ARMIDALE trainer Frank Tanner has always had a soft spot for consistent mare Tully Bolero despite the fact that she “doesn’t like to float”.
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But that fondness grew even stronger on Saturday when the five-year-old worked her way through the field to claim her fourth career win the Locals 4 Locals 1300m BM 55 Handicap at Armidale.
Ridden by apprentice Jemma Wilson, Tully Bolero beat Gunnedah galloper The Early Bird (Leanne Henry) by one and a half lengths and Bombproof (Travis Wolfgram) by a further short half head.
Tanner always reckoned he had a nice galloper in Tully Bolero but her only drawback is the fact that she doesn’t like to float.
“We have to truck her to meetings,” Tanner said.
“But she makes up for it in a lot of other ways.
“She’s a nice little mare.
“She needed a let up, so we gave her that and it was good to see her win her second start back, despite the wide barrier (11).
“Jemma rode her a top race.
“I told her to keep out of trouble and just roll along, then make a move at the 600m.
“She did that.
“They had a beautiful run to the post and came away with a nice, uninterrupted win.”
Tanner was one of three local trainers to claim victory on their home track on Saturday.
First up was Lea Selby who saddled up Moss Garden (Patrick Lo) to win the 1300m maiden over Steel Academy (Leanne Henry) and Darned (Melissa Brown) while Keith Smith had to wait until the last race (1100m Benchmark 55 Handicap) to win with Wataview.
Ridden by local jockey Geoff Snowden (who also won with Mark Taylor’s Kalahari Princess earlier in the day), she beat Coffs Harbour galloper For Kings I Dance (Travis Wolfgram) and Military Way (Codie McPherson).