URALLA trainer-driver Mitch Faulkner parted company with the gig at Tamworth a fortnight ago but, with a “fair bit of padding on the rump”, he’s keen to get around the track safely with two of his three starters at Inverell Paceway tomorrow.
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Faulkner sustained “a fair bit of skin off and some bruising” when he came off second best behind Never Die at Tamworth on November 12 but Never Die, who will accompany Faulkner’s stablemates No Fixed Address and Stormy Warrior to Inverell tomorrow, bounced back and won his next start.
Tomorrow the four-year-old, who can boast two wins from his three starts since joining Faulkner’s Uralla stables, will contest the 1639m Fencing North West Pace while No Fixed Address (Anthony Varga) and Stormy Warrior will both line up in the 1639m Inverell RSM Club Pace.
No Fixed Address will be having his first start for Faulkner.
“He’s a Queensland horse having his first start for us. We’re still trying to work him out, but hopefully he’ll go okay.
“In his last start (when driven by Warwick trainer-driver Dayl March), he galloped out of the gate. I just hope we get around safely on Sunday.”
Stormy Warrior and Never Die are both last-start winners – Stormy Warrior over 1609m in Tamworth C1 Only and Never Die over the same distance at Tamworth in C0 Only company on November 19.
“Stormy is 10 years old but a nice old bloke,” Faulkner said.
“A workmate, Greg Writer, and I purchased him 10 weeks ago and he’s improved in each of his three starts for us, his last one the win.
“He’s a classy pacer. He’s won 31 races and has raced around Harold Park and Menangle – just an old war horse.”
Never Die has also had three starts for Faulkner, landing victory on two occasions.
“A month ago, he’d never won a race, now he’s won two and racing against open company horses.
“He’s drawn well (one), but he’s up in class, which could be the tester.
“He’s a nice little horse though and, while he’s up in class, I think he’ll be up to the task.”
Fellow Uralla trainer-drivers Peter and David Munsie also have two runners at Inverell tomorrow with David to drive both.
He partners first starter Gotta Destroyer in the opening race of the day, the 1639m Blue Gem Contractors 3YO Pace, and then drives Artistic Double for his father, Peter Munsie, in the Royal Hotel Motel Pace (1639m).
Artistic Double was second to Isobela Maree at Tamworth Paceway last Thursday with Peter in the gig.
He also had a win with The Artful Dodger the same day but cannot race at Inverell tomorrow as he has a 90th birthday to attend on the coast.