Inverell Jockey Club will hold its Holy Trinity family meeting on Saturday – with big fields the order of the day.
The first local race is at 2pm, and the interstate interest is in Melbourne for the huge 10-race Caulfield Cup meeting.
In the Topbuild Handicap over 1400 metres at Inverell, the Scott Dixon stable will be relying on Punton Bernadini to continue the stable’s good luck after the win of Sebbag at the August meeting.
Punton Brenadini probably has her best form over 1600m but unusually led when third at Gunnedah recently and will now be at peak fitness if she gets the chance to settle behind the leaders from barrier eight with Scott Sweedman to ride.
Battlers Cup runner-up Clipaholic returns for Bill Perrett with the flashy grey needing to break a long run of unlucky finishes.
Whilst they are not trained at Inverell, nearby Warialda’s Mr Malu and Glen Innes’ Press Reset will be backed with hope and enthusiasm by their connections.
Mr Malu, to be ridden by Jodi Worley, is the proverbial gift horse, having been given to his new connections for free after frustrating his previous owners.
Leon Cross and a group of harness racing converts have had a mountain of fun with the free horse winning three races with multiple placings.
However, they have had to cover some miles dusty roads to Binnaway and Brewarrina.
In the Thomas Davis Brown Handicap, Todd Payne heads the local hopes with last-start Barraba winner Yes Oui Si taking on the ever consistent stablemate Newcastle Dancer.
Newcastle Dancer has had 14 starts this preparation from Mungindi to Kempsey, finishing fourth or better in 11 of those starts.
He had a last-start second at Gunnedah, which shows another win is probably not far away.
There will be an art union draw on Saturday.
Usual gate fees apply but anyone with a ticket in the raffle for the new car is given free entry and will have access to a wide range of free children’s rides and entertainment.
