MIGHTY Like returned to the winners list at Tamworth on Tuesday in something of a dress rehearsal for another crack at another Tamworth Cup.
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The nine-year-old chestnut gelding ran last in the 2018 Tamworth Cup, drawing barrier 19 in that 1400m feature and never being able to put himself into the race.
It was a disappointment for his Tamworth trainer Zach Hatch, who also races the gelding in partnership with Queensland miner Kris Thomas.
Thomas is a former Tamworth High student, as is Zach, and they race in the royal blue and black colours made famous by the school’s numerous University Shield wins.
For Tuesday's TAB meeting, the $22,000 Cellarbrations Open Handicap (1200m), Mighty Like drew well (five) and was always in contention through Scone apprentice Reece Jones' efforts.
“He felt real nice,” Reece Jones said post-race.
“[He] travelled beautifully for me. When he did get to the front he stumbled a bit too. He’s a tough horse though.”
When he was able to stalk leader Mr Pumblechook, he knew the gelding was going to take some beating. He edged Mr Pumblechook, with the The Lion a close third.
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For Hatch, it was another good day and the gelding’s 12th in 55 career starts.
“He’s a beautiful old horse,” he said. “Reece rode him well.”
Mighty Like had returned from a spell to finish fifth of nine in the Quirindi Lightning at Quirindi Cup day on February 15.
“He was a bit unlucky at Quirindi too,” Zach said. “He drew wide and was trapped wide.”
“He was better for that run today [Tuesday],” Zach added.
“There was also a lot of speed today and he was able to sit just behind them.”
He has already earmarked a Tamworth Cup for him and hopes to go into it “fourth run in this time (campaign)”, Zach said.
“Then we might go to Scone and then the Ramornie again.
The $150,000 Tamworth Showcase Cup (1400m) will be run April 28 with the 1600m Scone Cup in mid-May and the 1200m Ramornie in early July.
In race six, African Guy found his winning rhythm again.
The Kris Lees-trained gelding, a four-year-old son of Dream Ballad, was badly beaten at Tamworth at his previous start, running a 10 length fifth to Manabar in a 1200m benchmark 58.
Darrl McLellan rode him that day and was back on board on Tuesday for the Furneys Stockfeed Class 1 Handicap (1400m).
“He sat four deep too until the half mile too,” McLellan said.
He said one of African Guy’s best traits is that “he tries”.
Stable foreman Chris Hull reiterated that: “The other day here they went 100 mile per hour and he couldn’t get into a rhythm. Today he got into that rhythm.
“One thing he does too is that he tries, he always puts in.”
