Julie Maughan's Raceday Report 22nd January 2016: Tamworth City Cup/Star Maker 3YO

MUARNO AND UNCLE PETER HAVE IMPORTANT VICTORIES AT TAMWORTH by JULIE MAUGHAN

Queenslander Narissa McMullen paid her first visit to the Tamworth Golden Guitar Carnival and vowed she will be back – especially after the win of Murano won the $12,000 Garrards Horse and Hound Tamworth City Cup.

McMullen who is relocating from Queensland to take up residence at the new Training Complex at Menangle made Tamworth a stopover point on the long journey.

"It was good to come here and win a race" said McMullen "The next start will probably be at Menangle" added the 21 year old.

With missing out on the final of the Golden Guitar when Murano finished third and facing his first loss in seven starts, McMullen set Murano for the Garrards Horse and Hound Tamworth City Cup.

"At first I was disappointed in not getting into the Golden Guitar but it worked out for the better "said McMullen.

"There is no pressure as I own him myself and he has done an awesome job for me. I just love the little horse"

McMullen was "swinging" to Murano who led all the way in the 2360 metre Tamworth Cup but as she turned the final bend let Murano run along to come away for a 22.8 metre win over local champion Mitrhys Magic (Anthony Varga) and Raesawinner (John McCarthy) a half neck away third.

Murano had a mile rate was 1.59.5 in taking the race and giving McMullen her first win at Tamworth.

Bathurst reinsman Anthony Frisby then drove his first winner at the Tamworth Paceway when Uncle Peter won the Nevele R Stud Star Maker Three Year Old Final with an all the way win.

"This is my first win at Tamworth" said Frisby who was not confident he had won the race as he awaited for the Judge to declare the winner with such a close finish.

"It all worked out pretty good. Luke (McCarthy) said I had got it but I wasn’t real confident at all" added Frisby.

In the closest of finishes Uncle Peter had a short half head win over Bettor Together (Luke McCarthy) and Gotta Go Gold (Jason Proctor) a short half head away third.

"It is a great little meeting and we will be coming back" added Frisby.

It was also a successful finals night for fellow Bathurst trainer Nathan Hurst who trained a treble at the meeting with Kyalla Luke taking out the Parry Logistic Pace and Tulhurst Sarsha in the Barry and Rose Hughes Memorial with both pacers driven by Sydney reinsman Nathan Xuerub who enjoyed the driving double at Tamworth.

Hurst then elected to take the reins behind Blazing Brax in the Tim Varga Is Getting Married Pace for winning drive.