Wagga trainer Scott Spackman is prepared to have a crack at the lucrative Country Championships with in-form sprinter O’So Hazy.
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Spackman enjoyed a day out at Murrumbidgee Turf Club on Friday, training a winning double with promising pair O’So Hazy ($1.60) and Tokookacod ($2.35).
It was also a big moment for Noel Penfold, who owns both horses.
O’So Hazy continued a magnificent preparation by taking out the XXXX Summer Sprint (1200m) at Murrumbidgee Turf Club.
The four-year-old mare started this preparation as a maiden and is now an open handicap winner in the space three and a half months.
Spackman has now conceded the riches of the Country Championships is too enticing to ignore.
“We’re going to have a go, we’re going to have a crack at it,” Spackman said.
“We’ll sit down and have a yarn and try to map out a plan to get us there. $150,000 is too much not to try and have a crack at it.”
With Brooke Sweeney in the saddle, O’ So Hazy worked her way to the front and while she got a little tired late, she proved too good for her opposition.
Not Too Sure ($6.50) closed strongly to finish second, while Great Panache ($8.00) was another half length back in third.
It took O’ So Hazy’s record to four wins and three placings from eight starts.
“That was impressive. Straight to open company, to do that was pretty impressive,” Spackman said.
“She’s gone from a maiden to winning in open company in one preparation. She’s had seven starts and only missed a cheque once.
“We knew she was a little bit underdone (today). We gave her a bit of an easy time of it since her last start with the Country Championships in mind.”
The win of Tokookacod ($2.35) in the R H Blake & Co Class Three Handicap (1000m) meant a great deal.
After competing in Highway Handicaps at her last three starts, Tokookacod returned a ninth and two fifth placings in performances that were full of merit.
“Her runs in town were good with no luck,” Spackman said.
“I’m so bloody proud of her.”
Tokookacod stormed home down the outside to score by a half a length from Warragul ($4.20) and Grey Strike ($17.00).
It also completed a winning double for Rebeka Prest.
Meantime, Canberra trainer Doug Gorrell thoroughly enjoyed the win of Chief Of Arlington in the Book Your Wedding @ The MTC Maiden Handicap (1600m).
Gorrell broke down on the way to Wagga from Canberra and only just made it to the track on time.
Chief Of Arlington ($7.50) held on by a short neck to defeat the fast-finishing Mister Steadfast ($5.50) and Fox Beat ($5.00).
