While it’s career defining times for Muswellbrook trainer Todd Howlett with his first Derby runner Noisy Boy ($34 on TAB) at Royal Randwick, a $600 bargain buy Pocket Sage, has a level of importance at Monday’s Tamworth TAB meeting.

It’s closing on three years since Two Big Fari’s last win and that’s not lost on trainer Todd Howlett who sees Sunday’s $40,000 Three Rivers Machinery Case IH Narromine Cup (1600m) as something of a crossroad.

Muswellbrook trainer Todd Howlett is confident of opening the new season successfully at Taree races on Tuesday.

Coffs Harbour Race Club commences a busy couple of weeks kicking off with Sawtell RSL Sawtell Cup Day next Sunday.

Sydney’s outstanding crop of apprentices has dominated at Canterbury.