RACING
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GRAND campaigner Gunner will have his second crack at a Ted Ryder Cup on Tuesday some five years after tackling the prestigious feature for the first time.
It has been a long time between Ted Ryder Cup runs for Gunner, a 10-year-old, who enters the $25,000 feature race on the back of wins at two of his last three starts.
The last time Gunner ran in a Ted Ryder Cup it was 2009 and a young Tye Angland beat Irish Key to victory for Wagga trainer Gary Colvin.
Brad Witt had his trainer's licence for just over a year, Gunner had won only the one race for him and Hong Kong was nothing but a dream for Angland.
Angland will return to the region for his first Ted Ryder Cup ride since that day in 2009 and ironically it will be Gunner who he rides in the feature race.
Angland has only ever had the one ride for Witt, on Gunner, and he piloted the 10-year-old to a commanding first-up victory.
Witt could not be happier to have Angland in the saddle for Southern District's summer feature on Tuesday.
"It's a huge plus," Witt said.
"He's had one ride for me for one win, he's a group one jockey and a good bloke to go with it.
"He rode (Gunner) first up over 1300 at Wagga and got the job done, that was his first ever ride for me.
"I'll just leave it to him again."
Gunner may be the veteran of the field but comes into the race in some of his best form.
Witt acknowledges the quality of this year's field but does not believe a win is beyond Gunner.
"I reckon he can (win)," he said.
"It's a good race, but in saying that, it's an even race.
"All the horses have been going pretty good, especially the local horses."
Angland will ride Gunner from barrier three.
"He's going along good, the old horse," Witt said.
"He's had a freshen up in the paddock, I've spaced his runs and kept him on the fresh side.
"I couldn't be happier with him."
Gunner is the stable favourite at Witts, having earned close to $100,000 since joining him courtesy of nine victories and 15 placings.
He has done all this despite spending three years in the paddock through injury.
Wagga will make up seven of the 13-horse field for the feature race.
The Graeme Spackman-trained May Nelly has been scratched.