Winning your home town's biggest race is a dream of anyone who ventures into the world of ownership, and that is no different for Dubbo couple Jeff and Nea Costello. The Costellos have been stalwarts of harness racing in the city for many years, each doing a huge amount of work to help the club thrive. So it would be a fitting reward if their mare Happy To Go could cause an upset and win Friday night's $30,000 Goodtime Lodge Red Ochre Mares Classic (2120m).
The Group 3 event has drawn together a strong field of mares, headlined by classy five-year-old Bon Accord Gal, but Jeff Costello admits it will be a big thrill if their mare, which is trained by Steve Turnbull and will be driven by his daughter Amanda, crossed the line first in the final.
"We're up against it this week because I think Bon Accord Gal is one of the better mares to have ever contested this series," Costello said.
"But we've always wanted to win the Red Ochre and to have 'Happy' make it through to the final gives us our chance.
"We bought her from New Zealand last year, and the way it has panned out she was in the right grade at the right time for us to contest this series, which was exciting in itself.
"She's had 20 starts for us since we bought her and won seven races and been placed a few other times so she's done a good job."
Happy To Go ran well in her heat of the series, finishing just 4.5 metres behind Bon Accord Gal when running second in a mile rate of 2:02.5. The Bettor's Delight (USA) x Time To Fly (NZ) mare will carry a record of seven wins and 11 placings from 33 starts into the final. With a good draw in barrier eight, Costello admits he will place his faith in the junior Turnbull to give her every chance in the main event on the Carnival of Cups program.
"Steve speaks for himself as a trainer, he does a great job with the horses and his results show that," Costello said.
"And Amanda, if she keeps going the way she is she will end up going down as one of the all-time greats of the sport.
"Even though it will be tough for us to win the final given the class in the race, having her driving our mare just gives you that little bit more confidence."
by Ben Walker