The feature race of Bathurst Thoroughbred Racing’s biggest annual meeting has been given a wealth of support by the Tyers Park faithful, with five local trainers nominating for Monday’s Bathurst RSL Club Soldier’s Saddle (1,400 metres).
When nominations were released (on Tuesday), seven Bathurst horses were on the list for the ANZAC Day feature, including three from Peter Stanley’s stables.
Bathurst Thoroughbred Racing general manager Michelle Tarpenning was thrilled to see such a large group of trainers who call Tyers Park their home track searching for a berth in the $25,000 saddle.
“We’ve had a lot of local support. We’ve even got our new Bathurst trainer Matt Vella entering his horse Bay Truffle in the race,” she said.
“It’s very exciting. I love seeing our local contingent representing the club on its most important day. It’s a very special race to watch, with the national anthem beforehand it’s an amazing atmosphere leading up to it.
“Hopefully a good group of those Bathurst horses will make the final acceptances.”
Vella’s mare looks set to be a big player in the race should she be accepted. She comes in with the maximum allowable four wins, including success in her last start at Orange.
Stanley’s City Boots was the horse who finished second by a neck to Vella’s runner in that race and is another nominated for Monday’s feature.
Former Country Championships finalist Hollywood Nell and recent acquisition Hair Of The Dog make up the remainder of what Stanley hopes will become a triple-pronged attack.
Paul Theobald’s seven-year-old stalwart Bathurstian and Kevin Higgins’ chance I’m Away are both nominated and have notched up wins in their current preparations.
Don Ryan is the other Bathurst trainer searching for a start in the race with his mare Just Pay Up. Tarpenning is hoping for good weather and a Bathurst winner.
“We count down to this every year and always look at the weather, and right now it’s looking like it’s going to be 21 or 22 degrees and a really nice day,” she said.
“It would be lovely if we could have a local horse bring the saddle back here. It’s an iconic day for the Bathurst community.”
Bathurst support has carried over into the day’s other races too.
Nomination have been extended to 11am (Wednesday) morning after just eight runners put their name down for Ken Morrow Memorial ANZAC Day Sprint (1,200m).
Vella and Stanley have dual nominated Bay Truffle and Hair Of The Dog for the race. Stanley will have Trent’s Quest in action while Theobald has Dunderry in the sprint.
– Racing NSW
