A HOST of locally trained gallopers will grace the hallowed Wangaratta Turf Club turf for tomorrow’s Christmas Race Day.
Eight races will feature on the card with two maidens, four benchmark 52s and two 0-58 races to entertain a strong crowd of Christmas party goers.
Andrew Dale will have the largest team of runners with seven accepted, along with two emergencies, while Craig Weeding (6), Ben Brisbourne (4), Ledger Racing (4) and Chris Davis (3) will all feature as well.
Dale said he’s hopeful a little bit of rain over Friday and Saturday will bring his runners into their races after wide draws.
“We haven’t had much luck with draws so maybe the rain will mean the barriers don’t play as much of a role come Saturday,” Dale said.
“There’s 20-40mm forecast for Friday and 1-5mm on Saturday so if we get that you’d think we’ll be racing on a soft seven, heavy eight type track.
“And with an eight race card there could be plenty of wear and tear come those later races.”
Rushford is Dale’s only runner to draw a single figure barrier (3) and is gunning for three straight wins in race five’s benchmark 52 (1300m).
Just two starts ago Rushford saluted at Wangaratta on Melbourne Cup Day in the same grade and will be one of the main threats tomorrow.
“That’s his (Rushford) grade that reverse ballot benchmark 52,” Dale said.
“He’s drawn well, has a good hoop on board and has been racing really well lately.
“He only won at Wangaratta in a similar race two starts ago so he’ll be a chance.”
Dale’s Hells Son has been in solid form of late with two top two finishes from his past three starts but will have to do it from a wide draw (14) in race four’s 0-58 (1590m).
“Hells Son has been in good form recently but with an awkward draw and wet weather we’ll have to wait and see whether we run him,” Dale said.
“He gets out to a mile for the first time though, he ran at 1450m last start at Tatura but we think he’ll appreciate a little bit further.”
Dale’s stable will be eager to see what new recruit Noci Di Cocco can do after crossing from the Joseph Burges stable in the Hunter region.
The five-year-old gelding will tackle race eight’s benchmark 52 (1100m).
“It’s his first run for the stable so it’s a real ‘lets see what he can do’ type run,” Dale said.
“He comes back from 58 grade up at Muswellbrook which is pretty handy racing.
“Hannah Edgley is booked to ride and she’s ridden him in trackwork but like most of our runners he’s drawn wide (barrier 11).”
Dale will also have runners at Albury’s Christmas Party Races where he’s had more luck with barrier draws.
Bellman will front up in race six’s benchmark 58 (1600m) from gate seven, while Chairman’s Choice will run in race seven’s benchmark 58 (900m) from barrier six.
