3 minute read
Exciting finishes have been the hallmark of the $29,000 Harrington Hotel Harrington Cup (1300m) and a capacity field augurs well for a repeat at Manning Valley Race Club's "beach party" holiday TAB meeting at Taree on Monday.
A rare dead-heat finish, subsequently separated on protest, was the result in 2020 whereas last year the photo-finish was needed to determine the winner between two of Newcastle trainer Kris Lees's gallopers, punters cheering when the short-priced favourite gained the verdict.
Top-line gallopers from city, provincial and country stables add plenty of spice to a card where holidaymakers arrive by buses to enjoy the Bushland Drive Racecourse's great amenities, including a big video screen showing races just before the winning post.
Taree gallopers Eyebea Danser and Danzibar Dancer provided the dead-heat before stewards awarded the race to the latter. And last year the nose verdict went to No Laughing Matter ($2.30 to $1.40) from Siesta Key ($12).
Local five-year-old gelding Clearly Regal, trained by Tony Ball, will fly the flag for Taree stables, the horse winning at Newcastle two starts back before an unlucky sixth at Taree's Summer Cup meeting on November 19 when drawn the "car park".
"He got further back than anticipated from the draw," Ball said. "The weight and heat on the day got to him but he pulled up fine.
"The start before, he came home solidly and beat stablemate Standing Bear (since fourth at Gosford on Thursday).
"Clearly Regal doesn't mind the sting out of the ground and Aaron Bullock returns as a strong rider unlucky when on him at Taree on November 21.
Taree's seven-year-old gelding Editors, trained by Ross Stitt , has won three races at the track, needs firmish ground, and has been unlucky in running and in not being in suitable distance races but could surprise.
The strength of the field is borne out with Warwick Farm trainer Matthew Smith engaging top Newcastle apprentice jockey Dylan Gibbons for his 7yo gelding American Salute.
The galloper in 40 starts has won five races and been placed another 12 for prizemoney of $152,000, the horse recently being not far away in races at Wyong (2nd), Scone (2nd) and winning over 1400m at Hawkesbury in October.
Smith said American Salute was coming to Taree "off a break", handles most track conditions and "the 1300m should suit".
Scone trainer Cameron Crockett usually goes home with a winner when he comes to Taree and he has 5yo gelding Unrestricted and 4yo mare Chomeur in the cup.
"Unrestricted is going super and the 1300m should be ideal if the track is firm," he said.
Crockett is also happy with the way Chomeur, to be ridden by ace apprentice jockey Reece Jones, was going prior to the spell and expects a big run first up. Unrestricted has won three of its past five starts from 1200m to 1400m at Dubbo, Armidale and last start at Tamworth on December 20.
Newcastle gelding Achi Baba, trained by Grant Marshall, may be getting older at eight but the trainer is hoping for a big run as the galloper in having its second start from a spell usually goes well fresh.
"He needed the run when resuming when fourth (3.3lengths) at Scone but everything is fine with him," he said.
With gallopers coming from far and wide, the race is bound to be furious from start to finish in what should be a great spectacle with room for an upset or win at good odds in the Benchmark 66 Handicap.
The Milligan stables of Bob and son Glen have been going great guns of late and the senior of the two has a great hope with 6yo mare Valley's Sister, a solid second here last start, in the Professionals Harrington Class 3 Handicap over 1600m.
His son has engaged in-form stable apprentice jockey Georgina McDonnell for last start good placings Madiba Rose in the Thank You Yogi And Gail Maiden Handicap over 1100m and My One in the Kennards Hire Taree Maiden Handicap over 1250m.
Stitt scratched promising 3yo filly Persian Beauty from Coffs Harbour on Thursday and is going for three wins straight at the Taree track in the Professionals Harrington Class 3 Handicap over 1600m. The filly is on trial for a start in a $100,000 Highway race at Rosehill Gardens on January 15.
SELECTIONS
RACE 1: STAR IMPACT 1,FIRST PEOPLES 2, KIMWANTSTOGETAHEAD 3.
RACE 2: DEELOSH 1, HARD TO DISMISS 2, MY ONE 3.
RACE 3: CIAO BICKY 1, GOLDEN CHANCES 2, FINNMAN 3.
RACE 4: KING KIKAU 1, FRIEND OF GOD 2, LAST NOT LEAST 3.
RACE 5: VALLEY'S SISTER 1, PERSIAN BEAUTY 2, VANBARI 3.
RACE 6: SUPER BOUND 1, HOLY TYCOON 2, MADIBA ROSE 3.
RACE 7: UNRESTRICTED 1, CLEARLY REGAL 2, AMERICAN SALUTE 3.
RACE 8: ADAMDEEANT 1, MR CRUISE 2, READY TO CHASE 3.
