The Pub Group Gold Nugget will be the feature race on Wednesday night at the Tamworth Paceway, attracting a top class field for the $10,000 race plus a gold nugget as the trophy.
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Hunter Valley pacer Captain Rockey has drawn the one barrier and after contesting the Maitland Inter City Pace Heat and Final series the gelding is in fine form.
“He looks good and is as bright as a button,” trainer David Grant said.
But Grant revealed he has not yet retained a driver for the smart campaigner.
“Normally Josh Osborn drives for me but he is on holidays and Mark Callaghan drove him in the final at Maitland but he has a horse engaged himself,” he said.
As the saying goes there is always a first for everything!
“I will probably end up driving Rockey – there is no one who knows him better than me – I have driven him in all his trials but this will be the first time I have driven him in a race and Kevin (Bates) the owner is on board with that,” Grant added.
There is every chance Captain Rockey will also make a return trip from Luskintyre near Maitland to contest the upcoming Garrard’s Tamworth City Cup, something Grant is contemplating.
“If I went in the Golden Guitar series the horse would have drawn the back line where as in these two races he will draw the front and I am more than happy for the number one barrier on Wednesday night – happy days,” he said.
“When he won his last race it was the first time he had led in all of his race career.
“He was real impressive – but the draw off the second line in the final at Maitland beat him.
“I would like to hold the lead in the Nugget but I am expecting to have some pressure.”
Grant is also looking forward to his return to the Tamworth Paceway.
“I class Tamworth as a home track in a way,” he said.
“Dad (late Kevin Grant) and Toby (uncle) both cut their teeth in this industry at Tamworth – and I have had a few drives there.
“My last drive and win at Tamworth was about 2005 with Darky’s Spirit and I still have relatives there.”
GOLD NUGGET HONOUR ROLL
2005: Romeos Legend (trainer Bob Morley, driver Bob Morley).
2006: Romeos Legend (trainer Bob Morley, driver Bob Morley).
2007: Remember Rusty (trainer Guy Chapple, driver Guy Chapple).
2008: Not run due to EI.
2009: Lady Skip (trainer Ron Whitten, driver: Peter Bullock).
2010: Mister Sky Rocket (trainer Julie Weidemann, driver Lola Weidemann).
2011: Any Cause (trainer Ian Mabbott, driver Anthony Varga).
2012: Churchill Bromac (trainer Robert Clement, driver Dean Chapple).
2013: Karloo Mick (trainer Barry Lew, driver Robbie Morris).
2014: Ultimate Art (trainer Michael Formosa, driver Michael Formosa).
2015: Major Gambler (trainer Nathan Hurst, driver Nathan Hurst).
2016: Charli Dollar (trainer Darren Elder, driver Brad Elder).