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By Mark Brassel

Trainer Kristen Buchanan shows off the Rusty Spanner trophy after winning it in 2022

Stewards could have their work cut out at Muswellbrook this Friday, but not so much as with the equine variety of races.

It’s Muswellbrook Steel Supplies Tradies Raceday with one of the highlights of the day being the Baker & Farrow Tradie’s foot race over 100m on the main racetrack where you can be sure there’ll be plenty of jostling.

“The tradies race for some fantastic tools with big brand names like Sidchrome, Milwaukee, Cigweld, Klingspor and Sutton Tools providing the prizes,” said Kristie Corbett, Muswellbrook Race Club’s executive assistant.

“The catch is all tradies must run in their work uniform and steel cap boots – it’s all a lot of fun and is one of my favourite racedays.

“The meeting is very popular with tradies in the region for ‘beers, burgers and bets’.”

Feature race is the $29,000 Muswellbrook Steel Supplies Rusty Spanner Sprint with a differential perpetual trophy of a rusty spanner.

On Saturday Kempsey Race Club will stage a six-race TAB program with the main race the $16,000 Tommy Brassel Memorial Handicap (1000m), named after my dear old Dad, with the first event timed to jump at 1:34pm.

On the same program last year Coffs Harbour-based apprentice Courtney Bellamy scored a winning treble on Golden Garden, She’s a Revelation and Just Cosmos.

Aaron Bullock grins as he wins the 2022 Rusty Spanner Sprint on Depth That Varies - Friday's feature race at Muswellbrook

Also on Saturday is Wagga’s annual Viewco Christmas Party Raceday (run on the Riverside Course) with a mountain of live entertainment from local singer and guitarist Aaron Oldaker.

“We’ll also have acoustic duo Pete Miller and Tim Crocker aka Miller Time, along with Who’s the BOSS Party Band performing,” said Murrumbidgee Turf Club’s CEO, Jason Ferrario.

“There is also kids’ entertainment, amusements by Jumping Beans, and games with a special visit from Santa Claus.

“And the Honourable Michael McCormack will be announcing the 2025 Face of the Carnival ambassadors following race five.

“Final seats in the Champagne Bar have been selling fast with all other reserved areas sold out and gates opening at midday.”

Coonamble Jockey Club also race on Saturday with a six-race TAB Christmas meeting.

Meanwhile, Tamworth Jockey Club has an eight-race card on Tuesday commencing at 1:15pm where the unbeaten Zampano is scheduled to return from a spell in the Heat of the Rising Stars Class 2 Handicap (1000m).

Zampano has impressively won his only two starts at Tamworth in April and Gunnedah in May and was runner-up in recent Muswellbrook 800m trial.

The Tassort gelding has drawn well in gate number three and will be ridden by 22yo apprentice Siena Grima who claims 2kg.

Grima has booted home 35 winners to date including a double at Kempsey on 8 November that included the Akubra Hats Kempsey Cup aboard Taree-trained galloper Xtra Approval.

Jessica Brookes and Amy O’Driscoll currently lead the Racing NSW Rising Star Apprentice Series on eight points in advance of Shae Wilkes and Glenn Cahill (7 points).

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Tuesday: Tamworth
Friday: Muswellbrook, Queanbeyan
Saturday: Kempsey, Wagga-Riverside Track, Coonamble
Sunday: Grafton