Tamworth Jockey Club stepped in yesterday to host the Elders Killara Feedlot Quirindi Cup meeting after the original fixture at Quirindi was abandoned last Friday.
The Quirindi Jockey Club had been scheduled to stage its annual Cup meeting, but following an inspection by local stewards, issues were identified in the back straight of the track. Racing NSW made the decision on Friday afternoon to transfer the meeting to Tamworth, with the program run on Monday, 23 February.
The day began strongly for local trainer Troy O’Neile, who claimed the 2YO Showcase Handicap (1000m) with Tricia’s Rainbow at her first start on the Tamworth track.
After a fast early tempo, apprentice Leeshelle Small restrained the filly to secure cover midfield before allowing her to balance up in the straight. Tricia’s Rainbow finished powerfully to defeat Blocker, trained by Sydney-based Greg Hickman.
The Class 1 Showcase Handicap (1600m) produced another local success, with the well-supported Visualise ($1.80) delivering a dominant 4.5-length victory for Tamworth trainer Jacob Perrett. Jockey Jake Pracey-Holmes settled the four-year-old gelding midfield before circling the field on the home turn. The gelding quickly put the race beyond doubt and was eased down late.
Race five saw a confident front-running ride from Mikayla Weir aboard favourite Nation Changing for Tamworth trainer Mel O’Gorman. Weir pushed forward approaching the 1000m to avoid being caught three wide and controlled the race from there, with rivals unable to reel the gelding in. Weir finished the meeting with three winners.
The feature event, the Elders Killara Feedlot Quirindi Showcase Cup (1600m), drew a capacity field of 14.
Voracious, trained by Mack Griffith, added another feature to his record with victory in the Cup, having already won the Inverell Cup and placed third in this year’s Walcha Cup.
Apprentice Jacob Stiff partnered the five-year-old gelding to what is his biggest win to date. Slow to begin, Voracious settled midfield, one off the rail. Stiff allowed the gelding to build momentum approaching the home turn and rode strongly to secure the win. A strong contingent of owners was on course to celebrate the victory.
Tamworth Jockey Club will have a quick turnaround and race again on Monday, 2 March.
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