There have been few more consistent performers on the TAB Highway merry go round than the genuine Taree mare Chase My Crown. Ten of her twelve city runs have been in TAB Highway races in which she’s posted two wins, one second, two thirds and no less than four fourths. Poor barrier draws and a few interrupted runs have probably cost her at least one more win.
Chase My Crown’s first win in the popular series came over the Randwick 1400m course in July when she overcame a wide run to score nicely with Dylan Gibbons in the saddle. Her next four runs yielded a third and two fourths on city tracks, all of which contributed to her being allotted top weight of 59 kgs in last Saturday’s edition of the Highway over the 1500m at Rosehill. Trainer Wayne Wilkes decided to engage a 3kg claiming apprentice from the moment the weights were released. “I hadn’t used Jett Stanley before, but I’d been hearing very positive things about him from others,” said Wayne. “I didn’t burden him with too many instructions. I just told him about the mare’s characteristics and left the rest to him. He did a super job.”
The talented apprentice had Chase My Crown away smartly from barrier 2 and considered his options in the first hundred metres. With ample speed on, young Stanley elected to settle the mare midfield on the fence and worry about clear running later in the race. He had a few anxious moments after straightening up when trapped behind a wall of horses, but remained cool and composed. A lucky break came when he was able to get on the tail of Nickelback who was coming into the race fairly quickly at the 200m. This enabled Jett to get around Nickelback’s heels, after which Chase My Crown was able to use her trademark acceleration. The race was over in a twinkling, and she had a length to spare on the line from late closer Amarantz.
The consistent Chase My Crown scores her second TAB Highway win on Saturday. She appreciated a 3KG claim for Jett Stanley - courtesy Steve Hart Photographics.
Chase My Crown was one of only two mounts on the day for Jett, and there was a noticeable similarity between the two rides. He had Kayobi midfield on the fence throughout in the last race of the day and found himself held up on straightening as he’d been on Chase My Crown. He dived along the fence to look dangerous close to home before being nailed by Super Helpful.
His two rides on Saturday will bring him to the immediate notice of those who value the services of a gifted apprentice. Jett is the son of successful Victorian trainer Brent Stanley, himself an eminently talented jockey who won the 1996 Caulfield Cup on Arctic Scent as a seventeen year old. Jett began his apprenticeship with Grant and Alana Williams in Perth, where he rode his first winner two and a half years ago. The youngster’s magic moment came on Trevello at Ascot. He spent some time with Mitchell Beer at Albury before being transferred to Annabel Neasham’s Warwick Farm stables seven months ago. He currently has just over 100 winners to his credit, with many more on the horizon.
Jett Stanley is the son of former talented rider Brent Stanley who won a Caulfield Cup on Arctic Scent at age 17 - courtesy Steve Hart Photographics.
Wayne Wilkes who deserves most of the credit for Chase My Crown’s consistent form, is also making a name for himself in the training ranks. The 55 year old grew up on the NSW north coast and early in life had aspirations of becoming a carpenter, but changed course when elder brother Ian began to paint an appealing picture of the racing game. Ian at the time was working for prominent Rosehill trainer Paul Sutherland, and regaled Wayne with stories about life with thoroughbreds and the “buzz” of the Sydney racing scene in the late 1980’s. With Paul Sutherland unable to place him, Wayne applied successfully for a start with Brian Mayfield-Smith who was running the huge Nebo Lodge operation jointly owned by Bob La Pointe, Robert Sangster and Millie Fox. Young Wilkes couldn’t have started in a more vibrant yard. There was much to learn and he soaked it up like a giant sponge for over three years.
Wayne would later spend time with the ebullient Dr. Geoff Chapman whose transformation from country GP to multiple Gr 1 winning horse trainer had been a feature of 1980’s racing. In a two year stint at Lord Ben Stables he became stable foreman at a time when Chapman was training luminaries like Dr. Grace, Myocard, Imprimatur and Groucho. His next tenure was with Neil Campton who was just getting on his feet as a trainer, after a very successful riding career which had brought him victory in races like the Golden Slipper and AJC Derby. At the completion of his time in the Campton stable Wayne was hellbent on a solo training career but felt the need for further education, and chose wisely in taking a job with the iconic Bart Cummings at Randwick.
Wayne Wilkes learned his trade from some of Sydney's best trainers - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Although intimidated by the prospect of going it alone, he decided to take the plunge when stables became available at Rosehill in 1995. “It was tough going and I had only moderate success with a small number of average horses,” said Wayne. “I wouldn’t give up and just chipped away for about four years, winning enough races to keep me sane. It was a big moment when I won my first race, a Kembla maiden with Our Dynasty ridden by Mick Ahearn.”
The year 2000 saw Wayne return to familiar territory on the NSW mid north coast. He secured stables on Port Macquarie racecourse, and settled into the life of a country trainer prepared to travel if and when the right horse came along. He spent fifteen years at Port Macquarie before making the move to Taree in 2015. He’s had a few nice horses through his hands over the past twenty three years, and hasn’t wasted an opportunity. He has a soft spot for a gelding called Soiled, with whom he won nine races including two at stakes level in Brisbane ridden by Craig Williams and Peter Robl respectively. The first of those gave Wayne his first metropolitan success.
Another favourite was King Utah with whom Wayne won five including a BM 73 at Warwick Farm in 2012 with Anthony Allen in the saddle. The Queensland jockey was in the middle of a short stint in Sydney at the time. Just three weeks later King Utah ran his career best race when a close second to Fiumicino in a listed race on the same track. Wayne was one of several trainers used by Nathan Tinkler during the mining magnate’s short but spectacular foray into NSW racing in the mid 2000’s. He had the pleasure to train the very talented Tagus for Patinack Farm for around twelve months winning six races with the gelding including five in the city. He also had a lot of time for Not A Single Doubt gelding Fuel with whom he won six races including two in town.
One of two city wins for Fuel. Jay Ford rode the Wilkes trained galloper in this win at Rosehill 26/09/2018 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
In more recent times Wayne part owned and trained the smart mare Shotgun Roulette. He won four races with the daughter of Casino Prince on northern tracks, ran second to Distinctive Look in a Rosehill TAB Highway and was far from disgraced in finishing just behind the placegetters in Free Standing’s Country Championship Final in 2017.
Wayne enjoyed similar success with Shotgun Roulette’s full sister Lucciola Belle with whom he won three races on northern rivers tracks and posted many placings. Lucciola Belle gave connections a massive thrill when she beat all but Noble Boy in the 2019 Country Championship Final at Randwick. The trainer acquired ownership of Lucciola Belle when the mare’s racing career terminated, and he looks forward to trying her offspring. He has a two year old filly by Stratum Star and a yearling filly by Sebring Star to work with.
It’s well documented that Wayne’s initial inspiration, elder brother Ian has more than left his mark on American racing. After learning his trade in Australia under trainers like Paul Sutherland, Vic Thompson Jnr and Colin Hayes Ian ventured to the USA in 1990 where he gained a start with Hall Of Fame trainer Carl Nafzger. Ian’s principal duty for the first eighteen months was to ride trackwork for his new boss. He was a regular partner for the rising star Unbridled and played a major role in readying the top colt for subsequent wins in the Kentucky Derby and a Breeder’s Cup Classic. Ian’s Australian wife Tracey also became a valued track rider for the Nafzger operation.
When the couple’s visas expired they were forced to return to Australia. Ian did his best to get a training operation off the ground, but met with little success in a burgeoning Australian racing industry. Although Ian and Tracey were now the parents of two children, they decided on a return to America and a reconnection with Carl Nafzger who was delighted to see them back. Ian worked in close tandem with the maestro until the veteran’s retirement in 2006. With Nafzger’s endorsement Ian took over the running of the legendary stable. The most significant endorsement of the Australian’s talents was the fact that all but a handful of existing clients happily stayed on.
Seventeen years later Ian Wilkes is based in Kentucky, enjoying the status of a respected horse trainer in his own right. His impressive list of Grade 1 wins includes a Breeder’s Cup Classic with Fort Larned and a King’s Bishop Stakes with Capt. Candyman Can. In 2017 Ian commanded press space back home in Australia when he saddled up highly fancied McKracken in the Kentucky Derby. The colt missed a place but the expat Aussie enjoyed every moment of a rare experience.
A recent photo of Ian Wilkes in Kentucky. He talked his younger brother into joining a Sydney racing stable in the late 1980s.
While his elder brother is living the dream in Kentucky’s fabled bluegrass country, Wayne is more than content to be training a team of 24 horses right on Taree racecourse. “I only have room for that number currently, but if I get the opportunity to build the team I’ll worry about extra stabling when the time comes,” said the trainer. “I don’t want to overdo it, but I would like to grow the business in the future.”
Wayne and his wife Lisa are the proud parents of Joel, Corinne, Kaitlyn and Shae. Joel has developed his talents in the art of horse breaking and is in demand with several Scone trainers including Rod Northam and Luke Pepper. Corinne is in demand as a paramedic in Brisbane, while Kaitlyn is also based in Queensland working as an accountant. Younger daughter Shae is focused on a future as a jockey, and is within a few weeks of making her race riding debut. “All being well she’ll kick off at the big Taree meeting on Melbourne Cup day,” said Wayne. “I’ve taken her along very slowly and she’s had somewhere between forty and fifty trial rides. I’m probably biased but I’ll be surprised if she doesn’t make the grade. She keeps them balanced and gets them running very generously. Most importantly she’s got natural horse sense.”
For now Chase My Crown is Wayne’s principal focus. He’s extremely proud of the little mare he stumbled upon at the 2019 Inglis Classic Sale. The Hallowed Crown filly had been passed in at $11,000. The trainer went to look at another yearling in the Riverdene Stud draft but was invited by stud principal Kevin Prendergast to inspect the filly who didn’t meet her reserve. “I couldn’t tell you what it was, but I liked her instantly,” recalled Wayne. “She was on the small side and you could see she’d take a little time, but she had a businesslike look about her. I contacted a prospective client who was happy to strike a deal with Riverdene.”
That little girl is now a 6 year old, and has an ownership group of a dozen, who are having a great ride. She’s had only 32 starts for four wins including two Highways, and eleven placings for over $300,000. Her genuine attitude and sharp turn of foot should guarantee a few more trips to the winner’s circle. Wayne is now considering a number of options. On October 21st he’ll look at three races at Eagle Farm - a 1600m open event, a 1600m Class 6 and a 1400m BM72. He hasn’t dismissed the possibility of waiting another four days for a very suitable 1400m BM 72 on the Kensington track.
Chase My Crown (Dylan Gibbons) wins her first TAB Highway! Randwick 08/07/2023 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
The Chase My Crown story serves as an inspiration to smaller players to shop around for the best value at the yearling sales. All sales offer a top and bottom end. If there’s enough depth in the pedigree and the yearling in question has the right temperament and the desired conformation, there’s a very good chance that youngster will gallop. Sometimes it will gallop faster than its high profile top end counterpart.
(Banner image - Chase My Crown let down brilliantly in the straight to win Saturday's TAB Highway at Rosehill - courtesy Steve Hart Photographics.)