Racing NSW’s Rising Star Series is heating up this summer and a tremendous battle is being staged between front-runners Robbie Dolan and Jenny Duggan, with in-form Tamworth apprentice Wendy Peel looking to put pressure on the duo.
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Peel has been in slashing form with a winning treble at Armidale on December 18 and a double at Quirindi on Boxing Day.
Peel sits in fourth spot on the Rising Star Series ladder with 15 points and can edge herself into the mix as she is certain to have a mount at Tamworth on Friday for the $22,000 Country Music Cup 24 January Class 3 – Heat of the Rising Star (1400m).
Duggan led the point score on 18 points up until Wyong’s December 19 heat but has since been overhauled by a mere point.
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Dolan won on that occasion aboard Fuchu who scored a last-stride victory from Cuba (Patrick Scorse). Right behind the pair in third place was Duggan on Resonare.
But Dolan’s seven points pushed him to 22 points to edge past Duggan (three points for third) on 21 points, with Mikayla Weir (16 points) back in third place.
Dolan and Duggan are unlikely to be competing at Tamworth which could open the door for Weir to dash past both with victory in the race.
Her master, Todd Howlett, has entered Big Reg for the race who last competed in a TAB Highway race at Rosehill Gardens on December 1 when seventh to the talented Noble Boy.
Weir has ridden five winners at Tamworth and had six rides there during the October 29 race meeting.
After Tamworth, the series moves to Cessnock with a heat being held on Tuesday January 8 and then at Wagga a fortnight later. The Series Final is at Royal Randwick on Monday June 10.
Weights for Tamworth will be out Monday afternoon after the TJC received 102 nominations for the meeting. The club has extended nominations on six of the eight races.
Hunter and North West Racing Association continues at Inverell and Wallabadah on Tuesday with the Inverell and Wallabadah Cups highlight races on those cards.
Inverell-trained Mishani Stealth (Shane Edmonds) and Puzzling Wonder (Wayne Oakenfull) have great chances in the 11-horse $35,000 XXXX Gold 2019 Inverell Cup (1400m).
Tamworth trainer Craig Martin also starts Present Sense in the Inverell Cup and also has a good chance of snaring a rare Inverell-Wallabadah Cup double with Cricklewood in the $10,500 Manuka Chaff 167th Wallabadah Cup (1500m).
Four-kilogram-claiming apprentice Sophia Thatcher will ride Cricklewood.
