SALLY Torrens is hoping for some good pace in the race so Yankee Tango can race at his best in Thursday's $22,000 Kelaher Instrumentation & Electrical Spring Cup (2050m) at Gunnedah's Riverside Racecourse.
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Yankee Tango, a five-year-old gelding son of All American, has won three of his 30 starts. His most recent win was at Gunnedah four starts back and over the 2050m to boot.
He then finished fourth at Tamworth before snaring a second at Barraba (2400m) and a second to House Wins at Gunnedah over the 2050m on September 28.
"He's been all around them lately," Torrens said.
"Been pretty consistent of late. Was out of form but we changed a few things, can't put my finger of which one worked, it's just he's pretty happy."
She said she had "been riding him from back in the field" and changed that tactic so that he was racing forward and sitting just off the pace.
"He's no world beater," she said.
"But he's a good honest horse."
She has booked Rachael Murray to ride and they jump from barrier seven with the minimum 54kg.
"Rachael seems to get on real well with him," Torrens said.
"Had just the two rides on him for a win and a second. It's a pretty even race too. Half a dozen of them could win it. Outta Space goes good and Stirling's (Osland) two (Rage Against and Exilia Miss) are handy too."
"We've just got to be up on the pace. We were riding him back but since we decided to go forward on him he's been a different horse."
Torrens is also hoping to go forward in the Hunter and North West Racing Association's trainer's premiership.
She has registered two wins so far this season and sits 15 off premiership leader Kris Lees (17) in equal 14th with 11 other trainers.
That piece of trivia brought a smile and a laugh from Torrens as she prepares to race on her home track.
Unlike many other tracks Riverside Racecourse has plenty of water for irrigation.
"The track is starting to look really good," Torrens said.
"Will only get better as it grows."
Thursday's meeting was to have been held at Armidale but has been transferred to Riverside because of the drought conditions.
New secretary/manager Lyn Tongue will be in charge for her second meeting and she brings enthusiasm and a wealth of experience to the job.
"This club has great potential," Torrens added.
