WODONGA and District Turf Club has attracted its strongest ever field for Sunday’s Jack Maher Classic (1200m) after some of the nation’s biggest stables accepted for the $25,000 feature yesterday.
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Leading Melbourne trainers Peter Moody, John O’Shea, Ciaron Maher, Robert Smerdon and partners David Hayes and Tom Dabernig all have starter’s in the Border’s richest juvenile race.
In a further coup, ace Kiwi jockey Michael Walker has been booked for several mounts on the eight-race card including Poet’s Choice in the feature for Hayes and Dabernig.
Local trainers Brian Cox (Miss Koru) and Sylvia Thompson (Tricky Redente) will be looking to thwart the challenge of the metropolitan raiders.
Uncle Tiger scored an upset win for Thompson in last year’s classic when he upstaged a handy field at the bolter odds of 40/1.
Thompson is hoping for a similar result on Sunday and score another David and Goliath win.
“The race has certainly attracted some big name trainers which is a coup for the club,” Thompson said.
“It certainly looks a lot stronger race than last year.
“The track is already a heavy (10) and will have a big say in the result because if we get any more rain the meeting could be in a bit of strife as far as going ahead.”
Tricky Redente has had one previous start at Echuca earlier this month where he finished at the tail of the field.
Thompson said the son of Redente would be better for the experience.
“We have always had this race on the radar for him,” she said. “Unfortunately he has only had the one race beforehand but he is a lot better than that start indicated. He is drawn awkwardly in 11 and is going to need luck.
“He will be a better three-year-old than two-year-old because he is very immature — more so in the mind than the body.
“We have trialled him a few times and he tends to do a few things wrong.
“But we have tinkered with his gear and added ear muffs which has helped him greatly and this will be his last start this preparation before having a break and then coming back in the spring.”
The John O’Shea-trained Demonstrate looks the testing material on exposed form. Demonstrate contested a heat of the Blue Diamond Prelude in February and has one win and two minor placings since resuming in May.
In a further bonus, promising apprentice Brodie Loy will make the trek from Sydney to partner the gelding.
Loy joined the Godolphin stable in May and also notched his first group 2 victory aboard Bjorn Baker-trained Burbero this year.
