THE Singleton Cup is back. This race, once a regular event on Muswellbrook Race Club’s calendar.
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Has been re-introduced as the feature race on Monday’s program and the increased prize money has had the desired effect with 21 horses nominated.
The Singleton Cup has not been run for the previous four years but a desire by Singleton Council to create a community day with a sporting theme has led to its re-introduction.
“Council investigated a number of options but we ticked all the boxes,” Muswellbrook Race Club’s chief executive officer, Helen Sinclair, said.
“Singleton is a big town on our border and this will help bring the two towns closer together.”
Council is sponsoring the race and its contribution has helped lift prize money to $20,000.
The Cup is a benchmark 65 over 1280 metres and has attracted horses from some of the Hunter Valley’s leading stables including Paul Perry, Kris Lees, Todd Howlett and Greg Bennett while trainers from Taree to Dubbo and Hawkesbury have also nominated.
Scone apprentice Kassie Furness will ride the top weight, the in form Jellybean Jack for Gulgong trainer Gayna Williams leaving her master, Greg Bennett to find a new rider for Traffic.
Dale Spriggs goes on to Traffic, having her second start back from a break.
Traffic made up some ground when she resumed with a ninth at Scone 12 days ago but that was on a track rated a slow seven.
“She will have derived a lot of benefit from that run, will be fitter and will appreciate being on better going but when Kassie was offered the ride on Jellybean Jack I told her to take it,” Bennett said.
“That horse is in really good form and it is a good opportunity for Kassie.”
Jellybean Jack has won three of his last four starts at Mudgee (twice) and Wellington and did not relish the hard track when third at Coonamble in a Benchmark 70.
Tamworth trainer Sue Grills is likely to book a senior rider for Just Cooking, another horse racing in good form at present.
The mare was ridden by Grills’ apprentice, Sophie Young, when she scored a fast finishing win at Gunnedah two starts back then stepped up on class for a good second behind Pompidou at Tamworth.