GAVIN Groth is hoping for a little "joy" when the Gunnedah Jockey Club hosts a transferred Armidale meeting at its Riverside Racecourse on Thursday.
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The Gunnedah trainer has 12 horses in work and half of those are engaged in the seven-race TAB meeting.
"It's a busy day for us," Groth said.
"[We've] got half the stable in."
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Groth's "joy" comes from via a number of fronts.
Back in August Groth had two bilateral knee replacements in Sydney.
After a week of rehabilitation he returned home, where he has been returning to normality, although the first few weeks he wasn't allowed near the horses.
Since then he's been on "light duties".
"Making the feeds, things like that," he said.
He is delighted to be back working his horses and preparing for a big day that includes chasing victory in the feature race of the day, the $22,000 Kelaher Instrumentation and Electrical Spring Cup (2050m).
That's where more of his "joy" comes in.
Groth starts chestnut mare Bring The Joy in the Cup.
The five-year-old daughter of Magic Albert, bred by Gunnedah's Dave "Pom" Anderson, has won three of her 24 starts and while she disappointed to come fourth to House Wins over 2050m at Gunnedah last start, she does drop two kilograms for Thursday's race.
She has also drawn well in barrier two and has Wendy Peel, who won on her at Coonamble recently.
"She was lacking a run last start," Groth said.
"She's ready, fitness wise now. Drawn well and hopefully she finishes off this time."
Epic Decision, Malzoom and last-start Gunnedah winner Danspur, will all race well, while Groth also has a couple of new "arrivals" having their first starts for him.
"Annie's Street has been here six or seven weeks," he said.
"She's come to us off a freshen up from Melbourne.
"She's a Class 1 in a Class 2 race.
"It's her first time going this way and she hasn't had a trial.
"Showboy is having his first start.
"[We've] only had him seven or eight weeks. He's going all right, trialled well in a cracker of a trial."
Groth also expects the Riverside track to be somewhere between a Good 3 or 4 with "good grass cover down the running".
