TUMUT trainer Kerry Weir is quietly confident Christmas could come one day early for his stable.
Cups campaigner Sand Dune will be Weir’s only runner at Murrumbidgee Turf Club on Thursday when he tackles the $25,000 Chris Heywood Racing Ted Ryder Cup (1600m).
It will be the start of a big couple of days for Weir, who has five of his team in on his home track at Tumut on Boxing Day.
“All the horses are going really good at the moment,” Weir said.
“It’s a nice time of year to have them ticking along well. It would be nice to get another winner to help pay for Christmas.
“I’ll have 38 here at my place for lunch on Christmas Day.”
Weir had a winner with Oh So Touchable at Albury last Saturday and he will be a short price to land one on Boxing Day.
Sand Dune will meet a competitive field in the feature race at Wagga but Weir could not be happier with the seven-year-old.
“He looks as good as I can get him,” he said.
“They’re a pretty even bunch. If the top weight (Laidback Larry) was right, he’d be hard to beat.
“They’ll know my bloke’s there. If a bit of rain comes that won’t hurt either. He’s won on a heavy 10 to a good two.”
Sand Dune has turned into a top buy for Weir and his connections.
Earlier in the year, Sand Dune won the Cowra and Corowa Cups.
He has had three runs back this preparation and caught the eye with his last start effort when flying home for third in the Ryder Cup Prelude (1300m).
“His form over the mile is good, that’s his ideal distance, that’s where he won those country Cups, over the mile,” Weir said.
“I gave him a run over 1300 last time, he went from 1400 back to 1300 and that will have topped him off for the mile.
“I thought the run was first class the other day. It’s hard for a horse coming back 100 metres in distance.
“He’s drawn well, he’s got in good at the weights, Megan’s riding well and knows the horse.
"I couldn't be happier with him."
- Tumut trainer Kerry Weir on Sand Dune
“I couldn’t be happier with him.”
Weir’s apprentice, Megan Taylor, will take the ride on Sand Dune from barrier four in the 14-horse field.
Sand Dune will run at Wagga but is also being aimed towards the $14,500 Tumut Cup (1400m) on January 23.
“The Tumut Cup is the main aim but then he’ll back up in those cups he won at Cowra and Corowa, all going well,” he said.
“He’ll keep racing while he’s going good.”
The Ted Ryder Cup will be run at 5.10pm on Thursday.
