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By Tony Megahey

The imposing combination and judgement of prolific Greg Ryan, breeder and entrepreneur Gerry Harvey and recent Royal Randwick TAB Highway winner Stephen Jones is the strongest pointer for Monday’s Gunnedah TAB meeting.

Impressively bred Harvey runners, Heir Presumptive and Fort Jackson carry ample confidence into respective maiden events at the popular north western track.

“I’ve got a decent opinion of both - Gerry’s always have the pedigree and Greg was keen to ride Fort Jackson,” offered veteran Scone trainer Jones who won last week’s Royal Randwick TAB Highway with Two ‘n’ Wellgo.

Stephen Jones at Randwick last week after winning the TAB Highway with Two 'N' Wellgo. Credit: Bradley Photos.

Jones also has performed sprinter Akasaki engaged on Saturday at Rosehill Gardens.

“Greg won the Quirindi Lightning on him,” he said. “We go back a long way like I do with Gerry. We’ve had a lot of success and no better judge than Greg.

“Fort Jackson (Redoute’s Choice) was previously with Chris Waller and he hadn’t shown much. Nothing like city grade anyway. So Gerry gave him 12 months off and sent up to me. He’s a slow learner but this prep he’s worked and trialled well enough so we were confident he could win races. But he just can’t draw a barrier. He’s been unlucky from real wide draws and he’s out there again. But with Greg up and any luck he’s going well enough to break through.”

Fort Jackson, runner up at Scone and Muswellbrook recently, has barrier 14 contesting a 1400m maiden for Ryan with 59kg.

Debut three-year-old colt Heir Presumptive (Street Cry- Amalienborg (Danehill USA) has more in his favour from an inside draw in a 1250m maiden for Josh Oliver.

“He’s a lovely strong progressive colt,” Jones said. “He’s trialled and worked well enough to be hard to beat in this grade.

“With his pedigree you never know what his value could be if he wins races. He’s done everything right so far.”

Typically Ryan who has surpassed 3600 winners this season, has a near full book and on several favourites. He and Ben Looker are on enough form runners to dominate the meeting.
Gunnedah at present is rated a good four surface in overcast conditions.

View the fields, form and race replays for Gunnedah's Monday meeting here.