Latest News

By Graeme White

The transition from jockey to trainer is never an easy one and Michael Travers understands the enormity of it as he closes out his third and most successful season.

Travers, who turns 52 next week, has prepared 25.5 winners this season and will have four starters at Wagga on Tuesday - the final meeting of the season in the Southern Districts.

His best hopes are Mathrin ($11 into $9 on TAB) who will be well suited to the heavy track conditions in the Remax Elite Wagga Benchmark 82 (1400m) and last start winner Miss Pepeha ($9 into $5.50 favourite) who will contest the Riverina Motor Group Country Boosted Battlers Cup Benchmark 50 (1300m).

Wagga-based trainer Michael Travers has four horses entered for Tuesday's meeting on his home circuit

The Wagga-based trainer has 26 horses in training with more waiting to return to his Wagga stables.

Travers' size and weight could still see him race riding these days, but there came a time when he had to make a call to head in a different direction but still within the industry.

He has had an interesting life being a former school teacher, but the lure of horse racing has kept him involved for many years.

"It's a lot of hard work and I'm working it out as I go with a lot of good people around me," he said.

"We had 16 winners last season and 25.5 so far this season so it's been a gradual build-up of horse numbers and better quality stock and new owners.

"I have great staff and still ride trackwork myself which gives you a good feel for how the horses are going."

And so far they have been going pretty well with a further 35 seconds, 31 thirds, 32 fourths and 32 fifths from 303 starters and total earnings of just under $800,000.

"It's a lot of trial and error training, but I enjoy it and it is constant work," he said. "You strive to get results for the owners and I plan to just keep improving each season with some better stock."

Mathrin has been a mainstay of the stable with five of her eight victories coming on rain-affected tracks. She is a family-owned rising eight-year-old who has earned $276,000 and had her first start for Travers which resulted in a win at Wagga on August 8, 2021.

Mathrin also won her next start at Albury with most of her success occurring at Wagga, while she has also won a Cowra and Corowa Cup.

"She has been great for me and has the right track conditions and the right distance to run well again," he said.

"I use Amy O'Driscoll on her and her claim brings her in with 54.5 kilos; Amy rides her a fair bit and won the Corowa Cup on her."

Travers will start Kahawaty ($13 into $5.50) against Mathrin in the highest graded race on the program. He is hopeful that Miss Pepeha can pick up from where she left off after breaking through at her 16th start at Narrandera.

"She has ability, but also a few quirks. Mathew Cahill rode her perfect last start just allowing her to do her own things," he said. "She can be a handful at times and Amy knows her well having ridden her a few times."

Meanwhile, Due Calzini ($2.70 out to $3.30) chases three straight wins in the Romanos Hotel Riverina Cup Benchmark 74 (2000m). Due Calzini was successful at Wagga before accounting for First Day at his next start at Narrandera.

First Day ($2.30 fav) is also an acceptor for Wagga but ran last in a five-horse field (beaten 7 lengths) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Noted wet track performer Sorry Sunshine ($9.50) won on a Heavy 10 at Wagga two starts ago before finishing fourth over 1500m at Albury. Sorry Sunshine has won six times with four of those on wet tracks.

He hasn't been placed in two starts over 2000m but trainer Doug Gorrel believes the gelding can step it up.

"He has been a great horse for the owners costing very little to breed and he has earned over $100,000," he said. "The heavy track suits him and so does Wagga."

Azeola ($19) has won her past two starts on soft and heavy tracks in Victoria over 1600m and 2000m.

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