3 minute read

Outgoing Canberra Racing Club CEO Peter Stubbs will officiate at his final race meeting on Friday and it could be a fairytale ending for the respected administrator.

Stubbs is a part owner of Spunlago, who is trained at Albury by his brother Ron. The gelding presents as a leading chance in the feature TAB Federal Tony Campbell Memorial Cup (1400m).

Spunlago was formerly trained by Archie Alexander and spelled following his win in a BM 78 at Moonee Valley, beating the well-performed Sin To Win.

Prior to that, he had placed at both Flemington and Sandown in BM 70 grade.

Spunlago had a minor injury and 11 months paddock rest before being transferred to Stubbs.

“The length of the spell wasn’t injury related,” Stubbs said.

“He produced two good trials for us before being beaten 1.5L resuming in a Wagga Open and then missed the placings in a photo in a Geelong BM 72.

“He’s strengthened and trained-on nicely since Geelong and will come to Canberra a fit horse.

“I’d probably prefer him at the mile at this stage, but the Tony Campbell looks a suitable assignment for him and we have our fingers crossed he will run a good race.

“It’s Peter’s last meeting as CEO at the Canberra club and it would certainly be a fairytale ending.”

Stubbs said connections had toyed with preparing Spunlago for a tilt at the Kosciuszko but decided not to proceed along that path.

“He needs further then 1200m and looks a nice country cups prospect.”

Stubbs was a leading trainer in the border district before giving the game away for 20 years. In 1993 he trained Wilga Dash to win the Albury Gold Cup with Alan Abrahams in the saddle.

“Horses remained in my life and I was involved in Eventing with my daughter.

“When she took up track riding two and a half years ago I decided she might just as well be riding for me.”

Stubbs also has Lost Command nominated at Canberra, but may run at Wangaratta tomorrow.