Beer said it was a combination of sheer excitement and some relief when a deal was struck with a slot holder from Junee for Redouble to run in the feature race.

"Both. I've been super, super keen that the horse would get a slot until five minutes after they drew them and then I was worried," Beer said.

"Obviously this has been the plan. I'm over the moon because the horse is going so good and we've negotiated our slot terms around the horse performing very well."

Beer said both he and the slot owner got creative when negotiating the terms.

"The worse the horse goes, the less we get," Beer revealed.

"There's a different percentage for where the horse finishes in the race. I think that's the way to go. There's different clauses and different percentages for where the horse runs and I'm basing that off the horse running in the top three.

"I think for the slot holder, they've been given a great opportunity. If the horse runs down the track, they're guaranteed a bit of a pay cheque."

Beer is looking forward to welcoming the duo into his team over the next six weeks. Having been at Albury now for a couple of years, he's well aware of the township of Junee.

"I've been through Junee on the way to Dubbo and I've backed a number of trotters at Junee. I've put money into the local Junee economy," he said.

"I think that was the big kicker for both the slot holder and myself, I wanted someone to be part of the experience. I want them to come down, see the horse and be along for the ride.

"I'm over the moon and think they have a real chance."

Beer said Redouble would have another trial before he decides on a first-up run.

...

TALENTED jockey John Kissick has made the move home to Wangaratta.

Kissick has started two weeks isolation at his Wangaratta home and will look to resume trackwork once that time is complete.

Kissick had spent a long time away from home, in Wagga and Albury, in a bid to return to the saddle and ride in the Southern District through the COVID restrictions.

"I'll definitely ride trackwork after the 14 days of isolation is finished then hopefully I'm going to start riding around this area and when the borders open up, I'll come back to NSW," Kissick said.

"I'm definitely going back riding again."

Kissick has not ridden at the races since July 6 but took a short break to refresh and get his back right.

...

TWO employees of the Mitch Beer stable have been handed disqualifications from stewards.

Stable foreperson Amber Coomb and stablehand Emma Johnstone have both been disqualified for breaching COVID-19 protocols.

Coomb was disqualified for four months, while Johnstone received a five-month ban after being found guilty of crossing the border into Victoria.

It comes after trainer Dean Boal and stablehand and owner Kylie Taylor were disqualified until March 31 next year.

The pair were found guilty of breaching COVID-19 regulations and providing false and misleading evidence to stewards. They were penalised four months for each offence.

Boal has a training base at Wangaratta but had been in NSW since May on a visiting trainer's licence at Tocumwal.

Boal has appealed the penalty.

...

KOSCIUSZKO hopeful Lord Von Costa will trial at Corowa on Tuesday.

The Kosciuszko slots were drawn on Wednesday morning and Albury trainer Donna Scott could not be happier with her stable star.

Scott will stick with her original plan and trial Lord Von Costa at Corowa ahead of a first-up run in the group two Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on October 3.

Lord Von Costa was still available for the Kosciuszko on Wednesday afternoon, as was the Geoff Duryea-trained Front Page.

Expect Front Page to represent Wagga's William Farrer Hotel's Super Punters Club in the race.

...

DUBBO'S showcase meeting on Sunday is on the radar of a couple of Southern District trainers.

Albury trainer Mitch Beer has nominated imported stayer Perfect Illusion for the $100,000 Dubbo Gold Cup (1600m).

Beer has also entered Logan River for the $50,000 Flying Handicap (1100m), as well as Mnementh and Meladia for a couple of other races.

Wagga trainer Chris Heywood has nominated Blitzar for the $50,000 Country Magic Class Two Showcase Plate (1100m), as well as Fifty Carats and Perfect Sun in supporting races.

...

SOUTHERN District steward Sean Knight is on the move.

Knight has accepted a position with Racing NSW, based at Newcastle.

Knight has been replaced by Liam Martin, who is originally from Tamworth but recently completed his cadetship in Sydney.

He arrives this week and will work his first meeting at Corowa next week.

...

THE racing community is mourning the loss of trainer Rick Worthington.

The popular horseman passed away on Saturday, aged 60, after battling cancer.

Worthington was no stranger to the Murrumbidgee Turf Club and combined with Glen Boss to win the 2010 Wagga Gold Cup with Sainthood.

"It's a hard race to win, this one, and I'm just thrilled to bits," Worthington said at the time.

"I'm just really, really happy for the horse. He's the one who does the work while we stand here and get the glory."

Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'Landys AM paid tribute to Worthington.

"The industry has lost one of its nicest and hardest working trainers following the passing of Rick Worthington," V'Landys said.

"Everyone knew how hard Rick worked and he was a brilliant horseman. However, Rick also worked hard behind the scenes to make conditions better for trainers.

"A lot of the gains attained for trainers were due to Rick's perseverance."

...

THE local racing community also farewelled a great man on Monday in Dick Wiscombe.

Wiscombe passed away last week, aged 78. He was a familiar face at Wagga races, having manned the Murrumbidgee Turf Club's Member's Lounge door for more than 20 years.

'Yachty' was also former president of Group Nine club Brothers and a popular identity in the sporting community.

...

GALLOPS

Saturday: Griffith (TAB)

Tuesday: Corowa (TAB)

TROTS

Friday: Wagga (TAB)

Tuesday: Young (TAB)

DOGS

Saturday: Temora (TAB)