The Keith Dryden and Libby Snowden team continued their sensational start to the 2026/27 season at Nowra on Monday, landing a winning double.
Kicking off what would turn out to be a day to remember for the Canberra stable, Laurel Oak Bloodstock and Redbank North, Rockyabye Roxy put a string of four consecutive runner-up finishes behind her, taking out the 1400m Country Boosted Maiden Plate.
Alysha Collett rode the 4YO Written By mare, unleashing her on a strong run as the $1.30 favourite found the front and held on gamely for victory, winning by a head from Nikita Zou (Jean Van Overmeire, $21), who was strong to the line for the Luke Pepper stable.
Later on the program, Diamond Frost, also wearing the Laurel Oak Bloodstock colours, started a drifting $14 chance before winning a thrilling 1400m Country Boosted Benchmark 58 Handicap.
Ridden quietly by Shaun Guymer, the pair took an inside run after turning for home, and that would end up being the winning move, as the 4YO Frosted gelding found the front and staved off a wall of chasers, winning by a nose from the fast-finishing Royaltown (Brodie Loy, $3.10) and Our Dandi Angel (Damon Budler, $26).
Dryden & Snowden have enjoyed much success with Laurel Oak Bloodstock in recent weeks, with all four of their winners this season racing in the famous red, green and white silks.
On Saturday, they landed a provincial victory at Kembla Grange with talented galloper Everido ($5.50), which Jess Brookes rode to a dominant win in the 1400m Benchmark 64 Handicap for the colts and geldings.
The victory was a special one for Brookes, who landed the first provincial win of her career.
A race later, Mighty Myrtle (Jess Brookes, $7) nearly made it a Kembla Grange double, flashing late to finish second, only just beaten in the 1400m Benchmark 64 Handicap for the fillies and mares.
Previously, the team had travelled to Forbes on August 2, where Restless Spirit resumed from a spell and was very impressive, triumphing in the $50,000 Super Maiden Handicap (1300m) for Damon Budler.
Having contested the $50,000 Black Opal Preview and $200,000 Black Opal as a 2YO at Canberra earlier this year, the Portland Sky gelding appreciated time in the paddock and has returned in good order, ready to go on with the job as a 3YO.
Words: Jeff Hanson
Image: Bradley Photos