Julie Maughan's Gold Nugget Raceday Report

CHARLI DOLLAR WINS GOLD NUGGET AT TAMWORTH COMPILED BY JULIE MAUGHAN
The Tamworth HRC commenced their Carnival on Wednesday night and Charli Dollar enjoyed success in taking out the first of many feature races listed over the coming days with an impressive win in the $10,000 The Pub Group Gold Nugget.
With a “smart drive” from 17 year old Maitland reinsman Brad Elder the 7 y.o. Armbro Operative-Scotts Dollar mare - who is trained by Elders father Darren – had a 2.8 metre win over Franco Seville (Tom Ison) and Isobella Maree (Lola Weidemann) 2.1 metres away third.
It was also a “local win” for connections as Charli Dollar was bred and is raced by Gunnedah harness identities Terry Gardner, and his son Scott.
Brad Elder enjoyed the one by one from the outset of the 2360 metre journey and had the gold nugget trophy firmly in his sight as the field made the final turn into the home straight.
“I knew the leader was in trouble and I thought we are a pretty good chance here. The mare did a real good job tonight” added Elder.
Strawberry Courage driven by Mark Callaghan led the field with Franco Seville (Tom Ison) out in the breeze.
Elder made his move as the field travelled out of the back straight on the final occasion to come away for the win in a mile rate was 2.01.6 for the 2360 metres with first quarter 31.8s, second quarter 31.6s, third quarter 28.8s and fourth 29.6s.
Charli Dollar was making it career win number 20 in the $10,000 feature.
“This is only the second meeting I have been to in Tamworth” added Brad Elder “Dad and Pop (Brian) do the training and they got it spot on”
“The Gardner’s have always been good to us” added Elder “we have had plenty of horses with them over the years. They are real good owners – no pressure- and they are good to drive for”
With Brad Elder winning his first feature race the leading driver in the Hunter Valley was pumped.
“Pretty wrapped with the win”
“I thought Strawberry Courage would have been hard to beat but I think the distance sorted a few of them out”
Having the three barrier Elder knew how vital it was to have a good start to the race.
“It was a bit tricky at the start. I was thinking “is it go forward or back”. I just didn’t want to be posted but the way it was the inside horse (Strawberry Courage) kept punching up inside me”
“I think I might take the gold home” joked young Elder.

The Tamworth HRC is ready to race again this Sunday afternoon with seven heats of the $25,000 Prydes Easifeed Golden Guitar to be conducted – the first year that seven heats have been staged.
? The Prydes Easifeed Golden Guitar heats have attracted plenty of quality with Narissa
McMullen having Murano engaged in Heat 5, Shane Tritton has Katy Perry engaged in Heat 4
and Belinda McCarthy has Downunder Stride engaged in Heat 3.
? Two Heats of the $15,000 Nevele R Stud Star Maker 3 yo will also be conducted on Sunday
night with Gotta Go Gold engaged for Sam Dimarco.

All finals will be conducted on Friday night 22nd January