3 minute read
Local trainer Mick Cox is trying to stay grounded as he goes about the business of preparing Atomic Blaze to win his home town $40,000 Coona Bowlo’ Coonabarabran Cup (1600m) on Monday.
The laid back Cox, who turns 59 next month and hopes Atomic Blaze can provide him with an early birthday present, has been inundated with calls from all and sundry locals.
“The phone has been running hot,” Cox admitted. “Everyone is asking how he’s (Atomic Blaze) is going to go.
“I’ve never had a runner in my home town cup and I’ve been training since 1995.
“It’s all very exciting.
“There are a lot of expectations especially after what he did in the Coonamble Cup.
“I’m just trying to do what I’ve normally done. This is the biggest event in my life – the chance to win a Coonabarabran Cup.”
Atomic Blaze comes into the event as a last start winner of the Coonamble Cup (1600m) on October 12 when he beat a fast finishing Private Taber and Are You Sure, both rivals on Monday.
Atomic Blaze is set to carry 54kg after apprentice Catherine Markwort’s 1.5kg claim but will carry far more in the weight of expectations.
“He’ll have a lot of weight tomorrow. Just about every punter in Coonabarabran will be on him,” Cox added.
Cox owns and bred Atomic Blaze who is by Ring Star out of the unraced Citidancer mare Trackdancer.
Ring Star was the first racehorse Cox owned and both he and the mare Trackdancer were given to Cox.
“I broke in some horses for a woman at Casino and in the end she said she couldn’t pay me but suggested I take the pick of one of the horses and take him home.
“Ring Star won six races for me.
“The mare (Trackdancer) was given to me. She was a roarer and unraced.”
Like Cox, Atomic Blaze is a laid back character who has won five from 31 starts.
“He’s pretty hard to get a gauge on because he’s a very laid back sort of horse,” Cox said. “He just does his work, whatever I ask of him, comes home and easts up at night.
“He’s done everything right since Coonamble. I’m just hoping for some luck on the day.”
The other local hope is the Wayne Martyn-trained last start winner Doctor Oh.
Early markets have Devilgate Road, trained by Craig Martin and shooting for five successive wins, as the $4.20 favourite.
