It’s not just trainers and owners benefiting from country only races but punters as well. For those who copped the tip and “shopped local” at the most recent Goulburn meeting (23/9) the rewards came quick and early with local trainers making the first half of the card pretty much their own.
They won the first three races courtesy of a Danielle Seib winning double with Nell Foley also producing the revitalised Kataway for his second win on the trot.
And it could easily have been a “five fa’ for the locals with Danny Williams and the Emma & Lucy Longmire stables banking runner-up results in races four and five.
Goulburn trainers have taken a shine to the extra opportunities now available on their home track thanks to the recently announced country boosted races.
Goulburn District Race Club CEO Robyn Fife says it’s been a real refresh to the race day program at Goulburn.
“So far it’s been pleasing to see the numbers supporting the concept as it takes hold and even better to see the strike rate our locals have to go with it,” Ms Fife said.
Ms Fife says also it provides a good contrast for the tablelands schedule.
“We are always a track that will host a mix of visitation from city, provincial and country stables.”
“But the country boosted races provide a regular opportunity to retain that ‘little bit of country’ in our product and deliver a regular, genuine racing opportunity for trainers and their owners from the South-East region.”
This Tuesday the locals have again thrown weight of numbers into the country boosted concept with a total of eight acceptors from the twenty-three possible.
They have live chances in Race 3, the Campbell Petroleum Country Boosted B58 Hcp over 1000m, with Emperor’s Star (Danielle Seib) and Scoffa (Geoffrey Crothers) tackling the first of the country only opportunities on Tuesday’s program.
Emperor’s Star ($3.20 TAB fixed Odds) has won two of three this time in for the red hot Seib camp and apprentice Hannah Williams retains the sit after winning on the mare last start at Moruya.
Scoffa ($6.00) is in career best form for Geoffrey Crothers, with the four-year-old relishing the heavy tracks on offer in recent country excursions.
Crothers only has a small team of five but Scoffa and regular rider Richie Bensley have been drumming up good business of late. The son of Bon Hoffa is great chance to leapfrog the forty-thousand-dollar prizemoney mark on Tuesday.
The Goulburn Carpet Court Country Boosted Maiden Plate over 1200m is the second country only race on Goulburn’s card. Local trainers have five acceptors (Wagunda & Flying Flossy – Tash Burleigh, Spiritly -Wayne Hudd, Lady Kah & Ma Lionne -Emma & Lucy Longmire) in what is an open market in early assessments.
Goulburn’s track has hovered between the soft and heavy range in recent days but the forecast leading up to and on race day is promising. Race 1 on Tuesday is timed to go at 1.15pm.
PHOTO – Scoffa. Bradley Photos
Goulburn & District Racing Club are proudly sponsored by Goulburn Mulwaree Council
