Promising sprinter Awesome Pluck will now represent the William Farrer Hotel’s Super Punters Club (SPC) in Saturday’s $1.3 million The Kosciuszko (1200m) after their plans were thrown into chaos on Wednesday.
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The withdrawal of their runner Care To Think, the race favourite, due to an elevated temperature left publican David Barnhill just 75 minutes to find a replacement before the 9am deadline.
After discussions with five owners and trainers, a deal was struck with the connections of Port Macquarie four-year-old Awesome Pluck.
Trained by Jenny Graham, Awesome Pluck has two wins and three placings to his name from six starts and is well-performed on wet tracks.
Awesome Pluck ran second behind new Kosciuszko favourite Victorem in the Port Macquarie heat of this year’s Country Championships and won a trial by eight lengths last Saturday.
One positive for the SPC out of the situation is the new deal is 50-50 with Awesome Pluck’s connections as opposed to 25-75 with Care To Think.
Barnhill said it was a chaotic morning.
“Matt Dunn rang first at 7.45am...so I got on the phone and we had a pretty quick committee meeting at the pub. We didn’t have much time,” Barnhill said.
Barnhill was happy to secure Awesome Pluck and admitted they seriously considered the horse the first time around.
“He was about our third choice originally,” he said.
“The bloke that steered us into Care To Think steered us into this one.
“He had a good barrier trial last week and he likes a wet track, so anything can happen.”
A number of buses full of SPC members will still make their way to Sydney to support the group’s new representative.
Barnhill, while remaining positive, was disappointed Care To Think had to be withdrawn.
“I was pumped for the other horse. It sounds like it is pretty special,” he said.
“There’s no guarantees though, and we’ve drawn a good gate so we’re still a good chance. The trainer reckons (Awesome Pluck) is as good as Victorem.”
Awesome Pluck drew barrier one and will be ridden by former Southern District apprentice Tim Clark.
He is a $15 chance with TAB.
The Farrer’s SPC has over 400 members in total.
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