POPULAR owner Scott McDonald will venture to the Tamworth Paceway for the first time tonight in an attempt to win the $20,000 Golden Guitar.
Tamworth’s meeting is part of the successful KS Black & Co Carnival Of Cups concept and McDonald’s chances of winning the feature event improved after two of his horses qualified for the final after competing in Sunday’s heats.
“The Siejka stable has done a great job to qualify three horses for the final and I’m fortunate to own two of them with Medal Of Honour and Red Vee Hanover getting through,” McDonald said.
“I think Ash (Siejka) has been on a short break and her sister Amie (Bateup) has done a great job while she has been away and to get three through is a real credit to the team.”
McDonald acknowledges Medal Of Honour is the overall better horse when comparing his two runners but believes Red Vee Hanover looks better suited around the small track.
“Medal Of Honour has drawn barrier six and he is better suited on the bigger tracks. Ideally the aim would be to run him in some of the Chariots Of Fire lead up races at Menangle because he does possess some ability but in saying all of that I’ve been very impressed by Red Vee Hanover lately,” he said.
“I think Red Vee Hanover has only missed a place once this season. His run at Parkes two starts ago was really good in a very strong race and he found the line in his heat well enough and he should be closer this week.”
With the upcoming yearling sales drawing closer McDonald expects to be adding to his team in the short term.
“I haven’t had a great look at the sales but I normally try and buy at least a couple of yearlings every year.”
Spectators can also win tonight.
Just by being on course one lucky patron will go into the draw to win a brand new Toyota Yaris to be announced at the Harness Racing New South Wales Awards Night in October.