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By Tony Megahey

As a gelding, the naming of Red Beryl is intriguing enough for those looking at Friday's Quirindi Cup meeting but probably moreso the fact he's been through six stable changes prior to finding success with Jane Clement.

The Sebring five-year-old has been a bargain buy for Clement to win five races, including Tamworth’s recent Country Music Cup, and third in the Walcha Cup.

Amassing near $100,000 prizemoney for the latest stable, Red Beryl carries 58.5kg less the valuable 4kg claim for Jane’s riding son Braith Nock into the $50,000 Elders Feedlot Showcase Cup (1600m).

Red Beryl was purchased by Jane as a four-year-old with a half dozen unplaced starts aside from a modest Forbes maiden win way back in August of 2020.

Originally trained by the late Gwenda Markwell at Kembla, Red Beryl was moved on to Joe Pride, then Dean Mirfin at Bathurst, Nathan Doyle, John Thompson and back to Mirfin before finding a home with Clement.

Over to Jane for the naming and an insight into one of the biggest improvers in regional racing.

“A Red Beryl is actually a very rare, precious jewel, colour of a ruby and by co-incidence my husband Robert’s mother is named Beryl,” offers Jane from rural Bendemeer 40km from Tamworth.

Red Beryl wins at Tamworth on January 19

“We bought off the Bloodstock web, I like the Sebrings and liked what I saw researching his videos.

“There were some really good runs without luck, often not tractable and on rain affected ground.

“He didn’t seem right, but you could see ability there. When he settled in up here, he started to thrive.

“Won an open trial nicely and took it to the races. He won first-up and just kept it going. Just so tough and consistent, knows where the winning post is.”

And the day is high excitement for the family as new season apprentice Braith rode a recent double at Tamworth for his master Brett Cavanough, Red Beryl drawn in barrier two and with a significant weight pull on his main opposition.

“We’re so proud of Braith, he’s riding so well, it’d be lovely if we could win a Cup together,” Jane said.

Early favourite is Sea of Flames coming off a Cowra Cup win and Orange success for in-form Michael Mulholland and 59kg less the 2.5kg claim for Jake Barrett.

The Cup is supported by the $40,000 Quirindi RSL Lightning Stakes on the booming annual eight-race day at the track with a century plus tradition.

At present Quirindi is a soft six in fine weather.

All the fields, form and replays for Friday's Quirindi meeting