The George Woodward-trained gelding son of Mossman was quoted a 5-1 third favourite behind Triple Oh (5-2) for today’s $15,000 Darley Benchmark 65 Handicap (1500m) at Muswellbrook.

Greg Ryan has ridden him in his last three runs and wins at Tamworth (2) and Gunnedah, and will be back on board again today.

The four-year-old gelding has won six of his 35 starts and gone from strength to strength for his Walcha trainer since he won at Tamworth back in April.

Woodward has had a good run too with Heesatoff also winning at Gunnedah on Friday.

The five-year-old gelding son of King Of Roses, one of three Greg Ryan-winning rides on the day, came from last to overpower his opponents in the Namoi Valley Independent Class 3 Handicap (1000m).

“I’ve been having a good run,” Woodward said.

“Heesatoff won well too although I’d given up at the turn. 

“He came from last.”

Woodward said Minimos has been marvellous for him.

“I haven’t done anything different with him,” he said.

“I’ve just given him the same work but Greg (Ryan) said he’s just got stronger every time. There was a nice race for him at Quirindi last week but he got 63kg. I didn’t want to kill him.”

If Minimos wins today Woodward might take him to the provincials.

While he celebrated Heestoff’s win at Gunnedah it was also a good day for Gunnedah trainer Sally Torrens.

She won the final race of the Riverside meeting with five-year-old mare Estada.

The former Victorian galloper was having her third start for her new stable after unplaced efforts at Tamworth and Dubbo.

“She ran super,”  Torrens said.

“She was a bit naughty in the barriers and came out last but it was another big thrill.

“I really think she franked that win with her run at Dubbo, the same day Subtract won for us. She didn’t handle the going but finished well and her training really picked up after that.”

Torrens was going to run Estada at Wean but elected to start at Gunnedah when just nine nominated for the race.

“It didn’t look overly strong either,” she said.

The win by Estada keeps her young thoroughbred training career bubbling along.

She’s now won twice with Subtract. Romanticize won at Tamworth last week and Estada has now chalked up a win.

“I keep on telling dad I’m about to wake up and it’s all a dream,” she said.

“I can’t believe the run we’ve had – we’re having an absolute ball.”