In the process he handed both trainer Greg Bennett and jockey Rachael Murray a winning double. Bennett had won earlier in the day with Nikkas ‘N’ A twist (Rachel King) while Murray had ridden Lady Balladeer in the previous race.

It was Murray’s 32nd winner of the HNWRA season and gave her a 17 win lead. Bennett also leads the HNWRA trainer’s premiership and now sits three wins ahead of Paul Perry.

Mr Pumblechook has been a recent addition to the Bennett stable, coming from the Chris Waller stable.

“He’s not a real big horse but he’s a cracking type,” Bennett said.

“He’s bred to be a good horse but his size has let him down early and that’s why I got an opportunity with him.”

After winning his maiden at Gunnedah on November 14 Bennett freshened the son of More Than Ready for today’s 1200m sprint.

“Winning today was a good reward for him but i’ll probably turn him out now. He went up in weight today and had a wide barrier too. Rachael did a great job too,” he said.

Earlier Nikkas ‘N’ A Twist had continued a remarkable family Tamworth success when the three-year-old gelding rushed home to win the tab.com.au Maiden Plate (1600m).

“He was always going to win but he took his time doing it,” King said post-race with gelding always well placed for her before she steered him to the middle of the track.

A loping big individual the grey son of former Tamworth stallion Youthful Legs was having his fifth race start.

“Rachel rides well, too,” Bennett said. 

“She’s got a great strike rate for me. Her first four rides for me were winners.”

Nikkas ‘N’ A Twist is raced by a syndicate of owners including Upper Hunter mayor Wayne Bedggood and his wife Michelle as well as Bennett and his wife Wendy.

“We also raced the mum, Nikkirina. We won six races with her. She loved the Tamworth track too and was the Tamworth Jockey Club’s Horse of the Year one year too,” Bennett said.