This Sunday’s race day at Goulburn brings together the old and the new, with the first instalment of the Graeme Spackman Memorial race coinciding with club’s time honoured events the Anniversary and Crookwell Cups.
And the locals have staked out their claim to getting their hands on the associated perpetual trophy first with three strong entries in the Graeme Spackman Memorial race.
Local trainer Tash Burleigh was one of those who a had close association with Spackman.
“I worked with Graeme for over four years. I transferred my apprenticeship from Sydney to him and finished my apprenticeship under his guidance, then I became his foreperson”, Ms Burleigh said.
“His horsemanship skills and approach to working with racehorses and running a business has really helped me develop a hunger for success in my own racing stable. He helped me build the foundation on which my next chapter in this industry is taking place.”
Burleigh has a live chance in the race with her gelding Territorial. The lightly raced galloper caught the eye steaming home as runner up at Canberra first up from a spell after getting a mile back turning for home.
“Territorial is going through his paces nicely, we were very pleased with his first up run and how he is coming along,” Ms Burleigh said.
“I think he will run a bold race and put us in good stead for the rest of his preparation.”
The consistent Mark Gee stable also has the promising Cheat’m engaged in the race. The Choisir mare showed smart course form at her first campaign only finishing out of the top two placings once in four starts.
Greg and Kelly Gooch round out the locals’ trifecta of hopes in the race with the rock hard fit Storm Force. The consistent gelding will be looking to bounce back to form after a tough run at Bathurst last start.
Goulburn Race Club CEO Robyn Fife says the Graeme Spackman Memorial race is a suitable tribute for the man everyone in the area knew as “Spacky”.
“Graeme Spackman spent many years building a reputation in the racing industry as a successful trainer and a hard-working industry participant. We are pleased to be running the race in his honour on one of the more traditional days on our racing calendar”, Ms Fife said.
“He was a man that many people could relate to. Not only did he train horses out of Goulburn Race Club but he also helped mentor up and coming riders and trainers in his time around the club.”
“We look forward to presenting the associated perpetual trophy for the first time and what a fitting thing it would be if a local trainer won the race.”
Ms Fife says Sunday kicks off a super strong month of racing at the tablelands track.
“It’s an exciting time for the club with a $2000 cruise to be won by any trainer who accepts at any of the three race meetings throughout the month. There’s over $690 000 in prizemoney on offer and our month culminates with the club’s showcase race day on November 26th, featuring the JCF Contracting Goulburn Cup which is worth $150 000 for the first time,” Ms Fife said.
More information
GDRC – 02 48 222222 www.goulburnraceclub.com.au
@goulburnraces
