PORT Macquarie connections may be rewarded with a win with their consistent five-year-old mare Golden Melody in the feature NBN Television Spring Cup at Taree Wingham Race Club’s meeting at Bushland Drive Racecourse on Melbourne Cup day - Tuesday.
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She hasn’t been out of a place in four runs back from a spell for trainer Margaret De Gonneville and for breeder-head syndicate owner Kevin Baker, formerly a Port chemist and should prove hard to beat for Taree jockey Scott Thurlow.
“She is getting closer for a win with each run,” De Gonneville said of the mare’s second behind handy Taree mare Alma Girl over 1600m at this track on October 24.
“She tries her heart out and Kevin loves her.
“We have got to get some money for Christmas,” she added.
De Gonneville said she had no worries about the 1624m of the cup, the only concern is to have her settle early as in a recent start she became unsettled when having to be unsaddled when the ambulance failed to arrive and the race was delayed.
But it will be no stroll in the park for Golden Melody as Broadmeadow trainer Mick Dwyer believes his seven-year-old gelding Dubai Dusk, to be ridden by his son, Craig, can win.
“I expect him to win…he loves the track.”
Dubai Dusk, part-owned by former head of Racing NSW Country, Stan Hayes, has won two of its three starts at the track and at the distance.
“My horse won at Canterbury last preparation and is suited by good tracks,” said Dwyer ,who hasn’t been in the best of health of late and is being treated for cancer.
Dubai Dusk wasn’t disgraced with a good 3.3 lengths fifth to Coffs Harbour galloper Sofin over 1506m at Port last Monday.
Also in the mix is seven-year-old Taree gelding Can’t Be Doubted, trained by Michael Byers and six-year-old Kempsey gelding Art Delago, trained by Tony Green, which has won twice at this track and is returning from a slight let-up.
In the Cleaver’s Tyre Service Handicap over 1420m Byers has Nonino returning from a spell but may have to bow to the Port seven-year-old gelding La Hdood,trained by Neil Godbolt and to be ridden by Adam Nicholls.
La Hdood, a winner of two races at this track, should find this class more suitable than TAB class in four resuming from a spell runs.
Doug Ryan's selections:
Race 1: Corey 1, Green Energy 2, Mattyjay 3.
Race 2: Morzeny 1, Destiny’s Desire 2, Sea Dream 3.
Race 3: Play And Wonder 1, Flying Native 2, How Good Is This 3.
Race 4: Golden Melody 1, Dubai Dusk 3, Can’t Be Doubted 3.
Race 5: La Hdood 1, Nonino 2, Rigamarole 3.
