GUNNEDAH mare Swiftly Mango will be chasing back-to-back wins on a massive seven-race TAB Christmas Hams meeting at Gunnedah Jockey Club's Riverside Racecourse on Saturday.
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The five-year-old daughter of Al Samer saluted at Dubbo on November 17 after resuming from a 21-week spell.
It was her first win in six starts and a 1110m maiden.
"She's my best chance, I think," Gunnedah trainer Sally Torrens said of her chances in the annual meeting, which is so popular senior cricket will be suspended this weekend. Torrens added: "She's a lovely little mare. Best part is I own her too."
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Belinda Holder will ride the five-year-old bay mare.
Torrens will have a busy day, with three other runners. Reigning Supreme (Luke Cumberland) is in race one, Yankee Tango (Hodder) is in race three and Stoke It Up (Holder) will contest race four. Supreme Goodness is the first emergency in race five. "It's going to be a big day," she added.
"The noms (159) were huge. The club would have to be very happy with that. They have quite a few Christmas parties booked in as well. The track looks good too."
GJC president Kevin Edmonds agreed. "The noms were pretty good," he said. "We were really happy with them, they are excellent. The track is good too. We've got a good bore and a new watering system."
Of concern to Edmonds and the GJC committee is the lack of water in the Peel River.
"There's no flow, it's dry," he said. "Curlewis had 55mm (of rain) last week and we only had 14mm here at the track."
However he and his committee are preparing for a huge day horse wise and spectator wise on Saturday.
"We have around 800 booked in for Christmas parties," he said. "That should be really good."
Then there are the renowned Christmas hams. Each winning trainer receives one, something that has become a tradition of excellence and thanks for many years.
