January Carnival 2014 Day 1 Report

Country Music Festival of Racing at Tamworth - Night 1 Pub Group Gold Nugget

"Nugget" is work of Art

Hunter Valley 4yo Ultimate Art (Modern Art-Salix) continued his unbeaten run on the 750m Tamworth Showground Paceway with a narrow victory over True Desire and Guny Ganu Grand in the $10000 The Pub Group Gold Nugget 2360m, on Wednesday January 15. Despite drawing the back row, the 7/4 on favourite was sent forward by trainer/driver Michael Formosa, to assume the lead after just 600m. Rating 2.00.9 Ultimate Art recorded his 9th win from 18 starts, with 6 placings for $192000 in stakes. The winning trophy, a gold nugget, was more than well received by owner Kirsty Formosa and daughters Chloe & Emily.

It was a good night for Hunter horses taking out 4 of the 9 TAB races with Nulkaba trainer/driver Clayton Harmey involved in a treble, training one winner and driving a double. He prepared Most Exotic (Aces N Sevens-Nickys Flyer) to win the Longyard Hotel Pace 1980m when driven by Josh Osborn. His driving successes were on the Margot Lennox trained pair Eltonromar (Elsu-Blazing Solo) in The Pub Pace 1980m and behind Thingimajig (Santastics Pan-Mainland Countess) off 10m in the XXXX Gold Standing Start 2360m.

Sawyers Gully trainer/river Jason Proctor led throughout on Just Read My Mind (Julius Caesar-Onedin Spur) in The Good Companions Hotel Pace 1980m to round out the southern visitors spoils.

There were three local victors. Gunnedah veteran trainer Milton Muggleton won with Vicars Retreat (Parsons Den-Mysterious Girl) in the $10000 Tabcorp Menangle Country Series Heat 1609m. The 4yo gelding pulled hard three back on the pegs, but once Moonbi driver Dean Chapple got a gap at the 400m mark he switched three wide and the ex-Qlder rattled home to score in 2.01.4.

Chapple made it a driving double in the Coateshire Pace 1980m when Shine On Wicklow (Ifihadyourluck-Sunshine Dreaming) led all the way to record a ridiculously easy 36 1/2m victory in a rate of 2.00.3. Since joining the Chapple camp, the 4yo mare has won three of her five starts for owner/breeders Steve Rivers & Sue Coulton.

The combination of Tamworth trainer Tony Missen and his brother & driver Peter took out The Bushwackers Pace 1609m with ex-Victorian 5yo Safely Shut(Safely Kept-Gate Closed). At just her second start for the local barn and second since resuming, the 11/2 led throughout in 2.02.1.

Qld trainer/driver Jamie Donovan made his annual Country Music Festival trip worthwhile when 3yo Its Wellsaid (As Promised-Viking Beachgirl) scored in the Southgate Inn Pace 1980m. The lightly raced gelding led early before taking a trail, but ended up three pegs when leader handed up. However, Donovan extricated the 5/1 chance into the open with 250m to travel before easily rounding up his opposition. Owner/breeder Peter McMullen and fiancee Chantal Turpin were on hand to witness the gelding's maiden win at his 5th start. Donovan earned The Pub Drive of the Night Award for his display.

The good crowd was also entertained by the mini trotters, the Great Golf Chip-Off & music by Jacki Ranclaud.

Mark Lowe