By COLIN HODGES

Wellington based Daniel Stanley was thrilled to land his career first winner as a trainer with Couture then made it a double when Darenay won the following race on Saturday 26 November 2022 at Coonamble.

Travelling nicely in fourth position for Dubbo jockey Ken Dunbar when rounding the home turn, Couture ($15) wore down the $2 favourite Owhata Crumpet (Clayton Gallagher) to win by a short neck with Ellis Park (Jake Barrett,$8.50) almost six lengths away third in the 1600 metres Elders Class 2 Handicap.

Darenay ridden by apprentice Chelsea Hillier came from near last in the 1300 metres Gray’s Auto Electrical and Coonamble Auto Spares Class 2 Handicap to give Daniel Stanley his double.

Inside the final final fifty metres there were several winning chances however Darenay ($10) burst through the pack to win by a long head from Miss Ash Star (Andrew Banks, $10) with the unlucky Stone (Tony Cavallo, $6) a short head away third.

Chelsea Hillier had earlier won the 1400 metres Wardi Broking and Paragon Pastoral Maiden Handicap on the Bryan Dixon, Gilgandra trained Sizzling Love ( $20 ) which finished well, on the outside, to gain a three way photo decision over Principal Belle (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $12) and Claude’s Choice (Chelsea Ings, $51).

 ABOVE: Lynne Waterford, winner Tash Tindall, Michelle Shields with Ivy and Jay Ewers line up for best dressed Christmas outfit. PHOTO Coonamble Times

Apprenticed to Clint Lundholm at Dubbo, Hollie Hull had a winning double on the Lundholm trained Yallah Sunrise and Sin City Belle and has now outridden her 4kg allowance.

Following a runaway win at Bathurst, the Rodger and Nerida Atkinson owned Yallah Sunrise again outstayed the opposition in the 2000 metres AGnVet Services Benchmark 50 Handicap.

Given a good run behind the leaders, Yallah Sunrise ($4.40) won by a length from For Da Boys (Madeline Owen, $6) and Golden Eclipse (Clayton Gallagher, $3.80 favourite ).

ABOVE: Stewart Canham with his horse Miss Ash Star after a close finish. PHOTO Coonamble Times

Sin City Belle ($16 ) was also ridden in a handy position by Hollie Hull, before hitting the front and holding on to beat Order Of Merit (Andrew Banks, $6.50) and the leader Jewel Of The Clan (Jake Barrett, $14) in the 1100 metres Halcroft & Bennett and Swanny’s Foods Benchmark 50 Handicap.

Bred by Rodger and Nerida Atkinson from Yeoval from their former good sprinter Beautiful Dapper, the Brett Thompson, Gulgong trained Smart And Dapper (Mikayla Weir, $3.80) led throughout to win the 1100 metres GNF/Inland Petroleum Maiden Plate by two lengths from Warrior’s Spirit (Jake Barrett, $51) and Yehbut (Clayton Gallagher, $1.80 favourite).