HOLIDAY makers will be treated to special racing action delivered by many visiting trainers at Taree Wingham Race Club’s seven-race TAB card, the feature being the Wingham Beef Exports Cup over 1400m at Taree on Tuesday.
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Gosford trainer Fred Cowell may hold the key to two races at the meeting as he has nominated last start Taree winner four-year-old mare Bettabet Red for the cup, a benchmark 60 race and the Saville Refrigerated Transport Class 3 Handicap over 1600m.
Both races are well within the capability of the mare which won over 1300m when finishing from mid-field to score by a long head for Cowell’s apprentice jockey Alena Skerritt at this track last start.
The 21-year-old jockey landed her third win on Bettabet Red and her eighth career win.
“Alena has been on the mare for all its wins,” said Cowell’s wife, Irene, who owns the galloper.
Mrs Cowell said the mare was now looking for further ground and in the two races in which the mare has been nominated, (acceptances to be taken today), the galloper has finished well over shorter distances.
“The mare has had a few problems but is back to her best.”
Bettabet Red cost $2000 at the Scone Sales and has won about $35,000 prizemoney in 11 starts.
Also nominated for the cup is last start rival, Coffs Harbour four-year-old gelding Murvate, trained by Brett Dodson, which was the runner-up to Bettabet Red.
Nominations for the race are strong with another last start winner being Blinkin Rules, trained on the track by Ross Stitt.
Horses from Broadmeadow, Port Macquarie, Wauchope and Wyong are among nominations for the cup.
Always a top hope in a race like this is Port’s Juste Si, trained by the in-form John Sprague.
It was a model of consistency last campaign with wins and placings and is having its second run in a new preparation after a 4.7 lengths seventh to Blinkin Rules over 1200m last start at Port on December 15 and will strip much fitter.
Another bound to give plenty of cheek is Myonrose, trained at Coffs by Brett Bellamy, it having won two races before a good third here to Another Charger which raced in Sydney at its last start.
Trainer Paul Perry has nominated the consistent six-year-old gelding Pesaro, third over 1600m at Scone on December 27, whereas other chances include five-year-old gelding Purrvosa, another from the Bellamy stable and Yamba’s Dream, trained at Wyong by Allan Denham, it finding good backing when resuming at this track last start but found trouble in the run.
Should Bettabet Red accept for the Class 3 Handicap its opposition could include last start winner, Kempsey’s Malleable, trained by Barry Ratcliff, recent Taree track winner Marjessie from Wyong, another last start winner here Shehadtohavehim from Cessnock and Wyong’s The Iron Maiden, which has been knocking on the door for a win for trainer Jeff Englebrecht.
The timing of the races will allow holidaymakers enjoy leisure activities in the morning before being trackside.
(Doug Ryan’s preview of the meeting will appear on the Times website - www.manningrivertimes.com.au - on Monday morning. This will include selections).