After a four-month hiatus following their very successful Quirindi Cup meeting in February, Quirindi Jockey Club returns to racing on Saturday when hosting a six-race Sky 2 program.
One delighted man is local trainer Geoff O’Brien, who, for a change, will enjoy not travelling.
“I’ve only got to go to my gate; It’s the only time I’m happy,” He laughed.
O’Brien will saddle up four chances on the program, and he likes Tandem in the 1200m Class Three Handicap.
Wendy Peel takes the ride from gate nine, and the four-year-old enters the event with some decent form following two wins this preparation.
The More Than Ready mare won an 800m Class Two Handicap at Tomingley Picnics on April 1, and two starts back, she was a classy winner in the 1200m Class Two Handicap at Binnaway.
She’s now won four from 11, and connections will hope she thrives on her home track.
“Tandem is a pretty honest little mare, and she’ll run a pretty fair race tomorrow,” O’Brien said.
“From the 1200m, it is a good, long run to the turn, and she will get back, so the outside won’t be a concern.”
Peel will also ride Gundawarra (gate 4) in the Class One Handicap (1450m) and Scriba (gate 11) in the Benchmark 50 Handicap (1600m) while apprentice Kelsey Lenton jumps aboard Tonatrix (gate 13) in the Maiden Plate (1450m).
“Gundawarra will run all right,” O’Brien said.
“She only had her first run back a fortnight or so ago over 1400m, and from a wide alley, she went good, and I expect her to improve tomorrow and run a reasonable sort of race.”
Quirindi can be a unique course first-up, and O’Brien hopes his team has some advantage over their rivals.
“You’ve got a downhill run from the 750m, and sometimes horses can’t handle it,” O’Brien said.
“Especially ones that haven’t been here before, they can find it a bit difficult, and horses trained on the track get a leg up.”
Regarding the Quirindi racecourse, Saturday’s meeting will be run on an excellent surface.
“It looks terrific,” O’Brien said.
“We’re at that wintery bit now, but it will race pretty good, and before the frost, it was in the best order I’ve seen it in 20 years.”
Racing jumps at 12.56pm on Saturday, and for fields, click here.
For markets, click here.
Quirindi tips
Race 1: Capitamy – $5
Race 2: Awaygoesthebunny – $9.50
Race 3: Bear’s Best – $3 (Best Bet)
Race 4: Jade – $14 (Beat Value)
Race 5: 3 Casan Geal – $9
Race 6: Badboy McCoy – $3.50
Quirindi Hoofnote
Off the jockeys still actively riding, Darryl ‘Digger’ McLellan is the most successful rider at Quirindi, starting 425 times for 61 wins (14%) and 173 placings (41%).
McLellan has a full book of rides on the six-race program and could be one to follow.
| Quirindi Most Wins – Jockey | Wins | Win % | Places | Place % | Rides | PM | ROI |
| GREG RYAN | 115 | 17 | 324 | 49 | 666 | AUD $1,206,760 | $0.81 |
| DARREN JONES | 77 | 16 | 181 | 37 | 490 | AUD $388,195 | $1.00 |
| H TROY | 70 | 20 | 165 | 47 | 352 | AUD $210,000 | $0.75 |
| ALLAN ROBINSON | 68 | 19 | 166 | 46 | 359 | AUD $331,160 | $0.77 |
| ROBERT THOMPSON | 67 | 15 | 186 | 43 | 437 | AUD $517,510 | $0.87 |
| DARRYL MCLELLAN | 61 | 14 | 173 | 41 | 425 | AUD $394,055 | $0.79 |
| ANDREW GIBBONS | 43 | 18 | 87 | 36 | 244 | AUD $547,665 | $1.03 |
| TROY BRANDENBURG | 42 | 15 | 115 | 41 | 282 | AUD $126,280 | $0.67 |
| TERRY GREEN | 41 | 13 | 107 | 33 | 325 | AUD $125,030 | $0.78 |
| DALE SPRIGGS | 39 | 11 | 115 | 34 | 343 | AUD $299,025 | $0.57 |
