CLEOPATRA Shannon can win Bathurst trainer-driver Peter Bullock a third Joan Bullock Memorial Pace (1980m) at Tamworth Paceway today.
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Bullock drives the six-year-old bay mare for Armidale trainer Les Enks in the $8000 feature race named in honour and memory of his late wife.
He would have liked to have been “on one of my own” but just having a drive in the race will suffice the easy-going former Tamworth trainer-driver who has won the memorial twice, with Rhiannon Shannon (last year) and Lacey Shannon three years ago.
“I did nominate one of my own but it didn’t get a run,” Bullock said.
“That was disappointing but at least I do have a drive in the race.
“I’ve won it a couple of times too with two of my own but it’s good to have been able to pick up this drive.
“And I do have a couple of others going up from here.
“They should both run good races. I think they’re chances too.
“And they have both been up there before, know the track.”
The $8000 Joan Bullock Memorial is the feature race on the eight-race Tamworth Harness Racing Club TAB meeting.
It’s sponsored by the Bullock family, Peter and his sons Cameron and Travis.
The Bullock support for the Tamworth club doesn’t end there either.
Cameron is the manager of local firm Bearing Specialists in Marius Street Tamworth.
His younger brother Travis is the sales manager.
Bearing Specialists are also sponsoring another race, the $6000 Bearing Accessories Pace (1980m).
“We had a meeting with the Tamworth club about the sponsorships,’ Cameron Bullock said.
“We talked to Mark Lowe and Laurie James and they came up with a great deal for both races.
“We just wanted to make the meeting a little bit more inviting for travelling trainers to attend.
“Not just because dad was coming from Bathurst but to encourage more and better horses to come up for both races.”
Normal races are worth just $3000 at the Tamworth meetings so the Bearing Accessories pace doubles that, while the Bullock Memorial becomes a nice race for outside stables.
“It is good prizemoney,” Cameron Bullock said.
And it looks like it has helped a good, even field.
Pikey’s horse (Im a Player) looks the favourite but there are a few chances.
“He did have the favourite last year and dad beat him but this year it looks like being a very good, even field,” Cameron Bullock said.
“When Lacey Shannon won it a few years ago she was $1.40 favourite was expected to win and won easily.
“Last year’s win was very emotional for us.”
He’s hoping his father can make it first past the post a third time.
Today’s eight-race meeting begins at 1.30pm with the Coates Hire Pace (1980m).
