WAGGA trainer Wayne Carroll is taking a cautious approach with last-start winner Grand Allowance after producing one of the training performances of the year in Canberra.
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Carroll produced Grand Allowance first-up from a 955-day break in Canberra last Friday and the six-year-old repaid his connection’s faith with an impressive first-up victory.
Grand Allowance showed plenty of potential at his first two race starts back in December 2010 before be sustained a bad suspensory ligament injury.
A long healing process meant Grand Allowance spent more than two years in the paddock before Carroll decided to bring him back into work.
Almost six months and two trials later, Grand Allowance made a stunning return to the racetrack at Canberra.
“I reckon Greg (Carroll) was louder than the course broadcaster over the last 100,” Carroll recalled with a laugh yesterday.
“It was a really satisfying win for the family.”
Carroll paid tribute to his brother Greg, who put in an enormous amount of time to see the son of Mossman return to the racetrack.
“Ninety-five per cent of his work has been done on the treadmill,” Carroll said.
“Greg owns the horse, he and his family along with myself, and Greg has done a lot of work with him helping through his rehabilitation.
“The tendon is as good as it can be. He’s in the paddock now for two weeks.
“He had two trials and a race so now I’ll give him a break because at the races the other day was the most pressure his leg has been put under.
“All seems good and I’ll get him scanned again when he comes back in. Hopefully he’ll be back ready to go when the tracks are a bit better in the spring so we can push forward.”
Grand Allowance ($4.20) was ridden to victory by Carroll’s nephew, Andy Bloomfield, in the comeback win to complete the family affair.
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ALBURY girl Lily Coombe has returned to her home town in a bid to kick-start her career as an apprentice jockey.
Coombe is the latest addition to the Southern District jockey ranks after joining the Brett Cavanough stable on a three-month loan.
The 20-year-old was based at Warrnambool with trainer Matthew Williams where she was given the all-clear to begin race riding on July 17.
She had two rides at Donald last month before taking her tally to four with a couple for Cavanough at Forbes on Monday.
Coombe, who claims four kilograms, and can ride at 53kg.
The bright young talent has also completed her first year of a law degree to ensure she has a back-up plan after racing.
Coombe arrived at Albury last Monday and said she is enjoying being back home.
“It’s good. Hopefully I can learn a bit more,” Coombe said yesterday.
“Brett’s got a big team so hopefully I can get some opportunities.
“I’ve finished my first year at uni and deferred now while I’m in NSW.”
Coombe hopes to pick up rides at Wagga on Friday.
Meanwhile, Cavanough yesterday said that Albury Gold Cup winner Niblick is three weeks away from a return.
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WAGGA iron mare Mrs Menzies has claimed the unofficial title as the nation’s most durable galloper.
Mrs Menzies, a winner at Narrandera last month, had more starts than any other horse in the country last season.
Trained by Trevor Sutherland, Mrs Menzies raced 31 times during the 2012-13 season for five wins.
Victorian galloper To Cry For was next with 28 starts.
NSW rider Jeff Penza, a regular visitor at Wagga, was the country’s busiest rider.
Penza rode in 1163 races, with Grant Buckley the only other to compete in at least 1000 with 1072 rides.
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WAGGA mare Lycra Lass will be out to add another metropolitan victory to her collection when she steps out at Canterbury today.
The comeback queen has returned from a life threatening illness to find her best form again this preparation and she is considered a big chance of victory today.
Lycra Lass will be sent out as one of the top elects in the $40,000 Benchmark 70 Handicap (1550m) after putting in an eye-catching effort last start at Rosehill.
Trainer Wayne Carroll believes Lycra Lass gets in very well after Yusuke Ichikawa’s three kilogram claim, but is slightly concerned about the wide gate.
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A COUPLE of in-form Southern District trainers will head south to try their luck at Sandown today.
Jerilderie trainer Phil Sweeney, who enjoyed his best season in the Southern District for years, has Lachlan Lily and Ruby Diamonds in.
Lachlan Lilly has been dealt a bad gate but will be assisted by Kayla Nisbet’s three kilogram claim in the $35,000 Rating 0-64 Handicap (1300m).
Ruby Diamonds will tackle the $35,000 Benchmark 70 Handicap (1800m).
Corowa trainer Geoff Duryea will have another crack at a metropolitan win with in-form sprinter Canny Come Inn in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1300m).
Canny Come Inn ran a good second at Sandown last month and has Glen Boss aboard today.
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MURRUMBIDGEE Turf Club (MTC) is likely to be racing on a heavy track when it holds its TAB meeting on Friday.
MTC officials were hopeful of a slow track for the meeting until showers in Wagga yesterday put the track into the heavy range.
Nominations were extended until yesterday with numbers being boosted for the Open Handicap (1200m) and Maiden Handicap (1000m).
MTC chief executive Scott Sanbrook said the meeting should attract plenty of interest.
“The numbers aren’t huge but it
should still be a good meeting,” Sanbrook said.
“We were happy with the response and are hoping for a good day’s racing.”
The track was rated a heavy eight at midday yesterday. The fields will be released this morning.
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GRIFFITH racehorse Sonro signalled he is in for a terrific preparation with an impressive first-up victory at Forbes on Monday.
Trained by Gino D’Altorio at Griffith, Sonro backed up a nice trial victory at Narrandera last month by taking care of a small but handy field at Forbes.
Sonro held off an unlucky Zarreig to take out the Benchmark 65 Handicap (1200m) by 1.5 lengths.
Leeton trainer Peter Clancy may have missed with Zarreig but he scored later in the day with Dragon Rein in the Class One Handicap (1400m).
Sonro was ridden to victory by Joel Maconachie, while apprentice John Kissick scored on Dragon Rein.
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FATHER and daughter combination David Blundell and Michelle Russell are enjoying a great run as a new training partnership.
The pair brought up their third winner together at Canberra last Friday when Written Glory scored a strong first-up win.
Written Glory, with only two previous race starts to her name, dashed away to take out the Maiden Plate (1080m) by 2.5 lengths.
All three of Blundell and Russell’s wins have come at Canberra.
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What’s On
Racing
Friday: Wagga (TAB)
Harness Racing
Sunday: Wagga (TAB)