Since the 1920s, Quirindi Jockey Club has stood as a monument to the charms of country racing.
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As the club prepares to host its second meeting of the year, headed by the Les Howard Willow Tree Cup (1450m), its seductive quality remains intact.
Amid a stacked racing calendar in the region, Quirindi Jockey Club’s TAB meeting received a capacity 127 acceptors and will feature nine races – one more than originally planned.
And once again, the Group-winning Newcastle-based stables of Kris Lees and Paul Perry will be represented there.
The club’s secretary manager Ted Wilkinson said: “Considering we had the Tamworth Cup last week and a lot of racing nearby and still more racing to come nearby, including the Scone Cup next week, we’re absolutely delighted we got 127 acceptors.
“We’ve had really good support from all the trainers in Hunter North West and down to the Central Coast.”
In the Les Howard Willow Tree Cup, long-time Quirindi trainer Geoff O’Brien, who still rides fast trackwork, has rising Ti Tan Tiger peaked to complete a winning treble.
O’Brien has the formidable ally of champion country jockey Greg Ryan.
Perry’s Secret Webb and Peggy Cove will press Ti Tan Tiger for favouritism.
But Ryan’s influence is always dominant in country betting markets when he decides on a mount.
And he is backing up after riding Ti Tan Tiger for a tenacious win off the extreme outside over 1450m at Muswellbrook recently.
This followed an impressive two lengths win at Taree over 1400m.
“It was a real tough win at Muswellbrook,” O’Brien said. “He had to do a lot of work from the wide draw but he just kept giving for Greg – a real game genuine horse.
“He’s been fantastic this prep – won three from five and runner-up twice. This is a harder race.
“He’s draw the outside again and Paul Perry has a couple in. But this gelding’s form says he’s up to it again. And he’ll get further.”
Is Ti Tan Tiger ready for a crack in town if his country streak continues? “We’ll we’d like to think so. He certainly couldn’t do any more,” the trainer said.
