Power finishers set to duke it out in Tamworth sprint

The rain is finally abating, and the track slowly improving, as the open-class short-coursers lock horns again in Monday’s feature sprint race at Tamworth.

Over the flying 1000m on a surface that could even improve from deep into heavy range to a soft 7, a group of NSW’s better performing country sprinters are out to rubber-stamp a start in Highway company in the Big Smoke.

But a fortnight after a couple of these rivals clashed in the feature Spring Cup, two of the biggest finishers in regional NSW racing return at the top and bottom of the weights to add extra spice.

High-class Scone six-year Toro Toro hasn’t started since surging home late into second place in the feature Hurricane over 900m at Newcastle 24 days ago.

Still lightly raced, Toro Toro has a near 30 per cent win rate from just 27 starts, including an impressive first-up Open Handicap win at the provincials in early August.

A renowned power finisher from the back, he’s been lumped with a hefty 63kg for the Tamworth challenge, but gets the services of top heavyweight rider Aaron Bullock.

Down at the bottom of the weights, the host club’s own big finisher, five-year-old Casino Lord returns for his first run here since a fast-finishing fourth in a BM 74 over 1000m on July 22.

He has had little luck in two runs since, including coming from a mile back in heavy ground behind Shalstar in a Randwick Highway (1000m) 23 days ago.

And while all three of his career wins from 15 starts have come at Tamworth, connections remain restless. Casino Lord hasn’t won since rocketing home to claim a weaker BM 58 in mid-May 2021.