The first meet of the year for the Tamworth Jockey Club has attracted some heavyweights of the Australian racing industry as the club ramps up for a big month on their newly upgraded track with an eight race meet on Friday.
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Kris Lees, Paul Perry, Greg Bennett and Liam Birchley are among the trainers that have sent chargers to Tamworth, while Greg Ryan, Robert Thompson and Rachael Murray head up a quality field of hoops.
Eagle farm trainer Birchley has been to the track before on occasion, even entering horses in the Tamworth Cup, although his entry in the first, The Shay Brennan Constructions Maiden caught the attention of new TJC boss Damon Sullivan.
The son of 2009 Emirates Stakes winner All American, Ameridon, will jump from barrier five, and on board will be Thompson, Australia’s most successful jockey of all time.
“With a sire that has won a Group 1 and Australia’s winningest jockey on board for his only ride of the day I had to give Liam (Birchley) a call,” Sullivan said.
“He said you won’t miss him in the yard – he is meant to be a monster of a horse.”
Sullivan said that while the trainer was a little concerned the big two year old colt might be better with some more ground than the 1000m, he thought that this Tamworth race was perfectly suited for Ameridon, as well as stable mate and fellow two year old Wicked Express, who will be ridden by Ben Looker.
It will be a second start for both horses, with Ameridon placing fourth at the Sunshine Coast last start, although it was an impressive race none the less.
“He ran a 56.82 seconds in a 1000m which is flying,” Sullivan said.
“If he can do that here he will be very tough to beat.”
Fellow Group 1 winning trainer Paul Perry is bringing seven horses to the meet, with Natadola likely to start a favourite in the second, the 92.9 and 2TM 1000m Class 1 handicap.
A last start winner at Scone in October and a Randwick Highway Handicap runner, Sullivan believes the three year old filly might be right on song for Friday’s meet.
“It was leading the Highway Handicap at Randwick but then just stopped at the 1000m mark,” Sullivan said.
“I think the drop in distance might suit her although it is a very open race.”
The last race of the day will be another one to watch as Lees, Perry and Bennett take on some of the North West’s top trainers such as Sue Grills, Leon Davies and Lesley Jeffriess.
Bennett’s Lukcy Nic will be the top weight, lugging 61 kg around the 1200m for the Easters Sand Soil and Gravel Benchmark 65 with Rachael Murray on board.
Lees will have Oh So Assertive jumping on the inside with Aaron Bullock riding, although the TJC General Manager believes that Grill’s six year old gelding Rockatorio might be able to get the better of all of them first up from a spell and with Greg Ryan on board.
“There is a lot of open races and some very well performed horses,” Sullivan said.
First race jumps at 1pm.
