Next NSW Race

Latest News

Thompson Out To Salute In ANZAC Tribute

By Tony Megahey

The gruelling travel for Country Cups specialist Brett Thompson rivals the early explorers but the rewards at the corresponding period last season was a career best four wins at Cobar and a treble at faraway Lightning Ridge.

The former shearer and Gulgong’s multiple Central Districts premiership trainer offers value in Sunday’s TAB Narromine USMC $20,000 Digger’s Cup with Attalea who is consistency personified and weighted to win.

The five-year old Shaft gelding boasts four wins and as many placings from his past nine starts, including a win in the historic Narrabri Cup last month and then a photo second in the Lightning Ridge Cup.

“10 hours return is a task but he’s going just enormous this prep and while we’ve also nominated for Saturday’s Merriwa Cup, I’m leaning towards Narromine the way we’re weighted,” Thompson offers.

Attalea’s allocated 54 kg is reduced by Alena Skerritt’s 1.5 kg claim, bringing him in at a luxury below the limit.

Attalea salutes in the Narrabri Cup. Credit: Bradley Photos.

The prestigious Narromine feature on the ANZAC tribute race day typically has drawn performed country gallopers from far and wide, along with a notable city performer.

Wyong’s Damien Lane has accepted with Choice Larga who has recent city form, along with two stable-mates in respective races. Lane though has yet to nominate a rider for Choice Larga.

Narromine’s Justin Stanley’s promising Incision finished third in last month’s Dubbo Leg of the WRA Country Championships, narrowly missing a berth in the $500,000 final at Royal Randwick. Multiple winners, Clint Lundholm’s Joey’s Destiny and Peter Bloomfield’s Barricade were also regional contenders in the prestige series.

The one query for the super honest Attalea is that all his wins are at 1100m and 1200m. He’s only raced twice at 1300m for a placing.

However that’s no concern for Thompson.

“He’s won at Narromine, that’s an important factor, and the way he relaxes in his races I’ve got no worries he’ll get 1300m,” he said.

“He can lead or take a sit. He’s been closing off solid enough in his 1200m wins and this prep he’s never gone better, he’s so consistent.

“He should have won at Lightning Ridge, he just got a little too far back on a dirt track and the dust kickback is a factor then.”

The Narromine track is currently rated a good three with fine weather predicted and a booming crowd anticipated for this Sunday.

View the fields and form for Narromine's Sunday meeting here.

The Latest Racing News

International Raiders Rising To The Challenge Of Sydney Everest Carnival

The world’s highest rated sprinter and a renowned UK stable with a super record in Sydney headline a contingent of ...
Read More

Punter's Intelligence Wrap - Run To The Rose Day

Talk of the TAB Everest can wait a couple of weeks but if Tempted turns up in the Golden Rose ...
Read More

Licensed Stablehand Matthew Quinn Suspended For Nine Months

Racing NSW Stewards today conducted an inquiry into an Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) Trackwork Rider Testing Certificate relative to ...
Read More

Doyle's Not So Hidden Motive For Colt's Soft Launch

By Ray Hickson Trainer Nathan Doyle is content to give promising colt Hidden Motive a soft launch for his spring ...
Read More

Late Gear Changes - Perfect Play & Our Queen (Canterbury, Weds)

Please note two late gear changes for Canterbury Park races on Wednesday (17th September): Race 3, No.2 - PERFECT PLAY ...
Read More
Loading...
Racing NSW Apps
View
Mobile Version
Contact
Forms
Information
Industry Links