Image: Mark Evans.
Todd Howlett wants to be racing at Royal Randwick on the first Tuesday in November, and he wants Two Big Fari contesting the $750,000 Little Dance (1600m).
The Walking Or Dancing gelding qualified for the final in 2022, following an excellent second to Casino Kid in the 2022 Dubbo Cup, and he subsequently finished a good fifth to Dream Runner in the final, beaten only one length in the big field of 20.
“Ideally, we can get him back in the Little Dance,” He said.
“He was good last year and wasn’t beaten far, and that’s definitely the goal for him.”
A seven-time winner, the rising eight-year-old has the ability, and connections have set him up for Sunday’s $80,000 South Grafton Cup (1610m) at Clarence River Jockey Club, one of the upcoming qualifiers for the $3 million Big Dance and $750,000 Little Dance.
It will be a tough ask for the $23 chance when taking on the Annabel Neasham-trained Space Tracker (Ben Looker, $3), which is the current favourite amongst other solid chances for the John O’Shea, Kris Lees, Bjorn Baker, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, and Matthew Dunn yards.
“Because of the Big Dance, these races have got tougher, and you need a minimum Saturday (class) horse these days, but I’m pleased with him; he’s a good, honest horse,” He said.
“He’s probably going to be better third and fourth up, but he’s definitely fit enough to be running a good race.”
The Muswellbrook galloper does get in on the minimum, and Mikayla Weir takes the ride.
“She knows the horse, and she won on him at Rosehill,” He said.
Howlett is looking forward to starting two runners on the second day of the 2023 Grafton July Carnival, and he rates the chances of Tanglewood in the 1006m Class One Handicap.
The three-year-old was ultra-impressive when first-up at Taree late last month, with Aaron Bullock guiding him to a five-and-a-half-length victory in the 1007m Maiden Handicap.
Bullock stays in the saddle, and the pair will be tough to beat from gate four.
“I think he is a really nice horse and a big chance,” Howlett said.
“He’s up in weight and class but won convincingly last start.”
Howlett, who was most recently working his horses at Newcastle, has since changed his status, moving back to the country, with Muswellbrook once again his home base.
Howlett, who’s enjoyed much success in the Hunter and North West, preparing over 400 victories, is keen to take advantage of some country-only races, such as Country Boosted events, Highway Handicaps, Country Championships, and The Kosciuszko.
“It is definitely a good time for country racing,” Howlett said.
“I am in the middle, and under an hour to Muswellbrook and Newcastle, but two years ago, I had a bad accident on the way to Muswellbrook, and the main reason I transferred to Newcastle is that I didn’t want to travel that road any more.
“I’ve gone back to driving on it again, and we’ve moved back to Muswellbrook, and we’ll start to target those races.”
South Grafton Cup adds to bumper carnival
Like it or loath it, the Big Dance has added another element to the Grafton July Carnival.
Traditionally, the Ramornie Handicap and Grafton Cup meetings have headlined the five race days.
Still, with the $80,000 South Grafton Cup (1610m) now a qualifier for the Big Dance and Little Dance, it’s added extra excitement to what is already a huge five days of racing.
The South Grafton Cup has attracted some handy Sydney horses and some good local talent, which will get punters through the gates and betting, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see this meeting continue to grow in stature and become one of the premier days over the carnival.
For more on the carnival, click here.
For fields, click here.
