3 minute read
In-form galloper Usain Prince can bring up a hat-trick of wins in today's ATAC Handicap (race 7) at Tamworth.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The locally trained galloper is unbeaten in two runs this time in and should give a huge sight as he steps up to 1400m in this open handicap.
Prepared by leading local trainer Sue Grills, Usain Prince had a long and consistent campaign last time in with a host of minors but his sole win came four starts back.
That was here over 1400m where he drew wide so was sent to the front and he kept going from there, scoring a two length win.
He then finished off the campaign over 1400m at Scone where he again led but must have had enough as he faded from the turn to finish 10th so went for a spell.
After a good break missing much of the winter and spring he resumed over 1100m at Armidale in a Benchmark 65.
Sitting third early, he took over on the turn and ran away with a comfortable two length win.
He then returned home and stepped up to open class over 1200m.
Sitting second, he turned there and settled down to fight out the race, lifting strongly over the final stages to score a long neck win over Emotional Outburst.
He meets the winner a half kilo worse at the weights but will be fitter again and has a terrific record at home of three wins from four runs.
He won his only try at the track and distance and in this small field will take running down again.
Emotional Outburst went down narrowly to Usain Prince and looks the clear danger again.
The Mark Mason trained gelding drew wide fresh over 1000m at Moree and did a good job for a close up fifth before finishing seventh in soft ground in the Hyde Cup over 1250m at Taree.
Over 1200m at Quirindi he settled back in the small field and ran on well to finish a narrow second, before racing here over 1200m last time.
Sitting fourth at turning there, he loomed up but just couldn't get past Usain Prince in the drive to the line.
Today he meets him a half kilo better and does look nicely placed in this grade with just a kilo over the minimum.
He has a very honest overall record and should go close again.
Kwilas Law is fitter for one run back from a spell on through the same formlines looks the obvious third choice.
The Luke Griffith trained gelding resumed over 1200m here and after settling last and turned well back hit the line strongly to finish a 1.7 length third behind Usain prince and Emotional Outburst.
He meets that pair better at the weights and is much better off over the longer journey.
He has the minimum weight, leading rider Greg Ryan aboard and should be finishing off strongly again.
Zeeyajimi is racing consistently and back to his favourite trip is a must for the multiples.
