Wagga trainer Trevor Sutherland has a strong team aimed at the two-day Snake Gully Cup carnival at Gundagai on Friday and Saturday.
Fresh from a winning treble at Albury on Thursday with Sin Sin Sin, Madam Fu and Trevbar, Sunderland has the likes of last-start Wagga winner Fu Who, Think Unique, Birds Night Out and Sin Sin Sin set for races during the popular carnival.
Albury's twice premier country trainer Brett Cavanough will also play a strong hand. Steal The Thunder is a likely nomination for Friday's $60,000 Snake Gully Cup (1400m).
"I'll also be sending a big team up for the Dubbo Cup on Sunday," Cavanough said.
Cavanough, back atop this season's country trainers' premiership, has been buoyed by the support of London-based Australian millionaire owner Richard Pegum. "I've got about five horses for him and seven two-year-olds," Cavanough said.
Big day for Bowmans
DUNEDOO-BASED Jim and Mandy Bowman's first visit to Flemington on Thursday provided a memorable family occasion.
Jim and Mandy are the parents of top Sydney jockey Hugh Bowman, who gave a faultless display to guide hot favourite Samantha Miss to victory in the VRC Oaks.
"It was absolutely awesome, just fabulous," Mandy Bowman said. "Just fabulous. It was our first visit to Flemington and we had an amazing day.
"When Hugh weighed in after the Oaks he came past us, leaned over and gave Jim and I and his fiancée, Christine, a huge hug on his way to the presentation.
"It was very special for us all."
Jim Bowman is a fine horseman in his own right and prepares a few gallopers at the family property. The Bowmans also have a horse named Red Hot Prince with Samantha Miss's trainer, Kris Lees.
Interesting inquiry
THE identity of the two licensed persons called to give evidence last week at a Racing NSW stewards' investigation into the running and betting activity surrounding a series of country and provincial races dating back to June has been a hot topic of discussion in racing circles.
Gossip and scuttlebutt has been rampant following the inquiry. The strong mail suggests the pair are jockeys.
Chief stipe Ray Murrihy said stewards were continuing their investigation.
Gorby a real goer
NORTH Coast punters will have their sights firmly fixed on the Gold Coast on Saturday when powerhouse sprinter Gorborchov looks to extend his winning run.
Young Casino horseman Shane Randall has earmarked a 1000m scamper for the lightly raced five-year-old after the gelding scored his third win in succession at Grafton on Wednesday.
"He's a freak," Randall said. "We're only taking little steps each time but they're working."
Two horses to follow from the meeting were 2007 Grafton Cup winner Ashraf and the Felicity Firth-trained Tamalie.
Lindop good fit
VICTORIA Derby-winning heroine Clare Lindop will be high on the Ballina Jockey Club's hit list of invitees for the annual Iris Nielsen Memorial on January 25.
Prizemoney for the women riders-only memorial race has been boosted to $27,000 and it will be a Sky Channel Gold race. A $10,000 BOBS bonus is also attached to the race.
Another hot shot
TRACEY BARTLEY has already tasted Stradbroke success when Sniper's Bullet won last year's group 1 event, and plans to chase the same race next year with promising Marchinski.
The three-year-old scored impressively at Hawkesbury on Thursday and Bartley has a high opinion of the Magic Albert gelding.
Not the Cup but …
SOME highlights and other news from a busy schedule of country meetings on Melbourne Cup day include:
■ Apprentice Gillian Pick scoring a treble at Orange aboard Nalorac, Wiliacon and Filatrove. Wiliacon was a lucky pick-up ride when jockey Adrian Robinson fractured his ankle after a fall from Elven in the opening race;
■ At Muswellbrook, the Luke Griffith-trained, Leanne Henry mount With A Chance scored a gutsy come-from-behind win in the $40,000 Muswellbrook Cup (1750m);
■ Apprentice riders Vicky Shubert (Simon Ceejay), Chantelle Johnson (Melody Green), Teresa Nikora (Monsieur Marceau, Chance Of Lightnin) and Hari Singh (Classic Ann) won all five races at Tamworth;
■ Shirley Hunter scored a career-high four wins from six races aboard Tennacia, Fraar Flight, Kwenda Mzuri and Prussian Belle at Corowa;
■ Peter Graham scored a treble at Taree (Spectacular Lyen, Gladiator Two, Mr Genuine) and Tim Phillips also a treble at Moruya with Pretty Precocious, Moorings Zed and My First Time.
They're racing
TAB meetings: today - Armidale; tomorrow - Queanbeyan; Tuesday - Scone; Friday - Ballina, Gundagai; Saturday - Gundagai. Non-TAB: Wednesday - Bong Bong; Saturday - Grafton, Inverell.
Stable Secrets Nine Dragons: Fiery customer.
Hot Frock: Pressed for success.
Soaring Colours: Bright prospect.
tony_white3@bigpond.com