Racing
Hawkesbury News: 5th April, 2026
Michael Vella had two unproductive attempts at qualifying Cosmeena for Saturday’s $1m Provincial-Midway Championships Final (1400m) at Royal Randwick.
So the Hawkesbury hobby trainer went back in grade and to a track where this mare had been successful at earlier this preparation – and another victory was the result.
Though the win wasn't a surprise, her starting price of $7 certainly was.
Superbly handled by apprentice Deon Le Roux, Cosmeena put paid to her rivals in the straight and defeated $3.90 favorite Ocean Chill and $31 roughie Bonus Tempus.
Cosmeena , a four-year-old daughter of Cosmic Force, has been an excellent performer for Vella and his wife Barbara Anne, who operate a duck farm at Londonderry.
From 15 starts, she has now won four races and earned nearly $150,000.
Vella prepared Cosmeena with only a solitary barrier trial to score first-up at Wyong on February 21 in a Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m).
She carried 58kg that day, and then finished eighth to short-priced favorite Matcha Latte in a Provincial-Midway Qualifier (1400m) at Hawkesbury on March 7, and then ninth to Midnight Opal in another 1400m Qualifier at Kembla Grange a fortnight later.
They were set weights Class 5 Plates, and it was quite a drop back in grade at Wyong.
Vella put blinkers back on Cosmeena, and she obviously appreciated the gear change.
"Yes I was really surprised at what good odds she was yesterday," a delighted Vella said today.
"Her coat was gleaming, and she was back at a track where she has won at.
"Deon (Le Roux) gave her a lovely ride, and it was pleasing to see her return to the winning list."
Vella was looking for an apprentice to lessen Cosmeena's 58kg, and didn't have to look far.
"I remembered Deon riding another horse of mine Belgrano when he ran second (for fellow Hawkesbury trainer Darryll Kell) at Queanbeyan in January when he was a 4kg claimer," he said.
"I thought he rode well enough that day, and decided to book him for Cosmeena.
"His 3kg claim came in very handy yesterday, and he gave her every chance.
"She did the rest, and now we will have to look for another suitable race in the coming weeks."
Check out the latest South African News