IT is the time of the year that Hunter Valley trainers divide their time between racing their horses at Newcastle and Tamworth with many chasing the riches that the Golden Guitar Series offers.
Abermain horseman, Cameron Davies admits that he and fellow trainers in his region are spoilt with the abundance of racing that they have at their doorstep in Newcastle and when it suits, can travel up to Tamworth, particularly when the bigger races are on.
Davies trains a small team of five pacers at his idyllic property nestled in between Kurri Kurri and Cessnock.
“I do like to set horses for the Golden Guitar each year, it is a race that most trainers up this way aspire to win ” said Davies.
“This year I have qualified two for the final and for the past three years I have had a finalist in the prestigious race.
“Battle Chimes ran an unlucky third beaten by less than three metres in last year’s final behind Wet My Whistle and he ran second in his heat on Sunday behind Balducci.
“Ticktockpocketwatch came to me from New Zealand midway through last year and we could not be happier with her.
“She has won two and been placed three times since we got her.
“She also finished second in her heat last Sunday and deserves her place in the final.
“It nice to have two runners in such a prestigious race and it would be a huge thrill if I happened to win it.
“I have just the one runner going around at Newcastle tonight in Race 7, namely Dothedealdylan.
“He has been a bit disappointing in recent runs since dead-heating for first here at Newcastle five starts back, on November 9.”
On that occasion, the gelding rated 1.56.1 after racing just off the pace but he has been well beaten in four runs since and would need to improve vastly, although Davies believes that he can.
“He has a good draw tonight (barrier two) and I do think he can win if he decides to produce his best,” he said.
HRNSW MEDIA