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By Graeme White

The cheer squad will be out in force on Saturday when Underthespotlight races for the first time at Gundagai before his large syndicate of owners.

And they could well have plenty of reason to celebrate again with Underthespotlight having won his past two starts and set to line up with Gundagai’s Billy Owen in the saddle.

Underthespotlight (Aaron Sweeney; spotted cap) narrowly beats Deemed Corrupt (Megan Creed ) at Tumut. Image by Tumut & Adelong Times

The galloper’s trainer Todd Smart loves returning to his hometown and hopes Owen can win the final race – the XXXX Gold Benchmark 50 (1000m) – for his loyal owners.

“I love having a starter and even better a winner at Gundagai and so does Bill,” Smart said.

“Bill won the Gundagai Cup recently on Maid Of Ore and it was a great time for all of them.

“The owners of this horse have some other horses with me and have been very loyal so I hope the horse can keep going well.”

So far, the late maturing Underthespotlight has continued to improve with time, racing and experience.

The son of Nicconi has won lower level races at Tumut and Young and faces his toughest test at his 12th start.

It has been steady going for Underthespotlight who has kept lifting with each start and will be having his first start for six weeks on Saturday.

“He was purchased as a yearling and has just taken a bit more time, but he is getting there now,” Smart said. “He continues to race well on wet tracks and if he keeps going the way he is he will stay in for a while over winter.”

Smart also has Underthespotlight entered for Wagga’s meeting on Monday, but he will start at Gundagai and stablemate Eurosay will be kept for the latter meeting.

Eurosay is also entered for the same race at Gundagai, but Smart’s preference is to keep the two separate.

“The weights are high in a low rating race where Underthespotlight has to carry 62 kilograms, but a lot of the others have similar weights,” he added.

The highly consistent Sestina is the epitome of a true money winner for her owners and trainer Doug Gorrel with a string of top four finishes. The mare has been well placed by her trainer Doug Gorrel with 17 straight top four finishes.

Her past two victories have been at picnic level, but she has also been placed at TAB company. Four kilogram claiming apprentice jockey, Teighan Worsnop, will reduce Sestina’s weight to 58.5kg.

Meanwhile, trainer Michelle Russell will be looking for a winning return with Taliano in the Hahn Premium Light Class 1 (1100m).

Taliano is Russell’s first starter since October and the consistent galloper delivers his best at Gundagai where he has raced four times for a win and three seconds.

Leading trainer Mitchell Beer has accepted with nine horses for Gundagai and has a further 10 entered at Wagga on Monday.

The Gundagai track is rated a Heavy 10 with the forecast for further showers.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Gundagai here