The odds are looking good for a Moree trainer to take out this year’s Pacific National Chopper Cup, with a one in three chance of a local win during the feature event of this Saturday’s charity race day.
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Local trainers Peter Sinclair and Peter Blanch both have chances in the 1400m Chopper Cup with Arawak and Double Eagle.
Blanch is confident his only entrant for the day, Double Eagle, will have success in the Cup, following on from a disappointing ride at Walcha last Friday.
Earlier this month, the six-year-old bay gelding took out the 1300m Bingara Cup, beating Sinclair’s Chopper Cup hopeful Arawak for the second time.
“Hopefully he’ll win the Cup,” Double Eagle’s trainer Blanch said.
“He beat Arawak the last two times he’s met him.”
With Arawak to carry more weight this time the two local rivals meet, Sinclair is not as confident with the eight-year-old chestnut gelding’s chances.
“He’ll go okay; he’s not as good a horse as he was before he got older,” Sinclair said.
As well as Arawak, Sinclair has three other horses nominated for the Moree charity race meeting this Saturday.
Montague Clan is top weight for the 950m Moree Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Class 2 Handicap, while Lockout and Zoffany Miss will both be competing in the 950m Qantaslink Maiden Plate.
“They’ll go okay, they’ll do their best but they’re not my best horses,” Sinclair said.
While Sinclair is not confident of any wins, he’s hopeful he’ll at least come away with a few places from the local race meeting.
Fellow Moree trainer, Doug Fernando, will also be represented on Saturday with five-year-old chestnut mare Brienne of Tarth in the 1300m Beauty Matters Maiden Handicap.
The track is in excellent condition for this Saturday’s charity race day, which has been moved forward in light of the predicted 40-degree heat.
In consultation with Hunter and North West Racing, Moree Race Club decided to move the first race forward to 12.30pm. This should see all five races finished by 4pm. Gates open at 12pm.
For more information go to www.moreeraceclub.com.au.