3 minute read

Whoever wins the race at Wellington’s TAB meeting on Sunday named in tribute to 50-year regional racing broadcaster Col Hodges OAM, its likely they’ll be a long-time associate or close mate.

And they don't come any closer for Col than Bathurst's Ryan family who lost celebrated patriarch, broadcasting colleague and breeder-trainer Don Ryan at 86 recently.

He was given a grand penned tribute by Col. Both men are racing institutions in the Central and Western regions.

Don's son, long-time training partner Andrew, has a leading contender in emerging filly Are You Certain in the Col Hodges OAM "The Voice of Wellington Racing" Maiden, 1400m.

The Nicconi three-year-old filly led and was beaten in a photo in a Wellington maiden three weeks ago.

Naturally, Col called the race and remembers it vividly for obvious reasons.

"That filly was Andrew's first runner training on his own since Don passed away - I've known Don for over 50 years, who knows how many of his winners I've called?" Col explained from home in Forbes.

"So that race had a lot of significance, the Ryans bred that filly. Lovely for the family if it happened to win, but that's racing.

"I remember it well. Her best run yet; she led and showed plenty of fight when Jaywalker, one Alison's Smith up at Orange challenged. Prevailed in the last few strides.

"I see she's drawn out in a capacity field, a disadvantage anywhere. But the barrier speed she showed last start might compensate at 1400m as she had some '1000' form and an improver with racing.

"But a man will have to be right on his game, never experienced bigger fields than this season. That's because of the revival and excitement with those fantastic prizemoney increases."

The trainers to follow at Wellington are multiple regional premiership winner Brett Thompson and Kody Nestor with numbers and form throughout a capacity eight-race TAB program.

Wellington is assessed a soft 6 in fine weather with the rail in the True position.