COROWA trainer Geoff Duryea has scratched News Girl from the barrier trial at Wagga today.
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The appearance of the talented mare was going to be one of the highlights of a strong card at Murrumbidgee Turf Club's showcase meeting.
But Duryea has erred on the side of caution and scratched his star mare after not being completely satisfied with her in a recent track gallop.
"I'm not happy with her so I'm pulling her out," Duryea said.
"The (Wagga) track is still coming up a heavy nine and I'm just not happy with her. I let her brush up the other morning and I wasn't happy with the way she worked and that sort of thing.
"I'll leave her home, get some blood tests and that and see how she is but I'm not happy enough with her to be bringing her up."
News Girl, a three-time city winner, is an $11 chance for the $1.3 million Kosciuszko at Randwick in October.
Her little brother and stablemate, Front Page, is the $4.50 favourite.
The campaign of both horses is up in the air somewhat due to the closure of the NSW and Victorian border.
Duryea hopes to have plans for both horses finalised in the next 10 days.
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THERE is still plenty of quality in the barrier trial at Wagga on Thursday despite the scratching of News Girl.
SDRA Country Championships Qualifier winner Sky Call will trial for Mitch Beer, as she returns for her next preparation.
Beer plans to have Sky Call heading to the races for a first-up assignment on Saturday week.
Also among the trial are Wayne Carroll's promising staying mare Sumdeel, who is an emergency, along with Derby Star, a newcomer for the Peter Clancy yard.
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THE suspension of leading Southern District trainer Trevor Sutherland will be felt across the region.
Racing NSW stewards confirmed the suspension of Sutherland on Monday but would not comment any further on the matter.
Sutherland denies any knowledge or involvement in the alleged slaughter of some retired racehorses he formerly trained.
Murrumbidgee Turf Club will feel the suspension of Sutherland, who is the biggest trainer in Wagga, in both track fees and with race starters.
The non-TAB and picnic circuit will also miss Sutherland, while suspended, once they get back up and running.
Sutherland has been one of the biggest supporters of the picnic circuit, particularly at annual meetings like Lockhart, Ardlethan, Tullibigeal and Harden.
Sutherland had 576 starters last season, the seventh highest in the state.
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BORDER trainers are thrilled with Racing NSW's decision to begin easing COVID-19 restrictions.
Racing NSW announced on Wednesday the introduction of phase one of the easing of restrictions permitting horses to travel from Victoria into NSW.
The phase will allow horses not based in the greater metropolitan area of Melbourne to cross into NSW.
There are a number of conditions that apply, including the rule that horses must be transported to a spelling or pre-training facility and must stay there for a minimum of 48 hours before being allowed into a licensed stable or racecourse.
Albury trainer Mitch Beer was so delighted by the news around borders re-opening he labelled it 'Christmas Day'.
Racing NSW says it will continue to monitor the number of reported cases in Victoria to determine when it is appropriate to introduce phase two of the policy, which will allow horses located in other regions of Victoria to travel to NSW.
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MURRUMBIDGEE Turf Club will open a new trackside bar for racegoers at Thursday's meeting.
The Iron Jack Owners Precinct has been created in the bookmaker's ring and will be open on each race day.
The area is designed for owners, who have a horse running on the day, and trainers pre and post race.
Naturally, COVID rules will apply.
The eight-race TAB gets underway at 1.05pm with the feature the $35,000 Ian Reid Sprint (1000m) at 3.25pm.
The Mitch Beer stable is well represented with four of the 11 runners in the feature sprint.
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ALBURY jockey Brodie Loy continues to travel to all parts of the state for a winner.
Loy went all the way to Scone on Tuesday for one ride, and it proved to be a winner.
It was a special one two as Loy guided Commanding Missile ($2.30) to victory for Annabel Neasham, who was saddling up her first winner as a trainer.
The win came just a day after Loy enjoyed a first and second placing from two rides at Nowra.
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WAGGA apprentice jockey Josh Richards passed a major career milestone at the last Murrumbidgee Turf Club meeting.
Richards registered his 100th career winner when guiding Logan River to victory in the Wagga Whiz.
Richards will again be on board Logan River when he steps out in the Ian Reid Sprint at Wagga on Thursday, where he has a strong book of rides.
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ALBURY trainer Laura McCullum has had her appeal against the severity of a four-month disqualification dismissed.
McCullum was disqualified for four months after being found guilty of providing false evidence to stewards.
It surrounded a potential breach of Racing NSW's COVID-19 policy.
"It's disappointing to have my appeal dismissed," McCullum told The Border Mail.
"But it is what it is and there is no use dwelling on it. At the end of the day I did the wrong thing and now I have to pay the price.
"Once the four months is over I'm keen to get back into training as quickly as possible."
McCullum had only just taken our her trainer's licence and had three starters.
She will now be out until late December, when she can reapply for her licence again.
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WHAT'S ON
GALLOPS
Thursday: Wagga (TAB)
TROTS
Friday: Wagga (TAB)
Tuesday: Wagga (TAB)
DOGS
Friday: Wagga (TAB)
