AFTER All That received a berth in Sunday’s $100,000 Corey’s Catering Tamworth Cup (1400m) on Thursday when the Scone gelding became the 14th runner in a race that starts just 14.
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The Rod Northam-trained gelding, second to Free Standing in the recent $400,000 Country Championship Final at Randwick, also drew an “awkward” gate in barrier 13.
However the talented five-year-old son of Time Thief will start one of the favourites come Sunday because of his courageous form over the last few months.
Fourth in the $150,000 Country Championship Qualifier at Scone to Caerless Choice when beaten less than half a length he then backed up to run a massive second to Pelerin in the Country Championship Wild Card when he was beaten less than half a length again.
He then backed up for the CC Final and beat a wall of horses out wide on the track to finish second to Free Standing, who stole the race via a brilliant inside run-ride from Blake Shinn.
Robert Thompson rode the gelding at scone and Randwick for Rod Northam.
He will be back aboard in Sunday’s Cup and hoping to win Northam his first Tamworth Cup from a barrier (13) Northam described as “awkward”.
“He has drawn a little bit awkward but he’s used to that,” he joked after he drew barrier 16 in the CC Final. He’s done really well since then though. Super.”
He has no doubt After All That will be in the running at some stage on Sunday because of his natural competitive spirit. “He does really try hard,” he said of the five-year-old gelding he bought as a yearling at the annual Inglis Scone Yearling Sale.
After All That is raced by Rod Northam as well.
“I bought him at the sales but he hurt himself and I got stuck with him,” he recalled.
“It’s turned out all right.”
In 16 starts After All That has won four and been placed another three times for $162,910 in prizemoney.
After All That can also end a Tamworth Cup drought for Northam.
“Prior Baron might have run a few placings in it for me,” he said.
“He might have been stiff one year.”
Win, lose or draw Sunday After All That will be aimed at the Friday, May 12 $80,000 Pryde’s EasiFeed Noel Leckie Country Cup (1400m).
While After All That was 14th on the acceptances list fellow Country Championship horses Caerless Choice and Mapmaker were listed as emergencies.
Tamworth Jockey Club general manager Damon Sullivan said the Tamworth track should be in great shape come Sunday’s big eight-race meeting.
More than $350,000 in prizemoney will be distributed on the day.
"It’s a Soft 6 at the moment but we anticipate it will be a Soft 5 or Good 4 by Sunday if we don’t get any more extra rain,” Sullivan said.
