The Mid North Coast’s “Horse Of The Year” for the 2015-16 season, Tuncurry’s seven-year-old gelding Arise Augustus, looms as the galloper to beat in the $35,000 Taree Kia Manning Lightning Showcase over 1000m at Taree on Sunday.
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Trainer Terry Evans has big plans for the gelding after it scored in track record time over 800m at the Coffs Harbour Cup Carnival on August 3.
It was resuming from a spell and the trainer said this week: “I thought he would win for sure…I couldn’t believe the price. He went terrific…probably the best he has been and is better served over 1000m.”
Evans is aiming Arise Augustus towards the $200,000 The Shorts over 1100m at Royal Randwick on September 16. On Sunday he has Hawkesbury’s Chelsea Ings taking the ride, she having had two mounts on the galloper for two wins.
Last year’s Lightning winner, eight-year-old gelding Plateau Gold, trained at Coffs by Jim Jarvis, was third behind Arise Augustus and has improved immensely since.
“He is older and usually takes a little longer to hit top gear.” Jarvis said.
Also in the mix is six-year-old gelding Ice Bucket, trained at Wyong by Allan Kehoe, which had no luck when drawn wide in the Kirby at Grafton.
