Excitement is building ahead of this Saturday’s Christmas Hams Race Meeting at the Gunnedah-based Riverside Racecourse, with a strong mix of local talent and emerging performers nominated across the program.
Final fields are expected to be released today (Thursday), with large crowds and strong community support expected as usual on Saturday.
One of the standout early nominations is the Craig Martin-trained Amoruso, entered for the Class 1 Handicap (1000m).
The lightly raced mare made the perfect start to her career in May, scoring on debut at Parkes and collecting a lucrative $100,000 bonus in the process.
Having enjoyed success with progressive types in recent seasons, Craig Martin is expected to have Amoruso primed for another strong showing if Amoruso gets a start.
Local stables will also be well represented, with Sally Torrens submitting 10 nominations while Gavin Groth has nine, including two that are trialling.
As always, the presence of Torrens and Groth adds a strong home-track flavour to one of Gunnedah’s most popular race days of the year.
Of her nominations, Torrens said Gold Smiles and Casdaemon had been racing well “and given the right run will be there in the finish”.
Gold Smiles won race four at Mudgee on October 25, before placing eighth in race eight at Moree six days later.
Following a fifth placing at Moree, Casdaemon has run into form with third placings at Quirindi and Wellington.
Having had her first runner at the Christmas Hams meet back in 2014, Torrens said this annual event was particularly meaningful as it provided her with her first ever training double.
“It brings together a large vibrant crowd of community members, is a very well organised event and represents the conclusion of another great year of racing in Gunnedah,” she said.
Having had runners at the Christmas Hams meet since it began, Groth said the event had a good atmosphere while there were Christmas parties, as well as people having their family and friends come along.
“It’s one of those events on the calendar you like to be a part of, because it’s pretty big,” he said.
Groth said he considered his best chances of success this time were Lucky Ozzie and Accrue, with Lucky Ozzie having placed third at Quirindi a few weeks ago following a 24-week spell.
Accrue, meanwhile, had a win on September 27 and has since had placings of second, ninth, fourth and third.
With fine weather forecast, the track is likely to be rated a Good 4 while seven races are scheduled.
Fashions on the Field, jumping castles, lawn games, kids’ activities and live music will also ensure there is plenty of activity away from the racetrack.
Adding to the appeal for patrons, free courtesy buses will run from the Courthouse Hotel. The first pick-up will be at 11am, followed by regular loops to the racecourse in the lead-up to the opening event.
The buses will return racegoers to the Courty following the final race, making it easy for patrons to enjoy a full day out without needing to drive.
