Racing
Hawkesbury News: 14th December, 2025
Blake Ryan was doubly pleased.
Both for his owners and his apprentice Emma Ly when Heaven Bound returned to the track in winning form at Hawkesbury today.
Heaven Bound ($4.60), having her first start since late July, defeated Monty Be Quick ($21) and Bend The Knee ($14) in the Provincial Benchmark 64 Handicap (1500m).
"Heaven Bound bled from one nostril in finishing second at Warwick Farm on July 30, and because of a mandatory ban, some of her owners didn't want to continue with her," Hawkesbury trainer Ryan said this evening.
"She went online to dissolve the partnership, and Geoff Henderson definitely wanted to continue racing the mare and bought her back for $65,000 in August.'
"Three other previous owners also stayed in Heaven Bound.
"They kept the faith and have been rewarded.
"It was also satisfying to see Emma ride a winner at home.
"This was the first real opportunity I had to put her on a horse of mine that I was confident would be hard to beat.
"I set Heaven Bound for this race a couple of months ago when I noticed it on the calendar.
"With Emma's 3kg claim and a mare's allowance, she came in 5kg below her benchmark rating.
"That made her pretty hard to beat, and Emma did a good job on her."
As well as his pleasure at seeing Heaven Bound score for his owners and apprentice, Ryan also was relieved to get back in the winning list himself.
"The horses have been racing well, but winners have been hard to get," he said.
"That was my 40th runner of the season, and 44 per cent of them had finished in the Top 3.
"But that was only my third winner, so it was a great relief.
"Heaven Bound has been a great performer for the stable.
"She has now won five races overall, and three for me."
Ryan is unsure where to chase another success with the five-year-old daughter of Pierro, although Gosford's $300,000 Group 3 Belle of the Turf Stakes (1600m) on December 28 looms as an option.
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