Young Albury reinsman Tom Gilligan has a lot on his plate this weekend.
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Not only will Gilligan be striving to win his first Albury Pacers Cup when he partners Rusty Crackers at the paceway on Friday night.
But his partner Brooke McPherson and trainer of Rusty Crackers is expecting the pair's first child at any moment.
Gilligan who also juggles his passion for harness racing with a farrier business is staying close to home.
"I'm just waiting for the phone call, so I'm not travelling too far from home at the minute," Gilligan said.
"I've got a bit going on at the moment.
"I'm hoping the baby doesn't arrive until after the cup.
"But I've got a funny feeling the baby is going to arrive some time on Friday and I'll have to miss out on the drive.
"There's a fair chance there could be a late driving change, we'll just have to watch this space."
IN OTHER NEWS
Rusty Crackers looks a genuine hope in the $17,850 feature after claiming the Leeton Cup by a big margin earlier last month.
Disappointedly, the Border's richest harness race only attracted a field of six.
But Gilligan said the lack of runners was compensated by the quality of the field and shapes as an intriguing race.
"It's a quality little field," he said.
"It's a shame from the club's perspective that it didn't attract a full field.
"But the Victorian raiders have been competing in strong races.
"Smaller fields can sometimes be a bit tricky to drive in and I may have to change my tactics as the race unfolds.
"I will initially settle back in the field but I will have to be mindful they are not walking early or I'll have to get going a bit earlier than usual."
Rusty Crackers ran fifth in the Albury feature last year taken out by the Jackson Painting-driven The Crimson Prince.
But Gilligan said Rusty Crackers had gone to another level over the past 12 months after capturing the Temora, Wagga and Leeton cups as well as scoring at Menangle.
"It was a dominant win in the Leeton Cup last month when resuming," he said.
"The horse has been working well since and seems to thrive when he gets out to the staying trip of 2555m.
"I have no doubt he is a much better horse than 12 months ago and is a lot more tractable now.
"Last year he may have run fifth in the Albury Cup but they walked early and it was always going to be a tough ask to reel them in.
"I would be surprised if he's not fighting out the finish this year."
Commercial Club members receive free entry to the meeting.
There is strictly no BYO.
