NARRABRI trainer Peter Shepherdson will have his radar fine-tuned at Tamworth Paceway today.
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While he’s helping tend to the family’s five starters, the Narrabri Harness Racing Club president will also have his feelers out for the town’s two-day Carnival of Cups next month.
He and brother Garry’s truckload at Tamworth today include Flyingwithoutwings (1980m Northern Inland Credit Union Competitive Stakes), Big Riddle (1609m TAB.com.au Pace), Will Thrill (1609m TAB Rewards Pace), I Want Candy (1980m Changeover Stallion Service Tender Pace) and Rockstar Ruler in the 1980m NW Derby-Nevele R NW Oaks April 16 Pace.
This handful, plus at least another “two or three” will support the Narrabri two-day carnival on March 7 and 15.
“Saturday’s program will feature the Wee Waa Cup, plus heats of the John Dean Memorial Pace and Carnival of Cups,” Peter Shepherdson said.
“Then on Sunday the 15th, we’ll have the $9000 Carnival of Cups Final, $7000 John Dean Memorial Final and $8000 Narrabri Cup.”
And while Shepherdson will be spreading the word on his club’s upcoming meetings, today’s focus will be on his five starters at Tamworth.
“I like the chances of I Want Candy and Rockstar Ruler.
“Candy should be a good show despite a couple of handy ones in it.
“She’s drawn the two alley so will use that to advantage.
“And Rockstar won well at Tamworth during the Golden Guitar carnival.
“But a funny thing happened there.
“The Newcastle driver we had engaged wasn’t on the ground – couldn’t be contacted. So half an hour before the race, the stewards said ‘drivers, now’.
“We were stuck, until young Angela Hedges (Hunter driver) put her hand up and said ‘I’ll drive him’.
“She was there without any of her gear. She borrowed everything – boots, hat, trousers, the lot. But she did a massive job with him.
“He jumped out, shot to the front, and nothing else got near them.”
Rockstar Ruler though followed that effort with a sixth and fourth over 2525m and 1609m at Dubbo and Tamworth respectively.
“He wasn’t disgraced in either,” Shepherdson said.
“He had a couple of draws that didn’t suit so got left at the tail early.
“And at Dubbo, the winner (Im Blue Double Dee) clocked record time, so we were happy with his run.”
Shepherdson fancies the gelding’s chances again, particularly after the scratching of Peter Rippon’s Major Deed.
“That’ll bring us into the eight alley, which will suit him right down to the ground.”
All five horses will be driven by Garry’s son Christopher.
