3 minute read

Popular Riverina hobby training veterans Garry Worsnop and George Dimitropoulos with just a couple of horses in work, share a sentimental interest at the Corowa Cup TAB meeting on Saturday.

Garry's granddaughter Teighan Worsnop is striving for a winning treble on their airborne gelding Tough James.

While George, who ran community cafes at Cootamundra and Tumbarumba and travelled over 200km daily for trackwork at Wagga Wagga, has engaged Teighan to ride his outsider Mouse Almighty.

Teighan claims 3.5kg on Tough James in the Paul Francis BM 58 (1300m) and rides George's tiny mare Mouse Almighty in the Naubro BM 66, (1000m), support races to the annual $37,000 Corowa Cup (1600m) sponsored by the Naughtin Development Group.

Teighan, just turned 22 years, in her second season with eight winners, was originally indentured to Garry but is now apprenticed to Phil Sweeney in Kelly country at Jerilderie.

"I've only got one in work, this gelding so it was best to send Teighan to Phil for more opportunities and experience; he's got a decent-sized stable, terrific trainer."

Garry names his horses after his grandkids.

And he's particularly keen on the prospects at value odds for Tough James and says Teighan has a special affinity with the highly-strung five-year-old.

"She's ridden him since he was a yearling, loves him - he's a real fierce goer.

"We use a Norton bit and work him on a farm away from the racetrack and other horses," explained Garry who several seasons ago placed at Flemington with talented stayer All About Harry and won five races with big Haz.

"He just reacts to her kindness and care, they understand each other. Tougher race, but I think he can win, I really do.

"He's drawn, weighted with the big claim and racing out of his skin." And Garry says no surprise whatsoever and more to it.

"Before he put those two together, he trialled fantastic, as good as they go at Albury for Teighan, he beat regional Championships contenders and ran time."

In the Cup, the Hayes representative Muswellbrook from Euroa and the Brideoake stayer Midships are the class runners and hardest to beat.

Both are coming off tougher races at Flemington, Caulfield Moonee Valley and in SA.

In particular, Midships with the impressive record of five wins from 15 starts, won the prestige Gold Topaz at Swan Hill from a hot field in June and is fitter for recent runs in SA and Melbourne.

Corowa will race on a Good 4 surface in fine weather on Cup Day and offer all services for corresponding city meetings.