By Neil Evans
A promising three-year-old which left punters and connections deflated after two runs to launch his career can start the payback mission at Monday’s Tamworth meeting.
Peninsula, a talented – albeit still learning – son of long-time prolific sire Snitzel, lines up for his third start in a Maiden Plate over 1200m.
Along with Leah Gavranich, Paul Messara will chase success at Tamworth with Peninsula.Credit: Vince Caligiuri
And all going to plan, the gelding could lead home a swathe of success for Scone-based gallopers heading up the New England Highway.
Part of the Paul Messara-Leah Gavranich yard, Peninsula was sensationally backed on debut here from $1.72 into a red-hot $1.35 four weeks ago, but after looming to win, did things wrong and had to settle for third place.
That market support reignited a fortnight later at Armidale stepping up to 1400m, but as an overwhelming $1.45 favourite, he could only manage fourth place beaten a bit over a length.
A jockey change has been quickly made, with Ashley Morgan taking over, while Peninsula not only comes back to 1200m, but also finds an even more suitable set weights race.
He opened around $1.95 favourite in early betting, well ahead of Scone rival Xerxes ($5.00), a three-year-old on debut for the Brett Cavanough yard behind a quiet provincial trial.
Scone gallopers are set for plenty of festive cheer across the card.
Both the Rodney Northam-trained pair Grandini fourth-up in the opening Maiden Hcp over 1600m, and tough mare Very Sharp in the feature BM 82 Hcp over 1000m, are serious each way chances.
And consistent mare Lightning Speed emerged as the one to beat in a Class 2 Hcp over 1400m for the Cameron Crockett stable.
The daughter of Akeed Mofeed scored a dominant maiden win at this track two starts back before chasing home smart city galloper Perfumist at Mudgee, the form quickly franked with that galloper again bolting in under lights at Canterbury last friday night.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
Lloyd cops two-week careless riding ban
By Craig Kerry
Zac Lloyd will be back in time for the major Magic Millions raceday on January 11 on the Gold Coast after copping a careless riding suspension from a busy day in the stewards’ room at Randwick.
The two-time champion Sydney apprentice, who came out of his time three weeks ago, was before the stewards three times on Saturday for allowing his mounts to shift in or out.
Lloyd, who asked for his suspension to start after Boxing Day, pleaded guilty and was outed from December 28 to January 10 for his ride on runner-up Chergui in the opening race.
He was also reprimanded for his rides on Pereille in the ninth and winner In Summer from the second.
Chad Schofield was outed from December 29 to January 1 for careless riding on winner Accredited in the last.
All Hunky Dory for trainer Duggan
By Craig Kerry
A horse racing second-up off an almost three-and-a-half break was part of a double for jockey Ash Morgan at Taree on Sunday.
Eight-year-old All Hunky Dory, for Gosford trainer Adam Duggan, broke through at his 12th start when taking out the opener.
All Hunky Dory was second at Tamworth on debut in Australia, after a 176-week spell following a winless 10-start career in Hong Kong across 2020-21.
“It was really nice to see him win after all that time off,” Duggan said. “Second-up at a mile after all that time off is very tricky to do. It’s a credit to the horse.“
Morgan, who will ride Nathan Doyle-trained Private Harry in the $3 million Magic Millions Sunlight slot race on January 10, also won on Lyle Chandler’s Sonic Tycoon.
