MONDAY 6 JULY 2026
By GRAEME WHITE
Mr Tadashi – chasing three straight wins at Wagga on Monday – will lead a team of six horses trainer Doug Gorrel hopes can add to his recent success in the final month of the racing season.
The in-form five-year-old is one of the main contenders for the Navigate Advisors Benchmark 66 (2000m) having won his past two starts over the same distance at Wagga.
Mr Tadashi excels on heavy tracks as he has shown with a recent win over Reel Crystal who will again be one of his main threats.
The gelding was successful by just over two lengths last start with his jockey on Monday, Jeff Penza, in charge.
“He relishes the really heavy conditions which he will get again on Monday,” Gorrel said.
“It’s a harder race again and he goes up in the weights a bit, but he is racing very well.”
Mr Tadashi has more than paid back his modest purchase price of $600 and found his niche with the Gorrel stable winning three races.
Gorrel is a part-owner along with stable employee Michael Dickson, who acquired the galloper, and farrier Ryan Hamilton.
“Ryan’s partner Sarah Murphy is the only jockey to ride him in trackwork and has done a great job with him,” he added.
The top weight Quamby captured the Gundagai Cup three starts ago, while Star Blazer has won two of his past four starts and was well astern of Mr Tadashi last time.
Gorrel will also have maiden gallopers Hot Toddy and My Mate Elvis starting along with Perfectly Good, Sorry Sunshine and Iconic Rose.
His recent wins have pushed his season tally to 17 and up around the same mark as previous seasons.
“Placing horses in suitable races to win is what you are always trying to do,” he said.
“We have six or seven horses racing at the moment and other times it may be two or three so the extra numbers help if the horses are going well enough to win in the right races.”
My Mate Elvis looks ready to win after a strong finishing last start second at Canterbury and he will start in one of two races over 1400 or 1600 metres.
Hot Toddy has been around the mark in three starts this campaign and will contest the Linx Finance Maiden Plate (1400m).
“He should of cracked a win by now and his work and recent runs give him another chance on Monday. He does relish the heavy conditions which he will get again,” he said.
“My Mate Elvis has his hoof right on the till and is ready to fire after his last run.”
Gorrel also plans to venture back to Canberra on Wednesday with last start winner Dantain’s Prize, while last start Gundagai winner Sunroe is also due to race in the next week.
He has three last start winners in his team which is always a boost for stable morale.
“Hopefully they are in the right races to be around the money again,” he said.