Village Witch will fly the flag for the Riverina in the Inter Dominion.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
She’s the only mare nominated for the series, which kick starts at Melton on Saturday night.
Owned and bred by Young couple Josh and Chloe Powderly, the eight-year-old is now in the care of former Young horseman Jason Grimson.
They are thrilled to be part of the series, but aren’t going in with too many expectations.
“We know we are not in the Tiger Tara bracket or anything like that, but we do know we are competitive against them with the right run,” Josh Powderly said.
“She’s proven that at Menangle when finished second and third to Mach Doro and Tiger Tara and we’re just hoping to keep drawing nice.
“If she’s close to them she will more than acquit herself.”
It took 11 starts before Village Witch won her first race in a non-TAB meeting at Coolamon in 2015.
But now she’s won 24 of her 117 races, plus another 32 placings, banked just under $250,000 in prizemoney and won four group three races in the past four months.
“She’s certainly done more than we ever thought she would,” Powderly said.
“She took a bit of going early on, but always had the ability.”
Village Witch won nine races while trained by Powderly before heading to Brisbane.
She moved through to the open ranks there before heading to Sydney with Grimson and has gone to another level.
She’s enjoyed plenty of success in mares grade, including a group three win last time out, but Powderly is confident that form can translate to racing Australia’s best.
“She acquits herself really well,” he said.
Village Witch was 20th when the series rankings were last released.
She’s drawn eight in the second of the three heats.
Powderly expects the inside of the second row draw will suit.
Especially with noted good beginner Mach Doro drawing barrier one.
“It is a fantastic draw,” he said. “If Luke (McCarthy on Mach Doro) decides to hold he’ll hopefully behind him and if he doesn’t we are only going to be three fence which is a pretty good spot to be in in that sort of race as you’ve got Shadow Sax and a couple of good ones drawn the back row.
“There will be plenty of pressure.”
READ MORE