Newcastle trainer Geoff Harding is plotting another raid on Riverina feature races.
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Harding has Strathlachlan Andy engaged in the $13,260 BFB & John New Earthmoving Temora Pacers (2360m) on Saturday night.
It will be a first racing on the circuit, although Harding drove a horse in a workout their many moons ago.
However the pair are no strangers to cup success in the region.
They scored back-to-back Cootamundra Cup wins in 2015 and 2016 and Strathlachlan Andy is looking to make it a third cup win in Temora’s feature race.
Strathlachlan Andy has only raced nine times since winning at Cootamundra after being given a long break.
However Harding is happy with how he comes into the race after a win at Dubbo and a second last time out at Menangle.
“It’s good money and not a bad field but it is probably easier than a Menangle field,” Harding said.
“He gets around the little tracks good so that I why I chase them.
“I think he is as nearly as good I can get him now.”
Despite drawing barrier nine, Harding expects the longer distance will suit.
He’s won three of his four races over the trip and has plenty of options as one of the class runners in the field.
“I expected to draw back there in nine or 10 as he’s such a high C class horse, but it is 2300 so that will suit him too,” Harding said.
“It gives him time to do whatever we decide to do.”
Another reason for the trip is stablemate Sackheim.
A group one performer as a juvenile, Harding believes the $10,000 C0-C1 later in the card is ideal for the four-year-old.
“There is not many C0 races left and when they had the good prizemoney on offer for him it swayed me to go that way and take both of them down,” he said.
“He’s not a bad little horse and he’s got the draw.
“I haven’t had a real good look at the fields but they will know he is in the race.”
Harding’s son Matthew will take both drives.
The Carnvial Of Cups meeting also features two lucrative finals from heats run at the track last week.
The first race is a $13,260 final for C1-C2 pacers with a C0 final for the same prizemoney later on the card.