THE World’s best jockey – Joao Moreira – will ride in Saturday’s $300,000 Country Championship Final.
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Moriera has been booked to ride the Paul Messara-trained Tarangower in the rich Final open to country-trained horses.
Tarangower was second to Voodoo Lad in the Tamworth Qualifying heat two weeks ago.
James McDonald, who won five races at Randwick last Saturday, has been booked to ride Voodoo Lad by Rod Northam.
Artlee’s devastating win in Sunday’s $50,000 Wild Card at Muswellbrook has elevated the Todd Willan-trained gelding into this Saturday’s Country Championships Final.
The Muswellbrook gelding powered to the post five lengths clear of his opposition. Both he and runner-up Rose’s Song now complete the 16-horse field to do battle on day one of The Championships.
Todd Willan was excited to be having a runner in the inaugural Country Championships Series Final: “That was an outstanding win,” Willan said after Sunday’s success. “He’s always been a get back, run on type of horse. Mitchell gave him the gun ride and he got the prize and now we’re looking forward to Randwick next Saturday.”
Mitchell Bell, who began his riding career as an apprentice to Tamworth trainer Mark Mason in Tamworth, will reunite with Artlee at Randwick and tackle some of the best jockeys in the world.
While Moriera and McDonald will ride the Scone hotpots Hugh Bowman is also onboard the Mack Griffith-trained Binalong Road. Bowman gave a master class when he won the Bathurst qualifying heat in brilliant fashion for his Mudgee-based trainer and a syndicate of owners including Boggabri and Tamworth owners.
Damien Oliver is also booked to ride Explosive Scene and Zac Purton fresh from Hong Kong, has the ride on Kareem’s Edge.
Final acceptances and barrier draw are due 9am tomorrow.