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By Julieanne Horsman

Mark Newnham has happy memories of riding at the Wagga Gold Cup Carnival when he was a jockey but never managed to snag one of the three feature races.

He’ll have to settle for training a winner now and has a strong chance with Mr Tickets in the Audi Centre Wagga Guineas 1600m on Friday.

The three-year-old gelding boasts an impressive record of one win and four places from just five starts and put in an eye-catching performance in his most recent run in a class 1 over 1400m at Newcastle.

“It was an excellent run,” Newnham said. “He probably felt the pinch in the last 50m but he came through the race well.”

Mr Tickets had his last gallop in preparation for the Wagga Guineas on Tuesday morning and it’s full steam ahead.

“I was really happy with his gallop,” Newnham said. “He was hardly having a blow afterwards and I am confident he will be fine going up to the mile.”

Tye Angland has the mount and while he has never ridden Mr Tickets before, he hails from Wagga and knows the track.

Mr Tickets was purchased for just $6500 at the Inglis Scone Select Yearling Sale and has been syndicated by Darbing Racing – a Sydney based company known for success with bargain horses.

He’s taken his 20 owners on a thrilling ride already and some are making the trip down the Hume to be trackside at the Murrumbidgee Turf Club on Friday.

The Wagga Guineas has attracted a handy field of 13 horses and Newnham rates topweight Siren’s Fury among the best chances, even with 61kg on his back.

“He is a classy horse and has good form in stronger races,” he said.

View the fields, form and race replays for Wagga Gold Cup Day here.