With a gold nugget on offer as the trophy there will be plenty of challengers for the prime position in the race from the outset with Hedges Avenue having the task ahead of her after drawing the eight barrier.

Uralla reinsman Mitch Faulkner has had four winning drives behind Hedges Avenue, including her last three on the trot, and is looking to have success once again with Hedges Avenue to make it back to back wins in the prestigious race.

“It would be better if I was driving my own horse” joked Faulkner “but it is a good race to kick the racing carnival off at Tamworth.”

“It’s good to be going back into the race with a horse that has a bit of form.”

Faulkner trained and drove the winner of the 2018 Pub Group Gold Nugget with Onedin Highlander for Tamworth owner Henry Campbell.

“Last year showed all you needed was luck and that happened considering I was the only local in the race,” added Faulkner.

“I went into last year’s race not being a good chance and look what happened.”

“Being out of the eight barrier at Tamworth is always good to have. The mare (Hedges Avenue) has shown some toughness in her last runs so hopefully she can show that on Wednesday night.”

Now enters part owner and trainer of Hedges Avenue - Tamworth trainer Ian “Ernie” Mabbott - who races the mare in partnership with his son Anthony.

“They are all chances,” added Mabbott of the field.

“The winners will come off the front line - it will all depend on how the race is run.”

Mabbott’s referral to the front line comes in the form of Royal Gamble from the one barrier and The Bus from the three barrier.

Royal Gamble - trained by Mark Callaghan - will be driven by his 17-year-old son Jack Callaghan who will be trying to notch up another win on the Tamworth Paceway after taking out the Roadwork Industries Dash For Cash with a mile rate of 1.54.4 for 1230 metres behind Royal Gamble back in December.

The Bus comes from the Mark Jones stables to be driven by Guy Chapple, and comes into the feature off a second placing in the fourth heat of the recent Maitland Inter City Pace.

Support the local news that keeps you informed – subscribe today

“I hope she puts in a good run and not disappoint me - it will be in the lap of the God’s,” added Mabbott of Hedges Avenue’s chances of gold.

“There are some horse’s in the race that you can’t leave out either - Bassey (Sam Ison) is going good at the moment.”

Could the name “Ison” lead to another twist in the race with the inform Ison siblings all driving a winner each at the last Tamworth harness meeting and now all have a charge in The Pub Group Gold Nugget Pace.

Sam Ison has Bassey, who he trains himself, while younger brother Tom Ison will handle the Jarred Hetherington trained Lexy Can Wait and younger sister Emma Ison will handle Tepary for her father Andy Ison. All three runners are last start winners.

And now let’s not forget the third string to the bow of Hedges Avenue, Anthony Mabbott,

Back in 2011 Mabbott himself trained the winner of the Pub Group Gold Nugget race with Any Cause which was driven by Anthony Varga.

All for the makings of a good race for any punter!

Have your say, send a letter to the editor