps races at its next meeting, on Sunday August 9.
He’s a good Chance
Veteran trainer Eric Musgrove has high hopes for first-season jumper Lucky Chance after the four-year-old’s win in the Ecycle Solutions Great Western Steeplechase (3600m) at Coleraine.
Lucky Chance ($5.50) defeated Raise The Note by 2½ lengths, with favourite Saint Eustace another 1¼ lengths away in third, to win the $60,000 feature over 3800 metres.
Musgrove said Lucky Chance was unlucky not to have won a maiden steeplechase two starts earlier, at Warrnambool in June.
“He shows a lot of ability,” he said. “I thought he was going to be right in the maiden ’chase at Warrnambool but he lost his rider. 
“I was quietly confident on Sunday. He’s a tough horse and looks to have a bright future.”
Lucky Chance may have one more start, in a benchmark 120 steeple at Ballarat on August 16, before being spelled with next year in mind.
Gambu, a stablemate of Lucky Chance and third placegetter in this year’s Grand Annual Steeple, was unplaced in the Coleraine Hurdle on Sunday. The seven-year-old will switch back to the bigger fences for his next outing.
“We’ve given him a couple of starts in hurdles to have him sharpened up for the Grand National (Steeplechase),” Musgrove said. 
“He’s a better jumper over the fences.”
Gambu will have his next start in the Crisp Steeplechase at Sandown on August 2 before running in the Grand National at Ballarat on August 16.
Martin Kelly rode Lucky Chance and Gambu for Musgrove last Sunday.
Teo’s eyes on the prize
The last few months have been hectic for talented jockey Teo Nugent but the former Warrnambool boy will be extra busy over the next week or so.
Nugent rode his 94th winner for the season on July 14 — already a career best — and is aiming to boot home his 100th before the 2025/26 racing season ends next Friday, July 31. 
The Killarney-raised hoop and wife Claira had a baby daughter in mid-June.
“Its been a really busy time with Claira giving birth to Winslet,”Nugent said. 
“I took a week off once they came home from hospital. Mum and baby are both doing well but I’m right back into trying to get to 100. 
“I’d set myself the goal  and I know it’s going to be difficult but I’m giving it my best shot.”
Nugent rode his second Group 1 winner when he took the South Australian Derby on Wigmore in May.