By John Schell
The prospect of a drier surface at Goulburn on Thursday has enticed Wyong trainer Kim Waugh to take a team of runners to the transferred meeting at the track.
Originally scheduled to be run at Wyong, the Thursday card was moved to Goulburn after a deluge hit the Central Coast this week.
“It’s not ideal to have to travel but there aren’t many other options,” said Waugh, who had planned to run some of her runners at the washed-out Newcastle meeting on Tuesday.
Estephania (Tyler Schiller) arrives in time at Gosford. Image by Bradley Photographers
Waugh will start Estephania ($11 on TAB) at Goulburn in the D One Accounting Class 1 Handicap (1000m) with apprentice Anna Roper taking the ride.
“She’s a talented mare that is resuming from a spell,” said Waugh.
“She won well on debut at Gosford in October of 2023 and she had a break after that and ran last at Wyong in July last year.
“She’s resuming on Thursday after having her share of problems, but she’s looked good in her trials and is set to run well.
“She’s a big mare and will be better for the run but she has the class to give it a shake.”
Waugh will have two runners in the Goulburn Soldiers Club Provincial Maiden Handicap with (1300m) with Jared ($3.50 favourite) to be ridden by Ashley Morgan and Matete ($8.50) to be partnered by Jay Ford.
“Jared is first-up after two trials and while he is yet to win, he has been placed in eight of his 14 starts,” Waugh said. “He hasn’t raced since November, but he has the talent to run well.
“And Matete is a handy type that hit the line well to run fourth at Gosford when he resumed from a spell. He only ran fifth at Wyong last time, but we are putting that down to the heavy track. He’ll be much better on a better surface, and we are expecting a good run.”
Shambretta ($26) will represent Waugh in the Goulburn Australia Class 1 Handicap (1300m) with Ford aboard.
“He ran well enough when third at Newcastle earlier in the month after leading, and I think he can run well,” said Waugh.
View the final fields with full form & race replays for Goulburn here