Wyong trainer Sara Ryan has landed the biggest win of her young career, taking out the $1M Provincial Championships Final at Royal Randwick on Saturday, April 13.
Her five-year-old gelding, Matcha Latte, stormed home from fourth to clinch the title in a tough finish, holding off Lord Biscay, trained by Kris Lees and ridden by champion jockey James McDonald.
It was a milestone moment for Ryan, who only took over training Matcha Latte two years ago.
The horse spent most of that time sidelined with leg injuries, making the victory even more meaningful.
“Matcha Latte’s broken my heart more times than once, but we love him,” Ryan said.
“As a provincial, this is our championship, so to come out here and win it with a horse like him after so many issues is fantastic.”
Rising jockey Ash Morgan, fresh from a Group 1 win in the Galaxy, made the most of barrier two, positioning well before launching at the top of the straight to seal the win.
Wyong was strongly represented in the final, with Kristen Buchanan’s Broadway Bouncer finishing ninth and Kim Waugh’s Bojangles and Mogul Monarch finishing 12th and 15th, respectively.
Mogul Monarch led for much of the race before fading late.
Wyong Race Club CEO Greg Purcell praised the team effort and Ryan’s success.
“We were so proud to have four runners in the final, that in itself is a tremendous effort. To then have Sara take it out, well, it’s just remarkable,” he said.
“Sara is a fantastic young trainer whose work ethic is second to none.”
Ryan is now eyeing an even bigger prize – the $5M Stradbroke Handicap during the Brisbane Winter Carnival.
Matcha Latte’s win marks Ryan’s second Randwick feature, following her 2023 Big Dance victory with Attractable.
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