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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Brett Dodson will check the strength of Friday’s Tuncurry Cup before committing to starting rejuvenated galloper House Of Cards in the Big Dance eligible race but his recent return to form has him thinking a throw at the stumps is worth it.

The gelding hadn’t won for 18 months prior to the Coffs Harbour trainer being handed the reins and his recent wins in the Casino Cup and the Tuncurry Cup Prelude have him right back to his best form.

House Of Cards gained an exemption into Friday’s $100,000 Professionals Real Estate Forster TFJC Hahn Gold Cup (1600m) with that last start Prelude win, one that impressed Dodson.

“He’s won three out of five for me, the other couple of races were a bit short for him and weren’t suitable,’’ Dodson said.

“Every race that’s suited him he’s got the money, he’s been very good.

“He’s always had ability, looking at his form, maybe he just needed a change of environment.

Brett Dodson and Luke Rolls with House Of Cards (Pic: Trackside).

“I’ve done a few things different with him and they seem to be working. It’s a matter of mixing it up and he really responded to it.”

The six-year-old will be on trial at the 1600m, he’d been to 1550m once for a previous trainer, but Dodson said his strength at the end of the 1500m Prelude suggests it’s within reach.

And if he does happen to fall short there’s another Big Dance eligible race two weeks later that might not quite have the depth Tuncurry will.

He does concede if House Of Cards was to win one of those races that the $3 million Big Dance, run on November 3, might be a bit out of his weight division but a Little Dance might not be.

“There’s always the Lismore Cup after that which is a nice race for him,’’ he said.

“The big advantage is we know he can handle Tuncurry, it’s a bit of a tricky track being a sand base and a lot of horses won’t handle it. Now we know he does handle it.

“They didn’t seem to think he’d get the mile when he was down there but it was in tougher grade.

“If he was going to get 1500m I thought we’d ride him quiet and that would suit him better. We did that and he was dominant.”

Meanwhile, ticket sales for the Kosciuszko sweepstakes close at 11.59pm on Monday and those who have bought their $5 tickets only have to wait until Wednesday to find out if they are one of the 14 lucky winners.

Tickets can be purchased via TAB outlets, the TAB app, at pubs and clubs and at race meetings. If you aren’t a TAB account holder tickets should be registered at www.thekosciuszko.com.au to ensure you can be contacted easily.

On Sunday one of the key Kosciuszko lead ups headlines a big day at Bathurst with the running of the $110,000 The Panorama (1300m) where country trained horses receiving ballot preference.

The meeting also features the Big Dance eligible $50,000 Bathurst Cup (1800m).

Upcoming NSW country race meetings: Monday: Dubbo, Grafton; Tuesday: Muswellbrook, Queanbeyan; Thursday: Lismore; Friday: Goulburn, Tuncurry (Cup); Saturday: Collarenebri, Geurie (picnic), Griffith; Sunday: Bathurst (Cup), Coffs Harbour.

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