WAGGA RACE PREVIEW – MONDAY JANUARY 26
By GRAEME WHITE
It appears a flip of the coin selection between Take The Rap and Rumours Abound, but could it be another contender that emerges in the JRC Electrical Services Wagga Scamper (1000m) on Monday.
It appears on paper a two-horse race, but that isn’t always necessarily the case.
The Australia Day meeting will commence at the earlier time of 10am because of the forecast extreme heat.
Take The Rap has a brilliant Wagga record with four wins from five starts with all over those coming over the sprint distance.
His first-up record also reads three wins from four attempts and he should get the perfect run in transit behind Rumours Abound who is drawn perfectly in barrier one.
Rumours Abound is a short course specialist and has won both of her trials in impressive fashion – the latest at Wagga which will mean little when it comes to race day pressure as opposed to a more subdued trial.
Rumours Abound wasn’t pushed in the trial and neither was Take The Rap who was five lengths astern.
Canberra trainer Norm Gardner is expecting a positive display from Take The Rap whom he rates as one of the best horses he has trained in recent years alongside Delacour and Dupli Kate.
“He is a lot more settled this campaign and his trial was good. It will be a lot different under race conditions and the speed on will suit my bloke,” he said.
Take The Rap will be ridden by leading jockey Pierre Boudvillan who landed another winning treble at Moruya on Friday.
“Pierre rides him most mornings when he is there and has put a lot of work into him,” Gardner said.
Albury trainer Ron Stubbs is looking to win the Scamper for the second consecutive year with Rumours Abound.
Last year, Rumours Abound won the Scamper by almost three lengths in a fast 56.6 seconds.
Rumours Abound will carry one kilogram less than Take The Rap and give their normal racing styles should again lead and have her rivals under pressure a long way out from the finish.
“She has had two nice trials and is doing well,” Stubbs said.
If Rumours Abound progresses as expected she will line up in the Flat Knacker at Albury in March.
Stubbs has won the race three times with Sparring and on another occasion with Boss Lady Rocks.
The seven-race program will commence at 10am with the last at 1pm.
The other feature race is the Commins Hendriks – Australia Day Cup (2000m).
Dreamstone was successful last start at Wagga over 1800 metres and has been successful over 2100 metres.
Wagga Wagga produced a strong finishing third at his first start for trainer Anthony Warren, while Mathrin is coming off a last starts second in the Cowra Cup.
